Chapter 12: Korin Tower
The cold air whipped against the three Saiyans as Icarus flew higher and higher. Kale was in the middle holding on to Icarus' necklace/reins. Megan was in front of him so Kale could hold her, and Crystal held on around his waist. Kale felt such an odd feeling like none other when she squeezed him tight.
Icarus went into a glide as they went above the clouds. His large shadow covered the clouds under them, and then would fade as the clouds broke apart.
Icarus gave a bit of a growl-bark like sound as a large tower appeared in the distance. Kale looked down at the map from the book and grinned as he put the book back in his bag.
"That's Korin's tower. Go straight up and you'll find the Lookout." Kale called back to Crystal.
"Great, we're almost there." She squeezed her arms tighter around Kale's sculpted chest. He placed one hand on her arm as they flew on.
"Oooh! Kale and Crystal, sitting in a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Megan giggled. Crystal's and Kale's eyes met and both blushed, though it was hard to tell if it was from the wind or their hearts.
"Well, is it true?" Crystal asked, barely audible in Kale's ear. Kale turned to face her again.
"It could be… I don't know yet." Kale smirked, taking a chance and planting a kiss on Crystal's cheek. She blushed again.
Icarus swooped down and hovered next to Korin's tower. Kale nudged the giant lizard with his foot.
"Icarus, we want to go up to the Lookout, not here."
Icarus looked back and shook his head. Kale looked about.
"I guess we have to get off here." Crystal said, sliding off the dragon's back. Kale handed Megan over and then dropped down his bag as he hopped off. Icarus looked on.
"I guess go ahead and land, Icarus. I'll call you if I need you." Icarus flew off as Kale looked about.
"Maybe we have to go up an elevator here?" Megan asked.
"I doubt a place like this has elevators." Kale replied.
Crystal looked on and came to a large pot filled with water. It showed a snowy landscape. Another showed a rocky mountain area. Then she came to one and gasped.
Kale walked over quietly and looked inside. It showed two people, two people with tails, strapped to tables and needles being pushed under the skin. They were growling, and then a moment later they were silent.
"Oh gods, no…" tears fell from Crystal's eyes. Those tears were tormenting Kale.
Without any explanation, Crystal turned to Kale and buried her face into his chest. He looked from the female lying still on the table to Crystal and saw a strong resemblance. He didn't need to know who they were now, Crystal's action were more than enough to fill in the blanks.
Kale put his arms around Crystal as she cried.
"It's okay, Crystal. Cry. Be weak, I don't care."
Kale couldn't exactly know how Crystal felt at the moment, but seeing your parents die right before your eyes, Kale could guess. It burned at your soul, made your heart snap in two. Make you want to explode but no way to carry that out.
Suddenly a tapping sound caught Kale's attention.
Tap… tap… tap… tap…
Kale turned and saw an old, white cat with a walking stick. Most people would drop their jaws, but Kale had heard of this particular cat before. Besides, after fighting demons, making allies with a little girl and a dragon, and possibly finding love, this was not a big deal.
"I'm sorry you had to see that, my dear." The old cat said in a deep voice. Megan stared at the cat with big eyes. Thinking she was about to tackle the 'kitty', Kale shot her a warning glance, which she understood.
"You must be Master Korin." Kale said. Crystal looked up and started to dry her eyes.
"Yes. I have been expecting you. You look a lot like that Vegeta character, but then she did say you would."
"Excuse me?" Korin's omnipotent knowledge threw Kale off guard.
"Kale Briefs, isn't it? Yes, Katie is waiting for you topside, but she wanted you to stop by here first." Korin said, actually making himself a bit clearer. Crystal had pulled away from Kale now.
"Is Katrin already at the Lookout?" Kale asked, stepping closer to the old cat.
"No, not yet, but it will only take her a mere moment to get there. No, she wanted me to meet with you first, as she did before she went to the Lookout. That's why Gohan's dragon let you off here."
"Wait, that's really Gohan's dragon?"
"Yes, he is. Dragons live for very, very long times. In fact, Icarus lives at the Lookout now. Like you, he is the only one of his kind."
"Wait, Megan and Crystal are Saiyans too, and there is a whole group of them across the galaxy. I'm not the last Saiyan."
"No, that's isn't what I meant. I meant you're one of a kind. I'd tell you more, but Katie wanted to tell you herself."
"So why am I here and not there?" Kale asking, point from the floor to the ceiling.
"Because Katie wanted me to see if you had a soul like hers. You do, I can see it."
"So what does that mean?"
"A lot, but I can't tell you. You have to wait until you meet with Katie." Korin replied.
"And when will this be?" Crystal asked.
"Oh, you could go now if you want. Have Icarus fly you up there."
Kale nodded and ran to the edge of the tower, calling Icarus. Crystal and Megan walked over to join him. When Kale saw the dragon fly up, he turned back to Korin.
"Thank you, Master Korin." Kale said, getting ready to help Megan and Crystal onto the dragon's back.
"You have to be related to Katie. You're much more polite than Goku. He was a good kid… but just so… uncivil. No manners, but not on purpose. Katie was always polite." Korin smiled as he walked back toward a small door.