Chapter 1

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The last thing Gaston heard was the Beast's roar of defeat and Belle's screams. Then came the crack or stone, gaping darkness and unbearable pain.

The last thing Belle saw was Gaston fall to his death, and one of the only people who really knew her lying dead on the floor. Or she thought.

The last thing the Beast felt was his body become light, and Belle's tears wetting his fur. After, came the magic.

~0~

Gaston woke up glad he was alive. The birds were chirping, sun was out, and for a moment he wondered why he wasn't in his comfortable king size bed at the Tavern. Instead he felt a hard, smooth surface. He grunted in confusion but before he could give it any thought, the memories came. He remembered the mob, marching to the castle. Seeing the villagers flee from it. The final battle between himself and the Beast, or whatever that thing was, and how he dealt the final blow. He smiled to himself, thinking of how today he would collect that Beast's head for another decoration on his wall.

Then he stood up.

The pain he felt in his left leg brought black spots to his vision. He gasped and grasped the nearest thing to himself in order to stop himself from tumbling down. When he looked down, the sight he saw was worse than the pain was, and it made him feel like he was going to throw up. His left leg was bent the wrong way, like he'd seen a injured wolf he caught once have and he knew it was broken. That made him look at his surroundings. The birds were still singing, and the sky was still blue, but he found himself on a ledge in a ravine. It startled him and he swore under his breath. He knew that if he hadn't landed on this ledge, he'd have worse than a broken leg.

"I'd be dead" He muttered to himself

As he spoke, a squirrel gathering nuts squeaked in alarm and scampered off. He felt his stomach growl like a hungry wolf, and knew he needed to get back to the village, and soon.

The Village. That brought his thoughts to someone special. Belle. With the Beast dead, she had no one else. 'Not like any of the other men in the village would try to court her' he thought as a smirk grew across his face. 'There is no man in Molyneaux as amazing as me. She's probably sitting alone in her house. Or she will be, because with her oaf of a father being sent off to an asylum, she'll have to marry me.' He laughed, despite of the pain. Then he thought of Lefou and the triplets 'the poor things, probably needing my guidance' Truth be told, he really just wanted them to congratulate him on his kill. It was a beast, after all.

And with that pushing him along, he grasped the rocky ledge above him and pulled himself on it. He groaned with the effort of hoisting his massive body up the cliff side. By mid day he was out of the ravine, his stomach cramping of hunger, because well, he's used to eating five dozen eggs for breakfast each morning! With his leg screaming in pain, he started to hobble back to the Village.

~0-

Belle woke up the next morning feeling like she had been hit in the head with a hammer. Her thoughts were still swarming from the night before. The Beast, secretly a prince? She couldn't believe it. She glanced around her and realized she was still in the Castle, in her room. The lilac drapes that framed the grand windows let in a bit of sunlight. She found the room to be eerily quiet, for she expected to hear Mme. De la grande bouche signing a good Morning song, but she wasn't. She smiled and remembered that everyone was free, human again. It made her feel like dancing, she was so happy. The people whom had made her feel like she belonged were at their original state. She laid there in her bed just relishing in the moment. No chores to do, nothing to tend to, just a comfortable bed to lay in. After a few moments something accrued to her. She didn't know the Prince's real name. She'd only heard the servants call him master, and the Beast.

"I'll ask him today." She promised

When she spoke of him out loud, a rosy blush grew onto her cheeks, slowly claiming her entire face. She remembered their kiss last night, their first one. She cursed under her breath, something she didn't do very often and though of how rashly she had acted. How silly could she be, doing that. Although, it gave her so many questions. How had he turned back? How was he cursed? What did he do? And why all the servants, too? She couldn't wait any longer and got out of bed. She walked towards the drapes and slowly pulled them open, expecting the gloomy forest before her. A shocked gasp escaped her lips as she saw the scene. There was no snowy surroundings, nor a dark, scary forest. Bright grounds with beautiful gardening and forestry filled the land before her. Maybe she had just not realized it because it was a dark night last night. Had a curse also been placed upon the grounds? If she squinted, she could see the Molyneaux off in the distance. She quickly shut the drapes and turned away. The village.

Would she have to go back? Her first thought went to Gaston, the brainless, boorish Hunter whom she absolutely despised. She let out a sigh of relief as she remembered watching him fall to his death. She was free from his pestering and constant marriage proposals. She didn't want to live in the Village anymore, she yearned for adventure, and excitement. She would never get that life if she stayed in there.

She walked towards her wardrobe and picked the simplest dress she could find. It was a straight dress that was blue with white lace on it. Still much fancier than anything she owned back in her village home. She paired it with putting her hair up in a half-up-half-down style. After checking her reflection one last time she stood up.

Finally, she swung open her doors and stepped into the hallway.

~0~

Adam woke up feeling torn between two feelings. Heart bursting joy, and a mixture of relief and shock. The accounts of the night before had all been a blur to him. Belle leaving, the mob attacking the castle and his battle with Gaston. He could not believe anyone could put up with him, let alone stand his pestering of marriage proposals. 'I would have gone insane' he thought 'for years! It's crazy! Can't a guy take a hint?' It brought him back when he was the old prince, he had his fair share of courting, so he knew the rules. At least you should wait before proposing! Have some common sense. His mind was ecstatic. But the thing, well, person he thought of most was the one thing he couldn't get out of his mind.

Belle.

Those three words that decided life and death, three words that have saved him. I love you. She had said it. The spell was broken and everything had returned to normal. Almost everything.

Last night. He didn't know if it was him just being dazed from the kiss, or his return to humanity, but he was extremely clumsy. He thanked God that no one was looking when he fell going down the stairs. Twice. He looked at his hands to check if they were bruised. Yep. But they were human. A lot smaller than he was used to, but no killer claws or fur. With that thought he got out of his bed and made it. He wanted to do everything he could now that the curse was lifted.

Today he planned to take Belle outside the property and horseback ride in the woods. If she wanted to, of course. He still had doubts about how she really felt about him. He had heard of love as a friend, and he knew he wanted much more than that, but did she? He'd just have to find out. He walked over to his wardrobe, whistling. Another thing he could do know, because who could whistle when you have giant canines sticking out of your mouth?

He picked out a royal blue shirt tied with black pants and tied his hair back. He sighed as he remembered how his parents would have reacted to the long locks. Not well. But, it was a new chapter in his life, and he would show it with the change in his hair. He sighed than walked to the mirror, he realized how much taller he was as the Beast. The Beast was huge. He had shrunk at least a foot after the transformation, and he guessed his height was about 6'4 now. When he walked, it felt weird, almost foreign. He was used walking on all fours and bending over to for through the doors in the castle. Not any more! He was extremely relieved with the effects of the transformation, and he couldn't wait to see his servants, more like family, human again.

He opened his door and walked slowly out, watching now to trip, again.

So this is my first fanfic, and after seeing the live action remake of Beauty and the Beast, it inspired me to write one! Sorry it's so short, I promise the next one will be much longer. So if you can, please, please, pleeeease review! I'll try and get the next chapter up as soon as I can!

Byhwelwk97