A heavy growl echoes in the street, causing some ponies to look at you. It's been awhile since you've had anything decent to eat. Mainly you've been sticking with the cheap stuff; cabbages, onions, and oil. The little stir-fry you concocted was becoming a ritual. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner; it was always the same.

But living off measly odd jobs could only get you so far. The few bits you made were used to maintain your home and pay bills. Food was just a luxury at this point.

Passing a restaurant, you look at all the ponies enjoying their meals. As they stare at you, it is then you realize you are standing there open mouthed and drooling like a fool. You recover yourself from the awkward situation, bowing your head down and continuing down the path. There was nowhere you had to be, but sitting at home all day wouldn't bring you anything. It was best to check the town bulletin for some work.

Thinking about it, you haven't had any work in a while. The last bit of work you had was helping Rarity transport some heavy rolls of fabric to her store. The only work you did was heavy lifting. Baskets of apples, piles of books, boxes of weights, medium sized animals, it was always something heavy. It wasn't that you couldn't lift it; you had the physique to accomplish your task. The problem was that it was all you knew how to do. You never really worked with your head; your back did most of the work.

As you reach the bulletin, something catches your eye. A large poster is pinned up with big, bolded words reading "CAUTION" and "REWARD". Ripping it down, you read it carefully.

Skipping down the page, you read the "REWARD" section.

A hundred bits?!

Thinking about it, that was enough to feed you for a couple of months, or even get some good meals for a few weeks! Then it hits you.

You have nothing better to do. You can definitely take down the toughest of stallions in this town. Why not try and catch this scumbag? Make some easy bits and beat some idiot into the ground. Pounding your fist into the palm of your other hand, you commit yourself. Bounty hunter Anon was on the job! It had a nice ring to it.

*GROWL*

Ponies all around turn to look at you. It was best to get your food already, since you were running low at home. Lifting your head up, you make your way to the market. Ponies are all around, shopping and conversing with one another. Reaching into your pockets, you pull out your money pouch. Digging in deep, you fish out two bits.

Enough to get you another day’s worth of food.

You head for the all-familiar stand. It was an old, battered wooden structure that looked as if it was going to collapse any second. The old mare behind it had been running it for forty years now. As you make your way up, a smile etched across her face.

"Ah, Anon. How are you doing dear?"

"Fine, Mrs. Cabbage Patch. And yourself?" You wince. It was a mistake to ask her. Cabbage could go on about her day for hours on end.

"Oh deary, I'm doing alright. Today I had nice wake from the birds in the tree next door. They went on..." And just as quickly as she started, your attention fades away.

Your eyes wander around the market. There's plenty that goes on here that many don't notice, a lot of it bad. Words spread, a vast amount of them untrue. Ponies hand each other things that they aren't supposed to just for a quick bit. Your attention is brought to the stall two away from your current position. Two mares are deep in conversation when you hear the word "human" pop up. You move to the stall next to them, and pretend to look at its wares, closely listening to them. Mrs. Patch's old age gives you the advantage as she continues her story, not even noticing that you left.

“Yeah, I have a feeling he's doing it. Who else would break into another pony's home?" The mare next to her shakes her head.

"I know that human well. He's a good guy. He wouldn't resort to such a cowardly act just for a few bits." The first mare rolls her eyes.

"Yeah, you think that, but I know it's him. Anyway, Mayor Mare has placed a reward for whoever catches this slimeball. Apparently the royal guards have turned up nothing in their search and are turning to the public." The second mare gives a slight shrug and sighs.

"It's a shame. Who would go around stealing such weird stuff?"

Weird stuff? What kind of stuff was weird? You move behind the two and pretend to wait in line.

"I don't know. Bon Bon had a fancy dress stolen from her, Ace lost a small trophy of his, and Carrot Top lost a vase that had been handed down to her from her mother."

"HEY! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!"

*CRASH*

You quickly turn around to see the stand behind you in shambles. A quick blur of pink flees the scene. As you turn back, you look down at the two ponies who are now glaring at you for eavesdropping. You quickly head back to Mrs. Patch's stand who is still going on about her day.

"... and then the cream got everywhere! Well, enough of that, how can I help you today?" Pulling the two bits out of your pouch, you hand them to her with hesitant hands.

"Just the usual, if you could." She pulls out a welting cabbage and a slightly moldy onion, placing them into a bag. It could only be presumed that, due to her old age, when she finally harvested her goods, they were already going bad. But that was to your advantage. Because of this, the prices were lower and demand wasn't as high. Grabbing the bag, you begin to make your way home when Mrs. Patch stops you.

"Deary, wait! I have something else for you!" You turn back to her and she hands you a bag. Looking inside, it's filled with...

"Sunflower seeds! A gift to you for being my best customer." You smile as you peer into the bag. Now you had a bit of variety to go with your day.

"Thank you so much. I really appreciate this." She smiles and sees you off with a wave. As you make your way towards your home, you pass by Bon Bon's home. If you were going to find out where this prick was heading to next, it was best to get some clues.

You knock on the door, awaiting a response. After a moment, you hear a click, followed by sounds of sliding, clanking, and shifting. A pair of eyes peek through the crack of the door, not too enthralled to see you.

"W-what do you want?" The voice is meek and scared.

"Bon Bon, it's me, Anon. I just wanted to ask a few questions pertaining to the incident." Her eyes roll in the darkness.

"I've already told everything to the town guards. They didn't have enough clues to find who it was." She attempts to close the door but is unable to as you place your foot in the crack.

"I understand that there weren't clues to find the person himself, but that doesn't mean that there aren't clues to find out where he is next." You hear a sigh behind the door before it swings open. You make your way in as she invites you to sit on the couch.

"Would you like anything to drink or eat?" Your ears perk up.

Free food? No, you must show your manners or you might jeopardize your chance for clues.

"No thank you, I just ate." Your stomach churns from the blatant lie, punishing you for neglecting it. In due time, stomach, in due time. She sits down on the couch ahead of you.

"What do you need to know?"

"I was wondering what the thief took." She raises an eyebrow.

"They stole a dress that I had specially made for me. I had it hanging in a frame above the fireplace." She points at the fireplace where an empty frame lay. Finally, you're getting somewhere.

"What did this dress look like?" She points at the wall across the room filled with pictures. One in particular stands out. It's a picture of Bon Bon at a fancy gathering, wearing an elegant dress. It was a green shade, diamonds lining the edges.

"What did the guards say when they came here to investigate?" Bon Bon shrugs.

"They asked me what they took, looked at the damages, and said there were no reliable clues. The only thing they said was whomever came in here was big. Bigger than a pony." You can feel the tension. You could feel her glare burning into the back of your neck. Turning around, you find her glaring at you.

"Look, just because I'm poor doesn't mean I'd stoop so low. I'm actually looking for the thief to collect the bounty." A smile creeps onto her face.

She bursts out laughing, loud enough to be heard outside.

"You think you can catch them? Not even the guards have the slightest clue!" As you shrug, her smile disappears. "You know something they don't, don't you?"

"Possibly, but it's only a hunch. Do you mind if I take this picture with me?" She gives you a nod and you place the picture in your pocket. She walks up to you and stares into your eyes.

"If you could, please..." A single tear flows from her eye. "...Find my dress. Its means a lot to me."

'After you implied that I was the thief just now?' you question to yourself. Unfortunately, the moral part of your brain kicks in. It was best if you helped out.

"I'll do what I can." She wraps her hooves around your waist and hugs you. As you make your way out, you begin your way to Ace's home. The house stands out with the large tennis court in his backyard. Which of course, Ace was on.

Holding the racket in his mouth, he pelts the ball back and forth again the wall of his home. Dents in the siding litter across it as he adds more with his powerful blows. As he catches sight on you, he spikes the ball and drops the racket.

"Can I help you?" Snobby as ever.

"I'm here looking for information." He looks at you with disapproving eyes and makes way towards his back door.

"I just wanted to ask you a couple of questions about the thief incident." Stopping dead in his tracks, he rounds back to you.

"What do you need to know?"

"What time did this happen?" He puts his hoof to his chin and thinks.

"I'd say about 1am. I was asleep when I heard a loud crash in my house. I came downstairs to find the place destroyed and no one around." So this creature was obviously either nocturnal or waited until night time to hit homes.

"How did they get in?" He turns his head and scoffs.

"They broke down my door with no effort it seemed."

"What was stolen?" He looks to the ground and stomps his hoof down.

"My first ever trophy." Reaching into the pocket of his tennis shorts, he pulls out a picture. A freshly shaved stallion holding up a small trophy and racket in hoof can be seen. His face shows nothing but utter joy. Inspecting the trophy, it was roughly thirty centimeters tall and is lined with jewels. Why would any sane being keep a picture like this on them when they practice?

"And that was the only thing taken?" He nods.

"I don't understand why they would take that one only. I have way bigger trophies on my shelves right next to it!"

"If I knew, I'd tell you. Thanks for the information. Do you mind if I hold on to this picture?" He nods his head and you make way off the court. You look into his front window and see the trophies proudly displaying on a shelf inside. Shrugging it off, you head to Carrot Top's home.

Knocking on the front door, you wait. And wait. Nothing.

Maybe she isn't home? You turn around and begin to head towards your house to recap everything, when you notice quite a few flyers hanging on the post of her fence. Pulling one up, you scan it.

MISSING! This vase is a family heirloom and means very much to me! If anypony finds it, please notify Carrot Top immediately.

A picture of a young mare holding a vase is plopped in the center of the flyer. She has a bouncy mane with a cutie mark of a carrot on her flank. The vase she holds is shaped strangely like a carrot, but held with a plate on its base. The base is lined with a gold trim and the carrot's stem with a shiny blue tint. By the look of it, this thing is rather expensive.

So that leaves one final verdict. Whoever was doing this was taking things that looked very expensive. Meaning the next person they would go after was none other than Filthy Rich. If you were to catch this thief with a trap, it would best to know how to do so. A mystery book would make a nice reference.

As you make way to the Library Tree, you pass by the Carousel Boutique. A very heavy reflection of sunlight blinds you for a moment. Rarity has a nice gown encased in rubies on display today in plain view from her shop's window. She notices you as she makes additions to the dress and waves to you. You wave back and continue on your way. Opening the door to the library, you are greeted by a happy smile from Twilight.

"Oh, Anon, how are you? I'm afraid I don't have any work for you at this time." You shake your head and look at the shelves.

"I'm actually here to read up on some mystery novels." Her eyes shine upon hearing this.

"I would suggest Marelock Holmes. Her mystery novels always make you think outside the box." Twilight hands you a thin book covered in a brown binding. A unicorn with a top hat and a black mane holding a magnifying glass is displayed on the cover.

"She may be smart, but that doesn't mean that she can't take care of herself physically!" Her smile looks as if she's trying to imply something.

"Uh... Okay? Well, anyway, thanks for the book." You make your way out as she sulks her head. Might as well see the time. You look up at Ponyville Tower's clock.

2 p.m.

Enough time to read this book and create a trap. You approach your humble abode and enter. Sitting down on your bed, you begin to read the book.

It’s a story about a detective, along with her sidekick Neighson, who are in a western country on the trail of four thieves who have stolen a sacred crown. They deduce that the thieves were indeed a pack of wild Diamond Dogs and trap them with the lure of a fake crown which was proclaimed the 'real' crown. This book was quite entertaining and informative. Never before did you know what a diamond dog was.

It would be best to go to Twilight another time and get the other one's in the series. Closing the book, you look over at the clock.

9 p.m.

It was getting close to that time. You get up and make your way to Filthy Rich's home. If you were to get the clear advantage, it would be best to be higher up.

Sitting on the tree, you take a pinch of sunflower seeds from the pouch in your jacket and stuff them into the side of your mouth. Pulling out the pictures and flyer you look at them again. Marelock did say the answer was always in front of you, but the eyes chose not to see it.

It was then it hit you. There was a similarity among them. Every single one them was shiny. Shiny like jewels! It was safe to say each one was visible from a window. But where would this creep hit next?

A memory of a glare and a waving Rarity hits hard.

Carousel Boutique. Jumping from the tree, you sprint down the street. Hopefully you'll make it in time.

Reaching the store, your eyes shoot to the smashed window. The beautiful dress was now missing from the scene. A few grunting noises are heard from inside the store along with some smashing. The second floor lights flicker on.

Shit!

If Rarity goes in there and pokes her nose before you do, she might screw everything up. Leaping through window, you look around the dark shop. A pair of eyes glow in the far corner of the room. The lights turn on and you see Rarity at the bottom of the stairs in a nightgown.

"Anon! What are you doing in my house?!"

Slowly you point towards the creature digging through her chest of jewels. A dog-like creature reaching about your shoulder length was standing there, pocketing anything shiny. Wrapped around its neck like a scarf was Rarity's displayed dress. Rarity, seeing her dress used as an accessory rather than its intended purpose, faints, falling to the ground. A sudden pink blur appears in front of you and points its hoof to your face.

"Aha! I knew you were the thief mister!" Grabbing Pinkie's head, you turn it towards the diamond dog's attention.

"Oh, whoops a daisy!" She turns back to you with a guilty grin.

"Sorry, I was pretty sure you were the thief, so I followed you around all-" The diamond dog smacks her across the head with its large paws, sending her back outside. It attempts to swing at your body next, only to barely miss as you jump back. This thing is much more monstrous than you; it's an uneven fight. Looking over to your right, you grab a metal pipe holding up a equinnequine and swing for the diamond dog's head.

The pipe makes direct contact, but the diamond dog shows little sign of damage. Removing the bent pipe from its head, the diamond dog grabs you by the shoulder and tosses you across the room. You catapult through rolls of fabric and sewing machines and land onto the hard, cold ground. A heavy weight pins you down as you look up. The diamond dog has its paws against your shoulders and legs, holding you down.

"Why would you bother me? What stupidity would cause you to fight something that is clearly stronger than you?" Its voice is raspy and high pitched. Looking at it now, you notice it has long, curly eyelashes.

It's... A female?

With very little choice, you do the only thing that comes to mind. You spit the sunflower seeds from your mouth into hers. Like a shotgun blast, the seeds enter her throat almost all at once. She releases her grip from your shoulders as she chokes on the pre-chewed shells. You push her off and roll away as thick red blotches spread across her body. Was she... allergic?

She continues to hack up the seeds as two town guards walk in to the disturbing scene. You could imagine what was going on in their heads right now: A choking diamond dog, a fainted pony in her bed attire, a knocked out pink pony in the street, and a human on the floor. You can't help but chuckle at their stunned looks.

"What... What happened here?!" Sitting up, you point at the pepperoni-looking dog on the floor.

"Found your thief. Can I have my hundred bits now?"

Turns out the diamond dog wasn't really much of a thief. She was just a horrible jewel hunter and got lost. It was easy for her to find jewels in Ponyville, so she took advantage of it. They later found all the stolen goods in a small ditch not too far from the border of the Everfree Forest. Bon Bon, Ace, and Carrot Top thanked you tremendously for your good deed.

Making your way to the little town prison block, you decide to visit the diamond dog with Pinkie.

"So Anon, you make a pretty good bounty hunter!" She bounces alongside you as you glare at her.

"No thanks to you." She smirks and continues.

"Well, I think you need a partner in your line of work, so I nominate myself." You roll your eyes.

"You are the last person I would need to help me." As you approach the metal gate, the diamond dog glares daggers at you.

"When will they release me?" Shrugging, you put up your arms.

"Hell if I know. If you can't do the time, don't do the crime." Pinkie leans in towards the gate and looks at the diamond dog with devious eyes.

"Maybe if you let Anon her have a few minutes of "fun" with you, he might convince them to let you go." You slap her in the back of the head.

"Hey! What was that for?!"

"What is wrong with you? That's the last thing on my mind!" She rounds back to you with half-lidded eyes.

"Come on Anon. I bet you could do with some other 'action'. Marelock Holmes did." Thinking back to the book, she did end up sleeping with three stallions by the books end. The diamond dog rears its head back and licks it's lips.

"I'll do whatever you want, as long as I get out of here." You place your hands inside your pockets and pull a pinch of sunflower seeds out. She winces at the sight.

"If you'll do anything, you can do some community service to make up for it."

"Oh, come on Anon! She's totally asking for it!" You slap her on the back of head again.

"Damn it, Pinkie."