Shadow, Love and Pride

XXXVIII

Life Lessons and The Night

“Okay. So how can you claim you live in peace but you fight for what's right. Isn't that... you know... hypocritical.” Diamond asked her adoptive father as they were shopping for a bed.

“Well... ” Kido stopped and looked at Diamond perplexed. “Are my views on life so interesting? It's as if everyone I meet loves to pick at my mind. Not that it bothers me. I love teaching. I just want to ask.”

Diamond turned sad. “I never had anypony want to teach me before. Not just school stuff, but how to treat others and how to be happy. All Mama and Papa taught me was how to be presentable for fancy parties and how we were better than most ponies.” She looked up and smiled at him. “I want to be just like you now. And I like the way you talk, you talk funny.” She giggled.

“Do I?” He laughed as well. “But to answer your question. Many have believed that the way to live in peace is through the road of “Abandonment”... ”

“What?” Diamond interrupted.

“ “Abandonment”. Basically it means you abandon all your desires, everything you wish to fight for.” Kido continued.

“Sounds good. If you have nothing to fight about, nopony gets hurt.” Diamond said.

“Diamond what would you like to be when you grow up?” Kido asked seriously.

“A guard.”

“Well to be a guard it takes a lot of work and in a way you have to fight for it. So it goes against the belief of Abandonment. In the end if you follow this belief you end up just being a husk with nothing to live for. You just live.”

“I get it. But if you want ponies to fight for what they believe, how can you find peace if everypony is fighting?”

“That's where love and respect come in.” He then started to sit on the mattress next to him. “This one is comfy.”

“So it all comes together then.” Said Diamond.

“Right you are my dear. So have you made a decision?”

“I like the firm one.”

“Lets ring it up at the counter.” Kido made to head for the store clerk.

“Wait... ” Said Diamond reluctantly.

“Yes?” He turned around.

“I don't want to make you spend too much money.”

“I have a bunch saved. Most of the time I don't really know what to do with what I make. Maybe I should make donations.”

“What!?” Diamond was stunned. “How much do you make?”

“Ten thousand a month. And that's just my salary. Bellz and Derpy make their own, and the guard pays for living expenses.” Kido became aware of Diamond's wide eyes. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Wolfdaddy why are you living at the station? You could have a big house and everything.” Diamond was shocked.

Kido knelt down to her eye level. “Material things don't make happy. I have my books, I have my friends and now I have you.”

Diamond didn't say a word. Her expression became saddened. She walked towards him and rested her head in his chest. Kido smiled and placed a hand on her head.

“I want pizza.” Kido suddenly said.

“We're having a moment.” Diamond said.

“Okay.”

ZZZ

It was close to eight pm. Bellz and Derpy waited in the station. Bellz was leaning on her boss' desk anxiously. She had her hair back with gel, wore light make up and black jacket over her usual white tank top. Derpy was doing her usual closing paper work at her own desk.

“Slow day huh?” Bellz said.

“I don't know if we should get used to it. We may not be guards for long.” Derpy said without looking up.

“You really think Boss will take over as ruler?”

Derpy sighed still not looking up. “Between you and me?”

“Of course.”

Derpy looked at her friend in the eye. “Wolfboss always has a plan. It's like he knows what can, and what will happen before anypony even realizes they did exactly what he wanted.”

“You make him sound like some kind of evil genius.” Bellz chuckled. Derpy was serious.

“He's much more than just smart.”

“Tell me about it. He manages to get everyone to believe in him. I don't know about you. But I would follow him straight to hell and back proudly.”

“It's kinda of scary.”

“How so?”

“Everypony he meets, they somehow become inspired. Do you think he wants power for the right reasons?”

“Don't know. Don't care.” Bellz crossed her arms across her chest.

“How could you say that?” Derpy was surprised.

“I know you two have a thing going and please don't take this the wrong way. But I would do absolutely anything for Boss for the sole purpose of being at his side.” Derpy was wide eyed as she continued to process what Bellz said. “Well I gotta go. See you in the morning... or not.”

“Have fun.” Derpy continued her work. Bellz exited the station.

Bellz stepped outside witnessing a beautiful night. Deciding to walk instead of flying to her destination. It was peaceful. Despite being known to the residents of the town as their protector, they still gave her odd looks. As if they knew she was just plotting when to attack. She didn't mind, but the empty roads were welcomed.

She made her way to Fluttershy's home. Before she could knock, Fluttershy stepped outside wearing a scarf due to the cold weather. She noticed her friend arriving.

“Oh... It was starting to get late, so I thought I'd wait outside.” Fluttershy said.

Bellz walked the few feet to be right in front of the pony. “I decided to walk. Hey thanks for agreeing to this. I know it's late but... I feel... happier... when there aren't many ponies we can run into.”

“So do I.” Fluttershy blushed. “I'm usually afraid of the dark, but I guess It'll be fine with you around.”

“Of course. Lets do this.” Bellz started to flap her wings. “It would take too long to walk there.”

Fluttershy started to fly next to her and followed. They flew quietly to what seemed to be the middle of the forest. Bellz began to descend and then land.

“You don't talk much huh?” Bellz said smiling.

“Sorry.” Fluttershy blushed.

“It's okay. I kinda like the silence. You can never get Boss or Derpy to shut up.” Bellz began to walk. Fluttershy followed.

“You don't enjoy talking to them?”

“I do. A lot really. But sometimes... When it goes on for a while... I just wanna scream at them.”

“I understand.” Fluttershy smiled remembering her own experiences with her friends.

“Forgot... You're bestfriends with Pinkie Pie. That's a whole other level of...” Bellz paused. “We're here.”

“Where... ?” Fluttershy was suddenly in shock by what she saw.

It was probably the most beautiful sight in Equestria. A small pond glistening by the dancing of what seemed to be thousands of Fireflies. They all danced together in happiness expecting to find their perfect mate. Their lights reflected upon the crystalline water and the shiny green moss of the rocks.

“What is this place?” Fluttershy asked wide eyed, not looking away.

“I shall reserve that.” Bellz giggled and moved close to the edge of the pond quietly to not disturb the fireflies. She sat looking up at the spectacle. Fluttershy did the same.

“Why is that a secret?” She looked at Bellz.

Bellz blushed. “You might not... get it...” She stuttered as she scratched the back of her neck.

“Try me?”

“I sorta... felt the scent...”

“Of?”

“The pheromones in the air... The fireflies... Their having sex... mating...”

“Oh I see...” Fluttershy looked away and turned cheery red.

“Making babies...”

“Uh hu.”

“They're banging.”

“Yes... I get it...”

“Like when you get a doughnut and sausage link and then you...”

“YES!!! I know what mating... is... So please...” Fluttershy finally couldn't handle the embarrassment.

“Was just teasing.” Bellz giggled. She brushed her hands across her hair and shook it, making it messy and getting some around her face. Flutteshy couldn't help but look and the shivered. “Must be cold here.” Bellz took off her black jacket and placed it on Fluttershy. They both blushed.

“I'm sorry... I'm not good with being this close to somepony...” Fluttershy stuttered.

“Do I make you uncomfortable?” Bellz looked her in the eyes with a concerned and honest look on her face.

“No... You're good company... really... You're different but... I like...” She looked away in embarrassment.

“Really now?” Bellz scooted over to her side closer. Touching her hip with her own. “Hey come here?”

Fluttershy lifted her head and met her eyes with Bellz.

And the rest of the night is none of your business.

Problem Cloppers?