Shadow, Love and Pride

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A Tour and the First Case

A week had passed since the Bat Witch attack on Ponyville. During this time Kido, Derpy, Twilight and her friends, and volunteers like the Cakes and Big Macintosh, have been working in the construction of the new Ponyville Guard Headquarters. Being blasted twice in the same night through the building didn't help. It took a lot of work but it was done. The place was a former flower shop but from the outside it now looked like a full time police station, using the colors red and white and a noticeable sign that read “PonyVille Guard”. Next to the entrance Kido was hammering a big heavy iron locked box with only a small entrance on the top, This box was to receive letters from the residents. When asked why he chose to use such a heavy metal box for this purpose, Kido answered: “This is a way that the residents will voice their concerns. I need to make sure I receive the letters.” Kido finished the final screw and took a few step backs to admire the place. Behind were his friends and a large crowd of ponies. He looked towards the group.

“The PonyVille Guard from this day forward is open!” Kido yelled excitedly. He was wearing work clothes and a black mask similar to one used by a ninja, and sunglasses. After a quick round of apple cider between the crowd Kido thanked everyone that took part in the construction. After the crowd dispersed, only Twilight, Kido and Derpy remained. Derpy started to head to the entrance, she quickly turned around before entering.

“I'm ready to work wolfboss.” Derpy said as she saluted Kido.

“At ease deputy. Our first order of business is to get settled in. Rest for today, for tomorrow the real work begins.” Kido answered. This week he limited himself to doing night patrols, focusing on the construction of the headquarters, teaching Derpy and writing plans for how he would do his job as Ponyville's protector. So far his first rescue consisted of saving Opal, Rarity's cat, from a tree.

“Right wolfboss.” Derpy headed inside. Kido stayed outside admiring his work, Twilight next to him.

“So... Wolfboss huh?”Twilight jokingly asked Kido.

“Yeah. I don't mind. She seems happy.” Kido answered.

“It was nice of you to give her work. She doing well?”

“Well Derpy is a hard worker, willing to learn.”

“But how is this going to work all around? Money. Living arrangements.”

“As far as money, I'm being payed as a member of the guard, entry level, but it is enough for necessities. Food, hygiene, the works. Now living arrangements, there is a second floor, spacious studio apartment type, has everything I need. Where all your friend go by the way?”

“We all altered our schedules to help with the construction. Don't get me wrong we are all happy to help but I have to get back to my studies soon. Applejack and Big Mac left the farm unattended. Rarity has to design a whole new wardrobe in just a few days. Rainbow Dash headed to Cloudsdale, she took a leave of absence. Fluttershy left the animals alone, Angel probably had a party. And Pinkie Pie... she's busy being Pinkie Pie.”

“Well, more motivation for me to do a good job. It's still only two p.m., would you like a tour?”

“Sure.” Twilight smiled and they headed in.

Kido opened the door for Twilight. She was present all through the construction but it felt different seeing the place done. The room was adorned in red with white stripes. Kido began his explanation.

“Over here to the right we have the desks, two for now. Derpy what are you working on?” Derpy was sitting in her desk writing. She looked up and showed a little sign that read “Asst. Deputy Guard Hooves – I stop Bad Guys and Please Ask About our Specials.”. She proceeded to tape the sign to the front of her desk and stood proudly next to it, smiling. “Very true deputy. Wait... Specials?... As you were.” Derpy saluted. Kido decided to pay no mind to what the sign said. “Those cabinets over there are for active and priority cases, at the moment there is only one file, the case about the attack on Ponyville last week. Behind us is a bench were people waiting can sit. That's it for this room.”

“You should get Rarity to decorate.” Twilight suggested.

“I agree. But for now this will do. Now if you'll follow me.” Kido took Twilight to a door in the middle of the room. There was only a long wide hall. “At the door to the end is storage. To the right we have the holding cells, wanna see?”

“Maybe another time.”

Kido laughed and closed the door. He now took Twilight to a door on the far left, he produced a key and opened it to reveal a flight of stairs. “Now up these stairs are our living quarters.” He made his way up.

“Ours?” asked Twilight as she followed.

“Yep.” They made their way up to a large open room. It was a great living space. “Please feel free to explore. I'm going to change.” Kido grabbed some clothes from a wardrobe and entered the bathroom.

“This place is great!”

“Glad you think so!” Kido yelled from the bathroom.

“You got a living room! A library!” She took her time to admire the wide range of books and grabbed one. “You have a book called “Cupcakes”? I didn't know you baked.”

“It's not really about baking I can tell you that much.”

It was creepy looking for a cook book and she put it back in it's place. She headed to a small room. “Oh the bathroom.”

“BY THE GODDESS!!!” Kido had his black pants, red boots and gloves on. He was just about to put on a black long sleeve shirt.  “I was naked.”

Twilight giggled. But she blushed as she noticed her friend shirtless. He wasn't muscular but he was ripped. She shook her head and quickly said. “Oh hey you have a tail.” Kido had a big dark brown bushy tail.

“Yes. I hide it so my enemies can't use it against me. It's actually very sensitive.” he said as he put his shirt on.

She noticed there were two different colored towels and two toothbrushes. “The kitchen is nice.” She  headed to the fridge and opened it. Kido walked to the entrance of the apartment putting on his mask and sunglasses as he did. “Half of it is filled with mushrooms.” Twilight looked at Kido confused.

“Cooked a certain way, mushrooms will have the same protein, texture and taste as meat. That is how I have lived all these years outside of Tartarus without the need to feed on other living creatures. In the first year outside the prison I encountered a very nice cook who showed me the recipe after I stopped a witch from harming his village. Before meeting him I tried to live on vegetables, fruits and nuts. I still grew weak from hunger.”

“Things have a way of working out I guess. I wondered what you ate. Your species are carnivores... wait... oh my gosh... YOU SLEEP IN A HAMMOCK?!” Twilight walked towards a large navy hammock next to a large window.

“I do.”

“That is so cool.” Twilight noticed that behind the large hammock there was a bed. “Oh, you have a bed too.”

“That is Derpy's.”

“You live together?”

“That we do.”

“Oh... I thought she lived in Cloudsdale. All the way up in the clouds.”

“Her idea. There is plenty of room. And she's a clean pony.”

“I'm sure things will be great. You talk differently now, normal.”

“Can't expect everypony to adapt to me. I am the guest, therefor I must adapt.”

“That doesn't mean you have to hide all the time. After the town meeting you started to hide your face again.” She walked closer to her friend who still stood close to the stairs.

Kido took a deep breath. “I may have saved the town, but some residents still hold reservations about me joining the guard and living among them. With time, I hope  I won't need to hide. Plus this scar...”

Twilight magically removed the sunglasses from Kido's face, he stayed still and quiet. “When I look into your scar and your eye. I see a warrior that fought for my town and saved me. Someone I'm proud to know.”

“That means a lot.” Twilight giggled. “What?” Twilight lightly brushed Kido's tail with her hoof. He jumped and gasped. “What was that about?” Kido said smiling at Twilight.

“Nothing I just...”

“WOLFBOSS!!! WE GOT A CASE!!!” Derpy yelled from down stairs. Kido quickly grabbed the floating sunglasses and headed down the stairs. Twilight was left alone, she frowned and headed down the stairs on her way out to head home. When she got downstairs Mrs. Cake was there talking to Kido and Derpy. Kido turned to look at her.

“Twilight I'm sorry for leaving so abruptly. I still owe you the treat at Sugarcube Corner. See you then?” Kido said.

“Sure.” Twilight forced a smile and exited the building.

Kido turned to Derpy. “Deputy get your notebook and a pen to take an official statement.” Derpy rushed to her desk and prepared to take notes. This past week Kido took the time to teach Derpy basic police protocol, the lessons included how to take notes concerning the questioning of a witness or suspect. Kido walked Mrs. Cake to the chair in front of his own desk which was within Derpy's hearing range.

“Oh my. This is all so... active... If I may say so myself. Oh before I forget dears. I brought your favorites.” Mrs. Cake produced a small box with two sweets from her bag.

“YAAAAAAYYYYY!!!” Derpy yelled. Kido passed her her jelly doughnut, as he started eating his cupcake.

“Now please tell us again about what is bothering you.” Kido said with a full mouth. He then realized he removed his mask and quickly made to put it back on.

“Dear I know what you are. Your the hero of my home.” Kido let go of his mask, instead he removed the top part as well, then placed his sunglasses in his desk on a corner. He continued eating. Mrs. Cake took a deep breathe. “For the past month now we haven't received our shipment of fresh flour from the Grains's farm just a few miles from the town. For the past few weeks we have been using our reserves but our sweets won't taste as high quality if we don't use fresh flour that is suppose to be delivered weekly. The reserves have spoiled and we won't be able to make most of the sweets everypony expects.”

“Are you saying the cupcakes I've been eating since I arrived are not your best work?”

“Dear, you haven't tasted anything yet.” Mrs. Cake said with confidence.

“By the Goddess... Have you contacted the Grains? Did they offer an explanation?”

“They keep saying they will handle it. But it's been a month now. I didn't know what to do, I hope you can help.”

“I will Mrs. Cake. Now tell me when is your next shipment to arrive?”

“Tonight at six p.m. I'm afraid if we don't get tonight's shipment we won't even be able to make cupcakes”

“BY THE GODDESS!!! Derpy we must head to the Grains's farm at once. Mrs. Cake, Sugarcube Corner will receive it's shipment.” He started to stand. He had startled Mrs. Cake. “Mrs. Cake anything else you would like to add to the staement?”

“No my dear, and thank you.”

“No thanks necessary. Your support in the construction providing meals and refreshments was most valuable.” He looked to Derpy. “Deputy, Anything to add?”

“Yes... Why is the Grains your only source for flour?” asked Derpy.

“The product is the best. They send flour all the way to Canterlot castle. The close distance also guarantees we get a shipment of the freshest product.” Answered Mrs. Cake. She stood and made to leave. “Well I should head to the bakery now. Mr. Cake is under a lot of pressure with this whole situation. We need Sugarcube Corner to provide for our fillies. Thank you again dears.”

“Have a pleasant night Mrs. Cake. We are on the case.” Mrs. Cake left. Kido opened a drawer from his desk and grabbed a belt and stood up. The belt held six knives. “Hopefully these won't be necessary but you never know. Derpy good work by the way.” Kido was proud of her. That was a very good question she asked. “Do you know where Grains farm is?”

“Yes wolfboss.” Derpy from her desk produced a small necklace that held a guard emblem and put it on.

“Then let's head out on our first case.” Kido said as he finished adjusting his weapon belt. He put his mask and sunglasses on and the hid his tail inside his pants. He made to the door that lead upstairs to their living quarters and locked it. Once outside Derpy was waiting for him. Kido locked the door behind him. The door had a clean unused bulletin board. “Remind me to write down our office schedules as soon as possible.” He then looked to the clock tower. “All righty then. It's three in the afternoon. We have three hours to reach the farm.”

“Hey guy's.” from the darkening sky Rainbow Dash appeared and landed in front of them. “Where ya headed?”

“Hiiiiiiiii!!!” Derpy waved her hoof side to side.

“Rainbow, nice to see you. I thought you needed to work.” Kido said.

“I start tomorrow, I just went to check that Cloudsdale was still in one piece after missing her star player for a whole week.” Rainbow Dash answered.

“Your confidence is contagious as always my friend. Were headed to investigate our first case to Grains farm.”

“Cool, can I come to see your awesome police work?”

“I doubt it will be anywhere near as exciting as last weeks events. But yes, you are welcomed to come. Derpy please hand me the case notes.” Derpy from her pack grabbed her notebook and handed it to Kido. “All righty then. Derpy you didn't just take notes, you drew the questioning in the form of a comic book... Is my head really that big?... and is that actually a rainbow in the background?” Derpy nodded. “Well they still have the necessary information. That is what matters. We don't have much time , let's head out.” Who quickly wrote something down and handed Derpy back the Notebook.

“You know between Derpy and me we could fly you there in a carriage.” Rainbow Dash proposed.

“That would be most useful, Derpy you up for that?” Derpy nodded. “Then we'll need a light fly carriage for...”

“GUARD!!! GUARD!!! WE HAVE A CAKE EMERGENCY!!!” Pinkie Pie was frantically running towards to the headquarters. She grabbed the door knob tried to turn it at great speed, but Kido just locked the door. She then proceeded to slam on the door. “HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELPPPPP!!!” She kept slamming on the door.

“Pinkie, Kido and Derpy are right here.” Rainbow Dash pointed out to Pinkie.

“Oh why didn't you say anything?” Pinkie Pie quickly calmed her frantic mood and smiled at her friends.

“I would have, but I found the spectacle hilarious.” Rainbow and Derpy started to laugh.

“Wolfy you do have a sense of humor. But never mind that, Sugarcube Corner is in trouble, they haven't gotten fresh flour in weeks. Do something please, or else... NO... MORE... CAKE!!!” Pinkie Pie said.

“Mrs. Cake already informed us on the matter. We are on our way to investigate right now.” Kido Said.

“Can I come? OH my gosh! Do you think it's the creepy bat lady stealing the flour to get back at us? ” Pinkie Pie asked.

“I don't see why not. And no sincerely doubt it's the Bat Witch.”

“YAY!!! We're off to solve “The Case of the Stolen Flour!” Declared Pinkie.

“There has yet to be any allegations about a theft and... never mind.”