Do you think I'm good enough?

Feeling out energies beyond her own when she allowed herself to transform had always been a trying task; unless the opponent wielded and equally oppressive power, it was like trying to find a singular cold spot within a raging inferno. To hell with references like needles and haystacks, they dealt with power, with raw energy, untamed and ravenous. An unmoving needle in a stationary haystack would have been child's play in comparison, but in a fight, your senses needed to be sharpened and refined in a manner Zuqetta had never needed to master.

"Conquering a planet with friends, actually-" she'd say with a laugh, "When we spoke last in person, I told you my intention. At the time, I didn't think I was ready for it. I wanted- no, needed to learn more. Needed to train more. To experience more." she'd explain, rising from her seated position and addressing Zuci properly, "Jagaimo was right, compared to pretty much everyone, I've lived a sheltered life. I thought I had it bad with my upbringing; secluded from the outside world for fifteen years, knowing only my room, the house I lived in, and the training grounds my father would take me to. I thought it was a terrible life, thought I wanted to have the freedom to go where I wanted and do what I wanted. And now I'm here, I've met so many who've had what I wanted for so long, and now I know how much they've had to suffer and endure to have it."

What was this sudden revelation she was giving to Zuci? Did it have any meaning? Did she just feel like sharing a bit of her history with the woman? No, there was more to it, and the more Zuqetta spoke, the more her power seemed to flare and climb.

"I was an impudent spoiled brat, I ran away from home just because I didn't want to fight. A mansion if you can believe it, yeah, I'm of noble blood, though it's not like the rest of my family gives a damn about me." she'd continue, her blue energy sharpening as hues of gold would appear and vanish, "Since running away, I've met so many people, LOST so many people, was BETRAYED by so. many. people." she'd grit her teeth, thinking of Vennel and Onnio, the family she'd made that went off to die planet busting. She think of Azoth, Yangcong and Blizzard, individuals who'd trained her, attempted to raise and mold her, only to betray her in rather brazen and obvious ways.

"Now I have you, and Jagaimo... I have Zerori and Xiaolan. I have the Novas, I have Nasu, I have Russ, Jinichi, and Calot." She'd list, speaking faster and faster as she did, "I have so many, and yet, there are those out there who would threaten all that. The empire, the Mazoku, even my own cousin if he deemed it necessary in his attempt to wipe out the Tuffles! I once thought I could just... stay away from it all, stay away from relationships, stay away from people, but I can't!" Shouting, her energy would erupt around her; she did her best to control it, but she wasn't quite there yet.

Her hair flowed, rising and waning as her energy spiraled wildly around her. Her charcoal black eyes brightened blue, like a flashlight turning on and off. The ground she stood upon cracked and gave way, finally shattering and crumbling to pieces slowly.

"No, I don't wanna fight just 'cause I'm bored." She'd continue, her tail twitching slightly, "I don't wanna fight at all, I hate fighting, but it seems to be the only thing I'm ever good for to anyone!" she'd yell, her energy erupting around her, sending a pressure out that pushed away flying rocks and debris, "Taori was the King, and he was a Super Saiyan... if I'm to take that throne, I need to be at LEAST as good as he was." she'd say, her now entirely blue eyes firmly locked upon Zuci, "You got to see the Super Saiyans in action! I dunno how much you saw, but I want you to judge if I'm good enough to sit on that throne!"

As she'd shout, with one final burst of energy flaring around her, her ki now entirely golden before her form would finally snap into that of the Super Saiyan. A massive pressure pulsated around her, the pillar of rock she was once upon now completely disintegrated, replaced by a steadily forming crater. Lightning would streak out, moving unnaturally through the air before arcing upon whatever it came close to. Zuqetta body would appear visible tense, shaking under the weight of her own power. She released a breath, her power attempting to wane for but a moment before she would clench her fist and assume a fighting stance, stabilizing her energy.

"Fight me Zuci, come at me with everything you've got!" she'd yell, "Who knows, maybe we'll beat Super Saiyan inta ya like Taori did for me!" she'd finish with a sharp smirk, readying herself for Zuci's attack.

Zuci approached, from her fingertip formed a ball of energy; she quipped, bringing a short snicker to Zuqetta. If the throne didn't work out, maybe she could return to Earth or Konats and don a superhero persona, Ms. Legend sounded like a pretty cool, if arrogant, hero name after all. Zuqetta wouldn't kill her of course, she didn't even want to severely injure her; if anything, this would help her to control her power to prevent such things from occurring, at least.. that was her hope.

As Zuci shot her blast, it felt slow; would if have been faster if she wasn't a Super Saiyan? Absolutely, but preparing for Zuci's shot, heightening her senses, feeling the world around her, everything simply felt slow. Was this what Striker felt all the time? That green rodent was a fast one after all, even without any crazy transformations. This incredible perception of things gave Zuqetta a moment to think, a mere second that felt like several. What would Taori had done here? He was a trained soldier, not a single one of her attacks had landed on him; on the contrary, he'd countered everything... should she have done the same?

Dodging felt cowardly, blocking felt unnecessary, striking back felt terrifying; her magic was already shimmering around hr form slowly, ready to counter Zuci's strike whether Zuqetta wanted it too or not. Fine then, she'd make an unnecessary show of things; the more energy she expended, the easier it'd be to feel Zuci's after all.

As Zuci's blast met Zuqetta's forehead, it'd be intercepted by a shimmer of magic that collected the energy. "I'll make up for it with breakfast." Zuqetta would reply as the energy was suddenly redirected to the sky above for seemingly no reason, imploding into a blast that lit up the surroundings, "I'm glad ya don't need Oozaru anymore, I just realized how we could light up the place!" she'd say as she lifted her hand above her head, forming a power ball and launching in into the air.

Clenching her fist once it was high enough, the power ball would ignite, saturating the area with blutz waves. Zuqetta was pretty immune to the effects by this point however, her resistance to the transformation having mutated after so long. The power ball made a great light source, though recalling what she'd done to Jagaimo she nearly felt reluctant to use it. If Zuci began to transform, Zuqetta would destroy the power ball immediately, but hopefully this wouldn't be a repeat incident.

"Now then, time ta wake up!" Zuqetta would exclaim, reeling back in an obvious motion and sending a swift but average forward jab towards the woman's jaw, holding back with a tinge of worry at the last second.

Zuci near went flying from the strike, but would catch herself midair with ease, something that denoted her superior combat ability despite lack of power behind it. Zuqetta however, felt an immediate worry; just looking at the shaking of the woman's arms gave her a chill. She wanted to ask if the woman was okay, as the thought passed however, Zuqetta could feel her super saiyan power waning; it was like her energy was being siphoned form her, exhausting her. She couldn't allow herself to let her emotions get the better of her; Zuci seemed fine after all, she seemed like she was even enjoying it. Zuqetta would take a deep breath before quickly giving herself a firm slap to her own cheeks, leaving them red by flaring up her energy once again.

"Soon I won't need ta hold back!" she'd exclaim, "Once you can do it, we can really let loose!" Her words felt a bit ironic to her, after all, what she'd said earlier wasn't a lie. She hated fighting, always had, but she was a Saiyan and fighting came too naturally for her to do anything else. The same seemed true for Zuci, who despite the injury she took, was rarin' to go for another assault. Zuqetta found herself bombarded by energy blasts, but she would bulldoze through the attack, appearing before Zuci with her hands brought together above her.

The gaze she gave Zuci was piercing; she'd bring her fists down, intent to strike Zuci on the head and send her careening downward. The strike was a feint however, as Zuci would be quick to find; there'd be no power or accuracy behind her strike, however she'd flip forward, and Zuci would instead be met with Zuqetta's tail as it came down towards her shoulder like a wrecking ball.

Another successful strike! Zuqetta began to laugh excitedly, but would quickly freeze up upon notice the sudden drop in power from Zuci. "Zuci!!" She'd exclaim, rushing down to where the woman had crash landed, quickly landing beside her with a concerned expression that clashed with her Super Saiyan appearance. Her emotions destabilized, Zuqetta would in fact lose her Super Saiyan form; her entire demeanor now much softer as she cautiously reached out hand out to Zuci.

"Zuci, are you okay? Was it too much?" She'd remark, not even realizing her own dropped transformation. what she would realize however, was Zuci's sudden drop in power likely meant the loss of her own enhanced form. Zuqetta would quickly shoot an aggressive glance towards the Power Ball that loomed in the sky, and with a clench of her fist, would cause the ball to burst and disintegrate to prevent Zuci from undergoing a forced Oozaru transformation while she was weakened. She'd give a sigh of relief, before turning her attention back towards Zuci with a sympathetic smile, "C'mon, let's get you to a med bay, you might have broken somethin'!" Zuqetta would remark; though, while she was trying to be supportive, she'd have no idea as to how painful her words were to the pride of the woman before her.

Zuqetta flinched as Zuci slapped her hand away, she wanted to help her friend but it was clear by Zuci's reaction that she didn't see it as helping. It was hard for Zuqetta to accept, but deep down she understood; being a Super Saiyan required a level of rage and hate that she didn't like, but it also changed her while she used the form. It changed her into something she didn't want to be, something much more violent and cynical... the person she was before she'd taken a year to meditate and gain control of herself. She didn't have a moment more to think on the matter however, as a sudden spike in power would catch her off guard, as would the strike that followed said powered strike.

Zuqetta closed her eyes, attempting to raise her arms as the strike came, but it was too late. She'd be sent flying, careening into a nearby rocky outcrop and completely punching through it, tumbling out the other side. It was a helluva strike, expected though considering Zuci's power had seemingly returned to her transformed state... no, it was a bit higher than that actually. "Zenkai?" Zuqetta's would mutter to herself, curious as she felt out Zuci's ki; without a doubt it was higher than before, but was it really due to the damage she'd sustained?

Zuqetta wasted no time in attempting to rise back to her feet; wobbling and tumbling from the shock of the strike however and dropping once again. She felt dizzy, and her jaw pulsated with a cold chill. she'd been struck so hard there actually wasn't any pain, at least not yet; her adrenaline prevented the pain from reaching her. Zuqetta would take a breath, not to calm however, but to force herself back into her Raging Spirit transformation before jumping back to her feet. Her tail slamming against the ground, she'd launch herself in the air and over the rocky outcrop in order to see Zuci once again.

She and Zuci were different, she knew it, she hadn't lied when she mentioned how much she hated fighting but fighting was necessary. Still, Zuqetta was an amateur, tossing strikes wherever she could; she was wild in her movements, almost every strike being a feint, it was all she knew. Perhaps it was a decent way of fighting, but Zuqetta couldn't help but to be enamored by fighters like Zuci, fighters who put their heart into their strikes. Sometimes those strikes simply came across as easily telegraphed, but there was an elegance to such a pure hearted way of fighting.

"Super Saiyan or not, huh?" Zuqetta would remark, "You and Jaggy and your damn 'don't hold back against me' mentalities!" she'd hiss through gritted teeth. She wanted to admit that yeah, she didn't want to hurt Zuci, but she understood that this would simply hurt the woman's pride. Zuqetta attempted to recall thoughts and past events that angered her, attempting to retake the Super Saiyan form, but it was no use... she'd been spending all this time fighting her demons after all, the things that upset her to such a degree were fading...

Then, a thought occurred-

She remembered the feeling of Super Saiyan well with all the attempts to draw it out and maintain it.
The rush, not the anger.
The power, not the hate.
And mixed in it all, was the determination she felt when she first used it against Taori...

He threatened not her, but the people she cared about; she knew now that he didn't mean it, but back then she had no idea. It wasn't merely hate and rage that transformed her, those were simply things she felt when she was in the form. She transformed because she NEEDED to, not just because she wanted to.

She'd look down upon Zuci, taking a calming breath; she'd hold the breath for a few moments, releasing it slowly, her power steadily raising. The air vibrated around her as static began to visibly trace her form. The reason was different, but she felt it again when she saw Zuci's own expression; she NEEDED to take that form again, and NEEDED to maintain it. Zuqetta's muscles would tense, flexing and growing in size; it was still a struggle to draw out, but she'd push through, not with hate or rage, but this time with sheer determination. Then, with a shout, Zuqetta's energy would flare out once more, and she would take on her Super Saiyan form once again.

Unlike before, Zuqetta seemed calm; she wore a scowl, the form itself stinging a bit as if to keep her angered, but she seemed much more in control than before. It wasn't perfect, but she'd attained something beyond her previous self; she knew there was more to reach beyond this, but for now, this would do.

Holding her hands out before her, she close and open her grip, getting a feel for the power before rubbing her cheek where Zuci had struck her. "Helluva strike!" Zuqetta would call out, closing her eyes as she took a calm breath; she'd remove her gloves from her hands before rolling her shoulders, "Doesn't hurt though! It was WEAK, pitiful even!!" she'd yell, giving a smirk before suddenly vanishing from sight as she rushed towards Zuci, appearing directly before her with her own arm wound up to deliver a similar forward punch to the woman's cheek, just as she had done, "So weak, you should just go back to sleep!!!" then without hesitation, Zuqetta would throw a punch same as Zuci's, as if to mock the woman not with just her words but with her power.

She'd been thinking of how to help Zuci achieve the same form, to become a Super Saiyan. Taori knew Zuqetta, he knew what she cared about and what could set her off. As sad as it was to say, Zuqetta didn't know the same of Zuci. Did she have a family? Loved ones? Things she wanted to protect? It didn't matter even if she did, things like that might not have affected her as it did Zuqetta. Zuqetta was observant however, Zuci's power had risen but was that really due to a zenkai? Or something more? Something deeper feeding on the anger Zuci felt in that moment she perceived as pity?

Zuci's words and actions said it all, the thing she cared about was this-
Strength, skill, power-
Fighting; her pride in her strength, in her combat ability.

She'd take no pity regardless of the damage she took; she'd face any challenge regardless of the power before her. She'd done so when she went against Lottus, and she wasn't afraid to do so here. If she was to protect anything, Zuqetta figured it must have been that pride in fighting. It felt abstract, and she couldn't be sure if it would work, but with this in mind she'd play on this and exploit the weakness Zuci perceived. Maybe doing so would would be the final push needed to help the woman achieve the form she sought so terribly.

One good push, that was all that was needed; Zuci had taken Zuqetta's strike, but in response to it all, had tapped in to the power deep within her. Golden aura had begun to flare around the woman as she spoke, her energy skyrocketing, before suddenly it would erupt. With her realized power, Zuci would throw a strike; Zuqetta was prepared this time around, her arm raised to block the strike; the impact of which brimming with enough power to launch both Saiyans away from each other.

The dust clearing quickly with the pressure of energy flaring from the two, Zuqetta would grin as she took in the sight before her. Zuci, golden haired and brimming with energy, and in more ways than one it seemed. The woman examined herself, before suddenly bursting out with excitement, much to the surprise of Zuqetta. "Wha-?" Before being allowed to question the situation, Zuci would rush off like a bolt of lightning, leaving Zuqetta to simple float there, blinking in confusion. The woman quickly returned however, with a glass of water in hand to drench herself with.

"Zuci?" Zuqetta would attempt to call out, before suddenly being rushed into an embrace by the larger woman; Zuqetta certainly wasn't against this, but how was Zuci so... joyful!? "Hey, aren't you mad?" she'd question, receiving an answer almost immediately.

Zuci had backed away, still excitedly examining herself as she went on questioning what to do next. Zuqetta could merely sigh, giving the woman a smile before getting herself up and crossing her arms curiously. Honestly, to say she was jealous was an understatement; she'd had so much trouble herself controlling herself when it came to accessing AND maintaining the form, but it came so naturally to Zuci. She'd have no ire towards her friend however, just curiosity. Was it because Zuci loved fighting so much? Was it due to the form clearly being a combat oriented form? Zuqetta would examine Zuci closely as she began her slow descent into the ground; noticing her golden tail and comparing it to her own brown tail, did THIS have anything to do with it?

She'd snap to attention as Zuci contemplated going after Taori to beat him down, while the child might not have been old enough to understand such a situation, that was hardly the point. "Not tired, but certainly not so... peppy..." Zuqetta didn't feel like her form would fade as it was now, but if she were to be as excited as Zuci was? She didn't think it likely to be maintained for long; still, she had no intention to rain on Zuci's parade. She'd take a deep breath, calming herself and getting a feel not only for her own power, but Zuci's as well.

"Rather than fight the guy that's already old and retired, and rather than just go off and cause wanton destruction, how 'bout ya direct that energy my way?" Zuqetta would suggest, allowing her power to flare up once more, "I'm glad you're excited, but I don't want ya to lose that feeling in all that excitement! I don't wanna lose the feeling I have either..." she'd say, stretching and flexing her muscles as she took a defensive stance, "So lets continue ta have fun." she'd say with a smirk, "Communicate through fighting, that's what ya said, yeah?"