//------------------------------// // Prologue // Story: Daring Do and the Countess of Monte Colto // by gothchick7 //------------------------------// The Countess looked at herself in the mirror, the mutilated face of the once beautiful Earth mare staring back at her. She growled before putting the specially-made mask she had ordered on. If anyone heard her do that, they wouldn’t blame her. Something or somepony had decided to attack her and her family on her wedding day. On her wedding day. She growled once more before turning away from the mirror. “I will fix this,” she vowed as she walked up to the small display case in the room’s center. It was empty of whatever was in it and, if one were to look closely, there was a circle cut into it. She looked at the empty case with a glare. The case was supposed to hold the one item that had been in her family ever since the first Count of Monte Colto made himself known: a necklace that he had given his betrothed when they had finally married. Since then, whenever a pony born into the Monte Colto legacy is to be married, they always gave their fiancee the necklace on their wedding day to ensure that nothing bad is going to happen. The Countess’s glare grew harsh and looked away. “I will punish the one who had the nerve to steal my family’s treasure and set an example for any and all ponies who come here!” she bellowed out as she left the room entirely. As she roamed the manor, the servants all watched her with wary eyes. They knew how the first Count of Monte Colto was and it was no secret that those following would one day be driven by revenge should something happen. A butler nervously cleared his throat, getting the Countess’s attention. “What is it?” she asked impatiently. “Perhaps you should take a moment to consider your, er, ideals, my lady?” the butler asked, choosing his words carefully. The Countess only stared back, the same impatience written on her face. “Very well,” she said begrudgingly. “I’ll be in my chambers. I am not to be disturbed.” “Yes, my lady,” the butler responded as the Countess walked off. A maid walked up to the butler and waited until the Countess was well out of earshot. “What do we do?” the maid asked, making sure to whisper in case the Countess was listening. “Unless the thief is found, it’ll be both our heads and the other Legacies.” “We have no choice,” the butler answered. “The thief couldn’t have gone far. We’ll have to call upon somepony who has an expertise at this kind of thing. You go about your duties, I’ll write the letter to her myself.” The maid only nodded as she resumed her duties. The butler walked into the study and went to write the letter, making sure to check to see if anyone happened to be watching. After what felt like an eternity, the butler finished writing the letter and put it in the envelope, closing it with the official Seal of the Monte Colto legacy. Letter in hoof, he calmly made his way through the estate, making sure to keep up the appearances of a butler tending to his duties should the Countess or her family see him. Eventually, he exited the estate and walked through the city of Mare-is, hoping to at least find somepony who would do the difficult task of delivering the letter. He soon finds somepony and walks up to them. “Excuse me,” he said after clearing his throat, getting the cloaked pony’s attention. “I’m terribly sorry for troubling you, but I need you to deliver this to the pony it’s written to.” With that, he held out the letter towards the pony. The pony eyed the letter for a moment or two before nodding. “All right,” the butler said as the pony took the letter into their own hoof and stashed it into their own cloak. “Just make sure you get this to Miss Daring Do and tell her it is imperative that she answer right away. I don’t have much Bits on hand, but-” The pony only held up a hoof for a moment before lowering it. “There’s no need for paying me, good sir,” the pony said. “I will gladly deliver it straight away. Besides…” The pony then removed his hood, revealing a dark grey stallion’s face with a jet black mane and bright blue eyes. “I happen to know her very well,” he said before a pair of dark grey wings emerged from the cloak and took off, heading towards his destination. The butler watched for a moment or two before walking back to the estate. “I really hope I’m making the right call,” he muttered to himself before he went back into the estate. Meanwhile, Daring Do was flying to and fro, dodging every tree that came into her path. She had just barely escaped the temple with the Gilded Cat of Longevity and right now, she was trying to get away from Dr. Caballeron and his henchponies. After a while, she chanced a look behind her. Looks like she lost them. She breathed out a sigh of relief and went to find a museum to deliver the relic to. Later, Daring Do had returned to the humble abode she called home and went inside. It was still exactly the way she had left it. Smiling, Daring Do closed the door and went to sit into her chair, getting comfortable with a book in her hands. The book in question was titled Encyclopedia Equestria: Magic Charms in the Known World, Volume M-N. She was about to open to get some light reading done when she heard someone knocking on the door. She raised an eyebrow before setting the book down as well as getting up from the chair and walked towards the door cautiously. Only a few ponies knew where she lived, but chances are that it could be one of her enemies. Once she reached the door, she reached out to open it. When she did, she saw a cloaked pony standing on her porch, a smile evident on his face. Daring looked at the pony with a hint of both uncertainty and intrigue. “Can I help you with something?” she asked. “Yes,” the pony said. “I’m looking for Daring Do. I assume that you’re her?” “Well, you assumed right,” she answered. “Why don’t you come in?” The pony nodded as Daring Do allowed him inside and closed the door. “Okay, spill,” Daring Do demanded as she looked at the pony, “who sent you?” “Okay, you got me,” the pony responded modestly. “I was sent here on the behalf of somepony. But don’t worry, it’s not Dr. Caballeron or Ahuizotl.” “Then who sent you?” “Well, before I tell you,” the pony started as he went to remove his hood, “I think we were both overdue for a reunion.” With that, he took off the hood, revealing to the light gold Pegasus mare the same face that she had often thought of whenever she wasn’t thinking of exploring or escaping her enemies. Daring Do’s eyes widened in surprise. “Night Serenade?” was the only thing she asked.