Aina entered the gym on the Third Anniversary of the Fusion Wave's arrival with a sense of purpose, the cool air of the locker room meeting her skin, where beads of sweat were already beginning to form as she laced up her shoes.
The familiar hum of the equipment, the thud of weights being dropped onto the floor, the clink of dumbbells – all of it had become a part of her daily rhythm. For over a year now, the gym had been her sanctuary. It wasn’t just about strength training; it was about carving out a version of herself that could never be reduced to mere appearances. She wanted to build something unshakable, something that would leave no room for anyone to judge her based on her past or her outward form. She was no longer just a rat-woman, no longer just a product of the Fusion Wave.
She was Aina - a beloved regular.
The sweat dripped down her furred body, glistening as it rolled down her toned arms and back. Her tail, once simply an appendage to balance her, now coiled and uncoiled with a purpose, as much a part of her workouts as her biceps or thighs. It was a strength she hadn’t anticipated developing, but after months of rigorous exercises, she’d learned how to control and use every part of her body.
Every pull-up, every squat, every deadlift was a victory. The pain in her muscles was the pain of transformation.
Day after day after day - the pain and sweat burned her troubles and crisis of acceptance away.
Her hands gripped the handles of the weights, knuckles white, but there was a fire in her eyes, a determination that burned brighter than the fluorescent lights overhead. No longer did she feel the awkwardness of her massive, anthropomorphic form. No longer did she care about the glances people shot her way.
She had earned this body. Every inch of muscle was a testament to the blood, sweat, and tears she had put into it. And now, standing in front of the mirror in the gym, Aina couldn’t help but admire herself for the first time in years. She had become what some might call an "Amazon." Tall, powerful, and strong. Her muscles were sculpted from sheer dedication, a blend of lean strength and fluid grace. Her once scrawny arms had transformed into sculpted limbs, and her torso was broad and defined, a clear indication of her hard work.
Her tail, too, had grown more powerful. It was thick with muscle, capable of coiling and swinging with precision. During her morning workouts, she would incorporate tail exercises – yes, tail exercises – twisting it, curling it, and strengthening the muscles that ran along her spine. She had become aware of every part of herself, every muscle fiber, and how they worked together. In her mind, it was no longer just a tail—it was a third, capable arm.
But her transformation wasn’t just physical. The confidence she had gained over the year was palpable. Aina had found a place among the "gym rats"—a term some of the more experienced trainers had playfully coined for her, and the other more unusual transformees who frequented the gym. She was no longer an outcast. She was Aina, and that meant something.
It wasn’t long before her workouts, her progress, and her dedication gained attention. People who had initially avoided her now came to her for advice. She’d started filming herself working out, offering tips and tricks for other mutant bodybuilders, and her videos skyrocketed in popularity. People were watching, and not just because of her appearance, but because of her results. She wasn’t just a "rat-woman"; she was an athlete, a powerhouse. And slowly, the world was starting to see her for the person she was, rather than the creature she had once been.
"You’ve really come a long way, you know that?" came the voice of Jared, a man who had been one of the first to throw a dumbbell at her the day the Fusion Wave struck. At the time, he’d been scared, terrified of what she might become. But his fear had slowly morphed into respect. He had become a quiet ally, offering help when needed.
Jared was leaning against the bench press, wiping sweat from his brow. He was no longer the same man he had been that day, and neither was she. Time had passed, and with it, understanding had grown.
“I know,” Aina said, grinning. She wiped her brow with the back of her hand, giving him a playful glance. “I could probably bench press you now.”
Jared laughed. “I don’t doubt it. Honestly, I don’t even want to test it.” He stepped closer, his expression earnest. “You’ve inspired more people than you know. I’ve seen those tutorials of yours—they’re going viral. You’re doing more than just working out. You’re changing minds.”
Aina shifted her weight, feeling a warm rush of pride, her tail swishing behind her. "I just… I want to show everyone that we’re more than what they think. That we can be strong. That we can stand on our own two feet, you know?”
"You’re doing that," Jared affirmed. "And I want to help. I’m learning about tech now, and I can help you set up your social media properly. We can turn this into something bigger. You deserve that."
Aina looked at him, her heart swelling with gratitude. For the first time in her life, she felt like she was building something that could last. Something that would make a difference—not just for her, but for anyone who had ever felt different. Anyone who had been labeled a monster simply because they didn’t fit in.
"Thanks," she murmured, her voice tinged with sincerity. "I think I could use that."
As the days passed, Aina worked on her fitness tutorials with Jared's help, learning the intricacies of the online world. She began to develop a following, and soon her tutorials weren’t just about lifting weights—they were about overcoming obstacles, defying expectations, and becoming the person you wanted to be, no matter what form you took. Her fans admired her strength, both physical and mental, and many of them were mutants just like her.
It wasn’t just the gym where Aina thrived now. Her life had expanded, her world had grown, and so had her confidence. But there were still moments when she longed for the quiet of the track, the sensation of running on all fours, the wind rushing past her, the earth beneath her paws.