“You wanted to fly, right? Just let it take you.”

I was crying. I never thought it would happen like this. Scales were growing over my skin, and I could feel my face pulling forward into a snout. My back was agony, as wings erupted above, and a tail below. I could feel my muscles and bones changing, rearranging.

“Shhh. It’s better if you don’t fight it.”

I whimpered one more time, and looked up at her with pleading eyes.

She pet the horns and scales where my hair used to be. “Just let go.”

I nodded, and did as she advised.

Suddenly, the pain… didn’t hurt. Instead, it began to transform into tingles and zaps of pleasure. The scales sparkled in the light, a lovely emerald green. My tail was fearsome and powerful. My four legs were strong, and my clawed talons were every bit as dextrous as my hands had been; maybe more so. I could feel the weakness of my old form flowing away. I gloried in my wings. My strong, powerful wings, ready to beat the air and take me aloft. Suddenly, I wanted to cry out in delight.

She ducked the unexpected gout of flame. “Ha! Careful where you point that, sister.”

I looked down, bashful, and snorted an apology.

“It’s alright. Come on: let’s take those new wings out for your first flight. You don’t want to resist me anymore. It’s going to be wonderful. You know that, don’t you?”

And I did.