Dragon Road Season 1

The punches may have been fast… but they lacked any particular bite. Thusly, Kai simply stood and took them all to prove a point. That only served to annoy his newest pegasus student Rainbow Dash.

“I know you can feel this! Just go down already!”

“Before I even bought you dinner?” Rainbow Dash halted her punch, blinking once, then twice, then a third time. Her face flushed red ever so slightly before she completed her punch. “Ha. Anyway, you're progressing pretty slowly. Do you even want power?”

“Yes!”

“Then where's your motivation? I mean, it's been ages since I gave you your weights. What happened to ‘I'll do it in a week’?” To Kai's blunt question, the mare could only look away.

“Some stuff came up, alright? I can't train all of the time.”

“So when you do, you should be pushing yourself hard. But look at you. You're not sore anywhere. You haven't been training seriously.” Kai crossed his arms, shifting his attention elsewhere. “Maybe you were the wrong pony for the job, after all.”

“Huh? What job?”

“To protect Equestria when I'm not around.” Although she didn't like it, nor would she admit it, Rainbow Dash knew just how strong Kai was. Maybe not his full power, but his display against Cargo had been a good indicator that he was leagues beyond herself or her friends.

And he was training and trusting her to protect her home?

“…Whatever.” That made Kai smile. That shift in stance meant she would take it seriously now.

Suddenly, a bell rang out loudly, their attention falling to the school they waited outside of. They waited for a while as colts and fillies piled out of the school as fast as they could. Kai remembered to put on a smile so his passive glare wouldn't scare anypony. He even received a few waves, which he returned. After a minute or so, his reason for waiting around showed themselves.

Sweetie Belle's eyes went wide as she easily picked her brother from the crowd, breaking into a run towards him.

“Kai!” He caught her, swung her around twice then hugged her tightly, the filly returning the hug. “This is like a dream come true! I've always wanted you to pick me up from school!”

“I've always wanted to pick you up from school.” Kai laughed with her. Setting her down, he noticed two other fillies approach to join her side. “Apple Bloom.” He patted her head, getting a giggle. “Scootaloo.” Her too, only she groaned out and tried shaking his hand off.

“Way too sappy for me.”

“Tell me about it.” Rainbow Dash mumbled.

“You three crusading today?” They shook their heads.

“Nah. Since winter's starting up, we're just gonna stay inside.” Apple Bloom explained.

“That's right, it is winter…” Kai recalled, before shooting Rainbow Dash a glance. “…Shouldn't you be helping with that?”

“We already set up the winter clouds. It'll be fine.” She waved off. “Oh! See? It's already starting!”

True to her words, a few crystals of snow had already started to fall, covering the ground bit by bit. Kai grunted in response.

“Well, let's get home before we get snowed on too bad.”

“Yeah!”

Chapter 16

Coffee Kai

“A most fabulous snowpony, wouldn't you—” A snowball to the face interrupted the filly.

He molded together another ball of snow, a grin on his face.

“I think you're a better snowpony.”

“A lady will not sully her hooves with a snowball fight.” He frowned… until a snowball impacted his face. He blinked while she smirked. “That's what magic is for.”

“Oh, it's on!”

Kai chuckled at the memories he shared with his sister during the winter, staring out at the snowstorm through a window.

“Can't believe I lost that one.”

Shifting his thoughts from then, he yawned as he pondered his recent life. Specifically, how fast time seemed to be passing. It had been some time since he had finally been accepted by Ponyville. It was still a shock, and an odd life to get used to. Ponies waving and speaking to him, when before they would run and hide, or insult him. It wasn't quite “Home, sweet home”, but it was something.

He'd always have an almost mocking smirk when recalling an incident with some unknown bugs called parasprites. He had listened to Twilight's frantic instructions as the creatures revealed themselves to be a very quickly replicating and similarly ravenous sort. Then he listened to Pinkie Pie try to gather instruments for... actually, maybe he didn't end up listening to Pinkie. Probably for her secret band or something. His solution was to just get them in one place and blast them to nothingness. Everypony disagreed with his methods, but they also couldn't help but to be relieved. And they knew Kai knew that.

Time simply passed in peace, and, with autumn closing with a running event a mere two weeks before, this was set up to be a rather harsh winter. Even he was feeling the cold, and he was inside. Luckily, Rarity was long-since prepared with a thick sweater for him to wear under his coat, and a white scarf. It contrasted his darker colors oh, so nicely.

“A-choo!” His musing was interrupted by a controlled sneeze. He didn't even turn to face Rarity, surely crafting yet another dress.

“I never really studied this kind of thing or asked, but, I always thought a pony's coat made the cold… I dunno, way less of a problem. Y'know, magic and stuff.” Rarity sniffled before adressing his curiousity.

“No, most certainly not. The cold is still most unwanted, even if we can stand it better with our coats. Hence why some ponies will wear clothing, not out of fashion, but for warmth.”

“Hmm…” Kai indeed saw a few ponies walking about, scarves and ear muffs on. “I bet a nice cup of coffee would do them well…”

“I know I could go for one.” As she heard movement, Rarity turned slightly to see what Kai was up to. “Going somewhere?”

“Yeah. I think I know what I want to do. Be right back.” And with that, he vanished. Rarity counted the seconds-turned-minutes, until Kai returned… slighly burned with an armful of treasures. “So, I guess the Dragon Lord is a little angry at me for making his daughter wait so long to see me… But he also doesn't want me around her…?” Rarity lifted a brow but said nothing. “I've got a few more trips of treasure to make. He's got a ton of this stuff!”

“Kai, take care not to flirt with his daughter. Ever since you've been accepted by everypony, you've been a bit more… risqué.”

“Why would I ever do that?” With that, he blinked out of sight, returning seconds after. This repeated itself ten more times, but on the final time, minutes went by. Rarity looked at the pile of treasure in confusion, until Kai reappeared, covered in a layer of charcoal and dust. He cleared himself off with ki, shaking his head.

“What did you say?”

“I just asked if she was single—honest!” Rarity's eyes narrowed. “…I mean… was it so bad to say I wanted to see her how she was when we first met?”

“…You said she was tied up when you first met.”

“Mhm.” The unicorn felt her browline lower. “Hey! Don't give me that look! She was totally gonna say yes, if Torch didn't try to kill me!”

“I'm so ignoring you.” She sighed and walked back to her dress-in-progress. “What ever happened to my innocent older brother?”

“I… hit puberty?” He wasn't really sure how he was supposed to answer that question. “I've never been innocent, I've been stupid.”

“Glad you said it.” Kai ignored her.

“There's nothing wrong with a bit of harmless flirting—if everyone's willing.”

“Was she really willing?”

“Yeah. You should see how she fidgets around me. It's actually really cute.”

“So you plan to date not just any dragon, but the Dragon Lord's daughter?” Rarity asked for confirmation.

“Oh, no, no. I don't like her like that. I think it'll be a little while before I get a crush on anyone. When I do, you'll be the first to know.” Although Kai said that, he noticed the look Rarity was giving him. “…What?”

“Are you quite sure about that? You have been spending some time away, with no explaination. But you're clearly seeing somepony.”

“…Oh! You mean…” He blinked. “No, no. I just spend some time talking with Luna every week, that's all.”

“Wait… you mean, Princess Luna?” He nodded. “Princess Celestia's sister?” Another nod. “Formerly Nightmare Moon?”

“Corrupted by, Nightmare Moon.” He corrected.

“Impressive. Courting a princess is no easy feat.”

“I just said it isn't like that.”

“Sure, sure. Whatever you say.” Kai rolled his eyes. That's Rarity for you, believing what she will. “So… what is all of the treasure for?”

“Well, this is all a bunch of gold and bits and stuff. There's this building that's been empty since we were kids around the way. I figured I'd go to the mayor, buy the deed, build on it a bit and gather some materials, then…” He put his fists to his hips and puffed his chest proudly. “I'll open up Kai's Café!”

“Oh my…” Rarity smiled, but still looked at him with concern. “Do you even know how to build? And even if you do, that kind of thing can take months. Do you know what you need for a cafe? Are you completely sure?”

“Sis, I've been reading books about coffee for years now. And, hello? I'm super fast and strong. I'm a one-saiyan-construction-team. This'll take a week—tops.”

“Hmm… Well, as long as you know what you're doing.” Kai gave a thumbs up and started gathering several bits into a nearby satchel bag—his old one. “Oh, Kai? May I have a few of those gems?”

“Of course. Going for a bedazzle, or a centerpiece spectacle?”

“Ooh, bedazzling! I almost forgot about that. I was actually thinking along the lines of jewelry.”

“Sounds good!” With more than enough bits for a fully paid-off decently sized house, Kai walked to the door. Before he left, he gave Rarity a look of curiousity. “Say… our mayor…”

“Mayor Mare?”

“Yeah. Is she cute?”

“I'm coming with you, now.”

“…Huh…”

“Wow…”

“…” Kai and Rarity looked to one another, then to the old, dilapidated building surrounded by a dying plot of land, out of the way of the other buildings in town by a quarter of a mile. “This is a real…”

“…piece of crap.” Though his language was crude, Rarity could not disagree. It may as well have not been a building at all. “Okay, step one.” Kai held his hand out to the structure, and proceeded to blast it to nothingness. “Out with the old.”

“Step two…” Rarity trailed off as she pulled out a paper and a quill. A few minutes went by… “In with the new!”

Kai looked at the blueprint she drew up. A grin crept along his face.

Oh, that was nice.

Let it be known, building in snow was not quite easy. However, Kai pulled it off nonetheless; with Rarity guiding him through from afar. Kai's impatience had taught him techniques to hasten everything—even the drying of adhesives. A small application of ki dried it up in no time. As a result, the building had been completely built in two days. Though, there were a few issues with the exterior…

One being that it looked dry… devoid of any greenery or presentation. That was when they called Fluttershy for help.

“And… there.” The gentle caretaker pushed the dirt back over the several seeds she had planted. She had been confused at the lack of snow at first, but another look at Kai reminded her of his odd power. “By spring, these should bloom all around your cafe, Kai.”

“Sweet. Thanks, Shy.” The saiyan knelt down, chuckling at the mare's suddenly bashful disposition. He offered her head a pat. “We haven't gotten to talk much since I came back, have we? Sorry for that.”

“No, it's okay. Just having you back is enough for me.” Fluttershy smiled at the thought. “…You gave me a life, so giving your new ambitions life is the least I can do.”

“Kai?” They both turned to Rarity approaching. “I started detailing everything you'd need, and even a general floor plan for this place you should follow. Here.” Kai accepted the sheets of paper.

“Hm… Not bad. Not bad at all.” And then proceeded to burn them with ki.

“Ah! Hey! Why did you—”

“Sorry, but this is one time I'm being dead serious. This is gonna be my business. I followed along with the outside because it was exactly what I had already planned. I already know what this place is gonna look like. The help's appreciated, but from here on out, it's my project.” Kai leveled a brotherly stare at Rarity. “Got that?”

“…It better be successful.”

“Don't doubt me.”

“Very well. How long until ponies can come for a cup of coffee?”

“Three days, to play it safe. And it won't just be coffee—it'll be everything! Tea, iced tea, iced coffee, hot chocolate, cold chocolate—whatever! We're seriously doin' this!”

“Um… e…excuse me…” They looked to Fluttershy. “Your cafe is… a little out of the way…. Should we pass out flyers or anything?”

“Nope. I remember goofing off around here all the time, even before I left all that time ago. Ponies will come here out of boredom and curiousity, notice the cafe, and pop in. You can come in for a cup, too, Shy. It'll be extra special for you.” He assured, scratching behing her ear. The pegasus smiled, both at the action and at his words.

“Please, don't flirt with my best friend.” Rarity groaned.

“Hey! I wasn't flirting! She's my friend, too, you know!” Fluttershy giggled.

“Well then, I should be going now. You know how Angel Bunny can get.”

“Yeah, feisty little bunny. Need me to walk you home?”

“Maybe if it was darker, but I should be fine.” Both psuedo siblings blinked in surprise as the pegasus walked away. “Goodbye.”

“…It's morning, though.”

“Fluttershy just made a joke…” They looked at each other. “Isn't she just precious?”

“The most precious thing.” They shook their heads. “Anyway, I'm back at it! This'll be fun!”

As the saiyan made to continue his work, Rarity smiled and walked away.

“Aaaand… There!”

The building itself was now a darker brown from before, practically mahogany in color. Now, brandished in white letters above the glass double-doored entrance, was “KAI'S CAFÉ”.

Inside, Kai could be just as proud, if not more. The interior walls were white, though decorated with a few framed pictures so as to avoid looking too bland. To his sides, right by the entrance, were brown single-booth seats, two across from each other on each side, and both of the booths facing a white table, kept pretty by a red rose on either table.

He clicked out the steps in his head… ten short steps for him, about the same normal steps for a pony. That would get them to the long L-shaped counter, long enough to seat ten all at once. He smoothly inserted himself behind the mahogany counter, looking at everything the back shelf had. Bags of coffee beans, grinders, several different filters, sugars, powdered and liquid creamers… Where another shelf was missing, there was instead a small stove with two burners. Next to it, was a small refridgerator.

Behind the counter were his cups and utensils—twenty cups was good to start with. From his perspective behind the bar and facing the floor, to his back left, was a small door that led to where he would store things. To his further back right, were the restrooms—maximum occupancy, six stalls.

Kai crossed his arms, smiling genuinely for what felt like the first time in ages. His eye caught the sign for a moment, and he jutted his hand out to force a kiai to flip it. Smile returning, he nodded in approval.

“Open for business.”

It had taken a single day. Just one. But Kai kept calm, even hearing the tell-tale jingling of the bell that would let him know he had a customer. He simply continued cleaning out a cup as the mares spoke amongst themselves.

“Honestly, it's a bit immature that you just can't enjoy coffee like a normal pony. Don't you want to be a proper mare, Vinyl?”

“That stuff you make is as bitter as your attitude, 'Tavi. I just can't get behind it.”

“Well you will today. Take a deep breath.” Octavia Melody breathed deeply, letting out a hum of satisfaction. “Smell the undertones of a café.”

“…Smells better than it tastes.”

Seemed about time to cut in.

“Welcome.” The mares looked over and met Kai's welcoming gaze. Octavia gave Vinyl Scratch a look, then flicked her head to the barstools. With an unseen eye roll, the sunglasses-wearing mare followed her friend to the counter.

“Good morning.”

“Yo.” Octavia glared at her friend for her informality.

“Would you two believe that you're my first customers, ever?”

“Really now? Well, when I think about it, this café was not here just last week.”

“Nope. Just built it. Name's Kai.”

“Hello, Kai. My name is Octavia Melody. This is my friend—”

“With benefits.” That earned her a slap on the head.

“…my annoying friend, Vinyl Scratch.”

“Nice meeting you two. What can I get you?”

“Just two cups of coffee, Canterlot blend, please.” Octavia ordered for them.

“Gotcha. I'll have it for you in no time.” Kai tended to the coffee for the next few minutes. No matter how fast one could go, he mused, no amount of speed or power could hasten the process of a good cup of coffee. Didn't mean he couldn't make small talk. “So, Vinyl Scratch, was it? It seems you don't like coffee much.”

“She means no offense, I assure you.”

“Oh, I totally mean offense. All the offense.” That made Kai laugh. The earth pony? Not so much. “The stuff's too bitter. That doesn't make me immature. It just means my 'buds are picky.”

“Everyone likes their coffee a bit different. Check it out.” With twin pours, Kai filled up two cups of coffee, one halfway, the other just shy of full. Taking the half-filled one, he turned, added a few things, then turned back to set it onto the counter, now as filled as the other. He mixed it with a stirring stick until it became a milky brown in color, the other as black as night. “Your orders.”

“M…my… That was… very impressive. To finish it so fast and precisely.” Kai simply smiled. Even though he didn't personally feel rushed, he supposed he was still faster than anypony else who tried making a cup of coffee. “Thank you. Vinyl, thank the nice… um…”

“Saiyan.”

“Saiyan.”

“Saiyan.” Vinyl echoed with a smirk. “Thanks, guy! Sorry if I upchuck on your floor.” She took a sip of her coffee… only to have to take off her iconic glasses to stare at the cup in shock. “Woah! That's tasty! This can't be coffee.”

“It's as I said, everyone likes it different.”

Octavia gave Vinyl a curious stare, to which the unicorn offered the cup to her. She took a sip, and immediately gagged.

“It's dreadfully sweet…!”

“That's why it's so good! Y'know, I wasn't too sure about it at first, but you really made a great choice on bringing me here! This guy knows what he's doing!” Octavia shook her head and sipped her own coffee, though she was also glad her friend had at least found some way to enjoy coffee. “Hey, can I get an omelette, too?”

“Vinyl!” The mare scolded, before looking to Kai. “I apologize sincerely on her behalf. She should know better than to order something like that at a café.”

“S'cool.” Kai moved to the fridge and took out a few eggs. “You want something, too? Don't be shy.”

“Ah, no… just the coffee…”

It didn't take long to prepare the food, and by then, the mares were nearly finished with their coffee.

“Here you are.”

“Sweet!” Before she could dig in messily, a throat cleared itself. “Oh, uh, thanks!” Then she dug in.

“So, Kai?” Octavia began. “How long have you been in Ponyville?”

“Nearly my whole life. I left for a few years, but I came back a few months ago.” Kai answered with a smile. “The ponyfolks haven't been too fond of me 'till recently. But, I'm only a little annoyed by now.”

“Why didn't they like you?” Kai simply gestured to himself. “Ah… Being unique shouldn't be something to hate.”

“It shouldn't, but it is.”

“So that means you're like, single?” Both looked to Vinyl with brows raised. The saiyan nodded. “How open are you?”

“Alright! I believe it's time we get to the rest of our day!” Octavia emphasised this sudden decision by bumping Vinyl in the ribs. Hard. The unicorn coughed loudly, only able to nod in response. “Thank you very much, Kai. How much do we owe you?”

“It's on the house.” He waved off. Octavia wanted badly to protest, but… she recognised the look on his face. That translated from entire species, it seemed. That look of stubborness.

With a drawn sigh, the mare offered a smile.

“Well, we'll be spreading the word of a great new café, owned by a skilled and hospitable saiyan.”

“Who would that be?” They laughed together for a moment before the ponies stood to leave. “Come back soon. There's always a cup of a coffee for you two.”

“Of course we'll be back. Right, Vinyl?”

“As long as you make it the same way next time!”

With that, the duo left the building.

And Kai celebrated his first customers with a fist-pump.

“I'm hooooome~!” Rarity peeked from her workroom.

“Welcome back, Kai! So? Any customers today?” The grin on her brother's face told her more than enough.

“Yeah! I was swamped today! They all loved it, too!” Kai enthused as he began taking his coat off.

“Sounds like you had a busy…” Kai turned after Rarity suddenly stopped speaking.

“What, what's up?” Her eyes were wide. “…Is there something on my face? Or… you didn't notice the extra scars, huh?” She pointed. He followed her point, but saw nothing. “Girl! Speak!”

“Your hand! You have it! It's there!” He was still confused, but when he lifted his left hand to his face…

“By Kami!” On his left hand was what looked like a tattoo. A white cup, filled with steaming coffee. Yes, this was— “My cutie mark!”

“How do you feel?”

“…Stupid.” Kai and Rarity laughed as the saiyan moved to her worktable to sit next to her.

“Me, too. I mean, the signs were clear enough. The only books you would ever read were about coffee.”

“Welp, my two halves have been made whole. Thanks for sticking with me, Rarity.” He gave her a hug, which she returned.

“Thank you for having me along. Now you know who to be. I'm so proud of you, Kai.”

“Thanks.”

As the snow continued to fall, the siblings could barely even notice the cold as they continued to hug.

Extra

Winter Flashback

A young Kai, clad in a dark blue outfit with a sweater and scarf, looked over to his younger sister Rarity, both laying on their backs in the snow.

“…You only won that one 'cause of magic.”

“What is it you say? A win is a win?”

“Got me there.” They laughed. “…Say, why does it have to snow?”

“Hm?”

“There's no rule, right? So, why?”

“…I guess it's a traditional thing. Mom said that it used to snow a loooong time ago, so…”

“Weird.” Kai reached his hand out at the sky, his hand eclipsing the clouds from his own view. He clenched his fist to ‘crush’ it. “Giant balls of cotton candy, dropping frosting.” He could sense Rarity's confused stare. “The clouds making snow.”

“Oh. In that case, what about when it rains?”

“Uh… Then they drop… chocolate milk!” Another round of laughter followed. “That'll be the day…”

“I bet one day it really will rain chocolate milk.”

“Nah, no way. Isn't that against the rules for pegasi?”

“Who cares? It really will rain chocolate milk.”

“Wanna bet?”

“Yes!”

“If it rains chocolate milk… I'll do your chores for a whole month.”

“Hey, no fair! You already do my chores!” Kai chuckled and gave her a gesture to tell her she had the floor. “If I win… you have to tell me that secret you said you couldn't tell me!”

Kai's brows lowered minutely, but he smiled a moment after.

“Ha! You're on. But until then, I get to brag about being right!”

“Deal!”

At the exact same time, they sneezed twice. As if that was an alarm, they heard the door to their home open and a voice call out.

“Kids! Hot cocoa!” Their mother called out.

“Coming!”

Sneezing and sniffling again, the siblings grinned, covered by a blanket, and a mug of hot cocoa in their grasp. They looked out to the snow, illuminated by the moon. Rarity looked up at Kai, then snuggled closer to him.

“Do you think we'll be like this forever, Kai?” Kai stroked her mane affectionately, continuing to stare out at the snow and the stars.

“Definitely, Rarity. We will.”

Looking down at his little sisters asleep in his lap, Kai couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

“Yeah… Maybe not forever, but… right now is more than enough for me.”