The fate of Randy and the ring

Previously: Hank left behind his chauvinistic ways after being transformed into a muscular futanari and adopted a new identity and name in Red. Craig was tempted to use mind-control to protect his loved ones, but was convinced to let it go. Red took up the mantle, regaining a masculine body and using the ring to free sorority president Piper.

Red

“IGNORE ALL PREVIOUS COMMANDS”

The ring’s power flowed through her as Red removed the programming of the gathered women. Almost two dozen members of the Lambda Epsilon sorority had been brought to the foot of the main stairway. Their reactions were mixed. A single hoot of relief was quickly tamped down by the somber tone. A few girls clung to each other, crying. Many looked around awkwardly, not sure how to balance or express both relief and grief.

The next part was harder, but not in the way Red expected. One by one, she would follow into a private room, say the words, and have nothing else to do while the newly freed captive was comforted by Piper and Cam. Fortunately, there weren’t too many, but Red started dipping out and waiting in the hallway after saying her words.

Waiting around powerless? I’m not built for this.

No, you rush in half-cocked and break things.

Red frowned at that second thought. It echoed with a voice that wasn’t hers.

The last girl was a timid, mousy brunette who collapsed into Cam’s arms as soon as she was freed from the ring’s control. That green sweater was still wet from the tears of multiple sisters that night. Piper had mentioned that Lucy was Randy’s first line of defense, and her guilt at keeping so many in bondage was smeared across her face.

Despite the gravity of the situation, Red’s eyes kept drifting back to Cam’s breasts as they lovingly cradled the poor girl’s head.

Red tried in vain to clear her runaway thoughts. She didn’t know if it was her masculine body, the necklace, the ring, or Randy's mind occupying space in hers, but she couldn’t keep herself from responding to the wealth of beautiful girls in the sorority house.

I could have any of them I wanted.

Red frowned at the stray thought. The worst of it was she couldn’t even be sure if it was hers, Randy’s, or Hank’s.

This fucking blows. With the looks Cam’s been sneaking me, she’d definitely be dtf. But I can’t trust my motivations right now.

“Thinking ‘bout sex?” Skye asked, appearing out of nowhere.

“Yeah, how’d you know?”

Skye scoffed and rolled her eyes.

“Because you look like this sex-obsessed dude I used to know. You weren’t supposed to cop to it.”

“Oh, yeah. Sorry. Being back in this body is fucking with my head.”

Skye’s eyes narrowed in suspicion, but her tone was controlled.

“So, you really miss your tits?”

“Wha-oh yeah. I mean, they could be a pain when I work out, but I like the way they look.”

Red patted her flat chest absent-mindedly.

“It’s weird having balls again,” Red continued. “They keep sticking to my legs. I’m not gonna miss that when I go back.”

Skye raised her eyebrows.

“I half expected you to use that ring, you know. Take over Randy’s kingdom.”

Skye’s pale blue eyes probed Red’s face. Red, realizing her work was done, removed the ring and rolled it around in her hand. Its purple gem sparkled as it caught the light.

Why is she pressing me so much on this? I’m not that guy anymore. I passed all her tests. Wait. No, that was Cyra. I passed Cyra’s tests. Fuck. I still need to prove myself to Skye.

“I thought about it. Hard not to. Especially when I’m like this,” she said, gesturing to her masculine form. “That’s why I want to go back to my old body. Well, not my old-old body. I mean- well, you know what I mean.”

“So what are you going to do with Randy, then?”

“I was thinking of asking Malik to absorb him,” Red responded, slipping the ring into the pocket of her robe.

The name hung in the air. Skye tensed, her arms crossing reflexively while she looked away.

“Whatever,” Skye mumbled.

“You could always drop by…”

“Who says I want to?” Skye sneered unconvincingly.

Red shook her head.

“I know better than to try to tell you what to do. You’d probably do the opposite just to spite me.”

Skye snorted but didn’t deny it.

“I just want you to know that Malik’s a real good dude,” Red continued. “Just too respectful for his own good. He’s interested in you, but he won’t let himself make the first move. So you have to decide if you want to take a chance on him.”

For a moment, Skye was pensive. Red remembered the bashful freshman she used to be.

She’s still recovering from the damage I did to her. It can’t be easy to try again with another basketball player.

She opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Piper opening the door.

“That’s all of them,” she announced, hands on her hips. “Cam needs more time with Lucy. She’ll be staying the night, so you shouldn’t wait up.”

Fuck, I was really hoping for a quickie. I guess I’ll have to speedrun unmerging instead.

Red gave Skye a brief nod before turning back to Piper.

“Now all that’s left is to destroy the ring,” Red announced.

—

The trio made their way silently back to Lily’s room. Piper led the way, her long legs striding down the halls like she owned the place. Which, in a way, she did.

Red was expecting it to be difficult, but she felt no compulsion to keep the ring for herself. If anything, she was looking forward to breaking it.

Craig was showing Lily something on his phone as Red, Piper, and Skye entered.

“I don’t get this one,” Lily told Craig, her brow furrowed.

Craig grinned mischievously.

“Look again. It’s loss.”

“Oh come on!” Lily groaned, shaking her head. Craig chuckled, his shoulders rocking gently.

It’s good to see them together like this.

Her usual pang of longing over Craig never arrived.

His smile faded as they made eye contact, and he quickly turned off his phone. Red noticed Lily stiffen at the sight of Piper.

This is their first meeting without Randy. What are they to each other now?

“Red, can we-“ Craig started to say.

“Let’s break the ring,” Red interrupted, knowing where that conversation was going. “You think the gun’ll work?”

“It should,” he said, predictably distracted by his beloved artifacts.

“Lily, do you want to do it?” Red asked. “You don’t have to…”

“If anyone has the right, it’s you,” Piper chimed in. “We know how much it hurt you.”

Lily’s eyes unfocused, and Red recognized glassdoll fronting for a moment before Lily was back, her face serious. Her eyes flickered briefly toward Piper before settling back to Craig.

“I’ll do it,” she whispered.

Red handed her the ring, glad to be rid of it. She walked to the desk and placed it down on the keyboard of glassdoll’s streaming laptop. Craig handed her the gun while everyone else stood clear.

With a shriek of rage, Lily fired. The ring was split cleanly in two while the purple gem shattered in a flash of light. The bullet and shards of plastic embedded in the desk. With one hand, Red rubbed a ringing ear, but she held out the other to Lily for a fist bump. Lily grinned proudly and returned it, their knuckles impacting with a solid *thump*.

Craig picked up one half of the shattered ring, holding it up to examine in the light.

“If the necklace is any indication, this could still repair itself with time,” he said. “We should keep these separate.”

“Lambda epsilon will ensure its safety,” Piper announced, picking up the other half. “We know the consequences if it gets used again. I can also properly dispose of that firearm.”

Piper’s eyes glanced at Lily. Lily looked down at the gun in her hands, her arms trembling. She held the weapon out with one hand, looking away from her former handler.

Piper wordlessly took it, and her eyes darted to the door before returning to Lily with a grimace.

“What was done to you was an injustice. I-I could have done more to prevent it.”

“No, I don’t blame you,” Lily responded. Her voice was kind, but her arms were crossed over her chest defensively. “You were controlled, too.”

“Be that as it may,” Piper continued. “I am in your debt. If you ever need me, I will bring my considerable institutional and personal resources to bear on your behalf.”

With a curt nod, Piper turned on her heel and strode out of the room. Red caught one last sight of her black underwear as her too-small skirt flipped with each long-limbed step.

Her reverie was broken by a cough from Skye, who was giving her a dirty look. Red flushed in embarrassment.

“Sorry, I think it’s the necklace, or Randy,” Red mumbled lamely.

“No kidding,” Craig said, earning him a frown from Red that shut him up. She had to intentionally soften her expression before speaking.

“I get it, it’s just a little too soon for jokes, okay?”

“Understood,” he mumbled.

“Anyway,” she said, trying to change the subject. “Skye, are you up for one more delivery tonight?”

Skye’s face hadn’t changed since calling out Red’s staring. Unimpressed, she gave a noncommittal shrug.

“Can you take Craig and Lily to his place? I’m heading back to Lily’s to talk to our ‘mutual acquaintance’,” Red said, catching Skye’s gaze and giving her a significant nod.

Ball’s in your court now.

Skye’s brow furrowed, and something flashed across her face before she looked away. Not quite longing. Not quite fear.

“Yeah, I guess. Whatever,” She said, before she stalked out of the room. “I’ll be in the car.”

“Thank you,” Lily whispered into Red’s ear as they hugged on her way out. “For everything.”

The hug felt different. Red’s chest was strangely empty as Lily’s breasts flattened against her broad pecs.

“You gonna be okay with him tonight? Because…” Red whispered back.

She felt Lily’s nod as they disengaged. Lily took Craig’s hand and led him out of the room. He stopped suddenly just before passing through the doorway. His head tilted as a thought occurred to him.

“This is the first time you’ve used the necklace since the beach. It always returns people to their original bodies after unmerging. Do you know which body that will be?”

Red’s blood ran cold.