“Sori,” Jihu called the young shifter over, “can I talk to you?”

“Sure,” she nodded, heading over to the agent.

Ravi watched with a small scowl before making his own way over to Hongbin and Hyuk.

“N,” Jihu called once Sori was standing beside him, “you as well.”

“What’s going on?” N questioned, “What do you need to talk to us about?”

“You’re powers,” Jihu explained, waving for the pair to follow him, “thus far N, the only parts of your powers that you’ve gotten a handle on are some of your dragon powers, some of your necros powers, and you’ve been getting more in tune with your enhanced senses and speed.”

“Right,” N nodded, “but, um, saying I’ve got a handle on some of my dragon powers is kind of being kind, don’t you think?”

“You can turn your skin into scales and zap people with your electricity at will,” Jihu laughed, “I think that counts as having a handle on some of your dragon powers.”

“You’re that far along?” Sori blinked, feeling a little ashamed that she didn’t already know that, “do you think you’ll be able to grow wings? Or maybe even go full dragon?”

“Kris thinks I should be able to grow wings,” N explained, “I mean, the last time we were working in it, I started to grow something out of my shoulders. Not sure if it counted as wings, but…….Kris said it was a start and Suho said that’s how all dragons start. But the full dragon form…..we don’t know. We have no idea just how far a changeling can go with the powers from different species.”

“I hope you can,” Sori smiled slightly, “I’m sure you’d love it.”

“While we’re on the topic of changing into another form,” Jihu said, “that’s why I wanted you here, Sori. I think that now is a good time for you to start working with N on how to shift.”

“You sure?” Sori asked, recalling N’s first attempt at shifting and how it hadn’t worked.

“He can grow scales,” Jihu replied, “Kris thinks that means he’s ready to shift. But shifting into something as big as a dragon…..it’s not easy. Suho suggested starting with something small, so I came to you.”

“Alright,” Sori nodded, “Suho has a point. Most times, it’s easier to start off with smaller animals then larger ones when you’re just learning to shift.”

“Exactly what Suho said,” Jihu laughed, “but he left out the most times.”

“But he’s right,” N pointed out, “saying that starting small is easier for everyone is a lie. There are special cases.”

“He’s right,” Sori nodded, trying to ignore the flash of guilt after hearing N say that. It was clear from his tone of voice that he wanted to be one of those special cases, wanted shifting to come as easily to him as it had herself or Ravi. Even Leo hadn’t struggled too much with his first change once he knew that he could change.

“Well,” Jihu said, picking up on Sori’s thought process, “N, you do seem to be picking up on things rather easily. You might end up being one of those special cases, too.”

“I don’t think so,” N shrugged, “I’m like the average supernatural. But that’s fine, I’m happy being normal with how fast I pick things up. It would be weird to be a changeling and a special case, right?”

“Don’t let it bother you,” Sori told him, grabbing N’s arm and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“I’m not,” N smiled brightly, trying to reassure her, “I mean, I wanted to be a normal human, but I’m not. I wanted to be a normal supernatural, but I’m not. At least something about me is normal while everything else isn’t.”

Sori just nodded, not sure what to say. Clearly, N felt left out, left behind while everyone else was learning and improving so fast. But she didn’t know what to say to make him feel better. Was there even anything she could say? Honestly, she didn’t know.

--

“Just focus on the animal,” Sori instructed, “picture it in your mind.”

“I know,” N sighed, starting to get frustrated, “I know what to do. I’m just……not shifting.”

“Maybe you just aren’t ready,” Sori hypothesized, “or maybe shifting into an animal isn’t something changelings can do.”

“What do you mean?” N frowned, “why wouldn’t I be able to do that?”

“Well, isn’t the theory that changelings can only use some powers from each species?” she explained, “Maybe all you get from shifters are enhanced senses and speed.”

“But…...,” N frowned, “that’s nothing special. That’s the exact same thing I get from werewolves.”

“So what if you don’t get from shifters and werewolves what you get from dragons or fae?” Sori couldn’t help but roll her eyes, “you want to know what makes both wolves and shifters special? Our speed is unmatched by all others. Our sense of smell is the best, too. Same with hearing. And if you know how to use those things, you don’t need to shift.”

“I know,” N sighed, hanging his head, “I just…..”

“You’re frustrated,” Sori nodded in understanding, “I get it.”

“No,” N relied, “you don’t. You’ve never been the weak link, the one who can’t do anything.”

“You’re right,” Sori sighed after a long pause, “I don’t understand. I’ve always been one of the best fighters, one of the strongest. I have no idea what it’s like to not advance while everyone else does.”

“I’m sorry,” N looked down, “that came out wrong. I didn’t mean to make you feel bad or anything.”

“You didn’t,” Sori assured him, “I get it.”

“Can I try again?” N asked, “At shifting?”

“I don’t see why not,” Sori nodded, “but…..I’m not sure if you’ll get anywhere.”

“What have you been trying to change into?” both turned to find Leo making his way over.

“What do you mean?” N cocked his head to the side, “why would that matter?”

“Maybe you can only change into some animals,” Leo explained his thinking, “like a wolf of a flaming horse because those are what other supernaturals can change into. Maybe you get the speed and senses from shifters and the additional forms from werewolves and nightmares”

“What have you been picturing?” Sori questioned, “I mean, Leo’s theory might be right.”

“I was picturing a kitten,” N admitted, “that’s what Ravi pictured the first time he shifted, right? I thought……maybe that would work for me.”

“Try picturing a wolf,” Leo advised, “that might work.”

“And if not,” Sori shrugged, “then we can always try something else later.”

The pair moved back, giving N lots of room.

“What brought you here?” Sori asked as N started to mentally prepare himself.

“He’s my best friend,” Leo replied, “and Suho mentioned that you were working with him on shifting. That’s when I thought up my theory. Figured it was best to come tell you now then wait until later.”

“Good call,” Sori nodded, “well, if it works then it’s a good call.”

“He needs this to work,” Leo agreed.

The pair became silent as N started to groan in pain.

“N,” Leo made a move to go closer to his friend, only for Sori to hold him back.

“Look,” she said when Leo started to pull free of her hold, “he’s starting to change.”

Leo looked to find that she was right, N was starting to change into a wolf. Both the shifter and nightmare winced as N cried out in pain. Actually, the fact that N was feeling pain backed up Leo’s theory. Shifters didn’t feel any pain when they changed, plus their bodies gave off a bright light when they changed so you didn’t see anything. but N’s change……they could see every detail of it.

After several long moments, N stood before them in his wolf form. N looked down at his paws, amazed that he’d managed to do it. Overjoyed that he’d finally succeeded, N tossed back his head and howled.

“Good job,” Sori called and N grinned as best he could in his wolf form.

“Looks like all he got from shifters was speed and senses after all,” Leo remarked.

“Yes,” Sori nodded, “and the ability to change whenever he wants to change. Can’t forget about that.”

N started walking around, testing out his new form. He couldn’t believe he’d managed to do it. He felt……he didn’t even know how he felt because he was just so darn excited that he’d managed to do it. Now he wouldn’t be the weak link, he’d be able to do something in the fight against their enemies.

He wasn’t useless!!

A/N: good on N for managing to change forms!! It’s about time I wrote that part, huh? Haha.

Before I go, I want to leave you all with two ‘food for thought’ statements from a man I greatly respect who is no longer with us.

“Guys… Life… it’s pretty awesome. Just keep at it. And I’ll keep going too.”

“Keep moving forward.”

-- Monty Oum, June 22, 1981 – February 1, 2015

Goodbye, Monty. Thank you for everything you’ve given us. We love you and we’ll miss you <3