"THE WHEELS ON THE BUS GO ROUND AND ROUND."

"We're WALKING, Miss Hooves."

"TO TELL US THE TIME."

"Ugh... I'm going to regret being friendly. I just know it."

The two detectives, Note Pad and Derpy Hooves, pressed on in search of a case for their competition.

"Are you even licensed?" asked Note, "I'm a professional detective. You're just... well, unprofessional."

"Pfft, unprofessional my right hoof! I'm as professional as the next pony," replied Derpy, "So there."

"You know, it isn't necessary to wear pants. Ponies are staring at you."

"Of course they are! They just want my sexy flank." snapped Derpy, waving her tail to prove a point.

"Is that why you told me your cutie mark is bubbles? You're a bubble butt?" replied Note Pad with a smirk.

Derpy blushed. "Shut up! And please tell me you aren't wearing those sunglasses indoors."

"Why?"

"That's dumb."

"You wouldn't know dumb if it flew straight."

"Hey, just because I failed flight camp thirty times-"

"Oh Celestia..."

"-doesn't make me dumb! My mother told me I was special!" said Derpy defensively.

"So did mine..." said Note.

The light red colt walked home from school as always. He entered his house and put his bag down, watching his mother cooking.

"How was school?" she said with a smile.

"I hate school." he responded solely.

"But you're doing fantastic, Note. Flawless, even. It's what your teacher said." praised his mother.

"You know WHY I hate school, mom..." he said, slumping in the kitchen chair.

His mother sighed and went over to him, holding up his chin and looking into his eyes.

"Your eyes aren't a problem, sweetie. You're no different than the other kids. You're just special." she kissed his forehead, "It's perfectly fine."

He smiled, and frowned again. "I guess so..."

Note shook his head.

"Miss Hooves, I should ask, have you ever been teased for your eyes?"

Derpy stopped and put a hoof under her chin in thought. "Hm... Well yeah, some ponies back in school. But not really anymore." She raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"No reason," he said.

"Okay..." said Derpy, "I wonder what our first case together's gonna be."

"You're confident you'll win?"

"Yeah!" she said, "Look at these clothes!"

Derpy stopped and posed, showing off her comfy, stylish jean pants, her watch, and her detective hat. Her tail aimlessly wagging, she grinned.

Note Pad raised an eyebrow. "Clothes don't make a great detective."

"You're right," said Derpy, "Having a great flank helps. And instinct!"

"Well instinct yes," replied Note.

"Don't deny I have a great flank," said Derpy grinning.

Note Pad rolled his eyes through his sunglasses.

Rose smiled at all her progress, happy with her sales for the day. Lots of ponies were buying flowers, and her shift was almost over.

Her sister approached. "Hey sis!"

Rose greeted her sister, and as usual, signed out. They both turned their heads in time to see a pony approach.

A stallion.

He had nothing peculiar about him, aside from a metallic left forehoof. Rose winced sightly.

"What's his problem?" asked her sister, "I've never seen him before."

"Neither have I, Lily..." replied Rose.

The stallion approached the flower stand. He had a very light green coat, and a dark green mane. Rose involuntarily glanced down at his metallic hoof, and all its unusual features. He was an earth pony as well.

"...Can I help you?" asked Rose, putting on her friendliest voice.

"Actually you can," said the stallion, "I'm here looking for somepony. A bit shorter than me, light red coat, should be wearing sunglasses all the freaking time."

His cold voice made her stutter. "I-I don't..." was all Rose could say.

He leaned in close and raised an eyebrow; if anything, he was quite charismatic in appearance. "I know he's here. I came for him. You mean you haven't seen him?"

"N-No..."

"Darn shame..." he said, bringing his cold metallic hoof to her chin, staring deep into her eyes. Rose blushed and exhaled.

"Wh-Who..."

"If you see him, tell him his brother came to pick him up."

"So... Are you with anypony?" asked Derpy, looking at Note Pad.

"Excuse me?" he asked.

"Wh-What I mean is, do you have a mare? A girlfriend?"

He chuckled. "Not at the moment, why?"

"Well-"

At that moment, the two heard a loud cry for help. Their ears pricked up. There was no time to lose. They ran forward with haste.