Niko’s ughter rings out in the sudden stillness. Dad mutters, “well, Niko seems to be more open, so… I guess it’s up to you, uh…Rika?”

  I nod, as Niko finally stops, a real smile on her face as she lets me go. “Good. Now, is there anything to eat? I’m hungry.” She wanders towards the door, heading for the kitchen. Tricia and Philippa sigh, smiling. “Still the same as ever, even with a cute littlest sister now!” Tricia giggles, adjusting her position on the bed as she grabs her crutches, getting ready to head down as well.

  I look over at dad. “Dad… can I count on you to help when mom finds out? It’s going to be apocalyptic.”

  He sighs. “Well, this happened for a reason. Of course, it’s my job as your dad, after all. Though, I feel a bit guilty for not realising you weren’t happy. I feel like I failed at my job, you know? I should’ve been more aware.”

  I approach and spontaneously give him a hug. He freezes up a little, then ruffles my hair, the same way he always has. “That’s the first time you’ve ever been the one to initiate a hug, kiddo. You really are happier, aren’t you…” he says, wonderingly. I nod. “I feel like I’ve finally woken up from some nightmare that never ended. Plus, I’m cute, and my dragon-shift is super badass!”

  The sound of the front door opening faintly reaches us, and I gulp. “No time like the present, I guess!” I say brightly, a brittle tone in my voice, as I release my dad and stand up. Tricia levers herself onto her feet, a stifled hiss of pain emanating from her as she steadies herself with Philippa’s help. I let her pass, following behind, with Phili and dad bringing up the rear.

  Niko’s babbling something to mom as she stands at the bottom of the stairs. Mom looks very confused. “Niko, dear, why won’t you let me upstairs? I need to change out of these clothes, and where is everyone? I know Philippa must be home, since you left together. What’s gotten into you???”

  Tricia slowly pushes past, Niko catching her elbow to support her. “Mom, we have something to tell you. Rick is… not Rick anymore.”

  Mom’s brow furrows. “What ARE you on about, Tricia? Did something happen??” she pces her hands on her hips, and I carefully push past, making my mom back up a few steps. “Who… who are you?”

  Dad gently takes mom by the elbow and guides her to the living room, her confused and annoyed face turning from person to person. We all traipse in, Niko standing resolute behind me, Philippa on my left, and Tricia, eschewing a seat, takes up position on my right.

  I swallow, take a deep breath, and drop my transformation. “Mom, I’m trans. And I’m also a magical girl. I got Tricia’s powers after her injuries, and I’ve been reluctant to tell you. You’ve always been so adamant that it’s a woman’s role to protect and defend this world, but I never got the chance to be myself until now. The reason I’ve been going out to the national park every few days… is to be myself. I was there tonight, and I got into a fight on the way home. I got attacked by this monster, and used my power to fight it until Phili and Niko got there and finished it off.”

  I shift back into my preferred form, and Niko hugs me again. Philippa adds, “It’s true. We got there too te, and found our little sis giving a Twin-Head a good beating.”

  Mom looks pale. “No. no, no, no. this can’t be right. You’re a boy, you CAN’T be the Successor. This isn’t possible. This is some prank, or a mistake, right?” she ughs weakly.

  I step forward, and shift further, my dragon features bursting out, cws and tail, eyes, digitigrade lower legs, and breathe out a chill mist. Baring my fangs, I say, “Does this convince you that I’m not joking?” I turn, showing off my tail, flexing it as much as I can.

  Mom’s face shifts into a twisted grimace. “I don’t know WHAT is going on, but THIS is… not NATURAL. You are NOT a magical girl, you aren’t even a REAL girl! You’re a boy! And you should not have those powers. Give them back to Tricia and… and… GO TO YOUR ROOM! YOU’RE GROUNDED!”

  Niko steps forward, her face going from impassive to livid in a heartbeat. “No. she’s good at this, and she’s happy. You will not take that from our little sister.”

  Philippa adds, “you don’t get a say in her identity, mom. She’s the only one who can decide who she is.”

  Tricia lifts a hand, pointing at me. “I lost my powers, and I honestly don’t care. Sure, having mastery over gravity was cool, but I never asked for it. Now, I can be a normal girl, and my baby sis can be a magical girl if she wants. Besides, how do you propose she ‘give them back’? Even if she could, I’m still injured!”

  Mom looks like a cornered animal, turning to my father. “Honey, what is HAPPENING with our kids?! I always knew Niko was very independent, but Philippa and Tricia, too??”

  Her face bnches further as dad raises his hands. “I’m not getting involved. If Rika wants this, I don’t see what she can’t have the chance.”

  “RICK is still a child, he doesn’t get to decide this!” Mom splutters, staring around, slowly realising that she’s totally outnumbered by the people in support of me.

  Tricia huffs, “Actually, mom, SHE does!”

  As she gawps, struggling to comprehend that she’s lost control of this situation, Philippa smiles. “Rika, why don’t you come stay in my room for a bit, while we sort out something more suitable for a young dy?” I blush and smile, nodding, as she takes my hand, leading my upstairs, speaking loudly enough for mom to hear. “Y’know, you’re about the same build as me, just a bit shorter. We should go clothes shopping on the weekend, what d’you think?”

  I nod, already imagining the cute outfits I could get, as Philippa pulls me into her room. “Now, you don’t have any lingerie, do you? Like I said, you look about the same build as me, so let me help you out. You can give them back when we get you some of your own!”

  I can hear shouting from the living room, but push it to the back of my mind. Philippa finishes rooting around in one of her drawers, and pulls something pale pink out. “Here, try this on!” Dangling from her hand… is a bra. I stare at it, and she smiles. “Geez, no need to look so desperate, you can put it on. Do you need some help?”

  I tug off my oversized t-shirt, baring my chest to my older sister. She smiles. “Good girl. Now, put your arms through the loops.”

  I do as Phili instructs. She cps her hands. “Okay, now, close the csp and fit your boobs into the cups.”

  With a little effort, I manage to hook the csps, and fit my new mounds into the bra cups. Philippa approaches, gently taking over and adjusting the fit of my borrowed bra. “Okay, how does it feel? Comfy? Too tight?”

  I shake my head. “It’s perfect, it fits like a dream!” Philippa grins, and throws something else at me. “Panties, too! You can’t wear those boxers, y’know? These are the match for that bra!”

  She turns around. “Go ahead; I’m going to get ready for bed too.”

  I shrug out of my jeans. “Dammit… my hips are way wider, these are- stuck!” I squirm, finally managing to tug the offending clothing off and switching underwear. The panties are… honestly way more comfortable than I’d expected, and I grab my oversized t-shirt, slipping it back on. “Um… should I really wear the bra to bed? I’ve heard you and Tricia compining about it digging into you, so…”

  Philippa turns, her own pyjamas on, and giggles, “oh, totally, a girl should NEVER wear her bra to sleep. Go on, take it off and keep it, we’ll get you your own set tomorrow, okay? Niko might need to keep mom under control, she’s gonna be a bitch about this… don’t worry, your big sisters will make sure you’re alright. Now, get some sleep, little sis!” she slips beneath the covers, before making room for me. I bite my lip. “Are you sure?”

  She ughs, “We’re sisters, aren’t we? Now turn the light off and get into bed!”

  I flip the switch, and the room goes dark. I carefully make my way to Phili’s bedside, fumbling with my borrowed brassiere, before removing it and putting it aside, slipping beneath the covers with my big sis. She murmurs, “don’t worry, we’ll get you a lock for your door and help you set it up. We all have our role, and that includes protecting out little sis. Night night!” her lips touch my forehead for the briefest of instances, and I smile, feeling a rush of warmth in my chest. I close my eyes, and let the stress and fatigue melt away.…

  My eyes open, and I sit up slowly, rubbing my face and yawning. Philippa coos, “morning, little sis! Sleep well? C’mon, the sooner we get washed, dressed, and ready, the sooner we can go!” she bounds out of bed in a flicker of purple lightning, practically teleporting across the room and into her closet, pulling two towels out and tossing one to me.

  Catching it, I slide my legs out of bed, wincing as my bare feet meet the floorboards. “Eep! S’cold!”

  Phili giggles, “chop chop, we have to get a move on before mom wakes up. It’s Saturday, so if we’re quiet, we won’t see her until we get back!” she creeps out of the door, and I follow stealthily. A few minutes of quick scrubbing ter, I’ve showered and hurry back up to Phili’s room, dressing in my borrowed bra again and tugging my jeans, a clean t-shirt, and a hoodie on, freeing my hair from the neck and letting the reddish curls flow down my back. Luckily, Philippa’s got a spare brush, and I work it through my locks, revelling in the sensation.

  A few minutes ter, Philippa slips in, wrapped in her towel. “Give me a second, and we can go, okay? I just asked Niko to stand guard over your room in case mom tries something.”

  I smile shakily, and try to hide my sorrow at mom rejecting everything about me, from my powers to my gender identity. Maybe if I prove myself capable, she’ll come around…

  Less than ten minutes ter, I take the passenger seat in my sister’s car as she belts herself in, copying her as I click the buckle into its lock, tugging it into position across my chest. “Ready, Phili!” I smile at her, and she returns my grin, turning the key in the engine and pulling out into the street.

  “This is going to be great! Niko isn’t really the ‘girl time’ type, so having you here is perfect!” Philippa sighs happily, and winks at me. I blush a little, feeling my cheeks heat up, and murmur, “w-well… it’s nice to be included now. You have no idea how badly I wanted to get involved…”

  My sister gently nudges me. “I’m sorry, if I’d known earlier, I would have included you in everything. Let me make it up to you, at least a little, okay?”

  I blink as she passes the small shopping-mall near our house, continuing along the main thoroughfare. “H-huh? Um, Phili, you passed it!”

  “Oh, no I didn’t! That’s not the one I’m taking you to! We’re going somewhere a little more… impressive!”

  I sigh, sitting back in my seat, Philippa’s hands gripping the wheel as she turns her car onto another road, following it for about half an hour, her eyes twinkling with excitement as a much, much bigger mall looms ahead, the road dipping as it curves down into a below-ground parking-lot, a row of elevators waiting at the far end.

  “You’ll see, little sis! I promise, you’re going to love it!”