"Excuse me?" Came the voice of the Count from outside a relay station at five in the morning. The Count was simply dressed in a nice, black overcoat, grey vest and white shirt when the pony in charge saw him through the window. "I apologize for interrupting your work, but I was hoping to see exactly how this relay station works."
And the pony, in kind, indulged The Count, and showed him how the tower worked. It was an industrial revolution in the field of reconnaissance. Thanks to the satellite on top of the station, Paris could receive radio transmissions from the government, and remain informed of any events that might unfold. Thanks to Morse code transmitters, it lessened the need for magical lettering. It was the perfect source of information......and The Count's perfect tool for his plan. "This is all so very fascinating." He then produced a large bag of bits to the pony, whose jaw fell at the size of the bag, and asked, "So would it be possible....if a false transmission could be made, and then relayed? For 25,000 bits, no less?"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE WAS NO REVOLT IN SADDLE ARABIA?!" Roared Tirek to Cadderousse, who bent down in fear of the mighty centaur sitting on his throne. "I spent millions of bits funding the Equestrian Militaries expedition, and placed all of my Saddle Arabian stocks, and bonds without regard for the price! But there was no revolution to be found anywhere! They spent days combing the desert regions, and still found nothing!" His claw snapped hard enough to cause a spark. "My messenger sent the wrong signal! HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE!?"
"I-i-i-i don't know, sire!" Guild exclaimed fearfully. "He said that he thought he heard a transmission of a revolt, and acted on his duty! It must have been a fluke, or somethin', yer grace! I swear it wasn't my fault!"
"Just be silent!" Tirek shouted as he lay his head on his fist while sighing, "This is a disaster. My fortune was substantial, and formidable. But now, it's been cut down viciously."
"By how much, my lord?" Asked Grimmwing.
".........10,000,000 bits." Tirek answered grimly. "Now my treasury has gone down by a mere million." His eyes then narrowed as a thought entered his mind. "Someone has sabotaged me......and I feel that I know who it was. Now, I will make them pay for this humiliation. Guild!" The griffon stood at attention. "I have a task for you to do, tonight."
"Yessir! As you wish, sir!" But then the griffon asked in confusion. "What kind've task is it, m'lord?"
Tirek grinned villainously.
In his estate, Starlight was going over some advanced magical tomes The Count had been so gracious to provide her. It was the only thing she had left to do, and it also made her feel comfortable. It reminded her of her days with Sunburst, when they would study and practice their magic - or at least Starlight would. But now, she practiced her spells in the hopes of finding her friend, and saving him. "Some late night reading, Miss Glimmer?" Asked The Count as he entered.
"Oh, your grace." She bowed her head. "I was.....just passing the time, and learning what I can."
"In the hopes of finding, and saving your friend, Sunburst?" he asked.
She nodded, then scowled, "And making that scum, Sombra, pay for what he did to me, and my father."
The Count hummed as he said, "There may be a way you can do that, my dear: and you wouldn't need to use any violence whatsoever."
"R-really? How?" She asked, as the Count smiled with the gears in his head turning.
The morning papers came to the household of many a creature as they usually did. But it was to a select few that a special bulletin was added to the papers today. One that surprised Starlight, amused The Count, confused Villefort, concerned Danglars, and shocked Albert'. The latter of which was appalled by this information he was reading. "What the...? What is all this?!"
Special Correspondence,--
Journal L'Impartial
"We have recently been made aware of the
following information which has just been
brought to light: Orion, King of Paris, Prance,
met his demise during the Lunar Conflict when
military forces led by Commander Grimmwing,
Second in Command to Lord Tirek Danglars, broke
into The Palace of Versailles, in a coup orchestrated
by his right hoof pony, Colonel Sombra. "
"The name Sombra.....they must be talking about my father!" Albert' thought as he continued reading.
"It has also come to our attention that the colonel
now goes by the title of "Count Sombra Mondego",
and holds a position in The Chamber of Peers. The
chamber has scheduled a hearing to examine this
affair at six o'clock in the evening, though Lord
Tirek has negated Commander Grimmwing's
attendance due to his non-association with the
Chamber of Peers."
"Six in the evening?" Starlight mused. Then she thought about something before turning to The Count, still lounging on his couch. "Your grace.....would it be-"
"Of course, Starlight." he answered with a calculating smile. "I think your attendance would be most beneficial....along with some well-deserved company."
"Order, order!" The Judge of the Chamber of Peers spoke out while banging his gavel on the stand. When silence finally came to the room, he spoke again, thanking all for their silence. "The court will now hear Count Sombra Mondego's statement of defense." In the prosecution stand, Sombra was doing all that he could to keep his cool. He had no idea how all that information got out, but he would not let it destroy his reputation any further than it already might have. And so he relayed a false tale of how he was with the Versilia guards when Lunar Forces had broken in, killed the king, and then abducted his chief scholar, and mystic scientist, Sunburst. "And before his passing, he entrusted the safety of his niece, Starlight Glimmer to me."
"And what became of this mare?"
"Sir....!" he exclaimed, but then took a calming breath. "I'm afraid I was too late to help her. By the time I arrived on the scene, Sunburst had disappeared, and Starlight perished. I failed to keep my promise to the king, and alas, I fear there is nopony who can testify to these events." By now, the grey furred unicorn had settled down, as he believed that the Peers would believe his story. But what the Judge said next, and who appeared no sooner after shattered those delusions to pieces.
"Let the witnesses step forth!"
"W-Witness?!"
And there, standing in the witness stand was none other than Starlight Glimmer, and to his surprise, Spike. Both of whom were glaring hateful daggers into him. Sombra's eyes widened as he recognized the mare in the stand. Other ponies wondered who she was, as none had seen her before now. She was more than happy to fill in The Chamber of Peers. "Gentlecolts, I am the niece of Orion, the TRUE King of Prance, and his wife, Stellaria: Starlight Glimmer!" As the murmurs grew of this mare, and her relationship to royalty, Spike took this time to speak up. "And my name is Spike: i'm number one assistant to Princess Twilight Sparkle, and brother to a pony falsely convicted by Sombra Mondego, Neighsay Villefort, and Tirek Danglars: Shining Armor aka Edmond Dantes!"
"Lies!" Sombra exclaimed in desperation. "These two are in league with my enemies in an attempt to slander me! I have never seen this mare before, and this drake talks nonsense! Shining Dantes was a traitor to the crown! I only helped to-"
"To what?" Starlight questioned. "To gain something from his absence like you did my uncle's death? Is that why you used mental magic on Spike to alter his memory?" She then turned to the judge, and asked, "Spike was read positive for a magical imprint on his mind before this hearing, yes?"
"Yes, as was requested before this meeting began." The judge said before pulling out some papers. "Monsieur Mondego, I have here proof of Starlight Glimmer's identity. I have her birth certificate, and her family tree. I have even been provided the receipt for her sale signed by her slave owner - and a receipt of her purchase by The Count of Monte Cristo. I assure you, there can be no mistaking this mare's identity."
"No." Sombra said, not caring that others could hear him. "This isn't possible!"
"It is possible, Mondego," Starlight said angrily, "And I can prove it further with a memory spell, if the court will allow it." The Judge nodded, and she proceeded to project her own memories of that terrible day. When she, and Sunburst met hi, and Sombra. When Grimmwing broke into the palace with an armed host at his call. Then the grisly sight of Sombra stabbing the king in the back before Grimmwing's forces seized Sunburst, and Sombra took Starlight. It was all picture perfect, and clear as day. And the ponies watching knew that this was truth, because memory projection was an advanced spell that could only show what happened. No altering, fabricating or modifying the outcome. Only the truth. And once she was finished, she had only one thing to say to Sombra Mondego. "You took everything from me, you evil monster......and now my uncle will know peace now that the truth is out."
"Speaking of truth, I believe it is the young dragon's turn to speak." The Judge said.
"Thank you, your honor....but I think it'd be better if we just showed you." He then presented a crystal shard. "Starlight, if you would?" She nodded, and cast a spell to turn the crystal into a sort of projector. It showed all of the events of what happened from Spike's perspective eighteen years ago: Shining's arrest, following him to Villefort's establishment building, seeing him being carted off in a prison carriage, then overhearing the two conspirators as they discussed their treachery, helping Shining get away from the guards and fleeing to Mondego's home, getting caught by Tirek just in time for Shining to be arrested for real, and then the part where Sombra sealed away Spike's memory of these projected events before everything turned dark. Leaving a room of stunned ponies who could not believe what they had just seen. "Monsieur Mondego," the judge spoke, "is there any truth to the images we just saw? Must we send an inquiry down to Versailles to confirm the truth?" When no answer was given from the petrified, sweating stallion, it only made him seem more guilty. "Then........it's true? You committed these atrocious crimes? And with the aid of Lord Tirek, and Crown Prosecutor Villefort?"
There was nothing Sombra could say as he already knew he was finished. Looking out to the benches, he saw the Count sitting in attendance. Only, he didn't simply see the Count of Monte Cristo. He saw a pony he once called friend long ago, holding a chess piece in the air to signify that this was checkmate. Shining Dantes was alive. Sombra still said nothing. All he could do was laugh...and walk out of the room without another word.
"Erh......*ahem* Very well. In light of this information, The Chamber of Peers has no choice but to find Count Sombra Mondego Guilty for treason, conspiracy, murder, felony, and behavior unbecoming of a member of this house. I shall send word to The Princesses, and they shall deal with the matter of Tirek Danglar. This session is now adjourned." Bang went the gavel, and the court ended. Though Starlight, and Spike were uncertain if this would truly be over, the observant Count smiled in his victory.
"The first has now fallen."
Later that night, Guild led a gang of thugs to raid the ship belonging to The Count of Monte Cristo, himself. It had only recently made port in Maresailles, but it was considered safe. Safe from all but a scummy griffon seeking to take control of the ship, and its wealth. He was amazed by just how much gold was tucked away inside this ship, but it made robbing it all the better as he had his thugs move a few of the chests to his master's ship. "Hurry, you idiots!" he whispered harshly. "We ain't got all night, and I don't fancy gettin' caught!" He had twelve of the chests loaded onto a cart for himself. "At least this won't have been a total waste. You! Get these chest out've here, now!" He whispered to the coach.
Little did he suspect that the coachman was secretly Vampa, driving the chests away to somewhere only he, and The Count would know.
Things seemed to be going well for the griffon. But then a host of soldiers came, with both Garble and Pharynx leading them. "Guild Caderouse?" said the captain. "You're under arrest for robbery, and suspected aid in conspiracy." Guild was sweating bullets as he worried about what was happening, but tried to keep his cool. "I don't know what yer talkin' about."
"Then perhaps you wouldn't mind the guards inspect your ship." Said The Count, standing beside a surprised guild. "If it is empty, i'm sure you have nothing to hide.....unless you still have my stolen diamond on your person."
Caderouse' eyes widened in shock. He then recognized the pony before him as the Abbe he met a few years ago. And as he felt for the diamond he still carried in his coat pocket, then looked back to the guards, another realization hit him. "Tirek set me up, same as you.....but I won't go down for either of you!" He then grabbed a pulley hook, and threw it at The Count. He easily caught it in his magical hold. The griffon growled, and then drew a sword to slice the pony to ribbons. The Count dodged every swing of the sword, and waited until Guild sent a forward thrust his way. He wrapped the rope of the pulley around the griffon's neck as he prepared to go over the side, but then grabbed hold of him in his magic. The panicking griffon asked who this pony really was, to which he gleefully answered, "I'm the Count of Monte Cristo......but my friends call me Shining Dantes."
"....Dantes?"
He was then released from The Count's hold, and left to dangle in the constricting rope around his neck. Flaying about like a worm on a hook. A fitting fate for a worm such as he. "Best cut him down before he can't speak." The Count told the Captain, before he then procured the diamond he gave to the griffon, and gave it to the Captain. "And I believe this should help to convict him."
"Soon, it'll be your turn, Tirek!
In the steam bath, Neighsay Villefort was enjoying a good, hot steam after a long days work. Suddenly, he received an uncomfortable burst of steam, delivered by none other than The Count of Monte Cristo. "Oh, please, don't do that. That's too much." Neighsay said, not seeing who it was until he spoke. "Would you mind if I joined you this evening, Monsieur Villefort?"
"Your grace." Neighsay said in surprise. "I did not expect to see you here of all places."
"I wanted to thank you in person, Monsieur." The Count said. "After all, you helped me with my shipment."
"Yes, indeed." Neighsay smiled. "I made all the arrangements early, per your request at our first meeting, so there will be no problems on our end."
"Excellent. I believe this may be the start of a gratuitous friendship. Speaking of which, may I pose a question?"
"Of course. Anything at all." Neighsay said as The Count sat next to him.
"I was simply curious: why did you send Shining Dantes to be incarcerated after you had cleared him of murder charges?" Neighsay suddenly grew nervous, and confused. "I-i don't understand." The Count stood back up, and said, "It's a simple question.", as he went to literally turn the heat up on things. Making the Prosecutor sweat even more. "Please, that's quite enough. I don't know how you learned of this, but you have to understand: Dantes was carrying a letter from Empress Nightmare Moon. That was clearly a sign of treason."
"Yet we both know he never delivered it." The Count argued. "Sending a pony to prison with such knowledge makes no sense."
"Sir, I have no idea what is provoking this perverse conversation, but-"
"Then I began to ask myself: What did my dear, old friend, Neighsay Villefort, have to gain by sending a pony with no evidence of the conspiracy to prison? The answer was quite simple: nothing."
"Just as you said: nothing. So why-"
"But if my old friend, now Crown Prosecutor, has nothing to gain from this, then who does?"
Now Villefort's blood was beginning to grow hot, and it wasn't because of the room temperature. This pony knew more than he thought, and it was beginning to worry him. He had to get away from there. "Uh, w-with all due respect, your grace, it's far too hot and you're fully dressed, so perhaps we should just leave." But before he could open the doors, The Count said something to draw his attention back. "I believe the clearest beneficiaries.....are Count Sombra Mondego, and the then promoted General turned Lord, Tirek Danglars."
I don't understand what any of this has to do with our business relationship."
"I'm about to tell you."
"Anything is possible in this world. Even the likes of Shining Dantes could escape the Chateau D'if one day. You two can believe otherwise, but as for me? I haven't lived as long as I have by being complacent - OR stupid."
"Yes, but, still......" Sombra appeared uncertain at first, due to what Tirek said. But then, he shook off his doubt, and said, "We shouldn't have any reason to be afraid of him. The only thing special about him was his ranking as the youngest officer to join the Equestrian Military, and his relationship with Mercedes. He's nowhere near as smart as us, he isn't strategic in any way, and though his fighting skills are decent enough, it's not a high enough tier to get him anywhere in the Chateau D'if. Plus he's an emotional idiot who prefers companionship above all else. So many years of isolation in that place will break his will. Trust me when I say he's doomed."
"And I suppose that as long as the letter no longer exists, along with that dagger, noone can ever disprove the evidence against Shining Dantes." Neighsay said. "Try as they may, neither Princess Twilight, nor the father of their family will ever uncover what we've done."
It was then Tirek perked up as he recalled something, thanks to Neighsay's suggestion. "That reminds me, esteemed Prosecutor.......how's your father been lately?" Neighsay had been taken surprised by the new topic of discussion. But after clearing his throat, he found no harm in responding. "He's...been doing very well, thank you. Why-ever do you ask, Danglars?"
"No reason, per se. I was merely concerned for him......given the recent hearings of Empress Moon beginning to make her move, and reignite the war. After i've been promoted to General, I may have to take precautions to undermine her initial plans to use loyalists to destroy Equestria within." A knowing smile then crossed his face. "One of which you may know........since you've ALSO read the letter Shining had been asked to deliver before his imprisonment."
"You remember?" The Count asked. Neighsay, now growing as angry as he was worried, tried to ignore him as he went to the other exit, only to find it locked tight. "Wh-why is this door locked? I demand that you release me from this room immediately. Clearly you are no friend of mine!" the unicorn exclaimed as he tried to leave again, only for The Count to block him, and shove him into the water tub. "Shining Dantes was your patsy all along, wasn't he? Danglars exposed the stallion's possession of the letter, which Mondego delivered and wrote himself as witness to, and then YOU signed for the incarceration of, isn't that right? All because your father was a loyal follower of Empress Moon, wasn't he? Possibly conspiring plans to release his empress from her banishment so that she may lead The Lunar Empire to triumph. And even though you saw through the conspiracy, and destroyed the evidence, you arrested him out of fear he also knew of your connection to Spell Nexus Villefort, a former colonel in Empress Moon's army. A very unfortunate parent to have for an ambitious civil servant like yourself. But then he died, almost opportunely, under mysterious circumstances some sixteen years ago. A murderer never found: just how hard did you look for him."
Neighsay sneered. "I don't know how you know all this, but you have no proof! No evidence! Just theories and conjectures!"
The Count smirked. "On the contrary: I have Lord Tirek."
That seemed to set off a spark in Villefort as he shouted, and said, "You have nothing! Yes, it was Tirek who murdered my father, as his way of punishing me for almost letting Dantes go! But eventually, I saw it as a necessity to keep my reputation, and station in life! Tirek pulled the trigger - he told me that much himself, and for a time I hated him. But it was for the greater good, just as it was for the greater good to frame Shining Dantes! But it doesn't matter! Dantes is dead! And neither Mondego, nor Tirek, for however long he has left as ruler of this country, would ever admit to the things we did! Not in a thousand years!"
"No.......but YOU just did." The Count said as he pulled on the rope that turned down the steam in the room, and looked behind Neighsay. When the unicorn turned to look, he was horrified to see a host of Guards from canterlot (who arrived with Celestia and Luna last night) with Garble Jacopo accompanied by Bennedito. The former stepping forth, and saying, "There are other skeletons in your closet...ex-crown prosecutor. But we can discuss how you tried to bury my son, Rumble Bertucio - or perhaps I should say, YOUR son - in your backyard as a foal before I saved him that night, in court." The captain of this guard finally stepped forward, and said, "Neighsay Villefort, you are under arrest for conspiracy, treason, and attempted murder." Neighsay couldn't believe this was happening. He had just given away everything in a fit of rage, and now he would pay for it dearly. "Neighsay." The Count then called out. "Do you remember?" he asked, as he adjusted his mane to its natural flow. Allowing the former prosecutor to recognize who he was.
"Dantes?"
Now, it all made sense. Tirek had warned that there was a chance this might happen. And now, it was all coming to a head. After he was dressed, the guards bolted his horn, and then escorted him outside: to his horror, right to a prison coach. This only reminded him further of his injustice to Shining, and now he was realizing how foolish he was. Their roles were now reversed. He reluctantly went in, and to his surprise, saw a pistol in the seat. "A courtesy for a gentlecolt." said the guard, who closed the door on him. Eyeing the gun, Villefort considered that this may be his way of escape. Slowly did he take the pistol, raise it to his muzzle, and after cocking back the safety......pulled the trigger.
Only the gun was completely empty. "You didn't think i'd make it that easy, did you?" The Count said through the bars, before he let the guards cart off their prisoner. As Garble and Bertuccio stood by his side, a single thought crossed his mind.
"Now there is only one."