As Kai sat on the train to Canterlot, he glanced around at his surroundings. Having quickly siezed a seat to wave goodbye, he didn't even noticed he had managed to sit next to somepony. They were seated to his left, so he decided to greet them.
“Hi.” The hatted mare glanced up at him with somewhat condescending blue eyes.
“Hello, there, strange creature.” The unicorn mare greeted back, her tone practically oozing attention.
“Oh, I'm a saiyan. My name's Kai.” It was much easier to go with that, than explaining he was a saiyan-pony hybrid.
The azure unicorn smirked, giving a small flare of her cloak as she extended her hoof to the saiyan.
“I… am the Great and Powerful Trixie!” She exclaimed, before winking and adding on something else in a whisper. “Beginner traveling showpony, but great and powerful, nonetheless.”
Kai was quick to accept her hoof, his eyebrows rising in surprise.
“A traveling showpony? That's awesome!” Trixie was happy to be receiving such a positive response to her choice in career. “So you're headin' for Canterlot to strut your stuff?”
“Ah, uh… You see, the thing is…” Trixie stumbled over her words a bit, trying to phrase this right. “Being a beginner, I was planning to work my way up, and then take everywhere by storm with my talent! So… Canterlot is just a stop before Manehatten, where everypony is supposedly easily impressed.”
“I guess you have to start somewhere…” Kai agreed reluctantly, knowing that Canterlot was a stop before his own adventure. “But you shouldn't reserve your best material 'till you get professional—make every show your best show ever!” He exclaimed with a huge gesture.
“My… best show ever…?” A dreamy look was forming in Trixie's eyes. She imagined a complicated set of tricks she could never pull off at her current level, and the crowd went wild. “Yeah, you're right!”
“'Course I'm right! And don't just stop there!”
“What do you mean?” To that question, Kai grinned.
“I loved your introduction! The Great and Powerful Trixie!” He raised his arms high as he repeated. “But add some flair and really make it your own!”
“Something like… The Great and Powerful… Trixie!!” She rolled the ‘r’ in her name, and exclaimed even louder.
“Yeah! You're so great and powerful, you gotta let everypony know who you are!”
“Yes! Yes! Trixie shall only refer to herself as such!” …Put two easily excited individuals together, and this was the outcome… Trixie was happy, the large smile on her face proving such to be true. “Oh, thank you, Kai! Trixie feels more confident than ever! If only there was something Trixie could do to repay your kindness.”
“Nah, don't worry about—” Kai's eyes widened by a fragment. He saw a very distinct sparkling from Trixie's neck. It had been slightly hidden by the novice showmare's cloak, but the excitement of their interaction moved it into partial sight. “Is that…!?”
“Hm? Oh, this?” Trixie reached for the object around her neck, and pulled it from the string that had kept it on her neck. “Isn't it pretty? About a year ago, this little thing rolled into Trixie's hat. No clue what it is, though…”
“It's a Dragon Ball!” Kai exclaimed, giving no real explaination.
“…I don't even want to know.” Trixie deadpanned, dropping her new self-addressing. “You seem to know what it is, so did you want it?”
“Yes, please!” The unicorn simply turned it over to Kai, who inspected it closely. “Let's see… One… two…” He counted the stars this one held. “Seven stars! Alright!” Grinning happily, Kai looked to Trixie. “Thanks, Great and Powerful Trixie! You've got a fan forever!”
“R-really!?” Recieving a nod, Trixie resisted the overwhelming urge to cheer loudly. Instead, she cheered internally. ‘MY FIRST FAN!! YA-HOO!!’ Outwardly, she tried being calm. “Trixie hopes to see you at her show one day.”
With an assuring nod, Kai replied just as sure.
“Count on it!”
Chapter 2
Royal pain…
“Your telekinesis spell no longer drains you, my student?” Princess Celestia stood in front of her most recent apprentice, Twilight Sparkle, who nodded with slight pride. The princess smiled, and closed the distance that Canterlot Castle's Throne Room had between her and the unicorn to nuzzle her student affectionately. “Excellent work. I had thought you would forget to master such a simple spell, after you went to learn more advanced magic.”
“Of course not, Princess. I listen to every word you say.” Twilight Sparkle spoke with respect.
“That you do.” The princess' expression became a bit more serious. “Which is why… I want to ask you a question.” Twilight tilted her head, curious as to what question would be asked. She had studied very seriously, so she was confident that she would have an answer. “What is your goal in life?”
Panic set in. That certainly was not a question Twilight was mentally prepared for.
“My… goal in life?” The unicorn repeated, getting a nod of affirmation from her mentor. “U-um… I…”
“There is no wrong answer, my student. Please, don't be nervous.” Princess Celestia assured.
Twilight took a breath and nodded decisively.
“Well… I was inspired when I saw you raise the sun a long time ago. That's what made me want to learn about magic in the first place.” Her volume and tone made it seem as though the mare was speaking to herself, as opposed to her mentor. “After you took me on as your student, I've subconciously worked at a goal. I guess I've never noticed until now…” Twilight paused, unsure how to put her next statement properly. As such, she zoned out as she thought.
Twilight Sparkle gasped, a hoof landing on her shoulder softly but meaningfully. She raised her eyes, and met Princess Celestia's comforting stare.
“It's okay.” For a moment, Twilight stared. Those two words had never comforted her so much.
The unicorn blinked twice. Then, a smile fell over her face.
“I want to be your best student, Princess Celestia.” For a very unnoticably quick instant, Princess Celestia's face scrunched up in displeasure. She loved that that was her student's goal, but it brought her memory to the fact that Twilight was not her first student. There was another, who had taken a far worse goal and path.
Though, since this moment was so quick, Twilight only saw Celestia's smile grow larger.
“You are already a fantastic student, Twilight. Just remember, there is always room for improvement.” Always one to heed the advice of the alicorn, Twilight nodded strongly.
“Yes, Princess!” Princess Celestia was happy that her student was so faithful to her. Her goal was one that could be greatly inspiring, enough to one day inspire another. Perhaps Twilight Sparkle may even end up right where Celestia was… A mentor.
Abruptly, the sound of metal striking metal reached the student/mentor pair's ears. Using her millennia-honed hearing, Celestia focussed to hear what was happening.
“…that for!? You coulda killed somepony!” That voice was unfamiliar. An intruder? Or maybe…
“We told you to halt. What happens next, nopony will blame us.” She recognised her royal guards' voice, but why was it so… sinister?
“You didn't tell me anything! I'm starting to to think you wanna fight.”
“That sounded like a threat to me.”
“Definitely.”
“Yeah.”
Celestia could listen to no more. This was a setup if she ever heard one. Why her guards would set someone up, she didn't know. What she did know, was she wouldn't stand by and allow it to happen.
“Twilight Sparkle, stay right here. No matter what you hear.” Confused, Twilight only nodded.
With no explaination given, Princess Celestia walked off to go see what was happening. From the throne room to the castle entrance, she traveled quickly. For a moment, however, she was stunned by the sight of the scene before her.
A quite familiar saiyan was sitting calmly on the floor, surrounded by three unconscious Royal Guards. He was inspecting a sword belonging to the closest guard, and gave it a test swing.
“Mm… Too light. And really weak. Couldn't even scratch me, dude.” Kai noted aloud, glancing at the guard. Standing quickly, the saiyan swiped up the sheath for the broad blade, and sheathed it casually. Then, he gently laid the weapon next to the unconscious guard. “Heck of a welcome. The least they coulda done was given me a warm-up.” Kai complained, stretching his body out, still sore from the long train ride.
“Excuse me.” A voice got his attention, so he turned to face the speaker. It didn't take a genius to realise what the royal garb, the crown, and the stature added up to.
“Princess Celestia.” The princess stepped close to the saiyan, eyeing him up and down. Sure, it may have sounded like a setup. However, one can never be too cautious, especially when an unknown creature defeats one's guards, and isn't even sweating.
The check was relatively quick, and yielded nothing wrong. If there was anything about this individual that was evil, they were either suppressing it extremely well, or it was offset by his good. But she did notice a few holes in his stance, not that he was particularly on guard right now. A great fighter, if inexperienced.
“Yes, you are correct. But who might you be?” Still on guard, Celestia made sure she was in a stance allowing her sufficient mobility, should she need to strike preemptively.
“I'm Kai—half pony, half saiyan.”
“S-saiyan!?” Princess Celestia's eyes widened by a fragment. She tensed slightly. ‘No wonder my guards were no match. If this one is anything like… HIM…’
“What's the matter? Oh! Do you know other saiyans like me?” Excited, Kai smiled innocently.
“…One, but I never knew where he left to.” Before this topic could be expanded on, Celestia brought the focus back onto the issue at hoof. “Why are you here, and what has caused you to harm my Royal Guards?”
With that, Kai seemed to remember the real point of being here, and then became a bit upset.
“Those guys just attacked me out of nowhere. All 'cause I wanted to see you.” He pouted childishly, while Celestia eyed her guards suspiciously.
‘Bigoted guards. Somehow, that possibility slipped my mind…’ Shaking her head, the aged alicorn looked to Kai apologetically. “I apologise on their behalf. And thank you for not harming them further. You would have been in the right, but you showed restraint.”
Kai waved off her apology and thanks.
“S'no biggie. I'm used to these kinds of things.” True. Although most ponies simply avoided him, some braver ponies would try to attack him, simply for being different. Needless to say, those attacks were unsuccessful.
The fact that this had happened before saddened the princess. While she understood caution of the unknown, she had hoped her subjects would be more accepting of others, regardless of looks. It became clear to Celestia that Kai was not to be viewed with caution.
Offering a smile, Princess Celestia spoke up.
“Please, allow me to make this up to you. And worry not, I will be speaking to these guards when they awaken.”
“Thanks! I came to ask a favor of you anyway!” Kai unzipped the satchel around his waist, and pulled out a familiar orange sphere. The sight of it made Celestia gasp, and that made Kai laugh. “I knew you'd know about this!” Discovered through an amateur act of surprise, the alicorn nodded shamefully. “I've made up my mind to find all seven Dragon Balls!”
“Er… please refer to them by any other name…” Celestia requested, shifting her eyes away momentarily. It was like the relics were named somewhere dragons weren't a common thing. Well, to be fair, she supposed one seldom just happened upon a dragon, but they still existed.
Shaking her head, Celestia became more serious.
“And exactly what do you plan to do with them when you gather them all?” After all, if he gathered them to wish for something terrible, she would have to stop him immediately.
“Uh… Oh, yeah…” Kai scratched the back of his head, a sheepish look on his face. “I was kinda just in it for the adventure. I didn't even think about a wish…! Ahaha!”
‘…I'm glad HE can laugh at this lack of foresight…’ Celestia nearly buried her face in her hoof, deadpanned. Sighing, she supposed everything she had seen and heard from this saiyan proved he was innocent. “Well then, what did you need from me?”
Simply asking the question aloud had Celestia confused. Why would somepony specifically reach out to the Princess of Equestria? He couldn't have possibly expected this all to happen, and Celestia offering a favor to make up for any injustice. Either this individual was overwhelmingly brave, or simply uncaring about those with power. Perhaps both…
“Well, I was just thinking…” Kai began, looking to the Dragon Ball musingly. “If this is a magical relic, somepony who's good at sensing magic should be able to find them! So, I was hoping you could whip something up to help me out.”
…Definitely both. Who's first plan is asking the princess for help?
“Creating an object to assist you in finding something, based on my own magic sensing abilities?” Kai nodded, to Celestia mounting confusion. “Do you truly realise what you are asking for?”
“Yup! A Dragon Ball locator!”
“This is something that even I will find trouble with…” The princess admitted.
“Eh? So you won't help me?”
“I never said that.” Suddenly, Kai felt the orb in his hand raise, and looked to see it in a golden telekinetic grip. Seeing Celestia's horn glow the same gold, he smiled. “Give me some time. Perhaps a few days to a week. I assure you, I will have something.”
Celestia offered a gentle smile, while Kai pumped his fist in the air.
“I knew the princess was amazing! Thanks!” He praised excitedly.
“Ah, but in the meantime, do try to figure out what your plans are pertaining to the Wishing Orbs.” Celestia instructed, turning to walk back to the throne room. “Follow me, please.”
“What about these guys?” Still unconscious were the alicorn's guards.
Oddly dismissive, Celestia shrugged.
“Part one of their punishment, I suppose.” There was no place for bigotry in her ranks. Simply caution.
Following her lead, Kai shrugged and walked after her. It wasn't a particularly long walk, but Kai was already getting impatient at the thought of waiting another week before his adventure could begin. Whenever Kai was impatient, he always asked questions to help pass the time.
“So, how's life treatin' ya?” The way he asked threw Celestia off. It was with the casual tone of a friend, or someone very close.
For a moment of being caught off guard, she almost answered honestly. Life was pretty weird. Her newest student was spectacular, but she missed her old one. She dearly missed her sister, but in due time, the bearers of the Elements of Harmony would reveal their true link. The workload of ruling was starting to get to her, but she recalled her self-promise to do anything to keep her subjects happy.
However, she caught herself before she could speak, and went with a simple reply.
“Very well, thank you, Kai.”
“…Can't believe even the princess is so bad at lying…” Kai mumbled to himself, not loud enough to be understood, but loud enough to be heard. Celestia shifted her eyes to him, raising her eyebrow questioningly.
“Pardon?”
“Nothing…” The pout Kai wore told the princess it most certainly was not nothing, but considering she just lied to him, she chose not to pry.
Soon enough, the two of them made it to the throne room, and Celestia was nearly immediately under a familiar worried gaze.
“Princess Celestia!!” Called out Twilight Sparkle. She almost ran to the alicorn, who was more than ready to receive her ‘Worried-for-nothing’ hug, but the sight of an unknown bipedal stopped her in her tracks. The filly took a fearful step back. At this point of her life, she wasn't courageous enough to face what scared her, even for knowledge. Looming over the most powerful being in Equestria, Kai was more than terrifying enough to have Twilight whimpering.
Kai glanced to Celestia, a look of waning patience on his face. Twice in one day was pushing it, even for his usually cheery attitude; something the princess noticed plainly. Clearing her throat, Princess Celestia addressed her student.
“Do not be afraid, Twilight Sparkle. Kai will not hurt you.” Although she was being as gentle and honest as possible, it seemed Twilight Sparkle simply didn't want to accept that as the truth.
Impatient and finally fed up with mistrust, Kai groaned and focussed on the princess.
“Could you just make the locator?” A bit surprised at hearing the formerly casual and dismissive saiyan sound irritated, Celestia paused to stare.
“…Of… of course.” The look Celestia cast to her student before walking towards her throne was one of disappointment, but it only lasted a moment. “I will be busy for the next few days, Twilight Sparkle. Please practice your spells on your own.” Twilight nodded meekly, having noticed the disappointment of her mentor. “In the meantime, Kai, you're welcome to remain here at the castle for the duration. I'll inform the guards and castle staff of your stay.”
“Thanks, Celestia!” Back to casual. It made Celestia let out an unnoticable sigh of relief. However, the relief left when she realised the lack of a title that Kai had addressed her with. Personally, she couldn't care less who calls her what, but she knew full well that her student was quite vocal when somepony didn't show proper respect for her.
As such, her next words were anticipated.
“Princess Celestia!” Now, it was a sigh of exhaustion that left Celestia's lips.
Kai gave Twilight Sparkle a look, raising his eyebrow.
“What, were you just pretending to be scared of me?” Twilight flinched at being called out, but held strong.
“Th-the princess is to be respected! Sc-scared or not, I'll remind you to be respectful!” Kai smirked, putting his hands on his hips.
“Oh yeah? So you'll face your fears just to remind me, huh?”
“Th-that's right!”
Princess Celestia didn't quite like the way Kai's smirk grew…
“Well, it looks like you'll have to face your fears a bunch, 'cause the only thing I'm callin' Celestia is a loser!!” Even the princess was surprised. What did she do to get insulted?
Twilight, however, was left gaping in shock. Eyes wide, she just couldn't fathom anypony could call her idol a loser.
Her shocked expression faded, and she was suddenly angry.
“Don't you dare call Princess Celestia a loser!”
“Ehh? But she is! She's a loser, and a weird-o! You'd have to be a real dummy to look up to her~”
“Stop it! Stop saying such mean things about Princess Celestia!!” Unconsciously, Twilight channeled a small bit of magic to her horn, causing it to glow purple.
“What's a scaredy-cat like you gonna do about it?”
“I'm not scared of a cruel monster like you!”
And just like that, the condescending smirk on Kai's face faded for a genuine grin.
“Great! Since you're not afraid anymore, let's be friends!” Silence greeted that sudden request, and the subsequent air of confusion was so thick, it would take a freshly sharpened sword to cut through.
Then it hit Celestia.
‘Ah…! I see!’ She nodded to herself. ‘He realised she only spoke up when he was being disrespectful. That being the case, he pushed her until she was no longer afraid to speak out at him.’ A strange, almost bittersweet smile fell upon the princess' lips. ‘A bit cruel, but it did the trick, it seems.’
Indeed, it seemed to have succeeded, Twilight looking to Kai in surprise. Surprised to note that she was no longer afraid. She hadn't just said it, she had meant it.
“B…but I… and you…” Kai laughed, extending his right hand to the unicorn.
“Sorry about what I said. It was the only way to get you to listen.” Despite this explanation, Twilight continued to stare. It was… somehow annoying to be outsmarted so plainly. A simple lack of proper respect set her off, so much so, she conquered her fear in an instant. It was like a revelation… An even mind means even focus, and both were equally important for proper magic ability.
Vowing to steel her mind in the future, Twilight Sparkle reached for Kai's hand with her hoof, and felt his grip around her.
“My name is Twilight Sparkle.” She introduced calmly. “And you've given me a lot to think about… Kai, was it?”
“Yup.”
“I apologise for being rude, Kai.” The saiyan simply nodded, his smile basically telling her not to worry about it. “I'm going to go study magic, now…” Twilight was going to walk away, but she had a quick thought. Deciding to run along with it, she gave Kai a careful look. “Um… rather, would you… like to join me?”
Kai scratched his chin with a finger.
“Uhh… I'm not much of a studier, and I don't think I even can use magic…”
“That's unfortunate. I guess I just assumed with your… claws, you could maybe…” Twilight trailed off, making her thoughts clear.
The saiyan looked at his hands, clenching them into fists a few times.
“Nah. But I can use something even better.”
“Oh? Better than magic?” That was a bit hard to believe. Magic was useful for everything; lifting objects, teleporting—heck, she could probably make somepony grow a mustache with magic! It was hard to believe—
“Haa!!” Cutting her off was the sight of Kai, who had poised himself in a solid stance, and was suddenly engulphed in a flame-like sapphire aura. Celestia's head snapped to him in an instant, while Twilight stared in awe. “This is my ki! From what I've seen, it's way more destructive than magic, but it can't do all of those cool things magic can.”
“Amazing…!” While Twilight Sparkle was awed, Princess Celestia was all too serious now.
‘Somehow… his strength is already this great… This could prove troublesome… But for now…’ Celestia's eyebrow twitched. “Kai, please stop that. You're likely causing everything within the castle to stir.”
Sheepishly, Kai dropped his aura, standing normally.
“Sorry 'bout that, Celestia.” A small throat-clearing reminded Kai about being respectful, so he sent a smile to Twilight before trying again. “I mean, Princess.”
Princess Celestia let out yet another weary sigh, feeling her age for the first time in a little while. Already, Kai was too much.
“It is of no consequence.” She shook off. “Well, I will be researching the Dra—WISHING ORB! Wishing orb…” She caught herself, a slight shade of red reaching her features. “Sleeping arrangements shall be set accordingly, so worry not.”
“Then for now, I'll pass some time with a book.” Kai smoothly slid his traveling bag from his arm to the floor, and sat down to root around the bag. Twilight looked closely, curious to see what book the saiyan would bring out. She was surprised when she saw him pull out a book pertaining to coffee. “While I'm at it, I'll train, too!”
Book in his right hand, Kai moved onto his left hand, assuming a push-up position. Twilight was about to ask how he planned to exercise and read simultaneously, but was cut off by seeing it done. Kai flipped the book open, and began scanning through the pages, moving his arm up and down to perform push-ups. Before she realised it, Kai had already done ten push-ups with one arm, and was still going, not strained in the least bit.
‘There truly are some amazing ponies out there…’ Seeing this only made Twilight Sparkle want to take her magic even more seriously. Nodding to herself, the unicorn turned and walked off, planning to study while training her magic.
Seeing such a fast change in disposition made Princess Celestia feel even more proud of her student. But, knowing she had alot of work ahead of her, she shook off her pride and got down to analyzing the magic of the Wishing Orbs. Several tests would be in order after she managed to pin down the signature, then…
A lot of work, basically. The alicorn stretched in her seat, and mentally prepared herself for this task.
The days passing were filled with silence and focus. Despite seeing each other each day, Kai, Twilight Sparkle and Princess Celestia had barely spoken to one another.
Kai was strict with eating breakfast, training, reading, eating lunch, training and reading, eating dinner, sleeping, and repeating.
Twilight Sparkle was dutiful with arriving at the castle, eating breakfast, reading, practicing magic, forgetting to eat lunch, practicing and studying magic, recalling to eat dinner, giving a final session of late studying, heading back home to sleep for however long she managed, and repeating.
Princess Celestia was stern in raising the sun, eating breakfast as she studied the Dragon Ball, continuing to study and advance in ideas and familiarity, telling herself she'll eat lunch after this next try until it became late, lowering the sun to raise the moon, promising dinner if she just got this part solved, nearly passing out to get an hour's rest, and repeating.
Yes, little time for pleasantries was allowed between them. Although, slowly, they were all getting frustrated. Kai was getting impatient, having already been at his limit since he left his home, so another week was too much. Twilight Sparkle yearned for some hooves-on magic teaching from Princess Celestia, and was starting to get tired of brushing up on the same topics a thousand times. Princess Celestia was at her witts end, getting failure after failure with the locator.
One day, Kai and Twilight Sparkle broke from their norm to go outside to get some fresh air. Both of them laid on the soft grass surrounding the castle, each with a book. Twilight studied her magic, while Kai was on another volume about coffee. All was silent, until…
“…So what's the princess like?” Twilight shifted her eyes to Kai, before returning her gaze to her book.
“Princess Celestia is very kind and understanding.”
“No, not that. I mean…” Now, Twilight shifted her eyes to Kai for however long he planned to question her. The saiyan's brow furrowed. “…How do I put it…? What I mean is…” He looked to Twilight. “…Who is she, really?”
Twilight Sparkle turned her head to him, giving the saiyan her full, confused attention.
“I… don't understand the question…”
“I dunno… I guess I'm just overthinking things, but…” Kai looked to the sky, watching the clouds flow by with the help of pegasi. “Princess Celestia… no, Celestia as a pony… Seems really sad.”
That was where their conversation ended. Nopony came in to stop them, nothing interfered. But the chill that went down Twilight Sparkle's spine was maddening, to the point she could not respond. Kai had spoken with a tone… one that made it seem that he, a mortal who was still young and naive, saw through Princess Celestia. Not only that, but it seemed that he expected Twilight to notice. Was it obvious? Was she just oblivious? Was there truly something wrong with her beloved mentor?
Before she realised it, Twilight was crying; sobbing quietly as her tears soaked her book. She didn't even know why she was crying. It was just an overwhelming amount of sadness. Shame. Guilt. Why did she feel this? Surely, her mentor did not make her emotions so apparent. Then again, with how easily Twilight could detect pride, disappointment, happiness, even surprise sometimes, on her mentor's face… perhaps she lived in some dream where a powerful princess was never sad. Subconsciously, that had been it.
Painfully naive, but Twilight soon was able to shake it off. Glancing to Kai again, she eyed him with suspicion upon seeing him calm, staring up at the sky, seemingly lost in thought. She would keep an eye on him… Something about Kai just didn't sit right with her…
‘…Maybe I'll wish for her to be happy.’
Finally, on the sixth morning of the same routines, there was a breakthrough, and success. Kai walked to the throne room, knowing his breakfast was always waiting for him there. He knew Twilight would arrive to join him and Celestia momentarily, but he forgot all of that upon seeing Celestia herself. Her eyes were focussed on a somewhat large object, maybe able to fit in his hand. It was greyish, but he couldn't see anything else from it.
“…Kai?” The princess called out to him, raising her eyes from the object. “Are you currently under the possession of ANOTHER Wishing Orb?”
“Huh?” Kai thought for a moment, and then recalled his short encounter with the Great and Powerful Trixie. “Oh, yeah! I've got the seven-star Dragon Ball, too!” He patted his left pocket, feeling the orb where he put it last.
“Then, the locator is a success!” ‘Finally…!’ Celestia almost wanted to scream. Kai's eyes widened, and he grinned from ear to ear.
“Awesome!” He wasted no time dashing to the princess, looking to the device in her hooves. From this close, he could see the front of it was green, and covered by lines.
Princess Celestia held the locator up, showing him the screen and pointing to it.
“I realised throughout several trials, I never made it clear how much distance was between the user and the Wishing Orb, so I remedied the issue with this grid style of view.” She explained, pointing to the grid, and then the two small orange dots at the center. “As you can see, this is where the ones WE have are. Very small, right?” Kai nodded, prompting Celestia to tap the top of the device, making a ‘Ping’ sound. The size of the dots increased, and they could actually be differentiated, considering Kai had one and Celestia the other. “By clicking this part, you can zoom into your own location, allowing increased precision when searching for a Wishing Orb.”
“Woah…!” Kai was completely flabbergasted! In just a few days, Celestia created a device from scratch that could accurately detect the Dragon Balls.
Celestia pressed the button again to zoom back out.
“Each small grid line, from when a horizontal point crosses to a vertical point and to the next, or vice-versa, is about three-hundred kilometers. You can easily gauge whether the one you seek is within walking distance.” The princess held the locator out to Kai, and the saiyan accepted it with both hands. “The only fault in this device so far is the size. I apologise, but this was the smallest I could make the locator while keeping it as accurate to my sensing abilities as possible.”
“Hey, don't apologise. I should be thanking you!” Kai exclaimed. “Thank you so much! I'll definitely be able to find all seven with this!” Even now, Kai could see the other five orange dots on the device, each very far from each other.
“I trust you will.” Princess Celestia believed if anypony could find all seven, it would be Kai. A somewhat sad expression fell onto the alicorn's face, but it was mixed with a smile. “This will be a long journey for you, so you may need to pack more than what you have. Or at the very least, more food.” Kai's stomach growled in response to that, drawing a chuckle from him. “May I help you pack?”
“You actually want to help?”
“Is that a surprise?” Kai shook his head.
“It's just that… You've been working non-stop. You should rest.” That made Celestia smile more.
“I appreciate your concern. Despite this last week being a bit… strenuous, I am just fine. In fact, it would make me feel better if I could help you pack.” She wasn't just saying that, either. Celestia took a strange liking to Kai. He spoke to her as an equal, not a superior. For some reason, she felt a bond with him form quickly, and she felt almost as if helping him pack and seeing him off was, well, kind of like a parent sending their kid to school, or a field trip.
Kai nodded, his face lighting up at the mare's words.
“In that case, I'd love your help!” He was about to take off to pack with the princess, but his stomach growled yet again. “Um… Can we eat first, though?”
Celestia only laughed in response, soon joined by Kai.
By the early afternoon, everything was set and packed, the supplies inside of the black traveling back on Kai's left shoulder. The Dragon Balls he possessed were inside of the satchel on his waist, the locator in his left coat pocket for quick access.
Princess Celestia and Twilight Sparkle stood in the throne room with Kai, ready to see him off for the trip. The princess didn't dare tell her student what the adventure entailed, lest she overanalyze the potential and origins of the Dragon Balls.
“You are very strong, Kai. This journey will only make you stronger, so give it your all.” The princess told him softly.
“Don't have to tell me twice.” Kai responded, more than ready to give it everything he had.
“Please be careful, Kai. I would still like to analyze a ‘Saiyan’, and you're the only one.” Twilight Sparkle's comment gained a deadpanned look from Kai, her mentor raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah, I'll miss you, too.” He acted as if she had just said something normal. Twilight was really weird sometimes. Considering he had only known her for a week, he was pretty sure he knew what he was talking about.
Kai shook his head, eyeing the pair with appreciation.
“Thanks again, for everything Celestia.” Twilight would have corrected him, but this was goodbye, so she didn't want to ruin it. The princess simply nodded in response. “Well then…” Kai turned, and began walking away while waving. “I'm off!”
“Ah! Wait!” Princess Celestia nearly screamed, holding out her hoof to stop him. Kai glanced back, lifting an eyebrow. Both eyebrows rose upon seeing the borderline frantic expression on the princess' face, and the look didn't fade. “…Please… come back safe.” He could see moisture forming in her eye. “And never fall to corruption… Okay?”
For a moment, Kai stared. Rulers were supposed to be strong, but… seeing Celestia so worried for him… He didn't know what to think. Maybe she was just worried all along, not sad.
Kai couldn't be sure, but he knew one thing. Celestia cared for him deeply, and that meant alot to him.
“You've got it.” The saiyan adjusted his bag, and turned back around to leave. “Don't work too hard—both of you!” Were his parting words.
“Goodbye!”
“Safe travels, Kai.” The unicorn and alicorn waved, watching as Kai walked through the door, vanishing from sight a mere moment later. A sigh left the princess' lips, gaining her student's attention.
“Princess?”
“…It is nothing, Twilight Sparkle.” Skeptical, Twilight nodded hesitantly. She was worried about the princess, but pushing the issue would gain her ire. Or upset her further.
…That made her think about Kai's words. Was Princess Celestia… sad? Perhaps right now, she was just sad to say goodbye to Kai. Twilight didn't like to see her mentor upset, that much, she knew.
“Um… P-Princess Celestia?” Celestia looked to Twilight curiously.
“Yes, my student?” Seeing Twilight nervously kick at the tiled floors made it clear that this was about to be something she was unused to saying. True to that, the unicorn spoke after a few seconds.
“Would you… like to spend time together? Not quite studying, if you don't want to, but… I suppose for a lack of a better term, slacking off?” Twilight's request had Celestia shocked. When had Twilight ever even considered not doing her work? Did Kai change her somehow?
Regardless of why, Celestia felt happy that her student would offer such a thing. With a soft smile, the princess draped a wing over her student.
“I could go for some vanilla cake, myself. What about you, my student?” Seeing her offer was accepted, Twilight grinned back at her mentor.
“I'd like some ice-cream.”
“Why not have both?” Twilight had to resist the urge to salivate.
“What kind of ice-cream should I get with my cake?”
“Well, ice-cream and cake is much like a relationship. You have to think carefully about which ones you introduce to each other.” Although her tone seemed jovial, the princess was making a point that seemed to resonate with Twilight Sparkle.
“It would depend on the tastes of the eater, too. But somepony open to all flavors could bring any combination together, and love it all the same.” Celestia let out a small laugh, bringing Twilight closer.
“Don't think too hard about ice-cream and friendship just yet, my student. Just enjoy your favorite flavors for now.” Twilight looked up at her, before nodding decisively. The pair began to make their way to the door, ready to go get some cake and ice-cream. ‘…Yes, Twilight Sparkle. No need to think deeply of friendship yet. But in just a few years… you will be the one…’
Celestia shook her head.
‘I should practice what I preach. For right now… Sweets await us!’
“Aw, what!? I totally woulda stayed if I'd known we were gonna get ice-cream!”