Army of One (Zuqetta)

Two guards station at the towering palace doors was two too many in Zuqetta's opinion, but consideration for "safety" was always a concern mentioned when it came to security at the Palace. Despite knowing Zuqetta could more than handle herself against most threats, Jagaimo's insistence on guards with unwavering. It was something the Monarch had come to accept, Jaggy was Captain of the Royal Guard now after all, so all Palace related things went through her.

One of said guards would yawn, taking notice of the approaching bearded man with hardly a care; her fellow guard however, a bit of a younger individual would speak out as the older Saiyan approached, only to be completely dismissed. "Haaaaaaaaa, why do people always force their way in? The Queen's mentioned over and over than the palace is open for all visitors! Not even a hello, damn..." the young guard would groan with a rather heavy sigh, "Damn old man, he's lucky I don't give him a REAL piece of my mind!"

"Haha, get used to it kid. These kinda changes ain't for everyone, gonna get grizzled ol' soldiers like that alllllll the time." the older guard would remark, "She don't say it, but its pretty obvious our lil queenie hates it. Your scouter get a ping on that old guy though? He ain't your normal ruffian, so don't go chasin' your death now, ya hear?"

While the guards would continue to converse, the presumed guest would make it well past them; had he ever seen the inside of the Palace before, he might have been well surprised by the changes. Otherwise, the Palace would be as many might have expected from royalty, with a few additions of Zuqetta's own personal touch.

Light's imported from Earth, something called "Christmas Lights", of a beautiful pure white hue lined the completely black ceiling, creating the illusion of starlight. There was a notable lack of cables, as it seemed the lights were powered not by electricity, but by Zuqetta's own magic, something that gave the interior a rather all-encompassing feel of Zuqetta's energy to those capable of sensing mana. The floors were a clean, immaculate white, one could almost see their own reflection; pillars that lined the path what was once the throne room were of a similar marble white design, with the symbol of the kingdom emblazoned upon each pillar with an ornate golden flourish.

A long red carpet which stretched from the entrance all the way down the path way helped prevent the mess of dirty shoes as it guided guests to the Palace center. As one reached said center, they would be in the old Throne Room, a room completely open with an incredibly high ceiling. No throne sat in the center however, instead replaced with a large round table and several seats all around it of equal size; the table featured a rather huge crack all the way through, as if it been split in two and hastily put back together, an impressive feat to some considering the table was made of Katchin.

A short distance from the table, on would notice several doors; to the left of the room, a door which led down a path to the Grand Hall of Fighting and Dining, a Saiyan favorite. To the right of the room, a door which led down a different path, the courtyard which the guards both of the palace and the city used to train. The back of the room featured another large door in the center, with two open doorways to the left and right; the left doorway leading to the seats of the underground coliseum, while the right led to the battle grounds of the coliseum itself.

A bit of noise could be heard coming from the door in the center however, something that sounded as if someone was approaching...

A long day was made even longer, as even returning to the Palace after the debacle that happened in Hatchi wasn't a moment of peace. There was paperwork and grievances to address, but Zuqetta powered through. She needed to get all her tasks finished, as it was only a couple days before her outing with Lottus, and she couldn't allow herself to be distracted by piled up work! She'd been in her study, finishing off the last of the trade forms and figuring out the proper tax adjustments for imported goods.

"Mnnnn, okay, enough work for today-" she'd remark with a hearty stretch, bouncing up from her seat and making her way to the door, "Hungry, food time!" she'd cheer, heading out and down the stairs.

At the base of the stair, she would leave through a door; said door was the same center door at the back of the throne room, and Basil would see said doors open, revealing Zuqetta as she emerged. She was clad rather casually, not having expected any guests; no armor to speak up, instead, a comfortable looking Earth attire for lazing about was her go to. A puffy, white sweater, oversized with long sleeves; the thing could have been a dress on her. She still wore her black battle tights underneath, the cutoff of which could just barely be seen on her thighs. She was without shoes, knee high socks with some kind of animated character depicted on them being what protected her feet from the elements.

One might have expected that an Earthling girl had just emerged from the back room, yet despite her small four-foot six-inch height, her massive Saiyan tail and general appearance was a dead giveaway of her heritage. It was the crown atop her head, something she rarely removed, that might've given Basil a better clue of exactly who she was though; of course, it wasn't often that the royalty opted for crowns, with the past three monarchs each opting for a royal cape or cloak of sorts.

"Hm?" Zuqetta took notice of man immediately, her expression one of slight confusion; she'd gently close the doors she'd exited from behind her, looking towards the man almost unsure, "Uhhh, can I... help you?" she'd ask, a bit worried internally that her moment to eat was about to be interrupted by more work. She took in the mans more raggedy appearance and raised a brow; she made it an intention to meet with all her soldiers, but she certainly didn't recall this mans face, "Oh! you must be looking for the Grand Hall!" she'd speak up, attempting to guide the conversation, "Hehe, lookin' for a good hearty meal ta fill you up, yeah? I can guide ya there if ya need!" she'd finish with a soft smile, approaching the man as she made her offer.

Zuqetta had thought she was being helpful when she offered to guide the older fellow Grand Hall, to her surprise however, she was met with immediate aggression from the man. He wasn't necessarily angry at her per say, nor did he seem to be seeking a fight, but there was a clear sense of authority coming from the man coupled with something of a misunderstanding. It was strange to meet a soldier that didn't already know who she was at this point, but she didn't fault him; unfortunately, before she could clear things up with her words, the man had man to approach.

As Basil reached out for Zuqetta's hand, admonishing her as he did, unfortunate experiences would play through her mind in an instant. Experiences buried deep, things she'd have preferred to have forgotten entirely, experiences relating to her father...

"NO!"

Zuqetta would shout, her Mana Veil dropping immediately as a massive burst of energy erupted from her form. First blue, but as the energy spiraled with wasted no time in transitioning to what the galaxy was steadily beginning to recognize as a familiar golden hue. Her hair would erupt would a golden flourish, her eyes changing blue in kind; the floor beneath her would crack and cave in beneath the pressure of her sudden eruption of power. Regardless of the ability or tools needed to sense energy, any familiar with battle would be capable of recognizing when one had accessed a form of increased power.

"Step away from the Queen!"

In response to her sudden Super Saiyan transformation, the guards from the entrance would rush down the hall and into the room. almost on cue, guards would begin flooding in from the doors left, right, and center, each either taking up a battle stance or lifting their blasters, aimed directly upon Basil. He was the superior threat, capable of ending many of their lives without issue, they knew this, but with their Monarch potentially in danger they were ready to stake their lives against this threat.

Zuqetta's breathing was swift and shallow, as if she was coming off from a panic attack. Her eyes darted around the room, taking note of all the guards that entered to her aid before she would focus once more on Basil. She closed her mouth tight, her tail wrapping around her waist defensively as she forced herself to calm. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, before looking upon Basil again; the visage of her father was gone, and she once more saw Basil for who he was.

"You-!" she'd begin, still clearly more than a bit frantic; her racing heart began to calm, and she'd take another breath as her eyes narrowed on Basil, "You... clearly don't know who I am... do you?" she'd question, straightening up and trying to relax a bit before she did something she'd regret, "I'm no child, I step foot here because this is MY palace."

As she began her explanation she'd lift a hand up before her; she was shaking, her adrenaline having not yet died out. Despite this, she'd continue to act accordingly, snapping her fingers and allowing her magic to wash over her. Shimmering light of her magic would shroud her momentarily, upon fading, the attire she wore would be replaced with her royal armor. Basil, not knowing of Zuqetta, may not have been able to recognize the armor for anything more than a gaudy, colorful showpiece; the royal insignia of the Saiyan Kingdom emblazoned on her chest piece however may have been enough to give him pause, if the crown on her still blonde head didn't already clue him in.

"My name is Zuqetta Dreadwyrm, crowned Monarch of the Saiyan Kingdom." she'd explain, her voice nor much firmer in tone, the previous shake from her adrenaline rush having faded. She would lift a hand to her head, a closed fist which signaled to the guards to back away; they would do so, giving a proper distance but would keep their weapons raised and at the ready, still uncertain of the man before them, "I mistook you for a soldier of the Kingdom, but you're clearly not. If you are, you must've been away on a mission for quite some time, as I've been reigning Monarch for the past year." she'd explain, her suspicious gaze having yet to falter, "Plenty have made the same mistake, but none have been so... brazen." her tail tightened, "Tell me who you are, and why you believed you had the right to take a citizen of mine from my palace, as mistaken as you were."

Basil had no way of knowing that Zuqetta had opened the palace up to visitors from anywhere and everywhere, even still, it was strange for him to express such an authority. Zuqetta wondered if he was perhaps an old noble, something that might've made things more difficult. She calmed, sensing his power; one such as him might not have taken the first decree she'd made upon taking the throne very kindly. The abolishment of the caste system, and of the prior nobility.