Shadow, Love and Pride

XV

My Father, My Monster

The little filly didn't know what to do. She always hated the night. Because it was when the fighting and pain happened. Before last night she thought nothing could be worse than the beatings, but just when she was growing numb to them, in a way getting use to the pain, the night before she was proven wrong. So very wrong. She couldn't cry, she couldn't scream. Unlike the stories she held dear, there was no prince, no knight, no hero. She was alone hiding in her wardrobe holding her favorite doll with no choice but to listen.

“THIS IS MY HOUSE!!! EVERYTHING HERE BELONGS TO ME TO DO WITH WHAT I WANT!!!” It was the filly's father outside her bedroom door. She closed her eyes holding her doll tighter.

“YOU CAN'T DO THIS! IT'S ONE THING TO HURT ME BUT...!!!” She heard her mother now.

“BUT WHAT!? I PAY FOR EVERYTHING I OWN YOU AND HER! NOW GET OUT OF THE WAY! BETTER ME THAT SOME OTHER COLT OFF THE STREET!” Her father yelled.

“YOU TOUCHED MY BABY!!! YOU MONSTER!!!...”           POW!!!

Her mother became silent all of a sudden. The filly thought how foolish her mother was for raising her voice. She heard the door open and then footsteps getting closer to the locked wardrobe. Her father with hardly any effort broke the small lock and opened the wardrobe. She opened her eyes to see her father just staring at her, she couldn't help but to tremble in fear of what's to come. Her father then smiled and said in a gentle voice.

“Hi sweetie. You want to play house?”

ZZZ

Twilight started to wake up to the sound of clanking dishes and sizzling food. Through the glass balcony doors in front of her she noticed the sun was just starting to rise, some fog was still visible in the distance. She stretched feeling very rested. It was a great nights sleep even though she didn't have a blanket or pillow. She poked her head up to look to the kitchen that was behind the couch. Kido was cooking and he saw her. He smiled as soon as he noticed his friends sleepy eyes.

“Good Morning.”

Twilight yawned. “Good morning. What ya making?”

“Special mushrooms for me. And I went out. The farmer that I believe has the freshest veggies, believe or not, he starts setting shop before the sun rises. I went over and got you veggies and eggs. You like omelets?”

“Of course.” Twilight more awake now sniffed the air and noticed an odor. It was her. “Oh by Celestia's grace, I didn't even shower last night.”

“Go right ahead. There's clean towels in the bottom drawer in the bathroom and on the top drawer there are spare toothbrushes. Food will be ready in no time.”

Twilight thought about it and decided to take him up on his offer. “I won't be long then.” She got up and magically place the couch in it's original place. Then walked to the bathroom closing the door behind her. She got a new tooth brush and a towel. As she was showering the thought crossed her mind  about how unlike her it was to do something so spontaneous as last night and this morning, she didn't really know what was going on, but she was happy and felt safe.

She finished self grooming. Twilight exited the bathroom and smelled the air. “Something smells good.”

“Let's hope smell agrees with taste.” Kido replied. They sat down at the small table already ready with the meals.

“So any plans for today? Bad guys to fight? Damsels in distress?” As she asked that last part she gave her friend a flirtatious look.

“Hopefully.” He returned the look with a wink. “But in all seriousness, I have to do something to get people to feel safe sharing their concerns with the station. Mrs. Cake for example had the dire situation of not being able to support her family if the shipments of flour didn't arrive. But she already knew me on some level.”

“You just started. People will come around... I was wondering, do you have some sort of manual on how to do your job as the towns police force?”

“A few days after the night when Princess Celestia welcomed me to the Guard, I received a code of conduct book and a second book about the laws I must enforce and how I can enforce them. The second one worried me.”

“Mhummmm?” Twilight had her mouth full.

“I have too much power over the people.”

“How so?”

“Well for example, I can detain and even arrest anypony just because I feel like it. With no cause or evidence I can put them in the holding area for a day, a full twenty four hours. And if my superiors were to ask why, I can simply say I had my suspicions.”

“But if you have a suspicion, didn't you do your job?”

“Imagine this scenario. I see you walking down the street and your wearing a backpack. I have the power to detain you and demand you show me the contents of your bag.”

“But what if it's private?”

“Precisely my point. By refusing to show me the contents of the bag, I can therefor declare I had suspicion you were up to no good. I arrest you, take you into holding, look into your bag to find it only contained your personal diary. Now this is the fun part. Even though there's is no evidence to indicate a crime, I can still keep you in the station for the next twenty four hours.”

“I see. You wouldn't do that right.”

“Of course not. I'm a firm believer of freedom and individual rights. I'm just worried about those that would abuse such power. I'll speak to the Captain next time I see him. But it does get me thinking.”

“About?”

“I think you're acting very suspiciously Miss Sparkle. I should keep you here under close watch for the whole day. Maybe some one on one interrogation?” He gave a sly smile.

“Oh please Noooooooooo. What ever shall I do?” Twilight started acting the helpless damsel, responding to her friends flirting. They laughed. “This has been nice, can I see you tonight?”

“Sure. I'll keep you updated when I have some free time. Maybe some nights I may have cases but like I said. I'll let you know. And Derpy may sometimes be gone twice a week if you would like to stay.”

“All right. Hey I kinda miss the way you talked before. Sorry you had to change.”

Kido cleared his throat. He stood up. Spoke as a poet. “I protect. I investigate. I fight. It is my job. My duty. My calling. For who do I do this you may ask. For my neighbors. The civilians. The helpless. Yes I get paid. But never forget I will always be willing to be there to do what's right. To do what's right for who you may ask. Why for you, my dearest of friends.”

“Bravo. Bravo.” Twilight laughed and applauded.

“Twilight may I ask you something?” Kido sat back down.

“Yeah.”

“Would you be my girlfriend?”

ZZZ

“So you flew all the way from Canterlot?” Kido asked Derpy, he was sitting at his desk, Derpy at hers. They started talking since they were during office hours and nothing was really happening. It was eleven in the morning. They were waiting for twelve to leave on patrol.

“It's only an hour flight.”

“Didn't you get tired? Flapping your wings all the way here?”

“There's more to flying than flapping. Taking off yes, you flap. But in the air you find a strong gust of wind, pay attention to the wind direction. You can just glide most of the way.”

“You're right, otherwise how...?” Kido got interrupted by a filly entering the station suddenly. He stood and approached her. He knelt to speak to her.

“Hello once again Miss Tiara.” Kido asked the light purple filly. Derpy found it strange Kido didn't put on his mask. Diamond Tiara didn't speak, she didn't look at Kido in the eye. He grew concerned over the little ones sad expression. Just yesterday Kido found her to be a stuck up little filly with an attitude, but he didn't dislike her, she was only a child influenced by her parents. He then signaled Derpy making a writing gesture, Derpy understood and took out her pen and notebook. Kido stood and closed the door. He went back and knelt down in front of Diamond again.

“Is there something I can do for you?” Still no reaction. “Did you leave the school all by yourself? Want me to call Miss Cheerilee?” A minute passed and no reaction, just the same blank expression. Kido smiled. “You can sit on the bench, if you get hungry, thirsty or need anything, I'll be here. We can leave in about an hour and take you back to school.” Kido stood and turned to walk to his desk. Derpy was still taking notes focusing on the little fillies demeanor.

“Is it true what you said?” Diamond didn't raise her head.

“About?” Kido turned and took the same position as before kneeling in front of Diamond.

“Your promise. To protect me... to help...” She raised her head now and looked at Kido, tears in her eyes. “To be my friend no matter what?”

“Of course Miss Tiara.” He had a concerned look in his face now and got caught by surprise when the filly put her front legs around his neck hugging and crying heavily. Kido was disturbed at the thought of what could have hurt a child in such a way.

Around an hour passed. Diamond Tiara was sitting at Kido's chair behind his desk. Kido suggested to head to the school but the filly wanted to stay with him. “Miss Tiara, I'm sorry but soon you must either return to school or back to your parents...”

“NO!!!” Diamond had a horrified look but quickly calmed down and made a fake smile. “I'll stay here. I can work. You can teach me to fight bad guys and be strong just like you.”

“That won't be possible.”

“YOU LIAR! You said you'd be my friend and protect me. LIAR! LIAR! LIAR!”

“Miss Tiara... You haven't even told me what I need to protect you from.” Kido had a general idea of what was happening but he refused to simply assume. He needed proof. Derpy was still taking notes. At that moment somepony entered the station.

“Excuse me Guard, that horrid school seems to have lost my daughter... Oh there you are sweetie.” It was Filthy Rich, a powerful business pony. Kido stood. Derpy looked to her boss, he signaled her to keep writing.

“Mr. Rich, I was just about to escort the little one to the school.” Kido said.

“That won't be necessary, I'll be taking Diamond home myself. Come along sweetie.”

Kido's observant eye picked up on little Diamond's nervous tick when her father called her “sweetie”. She would clamp up, similar to a persons reaction after receiving a powerful shock, like being punched in the stomach. “Sir, the little one may feel more comfortable if her mother came to get her.”

“That's preposterous!” His tone turning aggressive now. “I'll have you know that I am her father, she comes with me. I warn you monster, you may have your little shack and call it a guard station, even this little trinket of authority.” Filthy flicked Kido's badge with a mischievous grin. “You may have even saved the town, but refusing me will land you back to the hole you crawled out of.”

Kido felt defeated. He could take advantage of his power as a guard and have Filthy arrested on a whim. But doing this would go against Kido's beliefs, he refused to pursue a case with no solid evidence. But were his beliefs worth risking the well being of a child?

“Very well Mister Rich, you are correct, you are her legal guardian.” Kido prayed in his mind that his strategy would work as he got close to Diamond. “Miss Tiara you must go with your father?”

Diamond whispered. “No... you can't. You promised to protect me.”

“I'm sorry but there's nothing I can do without proof that there is somepony hurting you, perhaps you will feel more comfortable speaking with your parents.”

“No...” She started crying.

“Diamond Tiara stop this nonsense. We must go home.” Filthy said.

“NO!!!” Diamond jumped off the chair and slowly approached her father. “I'm never going back. I'll never let you hurt me again! I won't let you hurt mama again! And I'll NEVER EVER EVER EVER play HOUSE AGAIN!!!” That last one made Diamond raise her voice and start to shed tears profusely.

“WHY YOU DISRESPECTFUL LITTLE...!!!” Filthy raised his voice and a hoof to strike his daughter. Diamond closed her eyes. But something stopped the incoming blow. It was Kido holding Filthy's hoof in his left hand. “Oh I apologize for this charade, just a momentary lapse of judgement I wasn't...” He stopped when he looked at Diamond Tiara's protector.

Diamond's confession of being abused struck deeply at Kido's nerves. When he heard the last bit about “playing house”, that drove him over the edge. He felt his muscles contracting, the hair on his back becoming erect, he started to growl, effects of a sudden surge of adrenaline and rage. He held the devils hoof in his hand. He saw the expression of fear in the abusers eyes. Kido wanted nothing more than to destroy him, but he stopped and forced himself to calm down.

“Mister Rich, in light of recent events you are here by charged with child abuse and rape. You have the right to remain silent and to representation at a court of law.” Kido then looked to Derpy. “Deputy have you taken notes on the matter?”

“Yes sir.” Derpy responded.

“Wait you can't...!” Tried to protest Filthy.

“Deputy this is here by case “PV#3” Ponyville vs Filthy Rich.”