Pocket Change

Segment Music

Aria

His martial arts prowess is amateur at best, yet his speed and reflexes are inhumanly fast; he's nearly impossible to hit. Not only that, but he's also unreasonably strong. Simply stopping his attempts to restrain me isn't an option. Instead, I've been deflecting his hands, but even that's left my arms and legs numb.

"Aria, get a hold of yourself!" he yelled as he flipped a few meters backward.

As he did this, a projectile of some sort shot out from the spinning blur. I dodged it with minimal movement as it hit the ground behind me. Peering over my shoulder to see what it was, I was confused to see a patch of transparent green webs stretched across the ground.

He can shoot webs now? Alright, looks like I need to switch up my approach. Despite his overwhelming physical prowess, I can tell he's been on the defense, and he hasn't really gone for any decisive blows. He only reacts to what's immediately before him, meaning I need to subvert his expectations. You're delusional, so I'll pull out all the stops on you.

As fast as humanly possible, I lunged at Change from a low crouching position, throwing out a straight jab directed at his head, forcing him to dodge to the left. Fortunately, instead of just moving his head, he titled his entire body. I immediately followed up with a sweeping kick, making him jump into the air. Only, I didn't stop the motion of the sweeping kick, instead, using the rotational force to continue with my forward momentum.

You can't dodge in the air. Sorry, Change.

I planted my right foot into the ground, putting all of my strength into the finishing blow. Twisting my waist while simultaneously throwing my right fist into his gut. Once the blow connected, I twisted my forearm, propelling it forward one last time; a double impact.

In theory, it's a lethal technique, but I had a feeling Change would survive. Martial arts practitioners used it against heavily armored opponents, bypassing the outer shell and dealing internal damage.

Change's body recoiled backward, hitting the ground as he went limp, eyes wide open in shock. I turned my attention away from him, feeling a tinge of guilt set in.

Where did that monster go? After a few seconds of searching, my eyes settled on a changeling, feebly crawling away. I'm not letting you get away.

Chimera/Change

Wait, what was that? I can't inhale or exhale; it hurts. It feels like I just had a hole ripped through me. How could a human do so much damage to me? I reinforced my body, didn't I? How is she so strong? Her speed's nothing to write off either, most of her attacks are just blurs.

Without warning, my respiratory system resumed functions, allowing me to breathe again. Except, what came out wasn't just air. It was also a mixture of blood and vomit.

The pain before was nothing compared to this. How could Aria do this? What's wrong with her? We're friends, aren't we? I really didn't want to hurt her.

I laid there, staring up at the ceiling, wanting nothing more than to let unconsciousness take me, but I knew that wasn't an option. Reluctantly, I began mustering the strength to get back up once more.

I guess I have to get serious.

Segment Music

Aria

As I approached the downed changeling, I suddenly stopped in my tracks; something had changed in the air. It was an unmistakable feeling, a kind of pressure that could immediately put someone on edge.

A pressure that triggered a flashback from a conversation with one of my former masters. "It's easy to fight when you're confident you can win, but it's much harder when you're cornered. Oftentimes, even my tops students find themselves surrendering to the opponent after only a few decisive blows, for fear of further harm or embarrassment. Yet, it's those with the will to continue that set themselves apart from the rest. It's fighting spirit, understand?"

I craned my head to look over my shoulder, my eyes widening in surprise at what I was seeing. The figure was undoubtedly Change; it had to be. Only, his face was no longer visible, as it was covered by some sort of mask. The mask lacked openings for a mouth or nose but had glowing green slits for eyes.

He was hunched forward, arms hanging low like some feral animal.

How is he still standing?

In an instant, from several meters away, he was above me, already in the motion of bringing his right leg down. I rolled out of the way just as he did this, but as his foot collided with the ground, he immediately pushes off of it, spinning through the air at me like some kind of frisbee. I avoiding whatever that attack was, Change landing on the ground as he skidded to a halt, instantly rushing me once more.

I returned the sentiment, prepared to throw out an attack of my own as I dashed forward. Reaching striking distance, I reared back my right arm, prepared to throw out a punch. Change mimicked my action. As we both swung our fists, they collided, canceling each other out as my arm went numb.

His strength is no joke, and he's moving like a wild animal. What's going on with him?

Before I could follow, he threw out a flurry of attacks, forcing me on the defensive for once. That blow from earlier should have put him out of commission, but he's fighting like it never happened. Each movement is growing more accurate by the second.

Actually... his fighting style looks... familiar. Wait, those are the moves I was using earlier? But Change said he couldn't fight. So what the hell is this?! I knew it. This bastard was holding back against me. Why?

As I continued to avoid the endless onslaught of attacks, I felt my back suddenly brush up against something. Briefly looking over my shoulder, I found that it was a wall; I was cornered.

Returning my attention to the threat before me, I saw a jet-black fist hurtling toward my face.

Crap, I can't avoid it. I don't even have time to block. Am I...going to lose?

At that moment, I felt so inferior compared to him. Despite my prowess, I bore witness to a gap I would never be able to close through effort alone. It's so...unfair.

Segment Music

"That's enough!" An authoritarian feminine voice called out from just behind Change.

Immediately, his fist stopped just centimeters from my face, a draft from the air pressure passing over me.

Change stepped aside, revealing a tall woman with ebony skin, luscious green hair, and some kind of armored dress.

"Chimera," she said sternly, promptly Change to stand upright, eye slits widening, "come here."

I fell on my ass, taking in the sight before me with mild interest and confusion. Change rushed to her, throwing himself to her feet, prostrating and apologizing profusely.

She looked down on him with a displeased expression. "Where has your mind gone, child? Is that any way to greet our guest?"

"I'm sorry mom, but she-"

The woman's voice suddenly boomed, echoing throughout the facility. Strangely enough, when she spoke, it was like her own voice was layered over itself. "I don't care what she did!" Change went silent in response.

She sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Take that silly mask off and go help your friend up."

He stood up, the mask retracting from his face to the base of his neck, nervously making his way over to me. He held his hand out, offering it to me, which I softly smacked aside, standing up on my own.

What's with him? This is his mom? Who in Tartarus is she? She looks like a supermodel or something.

"Aria Blaze, correct?" The woman said, clasping her hands together, "I've been expecting you. Why don't you come with us? We shouldn't keep your sisters waiting, the food's just arrived." She offered, smiling warmly.

My sisters?!

I eyed her for a good moment, trying to read her. I couldn't detect a hint of malice or deceit in neither her words nor her expression. From what I could tell, she was being entirely genuine. I nodded silently in agreement, the woman snapping her fingers as Change rushed to her side.

"This way, dear." She wagged a finger as she began walking.

Despite her ridiculously long legs, she took slow graceful strides, allowing me to easily keep pace.

"You must forgive my son, he's quite... passionate is all. He didn't hurt you, did he?" She placated.

Change grew stiff once again. He actually never landed a direct blow, thanks to you. My hands are numb though.

"No, he didn't," I muttered.

"Well, that's a relief. I'm just not sure what I'd do if I found out he'd lost his way."

I could see Change's shoulders visibly relax, the tension leaving him like melted butter.

As we walked in silence, it had occurred to me just how strange this situation was. I mean, she's walking through this place like it's her home; the place where people are stuffed into alien abduction pods. She has some explaining to do.

I broke the silence. "What's going here?"

She hummed to herself without turning to look at me. "It's quite the story actually. I'd much rather explain it in front of everyone if you don't mind. It'll just save a lot more time in the long run."

While her logic made sense, I could tell that it was something more than that.

She knows my name; I can chalk that up to being somewhat viral, but I have no clue who she is. "What's your name anyway, ma'am?"

Change turned to face me, cocking an eyebrow in confusion. "What are you talking about, Aria? You've known her for-"

Before Change could finish speaking, he was cut off. His hair being ruffled rather forcefully. "How rude of me, where are my manners? You can call me Chrysalis."

"Right..."

After some time passed, we arrived at a set of doors. It was at this point, that I realized just how tall she really was. She had to lean under the doorway just to get inside the room without hitting her head.

"Aria?"

Two muffled voices said in unison as I stepped into the room. Sitting in the center of the room were my sisters, staring at me like dears caught in headlights.

They're okay, thank Faust.

I couldn't help but feel my heart jump in joy as I looked at their dumb faces, stuffed with food.

"It seems you girls started without us," Chrysalis said as she took a seat on a weird-looking throne.

Sonata swallowed a wad of food in her throat, downing it with a sip of soda. "Sorry, we couldn't wait anymore," she said with a slight blush.

Without saying anything, I walked up to them, crouched down to their level, and brought them into a silent hug.

Chimera/Change

Being a changeling means I'm in tune with other's emotions. I can feel what they feel if I'm close enough. So, why is mom upset with me? I didn't do anything wrong. Aria was trying to kill a fellow changeling; her emotions and actions told that quite clearly. I was only trying to stop her.

Still, I'm glad she showed up when she did. With her presence alone, she diffused the situation, and I didn't have to hurt Aria. When I cornered her, I was planning to knock her out but was that all the damage I would have done? She's strong, but she's still just a human. I might've accidentally killed her...gosh.

Mother really does know best; I have a long way to go before I can call myself a proper changeling. Also, where are we? I have so many questions myself, but I don't feel like I'm in a position to ask them right now.

I'm so confused.