The Second Challenge: Old Wounds

Flora found herself in the Rocky Mountains, she actually recognized the area. She heard the sound of voices from the direction she sensed her target. She activated her boon and went to find her potential victim.

A few minutes later she came across a group of five climbers currently at the base of a cliff drinking up and checking equipment. Flora noticed her target. Oh, Patricia. I guess that makes sense. Sort of thought I’d get Clara but whatever. I have three targets, maybe she’s next. I don’t really want to talk to her. We had a fling once. She wasn’t interested in anything more than that. She made that clear. Flora pointed her wand at Patricia. Let’s give you some upgrades though. Patricia’s breasts expanded three cup sizes and became far more sensitive as her rear end expanded as well. You said you always wish you were a red head. Let's make it so you were born one. Then I’ll make you very generous during sex. That should be enough for the audience. Have fun Patricia, Santa Claws out.

Flora found herself in a bar and noticed a group of guys having drinks. Sam’s ex-boyfriend. Great. Let’s see he broke up with her because she couldn’t open up to him about why she kicked him in the balls when they tried to have sex after her ****. She cared about him but understood the break up. Okay so decent guy and just a shit situation. Flora pointed her wand at him. Let’s make this quick. Big dick, endless sexual stamina, muscles. Will always be able to get his partner to climax. That takes care of that actually… Flora gave the rest of the guys at the table the same treatment. Then she turned the rest of the bar and gave all the women present easy and strong orgasms. Time for Santa Claws to take her leave.

Flora finally found herself at a coffee shop. Okay what the fuck? That was definitely Allie and Isabella leaving with another woman. Yeah definitely smell them here. So who’s my target? Ah the barista. Her name is Kari. She’s a closeted bisexual who… Okay well I can’t blame you for finding my girlfriend hot. She’s extremely hot. Hmmm… Sorry Kari but Flora isn’t sharing. Let’s make you have a fateful encounter with someone though. So we can get Merida off your mind. You will find a romantic partner who you find attractive and is naturally compatible with you. Hmm lets see what other gifts Santa Claws has for you. Easy orgasms, sensitive breasts, great in bed, no gag reflex… hmmm flexible, clean up your blemishes… What else? Oh, each time your partner gives you an orgasm they will turn more and more into your ideal partner physically. Bam Santa Claws strikes again.

Flora vanished for the final time and found herself in the auditorium with the others. Not having anyone she wanted to visit.

Talia found herself outside of a brothel of all places. Okay I can do this. And by this, I mean control myself. I’m not just going to change every person I meet because it would be really fucking hot. But why is my target in a brothel? Especially a brothel that looks like crap.

Talia stepped inside and immediately found her target. Who the hell is this though? I don’t recognize her at all.

The woman said, “Welcome darling. I’m going to need to see some ID. You’re clearly barely eighteen if that.” Talia grabbed her ID from hammerspace and handed it over. “Oh barely eighteen. Looking to have your cherry popped or looking for a job?” She leaned over and whispered, “Look little lady you're rather attractive, if you want a job and need the cash, you can get paid for sex you don’t need to pay for it. I probably shouldn’t be saying this alternatively go to any bar on the strip and you would have your pick of guys or gals that would bed you.”

“Umm yeah, I’m looking for a job.”

“Okay, follow me into my office.” Talia followed the woman and they took a seat on either side of a desk. “I’m Madam Suka, though to customers I’m A-Suka Tits. They like the pun. If you want a job, I need a few things.”

“Let me stop you right now. I don't actually want a job, Asuka Tomiko.”

“How do you know my name? Are you a narc? Is this a sting? Because we run a legal establishment here.”

“No, it isn’t a sting. I’m here to see you though. Do you enjoy this life? Is this what you wish you could be doing?”

“Look kid, I don’t have time to play twenty questions with someone I’m pretty sure is a narc and trying to get me arrested.”

Talia pulled out a wad of cash from hammerspace and threw it on the desk. “That’s a gift. Now shut up and listen.”

Asuka looked at the stack of bills, all $100 bills and there were a lot of them. “This must be ten grand. You know this is smelling more and more like a setup, not less.”

“Well that’s yours if you just shut up and listen to me. Don’t say anything and nothing could be used against you anyway. Though I would like to know if you could be doing something else would you?”

“Of course I would. Few people turn to sex work by choice. I wanted to be a graphic novelist. Why are you some rich brat going to offer me a chance at redemption? Because it’s going to take far more than ten grand to get me to abandon what I built here.”

Right, she always was into drawing. “I mean, I can give you that. Here’s my card.”

Asuka picked up Talia’s business card. “Wait… you're that, Talia Winchester? What are you even doing here? You said you were looking for me? Why?”

“Let me tell you a story.” Talia began to describe Asuka’s early life as Talia remembered it but didn’t mention names. Asuka was confused when she got to the high school years though.

“Wait a second. I assume you are talking about me but that isn’t what my high school life was like.”

“I figured, considering where we are. But ask yourself why I would know so much about you.”

“Because your a psycho stalker who is also rich as fuck so why not.”

“Maybe, now let me tell you my story.”

“I know your story. It was on the front of the tabloids recently.”

“Let me tell you the real one.” So Talia explained her current life. Including the part where she was **** for the show. Then she got to the part that mattered how she was changed. Her life before her current life. How she and Asuka were friends. How Asuka came on to Talia. How Talia had done nothing. She didn’t shy away from the truth.

“Okay so you’re nuts, what do you want from me?”

“I’m going to offer you a choice.” Talia wrote down a number, and the name of a bank and its phone number as well. “Call this number, give the twenty-six digit number I wrote down for you and then give them your name and where you would like the money deposited. It’s thirty million dollars. I walk out the door. You will never see me again. Alternatively and this is what I hope you will take. I rewrite your history so we grew up as next door neighbors and friends like we did in my first life. You’ll still be able to keep that account info but you’ll be eighteen again and smoking hot, and have your whole life ahead of you without all the baggage here.”

“Assuming you can do that. Could you give me the memories of my life before you were allegedly changed.”

“Yes. If you want.”

“Give me those first, both so I know you aren’t bullshitting me and to see how much you said was true.” Talia did as offered. Asuka slumped in her chair. “Well shit. I guess not having you in my life made things turn out rather poorly. I was upset with you Talia for not reaching out and trying to remain friends. I figured out I could have talked to you too, eventually but high school was over by then. I take it this is your attempt at fixing things?”

“Yeah. I had intended to be more subtle about it but circumstances changed.”

“You could really make me young again? What about more ripple effects? My whole life got warped because of your changes. I wasn’t the owner of a brothel, I was a struggling artist, not a business owner.”

“Yes, and I don’t know. I don’t have a lot of time here so make you pick.”

“Fuck it, as long as I get to keep my memories sure. My family won’t talk to me and I don’t really have friends, just employees. I could stand to be best friends with the smartest woman on the planet.”

So Talia, rewrote Asuka’s history making them neighbors and friends like their first life. Their surroundings changed too. They were in a book store now with Asuka sitting behind a desk at a book signing. “Thank you Talia. This… this was a real gift. Thank you so, so much. Good luck with Mark.” Talia hugged her friend and left, vanishing shortly afterwards.

Talia found herself at a large sports center and noticed something odd immediately. There were two targets here. Both were hers and both were together. She moved through the building like she owned the place, finding that sometimes that was enough to get people to ignore you.

She got to an indoor track and saw her targets. One was in her late twenties to early thirties and the other was older in her fifties. Laura’s teammate and her coach. Hmmmm. There are a lot of athletic women here. Talia was looking over a railing from the floor above. Well let’s not make Laura stand out so much. Talia waved her wand over the field. The women all shot up in height and became fit. Laura’s coach regressed physically in age to her thirties, while the women all regressed physically to their earlier twenties. Talia made sure that it wasn’t perceived as odd, and didn’t give them super human physiques like Laura’s but there were now a bunch of tall muscular attractive women on the US Olympic track team. I think in 2028 we are going to be taking home quite a few golds.

Talia shortly found herself back in the auditorium not wanting to visit her family.

Sam found herself surrounded by people in costume outside a convention center. She saw a sign that read ‘San Diego Comic-con’. Guess I won’t be harassed over my horns or tail. Sam had not been able to find a way to cover them because of her clothing restrictions. She moved down the street towards her target. She wasn’t sure why but she started several blocks away. She finally came upon a dive bar, with a sign reading Con-goers welcome. She went inside and could tell that her target was in a booth at the back. She walked to a stool near the booth and sat down and ordered her favorite drink. “An amaretto with three cherries and a slice of lime.” She could tell her target started to move and in the mirror behind the bar she saw him. Sam’s vision went red, and she lost control and her hands slowly transformed into claws, and her teeth became fangs, her pupils narrow vertical slits. She was just about to turn around and rip the man’s throat out with her claws when she felt and overwhelming impulse telling her, 'to calm the fuck down and maintain control of yourself, what would Mark think?' Sam breathed heavily. Thank you Laura. Thank you Mark. I guess both thank you and fuck you Cassandra. I am SO going to enjoy this though.

“OH! I wasn’t sure but it is you isn’t it old Sami-kins. Damn did you fill out. Got to say you’re looking fine. Couldn’t cut it in the Navy so now you’re playing pretend eh?” Sam’s glass shattered in her claws, getting the attention of the bartender.

“Miss, is Aaron here bothering you?”

Aaron said, “Relax Jeff, Sami-kins here and I are old chums. We were in the ROTC program together back in college.”

Jeff noticed Sam’s snarl. “Miss, is Aaron bothering you? It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve thrown him out for being a disturbance.”

“Jeff, is there an alley behind the bar somewhere two people could do something private. Also I’m sorry about the glass.”

Jeff could see the bloodlust in Sam’s eyes. “Miss, I would really appreciate not having a corpse behind the establishment. If you have a beef with Aaron I’ll make sure he doesn’t leave until well after you’re gone. Don’t worry about the glass.”

“I don’t know Aaron? What would you call drugging me, and gang **** me during training? Would you call that a beef?” Sam said as she bared her fangs.

Jeff frowned then scowled and glared at Aaron “He did what now.”

“Exactly what I said. That’s why he washed out of the Navy. Unlike me. See Aaron I’m a lieutenant and a fighter pilot. And your time is coming because I have friends now. Friends powerful enough I don’t have to worry about your connections. I wonder how long you can last.”

“You’re just a little cock sucker who didn’t know her place. You wanted what we did to you. You deserved it.” Aaron sneered.

Jeff pulled out a firearm and placed it on the counter. “Aaron, get out of my establishment and if you ever step foot in here again I’ll use this gun.”

“That’s fine, there are other bars. Come on guys, let's go.”

Two other men stood up. Sam recognized them too. Oh thank you Cassandra, for serving all three up on a silver platter.

They started to make their way to the door and Jeff said. “Ma’am, if you need me to, I'll testify to what I heard here today. I don’t tolerate scum like that in my establishment.”

Sam shook her head. “No need.” She pointed her wand at the three, right as they exited the building. “I’ve taken care of them. They won’t harm anyone ever again and justice will be coming for them soon.” The three stomped off. “Thank you for your concern and support Jeff.”

“What was that supposed to do to them?” Jeff chuckled. “Did you curse them or something?”

“Something like that. I gave all three permanently flaccid mirco-penises, increased their libido so they always want sex but also made it so they literally can’t lay their hands on a woman without consent. Finally I made it so that they would go and confess to all their crimes and implicate every single person who helped them cover them up.”

“All that with a wave of a wand.” He chuckled. “I wish things like that were possible.”

“You know what Jeff, is there something about yourself you wish was better? Consider it a tip for your support and the fact they didn’t pay their tab.”

“I made those three pay up front. I mean I guess I wish this place was a bit more successful and that I could actually find a stable girlfriend.” Sam waved her wand at Jeff and made his wish come true. The dive bar turned into an upscale club, Jeff’s polo transformed into a dress shirt, vest and tie. His beard filled out and he grew a few inches and became more muscular. She also gave Jeff the ability to tell when a woman would be receptive to his advances assuming she was also single, and open to a long term relationship. “Holy Shit! So umm… the stuff you did to those three. You really meant it.”

“Yes, I did. As a note the other two were his accomplices, they weren’t bystanders caught up in my ****. So long Jeff, enjoy the upgrade. It’s on you to find a girlfriend but I think I made that a bit easier for you now.” With that she vanished.

Sam found herself in a mall. She went to a store, grabbed some clothes and quickly went to a changing room. Completely ignoring her target. She then sat down on the bench in the changing room and pulled her knees to her chest. OH god, oh god. I nearly killed him. Thank fuck for Laura using that impulse on me. FUCK FUCK FUCK. I need to breathe. Breathe. Just Breathe. Sam had tears running down her face. I can’t believe I did that. I can’t believe they are going to rat out a bunch of people and confess to their crimes. Sam just sat in the room eventually being teleported away.

She found herself outside of a talent agency this time. But Sam just said, “Cassandra please just bring me back. I can’t… I’d like to be done.” Sam was still trembling. “Please.” Sam found herself back in the Auditorium with the others.

Chloe found herself outside a rehab clinic. She could tell that her target was inside, and that it was visitation hours. She sighed and walked to the visitor counter. “Hi, I’m here to see a patient. I’m Chloe Stapleton.”

“Stapleton… Oh you must be here to see Heather.” The receptionist said.

Of course it would be my mother. “Yes, she’s my mother.”

“How wonderful, I’ll let her know you are here. If you could have a seat for a moment.” The receptionist made a call, to inform Heather, her daughter was here to visit. After a minute, the receptionist said, “Chloe, could you come here.” Chloe got back up and went to the counter. “Would you happen to have any identification with you? Heather is under the impression that there is absolutely no way you would be here. Assuming you are who you say you are. She says if you actually are her daughter she would love to see you but assumes this is some sort of scam.”

Chloe was glad she had her purse. She got out her ID which had apparently been changed to reflect her new hair color. As she handed over the ID Chloe said, “That makes sense I wouldn’t say that my mother and I are on the best of terms.”

The receptionist gave her a sympathetic smile. “Addiction is rough on relationships. It’s good you are trying though.”

Oh I would normally not be fucking here. Chloe followed the receptionist through a door and down a hall to a private meeting room where she found her mother. The receptionist left the two alone.

Heather started, “Chloe… is it really you? What have you done to your hair? Why are you here? It’s also so good to see you.”

“Yes Heather, it is really me. I dyed it, I like the look. I’d rather not be here but am for reasons outside of my control.”

Heather deflated. “I figured. I’m sorry. I was a horrible mother.”

“Yes you were. But you know that isn’t why we hate you, right? Being a bad mother would be one thing. Defending that piece of crap is why we all can’t stand you.”

“I know. I’m here to get sober and turn my life around. I… I hoped one day I might be able to talk to you all again. Maybe one day see my grandchildren if I have any. But you’re here to tell me that won’t ever happen aren’t you?”

“No. I’m not. I’m here because someone I know has a twisted personality. Heather I’ll be honest I didn’t even know if you were still alive or not. We don’t really talk about you at all.”

“I see… I’m sorry, I was weak, and didn’t do more to protect you all. I was scared…”

“I know.” Chloe was fuming, but also pitied the woman across from her. “Heather, I want to make something clear. If you try to contact any of my family besides myself, I will hit you with multiple restraining orders so fast and you will never have contact with them again. I’m not letting you fuck up their lives or knock Steve off the wagon. I will leave my phone number, if you want to contact us you call me. I will determine if you get to see the others.”

“Okay, I know… I know I have a lot to make up for and I need to get clean. I’m sorry that I couldn’t protect you all like I should have. I know you said your acquaintance has a twisted personality. Could you thank them for me though. I thought that I would never see any of my children again.”

Chloe’s sympathy won out. She waved the wand below the table. Clear the negatives of **** and **** use from her body. Make it so she can’t use illicit **** or drink **** ever again. “I should go.”

“Alright. Thank you, for actually seeing me, and for giving me a chance even if it’s a small one. I love you Chloe.”

“Goodbye, Heather.” Chloe stood up and left. Fuck you Cassandra. How dare you make me care about her even a little.

Chloe found herself in a grocery store. She saw the guy she was supposed to transform. Aubrey’s ex-boyfriend. The prick that stole her research. You know what fuck you Cassandra.

Chloe walked away. I’m not participating in this shit.

Chloe found herself in the living room with three people arguing, who all stopped as soon as they noticed her. A short older Asian woman, an older Irish looking gentleman and a woman around her own age. The man spoke up first and glared at her, “Who the hell are you? I’m guessing by the fact you just appeared in the living room, you’re involved in this bullshit with my niece.”

Chloe was confused “Umm… whose your niece?”

“Samantha Irving.”

Chloe nodded and said, “Then yes. You know what’s happening?”

“A bit, now why are you here?”

“Well… this is awkward. Umm Brooke. You’re Sam’s friend. I’m supposed to transform you somehow but I’m refusing to play Cassandra’s game here. So don’t worry. I’m a little worried about Sam though. Considering who else I was sent to see.”

Suki spoke up, “What are you talking about? What is wrong with my daughter?”

“Well, I was sent to see my mother who I loathe and my girl-friend’s ex-boyfriend who stole her research and delayed and jeopardized her graduation. That was before coming here. I worry that Sam might have been sent to see a particular person or persons she would rightfully despise. That she might not restrain herself and hate herself for what she does to them.”

Sean’s face went grave, “That… that would be concerning.”

Brooke asked, “Won’t you suffer if you don’t participate?”

“Maybe.” Chloe shrugged. “I did the minimum I was required to so I don’t automatically take last. But fuck the audience if they think I’m warping someone for their amusement.”

Brooke sighed. “Just make me prettier and increase my breasts. That should please the audience right? Also a straight upgrade for me.”

“Yeah and also a way to get you more likely to be added to the harem.” Chloe countered. “I’m not being responsible for that.”

“Your call but I’m giving you permission. Sam seems to care about Mark. He seems like a good guy, and I bet he cares about you too. Don’t screw yourself. What’s your name anyway?”

“It’s Chloe. You’re sure you want this?”

“To be incredibly attractive? Who wouldn’t? So go ahead Chloe.”

“Alright.” Chloe waved the wand and made Brooke far more attractive and gave her a huge rack.

“Okay maybe you went a little overboard on the boobs, but I approve. Good luck Chloe. Tell Sam I’m rooting for her.”

Just like that Chloe vanished.

Chloe found herself at her little brother’s house. I thought I was done. Oh right Cassandra said we could visit a loved one. Why Fred though? Chloe felt the wand still in her hand. Well fuck I’m going to owe her big time for this. Might as well take the opportunity she offered. Chloe went inside and spent some much needed time with her brother. During which she made sure to get rid of his lingering health problems from the **** suffered in his youth. Afterwards she found herself back in the Auditorium.