Just Another Castle Issue

Just Another Castle Issue.

Katrin pulled her gloves up her arms. "I can't believe I forgot what day it is."

Charlie's raspy voice penetrated the bathroom door. "Well, I kept pestering you about this for over a month but did you listen to me? Oh no, no, no. You can remember the day for the cosplay contest on your own." He slammed his hand against the door. "And now we are late because of you, so hurry up."

She snorted. "I am going as fast as I can. At least you had an easy outfit." She looked at the petticoat on the floor. "You try dealing with this mess."

"You wanted to go there as Princess Peach, so deal with it."

Katrin twisted around. "They are holding the cosplay in a castle. It makes sense, ok." She threw her hands into the air. "Stop distracting me. I have things to do already, not be bothered by someone who picked Sephiroth as their cosplay just for an excuse not to wear a shirt."

"Hey, I am sexy, and I wanted to show it."

Katrin shook her head as she pulled her other glove up her arm. "Just stop. I have an outfit to get on so we can get going." She pulled the petticoat up her body and tied it around her waist. "Now, where is that dress?"

"Fine. I will get the car going and find something good on the radio. Just hurry up. I don't want to waste gas because of you."

She rolled her amber eyes as she picked her homemade dress up off the side of the tube. "He is such a pain. But I need a ride in this outfit." She took a deep breath. "In these shoes, it is hard enough to walk. I can't imagine trying to drive."

Once she had her dress on and adjusted how she liked, she picked up her earrings from the sink. "Just a few more things. This cosplay competition is going to be so fun. And I am going to win first prize." She picked up her crown and set it on her long golden hair. "I better with all of the trouble I went to. Finding someone who would dye my hair on such short notice wasn't easy." Katrin sighed and examined herself in the mirror. "There. Done."

She did a small twirl, her poofy dress knocking a towel to the floor. "I look amazing. I am going to knock them dead." Her pale cheeks turned red. "I can't wait."

She turned towards the door. "Ok." Katrin twisted the knob. "Huh? It won't budge. "She grabbed the door with both hands. "Stupid thing." She kicked the door with her boot. "Charlie. Hey, where are you?"

"Yes? Did you call?"

"The door is jammed. I need some help here."

"Jammed? Oh my. Whatever will you do?"

She could hear him teasing him through the oaken doorframe. "What did you do?"

"Me? Nothing." He slowly raised his voice as he talked.

"I can tell when you are screwing with me. I thought we didn't have time for this."

She pushed against the frame. "Now, let me out of here."

The door swung open, and she fell flat on her face as Charlie laughed. "Oh, my princess. Here let me help you up. I promise I won't take you to Bowser."

She swatted his hand away. "Stop with the jokes. Look at what you did to my outfit. Ugh." She pushed herself up using the nearby table. "You are lucky I didn't tear anything."

"Oh, don't worry so much." He turned around and flipped his wig. "Let's go already." He rushed out the door.

Katrin shook her head. "I would be in the car already if you hadn't played this prank on me." She pulled up her dress and walked out of the door. Once outside, she noticed a few boxes in the passenger seat of the car. "What is all of that?"

Charlie looked at her with his big blue eyes. "This? These are our supplies for the trip. What do you think they were?"

"Supplies?" She crossed her arms. "Why do we need so many boxes? We are just going to the next town over. We are lucky, and we live very close to where they hold the regional cosplay outfit championship."

"Well, I want to be prepared, nevertheless. You never know how long we will be there."

Her jaw dropped. "It is only a day-long event."

"Yes, and crazy things can happen." He started the engine. "Now, get in the back already."

She looked at his giant sword sticking out of the back seat window. "Ugh, great."

Katrin flung open the door on her side of the car and wormed her way into the vehicle. "Love that I have to share a seat with your enormous blade."

"Yes, and he loves your company." Charlie turned around. "Don't you? My lovely blade. Don't you love Katrin? Yes, you do."

Katrin's eyes widened as she looked out the window. I did not need to hear that.

"Hey, Katrin."

She snapped her head back. "Yes?"

"Do you want this?" He held up a strange-looking bottle. "I got it from a strange shop before I came here to pick you up."

"What is it?"

"I don't know. The lady said it was a potion? I thought it would be perfect to bring to this cosplay event. Some cool potion looking thing." He tossed it back at Katrin. "What do you think?"

She caught it before it spilled all over her outfit. "I didn't say I wanted it."

He turned around. "Too late now. I am pulling out."

She sighed and looked at the bottle in her hand. "Inner Fire. A blend of spices and crimson wine to bring out the inner you." She narrowed her eyes. "This drink is non-alcoholic." Katrin took a deep breath. "I was about to say what in the world is crimson wine anyways." She laughed. When Charlie didn't respond, she sighed. "Ok then." She took the cork off the bottle and sniffed the contents. "Well, it does smell good. Maybe your last-minute purchase can't be all that bad." She took a tentative sip. "Not bad."

***

About an hour later, they arrived at their destination. Katrin rolled down the window and stuck her head out as they drove closer to the giant castle where the festival and cosplay competition was being held. "Hurry up, Charlie. I want to register already."

He rolled his eyes. "Don't worry. We will register." He sighed and shook his head. "I am having a hard enough time just finding a parking place." She turned her attention to the parking lot filled with hoking vehicles and screaming people. "Who knew a castle could be so full with life."

She pushed the door open and hit the nearby car. "It's a castle. Of course, it would be lively. Didn't you pay attention in your history class?"

"Yes. My friend and I would have a good time in that class."

"Ugh, not what I meant." She pulled herself out of the car. "I am going to head up and find where to register. Meet up with you later."

He scratched at his head as she went to the back seat to retrieve his sword. "What, you don't want to go in together?"

She looked at his bare chest hair and winced. "No." She turned around. "You could have at least shaved a little." Katrin rolled her eyes and walked away.

"Hey, I look gorgeous. Come back here and say I look gorgeous." He sighed.

Katrin laughed as she walked away. "Now to win this thing and shove it in Vexin's face.

She beat me last year and never let me live it down. Now that she isn't here, I am going to shove it in here glorified face that I am at the top this time." She smiled. "Oh, how wonderful it will be to see her face when I shove the trophy down her gullet. Ahh."

Katrin blinked back into reality as she noticed the massive set of stairs looming before her. "Oh wow." It snaked up the side of the rocky terrain up to the castle's entrance. "I have to go all the way up there?" She gulped. "I just had to pick an outfit with massive heels. Ugh."

A young man in tights passed her. "You are not going to get up there just by staring at the stone steps. Get moving, lady."

His friend snicked. "I think she needs a super mushroom. She is too scared to move."

"Oh, you are right. Well, maybe we can find a Bowser up there to help." They both laughed as they walked up the stairs.

Katrin crossed her arms. "Very funny." She pulled up her dress. "Immature kids." As she slowly ascended the stairs, she could feel a strange sensation start to build in her chest. "Ugh, I knew Charlie talking all of those corners so quickly was a bad thing. I hope I am not going to be ill."

She heard a familiar voice as she neared the halfway point of her ascent. "Hey!" Katrin turned her head to see Charlie rushing up the stairs towards her. "Wait up." She grabbed a handful of her dress and ran as a gust of wind hit her in the face. "Hey, I said wait up." He tapped her on the shoulder. "Come on. Are you that embarrassed by me?"

She sighed. "Do you want me to answer that?"

"Look, I made the best outfit that I could. And I am going to show off my body." He shoved his chest in her face, causing her to moan. "The judges will love me."

"Sure, they will." She put her hand over her chest as she continued to feel something building inside her chest. "They will love something about you, that is for sure." She took a deep breath. "At least we are almost there."

"Hey, you are doing good. And going down will be much easier right."

Her eyes went wide. "Why did you have to bring that up. I don't want to think about going back down in these heels."

He patted her on the back. "Ok, just take this one step at a time." He pulled his hand away. "My, you sure are sweating."

Katrin shook her head. "Of course, I am. I am forced to walk up these steps in this blistering heat. Ugh."

"Hey, it isn't hot at all. In fact, it's cold." He shivered.

She sighed. "Well, I am hot. So, either you are crazy, or I am going through something. I am betting on you being crazy."

"I am not. . . oh, look, we are here." He rushed on ahead of her. "I am going to find the restroom. I forgot to go before we left." He smiled. "See you later."

She rested her hands on her dress. "Ugh, finally. I need a place to sit." Katrin spotted a nearby bench. "Perfect." She rushed over, but before she could sit down, a young kid in a Hulk outfit laid down on the bench. "Hey, kid. I really needed to sit down there."

He glared up at her. "Hulk here first. Get lost, lady."

"But I just climbed all those stairs, and my body hurts like you can’t' believe. Now move you little. . ."

He slammed his hand down. "No move. Get lost."

Katrin threw up her arms. "Ugh." She wandered into the main assembly area and mumbled to herself. "I didn't climb all those steps to have some snot-nosed kid get the better of me." She held her chest. "Ugh, I don't feel so good. I need to get through this contest and then see about finding something to settle my stomach."

She raised her head to see a giant sign hanging from the ceiling.  Cosplay Competition Registration. "Perfect. Just what I am looking for." She walked forward and cried out when she noticed there wasn't a line. "Oh, happy day." Katrin made her way towards the white booth and slammed her white glove down. "I am here for the contest."

The young man lifted his head from the table. "Oh?" He looked her over. "Appears so.

Well, sign your name down and take a card. Contest is at six pm in the grand hall." He pulled out his phone and went back to ignoring her.

She bent over and wrote her name on the torn sheet of paper. "Hmm, what is this?" She scanned the names. "Vexin?"

"Oh yes. She was here just an hour ago. Great Zero Suit Samus outfit. Really hot."

He sighed. "Can't get her out of my mind."

Katrin turned around and rolled her eyes.  Skipping this year's contest, my ass.  She gripped her gloves into a fist and felt the pressure build in her chest like a fire.  I can't let her steal this from me yet again. "Ugh." She stumbled and caught herself on the table. "Where are the restrooms?"

He looked up. "Down that way. Don't take too long. The contest is in a half-hour."

She snarled at him. "I am only going to be a few minutes."

He held up his hands. "Ok, ok. No need to get hostile." She walked towards the restrooms. "Sheesh."

Katrin shook her head as she pushed the bathroom door open. "I can't believe it. Vexin is here?" She walked over to the mirror. "Why can't she leave well enough alone. Oh, she is in such a sexy Samus outfit." Katrin rolled her eyes. "Give me a break. I worked very hard on this outfit, and I will not be beaten by someone who is showing too much leg and doesn't actually care for the source material." She slammed her hand onto the mirror. "I hate her so much."

Katrin took a deep breath. "Ok, get a hold of yourself. It will be alright. Huhhh."

She closed her eyes. "I will still win this yet." She winced and wrapped her arms around her sides. "Ugh, the pressure inside of me is starting to hurt. Gawhh." She turned around. "I. . ."

She took a deep breath. "I…."

She moaned and fell on all fours. "Ugh, my body is on fire." A young lady came out of a stall at the far end of the restroom and looked at Katrin. She looked up and yelled. "What are you looking at?" Her voice was deep and angry. The lady shrieked and ran out without pulling up her pants.

Katrin groaned and slammed her hand on the ground. "Ugh." Her fingernails suddenly burst through the fabric of her gloves. "What is happening to me?" She held her right hand in front of her face as her hand ripped through her glove, her nails growing long and sharp as her hand became scaly blue. Finally, she stood up and took rapid, deep breaths. "This isn't happening." Her sharp claw-like hands tore into her dress. "This isn't happening."

"Are you sure you want to do this? We are being so naughty." The door to the restroom flung open.

Katrin gulped. "I need to get somewhere where they can't see me." She stood up and dashed over to one of the bathroom stalls. "Fuck this dress." She fought her way to the stall and shoved her way inside. "There, I should be good. Ugh, I can hardly close the door. These damn. . . claws."

"Oh, Heather, I am so glad I found you."

"Just shut up and put that suitcase against the restroom door so no one else can come in here."

Katrin shook her head as she sat down on the floor. "This isn't happening." She winced as her feet burned like fire. "This isn't happening." She held her hand over her mouth to keep herself from yelling out in pain as her feet burst out from her shoes and turned into massive claw-like talons. "I think I just forgot to wake up."

Her eyes went wide. "Ugh, my bra is getting tight. What is going on with my body?" She scratched at her chest. "Everything is so hot. Ugh." Katrin's dress began to rip and tear as her body grew. "Why did I have to pick a small stall to hide in?" Her belly started to expand outward. "I should have just stayed in the main restroom area and scare those punks."

"Oh, Heather, I love you."

"Shut up, Jason, and take your top off already. I am dying to feel your skin on mine."

Katrin winced as her bra snapped off of her body and her round belly pressed against the door of the restroom stall. "I am growing way too fast. Ughhh." She felt something pushing out of her rear end. She put her claws on the stalls as her dress continued to rip and tear. "Gawhhhh." She turned her head to see a blue tail push its way out of her body. "Huh?" She snorted, and smoke came out of her enlarged nostrils.

"Did you hear that, Jason?"

"Oh, Heather, all I hear is your tender kiss."

"I am serious. And that is the worst sexy talk I have ever heard. I swear I. . ." Katrin fell out onto the floor as her body knocked down the walls of the restroom stall and her tail trashed the next nearby stall. "Oh my god, what is that?"

Jason jumped up and pulled his pants up his body. "I don't know, and I don't want to know." He ran towards the door. "I am getting out of here."

"I am with you." Heather ran for the door, not even bothering to grab her clothes.

Katrin sighed as she fell onto her massive belly. "Great." She sighed as her body extended outward, what remained of her dress ripping off of her body. "There they go." She took a deep breath as her breasts continued to grow, pushing against the ground. "Ughh." She slammed her hand against the floor as her tail thrashed against the back wall. Her face began to push out, forming into a snout as long razor-like teeth formed inside her mouth.  Everything feels so hot.  Smoke billowed out of her nostrils as thick silky wings burst out of her back and slammed into the ceiling.

"There is not a monster in here." The door swung open. "Holy crap, there is a giant ass dragon in here." Katrin turned her head as her neck snaked forward. "Everyone run."

Katrin snorted and turned toward the door.  This is insane.  Her belly and breasts dragged on the ground as her body began to grow rapidly.  Why can't they make these rooms like they used to?  She squeezed out into the next room, the rear end of her body crushing the restroom as she walked stumbled out.

"Dragon!"

"What are you screaming for. Of course, someone is in a dragon outfit. It is a cosplay. . . holy crap, run."

Katrin roared, a jet of fire streaming from her jaw. I feel so alive.  Katrin slammed her right claw down on the ground as her tail slammed into one of the supporting beams of the castle.  Such power at my fingertips. Or claw tips, I should say.  She looked down.  And I know the first thing I want to do.

She turned her head towards one of the castle's hallways.  Vexin, look out. I have a crown to win.  She beat her wings and took off, flying down the hallway. Her wings cut into the walls around her, causing massive stones to rain down on the panicked people below. A few moments later, she flew into an enormous hall filled with banners and rows upon rows of chairs. At the far end was a stage in front of a golden table. On the stage stood people in various outfits, one of them Charlie. He looked up at Katrin and cried out, "Wow, look at the special effects this year."

Vexin took a few steps back. "I don't think that is a special effect, you dolt."

Katrin landed just a few feet away from Vexin, her body crushing a few unlucky people below her.  Oops. Oh well, not my problem.  She brought her head inches away from Vexin's face.  Ok, you cretin. Time to take your victory away from you.

"Why is it staring at me? Umm, hey, you dragon. Get lost." She kicked Katrin in the snout. "I mean it. You are steaming up my jumpsuit."

Katrin narrowed her eyes.  How dare you.  She opened her jaw and grabbed Vexin by the arm.

"Let go of me. Don't you know who I am?" Katrin turned around. "Hey, you big-breasted lizard. Someone stop this thing."

Charlie laughed. "I guess it will be easier for us to win the cosplay contest now."

Katrin snorted and slammed him with her tail.  Think again, you dolt. When I change back, I am taking that trophy. But first things first.  She lowered herself against the ground before jumping up into the air. Moments later, she crashed through the ceiling and flew up into the sky, taking Vexin with her.

Vexin continued to use her free hand and her legs to beat against Katrin’s snout. "Hey, stop this flying nonsense now. I need to earn myself another trophy for my adoring fans. You hear me. You stupid dragon. Why did you have to ruin things." She winced as her jumpsuit ripped against Katrin's razor-sharp teeth. "Look what you did, you useless beast."

Katrin narrowed her eyes.  I have had enough of you attacking me.  She flew down towards a small glade.  Now get lost.  As she tried to set Vexin down, Vexin kicked her so hard that she opened her jaw and threw Vexin up into the air.

"Hey!"

She raised her head, but she couldn't see the screaming brat.  Crap. Where did she. . .  Katrin began to cough as she felt something fall down her gullet.  Ugh, what was that?  Her eyes widened.  I didn't just. Oh no.

She turned around and looked back at the castle. Well, that isn't exactly how I expected to get rid of her.  Katrin groaned.  I hope I don't have to explain this when I go back to claim my trophy. Ugh.  She beat her wings and took off.  I think it's best, for now, I just leave until things settle down.  She flew off into the sky as the sound of police sirens filled the air.