Shadow, Love and Pride

XVII

Troll and the New Apprentice

It was nine at night. Kido and Derpy spent hours at the hospital awaiting the results they needed to make sure Filthy Rich gets convicted of all the charges against him. They entered the station. Derpy was worried about her friend, he's been sweating, trembling and looking miserable. She knows this case was taking a toll on him, it affected her deeply too but decided to be strong for her wolfboss.

“Wolfboss... is there anything you need? You want mushrooms? A cupcake?” Derpy asked as she closed the door behind her.

“Thank you my dear.” Kido forced a smile. He got close to her and grabbed her backpack with her notes and the evidence inside. “I will put these away and feed the prisoner. Go ahead upstairs and shower we spent a lot of time in the hospital. Also, I may actually go out for a while.”

“Okay. Take care Wolfboss... and good job today.” She opened the door and headed upstairs to the living quarters.

Kido proceeded to organize the paperwork and putting it away in the active case drawers. Then headed back to the storage room where the food and water for prisoners was preserved. In a tray he placed a small paper bag filled with oats and a bottle of water and carried them to the holding area. Filthy Rich stood up as soon as he heard the door open. Kido entered making his way to the gate, the keys in one of his hands.

“It's about time you released me. I'll make you regret you ever left Tartarus monster.” Filthy's sense of self worth and entitlement was lively as ever.

“Yes Mister Rich. I apologize. My deputy and I spoke to your wife and further questioned Miss Tiara. Misses Amulet denied all charges and scolded Miss Tiara for telling such lies. Miss Tiara then changed her testimony. Under direct orders of the princess I was ordered to release you.”

“As I expected. And what is to happen to your little headquarters?”

“Your recommendation will determine if it will stand or fall.”

“HA!!! Need you even guess? What makes you even think I won't hammer this place down myself?”

“I was actually hoping this little cupcake and Fiji water would change your mind.” Kido looked to the tray. He then started opening the gate and entered to set the tray on the floor.

“Don't toy with me monster. I've had enough of your ghastly appearance.” Kido exited the cage, Filthy followed to leave.       SLAM!!!

The gate was closed and locked right in Filthy's face. Kido casually headed to the door.

“What is the meaning of this!? Let me go at once, you were ordered to release me!” Filthy demanded.

Kido turned to face him smiling mischievously. He started to sing and dance. Filthy yelled in protest, Kido ignored him.

“You've been Trolled!

You've been Trolled!

You should probably just fold

When the only winning move is not to play

And yet you keep on trying,

Mindlessly Replying.

You've been Trolled.

You've been Trolled.

Have a Nice Day!”

“I'll have your head on a pike!” Filthy threatened. But Kido just bowed, turned and headed to the door. Filthy then calmed down and smiled. “You think you can keep them safe monster?” Kido stopped, not turning to look at Filthy. “Go ahead and send me away for a little while. I'll come back for what's rightfully mine. And if you think they're in bad shape now, wait for when the day comes when I correct them for what they did today. ESPECIALLY little Tiara, that naughty girl.”

Kido felt his blood boiling, his muscles contracting, his hair becoming erect and getting tunnel vision. The tunnel was going in only one direction, to one specific goal. Crush the imprisoned pony and send him to the hell that awaits. But he didn't move. He knew what the purpose of the taunting was. Filthy wanted Kido to loose control and beat him to a pulp, making the Princesses and Captain Shinning Armor to loose all the hope they placed on Kido. So he kept calm, took a deep breath, turned and walk to face Filthy through the bars.

“I know what you did to little Tiara, ALL the gory details. Because of this, I promise you. When you are imprisoned, I'll make sure your sins are known to each and every prisoner and guard. Did you know rapists, especially those who hurt children, are most despised? But you will have fun. When you meet your cellmate, who I'll make sure is a minotaur, you both will have a LOT of fun. Playing house.” Kido gave a wide smile and as he did, Filthy saw his left eye glow, feeling the wolf's strong aura. Kido then quickly turned, exited and locked the door behind him. Filthy stayed quiet and was left alone thinking of what Kido just said.

ZZZ

Twilight and Spike were just finishing organizing some new books that arrived today. It was ten at night and Spike, being the baby he is, was tired. His caretaker noticed.

“Spike I'll finish up here, you go to bed.” Twilight suggested.

“Noooooooo problem.” Spike walked at a quick pace upstairs. Twilight rolled her eyes and kept putting the last of the books in their rightful place. When she heard a knock on the door. She went to open it. It was Kido.

“Oh hey, I went to see you but the station was locked.” Twilight said.

“Had a big case. I'm sorry it's so late, I just wanted to see you.” Kido said.

“No problem. I was still working. Come in.” She moved aside from the door letting her friend in. “Over here.” She closed the door and took her guest to the living room. She sat on a couch and patted the seat next to her. Kido sat were she patted.

“Oh I got these at the hospital.” Kido took out the brochure about the AA meetings and therapy offered at the hospital and set it down between him self and Twilight. She magically picked it to read.

“This is great. And did you wear your mask today?”

“Nope, I promised didn't I? I kept getting odd looks from everypony.” He laughed.

“Guess they have never seen a handsome werewolf before.” She noticed Kido gave her an odd look.

“Really? You think I'm handsome?” He gave a light smile.

“I do.” She smiled back. “Did you go to the hospital just to get these?”

“By the Goddess I wish.”

“What happened?”

“I don't think you'd want to know my dear.” Kido's expression saddened.

“It's obviously affecting you.” She placed a hoof on his hand, Kido held it. “Try me?”

“Okay.” Kido told her about the day's events. The case against Filthy Rich, what happened to Diamond Tiara and her mother, the hospital, what happened when he sent food  to Filthy, everything. He tried to stop himself at the most disturbing events but Twilight insisted he share and she listened. “After that I decided to try and see you.”

“Poor little filly, will you visit her?”

“Yes. I feel like this day could have ended me. But I knew what I was getting into when I accepted the work as a guard. I can either decide that no matter what I do there will always be evil in the world or I can look up and realize I'm playing a part to make it better.”

“From what you told me the abuse seemed to be going on for a while. If it wasn't for you, maybe nopony would've found out. You did good.” She smiled, proud of how her friend handled the difficult day. “Your actions will let everypony see who you are. But you gotta take steps and I'll help you. Thus our agreement this morning.”

“I know. I'm just glad I did my part. Monsters like Filthy deserve to be locked away for good.”

“Why would you say that?”

“It's true.”

“But you're a monster yourself.”

“How dare you!?” Kido grew angry at the statement and he let go of Twilight's hoof. “I thought you looked past what I am. Monsters are not defined by what they are, but by their actions. Of all ponies I didn't expect this from you.” He made to get up, but Twilight got on his lap and stopped him. She looked him in the eye. She had a sad expression, regretting what she said.

“I'm sorry. Your right. I'm just getting used to... you know... you... You're wonderful. Please forgive me.”

“It may take a little more convincing.” He made a pouty face, looked away from Twilight's  and crossed his arms across his chest. He was playing around and Twilight noticed. She decided to get back at him. She licked the side of his face to tease. “But I thought...”

“Think of it as a reward for today.” She gave him a big smile, he smiled back.

“I should go my dear. It's late.” Twilight got off his lap and he got up. She stayed on the couch.

“Okay. See you tomorrow maybe?”

“Of course.” He lightly rubbed Twilight's ear and passed his hand through her mane. She giggled. “Sleep well.” Then he headed to the door. As he was opening it, he was interrupted.

“Wait Kido, I have to ask you something.” Spike came running from the foot of the stairs.

“Spike didn't you go to bed?” Twilight asked the baby dragon.

“I did but I heard a knock on the door and came down to check it out.” Spike said.

“And decided to snoop?”

“No... I heard Kido's voice and waited by the stairs.”

“Twilight there was no harm done. Spike what is you need my friend?” Kido intervened.

“Can I ask in private?” Spike looked to Twilight.

“I can finish the organizing in the morning. Good night.” Twilight then headed upstairs. When she was gone Spike continued.

“I have a favor to ask.” Spike said.

“Shoot.”

Spike sighed. “When the bat attacked, that wasn't the first time I felt like I couldn't help. That bat was gonna...” He couldn't bring himself to say that the Bellz, the Bat Witch, was going to kill the friend he knew since birth. “I even ended up attacking the town once. Do you think you can teach me to be strong and fight, to protect my friends?”

Kido looked at him seriously. “I can teach you. But the road is very harsh my friend. Are you willing?”

“Yes. I'll do anything.”

“I'm afraid I will make you regret saying that.”