With agreement to accept Sonata's case, Phoenix took out his notepad and pen. "So tell me about the incident, Sonata.", he requested as he looked at his new client.

"It was around yesternight, on Aria's graduation.", Sonata began, trying to remember the current events, "After the graduation awards where given at 8:10pm, I noticed that Aria wasn't with the other colts and fillies after they come down the stairs. It was almost the end of the graduation night anyway, so I searched for her for about 10 minutes. But I still couldn't find her until a certain best friend of hers told me Aria went to the backstage. So I went to the backstage in 8 minutes. That's when...".

She suddenly paused, catching Phoenix's attention as he was taking down notes. Sonata's expression suddenly and visibly changed when she paused.

"What I saw...", she spoke, somehow serious, "... Was Aria's body laying on the floor with a black garbage bag tied over her upper half body, some blood spills around the crime scene were there too.". Phoenix flinched after hearing that. And seeing how Sonata managed to explain about something horrendous, in a calm and serious tone, made him surprised. He imagined if Mia would do the same.

'Whoa... I guess Twilight was right about ponies being able to bleed, even though I thought they were mythical. This is the first time I'm gonna deal with something a bit more horrible than last time...'

"Okay, thanks for the info, Sonata. I guess I can take things from here.", he said after a brief silence, "I should probably go investigate the crime scene. It was at Aria's school, correct?".

"Yes, Aria can show you where it is.", Sonata replied then look over at Aria, "Aria, I'm trusting you that you could handle guiding Phoenix to the crime scene. You still remember it, right?". Phoenix looked at Aria, who twitched a bit as she held her forehead.

'Huh? Is she okay? She looks as if she's having headaches...'

"Mm... Yeah, sure! I can handle it!", she said, keeping her joy on. But Phoenix can tell it was somehow... A forced joy. "Come on, Mr. Right! Let's go!", she beamed as she began galloping to the exit of the Detention Center. Though Phoenix could've sworn he saw Aria almost losing her balance as she galloped.

"Please look after her, Phoenix.", Sonata said as she looked at Aria then to Phoenix, "Last time when she was left alone, I heard she almost let a poisonous spider out from its tank.".

"Y-Yeah, I will. I promise.", the human lawyer replied with unease, still a bit concern about Aria. Sonata smiled with a small nod. She then left the cubicle and back to her prison room. Phoenix is still deep in thought.

'Spiders can be manageable, but Aria's condition somehow gives me worries...'

April 3, 10:51am
Canterlot

Walking out the Detention Center, Phoenix looked around for Aria, hoping the little filly didn't leave by herself. But he was more concerned about her condition. Headaches and dizziness must be caused by her head injury when she got attacked last night.

"Mr. Right! Looking for me?", he heard Aria's voice. He looked around and saw the little filly standing on her spot, a few distance beside him.

"There you are, Aria. Your sister told me to look after you. And if she finds out something, worse than your injury, happened to you...", Phoenix said before panicking a bit while thinking about what else Sonata might possibly, or probably, do, "Then I'm a goner for sure! And she might hang me, quarter me, roast me, feed me to the dogs, pick up the pieces, rebuild me, and… And... And probably murder me!".

(A/N: I know you guys noticed that what Phoenix said is just from The Amazing World of Gumball... I just found the line pretty funny and added it to the story because... Why not?)

He slowly came to a stop when he saw Aria just staring at him. He cleared his throat and composed himself. "Sorry, it's just that...", he spoke as he remembered something, "That time I first met Sonata... She was so intimidating for a pony. And yet... Strict.".

"I'm pretty sure hanging you will be considered as murdering you... You didn't stare at her too much, did you?", Aria asked suspiciously, "She said she had enough unwanted male attention. Most stallions here say that you shouldn't stare at her or she'll yell at you. But yet, they said they like that kind of thing in a mare.".

"I highly have the doubt about it...", Phoenix replied with a nervous tone. Clearly, he hasn't experienced being yelled at by Mia. And he certainly wouldn't want to be yelled at by a very strict Mia-look-alike pony, aka Sonata.

"Aww, don't go over-nervous about Sis, Mr. Right. I heard about you two being friends and all.", Aria said with a smile, "Sis told me about you at some point. She was telling how you're determined to fight for justice, having a good impression in court, and I heard from others...". She paused before smiling a bit smugly as she blushed a bit.

"You're Sis'... Special somepony!"

Silence.

...

...

...

(A/N: Is it weird I keep doing the silence sequence over and over again?)

Phoenix was still processing what Aria said. And finally, he understood. "Wait... I'm Sonata's WHAAAT!?", he asked in full shock, not noticing he drew attention of a few ponies around.

'Great... First Pearl hooks me up with Maya, and now THIS!'

Aria giggled as she continued on, "She told me "At some point, Phoenix is somehow the master of cold sweat.".". She did her best to imitate Sonata's voice to say the quoted sentence. But Phoenix hardly believes Sonata could say something like that.

'Sonata... I could believe what you said must be a mockery but... What the heck did you tell your sister about me...!?'

"But like I said, don't go over-nervous about her, especially for the trial tomorrow since we still have time to investigate.", Aria countinued yapping, "Just think of it as you're like a knight to save her from danger by fighting for justice and proving her innocence! If that would be a real book, I really wanna read it! And yet, she's sooo right; your eyes show resourcefulness and determination, still filled with fire despite some poor trial performances.".

'Well at least she said something good about me...'

Phoenix smiled at that thought. "Okay okay, I completely get it. But can we go investigate the crime scene before I die in embarrassment here?', he politely requested as he felt his cheeks heating up during Aria's talkative speech.

"Okay, but first...", the filly said before doing a dramatic pause, "... Lunch break~! Having a healthy lunch will help push through hard times~!". Her sing-song tune caught Phoenix in thought. He looked at his watch.

'Oh yeah... It IS almost lunch time. I'm impressed, she's good at tracking time perfectly.'

"Alright, I guess we can stop for lunch so we'll have more energy for the investigation.", he agreed, having the filly squealing in joy.