It had been a quiet day at the Magic Shop for Merlin. Although a few customers had entered and made purchases he had found himself for the most part examining various timelines to pass the time. Merlin was interested in the timeline that involves Katie’s mother Kellie. Things seemed to be going quite well for his doppelgänger and her daughter, even though it only appeared that they were able reach only one of the usual “authors”. Merlin hoped that the other “author” didn’t have a block as he always enjoyed him.
What was even more interesting was a current timeline that was playing out that involved a evil doppelgänger of himself who was in the process of transforming four women into talking animals. Merlin had to admit that the story was quite interesting and was looking forward to seeing how things played out.
The sound of the shop door bursting open drew his attention away from his timeline viewing. Looking towards the woman and teen Merlin was surprised to say the least. “Lisa, Gloria?”
Lisa and Gloria raced to the front desk, Lisa quickly outpacing a very pregnant Gloria. As the 14 year old now caught her breath she looked anxiously at the ancient wizard. “Hey Merlin,” she chirped. “We’re having a bit of an issue that we could use your help with.”
Perplexed Merlin looked between the two. Age changing he was used to, that wasn’t new, but the fact that somehow Gloria had become a very pregnant adult was indeed intriguing.
“I would certainly say so,” she said. “Gloria, Lisa, please have a seat.” Waving his hands he quickly produced a pair of comfortable chairs for the two to sit in. Lisa sat down, bouncing with nervous energy while Gloria groaned, leaning back exhausted.
“Ugh thanks Merlin,” Gloria sighed. “My feet are killing me and Lynne is pressing down on my bladder again, just glad I peed before we left the house.”
“I see,” Merlin said quietly. “So your sister is now inside your womb. That’s a very interesting spell you’ve conjured Gloria, one with a very unique outcome.”
“This wasn’t Gloria’s doing,” Lisa said. “Lynne somehow cast this spell. First Gloria became preganant with me, then we started getting older and younger, now Gloria and me are having our minds altered too. I’m forgetting what it’s like to be an adult while Gloria is gaining a whole bunch of experience. It totally sucks.
”
Merlin could only nod as she peered closely at the waifish young teen. Lisa was obviously younger having lost the curves of adulthood as well as a couple of inches from her last growth spurt. What puzzled him was how Lisa was losing her adult memories. Gloria’s knowledge could be explained as a natural part of her magical progression but the loss of experience for an adult was slightly alarming.
“Merlin, I tried using my ring but Lynne won’t let me,” Gloria said. “I think she’s trying to have a closer relationship with us, she’s just going about it in an odd way.”
“It would certainly seem that way,” Merlin stated. “However there is very little I can do. Magic of the unborn is always quite chaotic in nature. If I try reversing it I could do some permanent damage to the both of you.”
“I’m willing to chance it,” Lisa exclaimed. “Lynne is trying to turn me into her twin sister! In case you haven’t noticed that means I’m going to end up sharing a womb with her inside Gloria.” Lisa shivered again as she grew younger once more. The 14 year old was now a girl of 13. Lisa’s breasts shrank once more as she lost another inch or two, the cuffs of her blouse sliding over her wrist. As it completed the girl looked herself over in shock.
“Dang it, now I’m not even in high school!” She moaned. “I don’t want to have to repeat the 8th grade all over again.”
Merlin rubbed his chin as the teen let her head hang dejectedly. He was intrigued by what was happening yet he had no desire to draw this out, especially seeing how distressed Lisa was. As he watched he noticed Gloria place an arm around Lisa’s shoulder squeezing her tightly.
“Sweety it will be okay,” she soothed.
“No it won’t Mom, I mean Gloria,” Lisa cried. “The last memories I had of high school just vanished. I know it’s the magic but now all I can remember is being in eighth grade! I don’t want to be in middle school again!”
Merlin was shocked at Lisa’s physical and emotional regression. The confident woman he had grown to know was now just a young teen, complete with teenage emotions. Lisa was rapidly losing her adulthood and becoming the child she appeared to be.
“I believe I have an idea,” he said.
Lisa and Gloria looked anxiously at the ancient wizard as he stroked his beard carefully. “Lisa, Gloria,” he stated. “If I try to undo Lynne’s magic entirely, it may kill her. That’s not a risk I’m willing to take. However, I may be able to stop the aging process long enough for Gloria to give birth to Lynne. I can then age Lynne to adulthood. It’s much easier to reason with an adult than it is to convince an unborn infant guided only by instinct.
“So I’ll have to live as a thirteen year old until Gloria is ready to give birth to Lynne?” Lisa asked cautiously.
“It will only be a few weeks Lisa”, Merlin assured the teenager. “Gloria is already very far along in her pregnancy.”
“Fine.” Lisa whined, crossing her arms.