Comic-con was suppose to be fun… Well that was screwed about 6-months before with a very stupid bet with my sister. In my infinite wisdom I bet she wouldn't be able to pull off a decent looking cosplay of any character. Notice how dumb that was as I said ANY Character. She of course did a fantastic job making a saber costume from the fate series. There was only one problem, she had… ahem too large a chest to make the breast plate look right.

"No, just no" I deadpan at the smiling face of my sister.

"So, your going back on your promise?" she asked with a slightly wider smile.

My explosive sigh of resignation said it all. I alway tried to keep what I promised unless is was truly unable, this unfortunately was embarrassing not impossible.

"Fine, you get to explain to dad why I'm going to be wearing a dress to Comic Con and borrowing the forge. I am not going to have a cheap prop substitute." I a very flat and unamused look before stating "your also paying for the metal."

"Fine I'll pay for the metal" she pouted then of course started cackling. "Be worth it to see you cross dress." I'm sure the redness was from my palms hitting on my face.

So time passed I spend evenings and weekend forging somewhat lightweight plates,greaves,gauntlets, and the breastplate. This was most expensive "Halloween costume" ever as my dad put it. The biggest problem came with the sword itself.

"Well this is not going well" I sighed melting down another blade something is missing from it.

"Alex, you do realize the Comic con policy is going to prevent you from even drawing the blade to show it off?" my dad spoke into the workshop from the door way.

"I know dad but, I can't make the blade half assed after putting so much work into the costume already" sighing a bit once again.

"Well perhaps you will have an idea what your missing tomorrow. Maybe you should work on the scabbard a bit? Get yer mind off the blade for a bit eh."

"Fine I'll take another stab at it tomorrow."

By the time the convention rolled around it still wasn't right. I made one that fit the character, looked pretty but still didn't feel right in my hand. The scabbard was much the same. I made a few discrete zip ties holding the blade in place.

"Get dressed Alex, I want to have time to laugh at you before we leave" said my sister with a slap on my back.

Resigned to my fate I trudged to my room. My sister of course being ever helpful laid the dress on my bed. I would never live this down, my sister wouldn't let me live this down either. I was lucky to convince my sister that I could wear pants underneath with the greaves.

"Call me back in after your dressed, I've got to put makeup on you" skipping out and closing the door.

"Crap I forgot about that." I slowly got dressed in a dress and I fit the cuirass on. I had thought to shave my head but my hair was already short enough to hide under a wig. I didn't know how to put on a wig myself, but I at least I could put in the green contacts. Staring in the mirror while I had the contacts in was definitely odd the brilliant emerald green my eye came out to made me look like I was staring into your soul. My sister did a really good job on the dress itself, It make me look skinnier then I was. The puffy shoulders of the dress hiding my own broader shoulders, and the high collar hiding the tell of the Adam's apple. The gold line flowing down the arm was wider making the rest of my arm smaller. And of course my own height also added to the look I measured to a terribly high 5'3".

My musing on my appearance ended with my sister asking if I was ready to do the makeup.

"Yeah lets get this over with, just don't go to crazy will you." I pleaded half heartedly, my sister of course ignored it. Setting boxes of makeup and other things on the counter.

"Non-sense, you don't want this to be a half-hearted job do you? Now face over here." For the longest 45 minutes of my life I had my hair done into a wig and makeup plastered onto my face.

"Are we done yet?"

"Almost… There we go, have a look in the mirror" said my sister gesturing to the mirror. I turned to the mirror and I could barely keep my jaw from dropping. I looked way different, my face had been rearranged.

"You should be a makeup artist. I don't even look like myself anymore." I said with barely contained awe.

"Well you said you were going to keep to the bet. I was hoping to make it slightly less embarrassing for you." She rubbed her neck with a slightly sheepish expression before stating with a brilliant smile. " Only family members will know your cross-dressing."

"Thanks" I deadpanned.

"You kids ready to get going, it does take time to get there you know" hollered dad.

"Yea dad we just need to show off Alex's costume" she snickered and left me to face the rest the family alone. I slid the greaves and boots on before heading out of my room. Every clanking step I took made me dread more as I was coming to the family-room. I paused took a deep breath and stepped out to face the music.

A whistle from my dad made me embarrassed. My mom however made it worse her eyes looking over everything critically "Your posture is atrocious." Her smile widened "I should have stuffed you into more dresses when you were younger your adorable" and proceeded to hug the stuffing out of me. I could have sworn the metal plate bent a bit.

Everyone had a laugh and poked fun at me till it was time to leave.

Comic-Con was quite fun once we got inside I posed a bit for pictures, until someone I never expected came up.

"It is quite interesting how history repeats itself, Heir Pendragon" spoke a smooth almost airy voice, I turned to the voice. My eyes widen, you take a few male super-models at least tripling all good qualities, you may a something close to how pretty this guys was. It also made me extremely wary not one other person was paying any attention.

"I find a descendant, a male, crossdressing as you did once before. I wonder if he's got a boyfriend?" He mused.

"MERLIN!" I shout completely unthinking. He jerks and looks completely dumbfounded.

"You can see me?" he sounds very interested. I'm completely frozen, that wasn't a response I expected. A split second later he's right next to me. I jerk away almost stumbling into someone, keeping my eyes focused on him.

"Very interesting, magic is still alive here I see. Maybe he can do it" quietly speaks to himself. Somehow he has the sword and scabbard I made.

"Would you go on a quest to save your family, friends and possibly the rest of humanity? Knowing if you pick up the sword you will stop being human" Merlin asked. He holds the scabbard and sword to me. I reach slightly "You should consider thoroughly before you pick it up" Merlin states once more.

"I'm sure its not a wrong decision" I state firmly grabbing the hilt.

"Just like Artoria" he smiled sadly.