Trial and Error: Second Edition

Chapter the Eighteenth: Clean and Bright

Kai raised his head and stared into the eyes of a stranger. He'd always known that the mirror never lied. The pony staring back had a brilliant steel blue coat and a short, smoothed back mane. He stood taller than Kai did, on shiny hooves with his ankles trimmed back to a feathered style. His horn also seemed longer.

"What do you think?" Asked the attendant, smiling.

"I certainly look different," Answered Kai. "I'm not one for focusing on physical appearance, but I like the new look. I even feel better. I may even come back someday."

"I'm glad to hear you say so." The attendant returned Kai's cloak. "I'd be glad to have you back. If you're coming back, might I suggest that you make a reservation next time? It will make sure that you don't have to wait."

"If I do come back, I'll keep that in mind."

Kai was unsure if he would return. While the treatment was quite pleasurable, he wasn't sure if he would remain in the vicinity of Ponyville. He wasn't sure where he would go after he returned to Canterlot. He draped his cloak over his shoulder, rather than donning it. He looked so drastically different that he guessed that nopony would recognize him.

As friendly as the ponies of Ponyville were, they were even more so now that he was out of his cloak. He was starting to become accustomed to it now, and he made every attempt to not scowl back at them.

He had a very good reason for bathing that morning. He had given his word, and he didn't like breaking his word. He walked right through the door to the Carousel Boutique. Finding the store front empty, he cleared his throat, in case Rarity was nearby.

Rarity poked her head out from behind the privacy screen. "One moment, please. I'm busy with another client."

Kai sat down next to the door. He didn't mind waiting. His opinion was changed about whether or not he'd enjoy this gift, given the transformation he had felt from the herbal bath and haircut. Perhaps a change of clothes would do something similar.

Five minutes passed, and Rarity came out from behind the screen. Accompanying her was Pinkie Pie, carrying the front half of a manticore costume, and the back half of a gryphon costume. He wondered what kind of silly creature would look like that.

"Hey, Kai! Long time no see! I'm lovin' the haircut!"

"Yes, It's quite fetching on you."

Kai blushed. "Thanks. I wasn't going to do anything, but a friend recommended that I go to the spa, and the spa ponies told me I would be best served with a fresh haircut. I must admit, it feels nice."

"I bet it does. Come on to the back, your outfit is ready."

Kai followed Rarity to the back as Pinkie bounced out the door. Hanging up his cloak where Rarity had placed it last time, he stood up on the podium as Rarity rifled through a closet. She pulled out a large wooden hanger with a sheet draped over it. She brought it over to Kai and removed the sheet from the hanger, revealing a cloak. She draped it around his shoulders and secured it with a clasp.

Kai examined himself in the mirror. The cloak cascaded down to his ankles, only just gliding above the floor. It was a dark navy blue, with a crescent shaped eye with the letter Y instead of a pupil, perfectly matching his cutie mark, embroidered on either side in silver thread. More silver embroidery ran around the edges of the cloak, most intricately around the hood. The clasp was a crescent moon, forged in silver with an embedded sapphire.

"Since you said that you don't typically dress up, I thought I'd give you something you might wear. As you seem to value utility, I thought you might appreciate something that's weather resistant. It will keep you safe from sun, rain, snow, even sandstorms. It's made of a very durable material that doesn't tear easily, but is easily repaired. What do you think?"

Kai's jaw had dropped. It was a beautiful cloak. "I'm amazed. It's magnificent. If it's even half as durable as you say, I'd be well taken care of for the rest of my days."

Rarity beamed. "I'm so glad to hear you say that!"

"Unfortunately, I can't accept it."

"Pardon me?"

Kai removed the cloak. "It's too much. As wonderful as this cloak is, I don't feel I deserve it."

"Please, Kai? I made it just for you. If I thought you didn't deserve it, I wouldn't have made it."

"I'm sorry." Kai stepped down from his pedestal. "It really is beautiful. I love it. But I haven't earned it."

Rarity took the cloak back and hung it up. "I'm sorry you feel that way. I'll keep it here until you've changed your mind. It is yours, whether you want it or not."

Kai nodded, taking back his old, tattered cloak. "If ever I redeem myself, I'd be happy to pay for it."

As Kai left, he kept his head down to the usual height. He wished he could be as happy as the ponies smiling and waving at him. Any of them would be ecstatic to receive the gift he had just been offered. Then again, the likelihood of any of them being criminals was decidedly low.

Just then, he saw something that made his last thought ring false. Frostbite had turned onto his street. He recognized the face. He was headed in the opposite direction, towards the Carousel Boutique. Though he didn't see Tundra or Stain, he guessed that they were close by. He wasn't sure if they were going after Rarity, but if they were, he couldn't allow that.

He followed Frost at a distance, staying far enough behind him so as not to be spotted. Frost wound his way through alleyways and streets, slipping in and out of crowds, but Kai kept his eyes locked on his target. After several blocks, He came to a dead end. Kai stayed behind a barrel, hoping he was far enough out to not be spotted.

"I know you've been following me." Frost turned to face him. "You're not good at hiding. I'd like a word, face to face if you would."

Kai stepped out from behind his cover. "I'm not looking for a fight. Let's not give each other reason for violence, shall we?."

"You'll receive no argument from me. So, first and foremost, I want to ask what happened to our fourth team member."

"You are referring to Usu?"

"Shh!" Frost ushered Kai closer. "Don't say his name out loud. Call him Turnkey in public."

Kai didn't step closer. "He's safe, for now."

"Good, good. We're willing to negotiate for his safe return."

"Negotiating means you have something you'd be willing to give me. I'm not sure if I want to take your wooden nickels."

"No, no, we'd be willing to give you something you want. That's fair, right?"

Kai was skeptical. "And just what is it you're going to give me in exchange for your comrade?"

Frosty smirked. "Do you think you'd be wanting to have your mare friend back?"

"What mare friend?"

"The one we were mugging the other day."

Kai smirked back. "She's perfectly fine. I know because I just finished talking to her."

"I know. We saw you walk out. The other two are probably done extracting her by now."

Enraged, Kai ripped his blade out of its scabbard and pointed it at Frost. "You wouldn't dare!"

Usu's interpretation of Frost was accurate, as he bolted at the first sign of a weapon. While he had been in a dead end, the earth pony was very agile, quickly freerunning his way up the walls and onto the roof. Poking his head back over the edge of the roof, he called out, "Think about it! We'll be in touch!"

Kai took off toward the Carousel Boutique. He tried to open the door, but it was locked. He looked through the window, finding that the assailants had not left yet. Rarity was still in there, trying to wrestle Stain off of her. Tundra had been helping him, but as Kai started slamming into the door in an attempt to break it down, Tundra turned his attention to barricading the door.

With Tundra blocking the door, Kai took a step back. He had to find a way in there. If the door was inaccessible...

Kai plowed through the window, showers of glass raining down around him. Upon landing, he knocked over two clothing racks as he tackled Stain, pulling him off of Rarity.

Stain whipped out his knife, slashing at Kai rapidly. Kai reached for his own knife, but found that it was not there. In fact, his cloak had been shredded when he jumped through the window, and the blade had fallen to the floor with everything else Kai carried around with him. Having no weapon with which to block, Kai could only dodge the strikes.

Rarity had her own problem to deal with, that being that Tundra was now trying to pin her down. She cried out for help through the shattered window, attracting the attention of passersby. Before long, a mob had formed, and ponies started shouting at the assailants. Some began to pelt the thieves with rocks, while others called for the guards. Noting the attention being drawn, Tundra covered his face and teleported out of the shop.

As neither of them was well-known throughout the town, the angry mob wasn't sure who it was that they were cheering for or against, and this was reflected by their aim with the pebbles they were chucking at Kai and Stain. Stain, also deciding now to be a great time to leave, took off toward another window. But Kai wasn't Willing to let him escape. Though he wasn't fond of any of the three stallions, Usu had vouched for the other two. They were clearly lesser threats than this one. He grabbed Stain's ankle, and held on tight. This was more weight than Stain could carry with his wings, and he just dragged Kai around until Kai's back hooves managed to catch on something heavy. As Kai began to pull Stain back toward him, he suddenly twisted around and delivered a swift kick to Kai's face. As Kai fell backwards into the pool of shattered glass, the world around him went dark.