A sort-of companion piece to 'Xiaolin Showdown: Captive Dragon', with the Xiaolin Showdown cast and my OC reprising the roles from the much-loved Disney classic.

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Ace was never happy with where her life was going. She didn't like that her future had to depend on who she married, didn't like that she had no say, and [i]definitely[/i] didn't like that Raimundo assumed she was playing 'hard to get'.

This changes when Master Fung gets lost in the woods, and in her search for him, Ace stumbles across an enchanted castle...And an angry dragon.

Will they break the spell before the last petal falls, or is Ace's pride too big of an obstacle to overcome?

Pairing: Chase Young/OC

The crisp autumn wind blew softly over the wild grass, picking up fallen leaves and creating whirlwinds of warm colors amidst the nearby trees.

Watching nature's display from the back step of a half-hidden little cottage, a young woman sighed contently, shoulders slowly relaxing.

The next breeze played with the loose curls around her neck, making them flash crimson in the sunlight as she huffed in mild annoyance, trying to put them back into the messy bun she had constructed.

"Acacia?"

Looking over her shoulder with half-lidded purple eyes, she smiled slightly at her sensei.

"Morning, Master Fung."

"You are up rather early." He noted, checking the position of the sun.

Ace normally slept until the sun was nearly directly overhead, but it was only early morning.

"Couldn't sleep." She admitted, tapping the end of an old pen against a thick pad of papers.

"I figured I'd sketch a little before heading into town to return a book I borrowed."

Dark ink flowed across the white surface, connecting into intricate shapes and shadows that created the haven that was their home, filled with birds and squirrels and the occasional sly fox.

Seeing her sensei's interest, Ace looked down sheepishly.

"I would have put in more detail, but Cerberus got all excited and scared the animals away."

"It's wonderfully done." Master Fung assured.

"Actually, I was hoping you could pick up some groceries while in town."

"Sure." She agreed instantly, closing her sketchbook.

"There's a list on the table with the money you'll need. There's a little extra, in case you find something you like."

Flipping to her feet neatly, Ace smiled.

"Thanks, Master Fung. I'll get right on it."

As Master Fung went towards the trees for his morning meditation, she stepped into the cottage, braiding her long hair as she walked around the dinner table.

Picking up the list and money, she stuffed the latter in a pocket of her pants as she exited again, book in hand.

Sensing their mistress' presence, Cerberus immediately rose from the pile of fallen leaves they had made into a bed, excitedly wagging their tail.

Patting the far left head, which was white with black eyes, Ace greeted the excited canine calmly.

"Morning, Puppy."

The middle head, grey with dark green eyes, rumbled in annoyance at being ignored.

"Patience, Baby." Ace scolded, fondling the ears.

"No need to get all mad."

The far right head, black with bright blue eyes, seemed to whine, pressing against her shoulder.

"Good girl, Dolly. You'll make sure they stay out of trouble while I'm gone, won't you?"

Dolly huffed softly in the affirmative, always the most obedient, and Ace scratched behind her ears fondly.

"You three be good. I'll be in the village for a while, and I don't want you giving Master Fung any trouble."

All three submitted to her will with soft whines, and Ace continued on her way down the foot-beaten path to the village below.

Belle (Ace):] Little townIt's a quiet villageEv'ry dayLike the one beforeLittle townFull of little peopleWaking up to say:

[Townsfolk:] Bonjour!Bonjour!Bonjour! Bonjour! Bonjour!

[Belle (Ace):] There goes the baker with his tray, like alwaysThe same old bread and rolls to sellEv'ry morning just the sameSince the morning that we cameTo this poor provincial town

[Baker:] Good Morning, Belle (Ace)!

[Belle:] 'Morning, Monsieur.

[Baker:] Where are you off to?

[Belle:] The bookshop. I just finished the most wonderful story about a beanstalk and an ogre and a -

[Baker:] That's nice. Marie! The baguettes! Hurry up!

[Townsfolk:] Look there she goes that girl is strange, no questionDazed and distracted, can't you tell?Never part of any crowd'Cause her head's up on some cloudNo denying she's a funny girl that Belle (Ace)

[Man I:] Bonjour

[Woman I:] Good day

[Man I:] How is your fam'ly?

[Woman II:] Bonjour

[Man II:] Good day

[Woman II:] How is your wife?

[Woman III:] I need six eggs

[Man III:] That's too expensive

[Belle (Ace):] There must be more than this provincial life.

The first building she came to was the bookstore, one of the buildings on the outskirts nearer her home, and she looked over the busy street before entering.

"Good morning, Acacia!" The old man greeted, happy to see her.

Smiling, Ace nodded her head in greeting.

"Good morning."

"Come to return the book already?"

"I couldn't put it down." The young woman admitted, handing the tome over.

"Did you get anything new?"

"Not since yesterday." He teased.

"The new books won't be in for another week, at least."

"That's alright." She assured, wandering along the wall of books in search of a good title.

"I'll borrow…This one."

Pulling 'The Hunchback of Notre-Dame' from the others, Ace turned around to show the cover.

"But you've read it twice!"

"That's the sign of a good book." She defended good-naturedly, flipping absently through the pages.

"…If you like it all that much, it's yours."

"But-."

"I know you don't have enough for one, but anyone who loves reading as much as you do deserves a book of their own."

Touched by the kind offer, Ace smiled, hugging the old man that was her friend.

"Thank you…I'll take good care of it."

Doing some math in her head, she pulled out the extra money she had been given and handed it over to the bookshop owner.

"I'll come by later in the week." She promised, heading for the door.

"I look forward to it!"

Once back on the main street, Ace sighed.

Heading further into the village, she ignored the loud whispering and gossiping going on around her, busily checking off items on the list.

[Townsfolk:] Look there she goes that girl is so peculiarI wonder if she's feeling wellWith a dreamy far-off lookAnd her nose stuck in a bookWhat a puzzle to the rest of us is Belle (Ace)

[Belle (Ace):] Oh, isn't this amazing?It's my fav'rite part because you'll seeHere's where she meets Prince CharmingBut she won't discover that it's him 'til chapter three

[Woman:] Now it's no wonder that her name means "beauty"Her looks have got no parallel

[Shopkeeper:] But behind that fair facadeI'm afraid she's rather oddVery diff'rent from the rest of us

[Townsfolk:] She's nothing like the rest of usYes, diff'rent from the rest of us is Belle (Ace)

Just as Ace finished up her shopping, eager to leave, her hopes at getting home without being spotted were dashed.

"There you are!"

Suppressing the annoyed groan she wanted to let out, Ace was pulled to a stop by an arm around her shoulders.

[Gaston (Raimundo):] Right from the moment when I met her, saw herI said she's gorgeous and I fellHere in town there's only sheWho is beautiful as meSo I'm making plans to woo and marry Belle

[Bimbettes:] Look there he goesIsn't he dreamy?Monsieur GastonOh he's so cuteBe still my heartI'm hardly breathingHe's such a tall, dark, strong and handsome brute

"If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were trying to avoid me!"

'Because I am.' She thought irritably, managing to keep her expression neutral.

"I've been busy, Raimundo."

"Daydreaming about little ol' me, I hope." He replied smoothly, winking.

"You would think so." Ace retorted dryly, ducking out of the boy's grip.

"But I need to be getting home, if you don't mind."

"What's the big hurry? Come with me to the bar, and we can really get to know each other."

Not much of a drinker to begin with, the offer was enough to turn Ace off of alcohol for the rest of her life.

She had no desire to get drunk anywhere near Raimundo.

"I don't drink. I just want to go home and read my book."

"Read? Seriously?" Raimundo scoffed, pulling Ace back in with a hand on her hip that she did not appreciate.

"You'd rather read than spend some time with me?"

'Very much so.'

"Come on, have a good time with me and Wuya before heading back to that nonsense-spouting master of yours."

Wuya, an older woman that hung around Raimundo to help her own social status, snickered in agreement.

Unable to keep from frowning now, she pulled away, arms tightening around the groceries in her arms.

"I need to get back to Master Fung with the groceries now, if you don't mind."

"Maybe another time." Raimundo persisted.

"Maybe." Ace replied noncommittally, turning away.

[Man I:] Bonjour!

[Gaston (Raimundo):] Pardon

[Man II:] Good day

[Man III:] Mais oui!

[Matron:] You call this bacon?

[Woman I:] What lovely grapes!

[Man IV:] Some cheese

[Woman II:] Ten yards

[Man IV:] one pound

[Gaston (Raimundo):] 'scuse me!

[Cheese merchant:] I'll get the knife

[Gaston (Raimundo):] Please let me through!

[Woman I:] This bread -

[Man V:] Those fish -

[Woman I:] it's stale!

[Man V:] they smell!

[Baker:] Madame's mistaken.

[Belle (Ace):] There must be more than this provincial life!

[Gaston (Raimundo):] Just watch, I'm going to make Belle (Ace) my wife!

[Townsfolk:] Look there she goes a girl who's strange but specialA most peculiar mad'moiselleIt's a pity and a sinShe doesn't quite fit in'Cause she really is a funny girlA beauty but a funny girlShe really is a funny girlThat Belle (Ace)

"What's so special about her, Raimundo?"

"She's the most beautiful girl I've ever seen…and I deserve the best. Besides, the fun is in the hunt, Wuya."

"Of course, I didn't mean to offend. It's just that she's rather…odd."

"Don't worry so much. She'll be a submissive little housewife in no time."