Shadow, Love and Pride

XII

Differences and Diamonds

“OHHHHHHHHHHH!!! What is the molten liquor? What gets you drunker quicker? What comes in bottle or in cans? MOONSHINE!!!” The three ponies and Kido were riding the carriage with the flour to Ponyville in hopes they'll get ambushed by who's ever responsible for the robberies and assaults on the Grains family. Pinkie and Derpy were pulling the carriage, Rainbow was on the drivers seat keeping an eye out for trouble. Kido was under a tarp in the back. He was singing, clearly drunk. He's been singing since they left the farm. Pinkie and Derpy found it hilarious as they kept making request and asking for encores. Rainbow wanted some quiet.

“That's not the way the song goes Wolfy, it's about beer.” Pinkie said.

“Beer? *hic* Beer's for girls.” Kido answered.

“What? Why? You can't have a party without it.”

“Beer is Vitamin Water for alcoholics.”

They all laughed.

“I don't get it.” Derpy said. They all laughed more.

“Okay. It's been fun but were almost half way to Ponyville we could get mugged any time now. Kido stop singing and get ready to jump out in case of trouble. You two stay alert, this could be dangerous.” Rainbow took charge, since Kido was clearly in no state to do so.

“Roger Boss.” Kido replied.

“Okay dokey Dashie.” Pinkie said.

They traveled for a few minutes in silence. Rainbow looked to the back and saw Kido's body under the tarp and back to the road in front. She frowned. She then turned to slowly climb to the back, she sat close to what looked like Kido's muzzle and whispered: “Hey Kido, can I talk to you about something?”

“Sure, anything my blue rose, but there's a problem.” He whispered.

“What?”

“You're on my chest.” Rainbow quickly moved to the side.

“Much better. Now what's on your mind blue rose?” Kido whispered from under the tarp.

“Well... wait... Blue rose?”

“Yes. You're special and rare as a blue rose. I've gotten to know you a little over the past week. But if you mind I will stop addressing you as such.”

“No... I don't mind. Well... you have any experience with being... you know?”

“Charming?”

“No.”

“Misunderstood.”

“No... sorta. But still no.”

“Extremely handsome to the point I must hide my looks from the general populace?”

“No... different. Being different.” Rainbow started to bite her lower lip in anxiety.

“I'm a meat eating creature that many will describe as a monster. To suppress my carnivorous nature I only eat mushrooms with certain herbs and spices cooked a certain way. I'm missing my right eye and there's a big scar in it's place. I've had to adjust my speech pattern or else nopony will understand what I say. Shall I go on?”

“I get it. I get it. But my point is. You've been different since you arrived to Ponyville, and you've been accepted.”

“I did save the town.”

“You didn't have to. What... made you do it?”

“It's the right thing to do.”

“Kido come on. You're drunk. You're suppose to let your guard down.”

“By the Goddess.” Kido sighed.

“Well?”

“Love.”

“What?... Who?”

“No... not that way. For all living things. Even for those who wish me harm.” Rainbow Dash clearly didn't get it. Kido took her silence as a sign. “When I was growing up all I knew was the value of power. Power never made anyone happy just prideful. I escaped and started my life in a new world. Despite the worlds hardships and flaws, I found it to be love the origin of joy. Love for friends. Love for family. Love for labor. Love of life itself.”

“That's why you let the Bat Witch live?”

“Yes.”

“But you can't love everypony the same. What if there's somepony special?”

“I agree. But seriously? A monster like me with a pony?”

“Why not?” Rainbow giggled loud enough to be heard by Pinkie.

“Dashie shouldn't you be keeping an eye out?” Pinkie asked looking behind her.

“Sorry... Rainbow was just making a new request.” Kido answered. Rainbow looked as Kido was shrugging his shoulders under the tarp.

“Let's hear it.” Pinkie said.

“All the single ladies! All the single ladies! Now put your hands up!” The three girls started laughing hysterically. “If you like it you should've put a ring on it!...”                        CRASH!!!

Something hit the side of the cart, startling Pinkie and Derpy. When Pinkie turned her attention to her front there were two Diamond Dogs unarmed. In the back of the carriage Rainbow was picked up by her mane and thrown harshly towards her friends pulling the cart.

“Dashie!!!” Pinkie tried to aid her friend but was stopped by the two Dogs in front of her. “You meanies!”

“You pony's  have the flour we need. Now leave the carriage or else.” The Dog on top of the carriage spoke.

“You guy's better surrender because we're with the guard and we came to stop you.” Rainbow stood and said defiantly.

“Oh the little gray pony with the shiny wittle badge is going to stop us. I'm sure she will have us shaking in our boots if we mess with her boys.” The three Diamond Dogs started to laugh hysterically.

“I'm the assistant deputy guard, Wolfboss will be the one to make you afraid.” Derpy said proudly staring down the attackers.

“Well where's this “WOLFBOSS” now? RETARD!!!” The dogs began to laugh again.

“Am not.” Derpy felt tears coming down her eyes. She tried to hold them back and sniffed. “You're gonna be sorry you hurt Rainbow Dash. **SNIFF** Right Wolfboss?” Derpy and her friends were looking towards the carriage but not at the Dog.

“What?” The Diamond Dog on top of the carriage noticed the smirks on the ponies faces and the looks of terror on his accomplice’s. He was feeling it too, the fear, and looked to what was behind him. A cloaked shadow stood above him, he couldn't make out the shape he only saw a cloak moving with the wind. A glowing red eye starring him down.

“Is what she said true?” Kido said as he growled.

“What?” The Dog could barely move.

“Is what my assistant said true?”

“What?”

“Did you hurt my Blue Rose and did you call my lovely assistant mentally unsound?”

“What?”

Kido grabbed him by the neck and lifted his friends attacker to his own face breathing heavily on him. Kido removed his mask, the dog knew what he was, a Werewolf. The other two Diamond Dogs knew better than to try and run or try to take the ponies hostage, they fell to their knees praying for mercy. “Say what again. I dare you, I double dare you Melon Farmer!!!”

“I'm sorry Ancestor God. We didn't know the ponies were under your protection. We leave the farm and town alone.” The Dog in Kido's hand struggled to speak.

“Not good enough. You are charged with multiple accounts of assault and robbery. Both in the first degree. You are to be brought into custody, and have the right to trial in Canterlot.” Kido put him down and looked at the other two. “You two as well. Get on the back and don't move or speak.” The two were trembling as they obeyed orders. Kido climbed down towards his friends. “You girls all right?”

“Yes sir, Wolfboss.” Derpy saluted.

“You were very brave Deputy.” Kido smiled at Derpy.

“Well this wasn't as actiony as I expected. They just gave up. And I where the spooky cloak come from?” Pinkie said.

“I had my suspicions about Diamond Dogs. They know what I am, and know better than to try and test me. As for the cloak, that was the tarp, nice show right?” Kido said.

“One even called you a god.” Rainbow said.

“It is said Werewolves are the Dogs ancestors. But that is another tale for another time. Let's go home. It's late. I'll help.”

“Hold up. You may have saved the day but your head is still in the clouds.” Rainbow stated as Kido made for a rope to help and pull the cart.

“I'm not drunk anymore.” Kido answered.

“What letter comes after F?” Pinkie asked.

“U of course.” Kido answered.

“See?... Now you go on ahead and... HEY!!!” Pinkie yelled.