Anon P.I.

>The cigarette's ashes fall into the tray as time slowly creeps forward.

>The T.V. plays some old love story, black and white.

>Casa-blank-a, about a blank flank gal.

>The rain droplets on the window compliment the soft record player in the corner.

>A slow night, as usual.

>However, in this town, a slow night is a blessing in disguise.

>Ponyville.

>Not the most menacing sounding place in the world, but everything good in this world has a dark underbelly.

>The Changeling Mob, roaming gangs of griffons.

>Problems just like any other town.

>And it's your job to stop 'em.

>Well, that's what it says on your card.

>And your door.

 

>'Anon P.I.'

>It was put there a few months after you arrived in town.

>You always had a knack for finding trouble.

>Well, moreso, trouble found you.

>And more often than not, it wished it didn't.

>After you fought off that griffon gang terrorizing Sugarcube Corner, the people had a respect for you.

>It only made sense to take that respect and knack for trouble being around the corner, and make a job out of it.

>You needed a place to stay, and the Cakes were more than happy to oblige.

>You did, after all, save their joint.

>Their live-in Pinkie was just as excited, and even offered to help out.

>Skip ahead a few months, and here we are.

>Sitting behind your desk, watching sappy romances on the tube.

 

>"Hiya, boss!"

>Pinkie trots in with a package.

>Quickly, you flip the television off.

>"Were you watchin' those romance flicks again, boss?"

>She oh so enjoyed calling you that.

"Nah, I dunno what you're talkin' about."

>She rolls her eyes and drops the package in front of you.

>"I always knew you were the lovey-dovey type!"

"Can it, Pinks. What's in the box?"

>Pinkie smiles.

>"You know I always bring the goods!"

>Flipping it open, she reveals perfectly powdered jelly donuts.

"Payed another visit to Joe, did ya?"

>"You know him, boss. Can't resist a bit of sugar."

>The smirk on her face reveals the intent of her smooth talk.

>But you already knew that.

>It's why you knew Pinks was a good partner, not afraid to use her 'cupcakes'.

 

>You swipe a donut and take a bite.

>Strawberry jelly, the good stuff.

>Pinks takes her seat behind her desk, throwing her hooves up on the oak table.

>"So, anything tonight?"

>You point a donut at her, a small drop of jelly hitting your desk.

"You think if we did, we wouldn't already be out the door?"

>Pinks sighs, eating a donut in one go.

>"We ain't gonna be able to keep afloat like this, boss."

>She's right.

>You groan as you flip the television back on, resuming your program.

"It's a dirty business, Pinks. We keep the streets clean to keep bits in our pocket. But when the garbage is all swept up? We're left to sink."

>You take a drag from your cigarette.

>It's not a cigarette...entirely.

>It's one of those sugar sticks.

>You glare at Pinks.

>"You know those things'll kill ya, boss."

>She tosses the lit stick in the trash.

>Which sets the trash on fire.

"Not any faster than you will!"

 

>Time passes, and your show ends.

>You'd have a tear in your eye if it weren't for Pinks in the corner.

>"Don't be such a sap, boss!"

>She can read you like a book.

>You turn off the tube and stand up.

"We should call it for the night, no one's showin'."

>"Alrighty, boss. Night!"

>You grab your fedora and grey coat, and swing it over your suspender-clad shoulders.

>As you head to the door, you wave back at Pinks.

>She'll be here for a good couple of hours.

>Making absolutely sure that no one is coming in.

>Since that attack on her home, we wants to make sure nothing like it happens again.

>Admirable.

>As you turn to leave, the door opens for you.

>In the doorway, a white p0ny, with gorgeous purple mane.

>The red dress she wears pops out in the low light of your office.

>Looks like it won't be a quiet night after all.

 

"Evening, Miss Rarity."

>She chuckles lightly at your polite stature.

>"Oh come now, Anon. No need to be so formal."

>She steps inside and walks over to your desk.

>"Heya, Rarity!"

>Pinks waves at her frantically.

>There goes the air of professionalism.

>You toss your coat back on the rack.

>But the hat stays.

"Whatcha got for me, dollface?"

>She giggles once again, loving the compliment.

>"Do we have to move so quickly? I just got here~"

>She's in the mood for a bit of playing around.

>Unfortunately, if she's here, she must have a case.

>And that can't wait.

"Look toots, now ain't the time or the place."

>She sighs, batting her eyes at you.

>"I supposed if I caught you in the middle of Casa-blank-a instead of after it..."

>Clever dame.

>"See, I knew you were a sap, boss!"

"Shaddap, ya ankle-biter!"

 

"So, Rarity, why ya here anyways?"

>"Aside from spending time in your company? I got something you wanna see..."

>You press your hand against your temples.

"I told ya before, toots, not the time or the place."

>She sighs.

>"I meant a case file, ya big lummox."

>She drops a manila folder in front of you.

>Turning to leave, she stops for a brief moment.

>"Glad to know you're interested though."

>With a wink, she exits your office.

>"Ooooooooohhhh, she's trying to get at your candy cane, boss!"

>You roll your eyes.

"Quiet, Pinks. Let's see what we got here."

>You tear open the folder and flip through the papers.

"Looks like another griffon gang beatdown on 34th."

>Pinks' candy cigarette crunches between her teeth.

>"Griffons groups gone gangster? On my streets?"

>Pinks gets up, adjusting her trilby cap.

>"Let's bounce, Anon."

>She then literally bounces out the door.

 

>The city streets in the dim light of the streetlamps seems peaceful right now.

>The peace is welcomed, however.

>The corpse you and Pinks stand over deserves that much.

>Among the beaten and bruised body, you can easily tell who it is through the blue feathers.

>"Dash..."

>A small sniffle is heard, as Pinks raises a hoof to her face.

>You bend down and place a hand on her shoulder.

"We'll catch 'em Pinks."

>The tears begin to flow, dripping off her hooves, matching the falling rain.

>Rainbow was never close to you, but she was one of Pinks' best friends.

>After a silent cry, the hoof comes down.

>On a face where there used to be anguish, only resolve and determination remain.

>"Anon..."

>She reaches into her jacket, grabbing a candy cigarette, lighting the tip.

>Caramel drips to the ground as powdered sugar escapes her lips.

>You don't question it.

>"Let's go."

>With that, the roar of ambulances arrives behind you.

>You and Pinks leave the scene as they carry away her body.

"Shoulda brought a Hearst...she don't deserve to be pecked apart at the hospital."

 

>Speaking of pecked apart, you know just where to start.

>You have a feeling Pinks does too.

"Dash had a past with the griffons..."

>You pull out a photo.

>Pinks looks at it, then grimaces.

>"Gilda."

>The stern looking griffon is your first suspect.

>Putting the photo away, you swipe a candy cig from your partner.

>You pop it in your mouth and look up to the overcast sky.

>The rain slowly trickles down on your face.

>Pinks is silent, joining you in looking skyward.

>Dash is flyin' around up there, right now.

>You just know it.

 

>With that, you and Pinks walk down the sidewalk.

>It's a cold, rainy night in the streets of Ponyville.

>The gutters are stained red with the blood of an innocent.

>These streets aren't kind, that's for certain.

>But it's down to you to clean 'em up.

>The dim glow of the lamplights shade your face from view under your fedora.

>It helps to hide the single tear.

>"Come on boss, now's not the time to be a sap."

>Pinks looks up at ya with a smile.

>Of all the times to stay positive...

>It's why she's your partner.

>You walk alongside her as you make your way to Gilda.

>It's gonna be a long night.