One day in the Mushroom Kingdom, under a bright, blue sky, a large crowd of Toads and reporters gathered outside the courthouse with cameras flashing and people chattering with curiosity. Journalists shouted, asking people questions, and several citizens held up signs that depicted a red hat over a purple notebook along with words like 'Mario the Menace?'

"This is Kermit the Frog, reporting outside the court house in Mushroom City!" Kermit the Frog announced into the microphone as a Toad aimed a camera at him; "Today is shaping up to be an interesting one at best in the history of law and the Mushroom Kingdom as well as SMG4 history.

"A few days ago, Mario and his... cardboard partner... were arrested for stealing SMG3's notebook and Casino Pisano was shut down. The acting governors of the Mushroom Kingdom and the attorneys have recently called Mario to trial to determine whether he should be pardoned or given a lifetime absolute prison sentence or a sentence of thirty years!

"Whatever happens, we hope for the best. And, right now, I can see the people who made the capture of Mario and Marty possible. SMG4! SMG3!"

SMG4 and SMG3, wearing fancy suits that were different from their spy gear, walked towards the courthouse. As soon as they were spotted, several fans surged forward, despite security's efforts to keep them in check, and started demanding for their autographs. SMG4 signed several papers and SMG3 signed a couple, then Kermit came towards them with the cameraman.

"SMG4, you are a famous content creator and, now, you're a spy!" Kermit said, "How does it feel to hold the honor of being the one who brought an end to the pisanos who took your associate's notebook and used Casino Pisano for their nefarious gains?"

"Don't expect me to do a ton of spying in the future..." SMG4 chuckled as Kermit put the microphone up to his mouth, "...but having more fans after all of our efforts is an honor. I would like to thank the viewers and the good friends who made our mission's success a reality. Whatever happens from here, I am sure SMG3's got his notebook secured..."

"AND if anyone wants to read my notebook..." SMG3 butted in, "FORGET ABOUT IT! YOU'RE NOT READING A SINGLE ENTRY! Also, on a related note, DO NOT EVEN ASK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT IGLOO THAT ME AND SMG4 GOT STUCK IN SEVERAL YEARS AGO!"

"Yo, what happened in the igloo?" An Inkling asked.

BLAM!

The Inkling dropped to the ground and the chatter settled, all eyes were wide with surprise. Kermit stepped back and SMG4 stood silently still. SMG3 held the gun in his hand, the tip smoking. He blew the smoke and put away the gun. Ink trickled out of the squid's head. People began to murmur and a few photographers took some pictures.

Just then, the chatter started up again and more cameras flashed, all eyes watched as a police car pulled up. The door opened and Hal Monitor stepped out, followed by Mario in a fancy suit. Hal escorted the fat Italian towards the courthouse as Swagmaster69696969 and Chris Gordman, who were on duty, stepped forward to aid the escort.

Hal Monitor then slowed his footsteps and noticed the Inkling body lying in the street. His calm expression flashed into an angry glare and he looked at SMG3 menacingly.

"Did you do something illegal?!" He asked.

"No..." SMG3 whimpered.

"Did you know murder is illegal, please don't do that!"

"I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING ILLEGAL! I DIDN'T DO ANY MURDERS!"

"Swag, clean up the body!" Chris told Swag.

"Nah, let security take care of it, I have an Italian ass to escort to court." Swag replied.

"We are security, you idiot!"

"SHUT UP, CHRIS! Today's the day Mario goes to court!"

Once he had recovered from his shock, Kermit looked at the camera and resumed speaking, "Mario had just arrived and the trial will begin in a few minutes. The question remains; who will serve as Mario's lawyer? I think I can see a limo pulling up with his lawyer right now!"

A limo pulled up near the courthouse, stopping near Hal Monitor's car. The door opened and cameras flashed like crazy as people clamored with excitement, watching as a familiar orange-haired girl stepped out. Meggy Spletzer, the world's first Inkling-turned human girl and Splatfest star sports coach. She'd been to law school in her Inkling days, so she'd volunteered for Mario's trial.

Inkling reporters swarmed Meggy, asking questions about her sports coach career and what she'd been up too lately. Meggy brushed them off and made her way up the steps towards the courthouse door as SMG3 and SMG4 headed inside as well.

The courtroom was busy. Very busy. Toads took their seats, attorneys gathered files, and citizens discussed what was happening. Mario took to the defendant's stand and the judge, Kirby, cleaned his gavel. SMG4 sat next to SMG3 and saw Meggy take her seat near the judge's booth, then she flashed them a thumbs up.

BANG-BANG-BANG!

"Court is now in session..." Kirby announced, "...for Mario, uh, Mario! For anyone who is wondering why he's here and why he was in jail, feel free to watch the SMG4 episode "Trust No One" and the new "War of The Fat Italians" episode that came out quite recently. On a related note, without the latter episode, I wouldn't be having this fine piece of merch right here..."

Judge Kirby held up a purple notebook in his hand and SMG3 shrieked with alarm. However, he reached into his pocket and saw that his notebook was fine, the one that Kirby had was just merch that SMG4 had distributed recently.

"Don't worry, SMG3. Most of your secrets are safe..." Kirby told the former villain, "...I have looked at this notebook and there are no notes related to... an Igloo incident?"

"WE DON'T DISCUSS THAT!" SMG3 yelped.

"That notebook is not the only piece of merch ya'll likely got!" SMG4 announced to Kirby and the entire court, "In honor of WoTFI, I've released a special SMG4/SMG3 spy-themed poster that looks so epic and we have a brand new Marty keychain on sale right now! Don't worry, your keychain won't come to life. This trial is proudly sponsored by SMG4: WAR OF THE FAT ITALIANS..."

"WHO CARES ABOUT MERCH?!" A Koopa yelled.

Judge Kirby put away the notebook replica and banged the gavel. "Order, order!" He declared, "Returning to the matter at hand, to catch everyone up to speed and for those still wondering why Mario is still here, SMG3's notebook was stolen by Mr. Mario, who took it to a place called Casino Pisano.

"The place was run by some cardboard guy named Marty, known for being the mascot of Mario's pizza shop at the Showgrounds. According to an account, Mario was 'ordered' by Marty to steal the notebook as it has 'a secret recipe.' With that settled, let the trial begin."

Kirby looked at Mario sternly. "Mario Mario..." He said, "How do you plead?"

Mario gave a derp-y expression, then he held up a finger and said, "I'd like to plead 'whoopsy daisies', your honor."

Silence filled the courtroom, a good long minute of stunned silence. Kirby's eyes were wide, he'd never heard such a response from ANYONE before, no judge ever had. Meggy adjusted her lawyer glasses, eying Mario with confusion.

"'Whoopsy daisies'?" Kirby asked, "That's it? That's the best you got?"

"Mario pleads whoopsy daisies." Mario replied, "If I may, I never planned to steal the notebook until Marty told me about the secret recipe. If he hadn't told me, I wouldn't have gone to the trouble of stealing it since Mario understands why SMG3 wouldn't want me to look at it. After much reflection, I realize I shouldn't have listened to Marty and taking the notebook wasn't right.

"Your honor. Mario has done some not so okie-dokie things in the past. Mario's blown up the old castle lots of times, run over people with cars, stolen food, and assumed dictatorial powers amongst many crimes.

"And yet, I'm not entirely bad. Not only am I the one keeping the universe alive as its avatar, Mario's helped his friends save the world from eldritch deities, crazy weaboos, and Waluigi. Don't forget all the times I've beaten Bowser and saved the princess, I'm still a hero, even with an IQ of zero. For the stealing of the notebook, all I can say is, 'whoopsy daisies, Mario's so sorry.'"

Meggy raised her hand. "I'll admit..." She said, "For someone who isn't super smart, that was some very intelligent stuff you said, Red."

Kirby eyed Mario curiously. Then he banged the gavel. "With all of that said, I declare Mr. Mario to be NOT GUILTY!"

The trial was adjourned and only after just five minutes. All it had taken to end the trial was Mario's plea. As everyone left the courtroom, Meggy caught up with Mario, who was feasting on a plate of spaghetti to rejoice his freedom.

"Looks like you don't have to do community service or anything else..." Meggy told him, "I talked with Kirby and the verdict is final, you're free to embark on wacky adventures again and hang out with us. I'm actually happy to hang out with you just like old times, Mario, this means you'll be there to see me coaching a sports team when I get the chance."

"Would you like a plate of spaghetti?" Mario offered.

Meggy chuckled. And, even though Mario had dug into the plate, the former Inkling was more than happy to accept her friend's offer. With the fat Italian free as a bird once more, everything seemed to be all right in the Mushroom Kingdom as all right as it could be...

The End

Somewhere secluded in the shadows, a gloved hand flicked a switch and the TV showing the scene at the courthouse deactivated. Someone chuckled and clicked their fingers, amused by what they'd just watched. And yet, that show could have been more interesting.

The TV Adware, branded Puzzle-Vision, stood up and grinned madly. Then, he held up a blue flower and pulled up a picture depicting the foyer of the castle at the Showgrounds...