“Oh, my, such amazing talent,” a woman with warm orange hair giggled as she watched the young fairy girl dance about, conjuring jets of air to keep a ball afloat. “My, my, little Wisp. You’re quite the entertainer.”
“Thank you, Miss Freyja!” Wisp chirped.
Wisp chatted with Freyja as other deities and scientists gathered to watch the young fairy demonstrate her magic, impressing the lot. “She has become quite skilled since her trial, hasn't she? And her smile has become so bright,” Ceridwen observed watching the young girl from a nearby bench. “You’ve been taking good care of her.”
“It’s been a lot of work, but it’s been worth it to see her smile like that,” Cleo chuckled. “I never expected to become so motherly while I was so young.”
“Don’t worry, you have plenty of youth to spare. Witches like yourself have plenty long lifespans. You're rather similar to elves in that regard.”
“You make it sound like I’m not a human.” Cleo grimaced.
“Well, technically speaking, witches are at best only part human, and even then, I think that gives the wrong impression. Witches are closer to their fairy ancestors than humans, despite what some humans like to believe.”
“Wait… I’m a fairy?”
“Not really. Witches are pretty distinctly their own people. Human blood stands little chance in dominating over a witch’s when it’s present, but I suppose witches with stronger fae lineages do tend to look more like fae themselves. So, maybe you are more fairy than not,” Ceridwen rambled. “Regardless, you’re certainly cute enough to be a fairy.”
“If that’s your attempt at a pick up line, it was kind of poor,” Cleo stated, doing her best to look away as the goddess gazed upon her blushing cheeks.
“I could pick you up physically if you’d prefer,” Ceridwen noted.
“I swear, you’re relentless,” Cleo mumbled as she brushed her hair off her ear.
“Oh, speaking of, I didn’t know you had little pointy ears.” Cleo blushed even more.
“I… try to ignore that I have them.”
“Why, they look so cute. Perfect for nibbling.”
“S-stop!” Cleo pleaded. “What the heck, why am I getting so flustered.
“I guess I just know how to tickle your fancy.”
“Dammit...” Cleo mumbled to herself.
“That’s just cheating, Carrie,” another voice interjected. The pair looked up to see Gloria, the dryad frowning. “I didn’t give you those leaves and powders to seduce women.”
“Huh!?” Cleo stared at Ceridwen in shock.
“Oh, come on, it’s not like it's a love or charm potion,” Ceridwen complained. “It’s a simple pheromone enhancer to help set the mood.”
“Carrie...” Cleo stared at her concernedly.
Ceridwen sighed. “I wasn’t lying when I called you cute, but I wasn’t trying to seduce you either. I just wanted to make you comfortable. Promise.”
“I...”
“I mean. I won’t deny that I think you’re very attractive. And you’re very sweet and...”
“You’re hopeless,” Gloria grumbled, Ceridwen looking down in shame. “So, then, I take it you’re Cleo then?”
“I… yes… how did you...?”
“Oh, please. The others mentioned you. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Cleo.”
“Thanks...” Cleo eyed her carefully, her blushing cheeks beginning to cool. “So, you’re Senator Thomas, right?”
“That’s me.” She smiled.
“I won’t lie, meeting you is a little… unnerving...”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Gloria frowned. “I can leave if I’m being...”
“You’re fine,” Cleo sighed. “I just have… complicated feelings. I’m glad you’ve been getting better with everything, but… a lot of the stuff you did...”
“Trust me, I know.” Gloria frowned. “It’s been hard trying to push back after everything that I did. But I’m no longer that person. When I started to figure out who I really am, that I’m a trans woman and a lesbian, I started to realize how much I’d trapped myself in hideous beliefs, surrounded by things that slowly sapped away my heart. Beliefs and ideas that demanded I give up more and more of myself, and became more hateful and cruel, forcing my toxic standards onto others. I’d become like a poor bush, cruelly pruned by selfish hands into a form that was appeasing to them, but was quietly killing me, until I was nothing but a nasty pile of sticks and thorns.”
“Gloria...”
“I used to be really faithful, you know. But… Thanks to my daughter, I’ve started to realize how much it was actually killing me. I used to think the world of the women around me, aspiring to be just like them, kind, caring, giving, a safe person others could trust and rely on. But, over time, I’d convinced myself those ideals weren’t worth pursuing.” She shook her head. “No. I didn’t convince myself. I’d had those ideas forced upon me. And before I knew it, I’d become a hateful bigoted person.” She chuckled to herself. “Maybe I was jealous. Angry that people found ways to be happy while everything I liked about myself was shamed out of me.” She gripped her chest.
“I want to do better," Gloria continued. "I want to be better. I want to help others and stop these horrible ideas that stole my life from me.”
“I think I can relate,” Cleo chuckled. “When I first came into my powers, I was filled with so much anger. I’ve lost a lot of people I cared about. Girlfriends who tried to run away from who they are, and did what you did. They repressed themselves to please the men around them. They convinced themselves they were straight, even when it was so obvious it made them unhappy,” she said, her voice cracking as tears began to gather in her eyes. “I’ve lost so many people I care about to absolute monsters. My last ex even pushed me away because she thought she’d become a literal monster because of who she is. It wasn’t fair, so I..." She sniffled, pausing for a moment and taking a deep breath before continuing.
“I didn’t see another way forward. It was those men who hurt them and stole their happiness. Those guys were the ones who hurt the people I cared about and lied to them. They’re why so many people I care about have been suffering, and I wanted to hurt them back. So… I decided to hunt them… I decided to...” Gloria hugged her as Ceridwen held her from the side. “I became a monster like them.”
“It’s okay,” Gloria whispered. “You’re not a monster. You just wanted to help people.” She took a breath. “We’ve both made mistakes, and we both want to do better. You’re helping Lilith and the Prism Girls, and I’m trying to be a better civil servant.” She smiled. “You know, maybe it’ll come off kinda naive and dorky, but I originally got into politics because I wanted to help make things better. I wanted to serve my constituents and help improve things. I was misguided, but… I think it was the girl in me desperate to hold onto the only thing she could, the only vision of a caretaker I was allowed to have. Become a mother to support my people. Even as that idea got warped and mutated into a selfish and cruel vision, I think… I hope that I got here because of that vain desire. That’s why, I’m going to put my all into things now,” she said, her lips slowly curling into a smile. “I’m not the only one who changed. So many of us have, and the world is changing too. I want to do what I can to make it a better one than we had.”
“You’re really an amazing woman, you know that, Gloria.” Cleo smiled.
“I… uh… thank you...” Gloria muttered to herself, an intense blush nipping at her cheeks.
“Changing the world for the better, huh?" Cleo said with a hushed tone. "That sounds really nice. I hope I can do something like that too.”
* * *
“Everything’s going fine, Dad, I promise,” Carmen stated, her phone at her ear.
“I know, I’m just worried,” her father’s voice came from the phone. “I know you can take care of yourself, but after what happened back in May.”
Carmen sighed as those memories came rushing back. Her father had already suspected that she was Prism Yellow, but it was that day when she was beaten down by Captain Habernaker and didn’t come home that confirmed it. He was upset, sure, but he was also surprisingly kind about it. He never tried stopping her from being a magical girl, only asking her to keep herself safe. “Well, if it helps you feel any better, Athena is here, and she was by me the whole time.”
Her father chuckled. “That does make me feel a little better. Imagine, my little girl being friends with a bunch of goddesses.”
“Well, clearly it’s because I’m so awesome.”
“Shockingly so,” her father added. Carmen laughed. As they talked, she turned a corner and was greeted by the sight of Riri talking to a couple people, one with pale blue skin, a tall woman with dark purple hair, and the other a more androgynous person with long gray hair. The whole trio seemed rather unhappy.
“Hey, Dad, I’m gonna get going.”
“Okay, sweetie. Be sure to let me know how things are going later.” There was a click as the phone went silent.
“Riri!” Carmen called out, surprising the lightning goddess. “What’s going on? You don’t look okay.”
“Oh, Carm… Um… things are okay...” she said mustering a smile. “All good here.”
“Sis, you really shouldn’t pretend your problems away,” said the shorter androgynous person, as they tossed their lengthy hair over their shoulder.
“Loki is right. Ignoring it is only going to eat away at you,” the tall woman stated. “Neither of us want to see you get hurt.”
“Skadi… I don’t want to worry either of you, but… I’ll be okay. I’m tough. I’ll...”
“Oh, come off it, Miss ‘Ignoring her gender euphoria.’ You need to be honest with yourself,” Loki scolded her.
“Look who’s talking! Like you wouldn’t be a wreck either!?”
“Oh please, I’m used to it. Father always mistreated me and kept calling me his son even when I’d have huge fucking tits! You though...”
“I’m sorry, I think I came in at a bad time,” Carmen stated.
“No… you’re fine,” Riri sighed. “We’re just… talking about our father, Odin.”
“Huh? Is he here?” Carmen asked.
“Wait, does she not know?” Loki asked. Riri looked to the side in shame.
“I see.” Skadi frowned. “Odin isn’t here, no. We’re talking about him because he’s allied himself with Zeus, and knowing him, he’s going to reject Riri being trans.”
“But I’m not though...” Riri mumbled.
“Oh, yeah, sure. You being a lot happier as a cute tiny girl than you ever were as a big dumb brute is toootally unrelated.” Loki rolled their eyes. “Face it sis. You’re as cis as I am.”
“H-hey, maybe I just took a little after my new form and my gender changed. Ever think of that?”
“Oh, yeah. Absolutely believable. You never showed any interest in being a girl, and totally didn’t get super into pretending to be a bride.”
“Loki!” Riri snapped. “You know I hated that!”
“You hated being the bride to a man, not the being a bride part.”
“I...” Riri blushed. “That’s not...”
“What’s wrong with being trans anyway?” Carmen asked. “Vivi, Wisp, and Sue are.”
Riri went quiet. “I… I don’t… That’s not...”
Loki sighed. “Listen, I understand you prided yourself on being the man father thought you were, but you need to face the facts. You weren’t ever happy about it. You didn’t do it for yourself.”
“But… You don’t know that… Maybe I did like being a guy. Being all tall… and hairy… and… big...” Riri argued, each example taking longer and her voice shrinking.
“Does it really matter if you liked it back then?” Carmen asked. “I mean, you seem to like being a girl now, right?”
“Huh? I mean, of course.” Riri nodded. “I’ve had so much fun since I awakened. Being small and strong is really fun and always surprises people. I like how much softer and cuter my body is. And oh my gosh, I’ve had so much fun trying out different dresses and skirts,” she said, pulling at her yellow floral dress. “And...” She looked at the others, pursing her lips as confusion filled her gaze. “What’s wrong?”
“She cannot be this dense,” Skadi groaned.
“That’s my sister for you,” Loki grumbled.
“What’s that mean?” Riri snapped. “So what if my tastes changed. You’ve gotten more into feminine clothes too!” The other two sighed.
“Riri, I don’t think that’s what they meant by that.” She looked at Carmen concernedly. “Like you said, you like being a girl now. Even if you were a man before, you like being a woman now. Isn’t that enough?”
“But I…”
“Riri. Be honest with yourself. When you awakened and realized you were a girl, what did you think?” Loki asked.
“I was excited I guess?”
“And why was that?”
“I… don’t know… I just felt happy about it. I was excited that I could be a girl this time and...” Riri went silent. She sniffled. “H-huh?” She wiped at her cheek, feeling tears running down her face. “W-why…?” She tried to take a breath, only to breathe out too quickly. She tried again and again as she began sobbing.
Skadi pulled her into a hug. “It’s okay Riri. You’re a girl. Even if others might tell you that you shouldn’t be.”
“I-I know that...” Riri sniffled.
“I know you know, but still. Just don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
“You don’t have to worry,” Carmen stated confidently. “If anyone tries to fight her over it, I’ll be right there to help her punish them.”
“Carmen...” Riri smiled. She hugged her priestess. “Thank you...”
“Of course,” Carmen chuckled, her face reddening slightly. “I’ll be by your side, you big dummy. Even if we have to fight Zeus and your dad. I’ll beat them both up.”
* * *
Click!
“My, this is so silly!” Ami giggled as she and Sue relaxed, lowering their arms. “So, are they ready?” She darted over to Ichika and glanced over her shoulder to look at the camera. “Wow, this looks amazing!”
“I’m rather impressed,” Sue commented as she looked at the picture. “When we tried earlier, our auras messed with everything, so I was always in shadow, and little miss sunny was basically nonexistent, but here,” she pointed at the pair of them making a heart, “we’re both perfectly lit.”
“I got the idea during my trial, with how you were using the mirrors. My ice can reflect light too, so” she pointed around where they took the picture, curved pillars of ice on both sides, “I used my ice to bounce around the light and even things out. And the effects are even more powerful thanks to the mirror you gave me.”
“You’re really smart Ichika,” Ami cheered. “Very few mortals think about how light reflects like that so quickly.”
“You think so?” Ichika questioned. “I don’t know. I think I just learned a lot from my moms.”
“They’re fashion designers, right?”
“Yeah. They’ve kind of been everywhere lately. I can’t wait for them to get home though,” she sighed. "They were supposed to come back around the start of school, but they got sidetracked again. They can't sit still when either of them have gotten inspired."
“Well, if you’re anything like them, then they must have stellar taste in fashion,” said Sue as she gazed into Ichika’s eyes. Ichika felt a warmth grow within her as her goddess eyed her adoringly.
“I… thank you...” Ichika cleared her throat. She rested her hand upon her yukata. “Although, this outfit was made from Miss Lilith’s powers, so...”
“That’s not entirely true, you know.”
“It’s not?”
Sue grinned coolly. “Of course not. You and your friends created them yourselves.”
“Really?” Ichika asked.
“Come now, do you really think Lilith would be able to make Carmen’s outfit?” Ichika thought of her friend’s mecha styled outfit and began laughing. “See, it’s pretty ridiculous isn’t it? And likewise, unconscious as you may have been about it, your outfit was something you made for yourself.”
“It’s rather funny given everything, huh?” Ichika chuckled. “I’ve had such a frustrating relationship with my heritage. To pick something like this...”
“In my experience, reconnecting with a person’s culture can be life changing for many,” another voice commented. The three looked to the new person, a woman wearing a white dress with long flowing icy blue hair and chilling blue eyes. A bow rested upon her back, swaying in and out of view as she bobbed in place.
“Artemis, you’re back.” Ami grinned.
“Yep. I was talking to Medusa a bit, but she needed to get back to work.” She looked at Ichika. “So then, this is your priestess, Sue? She’s really cute. Have any plans later?”
“Wha-huh?” Ichika yelped.
“Someone’s feeling flirtatious, aren’t they?” Ami giggled. “Guess that’s another similarity between you and Sue, huh?”
“Moon goddesses liking cute girls, name a better pair!” Artemis cheered excitedly. “And we’re known for our out of this world experiences, you know,” she whispered into Ichika’s ear, sending a shiver down her back.
“Leave her alone, Artemis,” Sue practically growled. “She’s still underage.”
“Aww, really? I was under the impression that she was an adult like Red and Blue,” Artemis lamented. “My offer’s on the table for you though, Sue. We’d be pretty cute. A couple of moon goddesses, being all lovey dovey? Think about it?”
“Heh,” Sue chuckled. “You really don’t know how to stop, do you. And yet, it’s pretty endearing.”
“More like the goddess of hunting smiles,” Ichika joked, trying to hide her embarrassment.
“What do you think my huntresses were for,” Artemis laughed.
“Speaking of your huntresses, aren’t you married?” Ami asked. Artemis frowned.
“Ami!” Sue snapped, shocking her sister.
“It… it’s okay,” Artemis managed to speak up. “It’s okay… She wouldn’t know...” Ichika and Ami shared a confused look. “She… didn’t get resurrected,” she whimpered.
“Huh? But she was a goddess, right?” Ami questioned. “Her legends of her managing to shoot true and winning your heart traveled even to our homeland.”
Artemis sighed. “She was a demigoddess that gained immortality thanks to me giving her ambrosia. But I guess it wasn’t enough.”
“You know, maybe she’s on our side, Persephone is,” Ami encouraged her.
“Yeah, but… if the rest of us died...”
“You think she did too?” Ichika asked.
Artemis sighed. “I don’t know. None of us remember how we died. But I’m scared. What if whatever got to us got to her too?”
“Mis...” Sue frowned.
“I’m sorry to bring down the mood. I… just have to keep moving. And hey, I get to relive my youth and flirt with cute girls now! I don’t have Dad’s oppressive crap making me hide my sexuality anymore!”
“If you say so...” said Ami.
“Anyway,” Artemis cleared her throat, “as much fun as this is, Agent Roth has called for the Prism Girls and their goddesses. It’s time.”
“Shoot, it’s already time for that?” Ichika asked. She looked at Sue.”Guess we’re finally going to formulate a plan to stop Zeus, huh? You up for it, Sue?”
“Of course.” Sue nodded confidently. The two rose out of their seats and headed down the hallway.
“Father… huh?” Artemis muttered to herself.
“Are you going to be okay?” Ami asked.
“Y-yeah… just… for some reason, thinking of him makes me all anxious.”
“I mean, that kinda makes sense. You two didn’t have a great relationship. And it sounds like he’s just as bad as before.”
“It’s not that though.” Artemis sighed. “I just… I used to hate him sure, but… something’s different now. It’s like I’m more scared of him now than before I died. I just… I don’t know why.”