Frozen (Zuqetta, Invite)

Speeding through the skies, Zuqetta could sense it; the energy of another even further north, deep in the hazardous, icy tundra. Clad comfortably within a bright pink, thick wool jacket with an inner cotton lining; the cold of the north held little inconvenience to her. As for the energy she sensed however, the same could not be said. The energy seemed to be fading, slowly growing weaker and weaker. The heck is someone doing way out here anyways!? Zuqetta questioned as she flew; wiping away the ice that was building up upon the googles she wore.

As she drew closer, her speed would slow; the energy signal was near, but there was no way for her to pinpoint its exact location due to how low it had already dropped. "Helloooo!?" Zuqetta would call out after lowering the white scarf she wore from her face; feeling first hand just how abnormally cold it was this far north. She would drop down to the ground; her bright white boots sinking within the snow and blending in as she did so. She couldn't help but feel thankful that the Mini-Paladion had warned her about the cold and given her actual pants to wear; perhaps she would stave off her curiosity a bit longer and NOT attempt reverse engineering it anytime soon.

Though she was hesitant to do so, there was no point in calling out if she couldn't hear the voice of who she was calling to. As such, Zuqetta would pull back her hood and remove her fluffy white ear muffs; immediately shivering as the harsh wind blew. Already the cold was beginning to redden her nose and ears; as luck would have it however, she had actually heard a voice cry out for help! Without hesitation, Zuqetta would speed off in the direction of the voice; finally picking up an energy signature once more before stumbling upon the sight of an abnormal shape nearly covered completely in snow.

"Hey!!" Zuqetta called out, rushing to the figure that rested partially buried before the cave, "Are you alright??" She asked, using a light wave of energy in a small burst to push away and melt the snow and ice that was building upon the individual. To her surprise however, of all the people in the universe to stumble upon; it had been her good friend, Rensou! "Gah!! Rensou!? Is that you???" She questioned, before attempting to lift Rensou up and over her shoulder by his arm, "What the heck are you doing on Earth!?" She continued, before giving a few looks around the area, "Jeez, you're freezing!! We need ta warm you up!"

A trip back to the Freezing Horizon might have been out of the question with Rensou in his current state; as such, Zuqetta took to quickly rushing Rensou back into the cave to remove themselves from the harsh snowstorm. She would help Rensou to rest securely by the wall of the cave, before reaching into her coat to remove a small box. "Hehe, let's get you warmed up!" Opening the box would reveal an assortment of capsules; having grown so accustomed to Earth life, Zuqetta found herself ever prepared for almost any eventuality!

Tossing two of the capsules in two different directions; the first would detonate with a comical 'poof!' and an accompanying plume of smoke, before quickly revealing a large container with an assortment of wood and tools. The second capsule would perform the same; what it revealed however would be an oversized luggage container. "If you can move, go ahead and take what ya need to get warm from there." Zuqetta said as she pointed to the luggage before moving over to the wood, "It's uhh... all um, clothes for me so like... don't be all weird about it!" Zuqetta explained awkwardly before taking to setting up some of the wood into a cone shaped stack.

She would quickly dig out a small trench around the wood stack before lining the outside of the trench with a strange powder; from there she would apply a light bit of fuel to the base of the wood stack before proceeding to use her energy to ignite the setup, creating a small, but safe fire in which to keep warm.

"So what the heck are you doin' out here?" Zuqetta questioned, as she moved to sit near the fire; tucking her legs underneath her coat and wrapping her arms around them to stay upright, "We're pretty far from Plant; how the heck did you even get all the way out here?"

---

As Rensou explained his situation, Zuqetta would reach into her case to procure another capsule; tossing it directly before her, the capsule would activate to reveal a small metal, cube shaped box. She listened intently as she opened the box to reveal an assortment of cups and packages; laughing a bit as Rensou when on to say that he wasn't exactly sure what it was he was looking for. She would set up the tray and kettle from the box, before filling it with water and a soft looking brown powder. "Heh, sounds like you've been through a bit since we last saw each other!" Zuqetta responded with a grin as she heated the kettle with her energy.

"Hm... you're not wrong, as far as I know, no Tuffles way out here..." Zuqetta began, her expression becoming somewhat somber, "Don't get me wrong, I didn't run away or nuthin'! I haven't forgotten what's happening on Plant, and that... well, that's exactly why I left." She stated firmly as the kettle began to release it's built up steam, "I want to change things, but... well, you were there in that battle. Neither the Saiyans or the Tuffles seem to keen on change." She said in an aggressive tone, "It's almost like they WANT to fight! But... whatever, that doesn't matter. What matters is, I left because I wanted to learn; I can't put an end to the fighting just by telling them to stop!" She explained, before proceeding to grab two round mugs and fill them up with the hot water.

"So many have treated me like I'm just some kid... and, well, that was true once." Zuqetta stated as she mixed the brown powder with the water before offering the mug to Rensou, "Honestly, I don't think we've really had a chance to talk much since we trained with Zriracha, huh?" She asked with a soft smile before proceeding to drink the same mixture from her own mug, "Hehe, drink up! It's somethin' called 'hot chocolate; it's delicious!"

---

"Hehe, I don't think I've changed that much!" Zuqetta interjected with a grin before taking a sip of her chocolate, "And, I do!" She began in response to Rensou's statement about the Saiyans, "Or... I did, but..." Zuqetta would sigh, placing her chocolate down and wrapping her arms around her knees once more, "I've learned... things are a bit more complicated than that..." She stated, averting her gaze from Rensou as she thought about all she'd gone through up until now.

"See... in some other reality, I'd probably have found myself on the front lines; fighting for the 'oh so glorious' Saiyan Empire like everyone else." She began, "I dunno how you feel about the different classes, but I was actually born to a pair of so-called 'elites'. I mean, I never knew my mother so I have nothing to say about her; who knows, maybe she was actually pretty strong." Zuqetta explained with a slight smile that quickly faded as she continued, "But my father... hmph, useless trash! Better off dead..." She stated in a clearly hateful tone, "Because of him, for all the years of my life I never knew the outside world! I only knew fighting, and what existed in my room back at the manor..."

She would pause, taking a deep breath to calm herself; having suppressed the information for so long now, remembering it all was incredibly frustrating. "I'm sorry, this isn't about... HIM; this is about the war, right?" She stated calmly, "I've looked up a LOT of history back at the Information Citadel in Sadala, as well as the history of the Tuffles at their own data center in Hachi City." Zuqetta explained, "And so much of it is conflicting! I mean, that's obvious, but still..." She would return her gaze to Rensou, taking on a serious expression as she did so, "Since leaving my home, I've learned so much! And since leaving Sadala, and then Plant, I've learned even more! I've met so many, who have trained me, educated me, inspired me!"

Zuqetta's expression would soften as she spoke of the ones she'd met on her journey; she wanted to tell Rensou everything, but there was honestly so much that she wasn't sure where to even begin. "I can't let the Saiyans win; if they do, they'll NEVER stop their conquest across the universe!" She stated, reaching down to take another sip of her hot chocolate, "But I can't let the Tuffles win either; if THEY win, then they'll either force the Saiyan people into work camps or banish them from the planet! Even if they did neither, the Saiyans would simply rise up to fight again; but if they were banished, then some other planet would just suffer as the Tuffles have." She finished with a long heavy sigh, dropping her face into her knees with a groan, "Uggghhhhhhh, why is everyone so thick headed!? Aren't adults supposed ta be 'wise' and junk?" She complained with a pout, puffing out her cheeks with an annoyed expression.

---

Rensou's points were strong, and things she'd thought about before; the higher ups of both sides of the conflict seemed to be in favor of war, but the higher ups were the minority of the populace. "When we were on that battlefield, neither side hesitated to strike... I felt so out of place there." Zuqetta began, removing her legs from underneath her sweater and sitting in a cross legged position, "But I've met so many in Sadala who just go about their lives; they know about the war and support their comrades, but otherwise, they're more concerned about how their businesses are doing and how they'll take care of their families." Zuqetta explained, thinking back to the many shop owners and non-military citizens she'd formed bonds with.

"And over in Hatchi City, there were so many Tuffles who acted the same!" She exclaimed, "Hehe, though, admittedly they were a lot more civil than any Saiyan I've ever met." She laughed with a wide grin, "I... No, I won't say you're wrong; but I want you to know that I've met many who intend to get involved." Zuqetta stated as she took up a serious tone once more, "Right now, I can't think of any long term solutions." She responded, with a slight headache beginning to come on as she spoke, "I can only think of short term solutions; but I've met bad guys, good guys, secretive guys... each one of them with their own perspectives! I've heard so much, it's all so confusing... I don't know who I should be listening too or helping..." She continued, bringing her hand to her head as the headache persisted.

Shaking her head a few times, Zuqetta would take a deep breath before reaching for her hot chocolate once more; the temperature of the ice they sat on having cooled it down significantly. "My desires don't stop at Plant, Sadala, or Hatchi; whether it be the Vegeta Region or the Lychee Sector, I want to bring peace to both sides." She stated firmly, "And then, I want to spread that peace to the rest of the universe!" She declared in a somewhat dramatic fashion, clenching her fist within her mitten before finishing off the remainder of her hot chocolate, "Heh, but uhh, don't ask me how I intend ta do that!" She laughed, "Right now, I'm leaving it to a really strong guy named, Yangcong; and an even STRONGER guy named, Azoth! You should meet them! Unlike me, they both seem to know what they're doin'..."

As Zuqetta made that final remark, she couldn't help but think of her encounter with Faustus. So much of it had seemed like a blur at this point; as though someone else had been in control. In spite of this, a feeling continued to simmer within the back of her mind; a desire for more power kept tugging at her, as well as a desire for peace. Yet, the peace that scratched and clawed in her thoughts was not the peace she sought; she couldn't explain it, but it was a dark peace. She had been actively suppressing the feeling, distracting herself with other things; but with this conversation with Rensou, the thoughts were once more attempting to return...

If there was no living thing left in the universe... there would be no war...

"Mmn... Well, I do have one single idea..." Zuqetta began once more, attempting to distract herself and remain on topic, "Like I said, it's only a short term solution but... I intend to be there; I know that, sometime soon, someone is gonna try to take over Sadala and become the leader of the Saiyans." Zuqetta explained with a furrowed brow, "Honestly... I wanted nothing to do with all that; I'm like, fifteen I think! All that stuff should be for the adults to handle, but..." Zuqetta hesitated; thought she had thought about her next words often, she hadn't committed to anything. Rensou's arrival however, may have held an underlying truth behind it. The time for mere words and thoughts may have soon been coming to an end; she may have been looking to deeply into things, but even still, she felt as though the time for actions may soon be upon her.

"Rensou..." Zuqetta began, staying calm and serious as she spoke; looking him directly in the eyes, "I'm going to do it. I'm going to challenge any who attempt to take the throne, and I will become the King of the Saiyans." She stated firmly with a resolute resolve; before becoming slightly flustered as what she said processed in her head, "Err a, or Queen, whatever! Hehe... heh..."

---

She had finally done it, she had finally found the resolve to speak her mind and say what had been bothering her for so long. Though there was no cause behind the feeling, she had expected ridicule and skepticism; instead, Rensou's reaction had left her momentarily speechless. There was no grandiose speech for his own viewpoint, or any intense negative assertion against her desire. No, he had kept his response short and too the point; it was an honest, straightforward response.

Though initially with a blank and confused expression; after processing his words, Zuqetta would simply give a wide and bright smile. "Thank you." She would say softly, leaving a momentary awkward silence as she was left with little else to say.

Even if she hadn't expected Rensou to do or say any negative things in response; to hear that not only did he support her, but he wanted to take part was incredibly surprising. She liked how honest and kind he seemed; she sometimes found it hard to believe he was a Saiyan. But the fact that he existed filled her with hope; while it would more than likely be difficult to convince the current generation to break free of their ways, Rensou was proof that there was hope for the future generations.

"I... -ahem-!" Clearing her throat, Zuqetta would pause and roll backwards into a somersault before jumping back to her feet, "Hehe, I accept your offer! I'm glad ta have ya!" Zuqetta responded properly with a toothy grin, "And I don't think ya give yourself enough credit! You're plenty strong, and have a firm resolve! Ya proved that when we fought that white haired guy!" She cheered, "Hmm, I know! Once I'm Queen, I'll make you a knight!" She said with a bit a laughter, "It's somethin' that these humans used to have here on Earth! I figure, if Kings and Queens here had knights, hehehe, why not have one on Plant?"

With that, Zuqetta would begin to pack away the used supplies; taking Rensou's mug if he was done with it and storing everything away back within the capsule for clean up later. "Well, how d'ya feel? Nice and warmed up?" She would ask as she moved on her her luggage to store it too back within it's capsule, "If ya think you can fly, there's a ship a bit of a ways south of here that we can go to! It belongs to the friend I mentioned earlier, Azoth. I don't think he'd mind too much if I brought a guest." She continued with a smile, "I got a room there and everything! You can rest there if ya like, then go about exploring Earth ta look for... well, whatever it was you said you were looking for earlier!"

---

Rensou seemed hesitant to leave, which was fair; Zuqetta was self aware enough to know that she had a tendency to rush into things when she got excited. What she wasn't aware of when it came to herself however was how quickly she trusted people. "Heh, sure! I can tell ya about Azoth; buuuuut I don't really know too much." She responded, leaning back against the wall and crossing her arms, "Well... I wouldn't say he's gonna help, but... I wouldn't say he's NOT gonna help, heh." She began, scratching the back of her head awkwardly, "Like I said, he's a SUPER powerful guy! And he wants to bring peace to the WHOLE universe!" She explained, feeling a tinge in the back of her mind as she did so, "I think he can, he wants ta be somethin' called a 'Galactic Emperor', but... honestly, I dunno how he intends to keep the peace."

Zuqetta brow would furrow as she spoke, gazing upwards to the ceiling of the cave as she thought again about her interaction with Faustus. "I think... I think he simply wants to be an example, or an icon. Then, maybe he's hoping people will follow his example and do the right thing?" She questioned, "But, I met someone who didn't think it was possible... and honestly, just the fact that this person exists might kinda prove that it's not." She said solemnly, slumping her head down with a sigh as she did so.

"Still, I want to believe it's possible... I want a long term solution to bring lasting peace, and so far, that's the only thing I can see." She continued with a smile, "I know it's not perfect, but it's better than nothin'! Azoth and the guy who didn't believe in him both fought, and Azoth won, but he didn't kill him!" She said excitedly, "I'm happy for that! I think conflict might always exist... but if we can fight, and then get over it without anyone dying, then that might be the closest thing to a true peace for the universe that might ever exist! And over time, if everyone survives... who knows, maybe we can all begin to understand one another..." She would finish in a rather soft tone, giving a slight smile.

She wished she had such words when she had spoken with Faustus, but it was likely that he wouldn't have agreed anyways. For whatever reason, she had become so hostile when she spoke to him; it hardly made sense. She began to realize she was having invasive thoughts at times; but more and more those terrible thoughts felt less invasive and more akin to how she truly felt. She was secretly becoming worried, but felt there was nothing more to do than force a greater control and suppress the thoughts as best as she could. When she met Faustus again in the future, she would try to explain things properly; whether he accepted it or not, at least it will have been said.

---

Zuqetta gave a sigh of relief that Rensou wasn't still wary about Azoth; unfortunately, she didn't have much more to say about him if Rensou needed more convincing. It seemed that Rensou had something of his own he wanted to say now; but stammered and paced about as he thought of it. Throwing another piece of wood into the fire, Zuqetta couldn't help but laugh a bit as Rensou stammered; his actions almost reminded her about something she had read about...

Wait... Zuqetta thought as she began to analyze his words and actions, I DID read about this... but when? She questioned, trying to remember what it was she had read; finally realizing that what Rensou was doing was exactly like in that strange soft Earth book she had read while over in West City. It was a strange small book, with a great deal of black and white pictures within; Rensou's actions were almost exactly like the boy in the book! Right before he...

"Ah.. ahhh, AHHHHH!!! Wait, wait, wait!!" Zuqetta exclaimed as her face went completely red, "I read about this!! Rensou, do you!? I mean... I... but... nonononononono, it's too soon!" She explained frantically, "No! We're too young! Andandand, I mean, I like you, but I dunno if I LIKE... like, I mean, not because it's you! I just mean, like, ANYONE... not like that..." Zuqetta stammered, before taking a deep breath and attempting to collect herself.

"Ahem, what I mean to say, is that while I didn't say it before... clearly you may have felt it." She explained calmly, "Saiyans like you, Saiyans of a new generation are the hope for the future. It gives me a great deal of hope to know that, even though you're a Saiyan, you've broken free from the norm and can see a brighter future without conflict!" Zuqetta said with a wide smile, "I'm sorry if my actions and words misled you before, but this is the honest truth. I thought I was alone in the way I felt, but knowing that you felt the same? It's really helped to inspire me!" She said cheerily, "I like you Rensou, but... at least for now, things like relationships -cough- they're uhh, they're not really on my to-do list." She stated firmly, hoping to let Rensou down easy for what she assumed was about to be his confession.

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