Chapter 14: Otherworld

I took Kale to my favorite place for our entry to Otherworld; the grassy plains by the sea where you can watch the whales. Kale's eyes went wide as he looked around.

"It's so… beautiful here."

"I know. Come on, there are some people you need to meet. We're having a picnic today. Everyone will be there."

"Everyone?" he asked.

"All the good people you've read about."

"And… my parents?"

"Kais know I tried Kale… but I couldn't find them anywhere. I even looked in HFIL, but I couldn't find them anywhere. I know they're dead… I saw them when they came in."

"Well… that's okay. I guess when I die I can look for them myself." He replied.

"I know it's hard. I lost my parents as a child too."

I led the way to the picnic sight, which was under the largest cherry-blossom tree in Otherworld. Kale looked very much like I did the first time I explored the area. Eyes wide, mouth slightly agape, and not really paying attention to where he was going.

"Katie!" I turned from watching Kale amused to see Goku waving.

"Hey Goku! We're here, Kale." He looked ahead, his chin nearly hitting the ground. I smirked and placed my hand on his shoulder.

"That's Goku… and Vegeta… and Mirai… Cell… Gohan… Codie…"

"I'll introduce you, don't worry. Just relax."

"But… but how do you expect me to relax? It's you! And… and them!"

"Kale, we're all family!" I said, squeezing his shoulder.

"Is that him, Katrin?" Vegeta asked.

"Yup. Everyone, this is Kale."

I went on and introduced everyone to Kale. It was my family, his family, all together except for his parents, my parents, brother, and uncle.

"So… get this Kale, then the beans landed in mom's hair!" Codie said. We all broke up laughing, "So then my brother starts laughing, and mom throws the potato salad at him, but it missed and hit grandpa Vegeta!" I seriously thought someone was going to pass out from laughing as I held my side. Kale was laughing harder than I had ever seen him, "Then Gohan laughs and gets covered in BBQ sauce!"

"No, stop, please! I can't… I can't breathe!" Kale said.

"Me neither." Goku added.

"Okay… okay…" I wiped my eyes dry as I stood up, "Kale, we have to go." I said.

"What?" he asked.

"The reason I brought you up here. We need to talk about it. It's almost time." I looked back and saw Cell finally, watching from the top of the hill. The old fool was still too upset to be around me when I was with my family. I couldn't blame him, though.

Kale got up, and I put my hand on his shoulder and teleported to the Temple. Kale recognized it.

"What are we doing here? I thought you hated it."

"I did. But… things change. I've had talks with the Council. I can understand why they did what they did."

"Am I going to meet them?"

"Yeah. But first, I have to tell ya why you're here."

"So why am I here?" he asked back.

"Well… it's time for a new, permanent Angel, Kale. And I think you are the only one besides me that can handle it."

"What… but… but-"

"Just let me finish." I said. Kale closed his mouth and nodded, "If you take it, well, you know how my life was. You'd live here, with all of us. You could protect the universe… and I could train you. I never had someone to help me when I got started."

"And… if I refuse?"

"Then we'll find someone else. It's no big deal if you don't take it." I said. He nodded, and I headed toward the door.

We walked in. Supreme and Elder Kai were already there, and the Council was in their normal place. Burgundy, Azure, and my friend, Lime, were hooded, but I knew their Ki well enough to tell them apart.

"Katrin, is this the boy you spoke of?" Lime asked. I smiled and nodded.

"Yes, this is my great-grandson, Kale Briefs."

"Kale, do you know why you're here?" Azure asked, her feminine voice lacy and sweet, almost sickly sweet.

"Yes, I do."

"And you understand the circumstances?" Burgundy spoke up this time. Kale nodded.

"Then what do you choose, Kale?" I asked, turning to face him.

Kale looked to the floor, and then he looked all around the room, from person to person. I knew what he was going to choose. He was like me this way.

"Though I admit having so much power would be nice… and living here with you and my family is something I've always wanted. But… I can't abandon Megan and Crystal. When I'm with them, I feel like a hole deep down has been filled. I have decided to stay with them."

"Good choice, Kale." I said, looking back up to the Council, "Then I guess I really have no choice. Oh well… maybe things will get interesting." I walked forward to Supreme Kai, and he held out the Z Crystal to me.

"Katie…"

"I told you it was no big deal, Kale. I'll be the next, and probably, the only Angel. I already have the wings." I smiled, then took the Crystal, absorbing not just the power, but the entire sphere into my chest. The familiar power ran though my body.

"You didn't tell me so it wouldn't effect my decision." Kale said.

"I didn't want any pity for me to stop what you really wanted. Lime taught me that back when I gave up this power."

"So now what are you going to do?" Kale asked.

"I'm going to do my duty. And you're going home." I smiled.