A month had passed since Kai had left, and Rarity was keeping herself quite busy. She had several dress designs in mind, a new outfit in drafting just for Kai when he returns, and a few accessories to make her features just sort of… pop!
The white coated unicorn let out a short exhale, enjoying the little break she had given herself. Sipping tea with her new cat Opalescence was so serene, and she was totally digging her latest dress-in-progress. The mare reached over, giving her pet a small pat of affection, but the cat was a bit… apprehensive of her new owner, so…
Rarity shook off her cat's hiss, unfazed. How could she be? Life was pretty great right now. Opal hissed again, this time at the door. Rarity looked in that direction, and then at her cat.
“What is it, Opal? A customer?” She joked, not quite ready for business just yet. Give it another month or two and she would be ready. Digressing, Rarity received no answer, as expected, so she looked back to the door. She heard a soft series of knocks and stood from her seat. “Coming~!”
With a smile, Rarity strode to the door, absently wondering who it could be. Perhaps Fluttershy. The two had been hitting it off with their friendship and spa sessions. Or maybe a famous fashion critic, here to take her off to a life of fame and fortune!
Shaking off the thoughts, Rarity opened the door.
“Hello!” She chimed out cheerily. The sight she was greeted with was… legs, where a pony's body should be.
“Nice and chipper as always, eh, Rarity?” Rarity's eyes widened, and her head lifted to see the familiar form of…
“K…Kai…?” Kai simply smiled, kneeling down to the unicorn's height. “Kai!!” Rarity hugged the saiyan immediately, squeezing tightly and burying her face in his shoulder.
Kai squeezed back, wincing a bit as the affection agitated his recent battle wound.
“I've missed you so much, Rarity.” The mare sniffled, and gave Kai a teary glare.
“Why didn't you send a letter or anything, Kai!? If you'd told me you would be back so soon, I could have had a proper welcoming party for you!” Kai's expression became troubled, and he shifted his eyes away.
“Ah, well… You see, the thing is…”
Chapter 6
Licking Wounds as Trouble Brews
Kai sat on the couch he had come to know and love through his life, Sweetie Belle sitting on his lap. He made constant leg movements to bump the filly all about, keeping both of them occupied. Rarity hadn't been very happy to hear Kai's story, to say the least. She was in her workshop, making Kai a brand new coat and undershirt, after properly bandaging the saiyan's bruises.
“Kai, Kai!” He glanced down at Sweetie Belle, smiling at her with a look that told her to continue. She gave him an excited grin. “I passed my math test with a ‘B-’ yesterday! Isn't that cool?”
“You passed with a ‘B-’!?” Kai asked with a surprised stare. Sweetie Belle nodded. “Nah, you had to have been cheating.”
“But I wasn't! Honest!”
“That's like, above average! C'mon, admit it.”
“I didn't cheat!”
“Six plus three!”
“Nine!”
“Nine minus one!”
“Eight!”
Kai gave an impressed smirk.
“Well, I guess you showed—eleven plus twelve!”
“Um…” Caught off guard, Sweetie Belle did some quick calculations. “Twenty-three!”
Now, Kai patted Sweetie Belle's head, smiling at her happily.
“Nice! I'm so proud of you, kid!” The filly beamed at the praise she was receiving. “Speaking of school, why aren't you at school?”
“It's Saturday.” A look of realisation crossed the saiyan's face. He hadn't kept track of the particular days since he had left. Also, having never actually attended school, Kai forgot that school was out on weekends.
“That's right… Huh…” Looking at Sweetie Belle made him wonder if he could have been a bright and happy foal like she is. If he was normal, maybe…
“Whatcha looking at? Is there something on my face?” Sweetie Belle tried looking at her nose, going cross-eyed for a moment, but spotting nothing.
“Nah, it's nothing.” Kai dismissed, holding the filly close.
“…Are you sad 'cause you have to leave again?”
“Huh!?” The demi-saiyan's eyes widened. “How did you know?” Rather, his mind was wondering how everypony, every kirin, every dragon, and every hippogriff knew something about him. Never had he noticed how obvious he made things, both with his expressions and mannerisms.
“I dunno… I just feel like you're not here to stay…” Yet somehow, this time, Sweetie Belle felt okay with it. She was sad, sure, but she didn't feel anywhere close to crying. In any case, she smiled at her older brother. “I guess I'm already more independent, huh?”
Kai returned the smile, and nodded decisively.
“Yeah.” His smile shifted into a smirk. “But don't get too independent just yet. Since I'm here for a bit, we should play like we used to.”
For Kai, few things were more heartwarming than seeing Sweetie Belle grin from ear to ear, truly excited.
“Yay!!”
“King. I have returned.” Elsewhere, stood a familiar figure, now uncloaked from darkness. Noir looked to none other than the Storm King, who sat in a throne with a permanent glare.
“I can see that. Now, do you have what I want?” Noir presented the Dragon Ball stolen from Hippogriffia. The Storm King gripped the orange sphere, glaring at it, and then Noir. “What is this supposed to be?”
“The rumored ‘Sphere of grandiose power’.” Was the alien's blunt response.
“…You absolute FOOL!!!!” The room seemed to shake at that yell. “The sphere is supposed to be larger, and opaque! It has a glow to it—it is the most obvious thing to spot!”
Noir hardly even blinked, but his stare shifted to a glare.
“Perhaps if I was told that, I wouldn't have made a mistake.”
“You dare to blame ME!?” Noir's even stare became forced, and he dropped to one knee. He lowered his gaze to the floor.
“My apologies… My lord…” He spat out with forced courtesy.
“…Hmph. It doesn't matter. You're off this mission.” The Storm King's gaze flicked to his side. “Tempest, it's your turn. Retrieve what I want, and I'll give you what you want.” Tempest Shadow gave a short salute, before quickly leaving to complete the mission. “Actually, take Noir with you.”
“But sir, they know his face.” Tempest protested.
“True, but the time for covert tactics has long passed. Demand what we need, and if they don't comply…” The most chilling grin spread across the Storm King's face. “Destroy them all.” His face soured as his gaze shot to Noir. “And ditch that useless ball.”
Noir and Tempest Shadow looked to each other, then nodded shortly. They looked back to the Storm King and bowed.
“As you wish, my lord.”
Kai buttoned up his new coat, tightening the new belt around his waist to keep his long-coat together. He made sure it was easy to move in, bending his arms and taking a mock-jab. Perfect.
The saiyan gave his pseudo sister a grateful smile.
“Thanks, Rarity.” Rarity rolled her eyes, and wandered over to her work-table again.
“You're planning on leaving right away, aren't you?” Kai gave a sheepish nod, having been found out immediately. The unicorn sighed. “You aren't going to at least stay for a meal, or stay the night to recover?”
“I can't.” Kai looked to his hands. “I learned just how outclassed I can be. I need to get much stronger, and I know exactly how.” His gaze flicked to Rarity once again. “I have to go.” He smiled. “But I'll be back in no time!”
Once again, Rarity rolled her eyes.
“I certainly won't hold my breath.” That response made Kai chuckle. The mare smiled. “See you, Kai. Take care.”
With a nod, Kai turned for the door.
“You, too, Rarity.” And with that, he was off once again.
Rarity let out a long sigh. Her brow twitched, and she turned her eye to the corner of the room.
“Oh, Kai left his satchel…” She shrugged. “He'll be back for them soon.”
Regardless of the short stay, Rarity was happy to see Kai. She hoped it wouldn't be long before they met again.