Kakumei sat at a table, munching away at a plate of food. He had already finished feasting on more than fifty plates. Each having been stacked up on top of each other each time he finished what had been there. Seated on the other side of the table was a dumbstruck Flash who watched with his mouth agape. He couldn't fathom what he was seeing, the Saiyan before him was eating away without stopping. He hadn't even touched the glass of water and it had been almost five minutes since the Saiyan started eating. As if on cue, Kakumei grabbed the glass of water and downed it without a second to spare. He swallowed, then let out a burp while looking to Flash with an emotionless stare. Then the Saiyan went back to feasting on what was left before him.
Standing nearby with expressions similar to the Flash's was Wonder Woman and Superman. Both watched their new Saiyan friend finish eating, and upon finishing he let out a belch that echoed outside of the room that they were in. Flash waved his hand while coughing, having caught a whiff of what the Saiyan's breathe smelled like. "Good God man!", Flash exclaimed, "Keep it in, not let it out!"
The Saiyan said nothing, he just simply stared at the scarlet speedster. Then rather slowly he stood up, towering over the Flash. With a turn, Kakumei looked to Superman and began to speak in Kryptonian once more. <I am full....for now.> The Saiyan stated, causing the Kal let out a nervous chuckle.
"What did he say?" Wonder Woman asked, to which the Kryptonian shook his head.
"He has a bigger appetite than Flash does.." Kal replied, then cleared his throat as he now spoke in Kryptonian.
<That's good, before we can visit the Earth you're gonna have to change clothes.> Kal stated, and pointed at what the Saiyan was wearing.
Kakumei looked down at his armor then back at Kal with a confused brow. <What is wrong with my armor?> The Saiyan questioned.
<The people of Earth aren't use to anyone outside of the planet walking around in armor.>
Kakumei gave Kal a pointed look then turned his gaze onto Wonder Woman. The Kryptonian followed the Saiyan's gaze then let out a sigh. <She's not from outside of the planet, and they know her.> Kal stated.
<I do not understand.> Kakumei replied, causing the Kryptonian to sigh then began to ponder on how to explain it to the Saiyan.
<Alright, so you want to learn peace right?> Kal asked and watched Kakumei nod, <Well to learn peace you have to put away any weapons and armor. Meaning you can't walk around as if you're about to fight someone. Do you understand?>
Kakumei processed the Kryptonian's words, then gave the man a shrug. So almost immediately, the Saiyan began to strip himself of his armor. Flash's and Wonder Woman's eyes widened as they saw Kakumei removed his torso armor, revealing lashes from whips upon his now exposed chest and back. The Amazon gave the Saiyan a concerned look, then that concern became surprise when he removed the bottom layer of his armor. <Wait not here!> Kal shouted, now having realized that he should have explained more to his oblivious friend.
Kakumei had removed almost all of his armor, only leaving his bracers and boots on as he gave the Kryptonian a confused look. His chest and below his waistline out for all to see. Kal removed his red cape and put it over Kakumei who continued to stare at him. The Kryptonian wrapped it around the Saiyan like a towel as he let out an exasperated sigh. Flash blinked twice before looking to Kal with a sporting smiling. "What exactly did you tell him?" The scarlet speedster asked smugly.
"Not enough..." Kal replied then began to herd the Saiyan out to find him another pair of clothes.
{30 Minutes Later}
Kakumei looked at himself in the mirror, he was wearing quite the tightened shirt. He had a black buttoned up Polo shirt with short-sleeves. A pair of beige khaki pants with cuffs at the end, as well as round dress shoes that seemed to shine. Of course his tail was moved to where it worked as a belt, since it felt a little uncomfortable for the Saiyan to keep his tail underneath his clothes. Kakumei continued to stare at himself, then looked to the Kryptonian who had changed as well, looking quite weak. The man had on a pair of clothes that he hadn't seen before. Even a pair of strange bifocals, as well as had made his hair different.
"I'm not sure why your hair won't move or change whenever I put gel in it, it's like it just refuses to change", Kal commented in English, "Oh well, at least you look...normal?"
The Kryptonian wasn't exactly sure how to describe Kakumei. The Saiyan seemed oblivious to most things, but Kal knew that that he was observant. The Saiyan was able to grasp English so quickly that it was astonishing. Kal only knew himself and his cousin capable of learning that quickly. The Kryptonian watched as Kakumei tried to stretch, and almost immediately, the shirt that the Saiyan was wearing was about to break. <Hold on, you have to wear that for now.> Kal told him, and found a frown come to Kakumei's face.
<It is too tight for me to wear.> The Saiyan complained.
<I'll get you something that would better fit you, just hang tight.>
"I've gotta ask Supes, are you taking him to walk in the park or to shopping?" Flash asked, standing in the doorway of the locker room that the trio now stood in. The scarlet speedster was leaned against the doorframe, a smug smile plastered on his face. "Because he looks like he's about to go to a job interview."
Kal looked to Flash with an unimpressed look before sighing. "Look, I just want to show him the world that he's going to", The Kryptonian replied, "Take it slow, to show him the people that he's going to be around. Doesn't hurt to give him an idea as to what Humans are."
"I'm human though." Flash pointed out.
"NORMAL humans Flash."
Kakumei looked between the two with an emotionless look. He didn't understand fully what they were saying, but he was steadily deciphering their language each time they spoke. Allowing him to understand more and more, his ability to adapt secret on display.
<What now Kal?> Kakumei questioned in Kryptonian. Kal looked to his Saiyan friend and gave him an apologetic smile.
<Sorry, just having a conversation with my friend>, Kal apologized, <Come on, I'll take you to the city that I live in and we'll go from there.>
Kakumei subtly nodded and began to walk with his Kryptonian companion. He was unsure as to what he was going to expect, though nothing could prepare him every introvert's greatest enemy....crowds.
{Metropolis}
The Saiyan looked around, his beady black pulils landing on everything and everyone. The many different humans walking past him and Kal as they walked down a street. The Kryptonian had warned him that they would be going through a "Rush Hour". The Saiyan hadn't a clue as to what that was, and most definitely figured that out in a practical term.
<Too many in the same place...so vulnerable to attack.> Kakumei commented in Kryptonian, causing Kal to grimace at those words.
<Not everything has to do with fighting, they're living their lives and minding their own business>, Kal explained, <This is what it looks like to just live, no fighting, no bloodshed, just living.>
The Saiyan slowly nodded his head, then saw something happen several feet ahead of him. A woman let out a gasp then cried out in shock. A man wearing a hoody, black cargo pants, and a pair of sneakers was running in the direction of Kal and Kakumei. The Saiyan processed what was happening, even as Kal moved to the side to dodge the man. The hooded man smacked into the Saiyan as if they were hitting a wall. Then fell back onto their rear, causing civilians around them to look at the man suspiciously. "Someone call the police, he stole my purse!" The woman exclaimed, pointing out the man who had "bumped" into Kakumei.
Quickly the thief got to his feet and took out a knife from his pocket. He gritted his teeth then lunged at the Saiyan with frustration. "Move out of the damn wa-" The thief never did get to finish that sentence, for Kakumei had sent a fist into the man's jaw. The blow sent the man back to the sidewalk with a broken jaw. Onlookers gasped, and looked to Kakumei expectantly. The Saiyan looked at the civilians, then looked back at the thief that he just punched. He raised a brow in confusion before looking to find Kal staring at him in shock. Quickly, the Kryptonian grabbed Kakumei by the forearm and nearly dragged him away from the scene. The Saiyan was confused, had he done somethingwrong?
<What is wrong?> Kakumei asked, and found the Kryptonian come to a stop after they were far enough away.
<You can't just go around punching people, with your strength, you can kill someone by accident on this planet!> Kal berated the Saiyan, finding the man frowning at him.
<What was I to do then?>, Kakumei asked even more confused, <He challenged me, he attacked. Was I to let the human try to stab me with his weapon?>
<No, but it doesn't mean that you were suppose to attack him!>, Kal shouted, <Look, just whenever something like that happens, stir clear so that you don't hurt anyone else. You obliviously don't know how to control your own strength....so until then, let me do the punching. Okay?>
Kakumei nodded, then watched his Kryptonian companion sigh with exasperation. The man was hoping that his Saiyan friend hadn't actually killed the thief. He couldn't blame the man, for he has never known the meaning of the word "Peace" before. It was a foreign concept that he was just now getting around to. As well as having never learned restraint. Meaning that his Saiyan friend was more than willing to kill anyone who threatened him.
<Come on, I'll take you somewhere you can get better clothes.> Kal offered, then began to walk off. The Saiyan followed not long after, and showed no remorse for what he had done. In Kakumei's mindset, he defended himself. He lived by how he was raised, to survive you must fight. If anyone stood before you, then they are a threat to you way of life. Therefore they must perish before they kill you. Had Kal not made sure that he understood not to attack anyone...then Kakumei would have begun taking out every human in sight.
Kal guided Kakumei down a street once more, thinking more about his Saiyan friend's predicament. He could send the Saiyan to live with his mother and father, but he wasn't sure if it would help the man's ideology. He wanted to help Kakumei, help the Saiyan understand that he didn't have to fight all the time. Yet, how was he suppose to do that? Kal lived a life where he had others to watch him grow, make sure that he stayed on the right path. Kakumei lived in a gladiatorial arena where he either took someone's life...or they take his. The Kryptonian had his work cut out for him, he could only hope that his Saiyan friend wouldn't do anything drastic. He also hoped that nothing bad would happen that would have him be away from the Saiyan. Knowing Kakumei, he may do something that he wouldn't understand without his guidance.
As if on que, an explosion went off further down the street. Kal's eyes narrowed while Kakumei looked in that direction as Kal was looking to. He couldn't see like the Kryptonian could, but he could hear the distinct sounds of metal clanking against the ground. Kal quickly turned to Kakumei and stared at the Saiyan for a moment. <Stay here, don't go anywhere until I get back, alright?> The Kryptonian ordered, and found a nod be the Saiyan's reply.
Letting out a breath, Kal quickly turned and began running to an alleyway. Kakumei watched, unsure as to what the Kryptonian was doing. Then heard a sonic boom as the Kryptonian soared upwards into the air, wearing his red and blue suit. Running past him were more than a hundred civilians who cried out in terror. Kakumei didn't exactly understand what was going on but he knew that it must have been quite bad for Kal to remove his clothing and move to attack whatever metallic monstrosity was wreaking havoc. That was when the Saiyan felt the ground beneath him shake, as if something big was coming. Kal came flying into a few vehicles, his body steaming and a groan living his lips. Kakumei stared at the Kryptonian but made no effort to help the man up. From his point of view, Kal was fine.
Kakumei looked to find what had made the Kryptonian go flying. Standing at 7"9 was a tall jagged, black metal, and green streaked android of sorts. Kakumei was confused as to what he was seeing, especially with what was on the android's chest. One of the android's arms was a blaster of some kind, the other was smaller and looked to be an arm. The android's face was in the shape of a skull, appearing as if they were fresh out of a grave. "Is that all you've got Superman!?", The adenoid bellowed, "I'm insulted, I made all that ruckus just to get your attention and this is what you give me? This is gonna be easier than I thought!"
"Metallo, I don't want to fight you", Kal pleaded, "Stop this while you still have the option to."
"I will when you're dead!"
The android rushed at the Kryptonian, Kal flew at his metal adversary and sent a punch at them. Metallo did the same, and together, both of their fists collided to create a shockwave. Kakumei on the other hand stood nearby and simply watched. His body barely having moved even when the shockwave had come. He was mildly confused, the Kryptonian looked to be holding back. 'Why?', the Saiyan thought, 'He was not doing that to me...is he playing with his opponent?'
Just as the Saiyan finished that thinking process, he watched as Kal was sent flying by an energy blast from the android. The blast was emerald green, resembling a Green Lantern's construct for Kakumei. He watched as the Kryptonian go flying into the air, then come back down into the side of the pavement groaning. Kakumei continued to watch, even as Metallo stormed his way over to Kal. The android fired another energy blast that made Kal cry out in pain. Going so far to make the Kryptonian's skin turn pale. The Saiyan hadn't a clue as to what was happening, but he was also sure that this android was somehow hurting his companion.
Just when it seemed as if the android was about to finish off the Kryptonian, Kal rose up and smacked Metallo with a nearby vehicle. The android was sent flying into a nearby building, entering an office room. Kakumei watched this unfold, then looked to find Kal struggling to stand. With a tilted head, he walked over to his Kryptonian companion. Kal took notice of the Saiyan's approach, causing his eyes to widen. <What are you doing?!>, Kal shouted in Kryptonian, <Get out of here, now!>
Kakumei frowned, then pointed at the Kryptonian. <Why are you holding back?> The Saiyan simply asked.
<I'm not holding back!>, Kal replied, <Well...I kind of am but that's besides the point! Metallo uses one of my only weaknesses, it's called Kryptonite. Look you need to get out of here before->
Before Kal could finish, Metallo came jumping out of the building that he had been sent to. The android let out a growl before locking eyes on his Kryptonian adversary. Then he noticed Kakumei standing beside his enemy. A dark chuckle left Metallo's shell as he marched his way over to the pair. "What have we here?", Metallo questioned, "Trying to help Superman little man? You better get going before I squash you like a bug!"
Kal glared at Metallo, thinking about what he could do to stop the metal monstrosity. That was when he realized that the answer was literally standing beside him. He looked to his Saiyan friend who stared at Metallo emotionlessly. <Kakumei, I need you to fight him!> Kal stated.
The Saiyan looked to the Kryptonian and raised a brow at the man. <Did you not say moments prior that you would punch others?> The Saiyan reminded.
<Yes, but him you can hit!>
Kakumei tilted his head to the side, staring at his Kryptonian companion for a moment in silence. Then looked to the approaching android. "Saying your last words Superman?" The android asked with a hint of venom.
Kakumei stepped forward, walking over to Metallo. He could hear Kal calling out to him in Kryptonian before he was in front of the android. <Don't kill him, just cripple him!> The Kryptonian would order.
"You think that you're gonna save the day with those twigs you call ar-" Just before Metallo was going to finish his sentence, Kakumei's fist collided with the android's chrome skull. The blow sent Metallow flying backwards, skidding across the roar like a ragdoll. Kakumei frowned, unsure how the Kryptonian had a problem with this android. He dashed forward, rushing Metallo before the android had a chance to catch his barings. "What the fuck was-", just like before, Kakumei attacked Metallo.
This time, the Saiyan sent a kick into the android's side. Then followed up with an uppercut that sent the android flying into the air. Kakumei watched the android flying in the air, then come back down crashing into the ground several feet away. Metallo groaned as he began to rise back up. Then set his green optics upon the Saiyan who had battered him around. "That's it!" Metallo shouted then fired an energy blast at Kakumei from his hand canon. He had expected the man to he a Kryptonian, that ended when the Saiyan sent an energy blast of his own from the palm of his hand. Metallo grunted, watching as Kakumei's own attack was pushing his back. Within a moment, Metallo's Kryptonite blast was pushed back into his hand canon, severing him of his most devastating weapon. The android let out a cry of pain, but didn't have the chance to understand what was happening.
Already, the Saiyan was attacking Metallo. He was bashing away at the android, sending punches that dented his metal frame. When Metallo went to punch Kakumei, he caught the android's arm, then ripped it off. The Saiyan then began to bash the android with his own arm, to the point that it was dismantled from smacking him. It wouldn't be long before Kakumei knocked Metallo to the ground and began repeatedly punching the android's metal skull head in. Each time that his knuckles hit Metallo's face, it made the skull cave in. Just when the Saiyan was about to punch Metallo again, he felt a hand catch his forearm, stopping him. He looked back to find a shocked Kal staring back at him. <It's over, he's lost.> Kal stated.
Kakumei tilted his head, then used his other hand to point at Metallo. <He still lives, he is still a threat>, Kakumei pointed out.
<No he's not, you've beaten him>, Kal replied, <I understand that you're use to killing your enemies, but here we give them a second chance. Here we let them live so that they can try again at life.>
<.....Insanity.>
<What?>
<You would allow an enemy to live, knowing that they would seek revenge?>, Kakumei questioned, <That is the definition of insanity.>
Kal thinned his lips as he released Kakumei's arm. <True, but we don't believe that taking someone's life will change anything either>, Kal answered, <Killing him could make something worse come out seeking vengeance for his death. Then if you kill that next one you'd have to do it again and again. Would you really be willing to kill anyone just because you feel like that's right? Would that give you peace?>
Kakumei processed that questioned, then looked to Metallo who was groaning. He tilted his head once more before looking to Kal, then moved off of the android. <No>, The Saiyan replied.
Kal smiled, then looked around to notice that he and Kakumei had assembled quite the crowd. Reporters were already rushing over, taking pictures of Kakumei and Superman together. That was when the one reporter that he knew that he could trust pushed through the others with a smirk on her face. "Lois Lane of the Daily Planet", Lois addressed herself, "Wanna tell me who this new guy is? Is he your sidekick like Supergirl?"
Kal let out a slight chuckle, then looked to Kakumei who was eyeing at the humans who had nearly surrounded them. Kal then looked to Lois and gave her a charismatic smile. "Well, he's a work in progress for now", Kal answered, "That's all that I can answer for now."
Kakumei watched as the Kryptonian began to float into the air, he did the same, his feet leaving the broken pavement. The Kryptonian had grabbed Metallo as well, and was on his way to take the android to prison.
<What did they say?> Kakumei questioned, his curiosity getting the better of them.
<Oh, they asked if you were my sidekick.> Kal answered.
<What is a sidekick?>
<It....it means that you're a good friend of mine.>
The Saiyan blinked twice, staring at the Kryptonian as they flew over the city. He processed Kal's words, unsure how to feel about that. Then looked at his own hands, remembering the amount of people whom he's killed. Then he remembered the one face that he would never forget, his first friend, Preus. The Saiyan then looked to Kal once more, thinking about a single word that came out not in Kryptonian, but in English.
"Friend.."