The Reluctant Hero - (TG) by RavynCrowe on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

Thanks for reading Alright, here we go!

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I was just hanging out with my friends, kicking back and enjoying the weekend, when everything got weird. Really weird. One minute we were talking about that dreadful midterm, and the next, we were staring down a monster the size of a small building. It looked like some kind of alien squid mashed up with a dragon—lots of tentacles, scales, and a set of seriously angry glowing eyes.

“This cannot be happening,” Greg said, stumbling back as it roared in our direction.

“Is this some kind of... prank?” Katie, our only female friend in the group, whispered, her eyes wide.

“Pretty elaborate prank if so,” I muttered, trying not to let my voice crack. The giant monster’s roar was shaking the ground, and I was starting to question my life choices for hanging out with these adrenaline-seeking maniacs.

Then, suddenly, everything got... fuzzy. Like that warm, groggy feeling right before you drift off to sleep, except this time, I was wide awake. And then we were gone.

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When the fog cleared, we were in what looked like a high-tech command center crossed with some kind of mystical shrine. We stood around in a circle, each one of us stunned silent as we took in the giant, floating head in front of us. It was translucent, with swirling blue patterns like a cosmic storm, and two sharp, otherworldly eyes.

“Greetings, Earthlings!” it bellowed, voice echoing in a way that rattled my bones.

“Oh boy,” Alex whispered next to me. “This is like... every sci-fi trope in one.”

“Who... who are you?” Katie asked, half-hiding behind Greg.

The floating head glanced around at each of us before finally nodding. “I am Zephron, the last of the Sildorai wizards, and the protector of this dimension. I have summoned you because you possess the bravery and the heart required to face an ancient evil threatening your world!”

I gave a low, nervous chuckle. “Bravery and heart? Did you see us back there? We almost ran for it.”

But Zephron wasn’t listening. “I have chosen each of you to wield the powers of the Celestial Sentai! You will become a team of heroes, protectors of your world against these monstrous invaders.”

Before I could fully process what he was saying, four bright lights—red, blue, yellow, and purple—burst around us, each one drawn toward a specific person. I watched, slack-jawed, as Greg’s entire outfit shifted into something sleek and blue, with a streamlined helmet and... a sword?

Alex was decked out in red, practically buzzing with excitement as he wielded his own weapon—a massive hammer. Katie was bathed in purple light, transforming into a warrior with glowing gauntlets. And I glanced at Justin, who now looked like a warrior straight out of some space-age comic, holding twin daggers and looking as yellow as a sunset.

“Whoa, okay,” I stammered, looking down at myself. “Where’s mine?”

Zephron tilted his head. “Yes... About that. There has been a slight... error.”

I felt a flash of heat over my body as a pink light exploded around me. I squinted through the glow, feeling something... different. I looked down, and my jaw dropped. My suit had a skirt. Not just any skirt, but a pink pleated skirt, with white stripes at the edges. The suit hugged close to me in ways I wasn’t used to, and I could feel it pushing me into a weirdly upright posture. And then, just when I thought it couldn’t get any weirder, I tried to speak.

“What is this? I... my voice!”

My voice sounded completely different. It was higher, almost... well, feminine. My friends all turned to look at me, some stifling laughs.

Greg tried—and failed—to contain a smirk. “Dude, you sound like... a girl.”

“Oh, you think?” I huffed, my own voice surprising me. “Zephron, what is going on here?”

Zephron looked genuinely baffled. “The power was designed for a team of three males and two females. It seems I accidentally... adapted one of the feminine powers to you.”

I crossed my arms, feeling that skirt sway a little as I did, and narrowed my eyes. “So... you put me in a girl’s suit by accident?”

Zephron hesitated, then gave a sheepish nod. “Yes, precisely.”

“Perfect,” I said, voice dripping with sarcasm. “So, I’m just supposed to go out there in a skirt?”

Alex clapped me on the shoulder, grinning. “Hey, man, it’s kind of a look! You’ll be fine.”

I looked down at myself, horrified. The pink suit hugged my body tightly, way too tight in certain places, and the skirt—oh, the _skirt_—fluttered around my upper thighs like some kind of cruel joke. My helmet had these exaggerated, almost cutesy flares on the sides, and to top it all off, my voice had changed.

“What the hell?” I blurted out, only to stop short at the sound that came from my own mouth. It was high-pitched and distinctly feminine, with a strange, robotic quality.

Alex, decked out in red, turned to me, his voice modulated but absolutely oozing with glee. “Oh my god, Chris! You sound... you sound like a girl version of a chipmunk on helium.”

Justin tried to muffle a laugh, but his helmet couldn’t hide the way his shoulders shook. “Seriously, Chris, that is... wow. I didn’t know it was possible to sound that ridiculous.”

I crossed my arms—or tried to, at least, since the suit seemed determined to push me into a “proper posture”—and scowled behind my helmet. “It’s not funny! Look at me! I’m wearing a skirt! And what the hell is going on with my chest?” I patted my armor-covered torso, horrified to feel a tiny, but unmistakable, jiggle. “Is this suit... padded?”

Katie’s modulated voice piped up, full of barely contained laughter. “Oh, come on, Chris. It’s just a skirt! What’s the big deal? You’re fighting aliens, not running a fashion show.”

I whirled around to face her, or at least as much as I could without tripping on the skirt. “Not a big deal? Not a big—Katie, I am in a girl’s suit! And did you hear my voice? I sound like I should be hosting a magical girl cartoon!”

Greg stepped in, voice rich with mock concern. “Whoa, whoa, Chris, deep breaths. You’re gonna pop a gasket. Or... I dunno, pop a heel or something.”

“Oh, hilarious!” I snapped, my voice cracking and making me sound even more ridiculous. “This isn’t funny! I’m not even sure I’m... structurally sound in this thing!” I prodded at my armored chest again, convinced I could feel the armor's padding shifting. “I swear there’s movement where there shouldn’t be!”

Alex lost it at that, doubling over with laughter. “Oh no, he’s got the jiggle! Chris, you’re gonna have to be extra careful not to trip in that skirt. Wouldn’t want to flash the enemy, right?”

I threw up my hands, feeling the fabric swish around my waist. “I hate this. Zephron! Fix it! Give me the right suit!”

Zephron, our floating alien wizard guide, sounded uncomfortably apologetic. “As I mentioned, the power adaptation has already been set. It cannot be reversed until—”

I didn’t let him finish. “So you’re telling me I have to fight like this?” I gestured at my skirt, feeling my blood boil. “In a skirt? Looking like I’m about to audition for some pink-themed cheer squad?”

Katie finally broke, her laughter echoing through her helmet. “Chris, seriously! You’re making such a big deal out of this. It’s just a piece of fabric!”

“*Just* a piece of fabric?” I threw my arms out in exasperation, hearing the modulated, high-pitched voice of mine get even squeakier. “Katie, have you ever fought in a skirt?”

“Uh, yeah,” she replied dryly, gesturing to her own suit. “All the time. Kind of my thing.”

I cringed why did I ask the other girl that, and why was I counting myself as a girl?

Justin chimed in, sounding like he was trying to be reasonable. “Look, Chris, we need you, okay? You’re part of the team. Pink, skirt, squeaky voice, and all.”

“Ugh!” I groaned, pacing back and forth, each step making the skirt swish obnoxiously. “Why me? Why this color? And why does it feel like my hips are swaying when I walk?”

Alex, unable to resist, threw in, “You know, I think you’re actually walking really gracefully. Maybe the power’s making you a natural.”

I pointed a finger at him, still feeling the weird way my posture wanted to stay rigid yet... poised. “Don’t you dare. I will strangle you.”

Katie giggled. “You might have to do that with, like, a cute pink ribbon now.”

I groaned again, clutching my helmeted head. “I am so doomed.”

Justin stepped forward, his voice turning serious. “Chris, look, this is how it has to be. We need you. Skirt or no skirt, you’re one of us . And... you know what? You’re rocking that look way better than any of us could.”

I took a moment, breathing hard. My voice still trembled as I spoke. “You’re all lucky I have no choice. But if anyone makes a joke about this once we’re done...”

Katie’s laughter echoed again. “Come on, Pink Ranger. Let’s go save the world.”

And with that, despite my protests, I had no choice but to join them. Skirt, squeaky voice, and all.

The monster’s roar echoed through the city streets as we materialized in the middle of the chaos, all of us in our respective suits and ready for action. Well, most of us were. I was still processing the fact that I was in a pink suit... with a skirt. A skirt that seemed determined to remind me of its existence with every step.

“Alright, Celestial Sentai!” Alex, our fearless Red Ranger, shouted, brandishing his hammer. “Time to take this thing down!”

The others jumped into action, dashing toward the giant, tentacled creature. I took a deep breath, ready to join them, but the moment I stepped forward, the suit took over. I spun in a light, twirling motion, arms raised gracefully overhead, my skirt flaring out around me.

“Oh no,” I muttered, horrified. “Why am I... twirling?”

Katie laughed over the comms, her voice a blend of amusement and sympathy. “Guess that suit comes with some extra... flair, huh?”

I tried to scowl, but the suit wouldn’t even let me do that properly. My body moved in fluid, dainty motions, as if each step needed to be a perfectly rehearsed dance routine. Even my helmet seemed to have a feminine charm to it, complete with a little flourish at the top. And every time I moved, the skirt would swish around my thighs, forcing me to feel it constantly.

“Could this get any worse?” I muttered, taking another exaggeratedly graceful step.

“Oh, you look amazing, Chris!” Alex joked, swinging his hammer at a tentacle. “Can’t believe you were so worried about wearing a skirt.”

“I wasn’t worried! It’s just... impractical!” I shouted, but the suit’s voice modulation made me sound more like a petulant cartoon character than a hero. I barely had time to complain further before a tentacle shot out at me.

Instinctively, I tried to dodge, only for the suit to force me into a pirouette that spun me right out of harm’s way. My skirt flared up as I twirled, making me feel like I was in some kind of twisted ballet.

“Oh come on!” I squeaked as I staggered to regain balance, feeling my face burn under the helmet.

Katie, in her Purple Ranger suit, landed beside me, punching a tentacle with her gauntleted fists. “Look on the bright side, Chrissy—those twirls make you harder to hit!”

“It’s Chris! And I’m not _twirling_—the suit’s doing it!” I shot back, stomping my foot, only for the suit to adjust my stance into a delicate, tip-toed position. I groaned as I was forced to stand with my weight on one hip, hand on my waist, looking more like I was striking a cute pose than preparing for battle.

Justin laughed, somersaulting past me as he slashed at the monster. “Chris, buddy, it’s like the suit wants you to embrace your inner cheerleader.”

“Oh, you think this is funny?” I snapped, wincing as the skirt flipped up when I dodged another attack with yet another forced twirl. The thing had a mind of its own. Every time I tried to crouch, it somehow led to a dainty curtsy or spin that had me facing the monster with a hand on my hip and a lifted chin.

The monster’s next strike sent a shockwave across the ground, knocking me off balance. Instinctively, I brought my arms up to steady myself, but instead of simply bracing, the suit had me perform an overdramatic spin, ending in a pose with my hand extended in front of me like I was doing a cute salute. My skirt flared around my hips, and I let out a strangled cry of embarrassment.

“Will you cut it out already?” I yelled at the suit, as if it could hear me. “Why does every move have to look like I’m auditioning for a dance recital?”

Greg, in his Blue Ranger suit, dodged a tentacle and shot me a thumbs-up. “Hey, just think of it as... added agility! Those poses are totally throwing the monster off!”

“It’s throwing me off!” I cried, ducking to avoid another tentacle, only for the suit to transform the dodge into an elaborate backflip that ended with me landing in a delicate crouch. Of course, the skirt flared up as I moved, and I could swear it was taunting me, swishing around like it had a life of its own.

“Alright, Pink Ranger!” Alex called, swinging his hammer at the monster’s face. “You’re up!”

“Why me?” I stammered, hesitating.

“Because you’ve got ranged attacks! Do that energy blasty ….heart thing!”

I grumbled, reluctantly raising my hands to aim at the monster. But the suit apparently didn’t like the standard pose—it forced my arms into a heart shape over my head, the energy forming between my palms in a distinctly... pink glow.

“You have got to be kidding me,” I groaned, but it was too late. The blast shot out, forming a sparkling heart shape before slamming into the monster with surprising force. The creature reeled back, shrieking, as pink sparkles burst across the battlefield.

“Nice shot, Chrissy!” Katie cheered, dodging a tentacle.

I planted my fists on my hips, trying to ignore the ridiculous feeling of the skirt swishing again. “It’s Chris!” I shouted, stomping a foot for emphasis. But that only made the skirt bounce in a way that was... way too girly.

The monster roared, swinging a tentacle at me. I sidestepped, but the suit turned it into an exaggerated twirl, spinning me out of the way in a dizzying flourish. I came to a stop with my arms flung out dramatically, my helmet tilted just so, like I was in the middle of a photo shoot.

“Stop. Making. Me. Twirl!” I yelled, each word punctuated by my annoyance, but it just made my teammates laugh harder.

“Gotta admit, Chrissy, you’re bringing some serious style to the team,” Justin teased.

“If by ‘style’ you mean ‘humiliation,’ then yeah, I’m killing it,” I shot back, cheeks burning.

The monster took another swing, and I instinctively threw myself back, only for the suit to force me into a series of rapid pirouettes as I dodged. By the time I stopped spinning, I was so dizzy that I nearly toppled over, and my skirt was swishing up with every step.

“Ugh! Enough with the spins!” I groaned, barely able to stand.

Katie grabbed my arm, steadying me. “Hang in there, Chris. You’re doing great—skirt and all.”

With her help, I managed to regain my balance, just in time to dodge another strike. The suit forced me into a graceful leap, my arms forming a delicate arc above my head as I sailed through the air. I landed in a crouch, one knee bent with my hands elegantly framing my face.

“Seriously?” I muttered, glancing down at the forced pose. “I look like a ballet dancer!”

Alex chuckled as he brought his hammer down on the monster. “Well, if it works, right? You’re dodging everything!”

“Yeah, and looking like a show pony while I’m at it!” I snapped back, quickly regretting it as the suit made me lift a hand to my cheek in a mock look of shock.

In the end, we managed to defeat the monster. It collapsed in a heap, disappearing in a cloud of smoke, and the crowd that had gathered around us cheered. The others struck their battle-ready poses, looking strong and fierce... while I ended up in a delicate, posed stance with my hands clasped over my chest like I was preparing for a curtsy.

“Oh, sure,” I muttered. “Let’s just humiliate Chris the entire time.”

Katie patted me on the shoulder, clearly amused. “Don’t worry, Chris. We’ll have to find a way to make that skirt work for you.”

I groaned, realizing that somehow, this was only the beginning.

We had returned to the command center after the fight, still riding the high of our victory over the giant monster. One by one, the suits shimmered and faded, leaving us back in our regular clothes. I expected to feel relieved to be back to normal, but the instant the pink light receded from me, I knew something was very wrong.

The first clue was my clothes. The shirt I’d been wearing before was suddenly way too loose, the neckline slipping dangerously off one shoulder. My jeans bunched oddly around my hips, and the waistband was slipping down in a way that was... unsettling. My shoes felt too big, and there was an unfamiliar lightness to my frame.

“What the...?” I whispered, but the voice that came out was still high and feminine, exactly like it had been in the suit.

Greg was the first to notice. He turned to me, his eyes widening as he took in my new appearance. “Chris? Are you... okay?”

I looked down at myself. My hands were delicate, with slender fingers and short, neatly kept nails. My arms were thinner, and my waist... well, I could actually see it now, cinched in a way that made my hips flare out more than I wanted to think about. My chest, beneath my baggy shirt, was now... I swallowed hard, trying not to freak out. I was undeniably, unmistakably a girl.

Katie stepped closer, her mouth opening in a mix of shock and curiosity. “Chris, you look... oh my god.”

I stumbled backward, only to trip over my now-loose shoes. Alex grabbed my arm to steady me, and I realized with a jolt that he was towering over me. I barely came up to his chest now. I had to crane my neck to look at the others, and I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach.

“What the hell happened to me?” I squeaked, my voice so high and panicked that I could barely recognize it.

Justin’s mouth was hanging open. “Dude... or, uh, not dude... you’re a girl. Like, all the way.”

I swallowed again, my hand flying to my throat. My Adam’s apple—what little of it there had been—was gone. “No, no, no, this isn’t happening!” I wailed, my voice cracking in a way that made the others flinch.

Zephron materialized in front of us, looking more sheepish than I’d ever seen. “Ah, yes. It seems that the power’s adaptation to your form was more... thorough than expected.”

I spun on him, my loose jeans nearly falling down. I grabbed at the waistband, glaring. “You think?! I’m—” I broke off, realizing something horrible. My hands flew to my crotch, and I went pale as I felt... nothing. Well, not nothing, but nothing I was used to.

Katie noticed, her eyes widening behind her glasses. “Wait, did you just realize—”

I yelped, my voice hitting a ridiculous pitch. “It’s GONE! I’m missing—” I couldn’t even finish the sentence, but the others caught on immediately.

Alex clapped a hand over his mouth, trying to suppress laughter. “Oh man, you’ve got the full package. Or, uh, the lack of one.”

Justin groaned, but he was clearly struggling not to laugh. “ you’re gonna have to get used to peeing sitting down now.”

Greg’s eyes lit up. “Guess you’ll have to cross your legs like a lady from now on.”

I clenched my fists, my face burning. “Stop making jokes! This isn’t funny!”

Katie stepped between us, immediately taking on a protective stance. “Guys, knock it off. Chris is dealing with enough without your stupid jokes.”

Alex, still snickering, waved a hand. “Okay, okay, sorry. But seriously, Chris... or should we call you Chrissy now?”

“Or Christina?” Justin added, smirking.

I felt the anger boiling up. “Don’t you dare call me that!”

Greg grinned. “What? It’s fitting. I mean, you’re basically our own Pink Princess now.”

I snapped. “I will end you!” I shouted, lunging at Greg. He yelped and dodged away, laughing as I chased after him, my jeans sliding dangerously down my hips with every step.

Katie caught up to me, her hands on my shoulders to calm me down. “Hey, hey, deep breaths,” she said gently. “Look, if it’s any consolation, we’re kind of the same size now.” She looked me over, taking in my shorter stature and petite frame. “I could totally lend you some clothes.”

I glared at her, my cheeks burning. “I don’t want to borrow your clothes! I want to be me again!”

Zephron cleared his throat, drawing our attention. “The transformation is tied to the Celestial Sentai power. It may... eventually wear off if the power is not used, though that could take... oh, about—” He mumbled something unintelligible.

I stepped forward, fists still clenched. “How long?”

He shifted uncomfortably. “Fifty years,” he whispered quickly.

“*Fifty years?!*” I shrieked, my voice echoing around the command center.

Zephron held up his hands. “Or, if the power is used regularly, it will ensure that the transformation is sustained.”

“So... I’m stuck like this until I stop being a Pink Ranger?” I asked, voice cracking again.

“Precisely,” Zephron said. “However, you are necessary to the team. Your unique adaptation may, in fact, be a strength.”

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. “Great. Just great.”

Justin, still trying to lighten the mood, leaned in. “So... Chrissy it is, then?”

I turned to him, fury bubbling up again. “Call me Chrissy one more time, and I will—”

Alex cut in, snickering. “Sorry, sorry. But seriously, this is going to take some getting used to.”

Katie put an arm around me, already slipping into protective mode. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure these idiots don’t bother you too much. And if you need tips on, you know, girl stuff... I’ve got your back.”

I pulled away, still holding my sagging jeans. “I don’t want tips on girl stuff! I just want to be me again!”

Greg grinned. “Hey, at least you’re not alone. We’re a team, remember? Even if you’re... well, a little shorter and cuter now.”

I shot him a death glare. “Don’t. Even.”

Justin chuckled. “Yeah, but come on, you’ve got to admit... it’s kind of hilarious.”

Katie shot them all a glare. “Okay, that’s enough. Chris—” She paused. “Or do you prefer Christina now?”

I threw my hands up in frustration, the motion making my loose shirt slip down even more. “I hate all of you!”

But they just laughed, and despite the chaos, I knew that, skirt and all, we were still a team. Even if I had to chase them down to make them pay for those jokes.

Katie gave me a gentle pat on the back. “Come on, let’s go find you something that fits. Trust me, you’ll feel better once you’re not swimming in your old clothes.”

I sighed, knowing she was right. “Fine. But if anyone so much as mentions skirts again, I swear—”

Greg couldn’t resist. “Skirt! Skirt! Skirt!”

And that was the last straw. I ran after him, still tripping over my too-big jeans, as the others burst into uncontrollable laughter.

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Katie’s offer for clothes was sounding more reasonable by the second, whether I liked it or not.

I adore Super Sentai, I'm actually surprised I haven't written something like the previously let me know thoughts I would consider more adventures with the team.