Inbu’s Heart 9/10

This was it. The final task. Looking back on the past few days since leaving home, Mei thought that she had done so well. It hadn't truly sank in how dangerous and difficult the tasks were. Her mother's advice had brought her here. Smiling through the pain and and struggles will help get you through it. There were times where her mother's words worked and times when it didn't. On that cold morning, thoughts of her mother brought her warmth.

Samba stood up on the podium with King Baboon, Prince Inbu, and their army behind him. Instead of a day of celebration, it felt more like lining up to go on the scaffold. All the women wore frowns and black eyes. They were tired and exhausted. Ashamed, humiliated and offered a lucrative prize of being a princess just to entertain the elite. There had to be more to life than this? How can a wacky assault course make you a princess?

Playing Devil's advocate, Mei could see herself becoming a role-model for young girls everywhere. People loved a rags to riches story, and even if she didn't win, she would be on to great things. Still, it would be a shame if she didn't end up with Inbu, because she felt there was potential. She couldn't explain the chemistry they had. Even though they hadn't known each other for a long time, she felt a spark whenever he was close. Who knows? Mei thought that it could be love.

In front of them was Mei and the other remaining contestants. As Mei stood in line with the others, feeling invisible wearing the same grey frock as all the others. She glanced at the blowing trees, the orange sunset and the birds flocking towards the sun. Everything from the flowers and tress bent towards the sun.

"So here we are," Samba announced, clapping her hands. "This is our final task. Behind us is a dragon. Around her neck is the ring. The one who gets the ring, will be the future princess of Pantalon. Of course, it's best not to wake the dragon. Believe me, if you disturb a dragon's sleep, you're asking for a catastrophe."

Mei's emotions were as mixed as her temperature. Her bare arms were ice as her forehead dripped in sweat. Samba's words were as assuring as a fish out of water. When Prince Inbu approached Samba on the podium and dipped his head closer to the microphone, Mei felt goosebumps. His voice was so dreamy...

"You don't have to do this," Prince Inbu explained. It was words that Mei didn't want to hear, but even if Prince Inbu was sprouting out boring poetry, she'd still adore it. As other women seemed to be disgusted by him as the tournament emerged, Mei found herself devoted to him. "Being so close to a dragon can be very dangerous if you're not trained. I understand if this is too much. Sometimes a hand in marriage is not worth it."

Mei stepped forward. "I'll try it. Throw anything at me, and I will do it."

"Are you joking?" Inbu gasped. Laughing his head off, he hid behind Samba before King baboon's stick could break his shoulder. "This is dangerous! You could be killed!"

"Why do you care now?" Mei asked. "You didn't seem to care when those ladies drowned? What about the girls who lost their noses."

"Yes..."

"Is that all you can say?" As much as Mei adored him, he had to be called out for his behaviour.

"She must be the one!" King Baboon cried out. When he hugged Mei, she thought she was going to sink into his beard. "Let's declare her the winner and start the wedding proceedings straight away."

"NO!" Mei yelled out, jumping towards Inbu. She knelt by his feet and kissed his hand. "I should do this fair and square. There may be other women who want to try the task." Twirling, she saw all the women running away. "...right?"

Samba's quivered words made Mei shiver. "Oh oh."

The wind got violent. Storms shook the foundation of the fields. The grassy terrain turned black with the sky. It was as if Mei had slipped into the deepest nightmare one could ever dream off. Mei turned round to face Inbu, her only source of comfort at that moment. Above his head was the dragon. It had soared into the sky. Blasts of pink flames poured from it's mouth. Others attempted to flee to safety. It was too late for King Baboon as he choked on the smoke. The ones that cam to The King's aid perished in flames.

Running in all directions, Mei couldn't find anyone but Inbu beneath the smoke and between the woods. The dragon tumbled down to the ground and shrank into a human mould.

"It's Aunt Matilda!" Prince Inbu cried out.

"The wicked witch?" Mei shrieked, curling up to Inbu's arms.

"She's not wicked. She's frustrated and misunderstood."

Black sludge and a violet aura radiated around Aunt Matilda as she approached the young couple. As she pointed at the couple with the skinny index finger, the fingernails grew taller. "This little piggy works at the farm. This little piggy is a spoilt brat." Her finger bounced in between Prince Inbu and Mei as she spoke. Her accent thickened with each syllable until she growled. "This little piggy loves animals. This little piggy loves trouble. These little piggies go kiss kiss kiss all the way home."

Aunt Matilda's nail scratched Mei's face then whacked Inbu's nose. Sparks flew from her nail. Mei's entire body vibrated against Inbu's chest. Muscles twitched. Covering her nose, feeling the pain of it flattening. Soon her fingers concealed together, darkened and moulded trotters. Oinking for help, she shrank and froze from the shock of her transformation. Looking up, she saw Inbu was going through the same change too.

Aunt Matilda vanished the moment the transformation finished. Mei jumped and tapped on Inbu's foot. "Your Majesty...we've been turned into pigs!"

"What?" Prince Inbu twirled around chasing his tail. "It's so weird being on all fours. Is there any water nearby?"

Mei rolled her head. "There's a lake this way."

Prince Inbu waddled behind. "Gosh, how do you run so fast?"

"I've spent all my life chasing animals. It gives me a great stamina."

"I thought my stamina was great...until I met you." Prince Inbu panted as he wobbled behind Mei. "Wow! Look at that water it's like an ocean!"

"It's a lake. We've just gotten smaller."

Mei peered over the reflection and saw a pink fluffy face staring back at her. Prince Inbu hopped next to her and tilted his head. You know what?" Prince Inbu said to Mei. "I think I look kinda cute as a pig. I thought pigs were disgusting and vile."

Mei rolled her eyes. "Pigs are actually very hygienic."

"How come every pig I see is always covered in mud?"

"Pigs don't sweat, so they need the mud to regulate their temperature. It's basically free sun cream."

"Well Aunt Matilda could have turned us into something more cooler like a horse or even better...a dragon." Prince Inbu frowned, string at his chubby legs, mourning for his once muscular physique. "At least I'm not a cow, I guess."

"Cows are great animals too. Very loyal and caring."

"Is there any animal you don't like?" Prince Inbu asked.

"Not really. I've met all kinds of animals. I like cows the most, especially Bessie."

"Bessie?" Prince Inbu buried his paws into a puddle. "Is that the cow you were riding on in the castle?"

"That's the one." Mei replied, rolling around in the mud.

"You're baking mad!"

"I think the term is oinking mad!" Mei giggled.