Chapter 6: Possible Solution

Codie was strong and healthy a week later, nothing else had happened. There were no nosebleeds, no convulsions, nothing out of the ordinary. We were even sparring again. He was normal again, but I knew deep down that the cancer was still there, in remission maybe, but not gone.

It's only been about a year since the defeat of the Shadow Dragons. Codie has shown two -three really- signs of illness. The seizure, the nosebleed, and the Dextryte in his blood. Both of those were near fatal if I didn't act so fast on my feet, but if those are only symptoms, what will be the fatal hit?

I only knew one person that could help, so I teleported to the Supreme Planet of the Kais.

"Katie, I saw you were coming. Come, Elder Kai is waiting to speak with us." Supreme Kai was waiting on me, and Suguro and his son were with him.

I walked, hoping that they knew why I was here if they already knew I was coming. I was anxious, wanting to save Codie before time ran out, however long that may be.

We got to the plateau of the Z Sword, and old Kai was waiting at the top. Supreme Kai and I flew to the top while Suguro and his son remained below.

"Ah Katie, glad to see you. I assume you know why I wanted to speak to you?" Old Kai asked.

"I assume that you knew I was here for Codie's sake." I sat down across from him, and Supreme Kai sat next to me.

"Yes, your son. Do you mind explaining to me once more how it is that he became ill?"

"It was my fault, Old Kai. I had Codie absorb the evil half of Cell. Gero explained that Codie was made from the good side of Cell, and therefore not compatible with the evil side. His body is trying to reject something it has already inter-graded into its system."

"Now you've lost me, Katie dear. All this technical mumbo-jumbo gives me a headache." Old Kai said, rubbing his temple. My anger flushed, but I remained cool.

"He permanently fused with the evil side of Cell, but he wasn't supposed to do that. Its making him sick, like fighting an infection, only this infection is a part of my son, like an organ that can't be removed." I tried to explain.

"I see..." Old Kai said.

"I see? That's it?" I snapped.

"Young lady, I advise you to hold your tongue! I'm trying to help you!" Old Kai snapped. I realized what I said.

"I'm sorry, Old Kai. But you have to understand, he's my son… we've been through so much together, and then there's the connection to Cell. Sometimes I think it's really Cell I'm talking to and not Codie… I can't lose him… no parent should outlive their child."

"Cell was your best friend, and Codie is your son. Both of those are hard things to give up. I don't blame you for shouting, but I want you to prepare yourself for the worse. There may not be a cure or a solution of any sort."

"I'm willing to do anything, Elder Kai." I replied.

"I know you are. Any parent would say that… we'll have to find out if you mean it."

"Mom…"

"Codie?" I stood up fast.

"My nose again, I can't stop it!"

"I'll be right there, don't move!"

"Katie?"

"I have to go, respectable Kais. My son needs me. Please, tell me if you find anything that might help."

I teleported back home and did the routine all over again, only this time I was quick enough that a transfusion wasn't needed.

Codie was resting, sleeping in his room again. I stood in the doorway and watched him, tears rolling down my cheeks.

We've been through a lot together, just him and me. We fought together against Bebi… and against Gero and Super 17… then my memory; he didn't leave my side the entire time. And then Omega… Codie helped me control my SSJ4 powers. And I saved him from the Darkling universe… but because of me he is dying. Because of me…

XxX

"Codie, you know I'd never ask you to do something if I thought it was dangerous, right?" I asked, looking Codie in the eye.

"Uh, yeah, I guess so."

"Well, for once I have to. If Goku loses, we all die anyway. At least if you can help now, and God forbid you do die, we could bring you back."

"Yeah, what do you need me to do?" he asked, fearless.

"First, I love you. Never forget that. I wouldn't ask you to do this if there was another way."

"Right, mom. I love you, too. Don't you forget that."

"Never. Here's the plan. Right now Omega is stronger than Drazark, and Drazark could kill Goku at Super Sayjin four. I fought as Dragonfly and won. Dragonfly was a fusion of Cell and myself."

"So do you want to fuse with me? Is that it?" Codie asked.

"It wouldn't be enough. You have to go to HFIL and fuse with Evil Cell."

"What!" Codie cried.

"Katie, are you crazy?" Trunks asked.

"It might work." Gohan said.

"What?" Goten asked.

"Cell's two sides are extremely powerful apart right now. Back together they may prove stronger that Omega Shenron. If Evil Cell will do it."

"That's why it's dangerous. Evil Cell won't do it, but you're stronger than him, Codie. I know you are. You'll have to absorb Evil Cell with you tail."

"But mom, I've never absorbed anyone with my tail. Will it work?" Codie asked, doubting.

"Don't doubt yourself. Power all the way to your maximum form. Get Kooler to help you, too. He'll do it if you tell him it's for me."

"Okay mom, I trust you know what you're doing."

"Codie, you may not be the same when you go through with this. I wanted to warn you, just in case."

"If it'll help Goku bring back dad, I'll do it."

XxX

He wanted to help… so why is a good deed being punished? He did help, if only for a while. It's my fault… he trusted me…

I watched Codie sleeping. He seemed perfect right now. He was sick, but you couldn't tell.

I remembered everything in perfect detail. Codie saved me from Bebi, and then everyone learned of Codie's father. Then Super 17 killed Mirai, Kanji, and Andy. Only Codie and I were left, then when my bad memory completely gave out, he never lost hope. He stuck with me the whole time. I didn't know him, but he still loved me. Then I asked him to absorb Cell's evil half. He knows he's sick because of that, but he doesn't see that he's dying. Someone so young couldn't comprehend that, especially if they hadn't died yet.

He helped me control my SSJ4 abilities, and that in turn helped save us all. So why is a good deed being punished?

"Katie, I think I may have a solution." It was Old Kai.

"I'll be right there." I looked over at Codie. He looked pale, in turn reminding me yet again of his father.

I turned away from his room so I could concentrate to teleport, and there was Mirai standing in the hall.

"Katie, I want to know what's wrong with Codie. I know you know." He looked at me, not angry or upset, just worried.

I sensed Codie still sleeping, so I took Mirai's arm and led him further down the hall.

"I wanted to wait to tell you, and the others. Your dad already knows."

"I know, but he wouldn't talk to me."

"It's hard, Mirai. Real hard. I'd rather go through Roxx's tortures all over again than go through this." I stopped, now in our room.

"What is it, Katie? He may not have my blood, but he's still my son."

"I know, I see that every time he smiles." I fell to a sitting position on the bed. I began to cry. "Damn emotions. I use to believe like your father once; emotion equals weakness. Not now, not since my Inner Light showed me the truth."

"You're stalling, Katie."

"I know, Mirai! I know!" I snapped, "… Codie is dying. And its Cell's fault. And it's my fault." I began to cry harder.

What will I do without him? Losing Mirai, Kanji, and Andy drove me mad, so what will losing Cell and Codie do to me? What will I do without my crystal?

"Katie?"

"I had Codie absorb the evil half of Cell. Instead of Codie being reborn as Cell as a whole, he was reborn as the good side only. I know Cell did that on purpose. But I made a fool's bargain and asked Codie to absorb Cell's evil half to help destroy Omega Shenron. I knew there were risks involved, but I didn't think anything like this would happen. And I warned him of the risks I knew of. But Codie was fearless… he was bold, confident, he went for it. And now… now…" I couldn't continue, it was just too hard. And Mirai's silent treatment wasn't helping.

Mirai just stood there, staring at me. I didn't know what he was thinking. I've become good at figuring out people's reactions, but this time I was clueless. I didn't know if he wanted to hug me or hit me.

Our relationship hasn't been the same since we went to the darkling universe. We fight a lot, and not the normal Vegeta vs. Bulma fights. These fights were serious, like the last one we had about Cell. I thought Mirai and I were true love, destined-to-be, fireworks on the fourth of July meant-to-be. But maybe it was just a rushed relationship.

"Mirai," I wiped the tears away, "I have to go talk to Old Kai. We might have a solution. I'll be back soon."

I went to teleport, but Mirai grabbed my shoulder.

"We're not done yet. I'll wait."

I nodded and teleported back to the Kai Planet.