Well into the afternoon, Twilight and her friends busied themselves with the Gala preparations, each deciding to take on a particular job that fit their talents. Pinkie and Twilight worked on organizing the events and budgeting everything out; Rarity was in charge of decorations; Applejack worked on cooking with the kitchen staff; and Rainbow dash and Fluttershy thought of entertainment ideas. They were all so busy, staff included, that no one notice an extra pony on the premises.
A tall and skinny blue-grey earth pony ,wearing a trench coat and fedora, snuck around the perimeter of the mansion. Every time a gardener or someone that was supposed to be there came close to him, he hid behind a bush or anything that could hide him from their gazes. He looked high and low, trying to find what he was after. Eventually, he neared a broken window. It was covered with paper, so no wind would enter the house and would keep the heat in. However, the paper was tapped on the outside, meaning that, if anyone wanted to, they could peel the tape off and enter into the mansion easily.
Wasting no time, the earth pony reached up and carefully peeled the tape away from the window seal. When the opening presented itself, he took off his trench coat, swung it over the seal and climbed inside. He felt slight discomfort as small pieces of glass pierced his hooves, but thanks to the trench coat, he suffered no injury.
Hitting the floor, he put his coat back on and went to the nearest door. As soon as he opened it however, he froze. A Griffon, that could easily take him down, stood on the other side. He jumped back, wanting to run back to the window. The griffon grabbed his tail, preventing him from running off.
“Now now, Master Front Page, you don’t want to be late for your appointment, do you?” The griffon asked.
Realizing that he wasn’t going anywhere, Front Page slumped in defeat. He turned to the Griffon.
“Sorry sir,” He apologized in a heavy Manehattan accent. “I’ve just heard so much about the Count, I wanted to be the first who… who… did you say appointment?”
The Griffon said nothing as he turned and started walking away. Only when he motioned for him follow did Front page move. He was led upstairs and down a hallway where a set of double doors laid at the end. The griffon opened them, and what Front Page saw shocked him.
The inside of the mansion was nothing compared to this room. It was not only furnished with a wooden table and book shelves, but it was polished and fixed up, nothing out of place. A large picture hung above the table, depicting three silhouetted Alicorns descending upon an unidentified pony being surrounded by timberwolves. The endangered pony had his hoof outstretched to the alicorns, awaiting them to save him. Front page didn’t recognize the piece, and with his vast knowledge of anything notable, it had to mean it was an original. He wondered who painted it.
Below the painting, sitting at the table, was a dark grey pegasus with a red dress coat. Front page realized that this must be Count Monte Cristo. “You’re five o’clock appointment, your excellency,” The Griffon said.
“Ah, Front Page. Right on time,” The Count said. He then made a sign to the griffon, indicating that he wished to talk in private. The griffon bowed and exited the room, closing the doors behind him.
“Please sit, Front Page.” The Count said.
“How do you know my name?” He asked, sitting down in the chair on the opposite side of the table. The Count ignored the question and pulled out a folder from a desk drawer. He laid it down in front of his guest. Front page looked into the folder noticing the letters inside.
“What’s this?”
“Read them first, then we will talk business.”
Front page opened the folder and pulled out the first letter he could get his shaky hooves on.
Front Page,
I understand that you are, in professional terms, an Informant for ponies in Canterlot. This letter, when presented to any bank you wish along with my seal, will instantly grant you a sum of ten thousand bits. All I ask is that you listen to my request.
The Count, Monte Cristo.
Front page re-read the letter again. Feeling like he didn’t get the joke, he moved to the next letter.
Monsieur Monte Cristo,
Your request for a line of credit for the sum of Unlimited has been approved. You may take this letter to any bank you wish during your stay in Canterlot. The banks we suggest to do business with are as follows:
The House of Blissful Finance
The House of Fancy Pants
The House of Coin A. Plenty
We have had dealings with these three banks in the past, and have deemed them honest and truthful.
We wish you well,
The House of Golden leaf
Golden leaf was a name that anypony would recognize as the richest pony in the country of Prance. To have a letter from him recommending unlimited credit was unheard of. After taking a quick glance at the Count, Front page put down this letter and picked up the last one.
Honorable Count Monte Cristo,
You have been a good friend, not only to me, but to the people of Griffonstone. It is thanks to you that our villages are slowly going back to what they once were. However, things are still not what I wish they could be.
There is a still a shortage of supplies that we require. We ask that you help us once again by opening a trade company in Canterlot. You will, of course, be paid for the trouble.
We ask you to act quickly.
Your faithful friend,
Stiff wing, King of Griffonstone.
Front page’s jaw dropped. These three letters alone made him a pony that legends spoke of. He was rich, kind, and… and...
“Have you finished?” The Count asked. A simple nod was Front Page’s reply. “How would you describe me, reading these letters?”
Front Page tapped his chin with his hoof, both in thought and to close his mouth. “I would say that you are a rich pony that has means of maintaining his fortune. Afterall, Unlimited credit from Gold Leaf has been unheard of. You are honest and loyal to those you consider your friends. But...” Front page paused.
“But?”
“But… You are also a dangerous pony.”
“What makes you say that?” Count Cristo inquired.
“The first letter. You obviously want me to be your informant against your rivals, right?”
“No, actually..” The Count leaned forward. “I wish to simply make sure you tell your employer the truth.” The last word was emphasized.
“I don’t understand?”
“Simply this,” The Count tapped the letters in front of his guest. “Study these pages and make sure that you tell your employer, whoever it may be, What you have just told me. That I am an honest and loyal pony, one with a way of maintaining his fortune and also is looking to start a business here in Canterlot. Though, leave out the last part. Agree to this, and you may have the first letter with my seal.”
Front Page knew when a deal was too good. He looked again at the three letters then back at Count Cristo. “What’s the catch?”
The Count smiled as if he expected this answer. “Do not tell anyone of this meeting, not even your employer. Else you might find out exactly how dangerous I can be.”
Front Page swallowed hard and went straight to work, reading the letters again. He studied everything about them. The penmanship, the wording, the seals, nothing escaped the eyes of this pony. He then laid them down on the desk and took out his notebook and started to write down his conclusions, theories and any other useful information.
Finishing, Front page looked to The Count and tapped the first letter. “I’ll take that seal now, your excellency.”
Nodding, Count Cristo took a stamp and placed his seal down at the bottom of the letter. He spoke before handing the letter back. “I do want you to do two things for me. First, I want you to find a filly for me. I don’t know who or where she is, but I know she was abandoned, left on the doorstep of the Canterlot orphanage before going into the foster care system. My trail runs cold after that.”
“ That’s a serious claim. I’m sure you’ve heard Celestia made it illegal to abandon foals, right? How do you know this foal was abandoned? And why are you looking for her?” Front page asked, recording everything into his note book.
“One day, a homeless mare came to me, asking me if I had seen her foal. Noticing she was sick, I decided to let her rest at my place. Sadly, she died a few nights later. Before she passed, she told me about the foal, how the father didn’t want the foal or her and how he spirited it away one night, without telling her. She asked and begged me to find the filly. I agreed. I’ve been looking for the foal ever since. I hope to continue, but i’m at a disadvantage here in Canterlot, where I know absolutely no one. You have contacts, however, and I would like you to use them to aid me.”
“Interesting. And the second?”
“Have you heard of a Zebra named Hazock?”
Front page went stiff, the coloring draining from his face. “The Zebra Conqueror? Yeah, I’m sure everypony has. He was captured and executed a few years ago for his crimes against the ponies of equestria. Why do you ask?”
“Yes, I’ve heard about that. I’m very interested in this case, you see, and want to know more. If you could, dig up all the information you can about Hazock’s arrest. Do these two things for me, and I’ll double your new fortune. Go now to your employer. Do not delay any longer.”
Front page didn’t need any more convincing. As fast as he could, he walked to the double doors, exited the room and left the mansion in a hurry, afraid the count might change his mind. When he left the estate, he first went to the closest bank he could and obtained the ten thousand bits he was promised. It was the easiest check he ever made.
Front page hailed a taxi, gave the driver a couple of bits and told him where he would like to go. “If you're fast enough, you’ll get a big tip.” The taxi took off, driving practically all around Canterlot before reaching one of the largest buildings in the city. Throwing the bits promised to the driver, Front Page entered the bank, walking right past the receptionist and entered the owner's office.
“Boss, Have I got some news for you!”
***
As Front page left, Talon walked back into the Count’s office. He stood at attention, waiting to hear the entry doors close. When the click was heard, The Count spoke. “Have the invitations been sent?”
“Yes, your excellency,” Talon said, bowing. “As per your request, the VIP letters were delivered right before Front Pages arrival. We should hear back from them later today.”
“We will hear from them today,” the count said, standing up and looking out the window. His gaze going straight to a certain purple Alicorn. “They will actually have no choice. Canterlot customs forbid them from denying such an honor.”
“But what about… The one who isn’t in Canterlot?”
“He will come. I’ve made sure to invite some of his former acquaintances to the Gala. He won’t want to miss seeing them.”
“I… see,” Talon said, a hint of nervousness creeping out of him. “Is there anything else you need?”
“As soon as their replies come in, deliver them to me immediately. Also, be sure to sell our shares with The Crowned Shoe transport and freight company. When they are sold, tell me during the Gala. Not before, and not after.”
“Yes sir.” Talon finally took his leave. When he was gone, The Count went back to his desk and took out a piece of parchment and wrote something down. He then put it next to his candle, that was lit with dragon fire, and burned it.
“Now, it begins.”