It was your average day in the big city. Not a lot happened, but some things did.

I may be an average teenager, but that doesn't mean I can't do something to make a difference on this planet.

My name's Aaron, by the way.

My attire? Sure. I'm wearing a grey T-shirt, some jeans, black sneakers, and have an analog watch on my right wrist. I may have on glasses, but I have a pair of sunglasses hanging on my shirt's neck. Like I said, I'm just an average teenager waiting for something major to happen. Right now, I'm waiting in Gino's Restaurant for another case to solve.

You might be thinking, 'Case? What do you mean 'case'?'. Well, I run a small detective agency in this city. It may not be like a normal agency, but it's something. I don't even have my own office, but Gino let me use one of the tables at the restaurant.

Well, as long as I ordered something.

I said as walked around the table, "It's gonna happen Buddy. Any day now, we're gonna get that big case."

Buddy's my partner and all time friend. We did this agency together, I wouldn't be able to do this without him.

He's at the table right now.

He's a blonde with white skin. He has a pencil behind his ear and is wearing a red baseball cap, a red and yellow long-sleeve shirt with white sleeves, jeans like mine, and red and yellow sneakers. Buddy's the sketch artist to help me sketch any clues I might find on a mystery. He might be a little clumsy or silly at times, but he's got a good heart. And I wouldn't have him any other way.

"Yeah! But what's wrong with the cases we take now?" Buddy answered to my question. "Nothing! I just know we can do more. Man, if I could just prove myself on one really big case...Maybe I'd even make special agent one day."

"Ooh, that would be so cool! *pulls out pad of paper and starts drawing* I'm going to draw you as a special agent!"

The door opened and in came another one of my friends and neighbors: Travis.

Travis's has blonde hair, white skin, and is wearing a blue shirt with red and white stripes going diagonally, and a green wristband on his right wrist. He's also wearing gray pants, along with red and white shoes.

He walked up to Gino, the owner and chef of this place, and said, "Hey, Gino. I'm looking for a summer job. Do you have any openings in your restaurant?" "I don't know..." Gino started, "Are you a world-famous master chef?" "Um, no." "Then I do not have any openings for you."

Wow, Gino.

As I sat back down at the table, I said, "Solving mysteries around the neighborhood is great, but if I was a special agent, we could go anywhere! Think of it!"

"Yeah! Now I'm drawing you as a special agent on the Moon!"

Not what I meant by 'anywhere', but okay.

"Hey, guys. What's going on?" Travis said as he came to our table. "Not much Trav," I said to him, "Just waiting for the next big case." Travis walked off as I looked at Buddy's picture. "Ha! That's pretty good Buddy." I leaned back in my chair. "Someday, my friend, someday..."

"Aaron!"

We both turned and saw another one of our friends.

She's around our age and is wearing a yellow T-shirt under some short overalls that have the left strap unfastened. She has her hair tied in pigtails, a satchel hanging from her side, some red bracelets on her right wrist, and some brown sandals.

That's Poppy and she has a flower stand in the park next to this restaurant. She's sweet, caring, and cute, I might add. She and I are close friends and I don't say this to a lot of people, but I kind of have a crush on her. The only other person I've told is Buddy, and this happens to be the only secret he's kept. He's usually not good at secret keeping.

Poppy went around the place looking for me going, "Aaron! Aaron! Help!" "Over here, Poppy!"

She ran to us and I saw the sadness in her eyes. "What's the matter, Poppy?" "A mean man took my dog and he won't give him back!"

"Oh my gosh! Pal! This is it! Our big case!" "Well, it's not sure that it's quite the career-maker I was talking about, Buddy." I got up and said, "Don't worry though Poppy, we'll take the case." She smiled at me. "Where's your dog now?" Her frown left in a second. "He's over in the park with that meanie man!" She stopped a tear from forming in her eye and said, "Please come as soon as you can!" She hurried out the door.

"Man, I hate seeing Poppy upset." I said. "It's okay, pal. You'll help her like you always do!"

He's right y'know. I do help Poppy out in anyway I can.

I got up and said, "Alright, Buddy, I'm heading to the park. I should talk with everybody there and see what I can piece together." "I'm here if you need me, pal!" To my right, Travis said, "Let me know if I can help. I'll work for pizza!" "Sure thing, Travis."

Nice to know we can pay with literal saucy-cheesy bread instead of money. Cool.

In the park...

I came and saw Poppy, a dog, and a

His skin's whit, hair's black with spikes sticking out, he has a goatee, and he's dressed in a crimson long coat with striped pants. I brushed it off and went back to the mystery.

"Okay, Poppy. Explain this dog situation to me." "Well, I was minding my own business here pruning flowers," She pointed to the man saying, "and then when my back was turned, this bad man stole Dogwood!"

"Hmph! What nonsense." The man said, "The name's Morcubus, and the little girl is quite simply a sore loser."

"Hello." I said, trying to be polite.

Morcubus continued, "While she spins an interesting tale, the dog is mine! And his name isn't Dogwood...It's Killfang! Dog-disciple of shadow and flame!"

Looking at the dog, I don't think something that cute can have a name like that.

"No! That name is sad and bad! He's my Dogwood! He's always with me, and was with me right up until this bad man stole him!"

I'm not exactly sure who to believe here.

Morcubus moved to the right a bit and the dog followed him. "Ah, Killfang. See how he flocks to me? Obviously he is mine! He has been mine since the dawn of time!" He cackled in a crooked way. Getting weird vibes from this guy.

"NO HE'S NOT!" "Well, then prove it, little girl!"

"Um...okay...well, I know Dogwood best..." Morcubus rolled his eyes. "...and he loves his pink squishy ball!"

"Poppy, can I see this ball you're talking about? Maybe I could..." "...I lost it..." Dang it.

"Okay, you two. Let me get to the bottom of this. I'll see who's telling the truth here."

Poppy went back to her flower stand while Morcubus waited by one of the park walls.

Time to solve this new case: Who's the dog's real owner?

I'll start by looking for the ball, wherever it is. I went to some bushes and started looking for the ball. Let's see, sticks, leaves, grubs, GAH! Spider! I scurried to the second shrub and looked in there.

Alright! I found the ball! The question is, does the dog really like it like Poppy said? Let's check.

I went to the dog, and showed it the ball while saying, "Hey, boy. Do you like this bouncy ball?" "*Woof!*" "I'll take that as a yes."

The dog likes the ball as Poppy said. Maybe this is Poppy's dog. But I can't be sure until I have enough clues. Maybe some prints could tell the story.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out my magnifying glass. I don't know how, but with it I can see footprints that I can't see with the naked eye. I just found this thing in the trash and cleaned it up, I don't know how it can do this.

Anyway I looked at the ground through it and saw dog prints. Looks like they lead to Morcubus.

So the dog walked to Morcubus on it's own free will. There isn't any evidence of a dognapping. Maybe Morcubus is innocent? I don't know.

Wait, if Poppy was in the park with the dog the entire time, wouldn't she see him go to Morcubus? I'll ask her.

I went up to her and said, "Hey, Poppy." "Hello, Aaron." "I have a question: Are you sure you were in the park the whole time?" "Yeah, Aaron, I wandered a bit, but I've been here the whole time. I promise." "Okay, Poppy, I'll keep looking around for answers."

Poppy turned to tend to her flowers, while I pulled out my magnifying glass and saw some of her footprints leaving the park. I followed them out of the park and they lead to, Gino's Pizzeria? Did Poppy eat lunch during all this?

I walked inside and saw Gino just take a pizza from the oven. After he placed it down, I asked him, "Hi, Gino. Have you seen Poppy and her dog recently?" "Poppy? Why yes! She came in here just recently to eat lunch." "I see. And did you see her dog with her?" "Her dog? No, I didn't see a dog with her." "Thank you very much, Gino." I left and headed back to the park.

Poppy lied to me, why? Is she covering for something?

I went to Poppy and said, "Poppy, about your visit to Gino's, earlier on you said that the dog was always with you. But I spoke with Gino, and he claims that you went to his pizzeria to get lunch, and he didn't see a dog with you."

Poppy's face looked like she was nervous. Then she spilled out, "Ooh...! Yes, it's true...I left Dogwood by himself. But it was just for a moment! I promise!" She looks really sad now. "My big sister Violet said that I'm too young to take care of a dog, and I didn't want to disappoint her...That's why I lied..."

She looks like she's on the verge of crying now. I hugged her saying, "It's alright, Poppy. Just remember, I'm trying to help you. I need to know the truth. Okay?" She hugged back and after a second we let go. Poppy wiped her eyes and said, "Okay. Sorry Aaron."

Putting the fact that I hugged my crush aside, Poppy lied about abandoning Dogwood. What else is she lying about? This is suspicious.

I went to Morcubus to ask about his side of the story.

"So, Morcubus, what do you know about the dog's habits?" "First off," He started, "The dog's name is Killfang. Secondly, he loves destroying bones!" "Is this what you, the owner of said dog, normally let him do?" "Hahaha! Why, yes! My work provides me with many leftover bones to give to my stalwart mutt!"

Is that right?

"Alright then, we'll see how much he enjoys them, I'll be back..."

Chewing bones, huh? Interesting. I'll have to test that claim. Now, where can I find a bone?

I noticed a dumpster on the other side of the wall. I went over the wall, which wasn't too high, and looked in there. Ooh, hello.

I found a bone, I went back over and gave it to the dog. "Here, boy! Have a bone!" "*Grrrrrr*"

The dog didn't like chewing on the bone, even though Morcubus said he would. A strike against Morcubus.

Something's missing. Poppy was right about the ball, but she lied about the dog being with her at all times. Even though Morcubus was wrong about the dog and it liking bones, the dog just walked up to him. But why?

I looked down at the dog and thought out loud, "Why did you come over here, boy?" Wait, why's the dog barking by the wall? "Why are you freaking out over here, boy? Is it because you like Morcubus?" It kept barking at the wall. Or is it something on the other side of the wall?

I went over the wall and started looking around behind Gino's Pizzeria. Then I noticed a crate. There might be something in here. Luckily I have a crowbar with me at all times. Don't ask.

I put the crowbar in and pried the crate open. Whoa, this crates filled of Gino's jerky! Wait, was the dog just after this jerky?

I went back to the dog and gave it a piece. "Is this what you were looking for?" The dog ate it right out of my hand.

So the dog was just over here because it smelled and wanted the jerky! Not because it liked Morcubus!

I went to Poppy and told her, "Poppy, I've solved the case!" "That's great!"

A quarter of a minute later, Poppy and Morcubus were waiting for my result.

I switched my glasses with my sunglasses and said, "Dogwood definitely belongs to Poppy." "Hooray! *Turns to Dogwood* Come here, Dogwood! Here, boy!"

She hugged Dogwood as he went to her.

"This is an outrage! I demand an explanation!" Morcubus demanded.

"You told me that Dogwood loved chewing bones, but clearly he does not." "What?! Who doesn't love chewing on bones?!"

Everyone, duh.

"It was Poppy who identified Dogwood's favorite toy: This pink ball." I went to Poppy and gave her the ball. "You found it! Thank you!"

"But that little girl lied about me taking the dog! He just walked up to me!"

"He was just hungry." I started, "He only walked your way because he was trying to get over to Gino's jerky." "Aww, were you hungry, boy?" "*Barks twice*"

Poppy came up to me and gave me a hug. "Thank you so much, Aaron!" "It's nothing, Poppy. I'm a detective, I'm just doing my job." She giggled as she released me, then out of nowhere, she kissed me on the cheek!

She and Dogwood walked off to go play and I stood there touching where she kissed me.

"Feel pretty clever, don't you, Detective?

Turned to see Morcubus glaring at me. "Well don't! You've made a very powerful enemy today." "It's just a dog, dude." I said as I put my regular glasses back on. "I don't care about the dog! That was just entertainment. But you...you tried to make me look like a fool!" He turned around. "I didn't do anything except find the truth, man." He turned back around. "The 'truth' is you'll rue the day you crossed...The infernal MORCUBUS!" He laughed evilly then walked away.

Yeesh. What's with that guy? I'd better head back to Gino's.

Gino's Pizzeria...

As I walked in, I went back to Buddy and I's table, when I sat down a man in a suit showed up. "Hi. Can I help you?" "Very impressive, Aaron!" he started, "Most people wouldn't stand up to Morcubus like that."

I sat down and said, "Who's this Morcubus guy, anyway? What's the big deal?" "He's the C.E.O. of Morcucorp, which owns most of this city. He's one of the most powerful men in the world."

"I was just helping my friend get her dog back." "Right, you're a detective, aren't you? And a pretty good one too, according to your application."

Hold on, how'd he-

"Wait, who are you?" I asked confused. "How'd you know about my application to the to the Sim Protection Agency?"

That's when I noticed his badge. Now I see it! It all makes sense! "You're a special agent! You're with the S.P.A.!"

"Special Agent Walker. Pleased to meet you, Aaron." He introduced himself, "I'm here to open a new branch of the S.P.A. in this city." "Whoa, really?! Well, I'm happy to help in any way I can!" "Well, that's good news, since I'm approving your application." "Wait, so you mean-" "You are going to be this city's special agent." "W-What?! Really? I got the job?!"

"Ha ha! I told you this would be our big case, pal!" Buddy said.

"I'll have to start you off as junior agent. You'll solve a few cases around the city while I observe. But I want to promote you fully to special agent as soon as you're ready. The agency needs someone who is willing to take a stand against Morcubus."

"Why? Is he stealing more dogs?" Buddy asked.

"To be honest, we're not sure what he's doing. He's far too smart to get his own hands dirty, but he has associates all over the city. They're looking for something, we just don't know what. If Morcubus wants it that badly though, it can't be good."

You know I'm ready for this.

"Alright, sign me up. I'll do everything I can." "I know you will Agent Aaron."

'Agent Aaron'. I like the sound of that. "So what should I do first?" "For now, go get some rest. Come back here tomorrow and comb the city for new cases to work. And keep your eyes out for anything that might lead back to Morcubus."

Man, I cannot wait to officially become a special agent.