Shadow, Love and Pride

III

Willingness to Trust

Princess Celestia called upon a unicorn artist to draw a portrait using Twilight's description of Kido with the purpose of making a wanted poster. Twilight examined the final drawing and confirmed it was accurate. Despite the fact it was only a portrait of a black hooded cloak. The artist looked at the princess for her next instructions. “Make copies, enough to be distributed across Ponyville and guard. When you exit tell my personal guards to enter please.” The artist bowed, magically collected her things and exited with a fast pace. When she exited the great hall, two white armored stallions entered and approached the princess and quickly bowed. “I need a unit to head to Ponyville and search for the individual in a portrait just sent to the guard quarters. He is to be considered a threat, he is armed, and tell them to expect anything. Dismissed.” The stallions bowed and went running to the door making haste.

“Princess will that be enough to keep all Ponyville safe? The picture was just a cloak.” asked Applejack.

“I agree. But he is hiding his face for a reason. He isn't a pony, and as described by Twilight, he has hands.” The all looked at Twilight and she nodded in agreement. The girls looked back at the princess as she continued her explanation concerning the search. “In the least the residents of the town will keep a look out for non-ponies. It will do for now. Luckily you will all be there to help.” She turned towards the vault and began casting a spell to open it. “I want you to have your elements with you at all times until this matter is resolved.” The girls wanted to question their princesses decision but chose to listen. “If in fact this... Kido, is the threat. He may be a force to be reckoned with. Hopefully it won't come to it. But I can't think of anyponies more capable to stop him.” The princess as she spoke magically place and opened the heavy box in front of Twilight. Twilight looked behind towards her friends. They all nodded. Showing their willingness to protect their home. Twilight with confidence now.

“We will princess.” Twilight said assertively.

“Yeah! Will stop him!” yelled Rainbow Dash

“No one threatens Ponyville without answering to me.” Said Applejack.

“WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!” Pinkie jumped for joy.

“Oh my! I get to where my fabulous necklace.” as Rarity said this her friends looked at her dumbfounded. “What?”

“Then it's settled. Twilight, my faithful student, you and your friends go forth and aid in the protection of Ponyville. I will arrange to have flying transport to get you back with haste. And please... take care.” The princess said with relief now that the girls accepted the task of using the elements once again. But in her heart she was deeply worried but refrained from lowering the girls confidence.

The girls bowed. Took their individual elements and made with haste to the door on their way to the flying carriages. But once they left, princess Celestia looked out the window. Walked towards it. “Shadow will counter shadow to save light.”

Derpy Hoove's was no more than an hour ago, fired from the delivery service. After many accidents her boss finally had it. She is now sitting on the ledge in the middle of a small bridge over a river just outside Ponyville crying. “I understand why he made up his mind... but... but... he didn't have to be so mean...” Her former boss insulted her in the worst of ways, and Derpy is a sensitive pony. She wiped away some tears with her hoof and she stopped crying when she heard heavy footsteps walking on the wooden floor of the bridge. She turned a little to her left to see a tall cloaked figure walking on two legs. She found it amusing. She smiled tears still in her swollen red eye's, looked at the creature. “You walk funny, you not a pony are you?”

The cloaked creature stopped and looked to his left, to see a yellow eyed, gray colored pony. “Your powers of observation serve you well. I am in fact not a pony nor a resident of Ponyville for that matter. I am what you would call... different.” He now turned his body. Fully facing Derpy.

“You talk funny too.” She gave a big smile now. But it quickly turned to a sad face. “I'm different too. Did they tell you to leave Ponyville too? They told me to leave... because I'm dumb.” She tried to hold back her crying. “And I'm retarded... and useless... and...” Derpy's self degradation was stopped by the cloaked creature. He quickly walked over and hugged her as if they were two best friends comforting each other. Derpy was shocked, but didn't mind. She hugged him back and cried openly. He started to whisper in her ear.

“In times of sadness. In times of sorrow. Know that there is always tomorrow. And if the sunrise fails to lift your spirit. Know you have life and purpose.” He stopped hugging her and looked into her eye's. “Know that I, Kido Badtower, am your friend.”

Derpy felt better. She didn't know who she was talking with. But she felt like she just made a true friend. “That was pretty. Even though I don't know what you said.” They both laughed.

“Guess I will work on that.” He sat beside her right on the ledge of the bridge. “Now... tell me what's troubling you miss...”

“Derpy.”

“Derpy...” Kido looked up. “Pardon me for saying, but that is just plain adorable.” They laughed again.

“Thank you.” She smiled. But once again got sad. “Well what happened was...” Derpy proceeded to talk about how she got fired. She was insulted, harassed and  mistreated by her associates. “And now I don't have work. I know Ponyville will help me out, but I don't want charity. But who would give work to someone retar...?”

“Stop right there.” Kido interrupted her. “Don't degrade yourself my dear, you have many great qualities. Just saying you wish to work instead of receiving charity is an admirable quality. You have pride. And for that you have my respect.”

“Thank you.” Derpy smiled again. “So what's your story? Why you dress all mystery like.” She points to his outfit.

“I am not very nice looking you could say. In fact I'm horrendous.”

“Don't degrade yourself.” Said Derpy trying to immitate Kido's accent and way to talk while moving her hoof side to side.

“Very true. Well people tend to get scared when they look at me. As for coming to Ponyville, I'm on a mission but I believe I have failed.”

“Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?”

“I was counting on this pony to deliver a warning. But my trust was misplaced. She believes I am the enemy and a danger to Ponyville.”

“That's silly. You're nice. But why is Ponyville in danger?”

“I said too much my dear.” At that moment he took his hands out of his cloak and relaxed them on his knees. Revealing what he was wearing around his chest.

Derpy felt nervous seeing the many pieces of shiny metal. They were shiny but she knew they were dangerous. “Kni...? kni...? knife?” she said confused.

Kido noticed he accidentally let his guard down. He took one from it's harness and held it showing Derpy it was in fact a knife. And said one word. “Yes.”