Through the Looking Glass

Through the light beyond the door, once more the traveler of the mind stepped. Unlike the previous memories Gira had ventured through however, the event around her would not be immediately obvious. The sky above would give the illusion of the the dead of night, through in truth, the clouds that blotted out the sun was in fact a mass of smoke coming from all corners of the city. A quick examinations of her surroundings would make things clear; broken buildings, barely contained fires, Saiyans moving about in equal parts panic and rage. Ships in the sky, Arcosian in design, still lingered, barely noticeable as they loomed high above the thick smoke; though the sounds of warp made it clear they were departing, and what was witnessed around was the aftermath.

"Hm, dour." The guide would remark, looking over the scene before spotting their destination, "Ah, there we are. This memory is much more recent, just a bit over a year ago for the girl, and far more impactful so the details linger well in her mind." she'd explain as she walked over towards a capsule home, one just as similar as the one the two had stepped into from the outside. More than a few small capsule homes seemed to litter the streets unnaturally, despite their numbers, the design clashed entirely with the rest of Sadala. "This should be an easy enough memory to traverse, though, don't be surprise by what you see." the guide would remark with a somewhat smug expression, apparently already having been filled with the details of the memory.

She would stop just outside the capsule home, standing beside the window; she'd lean against the building, crossing her arms as she waited patiently. Looking back towards Gira, the guide would smirk, before making a small gesture with her thumb towards the window, an attempt to prompt gira to peer within.

Should she have done so, Gira would have seen the meaning of the memory and its holder; though the Zuqetta she'd see would be a far cry from the diminutive woman she encountered in reality. Similar hair, and a similar face, but much taller, even moreso than Gira, and with a commanding build. Her expression was serious, yet somehow, still held the same softness in her eyes that she'd held in previous forms despite her more aggressive appearance.

"C'mon now, no reason ta cry-!" The memory of Zuqetta would speak up; before her a large pot filled with stew, under her left arm, a small Saiyan child with tears in his eye, "Ain'tcha a Saiyan? Ya gotta stay strong, gotta eat, build muscle, and show that this ain't gonna getcha down!" She'd attempt to encourage as she maneuvered her tail to grab the ladle, before pouring a bowl of stew for the crying child.

It would become clear quickly that this wasn't the only child, as sitting within the capsule house, all surrounding the pot of stew would be several children in fact. Their expressions dour, just as the guide said upon their arrive; their clothes dirty and disheveled. It was clear these children had just experienced something terrible and trying, and though this didn't explain Zuqetta's strange appearance, it was clear she was trying to care for the children within the capsule home as best as she could. Should Gira had chosen to peer within the windows of adjacent capsule homes, she was like to find further Saiyans taking refuge after the destruction of their home; though not being directly before Zuqetta, the details of the further out memories would be much more abstract.

"Have you heard of an Arcosian man named, Blizzard?" The guide would chime, "You can thank him for this one, another "mentor" of the Zuqetta's. She was always so gullible." the guide would remark with no real emotion behind her words before stepping away from the wall; she'd sigh, before looking back towards Gira, "She'll be stepping out of the house in moments, interact or don't, I leave the decision to you traveler." she'd say, giving an approving nod before seemingly vanishing in an instant, appearing as nothing more than golden sparkles that would quickly fade.

The sounds within the capsule house would setting down as a moment longer passed, the crying of the children assuaged by the food they were given. With one of the older children now looking after the rest, Zuqetta would take her leave from the capsule home.

As the door opened, the diminutive size of the building would be even more apparent as Zuqetta ducked to exit. As she rose up with a sigh, there was no hesitation in the woman's reaction. The world of the memory would flicker for only a moment, the change already beginning; what Zuqetta had been intent to do before now interrupted, as her eyes fell on the woman before her.

"Tira-" she'd say somewhat bewildered, before suddenly stumbling over her words and clearing her throat, "Dyaahh- I, I mean, G-Gira, -ahem- what're-- what're you doing? Ah, here that is!"

Her voice was a smidge deeper than the Zuqetta Gira knew, yet despite the incredible difference between who she was and who Gira knew, Zuqetta made no efforts to conceal who she was. Still, the awkwardness of the woman was pretty apparent; especially so given her size and stature. She would cross her arms, her tail reaching out to close the door behind her so as to not disturb the children; it was clear she was trying to put on a bit of a show of confidence and strength with her posture, though the slight blush to her face might have completely ruined the facade.

"I haven't seen you since, I mean--" The world of the memory would flicker again, Zuqetta expression becoming somewhat strained; though as images of the tampered memory of the past quickly flashed upon distant walls, the Zuqetta before Gira would "remember" everything, "-since... you saved me, heh." she'd blush a bit more, a hand on her hip as she brought her other hand up to scratch at the back of her head nervously, "Ya... keep showin' up during pretty bad times, huh?"

"Heh, ya know... age? People grow and what not!" she'd remark, her gaze averting a bit, but still occasionally lingering back towards Gira with an uncertain expression.

As Gira ask her question however, looking over the destruction of the city, Zuqetta would flinch. Her awkward smile fading to a more serious expression as she straighten her posture and looked out towards her surroundings. Her fist would clinch tight, the glove she wore being a minor barrier that prevented her from drawing blood. She paused for a few moments before glancing back towards Gira only slightly, her tone now much lower with a clear murderous bite to her words.

"Blizzard." she'd remark through clenched teeth, "Blizzard happened, heh... hehehe, looks like ya caught me yet again unable to protect myself or anything I cared about." she'd say harshly, bring a hand to her head as she laughed a bit more. She would step away from the capsule house, feeling her aggression boil; then, a small burst of energy, and the ground around her would crack and shatter, "The bastard... he took me in, he treated me like a daughter, or maybe he tricked me into THINKING that's what a father was meant to be like, I don't even know anymore!" she'd shout, "But between his betrayal and Azoth abandoning me!? The hell am I supposed to believe in anymore!?!?"

The world would shake, flickering wildly as as Zuqetta went on her rant; as with previous interactions, Gira would be able to see memories at play upon distant walls and the ground, seemingly invisible to the Zuqetta before her. The images that played were fast, showcasing a ten foot tall Arcosian with six arms, a mentor to Zuqetta who seemed to act exactly as Zuqetta described. Images of gifts, of bonding, of teaching, of training; all culminating to images of the ships above as they bombarded the city of Sadala, Zuqetta approaching as quickly as she could from the wastelands.

"If I hadn't tried to defend the Tuffles, the people that couldn't even give a damn about me, JUST because I'm a damn Saiyan..." Zuqetta lifted her hand, giving a heavy sigh as she gazed upon her palm.

Further images played, a convenient showcase for a traveler of the mind; the city of Hatchi under siege by the Saiyan army, and a man leading the charge, the then King Taori. Several individuals stood beside the Saiyan King, and beside Zuqetta herself; though a standoff was hardly the situation as the King dismissed Zuqetta's attempts to defend the Tuffles.

"If I didn't put such trust in Azoth..." she'd remark, a slight choke in her voice.

A final flicker of memories, an Arcosian with a welcoming expression; images of him and Zuqetta together played in quick succession, the man treating Zuqetta much the same as Blizzard appeared to do.

"Traitors, liars, thieves, that's all ANY OF THEM are!!"

Zuqetta seemed like she could be set off at any moment, her rage reaching it's peak despite this not even being the pinnacle of her trials. Yet she would be stopped, halted on her war path, interrupted by someone she least expected to be interrupted by. Gira pushed forward, pulling Zuqetta into an embrace; her words both soothing, and like needles upon the heart of this memory. Gira's expression, taking Zuqetta aback; her mouth would open, she struggled for words, before once more gritting her teeth with a pained expression.

"Why?" she questioned through gritted teeth, as if doing her damnedest to hold back her emotions, "Why do you always show up when I'm in trouble?" she'd question further, leaning forward and wrapping an arm around Gira. She seemed almost as though she would cry at any moment, but upon bring her free hand to her face, would refrain, "Maybe HOW is a better question!?" she'd remark, her grip on Gira tightening, though not enough to hurt her, "My dad, Yangcong, and now...? How is it even...?" she'd shake her head slowly, trying to comprehend the situation.

Her breathing was heavy, her body shaking from both the anger and confusion she felt; she would lift her head to look up towards the sky, taking a long deep breath before her hand would finally move from her eyes, over towards the side of her head, revealing a slight expression of anguish. Her gaze didn't return to Gira, it was as though she was completely lost in thought; in kind, the fabric of the memory as a whole began to fray. As if glitching in an out of existence, the locale flickered and warped; surprisingly still, images continued to play on a fast forward pace upon what few walls remained, though these were images of the future to come.

A scene of Zuqetta with her sister, a dark skinned Saiyan girl who would strike Zuqetta after finally catching her in her lies. A scene of Zuqetta, laughing almost manically as she brought a massive blade down upon upon her cousin, Lottus' arm, slicing it off completely. Zuqetta, fighting in a tournament on Konats, nearly murdering a mass of spectators with her attack, luckily intercepted by a cat-like fighter. Another showed, her raining blades upon escaping pirates as she work alongside an evil looking Arcosian, Mint. Further trouble making, as a scene depicted her invading Sadala herself with Azoths ship, declaring an intention for the throne in the guise she currently wore before Gira.

Deception to her friends, manipulation of her people, betrayal of her family; the scenes continued to play in even faster succession, all the while the pain on Zuqetta's face only worsened. Then, a sudden stop to the memories...

"What am I doing?" she questioned, her pained expression lessening as she looked back down towards Gira.

In the background, a slower memory played in succession; another visage of Zuqetta, a disguise even larger and seemingly older than Zuqetta seemed now. Beside her, Russ, with a welcoming smile, giving the woman encouragement as she seemed to struggle with something unknown.

"Why am I... doing this?" she seemed confused, almost as though she wasn't all there; of course as a memory, she technically wasn't, yet even more strangely was the future memory that played parallel to her actions. Her focus however, remained on Gira, her expression softening before she would fully embrace the girl herself. "Tira!" she'd exclaim, tears finally coming to her eyes, "Just who... are you!?"

At the moment of this final question however, the world around would freeze; the sights, the sounds, even the memory of Zuqetta herself. All would be frozen in time, with seemingly only the slight sound similar to glass cracking echoing in the distance.

In Gira's head, the voice of the guide...

((("Really now, her mental defenses are truly abysmal.")))

(((Not to worry, not to worry!))) The guides voice would chime, (((She's certain to have a headache after all this, she has a bit of a condition you see, nothing to worry about.)))

Quickly, the world would stutter, before being replaced with a sudden void of darkness once again. All around had vanished without a trace, giving no indication such a disappearance would occur. With no transition, it may have been jarring had Gira not already experienced it twice already; though from behind Gira, the guide would appear silently, as if again she had always been there.

"Acute hyperthymesia-" the guide would remark, "-her memory is impeccable, always has been. Though, I wouldn't say she has a good memory. Rather, I'd say she's terrible at forgetting things." the guide would explain as she took a few steps forward.

Surprisingly, unlike her previous appearance changes, the guide did not take on the form of the larger Zuqetta that Gira had just encountered. In fact, this seemed like it would be her final change, as the guide now appeared in the exact same shape and size as the Zuqetta back in the real world. The guide looked towards Gira, placing a hand upon her own head before raising it up to match Gira's height. She seemed to give a rather droll expression, while her large tail flicked against the ground with a bit of annoyance.

"Well, I certainly didn't expect this. If you knew she would end up smaller, you should have said so!" she'd remark, "No matter, it seems all the doors are unlocked, I've been instilled with all her recent memories." She'd explain rather smugly, "And yooooouuu, you've gotten quite chummy with her for an invader, dear traveler." she'd tease with a sly smile, "No matter, now then, let us return to the mindscape and take you to your destination."

The guide seemed confident, lifting a hand with her final remarks and giving a snap of her fingers, yet... nothing...

"Hm?" She would make the attempt again, though the surroundings would not change, "That's odd..."

An echo, rattling chains, the grinding of a blade against a metal floor...
The guide seemed not to notice at first, though the area around them would indeed change, if only a bit. While darkness remained, permeating all directions; the soft visage of the floor would appear beneath their feet. A flooded floor a few inches deep, easily up to Gira's ankles; the area began to illuminate slowly, and with yet another sound of metal on metal, it would happen...

"YOU!"

A powerful voice boomed, before the guide could react, she would find herself completely wrapped within chains.

"Ah- uh oh-" the guide would remark, falling over onto the waterlogged floor, "It seems I've been captu--" before her statement could conclude, before Gira would have the chance to reach out to rescue the guide if she so desired to do so, the chains would tug and pull the guide away from Gira in an instant.

"No more games, no more escapes. You're mine now."

The world would illuminate, an eternal expanse, though it was of course nothing more than an interpretation of the mind. Dreary and gray, color stolen despite the now brightened landscape, leaving all including Gira and guide as nothing more than monochrome in appearance. The one who pulled the chains revealed, equally as monochrome save for the pulsing red of her eyes. Should Gira have been able to witness the finally memory on the wall, she would recognize the individual, yet at the same time, the appearance was... mutated.

It was Zuqetta, or at least, a form of Zuqetta previously taken when she spoke with Russ; yet she appeared more monstrous in in form, standing ten feet in height as she lifted the enchained guide into the air. White fox ears protruded from her head, with a puffy tail to match, all tipped with red. Her hands were clawed, her canines more prominent, as if this was an individual possessed by a yokai. The hulking woman spared Gira a dismissive glance, before looking down towards the guide.

"I seeeee, so I have this one here to thank? Lowering the little princesses guard? HA!!! Perfect." She'd remark, dropping the guide and lifting her massive sword overhead; she'd look at Gira, offering a smirk, "Thanks, once I'm out, I won't kill ya!"

She gave no further explanation, simply choose to then bring her massive blade down upon the guide.

The mutated fox-like Dark Zuqetta would bring down her blade, only for a flash of light and opposing force to mock her attempt. A golden light shone through the world of stolen color, illuminating the form of the Super Saiyan Gira as she blocked Dark Zuqetta's attack. The woman's slanted fox eyes would narrow upon Gira, a smirk coming to her face as the significantly smaller girl pushed back the massive blade with ease and continued her strike forward. The grin she wore widened into a sharp, toothy grin; energy akin to a raging fire erupting around her form at the moment of impact, Gira's strike landing true upon the forehead of this mysterious individual. Yet, despite it's power, the silhouette within the spiraling inferno of energy would not topple.

"Keheheheheh-" a subtle, dark laugh would begin, "KHAAAAAAHAHAHAHAAAA!!! THAT WAS GREAT!!!" she'd roar, the inferno around her exploding outward with a pulse of pressure, revealing the woman within, "Yer a fun one, aren'tcha?"

Just a Gira, a golden hue of energy surrounded the form of the Dark Zuqetta as she peered down towards the diminutive Saiyan behind her new piercing blues; her hair rising an falling, swaying like a flame of bright yellow.

"Ya little minx, ya underestimate me." she'd remark, tugging at the chain and pulling the ensnared Guide to her grip, "I saw everything behind her eyes... your arrival in the palace, her little panicked self fumbling to even touch you. How absurd-" she'd explain, glaring down at the guide before tossing the chained girl off to the side, her focus returning solely to Gira, "All that magical power, and look at that form the little coward takes? Ya said ya like someone like HER? HA! Don't make me laugh!"

The woman would roll her shoulders, popping her joints before cracking her neck; a single step forward and her massive form would have neared Gira by half the distance. The grin she displayed hid a killer intent, yet it was clear the woman was far more interested in entertaining herself rather than achieving her goal; the guides current safety a distance away said it all.

"You'd waste away with someone like her! I betcha like fightin', yeah? That little coward HATES fighting..." she'd state, the grip on her sword tightening as her eyes narrow slyly, "Me though-?" in an instant, the hulking woman was gone; appearing without warning before Gira with her blade over head, intent to fall upon Gira to cleave her in two, "I LOVE IT!!!"

The blade would impact, the ground beneath Gira's feet cracking and shattering; to the Dark Zuqetta's joy however, her adversary still stood. The hulking woman would break into laughter, stopping only when a powerful strike came at her abdomen, followed up quickly but an uppercut to her chin which toppled the giant.

"HA!" She'd exclaimed elatedly; her body would vanish just as her back struck the ground, bursting into a vanishing flame before reappearing upright a short few steps from where she landed.

"How rich, you fight for fun? I fight, BECAUSE it's fun! C'mon, we could have WAY more fun together than you could have with her!" The woman would attempt to entice, bringing her massive blade up to rest on her shoulder as she paced about, "Kindness? Strength? Haven't you been muckin' about in her head? She does nothin' but cry and get her ass kicked!" she'd protest with a disgusted look; pausing for a moment, with a sly grin returning to her face.

"Gandigan, heheh, he wants you ta take over that dump, Plant, yeah? I can help make that happen." she'd offer, bringing her other arm up to grab her blade as it rested across both her shoulders; stretching her back a bit as she came to stop, lifting her head with a smug grin as she gazed down upon Gira, "Not a bad idea, yeah? You can teach me all about love out there, in the real world. All while you sit upon that throne, leading the Saiyans as Gandigan said you would."