//------------------------------// // Case 3 Turnabout Retribution: Investigation Day 2. // Story: Malum Prohibitum: Ace Equestrian Attorney // by Paradox Theory //------------------------------// October 30th, 2:00 PM Canterlot Detention Center Visitor's room 1 "What was that?" Malum asked, looking at Durum. "That was why I didn't want your help Malum." Durum sighed. "Durum. I know you didn't do it. I think it's time you told me what happened, all those years ago." Malum said. ". . . I can't. . .it's too difficult." Durum sighed. "HEY!" Silver wings barked, barging into the detention center. "What happened in the court room?!" "Durum confessed to the two murders that happened years ago." Malum explained. "I think it's time I got a look at the evidence." "Alright." Silver sighed. "I'll go gather up all the evidence and files from the precinct. I'll meet you at your office." With that, the detective left the detention center. "Alright. Durum. Is there anything you can tell me about this case?" Malum asked. "Just that, there are some secrets that should be left alone." Durum sighed. "Durum. I promise you, I will find the truth." Malum said, before getting up. "Whether or not you want me to." "I know." Durum sighed before telling the guard he was done. Malum watched as Durum was escorted out of the room, then turned to Princess Heart. "Let's head to my office." October 30th, 2:30 PM Prohibitum and Co. Law Offices Malum's Office. Malum sighed as he leafed through several papers scattered across his desk. "This place is a mess." Heart commented. "Yeah." Malum sighed again, "Vivid always made sure this place was kept tidy." "So, do you think now would be a good time to talk about your mother?" Heart asked. "Yeah, just let me get everything I have on her." Malum answered. Malum opened a drawer on his desk and pulled out a few items. A picture of Shrouded Blade, Feather Dancer, and Sleuth. The three thieves smiling brightly, as if they were unaware of the tragedy to come. He pulled out a key, which no one knew what it was for, and a letter that was written to Sleuth. "This is everything I got on her." Malum sighed. "It's not much but. . ." "Sir!" Silver Wings called, stepping into the office, "Here's the info on the last two cases." He explained, before setting down a file folder filled with papers. Malum leafed through it. First thing he found was the autopsy reports. Both mares died the same way, a magic spell of some sort. The magic was untraceable. Malum then found a list of all the witnesses present. Mora, Durum, and Bronze. Then, he pulled out a testimony from Bronze. It read: "Ms. Circa just twitched and dropped. She had an aura glowing around her head just before that." Malum placed everything aside and then froze as he saw the pictures of the victims. Shrouded Blade and Feather Dancer. "That's. . .no. . . " Malum began to hyperventilate. Heart looked at the pictures and then at Malum. "We. . .found her. . . " "What's going on?" Silver asked, confused at their reactions. "The victims of this case here. . . they are thieves. . .and my family." Malum explained. "But. . .but that means. . " Silver huffed. "Durum Circa is my uncle." Malum sighed, sitting down. "What do we do now?" Heart asked. "We have a lack of evidence, and now we know why Shrouded and her stolen item went missing." Malum looked up at Heart. "I know where it is, the item you've been looking for." "W-where?" Heart asked. Malum picked up the key. "Come on, we have a stop to make." October 30th, 3:00 PM Circa Manor Mrs. Circa's Study Malum walked around the study. It was covered in a thick layer of dust. "Mr. Circa must avoid this place. . ." Heart commented. "I think he knew." Malum said, heading over to a large portrait. "I think he knew what was going on." "What are you doing in my father's house?" Mora asked, stepping into the lobby. "We had a. . .development, and we're looking for your mother's safe." Malum explained. "Why? It's been locked for ages." Mora sighed, then chuckled. "I always thought that she had hid something for me to find inside of it. Something that tells me why she's gone. . . . " "Mora. . .I think I actually have the key to the safe. I just want to test it." Malum stated, showing the key he brought with him. Mora sighed and lifted the large portrait off of the wall. "Have fun." Malum walked up to the safe, inserted the key, and turned it. A few seconds later a click was heard as the door swung open. Mora's jaw dropped in amazment as Malum pulled out two items. A small journal, and a letter addressed to Mora. "She really did leave something behind. . " Mora whispered. "Wait. . .how did youend up with the key?" "Because. . ." Malum paused, "The last case I did was about a thief. I believe that the thief is your mother's brother. He had the key." "And I'm guessing because of your findings, those two items are now evidence." Mora asked, pointing at the letter and journal. "Yes. I promise you though, you'll be the first to read the letter." Malum answered. "And thank you for letting me open the safe." "It. . .it needed opened anyways. Now get out, I have a case to prepare for." Mora huffed before leaving. "Malum, why didn't you tell her the truth?" Heart asked. "Because I haven't figured everything out yet, and it's not time for me to say it yet." Malum answered,"Now, we head back to the detention center. I want to talk to Durum again." October 30th, 3:30 PM Canterlot Detention Center Visitor's Room No. 2 "You're back?" Durum asked. "We opened you're wife's safe." Malum answered. "Did you know who she really was?" "Feather Dancer. A thief." Durum sighed. "When did you learn?" Malum asked. "It was when her sister dropped off the journal and a warning. Feather explained everything to me. I held my tongue for her sake." Durum sighed. "So you knew what was inside the safe as well." Malum hummed. "And her sister, did you know much about her?" "Yes. She was involved in a rather explosive case. . ." Durum paused, "And she was involved with a defense attorney, your father." "So you knew exactly who I was the entire time?" Malum asked, seeing Durum in a different light completely. "Yes." Durum sighed, looking down at the ground. "When I heard you had become an attorney, I began taking every case you were involved in. I tried to keep you from the truth. Then Sleuth showed up." "So he was what pushed your decision to retire?" Malum summed up. "That is correct." Durum nodded. "I couldn't let the world know the truth. . ." "Which was?" Malum asked. "I killed both Feather Dancer and Shrouded Blade." Durum said, a dark red aura springing around him immediately. "He's. . .lying?" Heart asked, confused. "I'm not!" Durum protested. Malum sighed. "I think that's all I'll get from you, isn't it?" Durum nodded, "That's all there is." "I will find the truth, I know it." Malum stated, "No one will stop me." Durum sighed and looked down again, whispering only one word to himself. "Failed." To Be Continued. . . .