The Life of Adventure!

Head still spinning, Rhapsody's ears would twitch as she heard the voice of a child call out to her. With a hefty ruffle, her wings would flay out momentarily before being drawn back. her eyes would snap open, and the woman push herself up onto her knees as the small girl landed nearby.

"Trouble? Hmph, hardly!" Rhapsody would exclaim with a cough before forcing herself back to her feet, "As you see, the beast lie defeated, while I still stand." She continued with a thumbs up, unironically nearly falling over once more as she did so.

With a shake of her head and a few deep breaths, Rhapsody would regain her composure; thought the ringing from the crash would still persist. She would look about the area, examining the crater she stood in before taking notice of the girl; and specifically, her tail.

"A monkey-kin?" She would question aloud, "Zerori, was it?" Rhapsody would ask, "Tell me little one, might you know the direction back to Mount Mystl? This place, it is not at all familiar to me."

The more Rhapsody looked around, the more confused she would become. She remembered being in a cave, and foolishly climbing into the maw of a beast before it attempted to kidnap her. As she looked up at the reddish sky, and down at the brown, lifeless soil, she believed the beast had been successful in at least one of two goals. Either she had actually been kidnapped before managing to kill the beast; or she was dead, and this was hell... It certainly felt hot enough to be hell; but with the appearance of monkey-kin, she felt assured that she-

"Hold a moment!?" Rhapsody would suddenly interject with widened eyes, "Did you descend from above? Were... you flying!?"

She hadn't realized it before with her head having still been a bit rattled; but as she shuffled through her thoughts, she was certain that this Zerori had flown to her! But, without wings? It made no sense; though it was possible the girl was simply incredibly good at jumping. Though such a conclusion did nothing to explain the ability to slow their descent from above; unless perhaps they could use shamanic magics.

---

Rhapsody found the whole of the child's many remarks confusing. She didn't want to be called little in spite of her size, but that was easily chalked up to rebellious adolescence. What was stranger was the girls annoyance towards being referred to as a monkey-kin; something she clearly was. Rhapsody knew there were many sub-species of the ape kind, but neither she nor any she knew had the time to possibly learn and memorize each and every one of them; she had believed using such a broad term was common, no different than she and Aiden being referred to as cats despite their differing sub-species.

"Hm, very well." Rhapsody would say firmly as she looked to the craters edge and began to climb it, "I hardly understand a word you speak young Zerori, but I will not argue, I have enough courtesy about me to acknowledge what is and isn't right."

As Rhapsody quickly made her way to the top of the crater, she would look out over the horizon. Her expression would remain stoic, but within she would feel utter dismay at what she saw. While the barren surrounding of the crater was to be expected, she certainly didn't expect to see such emptiness stretch off as far as the eye could see.

"Plant?" She questioned, turning her gaze back towards Zerori with a small smirk, "An interesting name for your home, considering the geography."

She would look back over towards the pod that had brought her here, thinking of how Zerori referred to it as a ship; though it certainly looked like no ship she had ever seen. Now that she could see it in the light however, it neither resembled the beast that her imagination had pictured. While the concept of being on a different planet was mostly lost on her, she wouldn't dispute Zerori's words; the red sky above and unfamiliar scenery were enough to back the girls words. What was most important now, was finding a way home.

"Tell me young Zerori, this 'ship' here." Rhapsody would begin once more, pointing at the destroyed pod, "Rather than the sea, it may sail upon the winds? The stars even?" She would ask, "You seem knowledgeable on the matter for one so young, so where might I procure another for which I might return home?"

Truthfully, Rhapsody was awash with questions, but decided to remain focused on her primary task. With her gone, her home had only the elderly Shaman and the guards to protect them. She needed to return quickly, lest another force like the mercenaries she had fought before besiege them. Immediately after her question however, Rhapsody had realized an error in her conduct with the young girl, and was quick to take to correcting it.

"Oh! My apologies young Zerori, but as for what you might call this one-" Rhapsody began with a smirk, before flexing her wings and spreading them wide, "I am known as Rhapsody Shade, Guardian of Mount Mystl!" She would declare proudly; leaving out the fact that she was still in training, "A pleasure to make your acquaintance." She'd finished, giving a deep bow before retracting her wings once more.

---

As Rhapsody had believed, the small girl before her was indeed knowledgeable on the subject of spaceships; even if she deferred superior knowledge to others. It would be enough to suffice, so long as she could make it back home then it was fine. It was then that the girl would speak a word, one that would make Rhapsody's cat ears twitch upon her head. She would take a step forward towards the girl, her wings still unfurled as she gazed sternly down upon the child.

"Only mine closest companions have ever deigned to refer to me as 'Rhap'." Rhapsody would state firmly with a straight face; before suddenly drawing in her wings and giving the girl an unexpected wide smile, "Thus, tis only right that we too become the best of companions! Young- nono, Rori!" Rhapsody would cheer before listening to the rest of Rori's plan.

"Aha~ 'Borrow' is it?" Rhapsody would say slyly, "Yes! What better way to bond than through the adventure of piracy upon the high seas!!" She'd exclaim as she rushed forwards towards the girl, swooping her up into a powerful hug before immediately releasing her and launching upwards into the sky, "Come, Rori! Let us make haste to this lair of ne'er-do-wells! They shall face the justice of our blades and-!"

Rhapsody would pause mid-excitment, suddenly coming to a realization; one that immediately made her drop back down to the ground below with a perplexed expression.

"Hm... I am without my blade, I had nearly forgotten. The beas- er, the 'ship' that now lie in ruin, it robbed me of on iron broadsword." Rhapsody would state, crossing her arms as she attempted to think of an alternative to her sword.

It wasn't as though Rhapsody couldn't fight barehanded; but serving justice just didn't feel the same without a sword.

---

Despite her initial dismay, it had seemed that Zerori had a plan to circumvent Rhapsody's worry; or more specifically, and ability to do so. Rhapsody would indulge the girl in her request, holding out her hands as she felt a familiar energy begin to flow from the child. Suddenly, with a surge of off-putting colors, a curious blade of size and shape would take form; becoming physical as it dropping into Rhapsody's hands from the ether.

"Outstanding Rori!!" Rhapsody would shout with wide, inspired eyes as she quickly took a few swings with her new sword, "I've seen only the Shaman perform such miracles! You have the makings of a master about you!" Rhapsody would encourage as she gripped her blade firmly.

Though it's size was much larger than Rhapsody was used to, the sword seemed incredibly light; it was an existence that seemed to contradict itself. Just from looking at it however, Rhapsody could tell that the blade was forged of a metal beyond her understanding. It certainly wasn't brass, bronze, or iron; but it also didn't seem like whatever the metal the space pod was made of, it was a mystery. As curious as it was however, it was a mystery left for another time; Zerori had taken to the air, and Rhapsody was quick to do the same.

As the two flew, Rhapsody couldn't help but to swing her blade with reckless abandon through the air. Even with her previous blade, no matter how fast she attempted to swing her sword, there would be resistance. The impurities and dullness of the blade would cause it to slow as she swung; but her new broadsword was different. With it weightlessness, Rhapsody could swing it effortlessly; and with its pure metal and extremely sharpened blade, the very air would scream with every swing of this new blade.

"I must say Rori, I am QUITE impressed!" Rhapsody would exclaim with a beaming smile as the two approached the mercenaries outpost.

So distracted by the excitement of a new sword was she, that Rhapsody hadn't even the care to act on her curiosity of Zerori's ability to fly; leaving for another time as the two focused on the task at hand.

"Right then, what's the plan my young cohort?" Rhapsody would ask as Zerori scouted out a ship before explaining the situation.

The ship before them was incredible in size and design, at least, as far as Rhapsody could tell. She was still unsure as to how to put two and two together on the matter; finding it hard to relate the massive construct before her with anything she understood to be a ship. As the excitement of adventure surged through her however, she would hardly care about the specifics.

The reality of the situation was finally beginning to dawn on her; pushing her skepticism aside as she abandoned logical reason. She was on a new world, and was communicating with an alien species! It was interesting that there was no language barrier between them; even on Zoa, different nations spoke different languages, but this was hardly important. What truly mattered, was that she was enjoying herself an adventure like no other; one that she could have only been told about in a story book! Perhaps she was even the main character of a new story? If not, then she would become one! She would play the part to the best of her ability, and she would grace this new stage with her new companion, Zerori!

"VERILY!!" Rhapsody would cry out after receiving Zerori's explanation and instruction, "Then to arms, Rori!! Tali-hoooooo!!!!"

With that, Rhapsody would suddenly flair out her wings before rushing off at full speed into the open; wasting no time in delivering a swift kick to the heads of two unlucky mercenary goons who had merely been minding their own business on a lunch break by some crates.

"W-what the hell!? You crazy bitch!!" A third flunky would state after having witnessed the display.

"Avast ye scallywag! The Great, Rrrrhapsody Shade be here to plunder ye booty!" Rhapsody would cry out with a mischievous smirk, "And I'll be taking your star sailing vessel as well!"

In her excitement, stealth had been lost on her...

---

The man before her was completely baffled and caught off guard; becoming too distracted by the small Saiyan that rushed past to even take the chance to draw his blaster. Without hesitation, Rhapsody would seize the opportunity that Zerori had presented her with; rushing forward and slamming the pommel of the sword she held directly into the mans gut. With a clean and firm strike, the man would be immediately incapacitated; giving Rhapsody the chance to rush in after Zerori with haste.

Rhapsody would arrive just on time to witness the display of smoke that filled the corridors; her ears twitching as she heard Zerori speak from within the smoke.

"Rori?" Rhapsody would question as she turned her gaze, homing in on the brief illumination the came from within the smoke thanks to Zerori's fireball, "Found you!"

Stabbing her sword into the floor for balance, Rhapsody would spread her wings wide before flapping them with great speed and intensity; sending the grand plumes of smoke barreling down the halls. Drawing her sword, she would then rush to Zerori's aid; placing a hand upon the child's shoulder before giving a wide, enthusiastic smile.

"Hahaa! Truly a Master! And I see you study under the School of Ifrit!" Rhapsody would surmise as she lifted her sword and pointed it towards the open corridor, "I'm curious to see MORE of your grand magics, I myself have studied only under a single school." Her ears would twitch as she heard the clamoring of footsteps rushing towards the two; but had already taken to gathering her magical energy, "I seem to be your counter, Rori!" Rhapsody would exclaim as her sword began to chill; turning while as an icy vapor began to emit from it.

"WHO THE HELL-!?"

"BLIZZARD!!!" Without hesitation, Rhapsody would release her magic upon the corridor at the moment the small group of men came into view. From the tip of her blade, a display of ice magic would spew out in the form of icy shards and a great deal of icy mist. The shards were too small to cause any mortal woulds, but the sheer amount would be enough to freeze over the hall; as well as the group the had approached. Within moments, the corridor would be caked in a thick layer of ice; with the men much in the same state. A look at their darting eyes within the ice however would be an easy indicator to determine that they still lived in spite of being completely frozen over.

"Phew!" Dropping to her rump, Rhapsody would take a few deep breaths as she recovered her mana, "Well?!" She would exclaimed with a labored breath, "Are you not amazed!?" She'd rhetorically question with a proud grin as she shakily pushed herself back up to her feet, "Come Rori! We've more ne'er-do-wells to contend with!" She'd exclaim as she held her sword out before her in a declaratory fashion; albeit with a great deal of wobbling.

The ship was vast and its halls wide and towering; though Zerori and Rhapsody had defeated a good deal already, there was no way of knowing exactly how many still remained upon the ship. Considering how it was safely docked however and how few guards had been posted outside, there couldn't have been too many more. With the commotion she and Zerori had already caused, the amount of retaliation was far to low for this to be the entirety of the crew for a ship so large. It was likely the main force of the crew was off-ship, unwittingly enjoying themselves in a bar or something; this would make this heist all the easier to pull off!

---

---

Brushing past the frozen mercenaries, Rhapsody couldn't help but laugh a bit at the diminutive little girl's attempt at assistance; while her heart was in the right place, the clear difference in size made it just a bit awkward. Rhapsody felt that using her sword as a cane of sorts offered much more balance than the little girl's shoulder, but Rhapsody was never one to protest against the good will of another. The two began their trek down the corridor; a surprisingly long trek, and one that was eerily quiet. Rhapsody had expected more guards and soldiers, but was surprised to find that it was calm enough for the two to converse as they walked.

"Magic is uncommon you say?" Rhapsody would question as she took note of Zerori's comments, "To mine understanding so far, you say you are not of the monkey-kin, but are a 'Saiyan', and not a complete Saiyan at that." Rhapsody would recount as she thought of their tailed opponents, "Then are those men we fought Saiyans, or Monkey-kin? I did not sense mana from them... I find myself... perplexed. where exactly are you from?" She would question with a look of confusion.

The whole situation of a similar looking species to the one from her own planet was confusing enough; if Saiyans couldn't use magic though, then why could Zerori? These questions and more would begin to spring into Rhapsody's head, but as they entered the bridge of the ship, more pressing matters would make themselves apparent.

"Such a large room, I feel as though this room is bigger than mine own home!" Rhapsody would state in a mystified manner as she took a break upon the captains chair.

Zerori began to fiddle with the controls of the ship, all of which were of a foreign language and most literally alien to her in design. Still, she trusted Zerori's efforts and allowed herself to relax; the expenditure of such magic had been certainly draining after all. As Zerori attempted to launch the ship however, a familiar voice would call out, sparking Rhapsody immediately back into action.

"So then, we meet once more." Rhapsody would say darkly as she quickly rose from her seat and brandished her sword before her, "Worry not, Rori. I have dealt with this manner of beast once before... I have struck thee down once, and I shall do so again!!" She would cry out, flaying her wings outward before rushing the control panel before her without a moments hesitation.

Now equipped with a weapon made of a material that rivaled such futuristic tech, Rhapsody's initial strike upon the control panel would be devastating!

[Erro-INITI-Erro-INITIAT-- User Unkow- SELF DESTRU- User UN- User UN- USEUSEUSEUSEUSEUSEUSE--]

"Enough of your ramblings beast! Succumb to the might of Mount Mystl's Guardian! Know thy name, for I am, RHAPSODY SHADE!!!"

With the constant strikes against the panel, the ships onboard computer interface began to go haywire. Several functions of this ship began to activate and deactivate haphazardly; with the self destruct feature beginning to count down as alarms and red lights went off throughout the ship. Those onboard who were free to do so had made to quickly escape, rescuing there frozen comrades as they did so. Meanwhile, outside the ship, several individuals had gathered to witness the strange display of the ship retracting and extending it's landing gear whilst also beginning to lift and drop with the constant activation of its propulsion system.

"What in the seven hells!?! Who's fuckin' around with my ship!!??" The Captain would yell out from afar as he walked down the streets with his goons after a well deserved visit to the bar concluded.

[Overwr-UNKN-OverOvOvov-- NEW USE-NEW Accep-NEWNEWNENEW]

"I demand you cease your prattling and obey!" Rhapsody would exclaim as she plunged one final strike with her sword into the control panel, "Rori wishes we depart, therefore we haven't the time to deal with you! Listen to my commands and cease your frivolous banter, we need make for the stars!!"

[Voice Comma- NEWNEWNEW]

Suddenly, the alarms would cease and the lights would return to their normal state; the ship would fall silent as power seemed to shut down momentarily before quickly turning back on and reactivating the ships systems. Rhapsody would remove her sword and look around the fluctuating room; short of breath, but with a triumphed feeling about her.

[Reboot Complete, Welcome NEW USER Rhapsody Shade-] The onboard computer would begin to speak, [Voice Commands recognized, initiating launch.]

the ship would begin to shake as the proper procedures for launch were made; lifting the ship into the sky whilst retracting the landing gear, leaving the true Captain down below to lament the unstoppable situation happening before him. Within moments, Zerori and Rhapsody would find themselves in space before the ship would stop and merely allow itself to drift within the vacuum.

[Procedure Compl- ERRORERROR--] The computer would sound out before falling silent as a whirring sound began to cry out from the nearly destroyed control panel, [System Error Detected- Reconfiguring--]

Once more, the lights of the ship would shut down entirely; this time, with all other functions of the ship doing the same. With the artificial gravity controls now disabled, the two would begin to float; but with life support also disabled, the two would now be in dire straights. Rhapsody however, would be completely unaware of the danger they were in; merely in awe of the sudden floating sensation and the vast array of stars that she could see outside the windows of the ship.

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