Carl stood in front of his bedroom mirror, grinning at the reflection of himself wearing the vibrant red briefs—his friend Alex. The fabric hugged his skin comfortably, and he reveled in the rush of power and pride that surged through him. He struck a few poses, flexing his muscles, as if showing off his new “accessory” to an imaginary audience.
“Look at me now, Alex!” he taunted, admiring the way the briefs seemed to radiate confidence. “I’m the coolest kid in school, and I’ve got my best friend right here with me!”
This is insane, Carl! You’re completely out of your mind! Alex shot back, though his protests were tinged with an unexpected warmth. Even as he struggled against his circumstances, there was a part of him that couldn’t help but feel the comfort of being so close to Carl, even if it was entirely humiliating.
“Out of my mind? Nah, I’m just ahead of the game! You should thank me for this unique experience,” Carl quipped, relishing the bizarre twist their friendship had taken.
As he continued to admire himself in the mirror, a ripple of darkness passed over the reflection. Carl squinted, his playful expression fading as he noticed something stirring behind him. Suddenly, a shadow stretched across the glass, coalescing into the ominous figure of Lord Skullface.
“Ah, Carl,” Lord Skullface hissed, his voice echoing ominously. “What a delightful transformation you’ve undergone.”
Carl’s heart raced, a mix of fear and defiance flooding his senses. “You! What do you want? This is my invention! You can’t take it away from me!”
Lord Skullface chuckled darkly, his skeletal grin spreading wide. “Oh, but you don’t understand, my dear boy. You’re not just playing with toys; you’re playing with powers far beyond your comprehension. You’re completely under my spell.”
What? Alex’s thoughts screamed through the transmitter. Carl, don’t listen to him!
“I don’t need to listen to you!” Carl retorted, attempting to sound defiant despite the knot of anxiety tightening in his stomach. “I’ve got the Undergarbulator! You can’t control me! If you don't watch yourself, Skullface, I'll turn you into a pair of tattered old boxers.”
“Empty threat, boy,” Lord Skullface replied, his eyes glinting with malice. “You'll soon learn that I've been the one in control all along.”
Before Carl could react, the sorcerer raised a skeletal hand, and a wave of dark energy surged from the mirror. In an instant, Carl felt his body freeze, locked in place, unable to move a muscle. Panic coursed through him as he tried to break free, but it was futile. He was at Lord Skullface’s mercy.
“Ah, the thrill of being powerless,” the sorcerer mocked, stepping through the mirror into Carl’s room, his presence casting a shadow over everything. “But don’t worry; the fun is just getting started. You see, your little obsession has drawn my attention. It’s amusing, really. You’ve played right into my hands.”
Carl, don’t let him get to you! Fight it! Alex urged, his thoughts a frantic whirl of panic and concern.
“Fight it? Oh, I won’t need to fight anything,” Lord Skullface replied, turning his gaze to Alex. “You're both in for another transformation, one of my choosing!"