Apples and Sparkles
Kido was sitting in his desk eating his special mushrooms while doing paperwork. Derpy was sitting in her own desk writing as well. It was noon. Kido gazed to Derpy.
“Derpy what are you doing?” Kido asked. Derpy picked up her notebook and showed her boss what looked like a comic book of last night's events. “Still doing that huh? Looks about done.”
“I'm done.”
“I am as well. Hand your notes over.” Derpy stood to hand her notes. Kido got a paper folder from a drawer and started placing most of the paperwork inside. He then got a second folder and he put the rest of the papers in it. “Deputy now for your filing task. This folder is case number “”PV#2””, our second case. It has been resolved so it will go in storage in the back. Organize it the way we talked about. Now this second one is to be given to the officials who will judge the culprits. You will carry it with you as you escort the transport to the Canterlot jail.”
“I get to go to Canterlot?” Derpy asked.
“Yes. This folder contains copies of our notes. Evidence on the case. I trust you fully.” He made to hand the folders to Derpy. She had a big smile.
“I will Wolfboss. I will.” She was excited at the thought of someone having faith in her. She quickly made to grab the folders but before that, to Kido's surprise she hugged him. At that moment somepony walked in.
“Howdy.” Applejack smiled at them. Derpy's cheeks turned a wild red and in haste grabbed the folders and headed through the door in the middle. Applejack walked to Kido. “She seems happy.”
“I can hope. I just gave her a big responsibility. Escorting the culprits to Canterlot along with the evidence for the prosecution.” Kido sat straight and started to put on his ninja like mask.
“Sugarcube I already know what you are. You put on that mask I'll take it as a sign you don't trust me.” Kido removed the lower part he put on and smiled. “That's better. If you're my friend I wanna look ya in the eyes... eye when we talk.” They laughed. “So what are the charges... ?”
“Marshal you have arrived early.” Kido stood up immediately when he saw a pony in guard armor enter, he then quickly put on his mask. He then looked at Applejack. “Applejack this won't take long, ten minutes tops.” Applejack nodded.
“I hope it isn't inconvenient, we shall be swift.” The head marshal looked behind him. “Guards take the three prisoners from the holding area for transport.” He then looked at Kido. “I will be needing the evidence file and your representative in this case.”
“That would be Assistant Deputy Guard Hooves.” Two winged armored ponies arrived at the door. “Sir this way.” Kido escorted the marshals to the holding area. Derpy came out of storage as Kido was opening the gate where the three accused Diamond Dogs were held. He called her over and explained to her to follow the marshals with the evidence file and follow their instructions and once done to come back. The marshals restrained the accused and escorted them to the armored transport carriage. The marshals equipped the flying harnesses and then the head marshal and Derpy mounted.
“I'll be back soon Wolfboss.” She waved happily at Kido.
“Derpy you'll be there the rest of the day.” Kido said.
“What?” The carriage then flew off.
Kido entered the headquarters. Applejack was sitting in his desk. “Glad that was fast.” He then removed his mask.
“I don't care much for the way those fellas were looking at ya.” Applejack said indignantly.
“I didn't notice.”
“They didn't even say hello and gave you the evil eye the entire time.” Applejack stood. “You saved this town... you deserve more than that.”
“I appreciate the sentiment, but the truth is I attacked the Captain of the Guard and the only reason I'm in the position I am now is because of Shinning Armor himself, and the princesses blessing. May take a while for the guard to accept me as one of their own. Especially being what I am.”
“Well I don't like it still. But forget them. I wanted to know the charges.”
“Two counts of assault and two counts of robbery, both in the first degree.”
“They hurt Mr.Grains?”
“No... Two of his boys.”
“I knew there was something more to that.”
“What do you mean?”
“I heard something about the Grains not delivering to Ponyville for a few weeks and went to check if they were okay. They said they were feeling under the weather. I didn't pay much attention, I got my own farm. If I'd known it was that bad... What do you think will be the sentencing for the criminals?”
“Years in prison. I could have forgiven the robberies and make them do hard labor community service. But the assaults on the young boys are mayor felony's and made it personal.”
“Yeah... I hear Pickin' is you new best friend.” Applejack giggled.
“Oh Goddess. They told you about that.” Kido put his face on his palm.
“Oh yeah.” Applejack smiled wide.
“How much?” Kido sighed.
“I gots to interrogate you now.” Applejack started to imitate a drunk and Kido's accent. Kido put his face in his hands. “My blue rose Rainbow Dash.”
“OH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!”
“All the single ladies! All the single ladies!!!” Applejack started dancing. KNOCK! KNOCK!
“On my way.” Kido put on his mask and Applejack stopped dancing. He then made for the door. “Good day miss. Good day to you children.” Miss Cheerilee and her class were at the door.
“Hello Guard Badtower. I'm Miss Cheerilee the teacher at the school. Is this a bad time?” Miss Cheerilee said.
“Not at all how may I assist you?”
“Well the children practically demanded to make a school trip to the new Guard Headquarters. I know I should have sent a formal request first but...”
“No problem at all, please come in everypony.” Kido made a welcoming gesture letting the fillies and their teacher enter. He closed the door behind him. He started walking to the two desks.
“Hiya sis. What ya up to?” Applebloom greeted her older sister.
“Just visiting my friend here. He helped out the Grains family. Now pay attention.” Applejack said. Kido began his tour.
“Now here we have the desk where we organize the everyday challenges. Cases, mysteries, strategies and so on... Yes little one?” Kido saw a little filly raise her hoof.
“Is it true you kick serious bad guy butt and throw knives at them?” Scootaloo asked as she shadow boxed and made knife throwing gestures. Her friends then turned to Kido excited to hear his answer. He felt a cuteness overload.
“Now children, I'm sure you have heard the stories about how I fought a dangerous...” He was choosing what would be proper to say. “Creature. Yes?” The children nodded. “I fought her because she was going to hurt the ponies in Ponyville.”
“Why did she want to hurt us?” a filly from the group asked.
“Well... Do you know how in stories a prince would save his kingdom, people and princess from the evil dragon?” They nodded. “Well it's kinda like that. The creature that attacked Ponyville was evil, and I decided to help because you are all my friends. I will protect each and every one of you.”
“You would really do that for us?” Applebloom asked. Kido knelt down to the fillies eye level.
“I will proudly. It is my duty and desire to keep Ponyville and everypony safe.” He smiled at them.
“My daddy said you're a monster like the thing that attacked and will one day eat us all.” Diamond Tiara stated.
“Diamond Tiara!” Miss Cheerilee said.
“It's true.” Diamond Tiara said
“Is not! He saved us. He even wears a mask like a superhero.” Scootaloo challenged her classmate.
“He's a monster. That's why he wears a mask. Not because he's a superhero you idiot.” Diamond Tiara said. Kido still kneeling looked down.
“Guard Badtower I apologize on behalf of Diamond Tiara.” Miss Cheerilee said nervously. Kido then looked towards Diamond Tiara. And he slowly removed his mask. The children were a bit shocked especially at the large scar over his right eye. Kido smiled gently.
“Little one you are right. I am a monster. But I am not the wolf from stories that eats little fillies. You can still fear me. You can hate me. You can shun me. But if the day comes when you need help. When you are scared. When you need a friend. Little one, when that day comes. Know that I am not the bad wolf from the stories. I am the wolf that will always be your savior, protector and above all... your friend.”
The children stayed silent. Diamond Tiara couldn't look Kido in the eye. Miss Cheerilee intervened. “Well Children thank Guard Badtower for the tour.”
“But what about the dungeon?” Scootaloo protested.
“That wouldn't be appropriate and it's not a dungeon. Now everypony say goodbye. I'm sure Guard Badtower needs to work.” The children said their goodbye's. Kido stood and said his goodbye's as well. The last one to leave was Diamond Tiara, she looked over at Kido. He smiled at her. But she frowned and left. Kido stood there silent and looked down in sorrow and fell to his knees.
“Applejack... I will always be a monster won't I?” Applejack approached him and put a hoof on his back.
“Sugarcube you can't change what you are. But don't loose heart, someday everypony will see you for who you are. You ever need a friend, the Apple Family will welcome you with open hooves. Kinda think of it, you gotta come over soon to make you an official member like I promised.”
“Will there be cupcakes?”
“As many you can eat?” They smiled at each other. A Pegasus pony came in a panic at that moment.
“Hello... Guard I have a situation.” Kido quickly got to his feet and put his mask on.
“Certainly, how may I assist?” Kido said.
“My flight carriage is missing, I think it got stolen yesterday.”
It was getting dark. Twilight looked over to the clock tower, it was six p.m. Spike would get worried if she took any longer getting home so she hastened her pace but she passed the Ponyville Guard Headquarters and stopped. She thought to herself that she will only visit for a few minutes and made for the entrance. She knocked.
“Come in. Come in. Please come in!” Said Kido from inside. Twilight entered. Kido was at his desk with a glass in one hand, a large tin bottle in the other and a half empty box of cupcakes on his desk. “Oh dearest Twilight. So good to see you. Care to join me?”
“What's the occasion?” Twilight nervously asked as she approached her friend.
“My first case solved. You just missed Mrs. Cake, she brought over these cupcakes made with fresh flour. The one ingredient they were missing. Goddess what a difference.”
“And the bottle?”
“A gift from the Grains family. May they continue to live a quality life as great as the fruit of their labor.” Kido then drank, gasped, and then served another round. Twilight magically grabbed the glass and bottle and placed it in Derpy's desk.
“I think you had enough. Didn't you have your fill last night?”
“You heard about that?” Twilight nodded and smiled.
“You insulted my lovely assistant you Melon Farmer!” Twilight said imitating Kido's accent. “
“OH GODDESS!!!” Kido put his face in his hands. Twilight laughed jokingly.
“It's okay. You had fun. But do you drink often?”
“Sure do. But I don't need it now. It was the ways I killed the...” Kido got silent suddenly and frowned.
“Killed what?” Kido stayed silent, not looking at his friend in the eyes. “You can talk to me.” Still no reaction. After about a minute. “Can I have a cupcake?”
“Sure.” He said, still not looking at her friend. Twilight took a cupcake, as she ate she tried to peek at her friend's face.
“From what you told me, you spent years alone wandering Equestria, and helping others from the shadows.” She walked to his side, trying to get him to look at her. “You have friends now. What made such a strong and likeable wolf like you drink?” Kido swallowed in anxiety.
“Back at Tartarus, I wasn't happy. But once I escaped, away from my own kind. I was overwhelmed by something I never felt before...”
“What?” Kido now looked at her, sadness in his expression.
“I was alone.”