Shadow, Love and Pride

XXVII

Prisons and Heartbreaks

“Purgatory Correctional Facility. So this is where some of Equestrias worst are gathered.” Kido dismounted in his formal uniform, a briefcase in his right hand and was now faced with a place who's walls and only gate seemed to reach the sky. He made his way to the gate and despite it being so massive, it opened inwards. He kept making his way in and was saluted by a gray pony, Kido saluted back.

“Sergeant. I was assigned by the warden to take you to the interrogation quarters. Both the prisoners you wish to talk to are waiting in separate rooms. Will it be you alone sir?” The Prison Guard said.

“At ease. And yes, the Deputy's will be caring for Ponyville. I alone will question the prisoners. Shall we?” Kido answered.

“Right this way sir?” The Prison Guard turned to the giant building. Kido followed. “You will need to pass regular security, it is protocol for all visitors.”

“Of course.”

They continued to walk and they reached the security checkpoint. Kido gave in his briefcase and weapons, knives as always, to the one in charge. He was then magically scanned by a unicorn guard. He was allowed to pass with his briefcase. He continued to follow his guide to the interrogation area. He kept noticing strange looks from all the guards.

“Permission to speak freely guard.” Kido said as they continued to walk. The young Prison Guard knew why his superior said that, so he didn't beat around the bush.

“Sir, you are the first non-pony in the guard. You escaped Tartarus and above all you're a werewolf, from what I hear one of the most dangerous creatures inhabiting it.  And you gained a high rank in less than two months. The Guards have their reservations but they know their place.”

“And what do you think?” Kido asked.

The Prison Guard sighed. “I think you did right by the residents of Ponyville. And you gave the Princess's, the Captain and the General a wake up call. The politicians and pretty much anypony would have you think we live in peace but we're far from it.”

“If things are not as peaceful as the rulers would have you think, why do ponies keep their silence?”

“The rulers would rather keep the peace at all cost, no matter who suffers. So long as those in Canterlot can have their silver spoons and gold door knobs. The civilians are in a state of ignorance, it's bliss I suppose. And the Guard... we have our orders to not question orders and not complain.”

“You're being very vocal about your concerns as to what's happening around you.”

“I know, and I apologize sir. But I read about what you did in your evaluation in the paper and heard rumors... We do need to change and do what's right... But I will keep my silence. This won't happen again sir.” They stopped at a door.

“What's your name guard?”

The young prison guard felt nervous, he thought the worse. He could be reprimanded for insubordination. “Private Locke, sir.”

Kido smiled. “Private there is nothing wrong with questioning authority. If you, the ponies and perhaps even some of the guard wish for change. I will be your champion. But allow me time, that is all I ask.”

“Thank you sir... right through this door.” Locke lead Kido to another hall. “The prisoners you wish to see are in doors A and B. In the order you requested as well. I will be in the room behind the two way mirror. Good luck sir.”

Kido thanked Locke and entered room A. Inside there was single dark red male earth pony sitting on one side of a table. Kido sat on the other side of the table, from his briefcase he took out a file and placed it on the table close to him. Kido then placed his elbows on the table intertwining his fingers.

“So you're the new guard on the block? Taking names and fighting for truth and justice. Made a name for yourself in little time.” The prisoner said.

“I'm glad. Sergeant Badtower, I'd like to ask you a few questions Mister Smoothie.” Kido said.

“What about?”

“You are Bloodberry Smoothie yes? Father of Blueberry Smoothie?”

“What's it to you?”

“I'm on the case to find the little girl's missing mother. You are going to tell me what you know. Please.”

Bloodberry laughed. “Doggy, the guard didn't find any evidence, and I didn't say squat. You think asking nicely will get me to talk?”

“It was worth a try before I had to get... Desperate.” Kido took a few papers from his file.

“Whoa there! You can't touch me. You're a Guard you're forbidden from beating suspects.”

“Oh Mister Smoothie.” Kido giggled. “You are confused. You see... when I get unpleasant, I use brute force. But when I get desperate, I don't even raise my voice. Oh no, I use something far worse.”

“What's that?”

“My mind Mister Smoothie.”

“Oh please. You gonna psycho analyze me?”

“Perhaps. You see, as a Sergeant, I have the authority to view case files on past cases and best of all request prisoner transfer from one block to another.”

“So?”

“I know about your past Mister Smoothie. You've been quite the trickster. Stealing from other criminals, gangs, mob bosses and... here's my favorite... Slave traders. Tell me about that last one.”

“I don't know what you're talking about.”

“You sold your wife to slavery.” Blackberry tried to say something, Kido didn't let him talk. “You see, the guard never got solid evidence to convict you on your illegal activities, supporting the drug trade, thievery and the slave trade. They had their suspicions and wrote them down. But here's the fun part...” Kido checked one of the papers. “Informants said you got in a lot of trouble with the wrong people and a week later your wife vanished. Now this sudden disappearance concerned the authorities and they investigated, they didn't find what they were looking for, but they found a very distraught filly. After a quick investigation you were charged and then convicted for child abuse.”

“Where do you think you're going with this?” Bloodberry grew angry.

“You sold your wife to slavery to pay every cent, plus interest, to the people you stole from. You had the money but were arrested before you could make the trade. I need you to tell me where your wife is, if you please.”

“You got nothing. Just a theory.” Bloodberry smiled.

“Very well I'll be on my way.” Kido put away his papers. “But sir before I go. I'll be making the request to transfer you from Cell Block C to Cell Block A. It's where convicted gang members and slave traders are held. Have a good day.” Kido made to stand.

“YOU CAN'T DO THAT!!!”

“I apologize for the inconvenience, but I read some reports and I believe we need to make some room on the Cell Blocks. But it'll be fine. You don't have any enemies or quarrels with gangs or slave traders.”

“WAIT!!!”

“Yes?”

Bloodberry sighed and frowned. “Do you have a map, specifically the whole Everfree Forrest?”

“I certainly do.”

Kido exited the interrogation room and was met by Locke also exiting the observation room.

“Sir that was amazing. They tried to get information off that scumbag for months. You got it on your first try. What's your secret?” Locke said as he followed Kido to door B.

“Preparation and a never ending ambition to do what's right. Remember Guard, when your heart tells you something is right, do it. If it tells you something is wrong, question it. And don't do what you can, do the best you can. Now I'll be tending to the next prisoner.”

“Yes, sir.” Locke entered the observation room. Kido entered Interrogation Room B.

“I knew I'll be seeing your gruesome face again monster.” Inside was an all too familiar pony.

“Mister Filthy Rich. Charming as always I see.” Kido sat down and took a file from his briefcase. He placed it on the table close to him.

“And YOU are a monster of your word.” Filthy said in an angry tone.

“Yes, you were convicted...” Kido was interrupted.

“NOT THAT YOU MONSTER!!!”

“What then?”

“Like you don't know. You said you'd personally see to it.”

“What... ?” It suddenly hit Kido. “The minotaur cellmate?”

“You despicable beast.”

Kido started to laugh hysterically. “OH BY THE GODDESS!!!”

“Laugh it up. Go ahead. I'm sure you're amused.”

“It's not that.” Kido held his laughter for a moment to speak. “Back then I didn't have the authority to keep such a promise. It was just to scare you. The fact that it actually happened. It's hilarious!”

“Why you... !?” Kido interrupted him.

“But back to the matter at hand. Tell me about your activities in the Everfree Forrest.”

“Now what would ever make you think I do business anywhere near there?”

“There is one rule when it comes to an investigation concerning a wealthy individual such as yourself. Follow the Money.” Kido took out a few papers from the file. “Around a week ago there was a fire on Ponyville City Hall. It was arson. I found a small safe with your sent on it, a closer look I found some odd papers with your signature. Also I tracked the one responsible for the fire, a goblin thug for hire. He sung like a bird. I let him go and I followed.”

Filthy opened his eyes wide.

“Oh yes Mister Rich I found your real business partners. I found it so odd, that your taxes say you make ten thousand bits a month. Yet every month, you pay fifteen thousand bits for your mansion. So the logical conclusion is, your business with the Apple Family is a front. For something downright evil.”

“You don't have proof.”

“I have a theory.” Kido put the papers back in the file. “You were convicted for the abuse on your wife, and ONLY for the abuse on your wife. Diamond Tiara's psychiatrist forbid the prosecution to let her testify against you, on the premise that she is still a fragile child. So you got a ten year sentence. But here's the good part. When Diamond is eighteen she is free to testify. Sad for you, she is exactly eight. She will grow up just in time to make sure you stay in here for the rest of your life.”

“And your so called theory?”

“The children of the school, specifically Diamonds class, were asked to organize a very adorable welcome for an important politician who was to visit City Hall soon. You knew about this and you knew THESE files, which are currently in my possession, were still in City Hall's financial office. Diamond and the files needed to disappear. Two birds with one stone. Sad for you, files belonging to convicted criminals are transferred to a strong safe for future transport to investigating authorities and ALL the children were saved thanks to some brave ponies and the latest addition to my team.”

“So you think you know everything? But you can't convict me just because you have a theory.  Sad for you then.”

“All I need is the location of your former business partners. Don't make things harder on yourself.”

“Even if what you're saying is true. Do you know who these monsters are, what they can do?”

“I do. Which is why I will stop them. Now tell me the location before I make a public announcement about what you did to your own daughter.”

“You wouldn't!”

“You think I won't?” Kido laughed giving Filthy a mischievous smile. “I'll be handing out the KY Jelly myself.” Kido took out a map of the Everfree Forrest and put it in front of Filthy.

ZZZ

“So the jackass started running after I politely asked him if he could answer some questions. He knocked over ponies, broke property and even broke into somepony's house. Of course we kept up because... HELLO!!!... wings here.” Bellz pointed to her own wings and Derpy's. “So we went into the house, the guy was holding the house owner hostage, threatening us to stay back. We told him we just wanted to ask if he could fill out a public review form. He calmed down and let the hostage go. Then we arrested him for all the crap he pulled.”

“Wait. Public Review Form?” Kido asked from his desk.

“Well we didn't have any cases. So Derpy came up with the idea to have the public fill anonymous review forms to know how they feel about Ponyville Guard Headquarters and it's staff, namely us three.”

“That was a very good idea Deputy Hooves. And good job to you both.” It was eight at night. Kido was chatting with his deputies in the lobby of the station.

“So would you have really been true to your threats on the guys you interrogated today Wolfboss?” Derpy asked.

“What kind of wolf would I be if I didn't? I'm true to my word.” Kido answered.

“I must ask where would you get a giant supply of KY Jelly? You have like a box full hidden around somewhere?” Bellz asked mockingly.

“I do. Just in case I did have to follow through with my threat, I got a box full. It's in storage.”

“NO WAY!!!” Bellz ran to the storage room in the back. Kido and Derpy stayed in the lobby laughing, Bellz came back angry. “You're such a jerk!”

“In all seriousness my dear. What is this over excitement and obsession with everything intimacy and sexually related?” Kido asked as his laughter calmed down.

“You guys make fun of me all you want. But I am NOT a slut.” Bellz said pointing a finger at both her friends.

“I call bullshit!” Derpy raised a hoof.

“Oh come on!” Bellz looked confused. “Wait! Did you just swear?”

“We live together.” Derpy answered.

“Very true my dear.” Kido said. “But Bellz I'm only asking. I won't judge you.”

“I don't think I'm a slut.” Bellz said in her defense.

“You even flirt with me. And I saw you flirting with Big Mac today. You whispered something in his ear and he ran off scared yelling: “”NOPE!!! NOPE!!! NOPE!!!””.” Derpy said.

“That was one time. I just happen to like red.” Bellz said.

“You made Fluttershy cry. You smiled at her and asked: “”You taste just like innocence don't you?””. That wasn't very nice.”

“I think I have a way to settle this.” Kido intervened. He stood up and got close to Bellz. He grabbed her hands in his own, he then knelt in one knee looking into her eyes.

“What are you...?” Bellz tried to ask but was interrupted.

“Bellz I need you.” Bellz blushed. “I feel like out of everyone I've met, only you understand me, accept me. You are a friend but I find myself wanting more. Would you accept this proposal my dear?”

“O... Okay.”

“Baby you just made my night.” Kido then pulled on her arms to bring her face close to his. Bellz didn't resist. At the last moment. “Maybe you should call me daddy, you're a naughty girl.”

“YOU SUCK!!!” Bellz yelled. Kido and Derpy started laughing again. Bellz made to head upstairs.

“Oh come one Bellz, where you going?” Derpy asked.

“I'm gonna go do slut stuff on your bed and then your hammock boss.” Bellz stormed upstairs.

The two friends stayed in the lobby laughing when they heard a knock on the door.

“Come in.” Kido yelled to the door.

“Oh... Hi.” It was Twilight. Kido looked to Derpy. Derpy got the message and headed upstairs.

“Come right in.” Kido headed to his desk and sat. He invited Twilight to the seat in front of the desk. “What can I do for you?”

“How have you been?” Twilight asked with a forced smile.

“Fairly well. I got promoted, nice raise in pay.”

“I heard, congratulations. Heard you even yelled at the evaluators.”

“I like to think I took a strong tone.”

“Of course.” Silence took over for a moment. “Kido... Are we okay?”

“As in you and me?”

“Yeah.”

“You haven't lost me.”

“That's great to hear... I've been thinking about this for days now. I think I understand.”

He remained quiet.

“You told Bellz your past because you felt she could understand since you two probably have more in common. Like a dark past perhaps?”

“Very true. Bellz and I do have many things in common. We both know what it is to have a desire for a second chance.”

“I can't relate. Would you have told me someday? Your story?”

“I honestly don't know.”

“What? Why?”

“Twilight the purpose of a second chance is to leave your past behind and do something better with your life. If you and others found out about what happened, what I did, that purpose is crushed and my past determines my life once again.”

“So you would just leave it all behind? Just try to forget about it?”

“Not forget about it, but learn from it and try to live a better life for myself and those around me.”

“So if a pony committed murder in Ponyville and he ran away to a distant land where he moved on and started helping ponies, you wouldn't arrest him and have him brought back to pay for his crime?”

Kido's mouth opened in shock, he swallowed in anxiety and tears started to produce from his left eye. He looked away from Twilight.

“Oh... Oh Celestia... I'm so sorry... I didn't...” Twilight just realized the severity of what she just said.

Kido without a word opened a drawer from his desk and he then put a small silver knife in front of Twilight. “This knife... It's the one I used to strike down my brothers. It's the one I used to slash out my own eye. It's the one I used to strike down my father, who forgave me and wanted me to live.” He took a deep breath. “You forget or even don't move on from something like what I did. I could be anywhere in Equestria... Prison, a Paradise, Rich or Poor... it wouldn't matter. My soul belongs to the devil. That is my punishment. Alcohol never even numbed the pain. My only reliefs, the only happiness I feel, is when I help those in need and the moments you and I spent together.”

“I'm sorry. Please forgive me... Can we work this out? I'll try to understand.”

“Please don't.” Kido put away the silver knife. “If you truly care for me. Don't look me up. At least for a while unless it's Guard business. Have a good night Twilight.” He said with no emotion.

Twilight gave a saddened expression and slowly stood up and exited the station. Kido then stood from his desk and made to the door to lock it for the night.