> Never Too Clever
>  by Zennistrad
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Look to the Past
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Clover had seen a lot of strange things in his life. Evil spirits of winter that fed off hatred, completely unrelated ocean spirits that also fed on hatred, an artifact made by sapient feathered lizards that could steal a pony’s memories, and even an evil sorceress using said artifact to wipe memories of friendships to bring back the aforementioned winter spirits. Or was she trying to bring back the ocean spirits? He couldn’t remember, and wasn’t entirely certain if that was his fault.

More than that, Clover had seen glimpses of lands that no other pony had laid eyes on, and witnessed magics older and more potent than that of any unicorn in history. Not a single pony in the fledgeling Equestrian Confederacy could claim in earnest to have seen the things he saw. Not that Star Swirl would have believed him if he told of it, of course.

He had been under the Great Wizard’s tutelage for several years now, and despite his insufferably large ego, Clover had quickly developed a fondness for his teachings. Though they butted heads often, there was something about their mutual relationship that he found oddly satisfying.

Maybe it was the fact that it presented him with frequent opportunities to trade verbal barbs, but there was something more to it than that. Friendship, perhaps, but friendship in Equestria had always involved telling stories, sharing laughter, and an almost uncountable number of instances where ponies would spontaneously burst into song. Somehow, Clover doubted that snide remarks would have kindled the Fires of Friendship.

Now, he sat within the confines of his room, a small bedchamber in Star Swirl’s tower with a disheveled assortment of books, scrolls, and scrawled notes laying about. The bed had not been made in months, the windows were perpetually closed and covered in dust, and the only thing that was maintained with any care were the pair of potted plants he kept on his desk. To others it would have looked crude and disorganized, but despite Star Swirl’s constant nagging it was the one place in Equestria where he always knew where to find exactly what he wanted. He simply accepted the room as it was, as that was all that he needed it to be.

Both of Clover’s rear legs were crossed beneath him as he sat upright, eyes closed, and holding his front legs out by the sides. It was a meditative position used by many of the bipedal races to the east, one that was meant to evoke the beauty and tranquility of the lotus flower. His horn glowed, and blue and green wisps flickered on the edge of his vision as he drew from the mana lines of Equestria and beyond. He reached outward with his feelings, peering into the threads of the world itself, seeing the stories of past and future that were etched deeply into the planar fabric. When he opened them, he could see the stories before him in dozens of bright, glowing white runes that hovered in front of his eyes, written in the language of Harmony herself. He squinted, unable to exactly comprehend what the letters meant, yet he could gain a vague idea as the runes projected a rough approximation of their meaning directly into his mind, seemingly of their own will. Of the runes, there was only one word that stuck in his mind with perfect clarity.

Alicorns? he thought. That’s the third time I’ve heard that word from my readings. I thought it’d meant the mineral found naturally in every pony’s body, but it’s being referred to here in the plural, as though an ‘alicorn’ was an individual object instead of a substance. He puzzled over the strange yet bizarrely familiar word, his mind picking apart anything he could use to gain further context. The rune after it could mean either ‘aurora,’ ‘sun,’ or ‘cake,’ and the one before it could mean ‘dreams,’ ‘moon,’ or ‘volume.’ But just what the hay could possibly connect these meanings?

The door to the room burst open, and the sound of wooden board slamming against stone walls snapped him out of his concentration. In an instant the runes vanished, and Clover tumbled backwards, hitting his head against the floor. As stood himself up, he was greeted to the frowning image of the most famous facial hair in Equestria.

“Tambelon’s Bells, master,” Clover cursed, “how many times have I told you to knock before coming in?”

“You are staying in my tower,” Star Swirl countered, “and as long as it remains mine, I will enter and leave any room as I please. And I thought I told you to stop bothering with that silly clairvoyance.”

“It’s called mythomancy,” Clover replied. “And it’s not just clairvoyance. Everything we do leaves a story etched into the world, and the more important or profound, the deeper it’s written. These stories extend across all of time, and mythomancy not only lets me read stories of both the past and future, it lets me write my own stories into the world. That’s how I recorded my memory when...” Clover’s words trailed off, the upper half of his eyelids falling into a glare. “...and you’ve already stopped listening, haven’t you. I don’t know why I keep bothering.”

“I’ve told you before, there is no such thing as true divination magic,” said Star Swirl. “It is a false practice peddled by grifters and con artists. They demand coinage in return for cryptic statements that could fit hundreds of situations, then later claim to have predicted any event that vaguely matches them.”

“Right. That’s why I said that my magic also helps me read the past,” Clover retorted with a smirk. “I must be an especially crafty con artist to scam people into paying money to learn things that already happened. Do you think I could get an edge on Hoofroditus in that market?”

Star Swirl harumphed loudly, his bells jingling lightly at his cloak. “Our studies are not concerned with such matters. Our responsibility as mages lies with the future, and how to best shape it for the betterment of all. The past and its failings are of no importance to us. We must discard it, and move forward in the name of reason and progress.”

“And how do you propose we get to the future without the past happening first?”

Star Swirl gave an exasperated sigh. “I’ll be having none of your semantic games today, Clover. I have come here bearing an urgent message from Fort Cloudsdale. Over the past week, the settlement has faced repeated attacks from a creature called a raijū, an elemental spirit of lightning. It has so far transformed several of the fort’s key structures into powerful thunderclouds, all of which have subsequently been destroyed by their own electric discharge. The attacks are happening at increasing frequency, and the pegasi fear that the fort will be destroyed faster than they can rebuild it.”

Clover’s eyebrows shot up. “Sounds like that could be a big problem. Have you contacted your little adventuring party?”

“I have sent word to the other Pillars, but they are currently attending to a diplomatic crisis in Griffonstone,” said Star Swirl. “It may be days before they return. We will have to go ourselves.”

“Say no more,” said Clover. His horn ignited, and he levitated his cloak from the end of his desk chair, and quickly draped it around his body. “Don’t forget the cloudwalking spell, alright?”

“A simple task for an accomplished wizard like myself,” said Star Swirl. “Let us make haste.” With a twirl of his cape, he turned away and cantered out of the door.

As Clover followed, he winced silently to himself. Here’s hoping his solution isn’t ‘make a planar portal and shove the monster through the other side’ again. I’m still sore from exhausting my magic closing the last one.
> As We Head for the Future
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As soon as Clover followed his master out of the tower, he was immediately made grateful that he’d brought his cloak. The sky was a single continuous mass of grey, the blanket of thick cumulonimbus clouds pouring down droplets of water in an unyielding downpour. So thick were the raindrops that it was nearly impossible to see more than a dozen or two feet ahead, and his burlap garment was instantly drenched the moment he had stepped beyond the confines of the tower.

Star Swirl, of course, had already surrounded himself in a force field, its radiant barrier causing the raindrops to bounce harmlessly off of its surface. He hadn’t bothered extending the force field’s radius to cover them both, nor did he even bother to tell Clover that it would be raining at all.

Still, Clover could hardly find himself feeling annoyed, as there was a curious character to the rain that he couldn’t help but notice. He could see the clouds above, their towering, heaped, and vertical forms immediately recognizable to any pony that had spent even the slightest amount of time researching weather patterns. But the clouds looked different from the recognizable image he had held in his mind. A crucial difference, something there was to their appearance that gave him pause... or, more accurately, something there wasn’t.

“Master,” said Clover, “don’t you think there’s something off about this rain?”

Star Swirl’s eyes glided over to his apprentice. His eyebrow arched quizzically. “What do you mean?”

“There’s something missing from it,” said Clover. “These are storm clouds, but it doesn’t sound like much of a storm right now, does it? You’d think we’d have heard at least one thunderclap by now.” He paused for a moment, allowing his thoughts to catch up to his words. “Come to think of it, I don’t think there’s been a thunderstorm around here in weeks.”

“That is none of our concern at the moment,” said Star Swirl. “If you believe there is something wrong with the weather, you can bring it up with Commander Hurricane when we arrive.”

Clover rolled his eyes. “General. ”

“Hmm?” said Star Swirl.

“General Hurricane is the General of the Cloudsdale Legion,” Clover repeated. “As well as Grand Consul of Fort Cloudsdale, and serving member of the Council of Three. He hasn’t held the title of ‘commander’ in over two decades.”

“Hrmm...” Star Swirl paused for a moment, stroking his beard gently. “Ah, yes, I remember that now. But I fail to see the issue, as matters of title are hardly relevant to our task.”

Clover felt something bristle inside of him, and tug at the corners of his lips. It was a complex feeling, though he would have probably described it as ‘the overpowering desire to be a smartass.’

“Really? And what about titles involving facial hair?”

“Those are always relevant,” Star Swirl countered. “Now, let’s not waste any more time chattering, shall we? I have calculated that if we increase our trotting speed to one-and-a-half times normal, we should reach Fort Cloudsdale within two hours. Do try to keep up.”

“Not a problem,” said Clover. “Just don’t stress those old bones of yours too hard, alright?”

Star Swirl’s only response was a loud harrumph, but through it Clover could hear just the slightest hint of a chuckle.

————————

Fort Cloudsdale was situated above a vast expanse of fertile farmland, owned by a variety of earth pony farmers that tended to the crops. Because the land itself was part of the Earthen Territories, however, it was largely considered separate from Fort Cloudsdale proper. Though the farms provided for nearly all of the food consumed by the Equestrian Confederation’s pegasus population, they were for the most part considered beyond the jurisdiction of Fort Cloudsdale itself.

After casting a simple cloudwalking spell over the two of them, Star Swirl led Clover down a dirt road cutting through the farms, where they were eventually met by a chariot pulled by two pegasus soldiers. Star Swirl climbed his way into the chariot without so much as a single word of acknowledgement, leaving Clover to be the sole pony offering any kind of greeting. The charioteers remained stoic regardless, pulling the vehicle through the pouring rain, until at last they breached the surface of the clouds.

Clover ignited his horn, and with a simple spell, dried off the last of the water that lingered on his body and cloak. He pulled his hood down, and saw Fort Cloudsdale in all of its glory...

...right away, it was clear that the fort had seen better days. The layers of ringlike walls surrounding Cloudsdale proper had crumbled away, as had the clouds that served as a foundation for the buildings within, leaving many of the remaining clouds holding nothing but demolished brick and stone. Only the largest, innermost wall remained, its great stone watchtowers rising high above the rest of the fort, buzzing with pegasi soldiers keeping lookout. As the chariot approached, it moved towards a pair of great metal gates, which opened to allow the chariot in.

The chariot landed without fanfare on a carpet of clouded ground. The interior of the Fort held a great many buildings of its own, some built solely out of cloud, some out of stone, and some with a mixture of the two. It was readily clear that the space was far more cramped than usual, as both the airspace and the cloudspace was greatly crowded with passing pegasi. Most of them, Clover noted, were thinner than most ponies, only those with high-quality clothing looking well-fed, and some pegasi outright gaunt in their appearance.

Putting it out of his mind, Clover followed his master out of the chariot, pleased to feel the firmness of the clouds below his hooves. The two of them were soon approached by a flying pegasus clad in lightly armor with a light golden trim: Clover at once recognized it as the gilding of a mid-ranking officer. More familiar, however, was the appearance of the mare herself, who had a light pink coat and a long, butter-yellow mane that draped over her left eye. She landed softly on the clouds, shaking slightly as she looked Star Swirl in the eye.

“U-um... hello? Are you Star Swirl the Bearded?”

“That I am,” Star Swirl replied. “And I’m afraid I don’t have time to deal with riff-raff right now. I must speak with Commander Hurricane at once.”

“Um. A-actually, it’s General...”

“Whoa, hold on,” Clover interjected, stepping forward. He held his left foreleg out in front of Star Swirl, barring his master’s path. His lips gently curved upward as he looked the mare in the eye. “Pansy? Is that you?”

Pansy’s eyes lit up, her ears twitching with sudden excitement. “Oh! Oh my gosh! Clover! It’s really you!” She confidently stepped forward, a grin plastered across her muzzle. As she beamed, Clover noticed a few signs of age on Pansy’s face, a pair of slight wrinkles beneath her eyes. “Wow, this is amazing! Goodness, it’s been years I last saw you! I’m, um...” She gestured to her armor, a small blush appearing at her cheeks. “As you can see, I’m a lieutenant now. And... wow! I didn’t notice it before, but you look like you haven’t even aged a day! How do you manage to look so young after all this time?”

Clover shrugged his shoulders slightly. “Time is a fickle thing. Some of us feel it turning more than others.” It was a useful phrase, one he’d learned from a pony with a knack for answers that didn’t answer anything. “But let’s not delay our business any further. I take it you’re here in General Hurricane’s place?”

Pansy nodded. “Mmm-hmm. He’s been in Canterlot for the past two weeks, trying to appeal to the other Council members for aid, and for help relocating refugees. It, um...” She paused for a moment, her eyes drifting downward. “...I don’t think it’s been going too well so far.”

“Nonsense,” Star Swirl scoffed. “I am certain Empress Platinum is doing everything within her power to grant aid. She would not have sent for a wizard of my caliber otherwise.”

Pansy almost seemed to sag at that moment, her wrinkles becoming noticeably more pronounced. Out of the corner of her mouth, Clover heard her mutter something, far too softly for him to understand.

“And yet she still won’t tell the earth ponies to stop extorting us for food.”

Star Swirl raised an eyebrow, and lifted a hoof to his ear. “Eh? Come again?”

Pansy coughed loudly. “Um... nothing. Sorry, I think I just had a frog in my throat. Come on, let’s head somewhere indoors so we can talk about the, u-um, uh...” As her words trailed off, a slight shiver went through her body. Pansy gave an audible gulp. “...t-the raijū.”

Star Swirl’s bells jingled lightly, a sure sign that he was about to make some kind of boast. “There is no need for you to fear, miss Pansy—”

“U-um, it’s Lieutenant...”

Star Swirl resumed his speech without any hesitation, as though completely unaware that he were even interrupted “—for not even the most vicious beasts in Equestria are a match for my spells.”

Pansy pawed at the clouds with a hoof. “Right, of course. That’s what we’re all counting on. I’ll, um, lead the way.”

With a beat of her wings, Pansy took to the air, keeping low to the clouds so that Clover and Star Swirl could follow. As they did, she turned her head over her shoulder and glanced at Clover, everything she wanted to say written plainly on her face.

Is he always like this? the look said.

Clover rolled his eyes, and returned the look with with a narrow gaze of his own.

Pretty much, Clover’s expression replied.

————————

Pansy had led the two into one of the many military offices within Fort Cloudsdale, where the two were debriefed. The information given to them was frustratingly scarce, in part thanks what little was known about raijū in Equestria, and despite Star Swirl’s questions there was not much information they could go on regarding the creature’s weaknesses. Eventually, the two headed out of the office and to Fort Cloudsdale’s easternmost gate, where another watchtower stood tall just beside it, overlooking the scattered clouds and the debris they carried just outside.

As Clover himself climbed to the top the tower, he found himself peering past the stone walls through a small window, too thin to allow a pony to pass, yet large enough for an archer to fire their bow through. As he looked out over the city, he saw Star Swirl standing a small cloud hovering just outside the gate, above a thick carpet of darkened storm clouds that hung between the Cloudsdale skies and the earth below.

Clover called out the window, cupping his hooves over his mouth to allow the sound to carry further. “Master, are you sure you don’t want me to come down there and help? Apart from making the clouds go boom, we still don’t know what this raijū is capable of. It’d be easier if you let me restrain it while you figure out where to send it so it can’t do harm.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Clover,” Star Swirl called back. “That is exactly why I cannot allow you to come any closer. As talented as you are, I won’t allow you to risk your life against a monster we know so little about. We know that it was last seen by the scouts in the east, so it will likely come from this direction. We also know that it possesses enough intelligence to attack the fort at its openings. Stay your eye on the horizon, and keep watch for its approach toward the gate.”

“Right,” Clover called back. “Because out of all my myriad talents as an explorer, mage, and scholar, it’s watching gates that I was destined for.” And he couldn’t get one of the pegasi to do this? I swear, one of these days he’ll get himself killed.

“I’m pleased to hear it,” said Star Swirl. “Be ready to alert me as soon as you see something.”

Clover sighed. Either he didn’t pick up on the sarcasm, or he didn’t care. Probably both. With nothing better to do, he began to train his eyes on the distance, watching for any sign of the raijū’s movement.

Seconds passed. Then minutes. Even as the tension hung thickly in the air, Clover saw nothing outside apart from the usual scenery. Eventually, the carpet of rain clouds beneath the ruined outskirts of the fort began to thin, dwindling into a smattering of lumpy cumuli. With the rain gone, it became painfully apparent how high up in the air they truly were, easily thousands of feet.

Clover’s ears twitched. At the edge of his hearing, he could pick up the sound of distant thunder. Sure enough, in the distance he could see a brilliant, crackling presence — and it was getting closer by the second, closing the distance between itself and the fort with such speed that it would have been impossible to track without its blinding glow.

“Hey, master!” Clover called. “Incoming!”

Star Swirl’s body tensed, his horn glowing in anticipation as he assumed a fighting stance. It turned out to be not a moment too soon, as a massive sphere of lightning barreled through the air, directly towards Star Swirl. A beam of intense white light erupted from Star Swirl’s horn, and in a blinding, thundering flash it impacted the ball lightning head-on. Clover’s entire field of vision was momentarily blinded, his eardrums nearly bursting from the deafening roar of thunder.

When his senses came to, he looked outside to see Star Swirl, still holding fast in place, his bolt of concussive magic pushing against against a sphere of lightning that was nearly four times as large as him. Yet still, the orb crackled and pulsed with electricity, inexorably pushing forward through the force of the spell. Miniature bolts of static erupted from the sphere and jumped between the clouds, a few of them coming dangerously close to Star Swirl himself. Then the elderly unicorn let out a grunt of exertion, and the beam bursting from his horn doubled in diameter.

The sphere was immediately knocked backward, sent flying from the impact as Star Swirl’s spell dissipated into nothing. As it soared backward through the air, it landed on a nearby cloud, in the midst of a pile of stone rubble from the destroyed outer buildings. With a flash of light and a peal of thunder, its body transformed into the shape of a beast — a gargantuan wolf with a body made entirely out of lightning. It let out a vicious snarl, its bestial growl laced with electric zaps and rumbling thunder. Star Swirl lightly brushed off his cape and turned to face the raijū, his eyes still burning fiercely.

Still in the confines of the tower, Clover observed the aftermath of the initial confrontation, and made a worrying observation. While Star Swirl’s cloak and mane were lightly singed by the beast’s assault, the raijū itself appeared completely unharmed.

Criminy, that thing’s magic-resistant. The old stallion’s in even deeper than I thought.

A nagging feeling tugged at Clover’s heart. He didn’t want to take his eyes away, yet on a level deeper than he could explain, he knew that a solution wouldn’t come from where he was. He pulled himself away from the window and sat down in the lotus position, igniting his horn as he deepened his concentration in familiar ritual. The sounds of blazing spells, lupine howls, and rumbling thunder made it difficult to concentrate, yet soon he found himself being pulled deep into the routine. Deeper and deeper he delved into the fabric of the world, desperately searching for anything that could give him an answer. In the back of his mind he knew that he may not find anything comprehensible, nor even anything at all, yet his instincts drove him forward.

Suddenly, Clover’s eyes snapped open. Before him were three glyphs, floating just before him. He squinted as he tried to make them out, hoping to pure chance that his mind could reasonably decipher them.

Okay... ‘raijū.’ This first one’s probably about Fido out there. The second one’s a sound, something that goes kinda like ‘krakow’ or ‘boom,’ so that’s one’s probably about thunder or lightning. The last one, though... ‘Emptiness?’ ‘Need?’ ‘Lack?’ That doesn’t make any—

Then, suddenly, something within Clover’s mind clicked. Urgency ran cold through his blood, and he stood up to his hooves so fast that he nearly jumped. He had a hunch about where the answer would be. He needed to find it, and quickly.

“Sorry master,” he muttered, “I’ve gotta go. Try not to die before I get back.”

————————

The buildings of inner Fort Cloudsdale passed by in a blur. The streets, if one could even call them that, were full to the bring with pegasi, desperately lining up at the building entrances as they packed themselves full near to burst. Blaring horns resounded in Clover’s ears, blown in alert of the raijū’s attack as the pegasi scrambled to find shelter. All around him soldiers and civilians — though the two were not especially different in Cloudsdale — darted through the air as they scrambled to escort the young and elderly to safety.

“Pansy!” Clover shouted out to the crowd. “Pansy! Has anypony seen Lieutenant Pansy? I need her to answer something!”

His cries fell on deaf ears. All around him, the crowds simply flew about in a mad panic, despite the attempts made by the officers to form a more organized plan of disaster response. Even the cloud-level crowds had grown fairly thick — much sparser than they were in the city-state of Canterlot, yet not so sparse that Clover didn’t have to occasionally push his way past a pedestrian.

“Pansy! Pansy! Come on, where are you!?”

“Hey! You there!”

The voice came from above, raspy and commanding, yet distinctly feminine. Clover halted in his tracks and looked above to see a hovering pegasus with a muted purple-blue coat and a slick, oily black mane. There was a prominent scar across her left eye, and Clover noted that it appeared to be fresh. Most likely, she’d received it during the raijū’s last attack. As Clover turned his head upward to meet her, she eyed him warily.

“What in Poseidon’s name is a unicorn like you doing here?”

“I’m here to help my master deal with the raijū,” Clover responded. “Now if you’ll excuse me—”

“You!?” the mare blurted out. “Ha! You’ve gotta be joking. We’ve fought that thing multiple times and all it’s earned us are casualties. Trust me, I’m the fastest private in the Cloudsdale Legion, and all I could do was annoy it. You’d be better off heading back to Canterlot and eating snails, or whatever snooty crap you do.”

“Snails are out of season, I’m afraid,” Clover quipped. “Either way, I’m not going to let Cloudsdale be destroyed. Do you know where I can find Lieutenant Pansy?”

“Sorry, she doesn’t have time to deal with you right now,” said the mare. “She’s busy organizing the disaster response team. What the heck do you want her for, anyway?”

“It’s about the weather,” Clover replied. “I’ve reason to believe that recent weather activity is the key to understanding why the raijū is attacking. If we can figure out what it is, I may be able to figure out how to stop it.”

The mare crossed her forelegs as she hovered. Her brow creased as her eyes narrowed at Clover. “Uh-huh. Sure you can.”

“I’m being serious!” Clover called back. “Look, if you can’t tell me where I can find Pansy, can you at least tell me when the last time you had a thunderstorm scheduled was?”

“Pfft, that?” said the mare. “We haven’t made any thunderclouds in over a month. Orders came from General Hurricane to stop making them. Apparently the Council voted two-to-one in favor of abolishing them, or something.” She gave a shrug of her forearms in midair. “Guess unicorns and earth ponies don’t appreciate a good storm, but whatever. Doesn’t seem like anypony’s missing out, as long as there’s still rain.”

Clover stood in place, his hooves glued to the cloud surface, as his mouth worked silently. “No thunder or lightning,” he mumbled. “’Raijū’ plus thunder sound plus ‘emptiness’ or ‘need’ or ‘lack’ would mean...”  Right then, he could feel the epiphany strike him square in the heart. There was a soft whap as the frog of his hoof collided with his face. “Stars and stones, of course that’s what’s happening.”

“What?” said the mare. “What is?”

“Don’t worry about it. I think I’ve figured it out,” said Clover. “Thanks, miss...”

“Nimbus Dash.”

“Right. Nimbus Dash,” Clover repeated. “And listen, don’t worry about the raijū. I’ve got it figured out. You just get these ponies to safety!”

As Clover teleported away, he could barely hear the sound of Nimbus Dash shouting at him, asking just what the heck he was even talking about.

————————

When Clover appeared on the clouded ground just in front of the eastern gate, he was greeted with a sight that he was hoping desperately not to see. Several dozen feet out, lying atop massive cumulus cloud, was Star Swirl. His cape and hat were tattered nearly beyond recognition, and his body was singed with numerous nasty burns that singed straight through his coat and charred his skin. Just beyond him, standing tall and triumphant, was the raijū. It raised its head skyward, and a a peal of thunder resounded through the air as it gave a deafening crackling howl. Then, with lightning-forged eyes, it looked down at Star Swirl, snarling hungrily.

“Wait!” Clover cried out. His horn flashed blue, and in an instant he found himself standing between Star Swirl and the monster, staring up as the beast towered directly over him. He could feel the static charge in the air, and hear the cracks and zzzts as the beast’s body undulated and pulsed with electricity. The beast snarled, and several arcs of lightning narrowly jumped past him, singing the tips of his hair.

Yet despite the threat the beast posed, Clover remained resolute. He looked up, and looked the raijū directly in its eyes. “I know why you’re doing this. It’s because you’re starving, isn’t it?”

The raijū’s eyes softened almost imperceptibly. The tingle of static at Clover’s skin seemed to dull, if ever so slightly.

“Cloudsdale provides for all the weather in Equestria. That’s half the Equus continent,” said Clover. “And that includes lightning. What you eat. But then they stopped making lightning, and you were left with nothing. You’re starving.”

The raijū’s stance loosened, its towering stance almost seeming to shrink. A dull whine came from the thunder-wolf’s throat.

“And now you’re mad that these pegasi have taken away what you need to survive,” Clover continued. “My master told me that you turned the clouds of Fort Cloudsdale into storm clouds, destroying much it in the process. You were trying to create lightning that you can feed off of, weren’t you?”

The raijū sat onto its rear, ears folded against its head. Another whine came from its throat, the constant crackles of lightning shrinking down even further, until they were barely audible at all.

“But that won’t satiate you, will it?” said Clover. “At most, you’ll only get back the energy you spent creating storm clouds to begin with. You need more than that. You need them to start making stormy weather again.”

The raiju closed its eyes. It gave another whine, soft and quaking, as though it were crying. Slowly, raijū moved its head up and down.

“Look. I don’t think the pegasi even know about what they did to you,” said Clover. He stepped forward, offering a gentle smile. “And I don’t think they even wanted to stop the lightning to begin with. If you stop attacking the city, I can explain to the all the ponies what’s really happening, and they’ll get the pegasi to start making storm clouds again. Can you do that for me?”

The raijū tilted its head. There was another whine, inflected upwards, and it carried an air of uncertainty and hope that Clover couldn’t quite translate into language.

“Listen,” Clover reassured, “I promise things will be okay.” He stepped forward, and held out a hoof in front of him. “Okay?”

Slowly, the raijū stood back onto its legs. It reached out with a paw and held onto Clover’s hoof, shaking it gently. A slight tingle traveled up Clover’s let, yet he felt no pain from it at all. For what seemed like ages, the creature stared him in the eye, and beneath its elemental gaze Clover could see a genuine intelligence and compassion.

The raijū released its grip, and gave a nod. With one last brilliant flash, it became a ball of lightning, and flew off into the distance.

Clover let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. He turned around to face Star Swirl, the soft rising and falling of his chest thankfully confirming that he was alive. Clover’s horn lit up with green light, and a massive aloe leaf appeared in the air above his prone mentor. Star Swirl’s body levitated upwards, and the leaf wrapped around him like a cocoon, glowing with ethereal light. The light surrounding the leaf then faded, and it vanished into nothing. Star Swirl floated down to the cloud’s surface, his body now free of all injury, and his cape and hat miraculously repaired.

As his hooves made contact with the ground, Star Swirl’s eyes snapped open. “Huh? Bwuh? What? Whozzat?”

Clover cocked a grin. “You alright there, master?”

Star Swirl clutched his forehead and groaned, his other three legs still slightly wobbly. “I... yes, I believe so,” he said. He looked around briefly, confusion written in the wrinkles on his face. “What just happened?”

“You drove the raijū off,” said Clover. “Sent it fleeing. You also figured out why it was attacking to begin with.”

“I...” Star Swirl paused momentarily. “...I did?”

“Yup, that’s right. Cloudsdale stopped making lightning due to pressure from the other two states in the Confederation. But it turns out raijū feed off of lightning, so it attacked out of desperation and hunger. You figured all they need to do is start making lightning again, and the fort will be just fine.” As Clover spoke, he cast a glibness spell to boost his persuasiveness, paired with a subtle illusion to hide his horn’s glow.

“Ah. Yes, yes, of course. I did do that,” said Star Swirl. “I shall write a letter to the Council immediately informing them of my findings, and ask that they allow Fort Cloudsdale to resume the production of thunderclouds. I am certain that once they understand the situation, they’ll know what they must do.”

“Great to hear,” said Clover. “Why don’t we report back to Lieutenant Pansy and tell her what you found?”

“Gladly,” said Star Swirl. His horn lit again with magic, and the two teleported back to the entrance of the gates, where they proceeded to head into the fort. As Clover followed after his master, he chuckled silently to himself, letting the comfortable feeling of an old routine warm him from the inside.

After all, it wasn’t the first time he’d saved Star Swirl’s hide without him knowing.
> Turnabout Sorcery: Prologue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Dear friends, would you care to reminderate me why we’re heading into the Everfree Forest? I dare say this locution gives me the heebie-jeebies.”

Clover looked at the earth pony mare, her chocolate brown coat contrasting sharply against the fluffy white mass that she called a mane. From a distance one could have easily mistaken her for a cup of chocolate pudding, which fittingly enough happened to be her cutie mark. Despite her age, there was just as much a spring in her step as always, the same as she was when Clover met her twenty-five years ago.

Aside from Supreme Chancellor Puddinghead, the group consisted of several other ponies: Star Swirl led the path ahead of them, while to their side was Smart Cookie, a stallion with a tan coat and brown mane, his flank adorned with a book that had a very prominent bite taken out of it. Pansy trailed the group, and hovering above them was the familiar regalia of General Hurricane, his golden armor contrasting sharply against his dull grey-blue coat and duller grey mane. Though the looming canopy prevented him from hovering too far above the ground, he remained stalwart as he soared overhead, dutifully scanning the area.

“We already told you three times,” said Smart Cookie. His voice was dull, droning, and held very little inflection. “It’s a diplomatic mission.”

Puddinghead’s mouth scrunched up into a solid, contemplative look. “Hmm... Yes, yes, I do believe I remumble something like that. A perfectly cromulent explanation. So what’s the diplomacy for, again?”

“We’ve made contact with another civilization,” said Clover. “Master and I were going over the plans to build a castle at the Tree of Harmony’s location, when we crossed paths a deer scout.”

“A dear scout?” said Puddinghead. “Who is the scout dear to?”

“A deer scout,” Star Swirl intoned. “Cloven-hooved ungulates of the family cervidae. In the classical era, they were known for shunning civilization in favor of their forests and savannas. I’d never thought they would bother with building a city, but apparently I was mistaken.”

“To be fair, it didn’t sound like they built their city when we asked,” Clover added. “It sounds to me more like it was grown.”

“Indeed!” said Star Swirl. “We’ve surmised that the deer posses a higher understanding of alchemy, allowing them to shape the otherwise untamable forest to their needs. Empress Platinum is busy negotiating new legislation with Lord Advisor Rimewind, so she has asked me to join the other Council members in her stead.”

“Why these deer would build a city out in the middle of damn woods is a mystery to me,” Hurricane grunted from above. “But they’ve got to be good at something if we’re all meeting them out here.”

“This isn’t about prying something you want out of them, General,” Clover remarked. “This is about establishing good relations. That’s how Equestria was made, wasn’t it?”

“The realities of politics aren’t as simple as you think, soldier,” said Hurricane. “Until you’ve led an entire people, it is my humble recommendation that you keep your mouth shut.”

Clover smirked, pressing his lips together tightly. “Mmph. Aff you wiff, srr.”

Hurricane shot Clover a glare. Before he could open his mouth to berate Clover, however, a bizarre sound interrupted them both. It sounded like the chiming of a mechanical clock, paired with a hollow wooden whistling that sounded oddly like the cry of a common cuckoo.

Everyone stopped in their tracks. Clover joined the others, turning to face Puddinghead. She was holding up her right foreleg, staring at a strange, tiny clock that was tied around her fetlock. A miniscule hatch had opened up near the top, and as he squinted to see it, Clover could see an even tinier wooden bird poking in and out of it.

“What in Tartarus is that, soldier?” said Hurricane.

Puddinghead beamed. “It’s a cuckoo wristwatch! A strapping young stallion bestovered it upon me the other day. Very useful for keeping track of the time, don’t you know.”

Clover paused, rubbing his chin. If that stallion is who I think it is, there’s definitely a reason for his gift. “Did he tell you what it was for?”

“For telling time! Wasn’t that obviated before?”

“Right, I figured that. I’m just wondering if there’s anything more to it,” said Clover.

“I have a question.” Clover’s eyes drifted over toward Smart Cookie, who had raised his hoof to get the Chancellor’s attention. “What’s a ‘wrist?’”

“Something bipeds have,” said Clover. “More-or-less analogous to the fetlock.”

“Wow!” said Pansy. Her eyes were wide, sparkling gently with curiosity and wonder. “I didn’t know you knew so much about exotic creatures, Clover.”

“I think you’ll find I know quite a lot of things,” Clover replied. As he met Pansy’s eyes, he couldn’t help but be transfixed by their gaze. Even with the tiny wrinkles of age that had just begun to form beneath them, they were just as clear and bright as they had always been.

A sudden rustling of leaves snapped Clover out of whatever it is he had been thinking about. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, and before he could react, a massive red blur leapt out of a nearby bush, snarling with the feral hunger of an apex predator. It flew towards them, claws sharpened, tail poised to strike with the lethality and precision of a venom-tipped spear.

Then, just as quickly as it had pounced, the beast was met in the air by an even faster motion. A flash of pink and yellow darted past Clover’s vision, and the sickening crunch of hooves against bone forced his eyes shut as he flinched from the impact. When he opened them again, Pansy was standing before the motionless body of a manticore, blood seeping out of a massive blunt-force wound inflicted on the center of its head. She grimaced, breathing through gritted teeth, and furiously scrubbed her front hooves against the grass, rubbing away the stains of blood until they were wiped clean.

Finally, she exhaled, turning to meet the others. A mild shiver ran down the length of her body. She looked at the others and asked, “Is everypony okay?”

Clover glanced around the forest, noting the atonished gapes coming from all of his companions. All except Hurricane, who simply regarded Pansy with a swelling posture and a prideful smile. Come to think of it, that’s the first time I’ve seen that hardass smile in decades.

“You... you killed a manticore,” Smart Cookie stated plainly. “With your bare hooves.”

Pansy’s eyes darted back and forth, her face seeming to shrink as it retreated further beneath her mane. “Um... maybe?”

“You’re damn right she did,” Hurricane boasted. “Or do you mean to suggest that you expect anything less of my most trusted lieutenant?”

“Um, really, it’s not a big deal,” said Pansy, rubbing a hoof against her foreleg. “I was just... doing what anypony would do. It’s really nothing special.”

“Nothing special?” said Puddinghead. “Preposterous! That was absolutely incredulous! I’ve never seen such a display of strength and ferocity!”

“Um, w-well, maybe, but—”

“A-hem!”

A very exaggerated throat-clearing turned Clover’s attention to his master. “As much as I hate to interrupt,” said Star Swirl, very clearly not meaning it, “we did not venture into the Everfree in order to discuss matters of combat prowess. We are here on a mission, and I would much prefer that we do not allow ourselves to become distracted from it. Now, let us make haste. We are expected to meet with the deer king before sundown.”

Star Swirl didn’t even bother waiting for a response. He turned and trotted away, leaving the others to follow after him. As the group trailed behind him, Clover turned to face Pansy, slowing his pace just enough to walk by her side. As he turned to face her, Pansy pointedly avoided making direct eye contact.

“You alright?” said Clover. “You look like pretty shaken by what happened back there.”

Pansy hesitated, leaving a gap in the conversation before she replied. “...I’m fine. I’m a soldier. It’s what I do.”

Clover set his eyes on Pansy further, feeling his lips curve downwards. The cool Everfree air filled his lungs with a melancholy scent. “Pansy, I know for a fact that you haven’t been involved in any real fighting for more than a quarter of a century. It’s okay if you’re not comfortable going back to that.”

Another pause. Pansy’s eyes drifted upward, towards the forest canopy. Her irises twinkled with longing, reaching up towards a sky that couldn’t be reached through the raking branches. Her eyes then turned downward to meet Clover’s, and she said, “most of my job since I was promoted to lieutenant has been bureaucratic, you know.”

Clover raised an eyebrow. “Bureaucratic?” Hard to picture her as a quill-pusher.

“Yes,” said Pansy. “I do sometimes relay orders to the Legion in pony, but for the most part I organize things from behind a desk. I...” Her eyes drifted away, her ears folding back against her head. “...well, I like it better that way. It’s a lot less stressful when you don’t have to constantly worry about screwing up in front of dozens of pegasi. But even then, I never expected to have to see blood again.” Another shiver ran down her body, one that forced her eyes shut. “Not after the unification.”

“Pansy. Look at me.”

“...Yes?”

Clover smiled again, meeting Pansy’s eyes another time. It was unlike the way he usually smiled, with not a hint of sarcasm or sardonicism to be found. “In all my life, you’re easily the strongest pony that I’ve ever known. I want you to remember that.”

Pansy smiled back, a slight flush appearing on her cheeks. “Thank you, Clover. That means a lot.”

“We are here.”

Star Swirl had stated it plainly, but when Clover looked to see where they had arrived, ‘plain’ was the absolute last word that came to his mind.

The city before them was not merely impressive. It was a marvel of alchemy, a settlement of massive redwoods that had grown organically into hollow trunks that towered into the skies, surrounded by spiraling ramps of living wood and overhanging paths of connecting branches. The tree-buildings glowed with an inner light of brilliant gold, the same color of the living lanterns, each buzzing with hundreds of fireflies that made it their home. And in the front of the city was a great pair of golden gates that extended seamlessly into the two trunks surrounding it on either side, as though they too were a tree whose bark had been turned into gold.

Standing in front of the gates was a small party of antlered deer, each of which bore ruddy brown colors and simple wooden armor — save for the deer in the front, a stag with a coat of pristine white and gleaming golden necklace embedded with a red, heart-shaped flask.

I know it’s most likely alchemy-related, Clover thought, but a part of my mind wants to say ‘booze.’ Knowing them, that’d probably mean wood-grain alcohol.

The stag approached Star Swirl, his hardened eyes scanning the elder wizard’s features. After a moment’s pause they softened, and a smile crossed his face. “You must be the fabled Grey Wanderer,” he said, speaking of one of Star Swirl’s many names and titles. “It’s a pleasure meet you, our kind have heard many tales of your sorcerous feats. I am Prince Aspen, and this is our city of Thicket.”

Star Swirl gave a short bow, his bells jingling lightly in the gentle forest breeze. “Likewise, Your Highness. I am pleased that you would have us here today.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” said Aspen. He motioned briefly to the golden gates, the city beyond beckoning with its splendor. “Come with us, I will be happy to introduce you to my father.”

“I look forward to it,” Star Swirl replied.

Aspen turned toward the party of deer behind him, and gave a quick nod of his head. Two of the deer moved back towards the city entrance and pulled the gates apart, holding open the threshold to Thicket’s interior. As the group of ponies followed Aspen’s lead, Clover took one last glance at the forest behind them, leaving behind the beasts and horrors of the Everfree as they entered the verdant homeland of the deer.

————————

The royal palace made the rest of Thicket look absolutely quaint by comparison. It was a structure seemingly composed of a single, massive tree — yet instead of growing straight upwards like all of the others, it grew forwards, backwards and outwards as well, creating an immense castle of towering trunks, branches, and roots that dwarfed anything seen before in Equestria. The entire palace inside and out was coated in a thin layer of pristine white bark, its surface reflecting the light in such a manner that it almost appeared to shine under its own power.

The throne room was no exception, the massive linear hall extending inwards towards a pair of magnificent thrones, beneath a web of branches tipped with gilded leaves that covered the ceiling with their golden luster. As Clover drank in the surroundings, he couldn’t help but feel insignificant in comparison to it all — even though he knew otherwise.

Sitting on the left throne was a slender white doe. Unusual for her kind, she sported a mane atop her head, a golden-blonde river of locks that cascaded over her body. Clover couldn’t tell if it was merely a trick of the light, or if her mane was flowing and billowing in a nonexistent breeze.

Beside her on the right was a much larger white stag; though he possessed a similar slender build, he easily stood taller than any other deer had seen, almost twice the height of a pony from the top his head to the tips of his hooves. His height was further augmented by a truly impressive set of antlers. They at once stood above and circled his head, weaving and branching together in a pattern not unlike that of the branches that hung between the city’s myriad tree-homes.

As the group approached the two royal deer, the armored deer escorting them parted, allowing Aspen to lead the rest forward. The older stag stood up from his throne and scanned the approaching group, his expression remaining unreadable. Clover reflexively dropped into a bow, a gesture that was mimicked by all of his companions — all save Star Swirl, who stood as tall as ever.

Aspen gave a short bow, and gestured back towards the ponies behind him. “I have brought you the diplomats as you requested, father.”

The king’s mouth subtly curved upwards, into a shape that was only barely recognizable as a smile. “Excellent,” he said, turning to face Star Swirl. “And I am to presume you are the Grey Wanderer, chosen to represent your people?”

Star Swirl stepped forward. “That I am, Your Majesty,” he said. “I was chosen on behalf of Empress Platinum to represent the city of Canterlot. With me are General Hurricane and Supreme Chancellor Puddinghead, and our wards. Together we speak on behalf of the Equestrian Confederation, a proud union of all of ponykind.”

There was a pause as the deer king regarded the others. His eyes drifted across the room so subtly that it could hardly be noticed, yet when they slid past Clover he could feel the weight behind their gaze. Finally, he spoke, “I welcome you to our lands, travelers. I am King Cedarborn, son of Gallanthorn, Lord of the Golden Thicket. Since the Time of Oaks, I have ruled this land alongside by my beloved Queen Gladeroot.”

The Queen’s expression at first remained unchanging. She glanced over the gathered ponies, drifting at first from the two pegasi, to the two earth ponies, before finally resting on Star Swirl. A gentle smile crossed her face. The gilded leaves above glittered and shone, their brightness reflecting off the surfaces of her eyes. “You are the first to come to our realm in more than a thousand years. I believe that your presence shall be remembered as a pivotal moment in our history.”

Clover felt the faintest sensation running down through his eyes, from the golden light of the leaves above. Did she use some kind of magic just then? he wondered. In truth, he couldn’t tell, as no part of what he felt stood out from the radiance of the halls.

Star Swirl turned to face Gladeroot. The two held each other in their mutual gaze for seconds. Star Swirl then bowed his head, removing his hat and holding it to his chest. “It is an honor to meet you, my lady. Your people are lucky to have someone so beautiful as their queen.”

Cedarborn raised a single eyebrow. The hairs on the back of Clover’s neck bristled, and he struggled to restrain himself from standing upright. Oh dear Mithras, no. Keep it in your cloak, you old fool!

The Queen’s smile widened slightly, the subtle shift almost blinding the others with its brightness. “I am flattered, Wanderer. It is no small compliment, hearing such things from the Great Wizard spoken of in song and poem. Dare I say your feats are things of beauty in themselves.”

A slight flush appeared on Star Swirl’s cheeks. “Nay, I am but a humble scholar. You, on the other hoof, shall always be my lady.”

A loud clearing of a throat turned Clover’s attention to Aspen. “Pardon my speaking out of turn, father, but I believe we should be discussing the lodging arrangements of our guests. Would you agree?”

Cedarborn frowned, leaving a palpable silence in the air. “...Yes, you are correct. If you would, please escort the ponies to their guest quarters. The evening is approaching, and we must ensure that they are well-rested before negotiations.”

Aspen gave a nod as he stepped away, motioning for the ponies to follow. Star Swirl gave one last parting glance at the queen as he followed, leaving Clover and his companions to trail after him. A hot breath poured out of Clover’s nostrils, carrying with all of the tension that had clogged his lungs moments prior.

The group continued through the halls of the palace, through a twisting maze of passages that only the deer understood. Though Puddinghead kept the others occupied with her idle chatter, Clover was far too busy dwelling on his own thoughts. There were so many ways he could imagine the meeting going wrong, and many of them seemed likely with his master involved.

Eventually, they were escorted to a circular common room high atop the western end of the palace, where a set of several doors each led to individual bedrooms. As each of the other ponies departed to their own rooms, Clover stayed behind, turning to look Aspen in the eyes.

“Thanks for the save. That could have been bad.”

Aspen’s eyes narrowed. “That is the only favor I will grant you. You would do well to keep your master’s impulses restrained.”

“Understood,” Clover replied without protest. His every movement felt heavy, and as he entered into his own room, he didn’t hesitate to drop himself on the bed. The living wooden frame of the bed creaked beneath his weight, and Clover fixed his stare at the gnarls and knotholes on the ceiling.

Well, isn’t this just off to a fine start...

————————


Suspense ~ Later That Night


“Hello? Are you here, my lady?”

“...”

“Hello? My lady? Gladeroot, are you here?”

“I will admit, you are a bold one, Wanderer. No other deer in these lands would speak to my wife so casually.”

“You! I-I-I mean, Your Majesty! What are you doing here!?”

“Do not think I am unaware of your intentions, Wanderer. Need I remind you that you are acting as the representative of an entire nation?”

“...”

“I will ask of you now, halt your advances at once. If not for your own sake, then for the sake of your people.”

“...”

“...Alright. If that’s the way you’ll have it, I understand. Farewell.”

...

....

.....

*Crack-THOOOOOOOOOOM!*
> Turnabout Sorcery: Prelude to Investigation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was late at night when a cacophonous noise briefly roused Clover from his sleep. Dreams of starry horizons, heroes, and monsters faded into nothing as his eyes gradually opened, taking in the sound and sight of his bedchamber, ruminating on the disturbance that had woken him.

Ah, it’s just thunder, he concluded. For a moment I thought it’d be something to worry about...

Clover drifted back to sleep, unconcerned with whatever the wild weather of the Everfree would bring.

————————

The sun had only barely been coaxed above the horizon before Clover was forced awake once more. Angry and agitated shouting echoed in the halls from beyond the bedroom, and soon enough Clover was hurriedly moving out the door to investigate.

Out in the common room, a gathering of more than a dozen deer were grouped around another door. All of them were noticeably tense, but most of all among them was Aspen — whose piercing glare and scowl could be described as nothing short of absolutely furious. Clover could only gawk as the guards huddled around another figure, and he was quickly joined by several others. Hurricane, Pansy, Puddinghead, and Smart Cookie each departed from their bedchambers and stared with similar fixation. Out of all of them, only Hurricane still bore clothing — the same general’s armor that was seemingly permanently fixed to his body.

Jeez, his Highness looks so mad he could boil over.

Just then, something in Clover’s mind snapped into place. Wait. No...

Before he even thought to do so, Clover stepped forward. “Your Highness? What’s going on he—”

“Um, Clover?”

“Not now, Cookie,” Clover chided. “Your Highness?”

“But there’s—”

“I said not now!” Clover shot back. “Your Highness, what is—”

Clover’s words stopped dead in their tracks. There, escorted by the guards, was Star Swirl, his cloak and hat both wrinkled from an apparent rough-handling by cloven hooves. A large silver clamp wrapped around his horn, glowing runes of searing white etched into its surface. He gave Clover a single, forlorn look, then turned his head toward the ground. One of the guards pushed him from behind, and he began walking forward with them, hooves dragging with every step.

“Wait, master!” said Clover. “Master, what’s going on here?”

“Stay your tongue, whelp!” Aspen barked. As their eyes met, Clover could only flinch from the force of the Prince’s gaze. “You’re in no position to be demanding answers. Were I to have my way, I would kill your master where he stands.”

“What!?” Clover blurted. “Why!?”

Aspen’s hoof came stomping down onto the floor, sending a forceful yet surprisingly muted clomp through the common room. He looked Clover in the eyes, his antlers standing tall and pointed in the ambient light.

“Last night, my father was found murdered in the courtyard to the east,” Aspen seethed. “And your Grey Wanderer is the only suspect.”

“Oh,” said Clover. “Well, that makes sen— WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!?”

Aspen’s eyes narrowed. “You will have plenty of time to come to terms with your shock before the trial starts today. Our courts will see to it that your master receives the death he has earned.”

“W-wait! Hold on!” Clover called out. “Your Highness, there has to be some mistake here!”

“Enough,” said Aspen. “I will hear no more from you. Until the trial reaches its conclusion, I hereby order that no outsider will be allowed to leave the city. And should I have reason to believe that the Grey Wanderer was acting on behalf of your nation, the consequences will be greater than you could possibly imagine.”

Aspen stormed off without another word, the guards leading a dejected Star Swirl down the nearby stairs and into the main body of the palace. Clover could only stare as they left, his head spinning as he fought to wrap his mind around the events that he had just seen. A cursory glance around the room showed a range of similar reactions from everyone else that remained.

“So, uh,” said said Smart Cookie, “nopony’s going to comment on the holes going through my room?”

“I think we have more important things to worry about right now, soldier,” Hurricane replied. “In light of recent events, we need to reconsider our diplomatic approach.”

Diplomacy!? We’re lucky they didn’t declare war on us just now! Clover paused. He trained his eye upward, and noticed that there was indeed a hole in the ceiling, and a similar hole lower in the wall leading into Smart Cookie’s room. The edges of the holes were all burned, as though a searing projectile had shot straight through the building. Although...

“Um, Clover?” Clover’s attention was pulled away from his thoughts by a soft voice. He looked to his side and saw Pansy, who had approached him without him noticing. She was trembling slightly, her mane hiding nearly the entirety of her face. “What are we going to do? Y-you don’t really think he...”

Clover looked Pansy in the eyes. Despite the wrenching sensation that clutched at his get, he found himself smiling. “Of course not. Whatever you think of my master, he’d never put Equestria at risk like this. I’m going to get to the bottom of it all and clear his name, so don’t you worry.”

But first, I should probably make a note of this common room, Clover thought. I never had a chance to look closely before, but it looks like it’s the top of some kind of tower. Given those holes, I have a hunch it’ll be important later.


Common Room Diagram added to Court Record
A general layout of the common room, atop the tower west of the courtyard.


Burning Holes added to Court Record
A series of burnt holes in the west tower’s interior, caused by an apparent projectile of very high temperature.


“But how are you going to do that?”

“Hm?” said Clover.

“Clear Star Swirl’s name,” Pansy elaborated. “Where would you even begin with something like that?”

Clover paused momentarily. As his thoughts tumbled around in his mind, he tapped a hoof to his chin. “I’m not sure if I’ll be able to visit master while he’s in custody, given the circumstances. I’ll have to find somepony... er, somedeer who can grant me permission to ask him a few questions.” Aspen definitely won’t cooperate, so that leaves Queen Gladeroot as my best bet... though I can’t say she has good reason to cooperate, either.

Hurricane set his eyes on Clover, sizing him up with a rigid frown. “I hope you understand just what you’re getting yourself into, soldier. This is a matter of life and death you’re dealing with here.”

Clover gave a smile. “Well, that’s never stopped me before, has it?”

————————

Finding the throne room proved difficult, given the multitude of literally branching paths in the palace’s architecture, and navigating wasn’t made any easier by the withering glares Clover received everywhere he went. After much time spent wandering aimlessly, he finally arrived at what was undoubtedly the entrance to the throne room, the unmistakable golden doors that grew organically from the surrounding wood. 

The moment Clover approached the doors, he was immediately stared down by the pair of guards standing at either side, their stiff postures and brandished antlers making their feelings abundantly clear.

Clover paused for a moment, cautiously stepping forward. “Er... pardon me, gentlecolts. Gentlebucks? Whatever you call yourselves.” His comments were met with deepened frowns, and a snort from the guard on the right. “I know things have been... tense, to put it mildly, but I’d like to request an audience with the Queen. I want to get to the bottom of this whole, uh, regicide thing.”

The guards said nothing, yet their eyes pressing down on him said more than any words could. The stillness of the air left a stifling tension in its wake as Clover stared back.

Before any further move could be made, the twin doors gave a gentle creak. As they swung open, the guards stepped to the side, and Aspen strode out. When he set eyes on Clover, his entire body went rigid.


Prince Aspen ~ A Grudge that Spans Centuries


Though not wanting for breath, Clover inhaled sharply. Out of the frying pan, and into the fire.

“What do you want?” said Aspen.

“Hello again, Your Highness,” said Clover, briefly giving a bow. “I was just asking your guards here if I could have see the Queen for a moment.”

“And what business do you have with my mother?” Aspen retorted. “Have your kind not caused us trouble enough?”

“W-wait! Hold on a moment, Your Highness! It’s not like that!” said Clover. “I-I just wanted to get her permission to visit my master in custody, that’s all. I want to ask him a few questions about what went down last night.”

Aspen stepped forward, the differences in their height quickly becoming more apparent than ever. He loomed a full head above Clover, glaring down daggers that bored straight through his skull. “And what questions are there to ask? Your master murdered my father. We already know he is the only one that could have done it.”

In spite of the Prince’s threatening presence, Clover remained resolute. “Well, maybe,” he replied. “But it’s a bit early to conclude that for certain, isn’t it? There’s still a trial, isn’t there?”

“Only because it is required by our laws,” Aspen replied. “All the evidence points to him, and there is nary a deer alive that would think to defend him. If I were in your position, I would be more concerned with denouncing him on behalf of your nation. Or do you admit that his actions represent Equestria, and accept the consequences that would follow?”

“What!? No!” Clover exclaimed. “It’s just, uh... I just want more information, that’s all! Don’t you think it’s, uh, er...” Clover’s thoughts reached for the right response, and yet still the words slipped beyond his grasp. As he mentally floundered, however, there was one detail that stood out like a sore thumb. “Wait, he doesn’t have a defense attorney?”

“No,” Aspen said plainly. “And I do not anticipate that he will. Never in a hundred ages would a citizen of Thicket think to defend the murderer of their king.”

Moisture began to coalesce on the edge of Clover’s brow. Already, he could feel it dripping down his forehead. Oof. That’s not good. Wait...

Then, there was an idea. It was a crazy idea, one that Clover could end in disaster, and yet...

“No citizen of Thicket would defend Star Swirl, huh?”

Aspen raised an eyebrow. “No, of course not. Just what are you implying?”

“Well, just throwing it out there, but what if whoever defended him wasn’t from Thicket?” Clover’s lips turned upward, and he suddenly felt a swell of self-satisfaction. “What if I were to serve as his defense attorney?”

Another pregnant pause hung through the air. Aspen showed no reaction, save for a blank stare. “You must be joking,” he finally said.

“Not at all,” said Clover. “They don’t call me Clover the Clever for nothing. I’ll bet my horn that I can puzzle out this fiasco and figure out what really happened.”

For another several seconds, Aspen could only stare back in response. His eye twitched slightly, alongside the corners of his mouth.

Uh-oh. Did I strike a nerve?

A loud noise echoed through the hallway, and Clover reflexively jumped backward as the volume blasted across his ears. When he recovered from the sudden jolt to his senses, he almost immediately felt another shock from what he saw.

Just before him, Aspen was laughing. It was a bitter and humorless laugh, yet still more joyful than anything else he’d seen of the Prince since that morning. He turned towards Clover once more, his eyes still hardened and fierce, yet there was a subtle lightness behind them that wasn’t there before.

“You certainly are an interesting one, I will grant you that,” said Aspen. “Very well, then. I accept your terms. You will serve as the Grey Wanderer’s attorney.”

Clover blinked rapidly. Wait, really? I thought for sure it’d take more to convince—

“And if your client is found guilty, I will take your horn.”

The muscles in Clover’s jaw went loose, and he suddenly found it difficult to keep his mouth shut. “What!?”

“That is what you proposed, is it not?” said Aspen. “Either you bet your horn, or your master will go to trial without a lawyer.”

“I... I...” Clover felt his words die out just before they could escape. He took a deep breath, clearing the fog from his mind. “...Alright, fine. I’ll do it.” It’s not like I strictly NEED my horn, but... yeesh. That’s just harsh!

“As I thought,” said Aspen. He reached beneath his necklace with his front hoof, and pulled out a small golden disk. With a quick toss, he flipped it over towards Clover, who deftly caught it in his telekinetic grasp. “This is your attorney’s badge. It will grant you the authority to visit your client in custody, investigate crime scenes, interview witnesses, and collect evidence as you see fit. I wish you luck on your upcoming trial. The way things look right now, you will sorely need it.”

With a final nod to the two guards, Aspen strode past Clover, his mouth curled into a bitter shape that was halfway between a frown and a smirk. As he disappeared into the halls, Clover was left to stare at the glittering badge that hovered before him, enveloped in his own blue-green aura.

This badge lets me do HOW many things? Just what kind of crazy legal system do these deer have? With a sigh and a flash of his horn, he stored the badge away in a small dimensional pocket. I guess I shouldn’t be complaining, but still.


Attorney’s Badge added to Court Record
A golden badge depicting a set of scales growing from a tree. Inscribed on it is the Attorney’s Creed of Thicket: ”Facere Possum Quod Volo”


First things first, I should ask these guards where to find the old coot... Then I should probably learn the first thing about how to actually practice law. A sharp pain began to throb at the edge of Clover’s temples. Tambelon’s Bells, just what have I gotten myself into?
> Turnabout Sorcery: Investigation ~ Bridge
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It had taken several attempts at navigating the palace, and several mildly embarrassing iterations of asking the same guard for directions, before Clover could locate the Detention Center. It was at the lowest end of the palace — something that might have called a dungeon — but the dark, gnarling tunnels of roots were so complex that he could barely make sense of them, even with his horn illuminated to guide him.

If I didn’t know any better, I’d say the paths are changing when I’m not looking, Clover silently remarked. Though come to think of it, I wouldn’t put it past this place to actually do that.

With some effort, paired with a generous helping of blind luck, Clover finally managed to find his destination. Flanked on either side by armored guards was a door like a mithril cage, each shining bar inscribed with a multitude of thin protective runes. As Clover approached, both of the guards stiffened, each holding out a leg to block the door.

Before either of the guards could speak, Clover was already addressing them with a grin. “Not to worry, I have a permit.” He reached into his dimensional pocket with a spell, and held his attorney’s badge out in front of them. Both of the guards leaned forward, squinting as they read the inscription.

The left guard blinked, comprehension suddenly dawning on his face. “This just says—”

“I know what it says!” Clover groaned. “Look, Prince Aspen gave me special permission to defend Star Swirl in his upcoming trial. If it’s not too much to ask, could I please go in and speak to my client?“

The guards turned to each other, a sudden grin forming on each of their faces.

“You’re going to defend him?” said the right guard. “Good luck with that.”

A bead of sweat dripped down Clover’s forehead. “Hey, come on now...”

The left guard snickered quietly to himself. He turned towards his companion, and the two placed their hooves on a pair of slightly indented spots on the wooden door frame. The door slowly began to slide upwards, retracting into the roots above.

“Well?” said the right guard. “Go on in and talk to your client. I’m sure you’ll turn things around for him!”

“Yeah, thanks,” Clover muttered to himself, dejectedly limping into the Detention Center. And don’t think I can’t hear you laughing, jerks!

The interior of the Detention Center was far more straightforward than the labyrinth of roots, thankfully, being a simple round chamber with a rotunda of jail cells. There, in the farthest cell from the entrance, Clover could see the familiar hat and cloak slumping over a figure in the corner with his horn tightly bound. As Clover’s hoofsteps fell against the living wood floor, the figure turned to look. When the figure’s gaze feel on Clover, his eyes lit up, and he trotted to the cell bars to meet him.

“Clover? Clover, is that you? Oh, thank the heavens!” Star Swirl exclaimed. “Clover, you must listen! I’ve been falsely accused! You have to help me! I’m telling you, I haven’t—”

“Hey. Hey,” said Clover. “Calm down, alright? I know you wouldn’t commit murder like this.”

“You do?” said Star Swirl. He quickly followed up with a very loud and forced fit of coughing. “I mean, of course you do. Clover, listen to me. You must go and inform Empress Platinum of this at once! I am sure that once she hears about my predicament, she’ll arrange to have me set free, so that we may find the true culprit and bring them to justice!”

Clover raised an eyebrow. “And how exactly would she set you free, Master? If we refuse to respect Thicket’s sovereignty, it could lead Equestria on the path to war. We’re not exactly in a position with a lot of diplomatic leverage.”

Star Swirl went silent. He turned his head down, gazing somberly at the floor.

“Look, it’s going to be fine, okay?” said Clover. “We still have the trial coming up, and I intend to prove your innocence there. Everything will work out, I promise.”

Star Swirl looked up. His eyes once again brightened, but there was a quavering uncertainty written in the lines on his brow. “Do you mean to say that you’ll be defending me in court?”

Clover groaned internally. “Uh... yes,” he said. “I’d agreed to Prince Aspen to represent you, and, er... I don’t think I can take it back at this point. Not without losing my horn, at least.”

“He threatened to take your horn!?”

“I know it sounds bad, but hear me out!” Clover hastily replied. He closed his eyes, and sharp breath pushed into his lungs, before being let out in a heavy sigh. When he opened his eyes again, the lingering desperation was still apparent in Star Swirl’s face. “Look. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, and I’m aware it’s not ideal for either of us when I don’t have a law degree. But right now, that’s just how it is.”

Star Swirl raised an eyebrow. “I must say, Clover, you certainly have an odd way of reassuring.”

Despite the circumstance, Clover managed a smile. “What can I say? I pride myself on doing things differently.”

Star Swirl didn’t answer. Once again he turned his eyes away, the wrinkles on his face brow more pronounced as his face adopted a deep, sorrowful frown. Though he was easily the living oldest pony in Equestria, now was one of the few times where Clover could truly see his true age etched within the lines on his face.

“Hey,” said Clover. “Star Swirl. Look at me.”

Star Swirl’s brows shot upward, his attention immediately turning to Clover. Very rarely did Clover ever call his master by his full name. “Hmm?”

“Everything is going to work out,” said Clover. “I promise I’ll do everything within my power to set you free and catch the real killer.”

“Everything?” said Star Swirl. “You mean that?”

“Within limits,” Clover hastily added. “The point is, I’m always done my best to be whatever ponies need me to be. And right now, all you need is a good lawyer. I’ve never failed you before, and I don’t intend on doing so now.”

Slowly, the frown began to fade from Star Swirl’s face. Though almost entirely hidden beneath his massive beard, Clover could catch the subtlest hints of a smile.

“I can see that you won’t be backing out of this,” said Star Swirl. “But if this is what you wish to do, then I shall trust you as I always have.”

“Good to hear,” Clover replied. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to ask you a few questions before the trial. Would that be alright?”

Star Swirl gave a nod. “But of course. If there’s anything I know that can help you case, I will be happy to tell you.”

“Great,” said Clover. A slight bubble of anxiety formed in the center of his stomach. He grinned sheepishly, placing a foreleg behind his head. “I was thinking maybe you can start by telling me, uh... when the trial is?”

Star Swirl’s pupils suddenly dilated. “You don’t know when the trial is!?”

“H-hey, don’t blame me!” said Clover. “I only just agreed to defend you thirty minutes ago!” Wait, crap. That makes me sounds even worse, doesn’t it?

Star Swirl briefly screwed his eyes shut, letting out a belabored, heavy breath, and looking as though here were barely restraining himself from hitting his head against the cell bars. “You are not quite instilling in me the utmost confidence, my young apprentice.”

Clover, for his part, responded by barely stopping himself from rolling his eyes. Despite being well into his fifties, Clover had never quite convinced Star Swirl to stop calling him ‘young.’ Though I guess it doesn’t help that I still look the same after so many years.

“But if you must know,” Star Swirl continued, “the trial begins this afternoon.”

Clover’s jaw went slack, and he felt his heart suddenly drop. “This... this afternoon!?”

“That is correct. More precisely, it begins when the sun is angled forty-five degrees above the western horizon,” said Star Swirl. “By our own system of timekeeping, that should be roughly four-thirty post meridiem.”

“This afternoon! Aspen, you devious little—” Before Clover could finish, he cut himself off, forcing himself to adopt what he assumed was the appearance of seriousness. “—I mean, of course.”

Star Swirl shook his head. “There is no need to downplay the severity of our situation, Clover. You will not have much time to prepare, so I implore you to make the best of it while you still can.”

“So I’ll have to work quickly. Got it.” Though if they’re measuring time by the sun’s position, maybe I could force the sun to stop moving until I’m ready? Wait, no, that’s a terrible idea. Ignoring the thought, Clover continued, “So since we don’t have much time, why don’t I cut right to the chase? I need you to tell me what happened last night. What really happened, I mean.”

Star Swirl hesitated. His eyes glittered gently under the room’s dim light. Finally, he began to speak.


Star Swirl ~ A Sorcerous Conundrum 


“Since we arrived at Thicket, I have made... mistakes. I hold no illusions about that. The moment I laid eyes upon Queen Gladeroot, I so foolishly acted on my basest desires, and attempted to court her. This, as you imagine, did not end well.

“The night after our initial introduction to one another, I received a note. It told me to meet come to the courtyard after sunset, to meet in secret. I had assumed that the letter was from Gladeroot, but when I arrived, I had come face-to-face with King Cedarborn himself.

“His Majesty had caught on to my advances, and threatened to make war with Equestria if I did not desist. Knowing nothing good would come from continuing the conversation, I bid him farewell, and teleported back to my bedroom.”

Clover raised an eyebrow. “You teleported? Why’s that?”

“I... am not sure, in hindsight,” Star Swirl replied. “Perhaps in my anger, I wished to demonstrate to him that I was capable of feats far beyond that of any of his kind. Perhaps I simply wished to spend as little time beneath his gaze as possible. Regardless, I arrived in my chambers, and laid myself to rest for the night.

“To my utter shock, I awoke to find a contingent of guards surrounding me. Before I could understand what was happening, they restrained me and took me into custody for the murder of their king. I have been captive here ever since... and now, all I can do is wait, and hope to avoid the worst.”

As Star Swirl concluded his story, Clover was simply left to stare. Thoughts swirled throughout his mind as he pieced together the information he’d received.

“So, let me get this straight,” said Clover, thoughtfully tapping a hoof to his chin, “you actually were at the scene of the crime right before the murder happened?”

“That is correct,” said Star Swirl. “Everything that I have told you is the truth.”

So that means he doesn’t have an alibi then. That’s probably not good... “If that’s the case,” Clover continued, “then I’m going to have to look further into what happened that night. You said you received a note before the murder. Do you still have it with you?”

A subtle change came across Star Swirl’s face, his dim expression lightening. “As a matter of fact, I believe I do.” He reached with a hoof beneath the brim of his hat, and pulled out a simple scrap of parchment. “Here, take this.”

Star Swirl passed the note between the gap in the bars, and Clover grabbed it in his telekinetic grip. Wow. The guards must of been pretty sloppy to not take this, as he pulled the parchment to his eyes, they scanned over the message, hastily scrawled in black ink:



To the Grey Wanderer:

From the moment you arrived in Thicket, I knew that our fates were intertwined. Come to the courtyard after sunset, and we will together meet our destinies.



As he continued to stare at the message, the gears turned within his thoughts, until something finally clicked. “Hold on. I think I’ve seen this hoofwriting before.”

Star Swirl’s eyes suddenly went wide. “Y-you do!? You know who wrote it? Don’t just stand there, then! Out with it!”

Clover shook his head. “I didn’t say I know whose it is, only that I’ve seen it before. It’s probably been a long time since I’ve read this hoofwriting, so I don’t know who would have written it. But I think the fact that I recognize it makes one thing clear. This note was written by a pony.”

Star Swirl’s jaw remained loose, stunned into silence as his face flashed with multitudes of emotions at once. “Are... are you implying that I’ve been framed?”

“At this point, anything’s possible,” said Clover. “But it looks like that’s the most likely scenario here. And if that’s true, then I need to get to preparing my case right away. If the real killer is among us, then I need to make absolutely sure I have enough time to pin them down.”

Star Swirl removed his had, holding it to his chest in a deep bow. “You have my sincerest gratitude, Clover. For the sake of both of us, I wish you luck in your upcoming case.”

I think I’m going to need a bit more than luck to win this one, thought Clover. Thankfully, I’ve also got plenty of wit to spare. With a flicker of magic, Clover stashed away the note in his pocket dimension. “Don’t you worry, master. I promise I’ll have you out of here in no time.”


Mysterious Note added to Court Record
A note given to Star Swirl before the night of the murder, written in a strangely familiar script.


As he made his way over to the Detention Center’s entrance, Clover was suddenly brought face-to-face with a sight that stopped him in his tracks. More specifically, it was the door to the detention center, shut as tightly as ever. On the other side, both of the guards were looking inward, their quivering smiles showing barely-restrained snickering.

“Uh, hello? Sorry to bother you two, but do you think you could let me out?”

Both of the guards immediately burst into a hysterical fit of laughter, nearly falling over from the sheer force of their guffawing.

“Oh? What’s that? Does the poor widdle pony want to be wet out of his cage?”

“Oh man, I can’t believe you fell for it! You literally walked right into it!”

Clover’s body tensed. He grit his teeth, feeling a sudden, intense fire building within the core of his being. He pushed the emotion down, breathing out through a clenched jaw. “Har har. Very funny. Now, could you let me out? I have a case I need to prepare.”

“What’s that? You want us to open the door? Well gosh, I never would have guessed!”

“I don’t know, friend. Maybe we should let him out. Maybe we could get him to grovel for us!”

“Oh, that’s a good idea! Hey pony, why don’t you grovel for us? Let’s see you get on your knees and beg!”

As the laughter echoed through the rooted passages, Clover felt the annoyance continue to bubble upward within his chest, until at last it reached a breaking point. His mind turned itself inward, towards the crackling, radiant power at the core of his soul, and a change washed over his body. 

Clover’s solidity melted away, becoming clear and translucent, like water. The guards let out a combined yelp as his aqueous form lurched forward, slipping and flowing through the bars of the door and gushing past them, to the passage beyond. Once he was past the doors, the water comprising him once again coalesced into the shape of a unicorn, and he looked upon both of the guards, both of them frozen in jaw-dropped astonishment.

“Wh-wha... bu... that’s...”

“Y-you can’t do that!”

Clover turned around, flashing a grin over his shoulder as he walked away. “You’re forgetting one thing, gentlestags. Facere possum quod volo.”

————————

A part of Clover had worried that crossing the guards in the Detention Center would have earned him more trouble than he was already in, but thankfully those fears proved to be unfounded, at least for the moment. The guards, perhaps too stunned to do anything else, hadn’t bothered following him as he somehow miraculously managed to make his way out of the palace’s roots. Now standing in the one of the ground floor halls, Clover took the opportunity to collect himself.

Alright, so if my master was framed by a pony, then that means it had to be one of us that did it. But who?

The question lingered heavily on the edges of Clover’s mind. Puzzling out the mystery would take time, no doubt, time that he had precious little of. Assuming a meditative pose, he closed his eyes and shut out the ambient light, letting his mind be drawn deeper and deeper in the myth-woven fabric of the world. When his eyelids snapped open, three glyphs floated before his very eyes, their soft light matching the glow of his horn.  As he stared at the symbols, a sudden realization dawned on him.

...I have literally no idea what any of these mean.

Clover groaned, feeling a sudden throbbing at the edge of his temples. “Of course it wouldn’t be that simple,” he mumbled. Dismissing the runes, he stood up to his hooves. Absent any easy answers, he figured, the next thing to do would be to search the crime scene.

And so, to the crime scene he went... eventually. Navigating the palace proved to be just as much of a pain as ever, and he dreaded to think about how much time he was wasting in his search. He soon managed to make progress, however, coming to find the hallway to the courtyard’s entrance. Sunlight filtered through the arched doorway at the end of the corridor, where beyond clover could catch a subtle glimpse of the courtyard beyond.

He had little attention to spare for the scenery, however, as just in front of the arch was an altogether different spectacle. Two stags in helmeted armor surrounded the entry on ether side, as Clover would have expected, but much more unexpected was the young adolescent doe that was heatedly accosting them both. She was a petite creature, the top of her head only just reaching to Clover’s front shoulders, but her tiny frame was more than compensated for by her apparently boundless energy, her shouting arguments echoing through the corridor. Her body was a robust maroon, with white underlining her belly and flecks of white spotted onto her tail. Though her colors were mostly subdued in comparison to the brighter reds seen in some ponies, she was still far more vibrant in comparison to the other deer Clover had seen, both figuratively and literally. She was wearing a thin-chained necklace, with a distinct attachment hanging from the bottom. It was a piece of gold shaped into a loop with a cross sticking out from below — the alchemical symbol of Venus, the elemental essence of earth.

“What do you mean you can’t let me in!? How can I possibly be an investigator if you won’t let me investigate!? What kind of sense does that make, huh!?”

“Ah,” said the left guard, “I’m sorry miss, uh...”

“Rubedo! How could you not know my name? I’m already almost an official court alchemist! Being an investigator’s no different from an alchemist, isn’t it?”

“W-well, yes, it is,” said the left guard, “and you’re not even actually a court alchemist yet.”

“Well how am I supposed to become one if I’m not allowed to get any hooves-on experience?” Rubedo complained. “Are you saying I need experience to be an alchemist, but I also need to be an alchemist to get experience? That isn’t fair!”

“Look, miss Rubedo,” the right guard chimed in, “I can appreciate your uh... enthusiam, but you really do need to leave this to us. This is an important case, and we can’t let ourselves get distracted.”

“But you’re not even doing anything! You’re just standing there! Ugh! I give up!”

With a frustrated flick of her tail, Rubedo turned away, not even paying attention as she walked straight into a collision course with Clover. Only at the last moment, just as Clover had begun to step to the side, did she take notice of him. Almost immediately, a starstruck glow appeared within the pupils of her eyes.


Rubedo ~ Transmuting Passion


Rubedo let out a gasp. “Oh! Oh... Oh my gosh! You’re Clover!”

“Er... yeah,” said Clover. “What about it?” Who is this kid? Why is she looking at me like that?

“What about it? What about it?” said Rubedo. “Are you kidding? You’re the apprentice to none other than the Grey Wanderer himself! I’ve heard so many stories about you and your master working together to save the day from the bad guys! Heck, you get to study alongside the most brilliant scholar of sorcery known to the world! What isn’t there about it?”

Clover raised a hoof in front of him. “Whoa, okay. Settle down, miss. I don’t want you hyperventilating on me.”

Rubedo gave a slight pout. “Hey, I’ll have you know I haven’t hyperventilated in three weeks! But that’s besides that point! You’re exactly the deer I needed to see right now!”

Clover said nothing. He stared, eyes partially closed at precisely the angle needed to convey what he was feeling at that moment.

Rubedo’s pupils dilated in sudden realization. “Oh. Oops. You’re not a deer, are you?”

“Not at the moment, no,” Clover remarked.

“Probably just force of habit,” said Rubedo. “You’re actually the first creature I’ve spoken with that wasn’t a deer. And not just any creature, either! With a scholar of your reputation by my side, I can finally prove the Grey Wanderer’s innocence!”

Clover blinked, mentally going over the words to make sure he’d heard them right. “Er, come again? You don’t think he did it?”

“Of course not!” said Rubedo. “Do you have any idea just how much we could learn from him? Just imagine what we could accomplish if were to combine his knowledge of magic with my own knowledge of applied alchemy! Why, I bet together we could lead Thicket into a brand new golden age! He has to be innocent! He must be!”

“I’m, uh, glad you think so,” said Clover. Geez, does this kid ever say anything that doesn’t end in an exclamation mark? “But don’t you think,” he continued, “that it’d be better to prove his innocence before worrying about alchemy?”

“Hey, don’t knock alchemy!” Rubedo huffed. “Just look at what it’s accomplished for us! Growing crops, shaping homes out of trees, warding the city against the Everfree’s inclement weather... heck, it even helped me shed my antlers!”

“What? No, that’s not what I meant!” said Clover. “I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with pursuing the advancement of alchemy, just—” Just then, something stood out to Clover’s attention, and his thoughts immediately focused in on it. “Wait, shed your antlers? But I thought...”

Clover couldn’t finish his sentence before his thoughts outpaced them. His eyes trained towards the necklace Rubedo wore, on the attachment hung across its chain. The symbol’s surface was bright and reflective, its edges smooth from many repeated polishings.

Rubedo, oblivious to Clover’s observations, angled her head slightly to the left. “You thought what?”

“Ah, nevermind,” said Clover. “Probably not my place to pry.” 

“Pry about what?”

“L-look, let’s not worry about that now, okay?” Clover hurriedly replied. “You want to prove Star Swirl’s innocence, right? I couldn’t help but overhear that you’re trying to be an investigator.”

“Yup, you got it!” said Rubedo. “Too bad none of the jerks around here will let me, though. Can you believe it? It’s like they all want him to found guilty or something!”

Er... should I tell her that they probably do? Clover thought. He tapped a hoof to his chin, his lips tightly pursed in contemplation. Hey, hold on a minute... if she’s trying to investigate, maybe she could help me out with a few things. I’m probably going to need all the help I can get, after all.

“Hey, what’cha thinking about?” said Rubedo. “You look like you’ve got something on your mind.”

Clover’s lips turned upwards, into a smile. “Actually, I do. As it so happens, I’m also looking to get Star Swirl acquitted. How would you like to help me out?”

Rubedo’s jaw hung loose, her eyes going nearly as wide as dinner plates. “Ohmigosh! You... y-you want me to help you!? Really!?”

“That’s right,” said Clover. “And I just so happen to exactly what we need to conduct a proper investigation. Take a look!”

With a flicker of his horn, Clover summoned his attorney’s badge from the pocket, and hovered it directly in front of Rubedo’s face. Rubedo in turn gawked at the badge, staring upon it in starry-eyed wonder.

“Ohmigosh! A real attorney’s badge! That must mean...” Before she could finish, Rubedo stopped herself. Abruptly, her awestruck gaze turned into a half-lidded, deadpan glare. “...wait, seriously? That’s how you’re presenting it?”

“Er... yes?” said Clover. What did I do wrong now!?

“No! No, no, no!” said Rubedo. “If you have that badge, then that means you’re an attorney! You can’t just lazily hover it out in front of you like that, for crying out loud! You have to present it with passion! Energy! Gusto!”

Suddenly, Clover could feel droplets of sweaty moisture dripping down his forehead. “Er... gusto?” How in Tartarus am I supposed to show a badge with ‘gusto?’

“Yeah! Gusto!” said Rubedo. “You’re supposed to thrust your badge forward with all your might and yell ‘TAKE THAT!’ Every attorney worth their salt knows that! Here, you try it!”

“Uh, I don’t know about this...”

“Come on, just try it!” Rubedo insisted. “Let’s hear you give a ‘TAKE THAT!”

Clover let out a sigh. I’m not getting out of this one, am I? Forcing aside his own reluctance, he pulled the badge back, and prepared to present it again.

“Er... Take That!” said Clover, thrusting the badge forward.

“Louder!”

Again Clover pulled his badge back, and thrust it forward. “Take That!” he yelled.

“Louder!”

For a third time, Clover pulled his badge back and presented it, thrusting it forwards so hard that it nearly gave him whiplash. “TAKE THAT!”

“LOUDER!”

Clover let out an exasperated groan. Gah, seriously? How much more does this kid want from me? Letting in a deep breath, he pulled back his badge again, and prepared once more to present it. Steeling his nerves, he drew forward all of the rapidly-depleting enthusiasm he had left...

...

....

.....





The force of the shout was so intense that Clover could feel the ground rumbling beneath his feet, and the silence that followed it was even more deafening. Rubedo stared with her dilated to pinpricks, her ears splayed back and her fur frazzled, as though swept backward by a powerful gale-force.

In a puff of embarrassment, Clover’s badge was sent back to its pocket dimension. “Er... sorry?”

Within moments, the cheerful grin returned to Rubedo’s face. “Wow! Talk about chords of steel! You, uh... might want to dial it down just a little bit, though.”

“Yeah... probably a good idea,” said Clover, wincing. “So, um... I guess our next step would be to investigate the crime scene, right?”

“Sounds like a plan!” Rubedo replied. “And with an alchemical investigator like me by your side, we’ll have it figured out in no time!” Rubedo paused, and a sudden comprehension dawned across her features. “Oh, oops! I almost forgot to introduce myself! My name’s Rubedo, but you probably figured that out already, huh?”

“I do pride myself on being observant,” said Clover. He reached out with his hoof, holding it out in front of him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Rubedo.”

“Likewise!” said Rubedo. She reached out with her own forleg and grasped onto Clover’s hoof, shaking it up and down vigorously. An airy giggle bubbled up from her voice as she pulled away, grinning widely. “Ohmigosh, I just shook hooves with the Clover the Clever! This is so amazing!”

“Hey, don’t mention it,” said Clover. “I just hope you’ve got plenty of that energy to spare for the case. Let’s go in and see what we can find.”

“Okie dokie!” Rubedo chirped. “Lead the way!”

As Clover turned and approached the guards, both of them stiffened. “Gentlestags—”

“We heard you,” said the left guard. “Trust me, we heard you.”

“Just go in,” said the right guard. “No need to present anything to us. Please.”

Er... okay? Clover ultimately decided not to question it. As the guards stepped aside and allowed them to enter, he turned around and shot a suspicious glance at Rubedo.

“See? What did I tell you?” said Rubedo. “Being loud is useful!”

Clover winced, feeling another bead of sweat form on his forehead. “Yeah... sure is.”

————————

Under ordinary circumstances, the courtyard of the palace would have been just as breathtaking as the rest of it. Arranged in a circular space was a garden with a single gazebo and a small pond, surrounded on all sides by trees. The trees sprouted a broad range of greens, browns, and auburns, their leaves seemingly not caring for the seasons as they painted the scenery. Their earthy yet vibrant colors contrasted sharply against the pristine white architecture surrounding it, yet the flowing curves and arches of the palace remained just as alive as anything contained within. The center was surrounded by an arcade of of flowing arches and sturdy columns, and a similar walkway protruded from the palace’s second floor, forming a twin set of walkways that circled around the garden’s circumference. On far end, the west tower of the palace loomed in the near distance, and diagonally beneath it the outer walkway extended into a balcony that overlooked the courtyard.

As impressive as the architecture was, it was undermined by the half-dozen guards that were milling about the center of the courtyard, where the white wooden floor of the walkway gave way to simple dirt paths through the grass, winding through the trees an. Clover could clearly make out hoofprints in the nearest dirt path, leading directly towards a conspicuous set of scuff marks near the courtyard’s west end. If he squinted, Clover could vaguely make out the burning hole left the tower wall, pointing toward a similar burning hole in the balcony, which in turn pointed directly toward the scuffing.

Just as Clover took a step toward the dirt path, he was immediately stopped in his tracks by an angry shout.

“Hey! Hold it right there, pal!”

Running out from the garden was very large stag, dressed in a long coat that covered his torso and extended its tail past his abdomen. He was almost comically broad-shouldered and square-jawed, to point that rivaled King Cedarborn himself — though he carried none of the elegance of movement, each of his legs seemingly working without knowledge of the others. Clover flinched as the deer came barreling towards him, coming to an abrupt halt a mere split-second before they would have collided with each other.

“Just what do you think you’re doing!?” the stag shouted, launching flecks of spit into Clover’s eyes. “Didn’t anydeer tell you this is a crime scene!?”

“I’m, um... aware of that, yes,” said Clover. Just what is up with this guy, anyway? I thought deer were supposed to be graceful! “Look, understand you’re busy and all, but I need to do some investigation of my own. Here, TAKE THAT!”

With a flicker of his horn, Clover produced his attorney’s badge and presented it, before stowing away again. As the badge was brought to his eys, the stag’s eyes lit up with recognition.

“Hm? A defense attorney, eh? Guess that changes a few things. Still can’t let you get any closer to the crime scene, though.”

“What?” said Clover. “But the badge says—”

“I know what it says, pal. It’s just a motto. You got privileges now, but there’s still rules you gotta follow.” Apropos of nothing, a massive, toothy grin split across his face. “Anyway, the name’s Eucalyptus. Investigative Constable Eucalyptus. Pleased to meet you!”

“Clover the Clever,” Clover replied, reaching out to shake the massive stag’s hoof. “You know, it might be easier if you just called yourself a detective. Wouldn’t be quite as much of a mouthful.”

“A... detective?” Eucalyptus stared, dumbstruck, only for an understanding to dawn on his face one moment later. “Oh! You mean like a guy that detects evidence! Perfect! Now, if only there were a shorter word for Eucalyptus...”

...Should I tell him that there is? Disregarding the thought, he continued, “Well Detective, you can worry about that later. In the meantime, would you mind if I asked a few questions?”

“Sure thing, pal! Fire away!”


Eucalyptus ~ The One and Only, Pal!


“So, uh, Detective,” said Clover. “What exactly is it you do around here, anyway? Murder aside, I wouldn’t have guessed there would be much crime in Thicket.”

Eucalyptus frowned, pausing to rub his hoof behind his antlers. “Well pal, you’d be right. Truthfully, I don’t usually do much. There’s so little trouble with the law around these parts that they barely have any use for us. All the guards you see around the palace are really just there for decoration.” He sighed, and briefly looked off to the side. “And when there are crimes, they’re always really petty. Like ‘stealing a hairpin’ kinda petty.”

“So I take it this is the busiest you’ve been a while, right?” said Clover.

“Oh yeah! Absolutely!” Eucalyptus exclaimed. “This is the first murder Thicket’s had in centuries, and I get the chance to work on it! Isn’t it great? Er... not that I think it’s great the king was murdered. You know what I mean.”

I’ll, uh, just give you the benefit of the doubt there, thought Clover. “So they placed you in charge of the investigation?”

Eucalyptus frowned again. “Well... strictly speaking, no. That would be the prosecutor for the case, Miss von Ego.”

Almost immediately, Clover’s eyebrows reached towards the sky. “Von Ego?” Weird, that sounds kind of like a noble house. Definitely not one I’ve heard of, though. “Alright, now I’m curious. Who is this prosecutor?”

Another wide grin spread across Eucalytus’s face. “Well pal, you ain’t gonna believe it, but she’s actually a unicorn just like you!”

Clover gave a repeated series of sharp, hacking coughs, so startled that he nearly choked on the air he was breathing. “I-I’m sorry, what!?”

“Yeah, I know,” said Eucalyptus. “I could hardly believe it either. We sent a messenger falcon to Canterlot to inform them of the Grey Wanderer’s arrest, and they sent word back that they’d be sending a lawyer to defend him. But when she got here, she said she wanted to prosecute instead! Weird, huh?”

Clover’s mouth worked silently, trying its best to find the words to express emotions that far outpaced them. “But... why? My master’s one of the most trusted and revered ponies in Equestria! What kind of unicorn would possibly want to see him convicted?”

“Beats me, pal. All I know is, she seems to have some kind of vendetta. Given she lied to your Empress about her intentions, she’s definitely got guts.” Eucalyptus’s eyes darted around, his tall and broad frame becoming noticeably less sturdy, as though anticipating a threat that wasn’t there. “And don’t tell her I said this, but she’s got a real mean streak, too. You’d better watch your back if you’re going up against her. She’s out for blood.”

Clover blinked rapidly, clearing his mind of the distracting emotions that raced through it. Eventually, when the shock wore off, a dreadful clarity began to form. Stars and stones, he’s terrified of her. What did this mare even do to him?

“No need to look at me like you feel sorry for me,” said Eucalyptus. “If you’re really defending the Grey Wanderer, you should be worrying more than anything about him.  You’re probably better off trying for a plea bargain.”

With how angry His Highness is, I’d be lucky even getting that, Clover silently mused. “I’m aware that my master’s in a tight spot, Detective. That’s why I’m defending him. What can you say about evidence against him so far?”

“Well,” said Eucalyptus, “I don’t think I can rightly tell you everything just yet, but between you and me, it’s not looking good for him. His hoofprints are at the scene, so we know he was here. Our alchemists have also detected trace amounts of thaumic charge in the atmosphere, something only a unicorn’s spell could create. Plus there’s the holes in the west tower, which all point directly from where he had to have been standing at the moment of murder. All the evidence is basically saying that he did it.”

Clover felt a weight pressing down on his chest. Gah! That thaumic charge must be from when he teleported! Why did you do that, you old coot!?

“Oh!” said Eucalyptus. “And I almost forgot! We also have two witnesses!”

A jolt of panic ran down the length of Clover’s spine, electrifying the hairs on the back of his neck. “T-t-two witnesses!?”

Eucalyptus frowned again. “Aw, come on, don’t give me that look. It’s just procedure, you know. No hard feelings or nothing.”

Clover held his eyes shut, breathing in a deep breath through his nostrils, before releasing it through his mouth. The panic had disappeared, but the weight on his chest was still there. “Alright. Alright. Fine. Can you tell me who the witnesses are, at least?”

Eucalyptus shook his head. “No can do. You’ll have to wait for the trial.”

“Great,” Clover deadpanned. “Is there anything else you can at least tell me about? Maybe something about how the murder happened?”

“Sorry, pal, I’m afraid...” Eucalyptus paused, a thoughtful look crossing his face. “Actually, yeah! I think there is something after all! Here, take this.”

Reaching into the collar of his coat, Eucalyptus pulled out what appeared to be a large, green, and rectangular envelope — closer inspection revealed that its surface was composed entirely out of woven leaves. Its end was left open, perhaps by mistake, revealing a single slip of parchment. As it was passed to him, Clover reached out with his telekinesis and grasped it, pulling out the parchment and idly peering at the writing on it.

Hmm... it doesn’t say anything I haven’t probably already figured out, thought Clover, but this could come in handy later. Pushing the parchment back into the envelope, he poofed the item away, storing it with the rest of his belongings.


Autopsy Report added to Court Record
An autopsy report of King Cedarborn. The cause of death was a magical projectile through his chest.


“I think that’s all I can do for you right now,” said Eucalyptus. “Good luck with your trial, alright? And sorry that you couldn’t see our beautiful city under better circumstances.”

“That’s okay, Detective,” said Clover. “This should be all I need right now. And I’m sorry about your king.”

“No problem! You take care, alright?”

Clover turned away and made his way back to the courtyard entrance, the thoughts of the conversation still freshly lingering on his mind. He’s a bit too friendly for a deer that put my master behind bars. And just what in the nine realms of Tartarus is going on with this prosecutor? As he continued, however, another thought rose unbidden to the surface. Wait. Where’s Rubedo?

“Hi Clover! How’d it go?” his answer immediately replied.

Clover almost jumped from where he was standing, and whipped around to see Rubedo directly behind him. Even more strangely, the gold attachment to her necklace had completely transformed, becoming a large wooden contraption shaped like a box, with a glass lens on the front and a small horizontal slit near the bottom. “Gah! Geez, don’t startle me like that. And just what the heck is that thing you’re wearing?”

“Oh, this?” said Rubedo, gesturing to the bizarre contraption. “It’s an invention of mine! My necklace is infused with Venus-elemental alchemy that lets me transform it into a wide variety of tools I’ve designed. This one’s called a ‘camera!’ Isn’t it neato?”

“Uh... sure,” said Clover. “What does it do?”

“It takes photographs!” said Rubedo. “Just point it at something and pull the trigger, and you have a perfectly replicated image of what you’re looking at! Minus the color, of course, but I’ll figure that out someday. Check it out!”

*SNAP!*

“Gah!” Clover cringed at the sudden, blindingly bright flash of light, instinctively shielding his eyes with a foreleg. “Cut that out!”

The box gave out a whirr, and spit out from its slot a square piece of parchment, where a black-and-white portrait of Clover grossly recoiling was printed on the front. Rubedo grabbed the parchment and inspected it with a grin. “Yup. That one’s definitely going in my collection.”

“Please don’t tell me you’re going to be doing that more than once.”

“But it’s a vital part of our investigation!” said Rubedo. “While you were busy chatting with that big doofus, I went to the crime scene to snap some pictures!”

“You... snuck onto the crime scene?” said Clover. “Aren’t you worried we could get in trouble for that?”

“Nah, don’t worry about it,” Rubedo reassured. “The guards’ main evidence is prints in the dirt, and I don’t have to worry about disturbing those. We deer are so light on our hooves that we don’t leave any trails behind, even in snow!”

Hard to imagine that oafish detective being light on anything. Clover shook his head, breathing out through his nostrils. “Alright, might as well see what this ‘photograph’ of yours is. Let’s just hope they don’t ask what you had to do to get it.”

“Sure thing!” said Rubedo. “Most of them weren’t any good, but I did get one that’s particularly juicy. Take a look!”

Rubedo reached out behind her neck and pulled out another photograph from a place Clover couldn’t see. He grabbed onto it with his telekinesis, and examined it more closely. His eyes widened at what he saw.

The photograph, seemingly taken from atop a tree, showed Star Swirl’s hoofprints leading west, towards the scuff marks. Notably, the hoofprints lead directly up to the scuffing, but there were no prints leading away from it. Even more notably, however, was that the scuff marks in the dirt were clearly much shallower than Star Swirl’s hoofprints, as four hoofprints could still be visibly seen within the center of the scuffing.

“So?” said Rubedo. “What do you think?”

Clover hesitated, pondering the information. Finally, he spoke. “I think you may be on to something here, actually.”

Rubedo gasped, her eyes shimmering with an starstruck sheen. “Ohmigosh? Really?”

“Well, I’ll have to convince the court that this invention of yours is reliable evidence,” said Clover, “but if this is a perfect image of the crime scene, there’s definitely something fishy going on with it. Thank you.”

“Wow!” said Rubedo, “I never thought I’d say this to a creature as famous as you, but you’re welcome! And don’t worry about proving how photos work. I’ll just bring out my camera in court and snap a photo of the judge! Then he’ll see how great my evidence is!”

Clover suppressed his reaction just soon enough to stop himself from grimacing. Oh no. What have I done!?

Oblivious to Clover’s thoughts, Rubedo pressed a hidden panel on the side of her camera. It glowed with golden light, and the reverted to the golden symbol it once was. “So, now that we’re done here, what do you want to do next? The trial’s not going to be for a while. Maybe we could study for the case?”

Clover paused, rubbing a hoof to his chin. I’d like to spend at least some time studying how to practice law. That said... “...Actually, no. There’s one other place I want to look before we start preparing for the trial.” His eyes turned westward, towards the tower that loomed above. “We need to investigate where we were staying last night.”


Hoofprint Photo added to Court Record
A photograph taken of Star Swirl’s hoofprints, leading up to the point where he was standing at the supposed moment of murder.




> Turnabout Sorcery: Investigation ~ Refrain
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Locating the tower proved much easier than it had before, though not due to familiarity. Rubedo, much to Clover’s embarrassment, had steered him through the winding corridors of the palace almost the entire way through. Most of the time this was figurative, but in a few circumstances it had turned out to be shockingly literal. As they climbed up the stairs to the tower, Clover rubbed the back of his neck. It had continued to remain sore after one particularly labyrinthine stretch of corridors where Rubedo had forcibly grabbed his head and pulled it in the right direction.

Geez! This doe might as well have the strength of three earth ponies put together!

Finally, after an ascent that was just a tad longer than Clover would have liked, he and Rubedo arrived at the central common room. As Clover walked forward, his hooves fell sharply against the floor, their sound reverberating off the walls.

“So,” said Rubedo, “what’cha come here to look for?”

“A couple things,” Clover replied. “First, there’s a pretty important piece of evidence I’d like to look at again. I’d also like to speak with anypony that may be around, in case they know something.”

“Sound like a plan to me!” Rubedo chirped. “So, who do we talk to first?”

Clover tapped a hoof to his chin. “Well, that depends on who’s still here. We can’t leave Thicket, but I can’t imagine many people would like to just stay cooped up here forever.”

Rubedo stared at Clover oddly. “Huh?” she said. “What’s a ‘people?’”

“Oh, uh...” Clover’s eyes darted back and forth across the room. “It’s, um... a foreign word for creatures that talk. It’s, um, used in the southern regions of the Equus continent. You know, where the desert is.”

“Wow!” said Rubedo. “You mean you’ve actually been to beastfolk territory? That’s amazing!”

“Er... yeah, let’s go with that.”

“Oh, hello Clover!” a soft, breezy voice suddenly called out. “It’s nice to see you again.”


Pansy ~ Floral Spring Breeze


Clover’s turned to meet the voice, and he found himself gazing upon field of soft pinks and yellows. As Pansy approached, he noticed that there was a slight spring in her step. Her smile radiated a cheerful warmth, standing in sharp contrast to the shaking, frightened pony that she was just a couple hours earlier.

Looking at her, Clover couldn’t help but return the smile, and he felt a slight warmth to his cheeks. “Ah... hello, Pansy,” he said. “You’re looking pretty chipper right now. You know, considering the, uh... regicide.”

Pansy flushed, a slightly deeper shade of pink coloring her face. She pawed at the ground, a single eye poking through her mane. “Oh, well... I was feeling pretty scared this morning. But, um... despite how terrible it is that this is happening, I’m actually kind of feeling better. I-I mean, not that it’s not totally horrible that Star Swirl’s been accused of murder, o-of course.”

“Hey, nothing wrong with a positive attitude!” Rubedo piped in. “I’m Rubedo, by the way. Right now I’m helping Clover out. I take it you’re enjoying Thicket so far?”

Pansy nodded, reaching out to shake Rubedo’s hoof. “Oh, yes! I was too preoccupied to get a chance to look at it yesterday, but it really is a beautiful city. And there’s so much food, too! I don’t think I’ve ever had a breakfast so filling!”

Just then, a bubble of information Clover had stored away in his mind rose to the surface. “Oh yeah, that’s right. Cloudsdale’s been going through a food shortage lately, hasn’t it?”

Pansy’s smile began to waver, curving downwards briefly. “Right... shortage.” Before long, however, it returned once again, and she looked Clover directly in the eyes. Though her left eye remained hidden beneath her mane, Clover could still perceive a gentle radiance beneath them. In his mind’s eye he could picture himself getting lost in the sea of pastel colors and fragrant scents...

“Wow!” said Rubedo, her voice forcibly snapping Clover back to reality. “According to my heat sensor, your body temperature just rose by five degrees! That’s amazing!”

Clover’s head whipped around to meet Rubedo. Sure enough, her necklace attachment had transformed into a strange, circular gold device. Rubedo grinned sheepishly as Clover shot her a glare, before turning back to Pansy.

“Anyway,” said Clover, “I’ve decided that I’m going to be representing my master in court later this afternoon. I came back here so I could do some more investigation before the trial.”

Pansy’s eyes went wide. “Oh? Y-you’re going to be his defense attorney?”

“That’s right,” Clover said, beaming. “I fully intend to have him acquitted as soon as possible. Trust me, this isn’t even on the top ten worst situations I’ve bailed him out of.”

Pansy frowned. “Oh. Um... good for you?”

“Is something wrong?” said Clover.

“Ack! Nothing! Nothing!” Pansy hastily replied. “It’s just, um... I’m one of the witnesses?”

“Oh,” said Clover. “Well, I suppose that would explain why you seemed so nervous just no — Wait, what!?”

Pansy’s head turned toward the ground. “Please don’t be mad at me,” she said. “I’m just doing what I was asked to.”

A deep knot began to form in the pit of Clover’s stomach. He closed his eyes, inhaling as clearly as he could through his nostrils, before pushing the breath out with a sigh. Okay, calm down. It was likely at least one of the witnesses would be one of us. No need to panic. Just think about this rationally for a moment.

“I’m sorry,” said Pansy. “I really don’t want to see Star Swirl in trouble, I really don’t. I don’t think I have a choice but to do this.”

“There’s no need to apologize,” Clover reassured. “Think of this way: if we want to clear my master’s name, we’ll need to find the truth. And if you’re a witness, that means you’ll be helping me with that. So don’t fret, okay?”

Pansy hesitated. Multiple emotions flashed across her features, many of which Clover couldn’t quite name. Finally, her lips curved upwards, returning to the same gentle smile she’d always held. “I... suppose that does make sense, in a way. Thank you, Clover. I feel better now.”

Clover returned the smile. He could feel a warmth spreading through his body as he met Pansy’s gaze, soothing the tensions that he’d felt just moments before. How long has it been since last we had a chance to spend quality time together? The last time I saw her was the raijū incident, and I barely had time to speak to her at all. “Listen, Pansy...”

Before Clover could finish the thought, Rubedo leaned in between the two, waggling her eyebrows at Clover. “I bet you’re looking forward to cross-examining every part of her, right?”

Clover coughed loudly, so hard that he very nearly choked on his own saliva. “Rubedo!”

“What? Don’t lie! You totally are! Any creature with half a mind can see—”

Clover stuck out a foreleg, holding his hoof to Rubedo’s face. “You’re not finishing that sentence.”

Rubedo grinned. “Sure. Sure. I gotcha. Just leave the two lovebirds alone, right?”

“Rubedo!”

Pansy coughed into her hoof, an even deeper flush coloring her cheeks. “Um, anyway. Is there anything you wanted to talk to me about?”

“Actually, yes,” said Clover. “First of all, I’d like to know what it is you’ll be testifying about tomorrow. It’d be helpful if I can get as much information from you as I can.”

“Oh,” said Pansy. “W-well, uh... I’m not supposed to talk about that, actually. That mean prosecutor lady told me I couldn’t say anything about what I saw. Not until the trial, at least.”

Crud. That figures, Clover bemoaned internally. If she can’t tell me about the night of the murder, then what can she tell me? As he pondered the question, it didn’t take long for an answer to present itself. “Well then, what can you tell me about the prosecutor?”

“Miss von Ego? Well, um... she’s a unicorn, oddly enough. And I think she has something against Star Swirl.” Suddenly, Pansy let out a tiny gasp. “Wait! You don’t think she’s the one who did it, do you?”

Clover shook his head. “I don’t think that’s very likely. I’ve heard about her from one of the detectives. She didn’t come here until after they’d sent word of Star Swirl’s arrest to Canterlot. There’s very little chance she’d have known about the murder beforehoof.” He paused briefly, letting his thoughts move forward just a bit further. “That said, I am curious why she’d have a grudge against my master. Do you know anything about why she’d want him prosecuted?”

“Not really, no,” Pansy replied. “But, um... now that you mention it, I think I did hear her mutter something under her breath. Something about her mother.”

Clover’s eyes went wide. “Her... mother?”

“Yeah,” said Pansy. “I didn’t hear it exactly, but I think I got the gist of it. Something about promising to avenge her.”

Right away, Clover could feel his heart jump inside his chest. “A-avenge?”

“Wow!” said Rubedo. “That’s some juicy info! Guess we’re up against someone who’s really serious about this, huh Clover?”

“I... yeah.” Dear Mithras, Star Swirl, what did you do!? “In any case, if you can’t tell us anything about what you saw the night of the murder, then I guess our best bet for now is finding out more about the prosecution. Did she tell you anything else important?”

“No, I don’t think so,” said Pansy. “But, um... try not to make her too mad. She’s not a very nice pony.”

“Er.. yeah. I’ll be sure to keep that in mind,” said Clover. “Anyway, I’d like to do some more investigating. Do you know where everypony else is right now?”

“It looks like they all left, I’m afraid,” said Pansy. “Smart Cookie’s the only one that’s still here. You’ll probably be able to find him in his room.”

“In his room, huh?” said Clover. “That’s good to know. I actually wanted to check that room out before I went to study for the case. In any case, thanks for the cooperation.”

“Oh, you’re quite welcome!” said Pansy. “You’ve always been the unicorn I can trust. I hope things work out during your trial.”

“And good luck with your testimony,” said Clover. “I’ll see you this afternoon, alright?”

“Of course. You take care now. And it was nice meeting you too, Rubedo. I’m sure you’ve done an excellent job assisting Clover.”

Humming a gentle song to herself, Pansy turned away, and turned to walk down the stairs.

“It’s good to see that Pansy’s taking everything so well,” said Clover. “It’s been decades since the war. I was worried she wouldn’t be able to handle being so close to a deadly situation again.”

Rubedo’s face scrunched thoughtfully. “She did seem pretty happy... and is it just me, or did she say something a bit strange just before she said goodbye?”

“Strange?” said Clover. “How so?”

“Hmm... You know,” said Rubedo, “now that you mention it, I can’t really put my hoof on it. I could just be imagining things.”

Strange... why would Pansy say anything strange? “I’m sure if she’s seen anything unusual, we’ll hear about it during her testimony,” said Clover. “Right now, our priority is getting more information before then.”

“Way ahead of ya!” Rubedo cheered. “Come on, then, let’s go! We’ve gotta hurry if we want time to prepare our case! Chaaaaaaaaarge!”

“Rubedo, wait!” Clover called out, as Rubedo rushed forward without hesitation. “You’ve got the wrong door! That’s my room!”

————————

After the somewhat embarrassing incident, Clover had managed to get Rubedo to follow him back into the common room, where they proceeded into Smart Cookie’s room. He’d felt some trepidation entering the room at first, knowing what he might find on the other side, but he quickly put those feelings behind him.

It was a simple bedroom with a few furnishings, most of them grown organically from the floor, just as much a part of the same living organism as the palace. On the far end was an open window, free of glass or decorations, which overlooked the courtyard where the murder had taken place. What drew Clover’s eye most of all, however, were the burning holes in the room. One was just beside the door, and another was lower in the opposite wall, directly above the floor beneath the window.

As he passed through the door, Clover noticed the edges of the hole next to him were frayed inward, as though something had pushed the wood out as it traveled through, diagonally downward from the end of the room to the courtyard directly east of it.

“Rubedo,” said Clover, “could you get a few of those photograph things of those holes? I have a feeling they’ll be important.”

“You got it!” said Rubedo. Right away, she tapped her hoof to her necklace, and it transformed in a flash of light to a camera. She held it up to her eyes, and there were several more flashes of light as she took pictures of the room.


Burning Holes updated in Court Record
A series of burnt holes in the west tower’s interior, caused by an apparent projectile of very high temperature. The frayed edges show a trajectory towards the courtyard.


“Excuse me. Do you want something?”

Clover was pulled out of his thoughts by the voice. He looked forward, and saw a tan earth pony stallion standing directly in front of him.


Smart Cookie ~ Waltz of the Stoic


“Ah. Sorry, Cookie, didn’t see you there. How’ve you been?”

“There’s been a murder,” Smart Cookie deadpanned. “What do you think?”

“...Right. Dumb question. Sorry,” said Clover. “So, uh. It’s been a while since we’ve talked, hasn’t it?”

“Maybe,” said Cookie. “I didn’t think I’d see you in a place like this again.”

“Huh? A place like this?” said Rubedo. “You mean... your bedroom?”

For the first time since they’d arrived, the slightest twitch of emotion tugged at the corners of Smart Cookie’s mouth. “...We were bored. It was a one time thing.”

“Whoa! Hey! Hold on!” Clover interjected. “Let’s not go there. Please.” Dammit, Cookie, I thought we agreed not to talk about that!

Rubedo’s eyes opened wider, a chord of realization ringing across her features. “Wait. You don’t mean you two—”

“A-anyway! Moving on!” Clover interrupted. “I’m going to be serving as my master’s defense attorney for his upcoming trial. With that said, what can you tell me about the night of the murder? Were you one of the witnesses to the crime, by any chance?”

Cookie turned his head around slightly, his eyes briefly drifting towards the window. “No. I can’t say I was.”

“No?” said Clover. “But these holes show the projectile that killed Star Swirl must have gone through your room! How could you not be a witness?”

“I was asleep the whole time,” Cookie replied. “I already told the prosecutor. I couldn’t have witnessed anything.”

“You... you were asleep!?”

“I don’t see how that’s surprising,” said Cookie. “You know I’m a heavy sleeper.”

Clover immediately turned and shot Rubedo a glare.

“Huh? What? Why are you looking at me like that? I didn’t say anything!”

“You were going to,” said Clover. “Now, as for you, Cookie... I already know Pansy will be testifying, but I also know there’s a second witness. If you’re not a witness, do you know who is?”

Smart Cookie paused momentarily, looking subtly contemplative. “Hm. No. I can’t say I do.”

Clover let out a heavy sigh. So much for that line of questioning, I guess... “Alright, fine. Is there anything else you think you could tell me, though? I really need to gather as much evidence as possible. Do you think you have anything that could help me out here?”

“You sound desperate,” Cookie remarked. “I assume it must look pretty bad for your master right now.”

A dull pain began to work its way to the front of Clover’s forehead. He pressed the tip of his hoof to the base of his horn, rubbing against the throbbing headache. “Just... answer the question, Cookie. Please. Do you have anything you can give me?” Besides a reminder why things never worked out between us, I mean.

“Hmm.” Cookie paused again, and his brow furrowed in though. “Actually, yes. I believe I do. After I woke up this morning, I found something that wasn’t there the night before.”

Bingo, thought Clover. “Alright, let’s see it.”

Moving a hoof behind his head, Cookie reached into his mane and pulled out a large, tightly-coiled scroll. “Here. You can have it.”

Clover peered at the item, and his curiosity flared to life, like a flame that flickered deeply within his mind. “A scroll? Do you know what it says?”

“No,” said Cookie. “I never looked at it. It’s not important to me.”

Clover’s horn glowed, and he pulled the item out of Cookie’s grasp.  “Well, thank you anyway, Cookie. I’m sure this will be helpful.”

“It’s no problem,” said Smart Cookie. “And I’ll see you at this trial today. Good luck getting your acquittal.”

“Thanks,” said Clover. “Come on, Rubedo. Let’s see if we can get a better look at this scroll.”

Giving his assistant a nod, Clover led Rubedo out of Smart Cookie’s room, and into the common room. There, he unrolled the scroll, taking a look at its contents. What he read there nearly made his heart skip a beat.






CLOUDSDALE LEGION REGISTRY




Name: [REDACTED]
Height: 4’3’’
Weight: 112 lbs
Wingpower: 13.5 wp

————

Name: Pansy Heartease
Height 3’11’’
Weight: 104 lbs
Wingpower: 12 wp

————

Name: Nimbus Dash
Height: 4’1’’
Weight: 107.5 lbs
Wingpower: 10.5 wp

————

Name: Flash Magnus
Height: 4’2’’
Weight: 110 lbs
Wingpower: 10 wp




The list itself continued for hundreds more entries, but what caught Clover’s eye even more was what was written near the top. A hoofwritten equation in red ink:



top speed = 45 x wingpower



That hoofwriting! That’s the same hoofwriting I saw on Star Swirl’s note!


Cloudsdale Registry added to Court Record
A registry with height, weight, and wingpower information on every pegasus in the Cloudsdale Legion. Written in familiar handwriting is the formula “top speed = 45 x wingpower”


“What is it?” said Rubedo. “It’s something juicy, right? Something that can turn this trial around, I bet!”

“I...” A lump began to form in Clover’s throat. If this means what I think it means... No, focus! Focus! “I hope so. Right now though, I think we should begin studying for the trial. I should have everything I need for now, I just need to know how the procedures work.”

“Sounds good to me!” said Rubedo. “But, um, before we start researching... there’s one thing I was wondering.”

“Yeah?” said Clover.

“How many of the other Founders of Equestria have you bumped uglies with?”

Clover’s jaw dropped so fast that he could almost hear it hitting the ground. Still dumbstruck with shock, he reached for the first response that his brain could conceive of.

“OBJECTION!”

————————

Clover had spent the remainder of the morning researching the ins and outs of trial procedure, with Rubedo thankfully helping him sort through the massive archives of the palace library. To his surprise, however, the legal proceedings were far less complex than he had anticipated. By all accounts, the rules and laws that governed them seemed to function more as guidelines than anything else.

That makes things easier for me... but that also means the prosecution has even less reason to play fair. Crap. I’m in really deep, aren’t I?

His studies carried him well into the afternoon, but by then they had mostly devolved into practicing theatrics. Poses, pointing, shouting ‘objection’ in just the right way seemed to be of more importance than the actual laws that he was fighting for. After a particularly embarrassing practice incident got him permanently banned from the library, Clover was left with just enough time to travel to the court.

The courthouse itself was a separate building, some ways away from the palace. Thankfully it had turned out to be far less labyrinthine, a building of similar size and shape to Equestria’s courthouses, though grown organically from yet another tree. The living wood making up the building was more worldly, the extravagant whites and golds of the palace replaced with simple browns and greens.


Courtroom Lobby ~ Interlude of Trials


The Defendant’s Lobby was itself a small room. Clover had arrived there just in time to meet Star Swirl, his horn still restrained in a clasp as he stood by the pair of guards that accompanied him. As Clover approached, Star Swirl glanced at him, a gentle spark of hope shining within his pupils.

“Ah! Clover, you’ve made it! I was beginning to worry if you were really going to go through with this. This is quite out of your range of expertise, after all.”

“Maybe,” said Clover. “But I’m capable of a lot of things most ponies don’t know about. And right now, I think I have everything I need to build your case.” ...I think. I probably shouldn’t tell him I’m kind of winging it here.

His thoughts didn’t continue, as his attention was pulled away by the very loud sound of heavy breathing just beside him.

“Hah... Hnhnnh... I-I... Clover!” Rubedo called out in a stage whisper. “What do I do!? The Gray Wanderer himself is standing right in front of me! I literally can’t handle this right now!”

“H-hey, calm down! Deep breaths!” said Clover. “Just relax. It’s fine. Ah, sorry master, this is Rubedo. She’s my legal assistant for this case.”

“Your assistant?” said Star Swirl. His eyes widened briefly, once again twinkling gently under the light. “Ah... I see.” He turned to Rubedo, and gave her a short bow. “In that case, Rubedo, you have my deepest gratitude. As I understand it, my apprentice could always use some help.”

Rubedo’s entire suddenly froze. Her legs shivered gently, then started to tremble beneath her. “H-he... he thanked me. The Gray Wanderer thanked me! I... I...”

With a soft sigh, Rubedo’s eyes turned back into her head, and she promptly keeled over and fainted.

“Ah!” Star Swirl exclaimed. “Clover, is she alright?”

“I, um... I think she’ll be fine, master,” said Clover. All that for a back-hoofed compliment?

“I see,” Star Swirl replied. “Clover, listen to me. If you fail, and I am found guilty—”

“Hey. None of that,” Clover interrupted. “You won’t be found guilty. I won’t let that happen.”

Star Swirl’s lips gently curved upwards, into a smile. “Sometimes I wonder what I did to deserve such a loyal apprentice. Thank you, Clover. I will never forget all you’ve done for my sake.”

“I’m just doing what needs to be done, master,” Clover replied. “Rubedo, are you alright?”

“Huh... what...” Rubedo slowly climbed up to her hooves, still wobbling from the effort. “I... I think so, yeah.”

Clover gave Rubedo a smile. “Just let me know if anything becomes to overwhelming, okay?”

“It’s okay. I think I’ll be fine,” said Rubedo. Immediately after, her face split open into a massive grin, her eyes sparkling with wonder and excitement. “But ohmigosh, did you hear that!? He thanked me! The Gray Wanderer himself thanked me!”

Suddenly, the door to the courtroom opened, and a stern-looking bailiff, dressed in a deer guard’s uniform, gestured at Clover to follow.

“He’ll have a lot more to thank you for after today. Now come on, let’s go in.”


Court ~ The House of Law


As Clover led Rubedo into the courtroom, he turned around and gave Star Swirl a nod, leaving him behind with the guards.

What he saw next, however, he couldn’t have been prepared for. The courtroom itself was unremarkable — apart from every part of it being made of a single living tree, and the roof being made from branches that allowed sunlight to filter in. A number of deer sat in the audience seats, looking over the room from a set of balconies that were grown into the upper levels. But most strangely, sitting in the judge’s bench was a motionless bipedal figure grown from living wood, with a large of leaves and twigs extending from his chin.

“A... a treefolk?” Clover stammered in disbelief. “The judge is a treefolk?”

“Of course!” said Rubedo. “His Magistry Judge Greenbeard has presided over our courts since time immemorial. You didn’t know?”

Huh. I didn’t think treefolk cared for the matters of other creatures. Clover shook his head. “We can worry about that later. For now, let’s just go out there and prove his innocence.”

Rubedo gave Clover a mock salute. “Aye-aye, captain!”

As Clover finally took his place at the defense’s bench, the Judge’s eyes began to brighten, and the previously unmoving body shifted and straightened as it became instilled with life. As Clover looked at him, he began to notice that the Judge’s body seemed to grow directly into the bench he was sitting on, and by extension the rest of the building.

“Court is now in session for the trial of the Gray Wanderer,” said the Judge. “Are the defense and prosecution ready?”

“The, uh, defense is ready, Your Magistry,” said Clover. “But, uh...” As his sentence trailed off, his eyes turned to the as-yet-unfilled prosecution’s seat opposite him. “...where is the prosecution?”

“Do not be hasty, Mister Clover!” the Judge chided. “I am sure the prosecution will arrive on their own time.”

What? Wasn’t this trial supposed to happen on a schedule!? “Um... be that as it may, Your Magistry, I was under the impression that we can’t have a trial without our opening arguments. So, if the prosecution doesn’t arrive soon, I’d like to request that—”

Clover never had the time to finish his sentence. He was immediately distracted by a sensation that only a unicorn could perceive, his thaumic sense picking up on a powerful surge of magic. Illusory smoke began to flood into the room from the Prosecution’s Lobby, leaving the air quality untouched yet blinding him with a thick cover of vapor.

“M-Mister Clover!” the Judge exclaimed, “What is the meaning of this!?”


Von Ego ~ Sterling Silver Moonlight


“Fillies and gentlecolts! Deer of all ages!” A loud female voice boomed through the courtroom, its volume enhanced with even further magic. “Put your hooves together, for ze star of ze trial has arrived!”

The illusory mist surrounding the prosecutor’s bench parted, revealing the image of a mare. She was a unicorn with a coat of eggplant purple, her cutie mark a smattering of cobalt blue and bright yellow stars. She wore a white tunic with long cobalt-blue sleeves, a spade on its left foreleg and a club on the other. Her short silver hair parted down the middle, revealing a cobalt-blue domino mask.

“Born of ze noblest of noble house, descended from ze highest of heavens to deliver a spectacular, dazzling trial like no other, presenting to you... ze one... ze only. Ze Grand and Almighty... Kluge! Von! Egooooooooooo!”

Clover let out a loud groan. A cascade of sweat began to drip down his forehead. He turned to Rubedo, and the two of them shared a look.

“Um, Clover? This is going to suck for us, isn’t it?”

“...Eyup.”
> Turnabout Sorcery: Trial ~ Day 1-1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Von Ego ~ Sterling Silver Moonlight


The courtroom was awash with a sea of murmuring and chattering. None of the deer in the audience could seem to decide on what to think of the masked prosecutor that had taken the bench across from Clover and his assistant. Clover, for that matter, couldn’t decide what to make of her either.

“Oh ho ho ho,” she chuckled, “whatever is ze matter, Herr Clover? Has ze Almighty von Ego amazed you so thoroughly that you’re at a loss for words?”

The only response Clover could bring himself to give was a very long, drawn-out “Uhhhhhhh...”

Kluge leaned a foreleg against her bench, her face curled into what was possibly the most self-satisfied grin Clover had seen in his life. “Now, now, there’s no need to be so modest. Ze Almighty von Ego knows you are no doubt impressed beyond all measure. Feel free to bestow upon von Ego as many lavish praises as you would like.”

“Clover!” Rubedo hissed. “What is going on? Just who is this stuck-up jerk? And why is she always referring to herself in the third deer?”

“Third pony,” Clover gently corrected. “And I think you just answered your own question.”

The Judge’s gavel tapped lightly against his bench. “Order! Order, I say!” At once, the background noise of the courtroom quieted to nothing. “M-miss von Ego, was it? Are you... a unicorn?”

“That is correct, Your Magistry,” said Kluge.

The Judge’s eyes went wide. “But... why? Is the Gray Wanderer not considered among the greatest heroes of your kind? Why prosecute him?”

Kluge harumphed. “A foolish question,” she said, “one that would only make sense to ze most foolhardy fools in all of fooldom. Ze so-called Gray Wanderer has committed a crime that must not go unanswered.” Her horn flared with cyan light, and a tiny, crackling display of multicolored fireworks filled the space behind her. “And I, ze Almighty Kluge von Ego, am a child of karma! I was put on this world for one purpose, and that is to deliver unto ze guilty their divinely ordained punishment! If anything, you should all be thanking your deities for ze Almighty von Ego’s presence!”

“Well, I guess you can’t fault her lack of theatrics,” Rubedo commented.

“Yeah,” said Clover. “But this court runs on theatrics, doesn’t it? We could be in a lot of trouble here if that’s the level of ham we’re going up against.”

Another smirk crossed Kluge’s face. She sat up and reached outwards, gesturing her hoof towards Clover in a beckoning motion. “There is no doubt in my mind that Herr Clover ze Foolish understands ze weight of his master’s atrocities. If ze defense insists on fighting a hopeless battle, then ze Almighty von Ego wishes to spare him ze pain of a prolonged trial. Your Magistry, if you please?”

“R-right, of course,” said the Judge. “In that case, the prosecution may begin its opening statement.”

“You are too kind, Your Magistry,” said Kluge, giving a short little bow. “Now then... yesterday, as you all are more than aware, His Majesty King Cedarborn was found dead in ze courtyard of his royal palace with a hole burned straight through his chest. Ze investigators quickly concluded foul play. Ze only suspect? None other than Star Swirl himself! Not only were ze fabled Gray Wanderer’s hoofprints found at ze scene, we have also found trace amounts of thaumic charge lingering in the air, ze likes of which only a unicorn’s spell could create.”

“Huh?” said Rubedo. “Thaumic charge? Clover, why didn’t you tell me that?”

“Don’t worry, it’s not what it seems like,” Clover replied. “Master said he’d teleported away before the murder took place. That’s probably where the spell residue came from.”

Rubedo bit her lower lip. “But you haven’t figured out how to prove that yet, have you?”

“Um... well, no. But—”

“A-heh-hem!” Kluge said, very loudly clearing her throat. “If ze defense is done muttering foolishly to themselves, ze Almighty von Ego would like to continue. As ze prosecution was saying, we have evidence linking Star Swirl to ze crime. In addition, we also have a motive. We know for a fact that ze bearded fool was making advances on Her Majesty Queen Gladeroot mere hours before.”

The courtroom once again broke out into a wave of chattering, the sounds of voices echoing across the wooden walls.

“Order, Order!” the Judge called out. The pound of his gavel resounded sharply and clearly, instantly silencing the chorus of voices. “A-attempting to court the Queen!? But that’s... even if it’s not strictly illegal, that alone would be cause to make the Gray Wanderer a pariah in our lands!” 

“Indeed,” said Kluge. “And apparently His Majesty agreed. For he met with Star Swirl in ze courtyard that night, no doubt to confront him for his lechery. It was there that an argument broke out and...” Her horn flared to light once again, and the sound of a firecracker rang out. A cyan star suddenly burst out and crackled in the center of the courtroom, leaving trails of glittering motes that fell to the floor as they vanished. “...just like that, His Majesty was dead. In conclusion, Star Swirl is without a doubt, without question, guilty of all charges.”

“Hooooom... yes, according to your version of events, it would most certainly seem so,” said the Judge.

“OBJECTION!” Clover shouted. He forcefully slammed his front hooves against the bench, meeting the Judge with an intense stare. “Your Magistry, you can’t say that just yet! The defense has yet to cross-examine any witnesses that may have been involved!”

The Judge gave a sagely nod. “That is also true. We cannot reach a conclusion to this trial based on hasty judgements. Well, Miss von Ego? Does the prosecution have any witnesses prepared to testify?”

“Do you even need to ask?” Kluge boasted. “Behold! For ze Almighty von Ego’s first trick, ze prosecution will call its first witness to ze stand!”

Another flash of light erupted from Kluge’s horn, and a thick cloud of smoke materialized on the witness stand with a loud puff! When the smoke cleared, a very broad-shouldered, very familiar stag had appeared just behind it.

Eucalyptus’s eyes darted back and forth, scanning the courtroom. “Huh? Hey, what’s going on, pal? How the heck did I get here?”

“Witness,” said Kluge, “for ze sake of ze record, state your name and occupation.”

Eucalyptus jolted, nearly jumping off his hooves. “Yah! Y-you! I-I mean, yes, sir! M-my name is Eucalyptus, and I’m a detective!”

“Detective?” said the Judge. “But I thought you performed investigations for the constabulary. Did you perhaps pursue a change of careers?”

“No, Your Magistry,” said Eucalyptus. “It’s just another word for the same thing I’ve always done. ‘Detective’ just rolls off the tongue a lot better, doesn’t it?”

The Judge’s eyes went wide, struck with the glow of sudden realization “Ah...! You’re right, it does! Perhaps I should come up with a new title for myself!”

“That will not be necessary at this moment, Your Magistry,” said Kluge.

“Hoooom... Yes, you’re right. I should give a new title some time to consider, I suppose. Witness, you may begin your testimony.”

“Er.. y-yes, Your Magistry!” said Eucalyptus. “Right away, sir!”

Here it is, thought Clover. The first testimony. Let’s see what we can find out.


Witness Testimony ~ The Night of the Murder


“Late last night, there was a... shall we say, ‘incident’ in the courtyard.

“We received an anonymous tip that the Gray Wanderer had met with His Majesty during that time. Later eyewitness reports corroborated this.

“Our investigation found his hoofprints at the scene of the murder, so we know for a fact he’d been there.

“And... zap! That’s when the murder happened! With a single lightning bolt, His Majesty was struck dead!”

As the testimony was finished, a silence hung over the courtroom. Kluge closed her eyes and frowned. “Witness.”

“Yeah?” said Eucalyptus.

“I cannot, officially, object to your current testimony. That said, I would highly advise you to be cautious with your words in the future.”

“Ah!” Eucalyptus cried out, immediately flinching away from the prosecutor’s words. “R-r-right! Sorry sir, it won’t happen again!”

Kluge gave a broad smirk, one that Clover could swear was leeching directly off all other positive feelings in the courtroom. “Good,” she said. “Your Magistry, I believe it is time for ze cross-examination. It won’t matter, obviously, but I’ll be courteous and allow it to happen.”

Allow it? thought Clover. Just who is supposed to be running this trial here?

“Hooooom... I must say, your behavior is most unorthodox, Miss von Ego,” said the Judge. “But I suppose you’re right about the defense. Mister Clover, you may begin your cross-examination.”

Rubedo turned to look at Clover, frowning.  “What are you going to do? Eucalyptus’s story sounds pretty airtight.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” Clover replied. “I can already think of one major thing wrong with it.”

“Oh!” said Rubedo, perking up. “You mean a contradiction? Something he said isn’t in line with the evidence, right?”

“Yeah. But I’d like to play it safe for now, and press him where I can,” said Clover with a nod. “Detective, if you would, please repeat your testimony.”

“You got it, pal!” said Eucalyptus.


Cross-Examination ~ Adagio 3378


“Late last night, there was a... shall we say, ‘incident’ in the courtyard.”

“HOLD IT!” Clover shouted. “By ‘incident’, I assume you’re referring to the murder, correct?”

“Huh? Er... yeah. What else would I have been referring to?”

“Well—”

Crack-POP!

The sound of a brief explosion slammed against Clover’s eardrums, and his sight and thaumic sens were both blotted out by a burst of bright, sizzling magic. When he came to, he saw Kluge scowling across from him, a thin wisp of smoke protruding from tip of her horn.

“Herr Clover, may ze Almighty von Ego remind you that ze point of cross-examination is to establish relevant information? If you are only going to waste this court’s time with facts we already know, then you should keep your mouth shut!”

“Er... okay?” said Clover. “Rubedo,” he whispered, “what in Tartarus just happened?”

“I, um, think she just used her magic to launch a firecracker at you,” Rubedo replied.

“What!? There’s no way that can be allowed!”

Rubedo grimaced. “You’d be surprised with how much prosecutors can get away with around here,” she said. “Best watch your back, or you’ll be feeling it in the morning.”

Great, Clover bemoaned internally. It’s not enough I have to defend a seemingly impossible case, I have to deal with magic explosives being lobbed at me.

The Judge’s gavel fell sharply against his bench. “The prosecution has a point. I can see no reason to pursue this line of questioning further. Now, tell us what happened next.”

“Right away, sir!” said Eucalyptus.

“We received an anonymous tip that the Gray Wanderer had met with His Majesty during that time. Later eyewitness reports corroborated this.”

”HOLD IT!” Clover slammed both of his forehooves against the bench. “Witness, who was it that gave you this tip? This could be a very important detail!”

”OBJECTION!” Kluge called out. “Did you not hear ze witness’s testimony? He said it was ‘anonymous!’ That can only mean we do not know who it is.”

“Mister Clover!” said the Judge. “Do you mean to tell me you don’t know what the word ‘anonymous’ means? Perhaps you should have done your research before the trial!”

“As for ze eyewitnesses, they will both be testifying in this very courtroom,” said Kluge. “You will simply have to wait to hear from them.”

The Judge gave a nod. “Indeed,” he said, his eyebrows narrowing with the weight of a thousand oak trees. “Mister Clover, I will say that your hastiness in this trial is not a good look for you.”

Several drops of sweat began to form at the base of Clover’s horn. What? What did I do!?

“Wow!” said Rubedo. “That von Ego sure shot you down quick, huh?”

“Not helping!” Clover replied.

After you received the reports, what did your investigation find?” said the Judge

“Well...”

“Our investigation found his hoofprints at the scene of the murder, so we know for a fact he’d been there.”

“HOLD IT!” Clover shouted. “You found his hoofprints? Did you find any others, by chance?”

“Sorry, pal,” said Eucalyptus. “We checked and double-checked. His hoofprints were the only ones there we could find.”

Clover tapped a hoof to his chin. “I see. But deer don’t leave hoofprints, do they? Is there any chance a deer could have been at the scene of the murder?”

“OBJECTION!” shouted Kluge. “Don’t think you can foolishly pull ze wool over this courtroom’s eyes, fool! I know exactly what you are trying to do, and it won’t work! Ze victim, His Majesty, was killed by a magical projectile! No one but a unicorn has access to that kind of spell! Therefore, only Star Swirl could have been at ze courtyard to commit ze murder!”

Hmm... Magical projectile, huh?

“What is it, Clover?” said Rubedo. “You look like you’ve got something on your mind.”

“Yeah, I do,” Clover replied with a grin. “What von Ego said about a magical projectile... it confirms what we already know about the case.”

Rubedo’s face scrunched up, confusion apparent in her eyes. “...Huh? But why exactly is that important?”

“Because it also contains a critical contradiction,” said Clover. “And I think I know what she was chastising our good detective about earlier.”

“R-really?” said Rubedo.

“Really really,” said Clover. “No further questions at this time, witness. Continue.” A smirk crossed his face. As he looked into Kluge’s eyes, he could see the domineering resolve behind them begin to falter. This is my chance to turn things around, von Ego knows it!

“And... zap! That’s when the murder happened! With a single lightning bolt, His Majesty was struck dead!”

“OBJECTION!” As his shout echoed across the courtroom, Clover felt invigoration flow through his body, and everything else, from the ambient sounds to the very air itself, seemed to fall silent in its wake.

“Detective,” said Clover. “You said that King Cedarborn was killed by a lightning bolt, correct?”

“Yeah. That’s correct, pal!” Eucalyptus answered, a silly grin plastered across his face.

“Weird,” said Clover. “Because that’s not what the autopsy report you gave me says.”

“Huh? Whaddaya mean, pal?”

“Take a look here,” said Clover. His horn lit up, and the autopsy report was pulled out of its pocket dimension. Holding it in his telekinetic grip, he opened the leaf-woven envelope, and pulled out the parchment contained within. “It says, according to this, that His Majesty was killed by a magical projectile!”

“Huh?” said Eucalyptus. “Aaaaaaah! Y-y-you’re right! It did say that!”

“Well, detective?” Clover’s hooves slammed against the bench almost reflexively. “How do you explain this discrepancy with your testimony?”

Crack-POP!

Kluge’s lips curled into a scowl, her horn still smoking from the explosive outburst. “You probably think you’re clever, don’t you, Herr Clover?”

Clover rubbed his hoof against the side of his face, soothing the lingering pain. “Well, yeah. It’s literally my na—”

Crack-POP!

“Yowch! Okay, okay! Just get to the point!”

Kluge flashed the courtroom a smirk. “The Almighty von Ego thought so. Now that you’re finished foolishly making a foolhardy fool of yourself, there is one thing von Ego would like to bring to ze court’s attention.”

“Oh?” said the Judge. “And what is that?”

“Simple,” Kluge replied. She reached out with her magic, and a pulled a leafy folder from beneath the bench, one nigh-identical to the one Clover held. “Ze autopsy report shown to you here by Clover ze Foolhardy... is outdated!”

Clover blinked rapidly. “Um... I’m sorry, what?”

The Judge slammed his gavel against the bench, silencing the sudden noise that had erupted from the gallery. “Miss von Ego, what is this meaning of this!?”

“It is quite simple, Your Magistry,” said Kluge. “Herr Clover must have simply received a preliminary report, before ze true cause of death was known. In this updated autopsy report, you can quite clearly see that His majesty was killed lightning bolt, just as this idiot detective testified!”

“Idiot?” said Eucalyptus. “Hey now...”

Crack-POP!

Eucalyptus let a high-pitched yelp that carried even beyond the explosion of the firecracker. Kluge looked him in the eye and scowled.

“Would you prefer ze insults, or ze fireworks?”

“I-I-I’ll just stick with the insults, thanks!” said Eucalyptus. “You can verbally degrade me all you want, sir!”

“Now is not the time for such things, I’m afraid,” said the Judge. “Miss von Ego, if you would show us this updated autopsy report, the court will accept it into evidence.”


Autopsy Report updated in Court Record
An autopsy report of King Cedarborn. The cause of death was a lightning bolt through his chest.


“Psst!” Rubedo whispered to the side. “Hey, Clover. Is it just me, or does this ‘updated’ autopsy report seem... older?”

“Older?” said Clover.

“Yeah. The leaves making up the envelope don’t look as fresh. Maybe a pony wouldn’t notice these things, but any deer worth their salt would see that these leaves have aged a bit more. This ‘updated’ autopsy report von Ego gave us... I have a feeling it’s actually the original version.”

“The original version!? But then, that would mean...” Clover paused, allowing his thoughts to catch up to him. When the epiphany dawned on him, his muscles tensed in a sudden flash of anger. “...von Ego. She’s been tampering with the report.”

Rubedo let out a tiny gasp. “Huh!? T-t-tampering!? Are you serious!?”

“Well, I trust you enough to think you’re telling the truth,” said Clover. “And if what you’re saying is true, this is the most plausible explanation. The report Eucalyptus gave us was part of her plan to find Star Swirl guilty.” And she does seem to have a grudge against my master...

“But then... why would she go back on that!?” said Rubedo. “Why throw away a plan like that so quickly?”

“Simple,” said Clover. “Our good detective here couldn’t stop himself from blabbing about the lightning strike on the witness stand. Luckily, that’s all that I need to turn this case around.”

“Wow! So you’ve already got this? That’s amazing!”

“All in a day’s work,” said Clover with a smirk. Turning back to the courtroom, he slammed his front hooves against the bench. “Your Magistry! If this updated report is true, then the prosecution’s entire case is an utter sham! There’s no way you can pronounce a guilty verdict off of this!”

“What!?” Kluge exclaimed. “Excuse me!? What sort of arrogant nonsense is this!?”

“You’re not one to talk about arrogant nonsense, von Ego! For didn’t you remember?” Clover locked his eyes with Kluge, their gazes meeting with an electrifying intensity. “This city is located in the Everfree Forest, the largest wild zone in Equestria! The weather all throughout the woods isn’t under the control of any pony, let alone any creature at all! If King Cedarborn was killed by a lightning bolt, you couldn’t possibly conclude it was murder! This was a freak occurrence of nature, and nothing more!”

“...”

“......”

“.........”

“............”

All of a sudden, a thick carpet of sweat began to form on Clover’s forehead. “U-um... Rubedo? Why is every creature in the courtroom staring at me like that?”

“This would be ze point where ze Almighty von Ego slaps you with a much-needed firecracker,” said Kluge, sneering. “But to do so on such a pathetic and pusillanimous pinhead of a pony would be a waste of effort! To call you a fool would be an insult to ze most foolishly foolhardy of fools!”

Rubedo cringed, looking like she’d just been slapped across the face. “I guess we should have studied things other than just law, huh?”

“What?” said Clover. “What’s going on? What did I do?”

The Judge pounded his gavel onto his bench, glaring at Clover though fierce, uncompromising eyes. “Mister Clover, had you done even the slightest amount of research on Thicket, you would know that our city is shielded from inclement weather by alchemical wards. Because of this, natural winds will not move any cloud that bears lightning into the city’s threshold.”

“Wha... WHAAAAAAAT!?”

“Mister Clover,” said the Judge, “I will say that the fact that you didn’t know this most basic detail does not bode well for your case... or your law career, for that matter. If I’m to be frank, you’ll be lucky if I don’t throw your case out immediately.”

“W-wait!” Clover called out. “Your Magistry, j-just... hear me out, please! We still have yet to hear from any of the other witnesses! There are still more cross-examinations to go through, aren’t there?”

“Hoooom... Yes, that is true. Though I have little faith in the defense at this point, they do have a right to cross-examination. Miss von Ego, has the prosecution prepared its first witness?”

“Hmmph,” said Kluge. “There is no point in it, given ze defense’s obvious incompetence. But...” Her lips cracked open revealing a smile that far more resembled a predator than a pony. “...that said, it is the duty of any prosecutor to present a suitably dazzling show for their audience. So, for ze next trick, ze prosecution will call its second witness! Behold!”

Kluge’s horn ignited, and there was another puff! as a cloud of smoke enveloped the witness stand. When it dissipated, Eucalyptus had vanished, and in his place was a chocolate-brown mare with a poofy white mane, a wide grin adorning her face.


Puddinghead ~ A Mind That Confounds


“Oh! Goodness, me! Isn’t this the most unusual situationism?”

“Huh?” said Clover. “Puddinghead? You’re the witness?”

“Absotively!” said Puddinghead. “Now, what was this I heard about giving a testimony?”

“We will get there when we get there,” said Kluge. “For now, simply state your name and occupation.”

“Pudding Tame! Ask me again and I’ll tell you the same!” Puddinghead blinked, her mouth scrunching briefly in confusion. Blank stares were leveled at her from across the courtroom, until finally she spoke again. “...Ah. My mistake. That would be the name of my twin. Growing up, everypony would always get the two of us confused, you see. Sometimes I still forget which of us is which!”

“...Uh, I-I’m sorry,” Clover stuttered, “did you say you have a twin?”

Puddinghead frowned. “Had, in the posterior tense. His metabolic processes are a matter of interest only to historians, so to speak. ‘Twas truly a tragiculous tale for the ages. When I was but a mere filly, I had taken him out to the wide open fields to frolic in the wildflowers, but little did I know they were actually—”

Crack-POP!

The firecracker exploded against Puddinghead’s body, causing the chocolate mare to jump back. Kluge stared her in the eyes, teeth gritted tightly together.

“Enough prattle! Witness, you will give this court your name and occupation!”

When Puddinghead finally came to her senses, she was left only to stare at Kluge, eyes wide and bright. “Were those... fireworks? For me?”

“There are plenty more where that came from,” said Kluge. Her horn lit up in demonstration and the air around her sparkled and popped with little bursts of light. “Now do what I say! Give us your name and occupation!”

“Hmm... I don’t know about that,” said Puddinghead. Slowly, a grin began to work its way onto her muzzle. “How about you treat me to a few more fireworks first? It’s been a while time since I’ve had the pleasure. I’m a very busy mare, don’t you know.”

An audible snarl forced itself past Kluge’s throat. Eyes burning, she slammed her hoof forcefully against the prosecutor’s besk. ”Witness! Name! Occupation! NOW!”

“No need to yell, madame prosecutor,” said Puddinghead. “I am known as Puddinghead. And as for my occupation... I believe I am currently occupying this bench, within this very courtroom.”

Kluge clenched her teeth, sucking in air between them. “...You know what? Fine. Let it be known that ze witness is Supreme Chancellor of the Earthen Territories, and serving member of ze Equestrian Council of Three. Now, witness, can you confirm that you had seen Star Swirl on ze night of ze murder?”

“Indeed, I did!” Puddinghead replied. “And I must say, I’m quite enflattered that you’re all so interested in hearing it. I have so many other great stories to share, too!”

The Judge tapped his gavel, getting the attention of the court. “You can save the other stories for after the trial, witness. For now, please testify about what you saw the night of the murder.”


Witness Testimony ~ Gazing at the Sunset


“Last night, I spent the hours looking out the window and gazing at the sunset.

“At 8:17 PM, I heard hoofsteps coming from the common room. I peeked out my door, and saw Star Swirl descending the stairs.

“Then, at 8:35 PM, my perceptoral faculties were struck by a terrible light and sound!

“That must have been when Star Swirl shot the lightning that killed King Cedarborn!”

“Hoooom... Interesting,” said the Judge. “If you don’t mind me asking, what is this ‘pee-em’ of which you speak?”

“It’s part of the Equestrian timekeeping system, Your Magistry,” said Kluge. “Our nation controls ze sun and moon on a strict schedule, so it is in our interest to measure time precisely.”

Hold on a moment, though, thought Clover. Something about that doesn’t quite make sense. “Puddinghead, how exactly were you able to recall the time with such great accuracy?”

“Simple!” said Puddinghead. She held up her foreleg in front of her, and pointed to a small wooden device strapped around her fetlock. “I kept track of it with this. Do remind Smart Cookie to remind me to thank that clockmaker for it, would you?”

Clockmaker. So it really was him, Clover mused. He must have known that the time would be important to this trial.

Rubedo turned to Clover and pouted. “Clover! Why didn’t you tell me someone else was making inventions for your friends? Is my work not good enough for you?”

“Hmm? No, that’s not true,” said Clover. He was only half paying attention to Rubedo’s comments, still lost within his own thoughts. He doesn’t have any divination magic, but that stallion always acts like he knows everything about the future. I’d just like to know where he has it all written down.

“I don’t know a whole lot about inventions, to be honest. But if the defense and prosecution have accepted this timekeeping system, the court shall accept it as well.” The Judge tapped his gavel against the bench. “Mister Clover, you may begin your cross-examination.”


Cross-Examination ~ Moderato 3378


“Last night, I spent the hours looking out the window and gazing at the sunset.”

”HOLD IT!” Clover shouted. “Gazing at the sunset? So this was during the twilight hours, correct?”

“But of course, my good friend,” Puddinghead replied. “The sunset and the twilight pair very well together, wouldn’t you agree?”

“I suppose you can’t have one without the other,” said Clover. “But, uh... just to be clear, you weren’t staring directly at the sun, right?”

“Of course I was,” said Puddinghead. “I stare directly at the sun every evening! How else would I get a chance to witness the exquisatory beauty of the sunset?”

“You what!?” Clover blurted out. “But that’s impossible! How in Tartarus are your eyes even still working!?”

“Well, why wouldn’t my eyes work?” said Puddinghead. “I can see everything just fine as it is. For example, I can see that right now, you have a single booger hanging from your left nostril.”

“She’s right, you do,” said Rubedo. “I noticed it earlier, but I thought it’d be rude to mention it.”

“Hey!” Clover protested. “Now hold on a minute!”

“Herr Clover ze Filthy can worry about his poor hygiene later,” said Kluge. “For now, only one question remains. Can ze defense find any problems with ze witness’s eyesight?”

“...No, not really,” Clover admitted. If there’s one pony on this plane of existence that can stare at the sun every day without hurting her eyes, it’s Puddinghead.

“Good,” said Kluge. “Witness, continue your testimony.”

“At 8:17 PM, I heard hoofsteps coming from the common room. I peeked out my door, and saw Star Swirl descending the stairs.”

“HOLD IT!” Clover shouted. “Are you absolutely sure that it was him?”

“Of course!” said Puddinghead. “I’d recognize that beard and cloak anywhere!”

“Psst,” said Rubedo. “Hey, Clover. Don’t you usually wear a cloak, too? How come you didn’t bring it with you?”

“A ratty old burlap sack wouldn’t leave the best impression in a diplomatic meeting. Or a court of law.” That, and I just forgot to bring it with me.

“Then, at 8:35 PM, my perceptoral faculties were struck by a terrible light and sound!”

“HOLD IT!” Clover shouted. “Could you describe this sound in a bit more detail?”

“Well,” said Puddinghead, “I would say the sound went ‘Crack-THOOOOOOM! And the light was... well, I’m afraid there’s no way I know of to give sound effects to lights. Suffuse it to say, it was very bright and very sudden.”

“And did the light and sound happen at roughly the same time, or were they farther apart?” said Clover.

“Hmm... Simultaneously, I’d say. Moreover or lesser.”

So the lightning was close, then, Clover thought. I’m not sure if that’s important, but it’s good to know, at least.

“That must have been when Star Swirl shot the lightning that killed King Cedarborn!”

“HOLD IT!” Clover shouted. “Can you describe how the lightning struck?”

“Hmm... No, I don’t believe so,” said Puddinghead. “But if it was a lightning spell, I imagine he shot it from his horn, correct?”

“From his horn?” said Clover, quirking an eyebrow. “You’re sure about that?”

“Posilutely!” Puddinghead replied. “We all saw the holes in the tower this morning, didn’t we? That would certainously explain how they got there.”

“Do you think you’ve found something here, Clover?” said Rubedo. “I’m not sure where you’re going with this line of questioning.”

“No, it’s important. Trust me,” Clover reassured. “Your Magistry, I would like that her answer be added to the testimony!”

“Hooom... I’m not sure how this is relevant,” said the Judge. “That said, I don’t see any reason not to.” The Judge’s gavel fell against his bench. “Witness, please amend your testimony.”

“Ze Almighty von Ego will tell you now, ze defense is wasting its time.” Holding out a hoof, she gestured to Clover, a thin smirk spread across her muzzle. “But seeing you play this diversionary game will be most amusing. Ze Almighty von Ego looks forward to seeing you squirm.”

“We’ll see about that,” said Clover.

“That must have been when Star Swirl shot the lightning from his horn. He couldn’t have shot it from anywhere else, right?”

“OBJECTION!”

The courtroom went silent. With his hoof still held out in an accusatory point, Clover broke out into a self-satisfied grin. “Thank you, Puddinghead. I know you’d be able to help me out.”

Crack-POP!

Clover senses were momentarily blinded once again by the explosion of fireworks. When he came to, he looked to see Kluge glaring at him. “Bah! You think this changes anything? Her testimony is barely any different from before!”

“Not exactly,” said Clover. “In fact, I’d say there’s one critical difference. One that could turn everything about this case around!”

“Don’t think you can foolishly fool me by bluffing, fool!” Kluge countered. “Nothing has changed! You have nothing! Nothing!”

“But I do have something,” said Clover. His horn glowed, and he pulled several of the pictures he had stashed away, levitating them in his magical grip. “Look at these photographs.”

The Judge blinked, his eyes staring wide and blank. “Um... I’m sorry, what’s a photograph?”

“It’s an invention of mine!” Rubedo chimed in. “It captures the image of a scene and perfectly recreates it as a picture. Here, let me show you!” She touched the golden attachment of her necklace, and it transformed in an instant into a wooden box. She held it up with one of her forehooves and pointed it at the Judge.

“Pose for the camera, Your Magistry!”

“Hoom? Now, hold on—”

*SNAP!*

The camera let out a soft whirr, printing out another photograph. Clover quickly took the picture in his telekinesis and passed it to the Judge, placing it onto his bench. “Take a look for yourself, Your Magistry,” he said. “You’ll find these photos are quite accurate.”

The Judge grabbed the photo in his free hand, carefully observing it as he held it out in front of him. “Hooooom... Well, I’m not sure I like how hastily you’ve produced it, but it does appear to be an accurate recreation of my likeness. Does the prosecution have any objections to this strange technology?”

Kluge paused for a moment, her brow furrowed in concentration. “...No. The prosecution sees no reason to object,” said Kluge. Her face broke out into a prideful grin. “So long as you take a few pictures of the Beautiful and Captivating von Ego, of course.”

Wow, Clover thought, this mare just never lets up with the narcissism, huh?

The Judge tapped his gavel against the bench. “Very well. The court accepts this evidence, then. But can you explain its relevance to this trial, Mister Clover?”

“Yeah. I’m still a bit confused about what this means,” said Rubedo.

“Simple,” said Clover. “Puddinghead, you remember what you said earlier? That Star Swirl had to have shot the lightning bolt from his horn?”

“You have my affirmativity,” Puddinghead replied.

“Well, these pictures would disagree,” said Clover. “Each of them shows one of the burning holes found in the west tower this morning. And each hole is frayed around the edges, showing the direction of the lightning bolt as it struck through the tower.”

“Yes,” said Kluge. “The Almighty von Ego’s investigation found these holes as well. What exactly is your point, Herr Clover?”

“You obviously weren’t paying enough attention,” Clover countered. Still holding the photographs in his grip, he levitated them outwards, passing them to the Judge. “Your Magistry, look closely at these photos. If the direction of the frayed edges shows the lightning was moving, then they would have to be moving diagonally downwards.”

“Hoooom... Yes, that would appear to be true. What of it, Mister Clover?”

“Simple,” said Clover. “It means that Star Swirl couldn’t have shot the projectile from his horn!”

Kluge instantly flinched away, clutching her right foreleg. “Whaaaaat!?”

“Now you see what I’m getting at,” said Clover. “I’m sure if you investigated the crime scene more closely, you’d find exactly the same thing that I did! Star Swirl couldn’t have been the one to shoot the lightning projectile from where he was standing!”

“OBJECTION!” Kluge shouted. “So... so what!? Why does that change anything? Star Swirl is ze most accomplished wizard in all the lands! He could have simply conjured up a storm cloud to do ze deed for him!”

“OBJECTION!” Clover shouted back. “And how do you know that? Something else could have easily moved the storm cloud from outside the city!”

“OBJECTION! That’s... that’s ridiculous!” Kluge exclaimed. “Did Herr Clover ze Foolish not hear what His Magistry said!? This city is protected from stray storm clouds! They can’t be moved into Thicket’s boundaries!”

“Huh?” said Clover. “Er... well yes, but... uh...” Dammit! She’s got me! I was so close!

Kluge paused. Slowly, she managed to regain her composure, her lips gradually curving upwards into yet another smirk. “Heh,” she chuckled. “You almost had me worried for a second there, Clover.”

Wait. Clover’s internal thoughts nearly tripped over themselves. There was something there, just moments ago, that he had noticed. Did Kluge just drop the third-person thing? And where did her accent go?

“OBJECTION!”

“...!”

“......!”

“.........!”

“............!”

It had taken several moments for Clover to process what he had just heard. He whipped his head to the side, staring at the source of the sudden voice. “Rubedo!?”

“Your Magistry,” said Rubedo, “think back to what you said earlier! You only said natural winds can’t move storm clouds into the city!”

“Er.... yes. Your point being?”

“Our alchemical wards don’t do anything to protect against unnatural cloud movements!” Rubedo continued. “That means some other creature could have easily moved the cloud! I would know, I’ve studied Thicket’s alchemy my whole life!”

All at once, the courtroom broke out into a sea of sounds, the many deer in the gallery conversing among themselves.

“OBJECTION!” Kluge shouted. “Y-y-you... you can’t be serious! Are you suggesting that somepony else could have killed King Cedarborn? That’s ridiculous!”

“It’s your go now, Clover!” Rubedo whispered to the side. “You’ve got this!”

Clover let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. “Thanks, Rubedo. You really bailed me out there.” Looking Kluge straight in the eye, Clover slammed both of his front hooves against the bench. “Kluge von Ego! It looks like your so-called dazzling performance has revealed itself for the cheap sleight-of-hoof it truly is! If King Cedarborn was killed by a lightning bolt from above, then you can’t say for certain that my master did it!”

“OBJECTION!” Kluge shouted. “Then where is your evidence, Herr Clover!? Only one pony has a motive, and only one pony left evidence of being at ze crime scene! Who else could it have been, if not Star Swirl!?”

“Um, well...” Uh-oh. I’d better think fast. “...The real killer, obviously!”

“OBJECTION!“ shouted Kluge. “And do you know who this real killer could even be, Herr Clover? If you do not, then still your tongue!”

“I, uh...”

“OBJECTION!”

The next shout had come from the absolute last place the Clover had expected, even less so than Rubedo’s shout before. His eyes turned towards the witness stand to see Puddinghead, barely able to contain her excitement within her wide grin.

“Wow!” said Puddinghead. “That was exhilarous! No wonder you lawyer types do it.”

The Judge slammed his gavel against the bench. “Order! Order! Witness, contain your outbursts! The objections shall be left to the defense and the prosecution. Is that clear?”

“But Your Magistry,” Puddinghead pleaded, “I just rememberated something! While I was gazing out the window last night, I saw something else! Something flying around the tower!”

Kluge’s eyes went wide, so wide that they nearly popped her mask off her head. “You what!?”

“’Tis quite true,” said Puddinghead. “At 8:30 PM sharp, I had finished watching the sunset, and began gazing at the stars. I saw a figure fly out from the left and around the tower. Mayhaps it was traveling in the direction of the courtyard?”

“That’s... that’s...” Kluge gritted her teeth, leaning over and slamming a single hoof against her bench. “Why did you not tell me of this when I spoke with you earlier!?”

“Elementarous, my dear prosecutor,” Puddinghead replied with an earnest smile. “You didn’t ask.”

“Graaaah! You... you...!”

Clover winced. Uh-oh, here come the fireworks. Both literally and figuratively.

To Clover’s surprise, however, Kluge quickly managed to sit herself upright. She took a deep breath, and a glow from her horn washed over her, straightening her now-disheveled mane. “Fine. Ze Almighty von Ego has no more need of you. Your Magistry?”

“Yes, Miss von Ego?”

“Ze prosecution still has one more witness,” said Kluge. “One that will definitively prove Star Swirl’s guilt! But first, ze Almighty von Ego would like to request a recess. This witness does not much like public speaking, and will require some time to prepare.”

“Hooom... I supposed that is not too unreasonable. Very well. At the prosecution’s request, this court is now in recess. We will reconvene in thirty minutes. That is all.” The Judge tapped his gavel against the bench three times. Within moments, the gallery began to leave their seats, making their way to the exits of the courtroom. Before long, Clover followed, with Rubedo following not long after.

As they entered the Defendant’s Lobby, a new miasma of thoughts weighed down heavily on Clover’s mind. He didn’t have the chance to think about it during the trial, but the more he did, the deeper they dug into his chest. 

The next witness. I know who she is, and I suspect her testimony is related to that figure Puddinghead saw. So why do I have this sudden knot in my stomach?

Rubedo looked up at Clover as she walked beside him, concern evident in her eyes. “Clover? Is something wrong? You’re looking really glum.”

“I’m fine,” Clover forced himself to answer. “Don’t worry about me, alright?. You did a good job out there, and I’m sure now we’ll win this trial.”

Though Rubedo only looked half-convinced, she’d said nothing more on it. She and Clover spent the remainder of the recess talking to each other, and reviewing the case with Star Swirl, who remained in the custody of the courtroom’s guards. Despite everything going on, one thought persisted, one that he couldn’t get off his mind no matter what else he thought about.

I think I know who else could have done it now. I just hope I’m wrong.