Nat’s muscles increased in size, her eyes glowed and she ripped the arm of the chair she was strapped to and lunged at Ms. Masters, shoving the chair arm through the woman’s face. Nat turned to her friends and retrieved the ring of change and gave it to Rei.
“You couldn’t have done that sooner? We would have been super dorks if you waited any longer.” Rei asked her girlfriend.
Nat glared at the Asian girl and rolled her eyes, going to free Diana and Trisha. When they were all about to leave the office Rei spoke up,
“Wait!” She said and went behind the desk and grabbed something.
Rei then rejoined them with the Headmistress’s shoes in hand, she then used her ring of change to turn them into sneakers like she was wearing before.
“Did you just take a dead old woman’s shoes?” The redhead asked.
“You’re the one who killed her. So what do we do now?” Rei asked.
“We can’t leave! We need to find the place they change these girls into boring drones—no offense.” Trisha said hugging Diana.
“I have an idea, here—“ Rei said and used her ring again.
It glowed with magic and she waved her ring hand and the four girl’s clothes were changed. Each of them wore the same school uniform as the girls from earlier: a white blouse with a black tie under a tan sweater vest and a green pleated plaid skirt. She even changed their hair into tight ponytails.
“What the fuck?” Trisha said.
“Nobody knows that the Headmistress is dead, so we can hide in plain sight while we look for the brainwashing machine.” Rei explained.
“Dai, do you remember where they keep the machine?” Trisha asked.
Diana nodded “no”. Trisha fiddled with the tie choking her and Diana pulled her hand to stop her,
“Diana mentioned being able to go to the upper levels for good behavior, that might mean they would keep their special mind-altering machine in the lower levels.” Nat said.
“Let’s get going then, I don’t want to be in this uniform for any longer than necessary.” Trisha sighed.
The four girls walked the halls of the facility with Diana leading the group, the interior was laid out like a typical bunker-like building but the halls and rooms were made to look like the interior of an old boarding school. Occasionally they would cross another uniformed girl, the group’s disguise worked perfectly, even the occasional staff members paid no attention to them. Eventually they came to an elevator that revealed itself behind a large painting, the girls entered and pressed the button for the lowest floor it had.
“Don’t these usually play music?” Nat asked.
“No, these ones do not.” Diana answered plainly.
The elevator gave a short chime and the doors opened to an ominously lit hallway, creepy paintings lined the walls. Each depicting identically dressed women, each of them were wearing clothes exactly like the ones the Headmistress wore. Then two guards stopped the group.
“Uh…w-we’re here to….uh—” Nat tried to say but instead opted to simply take out the goons.
“Let’s find that machine and get my Dai back!” Trisha stated as they ran through the halls.
At the end of the hall was a set of sturdy steel doors, Nat pounded on it but only managed to dent it. Rei then put her hand on the dhampir’s shoulder,
“Let me get this one.” The black haired girl said.
Rei then used her ring to transfigure the metal doors into glass which was easily shattered by her girlfriend. When they stepped past the broken glass they saw a menacing looking chair with a large cylindrical shaped device meant to go over a person’s head. Trisha then went over to the computer terminal nearby and checked the device’s files and announced her discovery to the others.
“According to these files and records: this machine doesn’t just alter a person’s mind, it also takes a part of the subject’s soul! That’s why the ring of change can’t help Dai, we need to recover the peice of her soul these bastards took!” The green haired girl explained.
“Any chance they keep those in this facility?” Rei asked.
“I think so, unfortunately it looks like they keep them in the sub basement and the only way to access it is through 5 feet of steel reinforced concrete.” Trisha answered.
“Not a problem, remember?” Rei said with a smile.
The ring of change made quick work of the floors and walls that led to the sub basement. Once they were inside they found shelves of glass vials with glowing white energy inside. Using the terminal Trisha was able to retrieve the missing piece of Diana’s soul and with a shrug they shattered the glass and the glowing energy shot towards Diana.
“Dai? How do you feel?” Trisha asked.
“Better, unfortunately I am not free from the conditioning. I had visions of another facility where the re-conditioning machine is kept.” Diana explained.
“Forget that, I’ve had enough excitement for now!” Rei said and used her ring to return the group to their original forms, including Diana, with her soul returned the ring of change would now work in her.
When Diana’s transformation was complete and the Normal brainwashing removed, her appearance had returned to her original form. Her brown tight ponytail was now its former messy pink hair, she now had facial piercings and punk eyeliner. She wore black ripped skinny jeans and two ratty tank tops, on her feet were high top sneakers and her nails were black and chipped. Instantly she pulled Trisha into a loving embrace, they kissed and when they broke it she smiled,
“I can’t fucking believe I’m free! Thanks Trish!” Dai exclaimed.
“Dai! I’m never letting you go again!” The green haired girl smiled.
Trisha turned to Nat and Rei, hugging them and thanking them profusely, Dai also thanked them and when they all returned to the surface Dai and Trisha planned to return to Chicago and said their goodbyes to Nat and Rei.
—————-
“Sir, there’s been an attack on one of thr conditioning facilities. The souls have been returned and the girl’s freed.” An agent reported.
The Boss waved his hand dismissively,
“It is of no consequence, once we have obtained Soul Drive Alpha (Steph), we will be able to fashion a new breed of agents. Let those brats have their petty victory.” The Boss said.