The Morning Up To The Challenge

Chloe woke up in bed. Oh, that was a restful night. Oh, Aubrey grabbed my hand while we slept again. Wait… this isn’t my room. Wait, whose hand am I holding then? Chloe turned her head and saw Mark sound asleep in the bed next to her. Wait, why am I in bed with Mark? That means… Chloe yanked her hand away, jostling Mark in the process. Right, my date night with Mark was yesterday. But how did I get to bed? I don’t remember falling asleep in bed. I’m still dressed too.

Mark stretched his arms and yawned. “Oh, Morning, Chloe. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, actually. Mark, how did I get into the bed? I don’t remember falling asleep.”

“You fell asleep on my shoulder during the third film. I just carried you to the bed and tucked you in.”

“Okay... that explains why I’m still dressed. But why were you holding my hand?”

“Because you grabbed mine in your sleep. I actually woke up for a minute but just went back to sleep.”

“Wait, I grabbed your hand?” Have I been grabbing Aubrey’s hand? I thought it was the other way around. Mark just nodded. “Also glad to know you don’t sleep naked.”

“Are you ready for today?”

Chloe looked down, nervous and upset. “No. Are you looking forward to today? I mean, we are all going to be getting another transformation, right? So we become more suited to be yours.” Chloe was trying not to cry. “Mark, do you get how much this hurts us, and you’re getting off on it?”

“Chloe, I don’t get off on your pain. I know how messed up this show can get. Each of you is a wonderful person. None of you deserves to be put through this. I certainly haven’t done anything to deserve being in my position. But I think you know as well as I do. That someone getting what they deserve isn’t how the world works. I’m actually dreading today. Because I’m fairly certain at least one of you isn’t going to be happy by the end of it. I’m hoping I’m wrong. Can I ask what happened with your two Debts transformations? I know they got combined.”

“Cassandra stepped in because, apparently, there was a conflict between them that would have ended really poorly because of a feedback loop. She said she would either make the smallest changes needed to fix the problem or give me a discount if I wanted to spend BP to shape the result to something better. So I spent a hefty amount of BP.”

“And how are you doing with the others?”

“Well, Wonder **** isn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Outside of the candy bowl that Allie bought, no one has come for candies. Any guesses what I’m going to get from temporary TF?”

“Ninety percent sure you’re going to be a bunny girl, the other ten is race change and/or a cock fixation.”

“Well, outside of the cock fixation, that isn’t too bad. Can you promise me something?”

“I’m hesitant to say yes, before I know what that promise is.”

“That’s fair. I’d like you to promise me that if I get a cock fixation from the temporary transformation, you won’t indulge me.”

Mark thought about that for a moment. “Still hesitant, I guess you could release me from the promise if there is an issue.”

“Mark, even if I release you from the promise while under the influence of that, I want you to say no.”

“Chloe, here’s the issue: what if you literally need it. Like it replaces eating.”

“You’re joking, right… Right? You’re... not joking. That could happen?” Mark nodded. “Okay, that helps explain the hesitation a bit. Could you promise me, though, that unless something like that happens, you won’t give in and let me do stuff with you?”

“Chloe, you realize that my making this promise is a favor, right? Like you are specifically asking me to do something for you. So you’ll want to repay that favor. I just want you to fully consider this.”

“Yes, I do. If you keep the promise. I’ll repay you for doing so.”

“Then yes, I won’t indulge you if you get a fixation for cock, unless it is truly needed. Huh. Interesting, how that works.”

“What do you mean?”

“I can tell there is something affecting me. But I think since my promise is to not do something under certain conditions, it is sort of like a shirt or pants. Yeah, you can feel them, but for the most part, you just ignore the sensation.”

~Ping~

Cassandra (To Everyone): This is your Challenge Day wakeup text. You are expected to be in the Dragon’s Lair auditorium at 10:00 am sharp. Do not be late.

Mark looked at the time, 8:27 am. “So we have about ninety minutes to be in the auditorium, Chloe. We should probably get up, have a quick bite to eat, and head down. I do have a question, would you like to look in the mirror with or without me?”

“What does looking in the mirror with you do?”

“Well, when I looked into it with Laura, I was able to get a better sense of our specific relationship. Laura also said her vision was more intense, too.”

“I’ll pass. I don’t need the mirror to tell me our relationship is not in a great place, or that yesterday probably improved it at least a bit. Alright, let’s get moving, I guess. Coffee?”

“Sure, I’ll get us some coffee and bagels with cream cheese. Any preferences?”

“I would like a cinnamon raisin bagel toasted with cinnamon cream cheese and a double shot butterscotch latte with oat milk.”

“Cinnamon and butterscotch, my favorites too,” Mark ordered them each the same thing. After changing clothes, they went outside to meet Hilde but found something strange instead. There was a portal in the courtyard. Though the carriage and Hilde were there too. “Morning, Hilde. Why is there a portal in my courtyard?”

“Cassandra deemed it not fair to whoever has the date night right before the challenge that their morning with you must be cut short, especially with the trip down to town and to the center fountain or one of the other rooms where there are portals takes around twenty-five to thirty minutes. So she is providing a portal only directly to the auditorium, and it will close at ten o’clock.”

“That is really nice of her, actually.” Chloe said. “I mean, I’m not going to use the extra time for what she wants me to, but Laura would have been annoyed not to get some wakeup sex because she has to show up to the challenge.”

Hilde looked at Chloe with empathy and sincerity. “Chloe, I don’t know what the challenge is, but no matter what, try your best. If you are up against the others head-to-head, don’t go easy on them. Even Aubrey. You might think you would be doing them a favor, but you wouldn’t be. Please take it from someone who has been in your position before. Play the game. If the audience is the judge, don’t lose yourself trying to win favor with them. That’s all I’m going to say on the matter. Good Luck. I hope your transformations are something you’ll end up being happy with.”

“Thank you, Hilde.” Chloe replied. “Alright, it might be early, but let's go.” So, Mark and Chloe walked through the portal, finding themselves on the stage of the Dragon’s Lair Auditorium.

“Well, it’s about time.” Ellen said. She was currently in her April O’Neil outfit.

“What do you mean? We’ve got about forty minutes before we need to be here.” Mark looked around and saw that everyone else was here too.

“Yeah, well, Laura was just about to run up to the suite and drag you two here, afraid you would miss it. She figured she could make it there and back with some time to spare, even if she had to carry you two.” Ellen continued.

“We are here plenty early.” Mark said, exasperated.

Laura stood up from her chair, “Sure, but we’ve all been here for half an hour, and remember, ‘don't be late.’ Well, no one wanted to take a chance on that.”

~Pop~

“Oh well, my oh my. Aren't we all eager to get things going? Well, since everyone is here early.” Cassandra snapped, and the portal to the palace closed. “We might as well get things underway. Please, everyone, take a seat. First things first, let's check the standings.”

1st: Laura Elliot 67 VP
**2nd: Samantha Irving 52 VP
3rd: Allie Asher 30 VP
4th: Ellen Thompson 29 VP
5th: Flora Sparrow 25 VP
5th: Merida Voguel 25 VP
7th: Aubrey Martini 20 VP
8th: Talia Winchester 16 VP
**9th: Chloe Stapleton 11 VP

“Now, we have some impressive front-runners. But Laura, Sam, please remember this is a marathon, not a sprint. Allie, how does it feel not to be Mark’s number one girl anymore?”

“If you think you are going to get me upset because Sam or Laura is above me in VP, you would be wrong. I’ve already done the math and can tell I’m being penalized for being engaged with Mark. I’m willing to bet I’d be in first if I wasn’t, wouldn’t I?”

“Yes, but only because Laura’s night was after yours. As for you being penalized, you are correct. You have a massive advantage over everyone else. We thought it was needed to help balance things out a bit. Even with it, you’re still third overall, so I think it was justified. Now Chloe,” Cassandra looked a little disappointed. “You need to do more than just get naked in front of Mark. You haven’t even given him a hug or kiss yet.”

“What do you mean we hugged yesterday?”

“No, dear, Mark hugged you. You haven’t hugged him. You didn’t put your arms around him yesterday. I suppose this is my fault. I have been a terrible godmother.” Cassandra shook her head in disappointment. “Now I do believe I have some promised rewards to hand out. From the Slumber Party polls: Sam, you won both Agent of Chaos and Most Entertaining. For Two Truths And A Lie, Laura, everyone liked you the most. For Would You Rather, Merida and Aubrey everyone liked it when you pushed Mary/Mark to have to answer a really tough question. Finally, Flora, I made a deal with you—”

Flora interrupted her, “Can you give it to Ellen instead. I don’t feel like I should get it.”

Cassandra thought about that for a moment. “I suppose I could. If that’s what you truly want… Don’t you even want to know what the reward is first?”

“No. Please just give it to Ellen.”

“Very well. Now, I have debated on this and have decided to let you choose between two options. The first is something to help you in the upcoming challenge. If you don’t use it during the challenge, that isn’t my problem. But it will almost certainly be helpful. The second is that one of your TFs will be **** than normal, possibly even a boon if you place well enough. But you must decide now. Also, Mark, no helping.” The five of them made their calls, with Laura and Merida taking the **** TFs. Aubrey and Ellen took the help with the challenge. Sam selected one of each.

“Alright then. The challenge is navigating The Minotaur's Labyrinth. You will each be deposited at one of nine random starting locations and need to make it to the center. Your ranking will be determined by who gets there first. Now it would be a bit boring if it were just a maze, so there are three additional things to be aware of. First, there will be some pedestals throughout the Maze, which will offer you a choice. If you make a choice, it will give you swifter passage through the Maze. Now, for those who selected the help on the challenge, these are for you.” Cassandra floated over three idols to Aubrey, Ellen, and Sam, each getting one. “Place these on the pedestal, and you will not need to make a choice, just once, though. Second, there are obstacles, nothing harmful, but they may slow your progress. Finally, well, it’s the Minotaur’s Labyrinth. There’s a Minotaur. Any questions?”

“Umm. What are we supposed to do about the Minotaur?” Sam questioned. “Like we aren’t supposed to fight it right?”

“I would recommend avoiding it. If the Minotaur can catch you and pin you. You will be teleported to another location in the maze that is disadvantageous to you, in addition to something I will leave as a surprise.”

“What if we can pin the Minotaur?” Laura raised a curious eyebrow while grinning.

“Hmmmm, if you can subdue the minotaur for let's say ten seconds. Then I’ll have the minotaur teleport nearby one of the other contestants randomly. Also, one of your TFs will be of better quality. There are a few of you who do actually have a chance, but it would be unfair to give you too much of an advantage. Oh, as this is the Minotaur’s Labyrinth, he can open and close some walls and knows where all of you are at all times. Good Luck,” Cassandra waved her hand, and the nine of them we sent to their starting locations.

“Now, Mark. In case it wasn’t obvious, you are the Minotaur.”

“Why would I actively try to catch any of them and ruin their chances? Also, I feel like most of them have a good chance at pinning me.”

“Well, as you are now… sure. As for why you would do it? For everyone, you make orgasm by pinning them, and teleport away, you can improve the quality of TFs some receive. Oh, and if they pin you, Mark, it will decrease your score by one. Now let's make you a bit bigger.”

Mark felt himself sprout up something close to a foot and a half and beef out. He gained bull’s horns on the side of his head as well as a tail.

“I’ll be sending you into the maze in a moment. The girls are going to get a head start, but you’ll be at the center. Also, while you will know where everyone is, you won’t know who they are until you see them. And you can’t tell them why you are doing this, either.”