While doing her homework on Equestrian history, Sweetie Belle stumbles upon a couple phrases detailing the illegal trade of goods and how Baltimare developed from a fishing village to a coastal city thanks to it.

The idea that a place could prosper from directly opposing the princess and her laws interested Sweetie Belle, the heretical idea having a certain pull to it that left her wanting to know more.

Of course she perished the thought, shoving it to the back of her mind where it wouldn’t bother anypony and focused on her homework.

Not too long afterwards, Sweetie Belle overhears a stallion mentioning the illegal activity. Deciding to question him, Sweetie must pay for her curiosity by gathering enough bits to satisfy the stallion.