"Hey, Rarity." Vinyl Scratch greeted. "What brings you here?"
"I heard that dear Octavia has picked up a new hobby." Rarity greeted.
"She sure has. Come on in. You'll be very surprised. "
Rarity received a call that Octavia has something to show her. Naturally, the fashionista figured it was some new jewelry or an elegant dress. After going through the kitchen, Vinyl lead her to the basement. There, Rainbow dash was there, holding a punching bag. Wearing a magenta tank top and black karate pants, Octavia was punching the bag several times. Rarity and Vinyl went in just as Octavia gave the bag a powerful front kick.
"My goodness!" Rarity gasped. "I've never seen this side of you before."
"OH. Rarity." Octavia said shockingly. "This is a surprise. "
"Not as big as this surprise. I didn't know you took up karate."
"I recently started two weeks ago." Octavia replied while sipping some water. "Not really my kind of activity. But, I can get used to it. Vinyl and Rainbow Dash have been very supportive.”
"They have?"
"You bet, Rares." Dash said. "When Octavia almost got hurt by a thug on the street, she went to me for help."
"I was walking home with Tavi when it happened." Vinyl added. "She was lucky I tagged along with her."
"They're right." Octavia said. "Vinyl suggested I should take up karate so I can defend myself."
Octavia slipped on a white karate jacket. After having it secured, she picked up a white belt and tied it around her waist. She then presented herself to Rarity. "What do you think, Rarity?"
"I have to admit," Rarity replied, "this is a very interesting look you're displaying. "
"Thank you."
Realizing it's coming up to lunchtime, Rainbow Dash and Vinyl went upstairs to the kitchen to fetch some food. This leaves Rarity and Octavia on their own.
"How did you get started on this karate thing?" Rarity wondered as she sat on a couch.
"Vinyl made the suggestion." Octavia replied as she sits on the other side cross legged. "It started two weeks ago when she and I were on our way home from a movie."
Flashback
Octavia and Vinyl walked down the street. Just then, a gray haired man with midnight blue hair, wearing a leather jacket, torn blue jeans, and brown boots confronted them. He approaches Octavia, hoping to take her purse. Vinyl stepped in to trip the thug. As soon as he fell, the girls ran fast.
"Thanks, Vinyl." Octavia said with relief. "But, I can't depend on you all of the time."
"I know. You want to handle some stuff on your on." Vinyl replied as she reached for her keys.
"Any ideas on how to protect myself?"
Suddenly, Vinyl had a thought. "I know how."
The next day, Vinyl took Octavia to the home of Jade Star, a young martial artist. After removing their shoes, as a respect for the Japanese custom, they soon talk with her. She has lime green skin, dark green straight hair, and she wears a long sleeve red dress going just above the knees.
"And, that's the trouble, Jade." Vinyl explained.
"You were wise to come to me." Jade said. "I can teach you karate so that you can better defend yourself. "
"Will karate help me?" Octavia wondered with worry.
"Indeed it will. First, let's measure you for a gi."
"Gi?" Octavia said with confusion. Then, she realized something. "Oh. Sort of a karate uniform."
"Now, you're catching on."
Ninety minutes later, Octavia looked at herself wearing a white jacket and black pants just above the ankles. "Mmmmm. Not bad. "
Vinyl walks in with a white belt in her hand. "This goes with it."
"Of course." Octavia realized as she takes the belt. "Beginners in karate start off with a white belt. I noticed this while passing by local schools. Dojos, I believe their called." She ties the belt around her waist. "Now, I'm ready for my training."
End of Flashback
"And, you've been keeping up with this practice since?" Rarity asked.
"Yes." Octavia answered. "Before you came along, Vinyl was helping me to prepare to receive my next belt level. The yellow belt."
"Talk about dedication. I wish you good luck. "
Octavia stood up and honorably bowed to Rarity. At her home at Sweet Apple Acres, Apple Bloom watched some kites flying in the air.
"Howdy, readers." Apple Bloom greeted. "I hope you liked this chapter, featuring words that start with the letter K. We heard Karate, Kitchen, Key, Kick, and Kite. Speaking of K words, what's strong, muscular, and hops a lot?"
A deep growling voice answered the question. "Me mother."
"Nope. You're wrong. It's a kangaroo."
"No, YOU'RE wrong. You ever seen me mother?"
Apple Bloom continues her discussion. "A kangaroo is a large animal from Australia, and is a very strong hopper." A kangaroo soon jumps near her. "The female kangaroo has a pouch in front where she carries her children."
The kangaroo stuffs Apple Bloom in her pouch and starts hopping all over the area. The poor farm girl starts shouting from inside the pouch. "Let me out! Let me out! I'm not a baby kangaroo. I'm a human girl!"
The kangaroo stops, and lets her out of the pouch.
"Thank you." Apple Bloom said with relief. "Now, please leave these premises."
The kangaroo jumps on Apple Bloom and hops away. This leaves poor Apple Bloom flat.