“Oh geez. Another hour of this and I’ll lose my mind! And we haven’t even got to the school yet. Scoots will be like the last pony to meet him.” Rainbow Dash bemoaned as Fluttershy and Kai walked over to her.
“Are we done yet? This isn’t what I had in mind when we agreed to introduce him to the town!”
Fluttershy smiled at Rainbow Dash. “Oh, Rainbow. Meeting the ponies of Ponyville all at once would have been too much for Kai. I know when I moved here it was difficult for me to adjust.”
‘Indeed, Rainbow Dash. Meeting Mayor Mare has been a delight, as has meeting the rest of Ponyville.’
The two pegasi had been touring the town with Kai for most of the day, as the other ponies went about their working business. While Twilight and Spike spent time gathering information about the spell, she suggested a tour for Kai would be helpful to the town. Mostly so they don’t panic at the strange new creature roaming their village.
“Can we at least go to the school next? Please?” Rainbow pouted her lips at Fluttershy.
The look didn’t really work to Rainbow’s favor, as Fluttershy turned to Kai. “Would you like to meet the children next, Kai?”
Rainbow pushed her face up to Kai’s and pouted harder than ever.
‘Hmm… Well, I suppose we could.’
“YES!” Rainbow exclaimed as she grabbed Kai and flew up into the air. She was hugging him tight enough to knock the air out of him, if he actually had air in him. Of course she then raced off to the school, holding him the entire way.
“R-Rainbow! Wai-wait!” Fluttershy quietly followed behind.
Just as school was ending and the children were heading out the door they were stopped by the sight of Rainbow Dash and Kai.
“Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo yelled, rushing out the door first. She nuzzled Rainbow who in turn gave her a big hug.
“Scoots, check this out!” She pointed to Kai. “He’s an alien fox guy from space! His name is Kai! Isn’t he cool?”
Scootaloo looked at Kai who sat patiently, his fluffy tail wrapped around his body, an anxious smile across his face. A slight glow from his cheeks resembled that of blushing, perhaps at Rainbows kind words.
‘Hello there young one.’ Kai communicated, his mouth remaining closed.
The other fillies and colts exploded out of the door and surrounded the three, staring at Kai the entire time. Kai looked a bit panicked at first. Scootaloo walked closer to him, eyes wide and mouth agape.
“He… is… so… COOL!” Scootaloo exclaimed.
Kai let out a quick sigh just as Scootaloo grabbed and hugged him. While not as strong as Rainbow, the squeeze from earlier had already made him a little sore. Kai didn’t complain, he was just enjoying the cheer brought on by this filly.
The group of children started to ask questions all at the same time.
“Where’s he from?” “What is he?” “Is he going to eat us?” “Why does he have those things on his head?”
Cherliee stepped into the circle of children. “Alright kids, that’s enough. Let Rainbow and her new friend have a moment to respond.”
Fluttershy finally arrived and landed outside the circle.
‘Greeting, ponies. My name is Kai. I am a Firefox. I communicat-‘ Kai’s thought was cut off by the outburst of “WOAH!” from the children.
“He can talk without moving his mouth?” “It’s like I can hear him inside my head!” “Does this mean we should start wearing tinfoil?”
“Ahem!” Cherliee once again cut off the kids questions. “Please, continue Mr. Kai.” She smiled at him.
‘Thank you. I am pleased to meet all of you. I can talk to you mentally, it is called telepathy. My language and your language are different, so this is the only way you can understand me.’
“Kai had his home destroyed, so we are in the process of finding his friends and family. We are showing him around town for the day.” Fluttershy explained.
‘Fluttershy speaks the truth. I am pleased to meet all of you. It has been an enjoyable day.’
Scootaloo sat there petting Kai as Applebloom and Sweetie Belle joined her.
“Well I hope your journey goes smoothly. What do we say to new visitors, children?” Cherliee asked the group.
In unison they spoke up. “Welcome to PONYVILLE!” They stomped and laughed.
“Well, what do you think Scoots?” Asked Rainbow, a smile spread across her face.
Scootaloo had sat there quietly petting Kai, mouth open, eyes widened. All of a sudden she jumped into the air screaming. “HE’S SO COOL!”
The kids joined in cheering as Cherilee and Fluttershy smiled at each other.
“You know it! Who’s the cool buddy who brought him to see you?”
Scootaloo didn’t get a chance to answer. Kai lifted himself off the ground, floating up above the children. He quickly did a loop in the air, a small fire trail followed him. Another loop and he landed back on the ground in the middle of the children. All the kids, impressed by his flying capabilities, cheered even harder. Stomping and clapping their hooves together, this spectacle was more than their school usually got to see outside the occasional field trip.
“He’s cooler than you Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo yelled as she watched him.
“Well, hey now, let’s not go overboard.” Rainbow said as she bit her lip, sweat dripping from her brow followed by a nervous laugh.
Apple Bloom yelled, “He’s the coolest thing I’ve ever seen!” With Sweetie Belle adding, “The coolest thing in the WORLD!”
Fluttershy got amusement from the children’s words, but noticed Rainbow’s face turning from a happy smile to a nervous smirk.
The children began chanting ‘Kai’ in unison as he did a loop around the circle of children.
“Rainbow, are you okay?” Fluttershy asked with a concerned looked on her face. She knew Rainbow couldn’t handle being anything other than the center of attention for the children.
Rainbow looked at Fluttershy’s nervous face and knew her worries were evident.
“Uhh… Uhh… Okay! Time to go! Gotta keep other appointments!” Rainbow exclaimed, sweat dripping down her face. She quickly grabbed Kai out of the air and flew off over Ponyville.
A resounding “Awww” came from the children as they watched the two speed off.
Fluttershy yelled out to Rainbow as she took flight after them. “Wait for me!”
Rainbow Dash landed in the middle of town, releasing her grasp on Kai.
“Hehe, sorry. You just seemed overwhelmed by the children, had to get you out of there.” Rainbow said.
‘Oh, well, I’m sure we will see them around. I am growing tired. Thank you.’ Kai clearly did not notice Rainbow’s troubled look back at the school, blissfully unaware of her jealous nature.
“Right, well, we should meet somepony else next. Who else can you meet?”
‘I do not know. Fluttershy was the one guiding us around.’
Rainbow Dash had forgotten about Fluttershy, only realizing that they left her once her name was said.
“Ohhhh. Yeah. Whoops.” Rainbow rubbed the back of her neck, too embarrassed about the situation.
The tired Fluttershy arrived just as the words were spoken. “Wh… Wh… Whoops?” She panted, out of breath and extremely weakened. “Is… that all… you have to say?”
Rainbow Dash looked at her with distress. “Geez, Flutters. Are you okay? You seem a bit flustered.”
“You… YOU!” Fluttershy started to yell just as she collapsed to the ground out of exhaustion.
“Wow. Guess we really tired her out.” Rainbow said with a bit of a chuckle before turning to Kai. “Hey, I’m going to take her back to her house. Do you think you could head back to Twilight’s? I’d hate to cut the tour short but I think Fluttershy here is a little worse for wear.”
Kai nodded in agreement. ‘Please, get some rest dear Fluttershy. I will see you both later. Thank you for the wonderful day.’ He bowed his head to them both as they went their separate ways.
He playfully bounced up and down the entire time he walked to the castle, greeting ponies along the way. Some were unsure of him, while others he had already met among the day. Once he arrived at the steps of the castle he took a moment to gather himself. A strange day was sure to have a strange night as well. He grabbed the door knob with his teeth, opening the door and letting himself in.
The door closed behind him, the castle foyer was unlit other than the sun shining through the windows. He was unsure where exactly his new friends would be.
‘This place is about as large as home was.’ He thought to himself. ‘And it’s only a piece of a grander place. Was brother right in wanting to travel to a planet?’
A door closing could be heard among the halls. Spike walked out towards the foyer carrying a tray of snacks.
“Oh, you’re back already?” He asked.
‘The tour got a little exciting. We grew tired fairly quickly.’ Kai answered.
Spike nodded. “Well, we’re up in the library. Twilight and I are searching through the books to find anything that may help.” He said as he climbed the steps, Kai following behind.
‘May I join you?’
“Of course!” Spike replied.