FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Dale sat there, on the bathroom floor, clinging to Gadget for dear life. It was real, the pain, the fear, the cold, empty darkness, she fell into- it was all real. And there she was, on the floor in Gadget's arms, crying her eyes out. Through her sobbing, Dale could feel the warm gentle sensation of a hand stroking her back. A soft voice whispered in her ear.

"Hush. Shh", it cooed. "It's okay. It's going to be okay."

Dale looked up at Gadget, and shook her head.

"No. No," she protested, her voice still quivering. "It all happened. It was real- all of it. I- I was so scared, Gadget I felt like I was gonna... Gonna... D-d-duh..." She suddenly resumed sobbing into Gadget's arms and chest. Gadget finally saw how much this had shaken her. She'd act the same If the same happened to her.

"It- It's okay, Dale. Let it out," Gadget said, softly. "Just let it all out. You're safe now. No one's going to hurt you here."

Dale didn't respond. She knew what Gadget said was true, but she couldn't help herself- a sudden wave of emotions that wouldn't stay bottled- no matter how much she tried. She just sat there, crying for the next fifteen minutes. The three male Rangers, Monterrey, Chip, and Zipper, just sat out there, listening to Dale's sobbing.

"Poor Dale," Chip frowned. "I can't imagine what he-SHE'S been through."

"Dale's been through quite the ordeal, alright," Monterrey nodded. "I think ... she deserves some time to cry it out."

"But for fifteen minutes," Chip asked.

"Pally," Monterrey said, standing up to do the dishes. "You've got a LOT to learn about women."

Chip opened his mouth to respond, when he heard the sound of the shower running, followed by the sound of a door creaking open. He and Monterrey looked in the direction of the sound, saw the bathroom door cracked open, with Gadget squeezing out. There was an obvious wet spot on her chest. Just before she shut the door, she poked her head back in.

"You sure you'll be okay until I get back," she asked. "Okay. I'll be right back." With that, she closed the door and made her way to her room. Chip and Monterrey jumped in her way.

"Well, how is he," Chip blurted out.

"Well," Gadget answered. "SHE'S doing doing better, Chip. But, she's still very fragile. I'm sorry Chip. But it doesn't look like we'll be seeing Boy Dale again, anytime soon." Chip turned pale at that last bit of news, and staggered backward into Monterrey. "I'm sorry Dale, Gadget continued. But I have to get some things from my room. "

With that Gadget walked into her room, gathering up her hair care kit some spare clothes, make up. With her arms full of what Chip, and Dale, used to jokingly call girly stuff, Gadget made her way back to the bathroom door and rapped her knuckles against it.

"It's me," Gadget called, opening the door. "I'm coming in."

With that, she opened the door and quickly disappeared behind it, closing it. She dumped stuff on the floor, then picked up a bottle of fur conditioner and head fur conditioner, and walked towards the shower. Though the shower curtain was drawn, Gadget could easily see the silhouette of Dale's new naked form. From her pose it was obvious Dale was still finishing crying.

"Feeling better," Gadget asked.

"Mm-hmm," Dale sniffed. "I-I'm sorry, Gadget, for-"

"Stop," Gadget said, placing the headfur conditioner down. "I've been there before. It was obvious you needed the cry."

Dale lowered her head in thought. Gadget was right, she needed that cry, but no one would have held her like Gadget did if she was still a male. In fact, over the last several minutes, she felt far closer to her than he ever thought she'd be. Her thoughts were interrupted as Gadget stuck a paw into the shower. She was holding the body fur conditioner.

"Here, Dale," she said. "You should use this."

"Thanks," Dale said, accepting the bottle.

"You're welcome,"Gadget said, as she walked back to her pile of things.

She fished through it and found her other jump suit. She unzipped her current suit and let it fall to the floor around her ankles. After working her ankles free from the jumpsuit, she held her clean one to her chest, and looked back at Dale, and smiled happily; she was starting to unwind. Not only that, Dale was starting to enjoy it. Scrubbing herself down, she noticed how much dirt and grime washed away from her fur, and instantly felt mortified. But that didn't matter at the time. The conditioner and hot water felt absolutely wonderful on her skin, flowing through her fur. She could actually feel her skin and fur soften. She loved it so much she washed herself twice, and was certain to get everywhere. The way she stretched, and turned, was all that Gadget needed to see before getting dressed, herself.

Just as she pulled the zipper all the way back up, Dale turned the shower off. Gadget turned around to see Dale pushing aside the shower curtain, clad in a white bath towel, which she held above her chest. She helped Dale out of the shower and helped her dry off, then led her over to the bathroom mirror, then started running sink faucet, and patted the front of the sink.

"We have to do your hair, too, Dale."

"Uh, My hair," Dale asked, running her fingers through her still whet and matter headfur.

"Sure, Dale," Gadget said, grabbing the headfur conditioner. "You can't go out with your hair looking like THAT. Now, come over here and let me turn it into something presentable."

"Okay," Dale submitted as she walked to the sink and bent over it.

"Thank you," Gadget smiled as she lathered her paws and went to work. She made sure to massage Dale's scalp but not to dig into it.

"I thought I already washed my hair," Dale asked. "Why do I need this?"

"You'll see," Gadget answered still scrubbing. "But it gives your hair volume and bounce. How do you think I keep MY hair like this? The first conditioner I gave you gave your fur that soft feel and healthy sheen. The headfur conditioner gives your hair the bounce it needs."

"Gosh," Dale said, taking it all in. "No wonder girls take a long time to get ready."

"Yeah," Gadget agreed. "Beauty takes time and effort, you know."

"Yeah..."

"Okay, Dale," Gadget said after a while. "Close your eyes. And don't open them until I tell you, and close them tight."

"Uh, okay," Dale said, doing as she was told. "Uh... why am I closing my eyes like this?"

"Cause, I'm rinsing soap out of your hair," Gadget answered, rinsing Dale's hair. "And it stings if it gets in their eyes. Trust me, I know from experience."

Dale cringed at that, clenching her eyes shut. It was done before she knew it, and she was soon standing upright, with Gadget drying her headfur off, before putting three curlers in it. Gadget took at quick look at Dale, and handed her one of her red Hawaiian shirts and a white skirt.

"You're going to want to sleep with these in there every night," Gadget said. "At least if you want to have the look we're going for."

"Well," Dale asked, getting dressed. "How do I know I want the look you're going for?"

"Trust me on this, Dale," Gadget said, gathering up her things. "You'll love it. All you really need is a little mascara and you'll be good to go."

With that, Gadget turned pulled out her mascara and applied it to Dale's eyelashes. She stepped back from Dale and took at her. She reached out and undid the curlers and let her hair fall down in a way that looked like a larger, and fluffier version of her male coif. All Gadget needed was brush it and add a quick layer of hairspray. Gadget turned Dale towards the mirror. The reflection Dale saw, was gorgeous! She had no idea she could clean up this good.

"Is that.... ME," Dale asked, completely flabbergasted.

"It sure is" Gadget grinned. "You think you're ready to show the boys the new you?"

Meanwhile, Chip had slumped back in a chair, Gadget's words locked in a loop in his head. We won't be seeing Boy Dale any time soon. We won't be seeing Boy Dale any time soon. We won't be seeing Boy Dale any time soon. We won't be seeing Boy Dale any time soon.

"Come on," Pally Monterrey said, with a brave smile. "It's not that bad. Sure Dale's stuck as a girl for a while- a big while, but at least she's still here."

"That's just it, Monterrey," Chip said. "SHE. She's here, but the buddy I grew up with. My best friend. HE'S gone. And it's all my fault... If only I worked through those power currents. Maybe I should have had another mouse help me chew the wire. I should-"

"Yeah," Monterrey said, his patience starting to wain. "Shoulda Coulda Woulda. It doesn't change anything. Besides, it wasn't your fault! How were you supposed to know the bloke had gone insane? Well, insane for him?"

"Uh-huh," Zipper agreed, as he hovered close to Chip's head.

"But, I-" Chip began, but was cut off by the sound of the bathroom door opening.

They turned and saw Gadget sticking her head out from she slightly opened door. Are you ready to meet the new Dale?

"As ready as I'll ever be," Chip said, emotionless.

"Sure," Monterrey said, more cheerfully. "Bring her out here so we can have a look at her."

Gadget giggled as she opened the door fully and led Dale out into view. Monterrey and Zipper stared bug-eyed at the chipmunk that followed Gadget. Chip looked over at Dale and his hat flipped. Dale's fur had that same soft look to it that Gadget had, and her eyelashes accentuated her newly feminine features, and her freshly made coif hung slightly over her left eye, or at least it seemed to- considering how she tilted her head. Her new feminine shape was slightly visible in her red shirt and white skirt.

"Wow, Dale," Monterrey beamed. "You're beautiful!"

Dale shied away, blushing. "Thank you."

Chip continued looking at Dale. Sure, she was beautiful. But all he saw was proof that his friend, as he knew him, was gone forever. Every single time he'd have to look at her and be reminded of this. He suddenly jumped to his feet and dashed to his room.

"Chip," Monterrey called, before cringing as Chip slammed his door behind him.

Zipper, and Monterrey looked at the slammed door, and back at Dale, who was starting to tear up again again.

"He," Dale managed. "He hates me?"

"No, no," Gadget, said patting her paw. "That's not it. He's just..."

"Actin' like a big BABY," Monterrey said, rolling up his sleeves. "Why, I ought a..!"

"No, It's okay, Monterrey," Dale said, sadly. "Chip's always been like this. When he takes something hard, he REALLY takes it hard!"

"And besides," Gadget added. "We have a few errands to run around. Come on, Dale, We have to get you a few things for Dale, here. Come on, Dale."

"Uh, Okay," Dale said, as Gadget out the door and to the Ranger Wing. "Just let Chipper have a moment to himself. He'll come around, he always does."

"Oh, alright," Monterrey pouted.

It wasn't long before the girls were flying away to where ever they were going. From his room- and bottom bunk- Chip saw Dale and Gadget fly off. He looked over at his nightstand and picked up a framed picture of him and Dale as a male; they were bunched together striking a silly pose. Chip sighed as he put it back. Those days are long gone, now, he thought to himself. And now I pull a stunt like that? He plopped himself back onto his bunk, I'll be lucky if Gadget or Dale would ever speak to me again. Not to mention Monterrey and Zipper are probably mad at me. Well, I can't stay in here forever. With that, he got up and walked towards his door, and opened it. He was met with a none too happy looking Monterrey Jack and Zipper glaring down at him

Meanwhile, Dale and Gadget were flying over to the other side of town. They were silent most of the way. Gadget kept trying to think of something to say, but stopped- unsure it was the best thing to say. As they neared their destination, an alley behind a tall department store building, Gadget finally spoke up.

"I'm sorry about Chip, Dale," She said. "I thought he'd be more mature than that."

"No," Dale sighed as they flew into an open wall vent. "It's like I said. He's always been like that. When he takes something bad, he freaks out. And when he does that, he either attacks it, or runs from it."

"Golly," Gadget commented, as she brought the Ranger wing in for a landing. "I- I had no idea. So it's a good thing he chose to run to his room?"

"Yep," Dale sighed as she climbed out of the Ranger Wing. "I just hoped he'd take it better. ... Where are we?"

"The department store," Gadget said, climbing out, herself. "We have to get you your own things like a robe, rollers, make up..."

"Wow," Dale sighed, walking into the vast shopping center.

"Where do you think I go while you and the boys went on your own adventures?"

"We, uh," Dale answered, blushing. "We kinda figured you stayed behind tinkering...?"

" Well, would you stay behind," Gadget asked, amused, "when you could come here?"

Dale took a moment to think, looking around. The more she looked, the more the place spoke to her.

"Gosh," she said, finally said. "I guess I'd have to be crazy not to come here on a lonely day."

"Exactly," Gadget said, grabbing a shopping cart. "Come on, I know where they keep the clothes."

With that the girls went on their shopping trip, while the boys, back home, dealt with Chip.

"So are you going to tell me what this is all about, Chip," Monterrey demanded. "You didn't even say a single word to her before you made a dash for your room!" Chip only looked at his feet. "Ya know, anyone who puts a frown on a pretty face like that is just BEGGIN' for a whoopin! Now, tell me what' got your jacket in bunch!"

"The Dale I knew is gone," Chip finally said. "The guy who'd beat me in eating the most nuts, the guy who'd race me up the tree, or wrestled with. The guy who was with me, with us our entire time as Rescue Rangers. That helpful idiot who I loved like a brother... all that's gone, now. And it's my fault."

"Oh, not that mess, again," Monterrey groaned, before taking Chip by his shoulders. "Listen to me, Pally. That wasn't your fault. You did everything a friend or a brother would do. You threw yourself into the fray and gnawed a live wire. I've known real siblings not even as close as you and Dale were. I saw it in Dale's face. She STILL feels close to you. You're the one who freaked out."

Chip just stood there, processing what he heard, but his blank expression told Monterrey he was still understanding. But he could still see the gears turning in his head.

"Still don't get it, do you," Monterrey sighed. Chip shook his head, slowly. "If she can't be your brother, anymore, she can be your sister. She's still going to be the same Dale who gets on our nerves every so often. Mostly."

Chip looked up as if he'd just had a revelation. Monterrey was right, Dale was still going to be Dale, and nothing was going to change that. I've been such an idiot.

"Oh, I'm such an jerk," Chip said, hanging his head.

"No argument here, mate," Monterrey said. "You really could have handled that better. But since you're comin' around I guess I can let ya go, for now."

"So, what do I do, now," Chip asked.

"The best thing you can do right now, is apologize," Monterrey answered. "You can't give her chocolate, and reworkin' the beds may be a bad idea right now. So the best plan of action is to wait till the girls get back and apologize."

"Okay," Chip sighed.

It was about a good two hours until the door opened, and the girls came in, with their arms full of bought goods.

"Uh, Dale," Chip said.

"Oh, Chip," Gadget said. "We could really use your help."

"Sure, Gadget," Chip smiled. "Anything!"

"Dale's going to need the bottom bunk from now on," Gadget stated.

"Its a girl thing," Dale offered, glad to actually have that card to play.

"Uh, sure," Chip agreed. "Dale can have the bottom bunk. Anything else?"

"Uh," Dale asked "Could you help me carry these to our drawers and replace my old clothes?"

"Sure," Chip said, happily, and took everything in Dale's arms and hurried into their room.

While Dale and Chip were putting away her new clothes, and taking out here old ones, Gadget went into the bathroom and placed Dale's new make-up, brush, and conditioners. Chip was helping Dale, he kept staring at her. She really was cute now that he saw her up close. And if anyone was going to keep Dale from being hurt again, it would be him! Suddenly, he stopped.

"Dale," he said.

"Yeah," Chip, Dale asked.

"I-I'm sorry," Chip said. "I'm sorry for the way I acted. And for being selfish. I was irrational, stupid, childish... Feel free to stop me"

He paused when he noticed Dale smirking at him.

"Nah," Dale smiled. "Keep going."

"I'm serious, Dale," Chip said. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt your feelings..."

Dale responded by hugging Chip tightly, who responded with a hug of his own, and that was that. They had a nice dinner, and changed for bed. Dale changed into her new magenta robe in the bathroom while Chip changed in their room. Just another things to get used to, Chip figured as he climbed the bunk ladder. The two chipmunks said their good nights before heading off to sleep, but Gadget was still wide awake- a fact Monterrey was quick to pick up on.

"What' the matter, Gadget-love," he asked. "Still worried about Dale?"

"Well, yes and no," Gadget answered. "It's not just Dale. Its everyone like her."

"Huh?"

"I mean," Gadget explained. "From what I gathered, Dale's, and any other male injected like Dale was, transformation was just a side effect, on males. And if Nimnul went through the trouble of preparing for us, it stands to reason he created a cure if his machine accidentally got him."

"I dunno," Gadget, Monterrey replied. "That's quite a stretch for that bloke."

"This whole situation is a stretch, Monty," Gadget retorted. "And if nothing else we have to make sure nothing else comes out of this."

"Wow, Gadget," Monterrey exclaimed. What are you saying?"

"I'm saying," Gadget said, looking up at him, "We need to find Professor Nimnul."