WereWednesday #4: A Magical Wolf in the Hen House

(contains magical girl TF, male to female gender bending, and a really snarky magical creature)

Apologies for the lateness. Hope you enjoy~

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            Eric was too young for this shit, literally. The world taught him that turning twenty-one is supposed to be a liberating experience, that everything could be obtained with the powerful energy and conviction of youth.

            But then he had to go and fail the entrance exams at three whole colleges. The parental figures almost immediately slammed him with some ultimatums to contribute something to society.

            All that sugarcoated talk now felt more like a trap, leading him into the corporate grinder for the rest of his helpless life. Instead of conquering the world, he was spending twilight hours on a Saturday cleaning out the barns many gifts its animals left for him after being fed that morning. Sore sweaty arms ground the shovel across a last bit of hay covered floor before flinging the smelly nuggets into a bin for fertilizer processing. Another amazing job he did not look forward to in the fall.

            Maybe by then Eric’s lanky brown skin will bulk up into those hulking farmhands he’d seen depicted in internet art and anime. That’d be some saving grace for being forced into humdrum labor. Setting the shovel back on its peg, he went outside for less stinky air and a drink from the well.

            Even operating a simple turn pulley became difficult after managing livestock all day. Weekends were especially brutal with having to move most of the feed around for Monday’s inventory shipments. This was far from Eric’s ideal lifestyle choice, but still seemed better than the military by a slim margin. At least his uncle won’t flog him for falling a little behind their chores, although the older kook seemed a lot more scarce with outdoor work as the week went on. It looked like family isn’t above taking advantage of cheap labor.

            Despite tired agitation, the well water sure tasted good going down. It’s cold temperature from being deep underground left such a refreshing flavor that Eric almost forgot to save some of the bucket for washing up. It wasn’t one of those ‘old fashion’ farms devoid of technology. Eric’s uncle just refused to pay too high a water bill when a free source was literally under their feet. Whatever works. He was ready to lock up and play League of Legends until he passed out.

            Figures the internet would be amazingly fast out in the sparse countryside.

            About a minute into his last chores, a panicked chorus of clucking dashed all hopes for relaxation. Eric wheeled towards one of three hen houses, gasping. Night was setting in but in the bright light of a rising full moon he could see its front grating laid on the ground torn from its hinges. Almost on instinct, he raced back into the barn, remembering his uncle’s training on wild animals wandering in. He was denied access to guns, but there was a machete and flares that usually worked to spook off foxes or badgers. The northern farms closer to the mountain forest were the ones that had to worry about cougars and coyotes.

            What emerged from the henhouse by the time Eric got back was none of these animals, leaving him feeling very under armed. At first, the creature could be easily mistaken for a fox. It had the sleek head and large ears coated in fur so white it glowed in the moon’s light. But then a body larger than the farm’s horses impossibly squeezed out a square hole only two feet wide. The tiny chicken ramp didn’t even creak under the weight of its huge paws in the quick exit onto fresh grass. A flutter of three fluffy tails almost as large as its body fanned out into the open air behind it.

            The large vulpine licked its muzzle of what Eric realized was egg yolk with a satisfying moan. Only a second later did it seem to catch the dumbstruck human standing in its peripheral. It turned to face him, seeming just as confused by their presence, folding its ears upon seeing the large blade.

            “Now, let’s not do anything too drastic. Okay, buddy? I didn’t hurt your chickens, just plucked a few eggs to keep me going through the night. You understand, right?”

            Eric’s mind faltered to the point he needed a second to comprehend the creature’s rapid muzzle flapping was generating a form of recognizable language. The giant monster fox was talking to him.

            “I..w-what are you?”

            The fox gave a very human snort of resentment. Its hind legs stretched in presentation of its rear. “Kid, haven’t you heard of a kitsune before? My seven tails aren’t that hard to miss.”

            “I only see three.”

            “Oh!” The creature bounced its backend once, causing four more giant tails to unfold into view. “Forgot I had to hide those to even fit in your coop. Get the point though?”

            “Not really, this is Idaho.”

            “Well, at least you can grasp the concept of geography. Bravo, kid.”

            Eric’s grip on the machete tightened, feeling his face burn red as the large mythical monster clapped its front paws in sarcastic applause. Not that he planned on attacking the thing and see what it does when aggressive. It was just hard to articulate when something so ridiculous just casually raids produce on his shift. “No, I mean, why is a kitsune in America?”

            He regretted that question the moment his foxy visitor gave that condescending smile. “Kid, we may be out in the boonies, but this is the twenty-first century, is it not? My papa came here during the gold rush and I haven’t felt inclined to leave, unless your president goes full insanity, but that’s another story. Point is, there are plenty of coyote spirits and witches living it up in Japan.”

            “Yeah, I get it,” Eric said with a defeated eye roll. He had no idea what his peaceful night of overworked toiling had turned into.

            “Great. May I trouble you for some milk then?”

            “Uh,” Eric lost his thoughts again, looking back to the kitsune to find them smiling in a more childish friendly nature. “Sure, why not?”

            Despite knowing his uncle would rant an ear off for missing stock, declining a request from an embodiment of magic felt significantly more dangerous. Eric also had no idea how much that thing could drink, so settled on just dragging out a whole tankard of that day’s efforts.

            It vanished in less than a minute. The kitsune didn’t even wait for Eric to come back before lunging forward and snatching the warm cream out of his hands. Using both paws to tilt the metal canister back, they chugged it in deep, long swallows that caused its slender neck to bulge in almost cartoonish lumps. After which the tankard clanged to the ground, forgotten while the kitsune licked excess from its fur, interrupted briefly by a belch.

            “Gracious! Milk is always best when fresh. Thank you for that.”

            “Yeah. Right. Can I go to bed now? I just want to remember this madness as a weird fever dream.”

            Eric turned to leave, only to find massive paws clamp onto his shoulders. A warm rug of scruffy fur pressed into his back that he realized was the monster’s chest. It gave off happy rumbling noises that caused a weirdly relaxing vibration effect.

            “Now hold on there, I have to confess I’m not here at random.” The kitsune’s grin grew when the human in its grasp gave no immediate resistance. They had piqued Eric’s curiosity. “I was detecting a lot of negativity in the area and just had to see what was wrong. That’s usually a sign of spirits at play but turns out you’re just a grumpy little boy, eh?”

            “You have a point outside mocking me?” Eric surprised himself at how calmly he could speak with a giant predator hugging him with enormous claws.

            “How about I pay you back for the eggs and milk?” The kitsune offered with playful licks through the man’s hair. “I know a few things I can magic up for you that might be enjoyable.”

            “Hell no!” Eric pushed forward, not expecting to be released so easily. The kitsune still had that wide unearthly grin watching him stomp back towards the barn. “I know enough about mystical beasts that you don’t make deals or accept gifts with infamous tricksters. My Sunday will be bad enough putting up with this and explaining the food shortage. Probably going to get punished for stealing with my luck. Just take off already.”

            “Now those are the words of a frustrated human desperately wanting power to take control of their life.”

            Eric’s pace slowed to a stop right on the barn’s threshold. The place went silent for a few seconds before he did an about face. “I’m listening.”

            “I thought you might,” the kitsune said with a chuckle. It sat back onto its hunches so it could raise its forelegs in a very unnatural meditative like stance. From between its wiggling paw toes came a sparkle of glitter that gradually solidified into a star pendent on a silver necklace. With a gentle wave the conjured garment went floating through the air, forcing Eric to drop his blade weapon to catch it in both hands. “This talisman is a favorite creation of mine. It’ll form a direct link between us, allowing my magic to power up and transform you. In return, you just have to do an errand for me every few weeks.”

            “Wait, seriously?” Eric flipped the necklace around in his hands, unsure if it should be revered or feared. “So it’s just like a henshin?”

            “Yup. Good to know you at least heard of those shows.” Ignoring another dirty look from Eric, the kitsune rose onto all fours, untangling its massive tails with a hard shake. “Just hold it up and say ‘Let’s get furry’ to activate our link, and when you want to go back the reverse phrase is ‘Let’s get normal.’”

            “That’s it?”

            “Yup.”

            “That sounds really corny.”

            “Yup.”

            “Are you doing this just because I hate it?”

            “...probably,” the kitsune confessed with a snicker.

            Eric slumped his shoulders, thinking it better to just accept this at face value. “So what will it turn me into? I’m guessing something big and fluffy like you.”

            “Not like me, but an accurate way to describe it. There are a lot of fun things you’ll get to do with a demigod on your side.”

            “True...” Eric continued palming the conjured jewelry in frantic thought. Practically every fiber of logic told him this was the worst decision to make. However, there was also that one thought that made a very compelling argument. A notion so strong that it pushed all opposition aside while raising the pendant towards the moon.

            Whatever catch this kitsune was plotting can’t be worse than shoveling shit all day.

            “Let’s get furry!”

            The effects of Eric’s half-hearted cry were fast and intense. The pendant grew rapidly hot until it threatened to melt in his hands, only to teleport around his neck in a flutter. He glanced down, following the unexpected relocation, and screamed with confused alarm.

            As the pendant continued to shine with a star’s intensity its warmth disintegrated the clothes off Eric’s body. Overalls, shirt, boots, even his underwear crumbled to dust that blew away on magical winds. Being naked didn’t help his rising panic, since it allowed full view of the other changes.

            In a strange one-two motion Eric felt tension as his muscles thickened out his limbs before falling several inches in overall size. There were definitely some impressive guns when he flexed, even a bit of tone definition on his stomach, but it was like his outline had softened. Shoulders and hands slimmed into more elegant shapes, while things south of the equator became drastically more affected. The space between his thighs closed with their flesh plumping up too soft to be solid muscle. Hands ran gently along his hips while they spread wider, getting surprisingly more fatty than he expected.

            “Oh, crap!” Eric squeaked when a harsh tug vibrated behind his groin. By the time he grasped at it the damage had already been done, leaving the female equivalent to great his bewildered mind. “I..I’m a...this wasn’t my idea of a demigods strength!”

            “I know,” the kitsune beamed down at the changing former man. Its many tails were hitting the ground in their wagging, threatening to tear up chunks of dirt. “But I prefer my servants to look a bit cuter. You’ll grow to like it, I promise.”

            “I’m not your...rrggh...arrggghh! Ach! Haaah! M-my voice!” Eric staggered over his words, feeling the muscles on his face twitch and reform. He felt along a much slender girl’s neck, catching strands of brown hair growing down his buff back in a waterfall. “Oh fuck. I’m really a...ah!?”

            Given the clear-cut signs, there came only a minor shock when Eric felt his chest strain and puffed out into a hefty pair of breasts. Thankfully, he didn’t have to process the source of many teenage fantasies before bright lights enveloped his torso and conjured up a steel breastplate to cover them.

            “What the hell!?” Eric gawked at his new armor, finding it pushed his chest up in a non-protective display of cleavage.

            One by one more lights clung to various parts of his newly amazon body, leaving behind more bits of bright silver and blue armor. A thong formed a modest covering on his hips that gained protective side plates. Long boots flashed onto his thighs, oddly designed to leave the front of his feet exposed. Shoulder pads and pauldrons donned the muscles of his arms, joined by fingerless gloves under a pair of bracers.

            “I thought you said this was a henshin!” Eric whined, annoyed by the screech of his own voice. Twisting and turning showed the ‘armor’ left a lot more skin exposed than protected. All at once the realization of that popular trope made his softer face scrunch in adorable fury. “Oh, my god! You made me a fucking magical girl!?”

            “I said they’re like a henshin. Really, a lot of word meanings get confused in translation.” The kitsune leaned in eagerly, unnerving Eric with the way it scanned his body’s curves. “Besides, we’re not done yet. Still got the best part starting.”

            “And what in hell’s name is tha...aaargh? A-ARF!?” The fact Eric let out a very animal sounding bark was overshadowed by a needle prick just above his thicker buttocks. From an unnoticed hole in his thong unfurled a two foot long thread of spine and muscle tissue, thickened by a dense layer of rich brown fur. Alien nerves connected with Eric’s brain, eliciting another bark while he twisted to watch the fifth appendage wag across his fat glutes. “T-this is madness!”

            “More like fan service,” corrected the kitsune, earning a perturbed stare back.

            With the wolf's tail properly in place, the last stage of Eric’s transformation spread like wildfire across his skin. Fur rushed to cover the swell of Eric’s backside and hips, pouring down each leg in a cascade across his exposed thighs. There came a loud groan followed by a gradual rise of many deep ridges. Muscles thickened with goodly power, stretching out the material of his leg covers until the ham hocks looked ready to smash melons between them. Toes cringed against the grass moments before systematically puffing into giant canine paws.

            “Shit. Shit. Shit.” Eric gave little doggy whines watching his gracious cleavage grow a field of the soft brown fur too. More charged down his arms, enriching biceps into enormous boulders before reaching his hands. Before his eyes rose tough leathery pads of skin on the end of each digit. Knuckles popped as each digit from thicker, nails curling out into dark black claws. “This isn’t what you sa-aaah! Aah!? AWOO!!”

            Instinctive urges rushed over Eric’s mind with the fur across his face. Unable to fight the impulse, his head rocked back in a feral howl towards the illuminating moon overhead. In the few seconds needed to air our impressively strong lungs, his face cracked and popped into a thick lupine snout while ears emerged from the top of his bushy hair as pointed triangles.

           Soon as she realized what she was doing, Eric clamped both furry hands onto the long bridge of her snout, despite being too late to stop the wild call. She slowly withdrew the furry digits to gaze cross eyed in bemusement at her big canine nose. This development was a bit of an unexpected twist. There were plenty of partial animal magical girl anime’s, but almost never full half-animal human hybrids. Even so, the muscles and curves gave an amazing body to work with, all things considered. Aside from the fur itching under the questionable armor, the only real bother was trying to walk on digitigrade feet. Those damn paws were gigantic.

            Rapid thumping knocked Eric from further self-examination, raising an eyebrow at the kitsune applauding them in genuine delight this time.

            “Now that’s what I like to see,” said the mystical creature. “You grew out rather nicely in the end. Might even be the strongest magical werewolf I’ve made so far.”

            “Yeah...about that?” Eric gestured with both hands at the swell of her fluffy armored chest. “Why make me a furry girl!?”

            “You wanted power, this is how I like giving it out.” The kitsune lazily scratched at its neck, staring off across the distant farmlands with mild interest. “Every transformed warrior needs a theme, right? Werewolves just happen to be very hot. Anime’s really don’t do them justice most of the time.”

            “Hold on a second!” Eric barked, silencing the kitsune with one raised paw hand. “What do you mean, warrior? What are you expecting me to do?”

            “Feed me, of course.”

            Eric felt her tail drop between her legs. “...what?”

            “Why do you think our body energy is linked, silly?” The kitsune sighed, giving a look one does when explaining to a child. “There’s a blight spawning all manner of creatures in those mountains to the north, which is why I thought your negativity was being influenced by them. As my avatar, you’ll free them from their physical form so I can devour their spirit energy.”

            “So you made me a monster girl to kill food for you?”

            “I’m pretty sure that’s what I said.”

            “And you can’t do this yourself, because...?”

            “I don’t know. What usually happens when a human sticks their hand in a bucket of acid? That’s what corruption magic feels like on creatures like me.”

            “But I’m still just bound to you as a food service?”

            “If it sounds any better, you’ll also be purifying the forest as a side job.”

            Nothing could make the kitsune’s request sound less like another tedious chore. As if Eric didn’t have enough giant animals to tend to daily, although now she favored her uncle for being a lot less condescending.

            There better not be shoveling kitsune shit involved with this second job either, or Eric would give up the furry muscles for another state to live in.