Through the Looking Glass

In a roundabout way, Gira would find her question answered almost immediately; as while Dark Zuqetta's form began to fade and spirit away, something new and strange would appear. Small and unassuming, with no energy of its own to speak of; an animal, fluffy and cute, appearing from seemingly nothing and rushing forward, throwing both it's paws forward as it landed on Dark Zuqetta's chest.

"Kyuu~!" The little creature would cry out excitedly, bringing a look of shock and surprise to Dark Zuqetta.

The creature moved in slow motion as if running through water, its actually motions not matching its speed. It appeared all white, with green tufts of fur upon its ears and the tip of its tail. It's slanted, mostly closed eyes seemed to hint a mysterious faint glow; by all accounts however, this little creature appeared to be a fox kit.

"X-Xiao...!?" Dark Zuqetta would question, her face a mix of unsure emotions.

She would attempt to lift an arm, an impossible struggle which merely left her drained; though the fox would snuggle up upon her chest, pushing its head forward to lick the girls cheek. Its own body faded along with Dark Zuqetta's, however in her final moments before vanishing, despite her tears, to girl would have a smile on her face.

There would be no answer she could give Gira herself, as in only moments, she and the fox kit would be gone.

A moment of silence would fall, before the guide would lift her hand and give a quick snap of her fingers. Her powers seemingly restored, a door would appear several meters behind the two upon the request of her action.

"Well, that was certainly just a bit misleading I'm sure." she'd remark, patting Gira on the back before turning to begin moving towards the summoned door, "That wasn't entirely untrue. As that fraction of soul said just now, that little fox was Xiao." she'd laugh a bit, looking back towards Gira with a smile, "Make no mistake however, Xiaolan was a man as well as a fox. Not quite a Zoanthrope, but close enough. His fox form was rather deceiving certainly, but the man that he was, was someone Zuqetta had been quite fond of..."

She would pause, as if something began to communicate to her, leaving her distracted for a moment. A realization would set in, and the Guide would give a sigh of relief.

"To think your power would diffuse their mangled souls however, quite impressive Traveler!" The Guide would remark, crossing her arms with a confident expression, "You need not allow worry and grief to overtake you. That woman was simply a fraction of Zuqetta's soul, split from her during the use of one of her abilities. The soul could not be rejoined with Zuqetta due to its fusion with that little fraction of Xiaolan's soul-" she would explain, giving a smirk, "-buuuuuut, despite the dramatics, it seems the soul as returned from whence it came." she'd state, offering Gira a kind smile, "Live guilt free, there is no blood on your hands this day!"

The Guide would lean against the door, giving Gira a moment to process the information. She seemed to laugh a bit, as if knowing something more than she was telling, but would avert her gaze as she tried to stifle her personal excitement.

"As a representation in her mind, I might say that I know even more about her than she does herself." The guide would remark with a smirk, "After all, have you ever sat down and tried to understand every second of your life all at once? Perhaps am impactful moment here and there, mayhaps moments of deep reflection and contemplation done through meditation, however as ordinary a girl as Zuqetta is, its doubtful she thinks even about the past memories you've traveled through." she'd explain, giving a sagely nod.

"Of course, I know only anything and everything regarding Zuqetta and all she's experienced, I know nothing beyond that. The five senses, the feelings of emotions, everything, including my appearance, is merely a facsimile of Zuqetta." she'd clarify as she pushed away from the door, "It's why I know she loves you." she'd say plainly, laughing a bit, "Unlike I however, she's not quite so capable of expressing herself clearly. Hehe, you two are in for a rough ride I'm sure."

She'd give a happily wide, if not slightly mischievous smile to Gira, before turning back towards the door and looking upon it with a slightly melancholic expression. She would lift a hand, placing it on the door; as she did, a soft breeze would sweep through the grassy lands around she and Gira. She'd take a deep breath, her hand stroking down the front of the door, before taking hold of its incredibly simple knob.

"I'm quite glad for your recovery-" she'd begin, "As for this here, this is the end. We have no need to travel the mindscape any longer to reach our destination." she'd explain, "Behind this door, is the short term. The most recent memories Zuqetta has experienced-" she'd remark, perking up inquisitively and looking back toward Gira with a bit of a giggle, "Incidentally, Zuqetta will have no memory of anything that's happened here. She'll be affected by your travels through her previous memories, but nothing between you and I, nor your encounter with her fragment of soul will be known to her."

The Guide seemed to find the thought amusing, her cheeks brightening a bit as she giggled before turning her attention back to the door. Her tail swayed about behind her playfully before she would take a long pleasant breath.

"Well then, shall we proceed to your destination?" she would ask, "I could of course show you more things, other things, perhaps personal things should you desire." she'd say with a small hum, "Though, and this may only be my opinion, rather than move shiftily through more of Zuqetta's past experiences, would you not think it more appropriate to ask her herself, and see what she has to say?" she'd muse, "Gandigan or otherwise, anything I show you cannot be unseen. You'll be peering through her past, personal experiences. From everything you've been through thus far, if you're fine this this, then we can proceed." she'd finish, her grip tightening around the doorknob as she awaited Gira's response.

Gira hesitated, revealing her intention with a bit of strain in her voice; the Guide would smile, removing her hand from the doorknob and allowing the door to fade away. "If that is your wish-" she'd remark, looking to Gira with an expression of admiration, "-for whatever the word a a mere illusory entity is worth, I believe you're making the right choice." she'd say, before suddenly being scooped up into Gira's arm.

She'd wear a look of surprise for a moment as she was lifted into the air, her feet dangling a bit, before she would reciprocate the hug. "Hehe, I will be quite well, and... thank you for protecting me." she'd say softly, "Despite what I am, I believe... I may be happy to continue existing." the guide seemed confused by her own words as she spoke, but by the end of her statement would nod, accepting what she said. With that said and the hug reciprocated, she would push off from Gira, her feet touching the ground once more. She held onto one of Gira's hands, giving her a smile as she lifted her free hand up, ready to give another snap.

"Well then, I suppose it's about time I did my duty and expelled you from her mind." She'd remark with a laugh, "Zuqetta is sure to be confused, but she will come around, worry not for the reaction you may receive on the outside." The guide would explain, "Oh, and as for that fragment of soul? Having returned to Zuqetta properly, her memories of Xiaolan are sure to return to her as vividly as ever, nothing more shall be suppressed nor hidden away. Of course, the thing that mutated the piece of soul to begin with cannot join, heheh-" she'd laugh, keeping the rest of the explanation to herself before looking up to Gira with a pleasant smile, "In any case, you're sure to meet that misguided piece of soul again. When the time comes, I do hope the two of you can make amends."

She'd give a soft sigh, her expression seeming almost disappointed, "With that traveler-" she'd say, stopping herself and shaking her head, "Gira, take care."

The Guide would snap her fingers, and the world would be engulfed in light.

Should Gira have been able to sense magic, she'd have surely sensed a spike in it coming from all around her as her senses were redirected. Zuqetta's mental defenses would strengthen, and in an instant, Gira's dive would be reversed until she found herself returned to her own body back in the real world.

The moment in the mindscape had happened in but an instant, reality was returned, and Zuqetta, the TRUE Zuqetta would flinch, taking a sudden gasp of air. Her energy around her would flare and waver, with her Super Saiyan transformation failing her. She'd drop to a knee, clutching her head with both her hands as she groaned with pain. Despite the clear pain she seemed to be in, she held strong, her tail bashing the ground hard enough to crack the floor as she stumbled up, shooting a sharp glance towards Gira.

"What'd you do!?" she'd question, her eyes darting about with confusion, almost as if she was witnessing images all around her, "Tryin' ta break into my mind!? That ain't gonna work!!! I've dealt with mind control before!" she'd exclaim, looking past Gira rather than at her. She seemed to be in a frantic state, lifting a hand she'd begin firing off ki blasts, though there seemed to be no proper target as she blasted at the walls and ceiling, her other hand still clutching her head in pain before she would begin to topple over.

Zuqetta felt as though her mind was a jumble, like there was now an intense screeching that was simply getting louder and louder. She could barely keep her eyes open as she fell, but to her surprise, rather than be assailed while she was clearly weakened, Gira had rushed forward and caught her. Zuqetta initially sought to struggle, but there was hardly any strength she could put into her arms, and as the pain in her head increased she was certain this would be the end... but it was not. Surprise on top of surprise, Gira would pull her into an embrace, placing a hand upon the back of her head as she attempted to calm Zuqetta down.

"W-w-w-w-w-w-w-what are you d-doing!?!?" She'd question frantically, her face becoming bright red, "YOU-!?" she intended to snap at her perceived enemy, the believed usurper of the throne, only to be stopped by further pain assailing her thoughts.

Her confusion grew, she could hardly recall why she was even here, let alone why they were fighting. This was Gira after all...

"Tira-!?" she'd question with labored breath, "No! You're not- gaahhhh, I mean... are you? What???"

Confusion and embarrassment both overwhelmed her, as her thoughts began to piece together however, the pain would begin to dissipate. Gira, Gandigan's puppet sent to destroy her and usurp the throne. Gira, the princely hero who'd protected her from her fathers abuse. Gira, the chivalrous woman who stood up against Yangcong to save her from his mind control. Gira, the mysterious beauty who seemed to appear during many of Zuqetta's most desperate experiences...

"This isn't... you're cheating!" she'd exclaim, still clutching her head with a pained expression; despite her refusal and attempt to push away however, she couldn't help but to feel comforted as Gira stroked the back of her head, "Who... are you!? Why do I know you!?" she'd question, face tense as her eyes darted about the room, trying to make sense of the woman who held her.

Zuqetta could hardly believe what she was hearing; Gira HAD invaded her mind!? She'd shake her head, it was impossible! She'd sealed her mind, she was sure of it, closed it off to everything! It'd also only been a few seconds since Gira's attack, so there was no way what she was saying was true... Yet, if it weren't, then how was she here? How was she even conscious? Zuqetta knew she had no real defense for protecting her mind, it was why she remained on guard towards individuals with mental abilities.

To close off her mind was to cut off her every thought even from herself, something crazy, harmful, as frantic as she was at the moment of doing it, she didn't even consider the possibility that it could leave her comatose. She left a fail safe, a sliver of magic that could awaken her mind once the invader was gone... and here they were...

Zuqetta flinched as Gira mentioned wanting to protect her; she'd adjusted their position, staring intensely with her sharp, determined gaze. Zuqetta felt her face reddening, eyes wide and hopeful; she wanted to believe what Gira was saying, through her mix of confusion she DID believe her, and yet still couldn't. She could barely believe what was even happening right NOW, let alone what Gira was saying; her thoughts were clearing however, her past memories with Gira becoming so vivid.

Gira herself seemed to be in some kind of panic, pulling Zuqetta in closer, something that caused Zuqetta's heart to skip a beat. She swallowed back nervously, feeling as though she would suddenly cry; all the painful memories were still there, but it was as Gira said, within the long swaths of pain, were brief moments of peace and relief, each brought about by Gira...

Then, Gira would ask her question, something that sent a small shiver down Zuqetta's spine.

Zuqetta would lift her hand, clutching tightly to Gira's sleeves as she wore a pained expression, this one not stemming from the physical however, but from the emotional. She'd spoken so harshly moments ago when it came to Gandigan, she wanted nothing more than for Gira to leave at that point. Now however, she wanted the exact opposite; she hesitated to tell Gira anything, for fear that Gira would vanish again, just as she had each and every time before.

"I... don't get it..." she'd remark, her body shaking slightly as she spoke, "You... traveled through my mind? That's why I remember you?" she'd question, her chin resting on Gira's shoulder; she refused to push away, not wanting Gira to see the clearly defeated and confused expression she'd begun to wear, "Then... were you, or were you NOT there?" she'd say with a shaky voice, "Did you actually help me? Or... are you just using your magic to make me think you are?" her voice was panicked, she didn't want to believe the latter of what she herself was saying, shaking her head a bit as she spoke, "Is THIS even real right now!? Is this a real moment...?"

She clutched tighter to Gira's incredibly short sleeves; she felt angry, sad, lonely, betrayed, yet also felt... happy, happy to be held by Gira, comforted to be with the person she'd wished to see for so many years in her life. The confusion was too great however, Gira COULDN'T have been there, this was the first time they'd ever met! She was being manipulated, just as so many had done to her in the past. She wanted to push away, to return to the fight and drive her off; yet at the same time, she didn't want to let her go... The moments of happiness Gira had gifted her through those terrible past experiences lightening the weight on her heart, be it real or not...

Then, it struck-

The pain she felt in her head would die completely, her thoughts of Gira becoming more focused. A realization washing over her as she recalled things she couldn't possibly know. A woman she didn't know hiding her in a crate; her mother? Certainly not... but, Gira's? She recalled more, she recalled a school, bullies, friends, heroic actions as the Great Saiyagirl, Gandigan!

Zuqetta flinched, realizing what she was recalling; nothing of her own, but Gira's own past experiences. She didn't know how, but whatever Gira had done had allowed Zuqetta to know more of Gira, just as Gira knew more of her. Her past experiences, the emotions she felt; while Gandigan had seemed as someone just as vile to Zuqetta as Yangcong and Blizzard, to Gira, he may as well have been akin to a father figure. Zuqetta's grip softened, she knew that feeling well, too well, and worse yet, she knew the feeling that came from the betrayal of such an individual... and she didn't want Gira to experience that pain.

"Gandigan..." she hesitated, clueless of what to say; she could just repeat what she'd said before, mention how Gandigan sought to claim the throne, reveal how he'd use Gira to control the populace... but she choked on the words now...

Gira was sure to suffer if she was told, certain to cry, she wasn't emotionally strong enough to handle it... or... was that Zuqetta? She'd gotten confused again, but her body had already responded... she hated such betrayal so, so much. She'd already begun to cry, the overly emotional girl that she was; if Tulse or Jagaimo were around, they'd certainly chew her out for crying in front of the enemy. Gira wasn't an enemy however... not to Zuqetta, and that only made it harder to tell Gira the truth, causing Zuqetta to simply bury her face angrily into Gira's shoulder as she tried to ignore what she was feeling.

Gira would explain the truth, causing Zuqetta's heart to sink; no matter how she felt, no matter what she thought, it was as she feared, none of it had been real. Of course it wasn't, she knew it wasn't, but so badly she wanted to believe it was. She wanted to believe those happy moments, being saved, being protected by another were true. She should have been angry, angrier than angry; Gira's interference had messed with her head! how could she even know what was real and what wasn't anymore!? Yet... she simply couldn't be...

The fact that Gira would tell the truth on the matter already softened the terrible blow of what reality presented, and the fact remained that deep in her heart, she truly did feel some semblance of relief, of happiness from Gira's actions. Her previous memories of solitude and loneliness as she grew up with her father now had a singular bright spot that alleviated her fear of the unknown. The manipulations she'd suffered at the hands of Yangcong now had a moment of restored faith, her previously discarded ideal's regarding "heroes" now returned.

She'd pull in her legs, her tail wrapping around herself and Gira with it's unconventional length. She began to calm down, conflicted still by her thoughts and memories, but relaxed by Gira's presence. she would breath deeply, closing her eyes, imaging how it might feel for this moment to last forever; an ironic thought considering all that Gira apparently went through in the span of a second. How long had Gira traveled her memories? Hours? Days? If it was longer than even that, then it must have been a nightmare for her...

She'd felt the moment Gira trembled, was she lying? Was she truly scared? Whatever the truth was, Gira still spoke with conviction, willing to face the truth regardless rather than suppress it as Zuqetta often did. Zuqetta would rub her eyes against Gira's shirt to dry her tears; so rude! She hadn't meant to be rude, merely taking a moment to breathe and steel her own resolve.

"Gandigan changed after going to h-, the Otherworld." Zuqetta would begin, "Each time I met him, he was doin' worse than the time before. He had some obsession with my cousin, like Lottus was gonna suddenly show and blow up Namek, but Lottus didn't even know the place was on the star chart till they fought!" she'd say angrily, her grip tightening for only a moment before she would relax again, "Gandigan spoke pretty rudely to me when it came to Saiyans, but he seemed like he really wanted to help. He wanted to keep Namek safe from attacks, not just from Saiyans, but from Tuffles and their destron too..."

Zuqetta would shake her head a bit, her eyes closing slightly as she thought, "I'm sorry for what Lottus did, I don't know why Gandigan was so insistent on fighting him. Lottus only goes after planets that mass produce destron, so if anything, they could have worked together-" she was reaching, stating her hopes more than explaining the situation. Her realization of this would cause her to stop, sighing as she returned to explaining what had been said between she and Gandigan.

"I met him again, maybe only a few days before he'd pursue my cousin. He seemed angry and distracted, but still seemed like himself despite how rude he was." she'd explain, "Despite my efforts to convince him, he thought the stereotype of Saiyans to be what defined them." she'd say in a sullen tone, giving a singular fake laugh as she continued, "Ironic, considering how respectful I tried to be to him... and the fact that he had you in his life."

She paused for a moment, hesitating from mentioning her final interaction with him. She'd already explained so much, but she knew that what she'd given to Gira thus far wouldn't have explained why Zuqetta had chosen to attack on sight. There was no other choice...

Zuqetta would pull away from Gira, her tail unfurling as she moved to scoot an inch or two back, taking hold of Gira's hand and displaying she was no longer suffering from her previous affliction. She'd take another breath, before lifting her head to look Gira in the eyes; her expression serious, her resolved tempered and unwavering.

"Farria will defeat you, he told me-" she'd begin, repeating the words that had been said to her by the man,"And if not? Then you'll be facing me next. And if that happens it'll be you takin' my place down here. Those were his final words when I left the Otherworld." she'd explain, her brow twitching as she worried over how Gira might take these words.

She'd begin to shake her head slowly, hoping to speak before Gira would have a chance to settle on her feelings.

"Something was wrong, like I said, he'd been more and more hostile each time I met him." she'd say, hoping to assure Gira; it felt strange to defend Gandigan of all people, but the thought that Gira might suddenly break down killed her inside, "I don't know what he experienced in Otherworld, but whatever it was must've been the final straw! The Gandigan you knew really DID want to help, but the man I met... he just, wasn't the Gandigan you knew..." she'd say nervously, her eyes glancing away as if to find something that could salvage any negative view Gira might have been forming.

"And, and me too! I could've been kinder, more tolerant! I just, when he and I spoke I expressed my ideas to him, and he denied me outright..." she'd say with a somewhat desperate tone, "I... I'm certain I antagonized him... over and over I'd tested his reactions instead of just speakin' to him plainly, I failed to see how literally he took things..."

She closed her eyes, feeling stupid in more ways than just one; it made little sense already to defend Gandigan in any way, and made even less sense to make herself out to be a bad guy. She knew how close Gira was to Gandigan however, the admiration she held for her Sensei. Zuqetta had once held similar feelings for the old Arcosian Blizzard, a man who treated her like a his own daughter. His betrayal had once been a final straw for her, the faith she held in others destroyed by his actions, leading her down darker and darker paths... She didn't want Gira to suffer the same, to lose her faith and stop being the Hero that Zuqetta saw her as.

She withheld the truth; Gandigans refusal to negotiate, his slip up revealing his intention to see Gira upon the throne the day she would challenge, his intent to direct the power of the Saiyan's as he saw fit, his attempt to pit Zuqetta against Ticoga of all people. There was just too much she could explain, too much that would surely tear at Gira's heart. Zuqetta kept silent, lowering Gira's hand, hoping the girl wouldn't notice, hoping she wouldn't ask Zuqetta to explain more. Already Zuqetta was at her limit for what she could deny, she was keeping the extended truth from Gira of her own accord, but if Gira pushed, Zuqetta knew she'd have no choice...

Gira spoke of what she knew, what she had experienced and her feelings on it all. To hear Gira mention Lottus' importance to her due to how Zuqetta felt was surreal considering how things had been between them when Gira first arrived. Zuqetta almost wished she could have been on whatever journey Gira had been on to see what she experienced that would change her so, but to an extent she kind of was. Through the memories she held in which Gira was now there, Zuqetta had been able to catch glimpses of Gira's journey; she was confused as to who or what this Guide Gira mentioned before was, but didn't think it an important matter in the moment.

No, what was most important was what would come next...

The anguish on Gira's face as she asked a question, one seemingly so simple and yet impossible to answer. Zuqetta felt her heart tighten as she looked at Gira; so badly she wished she held the answer, but she could never know the why of when someone could betray another. She hadn't a word that she could say now, an so wouldn't say a thing at all, instead doing something she hadn't expected herself to do in the least.

She would simply lunge forward, wrapping her arms around Gira and holding her tight as Gira began to cry further. There was nothing more she could offer her than this, as there could never be an answer that could be satisfactory no matter how hard they searched for one. Zuqetta thought of Yangcong, she thought of how he lured her in with compliments and praise, only to betray her trust by using demonic magics to control her. She thought of Blizzard, a father figure, a man who trained her with virtue and love, only to strike at her home and destroy what she care about most. If she could ask them what Gira had just asked, Zuqetta wondered if she would... no matter the answer they gave, she didn't think she could ever forgive their actions...

She would shake her head a bit, rubbing her head against Gira, a hand placed on the back of Gira's head gently, seeking to calm her. Her heart aching for the pain Gira must have felt; if this had been a memory like the ones Gira claimed to venture through, then it would seem their roles had been reversed this time.