A woman gazed into the fire before her. Its crackles tickled her long ears. She could feel them twitch as she took a deep breath before it changed into a deeper yawn. Things had gotten… strange for her the last month. Or maybe that was underplaying it, she wasn’t really sure anymore. She stretched and curled her toes, her sharp talons briefly scraping on the floor, making her cringe from the hideous shriek of them scraping against the tiles. She clutched her ears in pain, gripping pale blue strands of hair as she recoiled in from the sound. She then slowly released her blue-scaled legs, her white and blue tail curling around to meet them. It was almost funny how used to this body she had become now. This all just felt so natural. Her long pointed ears, the long curling horns that arced down her head and back, the scaly body. It all felt right.

When she’d first changed, her body felt so weird and alien. But the more time had gone by, the more her past life became the oddity. The thought of having round ears and no scales weirded her out now, not that that changed her opinion on those who were like that… although what that opinion was still eluded her. And then there was this new power and… She shook her head. She was spiraling on her thoughts again.

“I’m hungry,” she admitted. “No wonder my head’s a mess. I should eat.” She looked at the chicken roasting above the fire. Its golden-brown skin made her stomach growl. She excitedly pulled it off the spit and bit into it, the hot juices splattering on her cleavage. She chewed the meat and looked down at herself, blushing slightly. She quietly thanked her luck that it landed on her scales and not the more sensitive skin of her… did she have a human half? Was that what she was? Half-human? Well, the fleshy bits were definitely more sensitive, except her lips and mouth anyway. She took another bite, her tail curling with glee as she savored her meal. However, the sound of a nearby door opening nearby snapped her out of her joy.

“You know there’s stuff to cook in the kitchen,” a voice called as the door automatically closed behind the approaching blonde man. “You don’t have to use an open fire like that.

“I don’t care,” the woman replied, batting some of her icy blue locks over her shoulder. “I prefer doing things my way.” She took another bite of the chicken.

“Where did you even find the stuff to make a fire, anyway?”

She side-eyed him, pulling the chicken away from her mouth, then looked back at the fire. She opened her mouth as if to whistle, and exhaled a jet of purple and blue flames upon the fire, causing it to billow and build in size. “I meant the fuel,” the man said, crossing his arms unenthusiastically.

“Who needs fuel?” she responded curtly.

“Huh, didn’t know that,” the man chuckled. “I guess that’s what sets you apart from those average dracna, eh Tia?”

“What do you want, Z?” She took yet another bite of chicken, tossing away one of the now bare legs.

“Oh? I’m not allowed to visit one of my favorite ladies?” he said suavely.

She threw away the other leg bone. “You don’t just visit people.”

“Oh? What’s wrong with visiting someone?” he asked coyly.

This time she threw away one of the wings. “Most people? Nothing. But you don’t visit people unless you want something,” she said confidently. It was one of the few things she’d managed to sleuth out about the man. He only ever talked to people if he wanted something.

“Now that’s a little mean,” the man chuckled. “I just wanted to see if you wanted to go for a walk.”

She stared him directly in the eyes and threw the other wing at him, the blonde gentleman barely dodging it. “Tell me what you want or I’m throwing this next,” she said ,lifting the mostly eaten chicken.

“Okay, okay.” Z waved her down. “I’m going to meet our new partner. I wanted you to come with me.”

“I see,” she sighed. “Need me to intimidate someone again,” she said under her breath.

“What was that?”

“Nothing,” she sighed before rising to her feet, her deep blue dress falling to her ankles. She tossed the bones of the chicken carcass into a nearby trash can.

“Damn, you picked that thing clean.” Z whistled.

She walked to a nearby sink and washed her hands before grabbing her pair of nice long and silky black gloves. She rolled them up her arms, giving her hands a nice gentle feminine look, hiding her claws underneath. In fact, aside from the scales on her breasts, neck, and cheeks, her horns, and bright red eyes, she nearly looked like a plain human girl… or at least as unassuming as one. “Let’s go,” she said, passing by Z.

“Hold on.” Z grabbed at her wrist. “Tia, why are you wearing that when you could be wearing something that shows your full might ?”

“I… I don’t…”

“Tia, do you remember what we talked about?”

“You don’t have to remind me.” She grimaced.

“Ah, but it bears repeating,” Z said, his voice turning cold. “They will never accept you. No matter how much you try to masquerade as one of them.”

“I know!” she snapped, tearing her hand away as sparks spattered from Z’s grasp. “I know, okay. You don’t have to keep telling me.” She frowned.

“We aren’t like them. We can either let them walk all over us or seize control for ourselves. Do you understand?”

“I understand, okay.” Tia said, looking down to the floor. “I just… I understand.”

Z stepped in front of her and held her chin in his hand, and pulled her gaze up. “Now, now,” he said, a certain warmth returning to his voice, “no need to look all sad. Come on, show me a smile. We’ve got this.”

“Y-yeah,” she mustered up a smile. “We can do anything.”

“Hmm? Hmm?” He looked at her expectantly.

“I said we can do anything!” she declared.

“There we go,” Z laughed. “Now let’s go!” He raised his fist to the sky and began to march down the hallway. Tia felt like she should probably be charmed, but she still couldn’t help but feel off about his behavior. She shook her head and followed behind him. Walking through the halls until they came to a pair of metal doors. He pushed the door open and looked around, whistling.

“I still don’t see why you’re so impressed,” Tia sighed. “It’s just a gym.”

“Ah, yes, a gymnasium. What a free and wonderful place. It’s so wide and spacious. Perfect for entertainment.” He eyed the bleachers. “Still could do with some better seating.”

“I swear, you act like you haven’t seen one before,” another voice commented at the center of the room.

“Ah, but you see, until a few weeks ago, I hadn’t,” Z answered with a proud tone.

“What? Were you some pampered punk before all of this?” The red-haired guest looked at him suspiciously.

“I’d hold my tongue if I were you, officer.” Z wagged his finger. “Remind me, who was it who failed to capture them again, Captain?”

Captain Habernaker grumbled in his seat. “What do you want, Z?”

“That’s Mr. Z to you, Captain.” Z glared at the captain.

“What do you want!?” the captain growled.

“I want you and your paltry assembly of men to do as you were told.” Z’s voice deepened, his teasing tone evaporating to reveal a forceful breath.

“You don’t scare me,” Captain Habernaker growled back, his body shifting as his draconic form revealed itself. “If you want a fight, then…” His voice vanished, severed by a single snap as a bolt of lightning tore into him. “Y-you…” the captain quaked, anger keeping him on his feet.

“Tia…” Z glanced at the woman with a cold demanding look. She sighed, surrendering herself to Z’s orders. The captain roared and tried to charge at Z…

But he never reached him. He found himself lifted into the air as the woman floated there before him, her dark blue draconic wings stretched out in all their splendor, rising from beneath her dress. The captain reached towards her and grabbed at her neck, but his claws only cracked against her scales. Even her flesh was tougher than his claws. He looked at her in confusion. This girl… she was supposed to be like him, right? But she seemed entirely unfazed by his empowered state, even as she was still in her own base form.

“W-what are…” Tia threw him to the ground, the ground cratering from her might. The captain could only groan from pain as he reverted to his humanoid form.

“Now, Captain...” Z began to speak, summoning the captain’s attention back to him as he barely managed to stumble back to his wobbling feet. “I do loathe repeating myself. So tell me, what is it you’re supposed to do?”

“I… I will deliver those girls to you,” the captain muttered.

“Good, it would seem pups like you still know to yield to power,” Z sneered. Tia trembled as she looked down at the floor. No matter how much she had adapted, this… this didn’t feel right.

* * *

The car pulled into the parking lot, Leah turning off the engine before looking at Vivi. Vivi held herself awkwardly, gently tracing the lines of her body, of the body she wanted to keep so desperately. It was so comforting and natural-feeling now. The way her chest moved with each breath. The way her body curved. The way that each feeling felt genuine and real, as opposed to that numbness that seemed to trap her in the past. She was ready for it to be over, for these changes to take hold forever. “You okay, Vivi?”

Vivi frowned, holding herself with a sad look. “I guess I have to be.” She took a deep breath, accepting the fortunately temporary surrender. “I… it’s kinda scary though. I’ve never changed back while I was awake before. And I… I don’t know if I can handle it. I mean… I’m about to have the body I feel right in taken away from me, and I don’t get to sleep through it, and… and…”

“It’ll be okay,” Leah said, pulling her into a hug. “I’m here for you, Viv.”

“V-Viv?” Vivi stammered.

“Yeah. That’s the nickname I came up for you. Like it?”

Vivi nodded happily. “A lot.” She smiled.

“See, there’s that smile,” Leah giggled, Vivi following suit. “I’ll be with you. No matter what.”

“Thanks, sis.” Vivi smiled gracefully. “Palu--” She turned, noticing the fox mascot hanging off her seat. “I’m ready.”

“Okay.” Palu nodded. She gave her a nuzzle, making Vivi smile.

Vivi began to feel a slight tickle on her chest. Then if felt like it was in her chest. The touch itself was actually rather nice, comforting even. But it all came to an abrupt end as she felt the magic end, the comfort she felt being sucked out through her chest. She suddenly felt cold and numb. She immediately wanted to cry, but her tears wouldn’t obey.

“It’s okay,” Leah cooed in her ear. “You’re okay.”

Vivi took a deep breath, smelling her sister’s perfume. She always liked the perfumes Leah used. They were a nice sweet, often floral scent. The soothing scent gave her some comfort. “I’m okay,” she said, taking a deep breath. She stepped out of the car and looked up at the stairs. She gripped the sleeve of her hoodie as she prepared to climb the stairs.

“Before we head up,” Leah said, placing her hand on Vivi’s shoulder. “I just want to make sure about something,” she sighed. “What do you want me to call you when we’re at home?”

Vivi sighed. “I wish I could just use my real name,” she said with a frown. “But… I guess you should use my old name.”

“Your deadname, then?” Vivi looked at her with a hint of confusion. “Right, guess you may not have heard it before. That’s what other trans people call their old names.”

Vivi giggled. “Yeah, too bad it’s not really dead yet,” she said, Leah looking down in sadness. “It’s more like a zombie name,” she grinned.

Leah laughed. “No wonder you hate it,” she teased. “You’ve always hated zombie movies.”

“It’s not my fault they’re all the same.”

“That sounds boring,” Palu laughed. “So, what should I do?”

“Oh, yeah, uh..” Vivi took a few steps back. She looked up and pointed to the window in her room. “Go up to my window, and I’ll open it to let you in.”

“Sounds good,” Palu said before floating upward. “Don’t keep me waiting too long.”

“I’ll try not to!”

“You ready, Vivi?” Leah asked.

“Yeah,” Vivi nodded.

The two climbed the stairs and entered their apartment. “We’re home!”

“There you two are,” Mary replied, rising from the nearby couch. “I was starting to get worried.”

“Oh, come on, Mom, we were just hanging out with Annie,” Leah chuckled, Vivi following with a sheepish nod.

“Yes, but I didn’t want you staying out with everything that happened today.” Mary frowned.

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“I guess you haven’t heard, then. Those Prism Girls were causing trouble over at the old mall.”

“O-oh, really?”

“Yes. I started to get worried since you said you were going shopping near there,” Mary explained. She noticed her children fidgeting and scowled. “You two weren’t over there, were you?”

“Oh, please, Mom, no one goes there anymore,” Leah chuckled. “We went to that new mall over in Tempe. You know, where I went to see that superhero movie a couple years ago?”

“Oh, right,” Mary chuckled. “That makes sense. I’m glad that I was just overthinking things.” She smiled. “Sorry if I made you panic or anything.” She fidgeted with her hair, her daughters breathing a sigh of relief. Mary tended to play with her hair when she was embarrassed, meaning she bought their excuse. “So, then how was your day?”

“Oh, it’s been good. A little tiring, right…” She turned to Vivi, attempting to hide her cringing. “Er, right, Jackie?”

“Y-yeah,” Vivi nodded before faking a yawn, although it didn’t wind up all that fake in the end.

“Well then, go rest up.” Mary smiled as her kids walked to their rooms. “Oh, and Jackie, don’t forget, you’re looking after Tommy tomorrow.”

“Okay,” Vivi chirped, somewhat excitedly. For some reason, the idea of playing with her baby brother seemed kind of fun. Maybe it was just the fatigue from everything that happened that day, but her mom noticed nonetheless.

“Heh.” Mary smiled. “Wish he’d show that kind of enthusiasm more often.”

As she made her way to her room, her pocket began to vibrate. “Hmm?” She pulled out her phone and flipped it open. Her eyes widened as she read a name she hadn’t seen in a while. She eagerly tapped the tab titled “Erika,” opening it.

“Hey, Jackie,” it read, briefly summoning a frown to her face. “I hope you’ve been well. I’m sorry I haven’t texted in a while, but some family stuff came up. :< A lot of our family changed from that weird mist stuff. Get this, I’m some kind of pretty plant girl now! :D” Vivi chuckled a bit; imagining the girl being even prettier seemed like a stretch, she was already super pretty after all. She recalled her long dark hair and gentle eyes being complimented by her ravishing blue eyes. The thought made her cheeks a little warm. “Because of that, Mom got all excited to take us out on a sudden vacation. You know how she is though, she confiscated my phone for ‘family time.’ ;n; I recently got back though, so I’m back on baby! >:D We should totally meet up sometime soon. I know it’s late, but I still want to do something for Carmen’s birthday, and mine’s coming up. We can have a double birthday!!! !o!,” Vivi giggled at the simple if compelling logic.

“Oh, Erika.” She smiled as she texted back a simple answer saying that she wanted to meet up soon too, but that it could be difficult for a bit. She definitely wanted to meet her again. Erika had always treated her nicely. She couldn’t help but develop a bit of a crush on her, not that she mentioned it much. The idea hadn’t felt too great before, but now, for some reason, those feelings were a lot harder to ignore. It was a shame she had to stay on standby to figure out the meeting with Thena later… Wait, Thena…

“Palu!” she yelped, running to her room.

Vivi entered her room, being sure to lock the door behind her. She quickly made her way to the window, spotting Palu’s gentle glow on the other side of the window and eagerly opening it. “Sorry for taking so long.”

“It’s no problem,” Palu reassured her before darting around the room. Her tail wiggled around with curiosity. She then began to giggle.

“What?”

“I kind of expected your room to be girlier than this,” Palu giggled.

“Sorry for it being so boyish,” Vivi pouted.

“I didn’t mean that,” Palu grumbled. “I mean, your room is definitely girly,” she said, eying her collection of plushies on her bed and the glittering seashells on her desk. “It just feels kinda... emptyish.”

Vivi sighed. “Yeah, I… I guessed I tried to stay practical I guess,” she admitted. “I dunno. I never really felt all that interested in decorating.”

“Oh? Then what are these?” Palu asked, pulling at a pile of cloth. Vivi blushed intensely as she tried to shoo Palu away.

“L-leave those alone, please,” Vivi protested.

“Now this is more like what I expected,” Palu laughed as she dangled the fabric poster in front of Vivi. Vivi blushed as she looked at the image of two girls cuddling in a rather suggestive manner. Its soft sensual lighting and the blush on their cheeks combined with the delicate looks in their eyes as they looked at each other… even a brief glance at it inspired certain thoughts.

“G-give that back.” She grabbed at it, pulling it away from Palu. “I…”

“There’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Palu cooed as she rested on Vivi’s shoulder. “It’s healthy for a girl your age to be interested in this kind of stuff.”

“Are you sure you’re not just a pervert?” Vivi protested.

“Hmm? Well maybe,” Palu laughed. “Although, that might be something I picked up from her.”

“Her?”

“Uh…” It was difficult for her to tell, but Vivi got the impression that Palu was blushing underneath her light pink fur. “M-my master.”

“Your master?” Vivi repeated. “Who is she?”

“She’s… uh… she made me promise not to tell you.” Palu drooped sadly.

“Huh? Why not?”

“She said she wanted to explain things herself in person to prevent any confusion… although I think she just wants to be mischievous.” She mumbled the latter part of her thought.

“What?”

“A-anyway, she’s definitely a pervert,” Palu blurted. “Maybe it’s because of how long she wasn’t allowed to do what she wanted.”

“What are you talking about?”

“She’s kind of like you. Well, sort of anyway. She had certain… proclivities that she wasn’t allowed to act on when she was younger.”

“Really?” Vivi asked. “Is that why she wanted to help us?”

“Uh… y-yeah, you nailed it, totally!” Palu confirmed, although Vivi was suddenly struck by a certain disbelief in her words. “Anyway, enough about her. Don’t you want to get into something more comfy?”

“Oh, yeah.” Vivi smiled serenely as she looked at her locket. She flicked it open, the magic coursing out and reshaping her body into a far more comfortable form. She took a breath and admired her body. “Much better!”

“Really?” Palu looked at her unconvinced. “You think being dressed like that is comfy?” She looked over the elaborate magical girl uniform.

“W-well… maybe not comfy,” she admitted as she shyly played at her skirt, “but it’s the only real time I get to be me. And it’s better than going to bed in boy mode.”

“You really do have a lot to learn,” Palu sighed as she floated onto Vivi’s shoulder, her tail hovering around her chest.

“W-wait, don’t…”

“I’m not going to change you back. I’m going to teach you something.”

“Huh?”

“Your power as a Prism Girl comes from the power of the locket. It looks like so far you’ve just been using the power that naturally flows out of it. But if you focus, you can follow the flow into the locket itself. If you do that, then you can have it do different things. You can get it to close and end your transformation, or channel your powers in a specific way, conjure your weapon, or even change how the power manifests, including your clothes,” Palu explained.

“My weapon? Oh, you mean my wand?” Palu nodded. “I… I didn’t even realize.”

“It’s meant to be rather instinctive. If you’re honest with your feelings, you’ll be able to control them, or if you’re filled with a strong resolve, they’ll bend to your will,” Palu elaborated. “But practicing to synchronize with it will also help you control it. Why don’t you try it?”

“O-okay,” Vivi nodded. She took a deep breath, and placed her hand under Palu’s tail, on top of where her pendant would normally fall upon her chest. She tried to focus, but nothing happened.

“Imagine the room, then focus on yourself.” Palu instructed. Vivi nodding. She imagined the room, her desk, her bed, her plushies, and her standing within it. Then she focused on herself, all else vanishing. “Next, focus on your body. Your breathing, the way your body is moving.” Vivi heeded her words, and listened to the calm pattern of her breath. She could feel her heartbeat, and the way her breasts moved with each breath. “Now, sink into those sensation, and feel the flow of your mana.” Vivi obeyed. It felt like a stream of glittering light flowing through her. She followed it upstream, finally finding a hole, a portal of sorts that rested within herself and the locket. It felt warm. It felt familiar.

She suddenly found herself thinking of her childhood. It… It was so strange to her. Her mind fought itself on what she looked like. Her memories told her she was certainly boyish, but her spirit told her she was decidedly girly. Her mind recalled the words of those around her, calling her a boy, sinking into her heart and dragging it downward. But then she recalled a gentle warm smile. It was loving and caring, and belonged to someone she hadn’t thought of in a long while, but she couldn’t place who it was. And then, with the encouraging warmth of the smile, her spirit won out, the her of the past reflecting the young girl’s heart before it was hidden away. A cute young girl with long dark hair and a smile sweeter than the cookies she always craved. She was as nostalgic as she was adorable. Vivi could only smile as the mysterious warmth surrounded and held her, a gentle heat emanating from herself.

“Vivi?” Her eyes fluttered open. She began to yawn, her hand rising to cover her open mouth. As she relaxed, she felt her nail gently scratch her upper lip, but it felt unusual, like her nail wasn’t supposed to be there. She looked at her hand, noticing her nails had grown a bit, forming elegant points, and becoming covered in a dark pink shade of nail polish. “I’ll be honest,” Palu interrupted her confused observation, “I was expecting something a little different.”

Vivi looked down, her eyes growing wide and her cheeks growing red. This… was a lot. Her heart was racing. Her clothes had changed rather substantially, forming an elegant flowing gown that gently hugged her body. Or perhaps it was more than a gentle hug. The whole thing was certainly very mature, clinging lovingly to her body as if eager to be shared with a special someone. And it had taken a deep burgundy hue. Not only did she feel like she was too young to wear something as promiscuous as this, but it felt like it clashed with her personality in general. But even so… even so, it felt comforting, empowering even. Some deep part of her was excited by it, encouraged by it. Something deep within her stirred, and it made her cheeks glow with embarrassment as much as excitement.

“Are you doing okay?”

“I… I need something else,” Vivi panted. “This is…”

“Hey, hey, listen to me,” Palu instructed her. “Just listen to my voice, and close your eyes.” Vivi hesitated, then followed her instructions, even as something else prodded her for attention. “Remember what I just told you. Focus on yourself, then sink in and find the flow of mana.” She did as she was instructed, but with a bit more of a direction. “Imagine what you want.” Vivi felt a little perplexed for a second. Had Palu mentioned that before? She couldn’t remember. But even so, she went on with a bit more intent than before, imagining a simple pink nightgown, and when she finally opened her eyes, that was all she wore. She sighed as she fell on her bed.

“What happened?” Vivi asked.

“I’m not entirely sure,” Palu admitted. “How did it feel?”

“I don’t know. It was scary, but it was also… maybe exhilarating. I’m not sure if I was panicking or excited,” Vivi rambled. “It felt so comfy and cozy, but so strange and unnerving. I…”

“Sorry, maybe that was my fault,” Palu lamented. “Maybe my teasing earlier got your mind going or something.”

“Y-yeah, that must be it,” Vivi fibbed. It was an explanation that made sense, but something in her… that stirring feeling within her denied that. There was something else. “I…” she began before shaking her head. She’d surely imagined it. She climbed under the covers and laid her head on the pillow. She took a satisfying breath as she finally settled into bed.

“Comfy?” Palu asked.

“Yeah,” Vivi giggled. “Is this how everyone feels when they go to bed?” she asked. “Feeling this comfy?”

“Probably,” Palu giggled, as she cozied up and curled herself against Vivi’s chest.

“You comfy?” Vivi smiled with a blissful look on her face.

“Very,” Palu said before giving a cute squeak of a yawn.

“Me too.” Vivi closed her eyes.

She wasn’t sure what they meant, the pining pink eyes that gazed back in the window’s reflection of her, but she was too comfy to worry about them now. Whatever that thing she’d felt stir in her heart, she was sure she’d be able to accept it… eventually.