The Count of Hollow Shades

Captain Viola trotted throughout the halls of the small castle in Hollow Shades while slightly shifting her wings. She was going to meet the count again to present her reports about the outsider she and her battalion brought three days ago and how he was recovering. Even so, for her, the task to face his daunting presence was immense, even if he was always just and calm – but she knew the power behind those calm eyes and the storm he could bring if so wanted. Besides that, he was, after all, the only pony besides the true queen of Equestria who could lead the Thestrals to the right path.

Viola finally arrived at the door of the count's office atop one of the towers of the castle, and as the fleeting lights of the torches that littered the walls of the cold castle on that night danced, she raised her hand to knock, only to hear the count's voice from inside.

• You may enter.

Viola shivered, he always did this, and she was always unsettled by it. It was natural for the thestrals to have a good hearing because of the habitat they lived in, but the count's hearing was on a league of his own. After taking a deep breath, Viola entered the Count’s office and met his eyes as he was sitting at his table of dark wood, reading the scrolls she found inside the library.

• Viola, a fantastic night we have today - The count voice was strong, imposing - So, how is our guest?

• Sir, he is in the guest room reading the book you forced let by his nightstand. Unfortunately, his mental health hasn't improved much.

• Of course, this would happen, that hen wished to break his body and soul – the count started tapping at the desk with his fingers, and for a second Viola believed that he smiled - Anyway, you don't need to bother with this now. Now, Viola, tell me the healing of his healing?

• His wings are healing slowly, as you predicted - The count nodded to Viola as she continued the report - The force of the attack was enough to piece his wings in and out, he's lucky it didn't hit any bone; besides this, he also received some cuts that was inches from his wing's tendons. Even with our best doctor's, he won't be able to fly for some time.

-heh... - The count smiled, anyone besides those who knew him wouldn't believe it to be possible - It seems that our guest is luckier than expected.

• Count, May I ask a question?

• Yes, Viola, you can.

• Why do you instruct us to wait for the last minute possible to intervene in case something happened to him? - Viola was genuinely confused, any pony would hate to see another suffer like that, and she wasn't an exception – we had him under surveillance for a time, and we could easily intercept the attacker!

The count laughed, something that Viola knew he would only do when he was with the ones he felt he could trust, and after the count recompose himself, he replied.

• You must think it was cruel to let this poor pony be beaten and have his wings almost ripped off, right, Viola? - the count asked without expecting confirmation – but this was essential to us in the long run.
  "You need to understand, Viola, that after the Queen of the Night revolution failed, we became pariahs in this land.
  We were few, but our loyalty was always with the fallen princess, even if we can't deny the importance of Celestia's sun. That's the reason why I, after reaching my position, chose to change the rules.
  We operate in the shadows, we fight those in the dark, and the only light we may accept is the one of the moon. In this game we play, information is the key, and that's why I told you not to act earlier."

• But, my lord, I can't understand!

The count raised a finger, trying to make it easy for his subordinate to understand.

• Basically, those individuals tend to say far more than they need when they are having 'fun' - The count's gaze was profound and his eyes were cold - For example, because of you following my orders, we could confirm the connection between this attack and the one by the docks with Callaghan, way faster if you had her arrested and then interrogated.
  "And this confirms my suspicion that everything has been orchestrated not by the griffon kingdom, but by the dark claw. Now, the only question I have is the 'why'; even more, it seems that they are using forbidden knowledge to archive this goal."

• Forbidden knowledge? - Viola Widened her eyes

• Yes, the reports of the Battle against Callaghan mention him using magic—when Viola heard that, she was astonished—I have my suspicions of how they managed to get magic, and that's why we are acting, but for now we still have some time to prepare.

• Count, do you believe that SHE is involved?

• maybe... - The count looked at the silver layered mace hanging in the north wall - that's why I told all our troops to be ready to act at any time. For now, Viola, could you get our guest here? I wanted to finally meet him.

There were some things Viola wanted to talk with the acting leader of the thestrals, but she knew that, at the moment he gave the order to fetch the guest, the talk was over. So, resigning to speak to him another time, she replied.

• As you wish.

Far Reach was organizing the books in the library while whistling a lullaby that he heard when he was in the human world, that's when he heard the sound of the front door opening; he quickly stopped what he was doing to attend the potential client, but his jaw fell when he saw who it was.
At the door stood Violet Alloy wearing a beautiful white dress, her long mane made and utilized to accented her own beauty. Reach couldn't control himself, he was so happy to see her after all those crazy events, but when he stepped in her direction and blinked, everything changed.
The library was dark and lugubrious, the only light was over Alloy, and she was crying. Her beautiful white dress was stained in red, while her neck hanged low. She looked at Reach, fear and despair in her eyes as blood flowed from her eyes and mouth.

• Why didn't you save me?

• No... - Reach couldn't react, couldn't speak.

• I loved you and you let her kill me...

• No! No! No! No! - Far Reach closed his eyes, his screams growing louder and louder in a useless attempt to silence her words - NO!

Reach woke screaming Alloy's name, his face sweating from fear and pure angsty, a normal occurrence for him. There was nothing he could do anymore, she was gone. In fact, everything he believed that would be his new life was taken away.

To make thing worse, those bat ponies had abducted him without explanation, and no matter what he asked, they would always have the same reply.

"The count will explain everything to you in due time."

Beyond the problems inside his own head, Far Reach was, except for his wings, in good condition. They had been taking good care of him while he was recovering. Food, medical care and a good bed. The only things Far Reach would need to do was stay in his room, that was large and comfortable, and read a book about plants and nature. The last thing made Reach curious for the reasons behind it, but he would not question it, he already had a lot in his head.

A knock on the door alerted Reach, who put his blankets over his lower parts.

• Come in.

The door opened, revealing a sturdy looking mare, her dark blue coat and dark purplish mane make a good combination with her dark blue eyes. Reach had heard some passing guards speak of her as a captain and, by the toned form of her figure, he would not doubt it.

• Good. You're awake – she stated to him, her emotions indecipherable – this makes things easy. Please, put some clothes on and come with me, the count wants to meet you.

A small smile came into Reach's muzzle, after three days of him staying in this big castle, he was finally allowed to meet his host. He was ready to get out of the bed and put some of the clothes that the bat ponies had offered to him, but then he looked at the mare who entered his room.

• er... I'm going to put my clothes on now.

• Please do - replied her.

• Are you staying?

• why not? - spoke the mare nonchalantly

• I am naked under the blankets...

It took a moment for the mare to understand what Far Reach meant by "Are you staying?", but when she did, but even the dark fur of her face could hide the red hue; she was clearly ashamed, but, maybe because of the pride by her occupation, didn't let it change her stance or even the tone of her voice.

• I understand, I will be waiting outside - she spoke, exiting the room - please be brief.

The bat pony mare walked fast through the halls of dark stone of the castle, she was almost trotting ahead of Far Reach, who, being out of shape, struggled to keep with her.

Then an idea came to his mind, maybe if she spoke while walking, she would slow down.

• so, miss...

• Viola – spoke the mare without slowing down her pace – captain of the tenth battalion of the night hunter.

Reach expected a name, not a description of her patent and job. Maybe she wished to cut out the talk, but he would not give up.

• So...miss Viola. How is the Count? - while trotting after the mare, Reach continued - to organize so many bat ponies in a place and make it function so well, he must be a great leader and...

Viola suddenly stopped, and Far Reach almost collided with her. She slowly turned and looked at him.

• What did you say? - she asked.

• that he must be a great leader and...

Far Reach couldn't finish his phrase as Viola hit him with her wing and, when he was distracted, she put him against the dark wall, her arm pinned his throat and almost choking him. Viola approached her face to him, locking eyes.

• Look, feather-head, you don't know this, but I will make it super clear to you - Viola spoke, anger contained in her voice - First, we don't like your kind here. You should be in Cloudsdale or some other bright place, not here in OUR home.
  "Second, we are NOT bat-ponies. We are Thestrals, and we are PROUD of this, understood.
  And finally, if you dare to ask any stupid question to our count I will GLADLY tear your head off, because he is our leader and has been for a long, long time.
  If you have any mother-bucking questions, wait till you got there and ask him yourself."

Viola then let Far Reach out of her grasp and started walking to the count's office. It took Reach a moment to realize it, but it made sense. The bat-po...Thestrals allied themselves to Nightmare Moon during the civil war and, because of her defeat, they must have suffered from all sides during the fallout of the event. Well, now he had another pain to worry about; this and the fact that the count might kill him.

But without Alloy's smile, he didn't care that much.

That's when he realized that Viola was getting far away, so he ran to reach her. This time, without trying to talk to her.

After some minutes of walking in utter silence and walking up a big flight of stairs, Viola finally reached the door of the count's office. Far Reach was not much behind, finally catching up with her while breathing laboriously and, to Reach's frown, Viola smiled when she saw him like that.

Viola then raised her hand to knock, only for a strong voice to come from inside the office.

• Come in

From Far Reach's point of view, Viola seemed angry, but she tried not to show it, and then she took a deep breath to, finally, open the door for both.

When he entered the office, Far Reach was take aback. The place was completely different from what he had imagined.

The walls were painted in bright colors, but the paint almost couldn't be seemed as all the walls were littered with bookshelves, except one where, displayed in ornamented pieces of metal, various weapons stood and, in the lower part, a fireplace burned bright. And, above one of the bookshelves, a beautiful painted portrait stood.

In the floor, a glorious red rug stood and above it the desk where the count of the Thestrals stood up.

Just after delivering the guest, Viola hurried to station herself by the door, only to be cut off by the count.

• Viola, today this won't be necessary - the count calmly spoke. While he was speaking, Far Reach was take back by his appearance.

He was build the same way as a strong Earth Pony, but was a little slenderer than them; his black mane was short with some gray threads and was completely combed back with, in combination with the well-kept goatee and his choice of clothes, a black tuxedo with a red tie, gave him the vibes of a James Bond villain.

• But what if he tried anything? We know nothing about him! - Viola tried to argue.

• I know enough - was the count simple answer - Now, Viola, please go to the base of the tower and don't let anyone approach. Understood?

Viola seemed bothered but accepted it, and slowly exited the room while Far reach looked at her. He was certain she saw him trying to hide a smile.

After she left, the count presented Reach the chair in front of his desk while sitting in his own chair. After both were comfortable, he took a piece of paper off the desk and started reading.

• Farley Richard, also known as Far Reach. Arrested in the city of Baltimare for disorderly conduct. Evidence were collected from locals of him walking aimless in the streets, eating garbage and having a disheveled appearance of a mad Pegasus. - The count stopped for a moment, looking at Reach, who only nodded - After apprehension, the pony showed indications of amnesia and confusion, claiming being a "human from another world"; he was kept under custody until the captain Gravel Wings gave him permission to leave. At this point, a mare was elected to help him be reintroduced to society.

The mention of Alloy, even if indirectly, made him sad. That's when the impotent count spoke again.

• Is it true? - the count rose an eyebrow

• What?

-You being a human from another world.

At this point, Reach didn't care. So he did the only thing he could muster energy to do and nodded. After this, the count took out a bunch of scrolls from the table.

• Well, this explains a lot. I read all of your scrolls, but your way of writing isn't good yet... - The count opened some of the scrolls, pointing at linguistic errors - see, there is an error here and here. But if you want to go on with this project, I can help you find a good editor.

• Oh, thank you. I was thinking of letting this project go after what happened with Alloy, but...

Reach stopped, his eyes widened as a realization hit his mind. How could this thestral be able to read English? How could he be capable of pointing grammatical errors?

• WAIT! - Far Reach even forgot who he was talking to - HOW CAN YOU READ IT?

The count's only answer was loud and whole-hearted laughter.