A/N: Well, here I am, next chapter in hand. I'm pretty sure this one-chapter-a-day thing won't last long, but for now, at least I can make some headway. Let me know if the story starts feeling rushed, guys. I'm trying to go at the same pace with Goten that I went with Gohan. Believe me, there is much to his training, it won't be over by next chapter. Oh, and there may be a surprise character visit! Any guesses to who it may be? First one who gets it right gets a box of cookies!

I do not own Dragonball Z.

KAI

They seemed to fly, yet not move, as space and time flowed around them like water rushing into a deep hole. Goten clung to Kibito's hand tightly, instinctively knowing that, should he let go, there may be no finding him. Kibito cast him a glance, his face as grim as always, but somehow Goten knew the dark-pink warrior was just checking to make sure he was alright. Deciding to overcome his intimidation, he flashed the warrior a smile. He could almost swear he saw a hint of a smile in return before reality suddenly congealed all around them.

Or, some kind of reality, anyway. They were on a planet... there was ground beneath Goten's feet, and a sky above his head... but, it didn't seem like any world he had ever been on. It was... too small! He could see the curvature of the planet in the distance plainly, and had the feeling he could probably run all around it in a very short time. What's more, there was light all around them, but he didn't see a sun anywhere. What he did see were other large planetary bodies which seemed dangerously close, so close he was almost afraid they would crash into the planet. He looked back at Kibito and the Supreme Kai, who did not seem worried at all that they might get squashed by giant space rocks. He relaxed a little.

The Supreme Kai spoke. "Goten, you have chosen to come with me and train, to protect the universe. This decision was a noble one. But I did not warn you, and could not warn you in front of the others, what this decision would entail," he said solemnly.

A lump formed in Goten's throat. "There's more?" he asked weakly. Now what would be expected of him?

The ancient being smiled tolerantly at him. "Training with me would make you stronger, but simple training could not make you strong enough to defeat your opponent. It is what we will start with, but if you are to save the universe, you must be transformed," he said, "into one of us. You must become a Kai."

Even Kibito was surprised at this news. "Supreme Kai... is this even possible? A mortal cannot become a Kai... can he?"

The Supreme Kai merely continued to smile. "This transformation will take place much later, once you have completed your training. The only reason I tell you now is, it requires commitment and sacrifice on your part. Everything you do from this time to that will affect whether or not the transformation is even possible. It is imperative that you remain pure of heart and strong of will. You must live according to the code of the Kai all your life. You must be a Kai in will and action from this moment on, so that, when the time comes, you can be transformed into one in body. Do you understand this, Goten?"

Goten frowned in thought. "You're saying, I have to be good, 'cause if I'm bad, I can't become a Kai and save the universe," he translated.

Kibito grunted his approval. He liked this kid... he kept things simple. That was how Kibito preferred them.

The Supreme Kai nodded. "It is up to you, Goten. Will you make this commitment? Will you devote your life to the life of a Kai, and take our ways as your own?" he asked.

Something made Goten hesitate. "Wait... will this mean I can never see Pel again?" he asked suspiciously.

The Supreme Kai was silent for a moment. "The way of the Kai is a strict one, Goten. But you and Pel are the last of your race. If your training is completed swiftly, I will grant you whatever time is left between the end of your training, and the coming of this great evil, to be with Pel. In that time, you must remain pure of heart, Goten, but you will be free to... do whatever comes naturally to you. When the evil arrives, you will know it, and you will be transformed. Will this be acceptable to you?" he asked.

Goten grinned. He didn't understand everything the Supreme Kai was talking about, but he understood enough. "Yeah! Let's do it! If I hurry and get stronger, then I can see Pel again, right? At least, until the big evil thing comes? And after I beat it..." He trailed off, frowning. "What happens after I beat it?" he asked.

The Supreme Kai and Kibito shared a glance. "There is a reason why the Kai remain separate from the rest of the universe," the Supreme Kai informed him. "In order to protect it, we must see all of it. If we interfere with just a little part, it will always need our interference, it will never grow to exist by itself. Our interference must only occur when the fate of the entire universe is at stake. You will learn that, no matter how terrifying or horrible a being may be up close, from afar, if it only terrorizes a small population, the universe as a whole will survive, and the good beings in that population will have the chance to rise up and grow stronger, defending their own homes. This is the way it should be... this is how your father came to be so strong, before he died. We may see everything, but we cannot be everywhere at once. It is necessary for the good people of the universe to stand up for themselves."

"But... when an evil threatens the very existence of the universe, that is when we must step in. If the universe no longer exists, then good will never have a chance to become strong again," he continued. He placed a hand on Goten's shoulder. "It is our place to protect the whole universe, not just one tiny part of it. However, we can only see everything from up here. Once we enter the realm of mortals, we can no longer see everything, we can no longer do our jobs. Do you understand now?" he asked softly.

Goten swallowed hard. "So... after I beat the great evil, I have to stay up here... forever?" he asked, disappointed.

The Supreme Kai nodded. "I'm afraid so, Goten. What's more, as a Kai, forever is much longer than your mortal life. When you are transformed... you will no longer be mortal. You will be ageless, deathless. You will be here until the end of time itself," he explained.

"And if I don't," Goten said softly, "the whole universe will be destroyed, my friends along with it." He thought long and hard before he spoke again. "Okay. I'll do it," he said finally, conviction in his voice.

"Then let it be so," the Supreme Kai said, raising a finger at Goten. Suddenly, a beam came out of his finger, and Goten's Namekian garb changed into clothes that looked like the Supreme Kai's and Kibito's. "From this moment on, you have adopted the way of the Kai, and will be known as Kai Goten. You are one of us in all but body, and until the time comes when you are transformed, you will live like us, train like us, and follow our ways," he said, smiling. He turned to Kibito. "Kibito will begin your training," he said, nodding to his friend, who bowed.

Goten looked down at his new clothes, then up at Kibito. "Okay, Master Kibito. What do you want me to do first?" he asked, eager to get on with his training. He wanted to get as much time to spend with Pel on Namek as he possibly could. At the very least, he wanted to be ready before the great evil came and destroyed everything.

A/N: Well, I hope you guys enjoyed it. Not as long as the last chapter, but we'll get there. I don't like putting too many pivot points into one chapter. Read and review, please! We'll see who wins that box of cookies...

Supreme Kai: I believe those belong to me. I know who the surprise visitor is.

Me: Sorry, Supreme Kai, you can't play.

Supreme Kai: Why not?

Me: You took an oath of non-interference, remember?

Supreme Kai: So?

Me: Well, will the entire universe be destroyed if you don't give away who our mystery guest is?

Supreme Kai: ... No...

Me: Then no cookies for you!

Supreme Kai: Are you sure you're good now?

Me: Sure am! I baked these myself, and they're delicious!

Supreme Kai: ...That's not what I meant...