Shadow, Love and Pride

I

When the Shadow Saves Light

It's a swell day in Ponyville. Rainbow Dash worked early in the morning to clear all the clouds, making it a perfect sunny day. Twilight and Spike, ridding on her back, noticed their friend worked tirelessly since they caught a glimpse of Rainbow napping in the roof of the sweets shop, SugarCube Corner. The purple pony and her baby dragon looked at each other and smiled, silently deciding to leave their mutual friend rest.

Despite the calm beautiful day Twilight knew there was more to expect from it. The previous day as the sun was setting and all the pony's were headed to their homes, Spike burped a royal message for Twilight. The nosy little dragon couldn't help but peak at the letter.

"TWILIGHT! TWILIIIIIIIIGHT! The princess needs you and the girls to see her right away!"

Twilight was reading peacefully and was immediately alarmed as her housemate yelled the news.

"What? What? Now?... And why are you reading my mail again?"

"Well it... It's obviously important... It's late."

Twilight dismissed Spike's invasion of her privacy and chose the message from her princess as a priority. She still gave Spike a suspicious look as she magically took the message to read it herself. She looked it over and a smile and later a giggle worked it's way as she read. Spike nervously wondering what it said since he only read the first two lines of a fully written piece of parchment.

"What does it say? What does it say?" he asked constantly, approximately every two seconds.

Twilight merely ignored Spike as a way to get back at him until she finished. At this point he was already pulling on her mane asking what the contents of the parchment were. Twilight shook him off, and magically rolled up the message. Looked at spike. "Well first of all there is no reason to get so worked up, and much less pull my mane. The princess is asking for me and the girls to meet her yes. But no indication of distress or of an emergent trip to Canterlot."

"But she mentioned the Elements of Harmony. Doesn't that mean something?"

"Yes, but if you had taken the time to read the entire message... WHICH BY THE WAY I HOPE WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. She wants to casually meet and discuss them. She proceeds to explain how it's a matter of... ""Maintaining their purity.""

"OH COME ON!... This isn't like fixing a clock or building. Their the Elements of Harmony. The most powerful magical items in Equestria."

"Spike..." She stops and ponders her friends point. "True... The sun is going down. We better tell the others to meet tomorrow at SugarCube Corner for the royal carriage at around midday, as the instructions from the princess say."

Spike limited himself to nod in agreement. For the next hour they went to the homes of their five friends informing them when and where to meet as detailed in the message.

The royal carriage should arrive any moment Twilight thought to herself as she entered the Sweets Shop. She was greeted by her high energy friend Pinkie Pie first.

"FINALLY! I've been waiting all day. You're the last one here. What took you so long?" Pinkie said.

Twilight no longer surprised by her friends enthusiasm, stopped herself from pointing out the obvious. That they were to arrive at a specified time. Instead she smiled and answered: "Pinkie we..." Something or more specifically somepony or someone caught her attention. At the farthest corner table in the shop from her, a dark dressed figure sat. Wearing a Black cloak covering his entire body and head with a hood. Twilight couldn't identify the sensation, but she felt a powerful aura. And that... creature was the source. Pinkie and Spike were trying to get Twilight's attention. But she was stuck in awe looking straight and blankly at the source of the aura. It turned it's head and looked back at her. Through a small space in the hood, she saw it. A red eye?

"TWILIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!" Pinkie finally screamed. Spike covered his ears and closed his eyes in alarm. Twilight jumped in shock and yelped. And everypony in the shop looked straight at the source of the scream. They weren't looks of disapproval, some ponies even smiled, everyone in Ponyville should know better than to ignore Pinkie.

"For the love of Celestia Pinkie. I'm right here." Twilight finally noticing her friends, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and others, except Rainbow Dash, were all gathered in the shop

"Not all of you silly. What's got you so lost in the ground?"

"Don't you mean sky?... Never mind. Pinkie who is that?" Twilight points her hoof towards the hooded creature. Who is now looking at Mrs. Cake, as she is bringing it a pastry and a cup of something steaming. She thanked him for the business and it nodded politely at her.

"Oh Twilight you know who that is."

"I do?"

"She does?" Said Spike as he was dismounting Twilight and noticed the hooded creature.

"You both do." Pinkie just smiled for few moments.

"WELL?" Asked Spike and Twilight together.

"Well duh, sillies... It's Rarity." Rarity just happened to be in the same direction as the creature in question was.

"No... Who is that?" Twilight took a quick step forward grabbing Pinkies head in the direction of the hooded creature. She lowers her voice to a whisper. "The one in all black."

"Oh him? His name is Kido. Came in almost as soon as the shop opened. Since then he just reads and orders pastries and tea. I TRIED to introduce myself, but he talks funny."

"Talks funny?... Anyways wake Rainbow from the roof. The carriage should arrive soon"

"I'll get my Trampoline and trumpet." Pinkie dashed off to get her things.

"You actually planned this didn't you?" Spike asked Twilight while folding his arms.

Twilight looked at his friend and playfully stuck her tongue out at him. Before even thinking about greeting her friends she wanted to meet the hooded Kido at the corner, now eating with what seemed from a few feet away as a hand in a red glove. She walked in the direction but was interrupted by the Crusaders. Applebloom, Sweetie Bell, and Scootaloo.

"Is it true y'all goin' to see the princess about a secret mission Twilight?" Asked Applebloom in her cute southern accent.

"Can we help?" Asked the spunky Scootaloo fluttering her wings.

"Oh I would just love to see the castle." Said Sweetie Bell lost in a fantasy about being in the castle.

Twilight was taken aback from the rapid fire questions. She composed herself and answered: "We're just meeting the princess on some matters she wishes to discuss."

"Is Discord back?" "Are we in danger?" "When can I see the castle?" The Fillies kept asking question after question all at once. Twilight tried to answer calmly but to no avail.

"All right y'all had your fun. Now scoot. Us grown ups need to wait for our ride." To Twilight's relief Applejack intervened. "Now Applebloom go look for Big Mac in the plaza where he's sellin' produce. Since I dunno when I'll get back, he'll need help moving stuff back to Sweet Apple Acres. Ya here?"

"And Sweetie Bell, I need you to watch over Opal." Rarity approached soon after Applejack.

"But..." The two fillies tried to protest. The older sisters merely gave a glance at their younger siblings and they both ran off the shop. Scootaloo thought about asking to come but quickly decided against it and exited the shop as well, her scooter could be heard speeding away.

Applejack and Rarity looked at each other and smiled. They had their fun watching Twilight trying to handle the Crusaders by her lonesome. Twilight shook her head as she saw her friends do this. Accustomed to their pranks, she will somehow get back at them. Suddenly the whole shop seemed to be shaking as the loudest trumpet in all of Equestria started playing badly and out of tune. A Crash was heard at the entrance of the shop and then the protest of an obviously frustrated Rainbow Dash yelling at Pinkie Pie for her wake up call. Everypony in the shop and Spike all went outside to look at the ruckus.

"I am so getting you for this!" Yelled Rainbow.

"You shouldn't have been sleeping in the roof. Get a cloud." Pinkie retorted as she bounce away in her trampoline.

"I cleared all of them this morning."

As this went on between Rainbow and Pinkie, Twilight decided to approach Kido in the far corner who was now reading, of all things, a black and red book. She was starting to see a pattern here. She was now on opposite ends of the table from him. She stayed silent. Kido saw her, calmly marked his current page and put the red and black book on the table and his hands on top of it, revealing that he is in fact wearing red gloves. Twilight couldn't tell but she was certain he was looking right at her. He spoke softly, but with rhythm as if citing poetry.

"Twice now I am approached out of curiosity. The others out of professionalism and dedication to a successful and welcoming business. Both good, welcomed and greatly appreciated reasons. But to my pleasant surprise a pony of your color." As he spoke his hands moved almost as if he was giving a moving speech. To his fortune Twilight is very educated in the art of speech and language and could understand what he said clearly.

"Wait... What's wrong with my color?"

"Nothing sweet miss. I am merely pondering if color matches way of life."

Twilight wanted to ask in greater detail but decided to here him out. "Go on." She said after a brief silence.

"Purple. Expressing an aura for the love of ritual, calm, routine, and above all... peace. You enjoy reading I presume. But not lived fully. No not at all."

"Why? I do really enjoy my quite moments at the library. Needless to say I read... a lot. I'm the Princesses star pupil in the art of magic in fact. I do plan a head... a lot as well. I like to keep list." She giggled at the last remark. She didn't know why she was so casually talking about herself to the stranger she just met. But something about him seemed calming.

"Not a bad thing at all... to live a way not expected. Open to make friends of all kinds. Such as Pinkie Pie. Cheerful, sweet, and if I dare say so... So very random..." They both laughed.

"That's Pinkie."

Kido continued."You are proud. Admirable trait. The princess saw your potential. Yet humble. More admirable so. Organized and able to think on her feet. Admirable. Admirable indeed."

Twilight was now getting praise from a total stranger. Pinkie mentioned his speech was different, but Kido seemed to be citing poetry every time he spoke. Between the repetition, rhythm, his accent and the use of his hands. Who was this guy? Twilight wondered. She would usually be shy in a situation such as this. But felt as if she was talking to an old friend. She looked over to the entrance. The crowed was still entertained by the show starting Rainbow and Pinkie. At each others throats. Well actually Rainbow was mad. Pinkie was just being Pinkie. She found herself welcoming the distraction. She smiled and spoke: "Thank you... but do we know each other? How could you talk about me so... accurately?"

"Mere assumptions from my ever active mind. I consider myself an investigator, a detective you could say. If at all offended you miss. Was not intentioned. Just my sunny demeanor."

"Not at all. I actually find you... entertaining"

Kido giggled at Twilight's remark about the way she see's him. "Then by all means, entertain you I shall." He placed his right hand in a fist over his heart. And gave a small bow while seated. "Kido Badtower. Detective of dangers. Investigator of their prevention. Warrior to halt. At your service."

"Twilight Sparkle, a pleasure."

"All mine miss." He removed his hand from his chest and put it back on top of the book and proceeded to move them as he spoke. "Care for a house delicacy?"

"Thank you. But I'm actually waiting to be escorted to..." Twilight stopped suddenly. She was mesmerized by her new charismatic friend. And just recalled what he previously said. Her smile turned to shock looking directly at Kido. "Wait... did you say danger? Is Ponyville in danger?"

"I regretfully must confirm your suspicion. Yes, a shadow nears the peaceful town." Kido answered seriously. No rhythm, no hand movement. He was still and spoke directly.

"How do you know?" Twilight now worried as she is curious.

"Miss... I... am a creature of the shadows myself." At that moment royal trumpets were heard. Twilight looked in the direction of the music, Kido still remained looking at her. She was nervous now. Fluttershy was calling for her.

"Oh... Twilight. The others are already on." said Fluttershy as she approached Twilight at Kido's table. "Oh... hello." Fluttershy said shyly to Kido. He merely bowed his head while seated, not speaking, since he quickly caught on to her shy nature.

"I will be right there. Let me just say farewell to my friend." Fluttershy nodded her head smiling and exited the shop. Twilight looked at Kido, clear worry on her face for Ponyville, the town she considers home. "Please tell me. Are you going to bring harm to my friends?"

"The cause of danger I am not. I am the reaction of equal force." Kido was now speaking sternly. No rhythm, no rapid hand movements. "If you wish to help. Go with your friends and inform the princess of my presence in Ponyville by telling her my name. That was a royal carriage was it not?"

"Yes." Twilight had many questions but decided to keep them to a minimum and trust in his eccentric new friend, but prayed her trust wasn't misplaced. "You're here to help us then. Aren't you from the shadows yourself?"

Kido sighed. "I am. Shadow will counter shadow to save light. Please trust me Twilight." He leaned close. Twilight felt Kido's aura stronger now and yet she felt calmer. "Tell the Princess my name, Kido Badtower. I believe she senses that something approaches, but she is not certain. You will deliver the proof she requires to take adequate action in the form of my name." He paused. Twilight's friends were now calling for her loudly. "I know you leave with a heavy heart. I will be here when you return. I will be keeping everypony safe and I will ease your mind with all the answers concerning the situation."

"Okay. Thank you." Twilight felt she could trust Kido, was ready to go and felt calmer. The calm didn't last long, for something caught her eye as Kido leaned back into his chair. Several gleaming pieces of metal neatly placed in columns in his chest. It wasn't armor. "Knives?" she thought to herself.

She hesitantly left. Kido went back to his book when she exited, Mrs. Cake tended to him: "Anything else I could get you?"

Twilight mounted the carriage. Her friends all asking about who she was talking to that was so important that she would keep the princess waiting. Twilight prayed once again that Ponyville will be safe and that her trust was not misplaced. But her mind went back to the pieces of metal inside Kido's cloak causing her to worry more and more with every passing moment.