Shadow, Love and Pride

XVIII

The Meaning of Strength and Empathy

Day One:

As instructed by Kido, Spike headed early in the morning on a Sunday to a plain of land close to the Everfree forest. He was excited, he was gonna learn how to fight and be strong. As he closed in on the entrance to the forest, he started to look to his sides and he saw him. As instructed he found him to the left and ran across the plains next to a tree. He was now right in front of him. Kido wore his usual red boots and gloves, with his long sleeve black shirt and pants. Despite Kido only standing five feet tall, he was still enormous to Spike. There were knives stuck to the tree

“Future fighter and protector of the weak Spike the Dragon reporting for training SIR!!!” Spike saluted as he was gasping for air.

“Enthusiasm, a good sign. But the preservation of motivation in the long haul is the true test. Will you surrender like so many or push forward?” Kido said in his natural poetic manner.

“UUUhhh what?”

“Let us begin Spike.”

“All right. Hey good job on putting that monster Filthy Rich behind bars by the way.”

“Thank you.”

“What happened after you caught him?”

“He stayed in the station holding area for about three days. Derpy is escorting him to the Canterlot jail to await trial. So she won't be joining us.”

“Cool. So what do we do first? Cardio and strength training?”

“Nope.”

“Meditation to be in peace with the universe? You know, like the Kung Fu movies?”

“Not even close.”

“A workout montage with “Eye of the Tiger” playing?”

“Tempting, but no.”

“Okay, then what?”

“You want to learn how to fight right? To protect your friends?”

“Yeah. More than anything.”

“The best way to learn how to fight. Is to fight.” Kido took a boxing stance. He saw nervousness in Spike's eyes. “The first thing you must learn friend, is if you fear, if you hold back, if you stop, you die.”

“Oh... Okay.” Spike put his hands up in fisty cuffs. Kido quickly walked towards him and positioned his arms, legs and body in a proper boxing stance.

“Excellent. Now remember that stance. We shall focus on stance preservation and defense today. Block or evade my blows.” He then threw a slow haymaker at the small dragon. Spike flinched, closing his eyes and blocked with both hands. Kido threw a hard haymaker with his other hand sending Spike flying. “ALWAYS keep your eyes on the opponent. When you block you must block with your body as well, not just arms. Like this.” Kido showed him how to block in boxing. “Now get up. And stay active don't just stand there.”

Spike got up and assumed position. Kido approached and fixed his stance. Spike started to imitate Kido, moving his feet and body to stay alert. A haymaker came his way, he blocked forcing himself to pay attention as Kido threw another haymaker with his other arm. Spike dodged by stepping back.

“I did it.” Spike said proudly. At that moment Kido rushed him and tackled Spike to the ground.

“The fight isn't over until the other gives up or dies.” Spike grew scared. Kido got off him. “Get up.” Kido assumed position again. Spike as well. “Perfect.”

For the next few hours Spike will try to survive his friends attacks. Kido kept getting more and more aggressive. Spike was struck, tackled and more. But kept getting up and trying harder. After the second hour he felt himself able to predict the attacks better. When this happened Kido started to use grapples and throws. Spike then had to adapt to these. He had to endure many bruises.

“You have done great Spike. I will see you tomorrow. Same time and place.” Kido started to walk to the dirt road.

Spike was exhausted and in pain.

Day Two:

“Today we will do speed. Put these wrist and ankle weights on.  You normally walk on two legs, you need to get used to four to run fast.” Kido gave the weights to Spike, he put them on. Kido was wearing his own set of weights. He then got on all fours. “Now let's run... well?”

Spike got into the uncomfortable position. Kido stood to change the way Spike stood in all fours. “This is weird.”

“Let's go.” Kido took off running as fast as the wind. Spike tried to keep pace but failed. Kido then started to run circles around the baby dragon, literally.

“Don't think. Feel.”

After some time, Spike started to let loose, stretching his arms and legs further, making hops with his legs to get bursts of speed. He kept watching his teacher run, copying him. After a while Spike was soon able at least go fast enough that Kido couldn't run circles around him. They ended up back at the lone tree where the knives were.

“That was great Spike. See you tomorrow.”

Day Three:

“Today is Knife Throwing. Here you go.” Kido handed Spike several knives. “The trick is all in the wrist, where the wrist snaps is where the knife will go. This excercise will also help your concentration” He then threw a knife at the target on the tree close by. A bulls eye. “You can throw a knife from any angle, but your wrist will determine the direction, your arm swing will determine the distance and strength.”

“All right.” Spike tried to imitate what his teacher did and stopped. “Shouldn't you be working today?”

“No cases. At least no hard or intense ones. Some burglaries, petty theft. I solve them in less than a day. Nonviolent crimes in my opinion don't deserve hard time. Now focus.”

Spike for the next hour tried as he might he never came close to the target. He was growing anxious with each failed throw. Kido would coach him to clam down and control his breathing.

“I CAN”T DO IT!!! Why do I even need to learn this anyway? An enemy like the bat witch would just need to cast a spell to knock me out.” Spike protested.

“Spike put your hand on that tree.” Spike looked at his teacher confused. “Put your hand on that tree!” Spike walked to the target and place his hand on the tree.

Kido threw a fast knife at Spike's hand. It landed right between two of his fingers. Spike couldn't move.

“The enemy cannot cast a spell if you disable it's hand.”

Day Four:

“Today is endurance. A soldier can train for years to achieve top physical peak. But every good sergeant knows that being the best of the best is more than just physical endurance. True strength comes from the will and desire to achieve.”

“I'm ready. If I got the knife throwing down, I can totally do this.” Spike said with confidence.

“Good. Because today we fight. Your goal is to land a single punch to my face.”

“But you haven't taught me how to fight...” Kido attacked Spike. But the attack was slow and Spike avoided it.

“I see you're trusting your instincts. But to stop this trial you need to land a single blow to my face.  SO GET READY!!!” Kido attacked again. Spike tried to dodge and block as much as he could but the attacks were faster and stronger that the first day. Kido was using more power but Spike knew he was still holding back. Kido then grabbed Spike and threw him into the tall grass a few feet away. Kido started to walk to the downed Spike.

“Oh you little lizard. Hey did you know lizards get eaten by chickens. Funny story really...”

“YAAAAAHHHH!!!” Spike jumped his teacher and tried to slash his face. He failed. Kido simply grabbed him in mid air and threw him again.

“So as I was saying. I think I'm better off getting Flutteshy to bring some chickens, maybe a rooster to train. They'll protect Ponyville much better than a lizard.”

“I'M A DRAGON!!!”

“PROVE IT CHICKEN FOOD!!!”

“I DON'T NEED TO TAKE THIS!!! I'm out of here.” Spike started to make his way to the road.

“You know if it wasn't for me Twilight would be dead.” Spike stopped and looked back.

“What?”

“It's true. Heck... the whole town would've been dead. Do you want to know how?” Spike remained silent. “Bat Witches are carnivores, that lone bat came to the town to feed. Your friends would've been made...”

“STOP IT!!!”

“Cupcakes.” Kido laughed maniacally.

“NO!!!”

“What were you gonna do about it. You were too busy being asleep. You useless, chicken feed, baby lizard...”

“YAAAAAAA!!!” Spike charged. He sprinted and got down on all fours.

“You mad?”

Spike was enraged. Kido got ready and when Spike was close enough he made to grab him. Spike dodged then jumped forward to strike the body with his head. Spike then jumped back a few feet away.

“The objective is my face.” Kido said.

But Spike didn't falter and stood his ground. Kido then charged. Spike didn't move. A heavy punch was headed towards the dragon. Spike merely moved inches away. He slashed the wolf's sensitive nose and then jumped for a powerful headbutt. Kido was in pain but he couldn't be prouder.

“Now don't you ever talk about my friends like that again.” Spike said in a strong tone.

“I won't. You have earned my respect.” He got close to Spike and put a hand on the little dragons shoulder. “That rage is part of a warriors strength. You must learn how to control it. I want you to remember what you felt, it may be the difference between death or survival.”

Day Five:

“Yesterday we learned what rage can do for you. The adrenaline grants you strength, focus and higher reflexes. But the downfall of depending on rage alone is the effect of tunnel vision. So today we will learn how to use rage without loosing concentration. Today we will practice grappling.”

“I can barely get my arms around you.” Spike stated.

“That's is the beauty of grappling, it is not all about strength, it is mainly technique. Now follow this chart.” Kido rolled out a medical poster. “This is yours to take, learn the weak points, marked in red.”

“But it's a poster of a pony. What if what I fight is a Bat Witch, or something like you?”

“Then back to basics. I for example still have a neck, a head, knees and many more weak point that can be exploited.”

“Just like the Bat Witch.”

“Precisely. Now let's begin, first you must learn the tackle.”

They proceeded to practice on how to take down an opponent to the ground. Kido explained that a larger opponent on the ground becomes more vulnerable to chokes and limb locks. Spike was a natural. He quickly caught on to the basics of choking out an enemy. He even used his imagination and use his tail once. Kido praised him for the initiative. But Spike still couldn't take down Kido.

“Spike use the strength rage gives you to do this. Combine it along with the technique I taught you.” Kido explained.

“I try, but I'm either too mad to concentrate and follow through or I'm not mad enough to do the final push.”

“I want you to imagine I'm the Bat Witch that killed your dear Twilight.”

“But... she's still...”

“SHE'S DEAD SPIKE!!! YOU FAILED!!! YOU COULD HAVE SAVED HER!!! WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO!?”

“I want justice.”

“THEN TAKE ME DOWN!!!”

Spike charged with all his might, tears in his eyes. He headbutted Kido in the hip and grabbed on to one of his legs, like his life depended on it. He pulled on the leg twisting it and gave the final strong push. It all happened in less than Kido could blink.

In his rage Spike didn't stop at just taking Kido down. He got on top of him, on the chest and pounded away at the face. Kido tried to block the blows, he even tried to grab and throw the small dragon, but he was taught well. Every time Kido made a grab, Spike would counter. This was made possible since Spike had a full mount, a very dominant position. He stopped and got off his teacher, horrified at what he just did.

“Oh no. Kido I'm so sorry. I got really mad because I imagined what you said... and... and... I'm so sorry.” Spike started to sob.

“You did perfectly my friend. Lets go home for today.” Kido made to get up. His face covered in blood. Spike was amazed at how quickly his face started to heal. The large open wounds simply started to close as if nothing happened.

Day Six:

“Today's lesson will be rather simple. Like the rest, it's all about having strong basics. Striking is no different. The important thing is to never put your hands down and when you attack, you quickly retract your hand back, ready to protect yourself and even counter attack. Get in position.”

Spike got in his boxing stance. Kido moved to his side and started to show him how to throw a punch. Spike caught on quickly, getting used to the movement of punching and retracting, not stopping.

“How will this help me. My arms are so small?” Spike asked.

“If you had known how to throw punches like this yesterday you could have dealt more damage.”

“Oh.” Spike blushed remembering what he did the previous day.

They kept practicing for a few hours.

“That's enough. Just remember the basics. See you tomorrow.” Kido said. And they left.

Day Seven:

Spike arrived earlier than his teacher today. Kido walked in on him shadow boxing, he felt proud watching his friend.

“Enthusiastic as ever friend.” Kido said.

“Oh hey. Just warming up. What's that?” Spike noticed Kido was carrying a small belt with pieces of metal.

“This my fellow warrior, is yours.” Kido knelt down and put the belt on Spike. It was holding knives. “Spike as the chief of the Ponyville Guard I declare you a member of the Guard Reserves. When you are needed to fight you will be called. When you see a civilian in need of protection, know you it is your duty to help. What I have taught you is for the purpose to help the weak, not to be a bully. I trust you can handle the responsibility.”

“I... I... Will. Thank you. Though I still need to practice.”

“Then do so. Prepare for the worst knowing you will take it on. But for today's test. We fight one on one, no holding back.”

“What?”

“Remember what I said the day we started?”

Spike smiled and took a fighting stance. “If I want to learn how to fight. We fight.”

ZZZ

It was Sunday, about six at night. For the past week Kido went everyday to the hospital to visit his friend, Diamond Tiara, in the childrens psychiatric area as he promised, her mother allowed it. He gave his name at the front counter and was escorted by a nurse. Even though the staff already knew him and what he did for the little filly, it was still protocol. Kido didn't mind.

“KIDO!!!” Diamond was drawing in the recreation area and jumped from her seat startling all the other fillies, around seven, all who gave odd looks as she ran to hug the werewolf.

“Diamond you know I arrive around the same time.” Kido said smiling, the nurse behind was smiling as well.

“I don't care. I get happy when I see you.” She hugged him tighter. “Come see what I drew.” She took Kido to the tiny table where she was drawing. Kido had to sit crossing his legs on the floor. “Look, this is you saving me from a burning tower. And this is me and mommy. And this is a rainbow.”

“Very lovely my dear. Tell me... how are you?”

“I wish I could go outside. The doctor keeps pestering me to talk about father. I don't want to talk about it. But I've made friends with her.” Diamond pointed to a blue filly with a green mane watching television. “She's like me, but her daddy took her mommy away, she's alone here. She said that they will never let her leave. Do you think you can be her friend too?”

“I would be delighted.”

“I'll get her.” Diamond ran to her friend and practically dragged her to Kido. “Don't be scared Blueberry, he's very nice, he helped me, he'll help you too.” The two fillies were in front of Kido now. “Kido this is Blueberry Smoothie. Don't be rude, say hi”

“Hello mister guard sir.” Blueberry said not looking him in the eye. That's when Kido noticed a deep scar on her forehead.

“Blueberry it is a pleasure to meet you. How are you little one?” Kido said in a low voice.

“I had a brownie today.”

“I am very jealous.”

“I still have half, you want it?”

“I appreciate the gesture, but it is yours to enjoy.”

“You're like me.”

“Am I now?” Blueberry pointed to her scar. “Oh... I guess we are.”

“Do you feel bad because you're ugly too?”

“My dear, you are lovely young lady. Don't let anypony tell you other wise. Do you promise?”

“Okay.” She blushed.

“Well what are you waiting for? Ask him.” Diamond nudged her friend.

“What is it you need little one?” Kido asked.

“Could you find my mommy? Daddy took her away.” She started frown. “I haven't seen her in forever.”

“One second my dear.” Kido stood and walked to the nurse. “Miss what is the situation on her mother?”

“I'm not at liberty to say.” answered the nurse.

“If her mother has yet to be pronounced dead, I can find her. I can file a missing pony report declaring this conversation a guard investigation.” Kido whispered. A few seconds passed.

“A body was never found. Her husband never said anything about her during the investigation. From what I read in the newspaper, no evidence was found to charge him with murder, he is serving a twenty five year sentence for the abuse on Blueberry. But guard, this was nearly four months ago.”

“There's still a chance then. Thank you nurse.” Kido returned to sit next to the fillies. “Blueberry I promise I will do everything I can.”

“You'll find mommy?” Blueberry smiled.

“I will leave no stone unturned.” The filly jumped at him and gave him a hug.

An hour passed. Kido played with the fillies in the area, he told them stories of his adventures and investigations. Even the nurses would gather around to listen to the stories. When Kido bowed they would applaud. But he now had to leave. Everpony asked him to return soon. He promised he would and was escorted to the exit. A white colored unicorn wearing a white coat in the hallway took notice of the werewolf.

“Excuse me Guard Badtower. Do you have a minute? I'll escort him out nurse.” The nurse headed back to her duties.

“How may I help Doctor...?”

“Lucid Mind head of psychiatry. I am worried about your recent activities.”

“Concerning?”

“Your interaction with my patients. I find them inappropriate.”

“How so?”

“Diamond Tiara is distrustful of all males except for yourself.”

“And you find this surprising?”

“Guard, all this week I've tried to get Diamond to open up about what happened to her, she simply locks me out. I'm gonna have to ask you to cease your visits.”

“On what grounds?” Kido kept his calm.

“In my professional opinion I believe if I were to remove you as the single source of trust towards a male, she will then open up to others such as myself. I, unlike you, can help her. And you also give the other children false hope, this is very unproductive.”

“Doctor do you have any idea what those children have been through, what they are going through?”

“Of course, I am a professional in conduct and behavior.”

“Let me show you something, about what it means to feel abused and not being able to do a thing about it.” Kido approached a food cart and he put it between himself and the doctor.

What is the meaning of this?”

“So you think you're the professional?”

“Yes.”

“I want you to hold this for me.”  Kido then took a small packet of Orange Flavor Kool Aid and put it on top of the cart. “I want you to hold this for me. It's Kool Aid. I put this on bitches like you. You gonna be my bitch. Now open it up!” Doctor Mind tried to protest but Kido took a very aggressive demeanor and he felt threatened, so he opened the packet using magic. “Lick your lips!” The doctor did so. “Now take a bit and put some on your bottom lip.” The doctor did. “And now I kiss you.” Kido threw the doctor a kiss. “You orange flavored motherfucker. And it ain't personal with you either cause you white.”

Some nurses were watching what was happening but didn't know what to do. The doctor was speechless, fear over took him and felt humiliated.

“I hope this will help you develop empathy for the fillies. Please be patient with them. I am asking nicely.” Kido pushed the cart to it's original place. “And doctor, there is nothing wrong with hope. Without hope, those children will NEVER get better. Have a nice night doctor.”