Unit 0047

   They reached at the edge of the forest of Hollow Shades. The trees had obscured the small town, but the train tracks had led them to a station. The moon was out and the light wasn't very visible under the thick forest. Nopony was at the station and the town seemed deserted with all the liten lanterns at their door.

   "Wow, this place is sure a lively one. Where is everypony?" asked Unit.

   "Hmm," Sweetcloud rubbed her chin, "Hey everypony! I'm home!"

   Bat ponies quickly flew down from tree branches and rooftops. They formed into a circle around Unit and hissed.

   "Sssweetcloud, what a pleasant sssurprise," said a young stallion.

   "Hello, Loki! My friend and I are here to stay until things calm down in Manehattan." she said with a wink.

   Unit flinched. Why was she speaking that in public? Loki Lucifer looked at Unit suspiciously then back at Sweetcloud.

   "You're not one for trouble, Sssweetcloud. You're welcome to ssstay here for as long as you want, but don't let him drag you into trouble."

   All the ponies broke the circle and went about to their business. A random mare instantly ran straight to Sweetcloud and hugged her. She had an eyepatch on her left eye and her right eye was colored light blue. She had a dark-black tail and mane.

Author's Note: I'm gonna make this clear. I believe Bat Ponies usually have a natural grey color to their coat and violet wings. Hair, tail, and eye color is the only thing different.

   "Cousin! How are you! Where you've been?"

   "I've been all over Equestria, Carmilla! How's it here in Hollow Shades?"

   They broke the hug and Carmilla explained what's happened since Sweetcloud left. They kept talking until they've stopped at Carmilla's house. Unit noticed that the whole town was just filled with bat ponies. Makes sense: There wasn't a hint of sunlight, it's all gloomy here, and the ponies could keep to themselves and their own race.

   "...and rumor has it that the Pockets' Guild had stolen-"

   "Wait, there's a guild that steals stuff?" Unit interrupted.

   "You mean you haven't heard of the Pockets' Guild?" Carmilla raised an eyebrow, "They are the most fearsome thieves in all of Equestria! Not even Princess Celestia can catch them. By the way, what's your name? My name is Carmilla Ophelia."

   They went inside the house and Carmilla lit up small candles around the room. It was a small place like an apartment. Two bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen, and a living room.

   "I'm Unit 0-0-4-7," he stated blankly.

   Her ears perked up and turned around curiously.

   "That's a strange name. Where'd you get it from?"

   "From the prison cells I grew up in."

   She nodded and lit up the last candle. He tilted his head to see her face.

   "How'd you get the eyepatch?"

   When Carmilla wasn't looking, Sweetcloud punched Unit silently on the shoulder. Ow...

   "Oh, it was nothing. I used to be an adventurer like you until I took an arrow in the eye at Horseshoe Bay. They said it was an accident, but I don't believe those dirty, rotten griffons," hissed the one-eyed mare.

   Sweetcloud yawned and looked outside the window. There's no saying if the moon was still out, but she slowly walked to the spare bedroom anyways.

   "I call the bed! Goodnight, Unit!"

   She slammed her door and locked it. Why did she need to lock it?

   "I see why you follow her around. You're lucky to have met my cousin." Carmilla said smugly.

   He raised an eyebrow.

   "That is far from the reason of why I have followed her. Besides, once they've stopped looking for me in Manehattan, I'll return back and go our separate ways. I'm just here because I owe her and nowhere else to run."

   "Well, you've picked the right place. The Pockets' Guild had just moved in here not too long ago. I think you'll be well interested in joining them, hmm?"

   She walked down the hall and into her own room. The door was shut quietly so as to not making any noise of awakening Sweetcloud. Unit sighed and set down his saddlebag on a table. When is this bat pony adventure going to end?

   Tents surrounded a large bonfire with ponies sitting down on logs. 7 Royal Guards and The Anomalous. It was a nickname given to Daring, Swarmer, and Mare-Do-Well because they were, according to a news article, "a completely unexpected team to save ponies from a fire-breathing dragon." They were practically superheroes.

   "Tomorrow, we will search Hollow Shades. I expect every inch to be fully searched in the town. Every house, every building, every garbage can. Everything." ordered Daring.

   She wrapped another bandage around her wing with her teeth and pressured it with a wet towel.

   "Mam, is this petty thief really a big deal?" one of the rookies asked.

   Swarmer pulled out the wanted poster from his helmet and showed it to the guards. They all dropped their jaws. There was a 100,000,000 bit reward.

   "I think I've heard of him. He was the 47th prisoner in Vanhoover. My uncle used to work there as a guard. Sadly, the prisoner broke out of jail only using a sewing needle and a thin piece of lead. He must be a really hard thief to catch," continued the rookie.

   Daring sharpened a spear with a rock and looked at it to make sure it's pointy.

   "That's why we need to wake up 6:00 A.M. in the morning, private. I'd suggest we should all get some rest."

   All the guards went straight to their tents.

   "Private, what's your name?" Daring asked.

   The rookie stopped and looked back at his commanding officer.

   "Blade Candy, mam."

   "You're on first night's watch. Good luck, Candy."