Prologue
This is a revival of my LWAR fanfic that I previously deleted. I decided to make some improvements to my story. I would like to thank grapejuice101being my co-author. Disney owns BATB, I only own my OCs and plot twists. This story is based on the 1991...believe me I prefer the original than the mediocre 2017.
Somewhere in France (June 20, 2018)...
"We are almost arriving to our destination Monsieur Cortés," announce the family's guide, named Pierre Berger, with his French accent.
He was a pale man, with grey hair and was quite thin. Despite this, he uphold the air of a wise man who knew so much about his beloved country. The man next to him, was a complete contrast with his brown skin and slightly grey on his black hair, with a bit heavy body build. Martin Cortés nodded and turned to look at his family in the passenger seats. Behind him sat his wife, a well dressed, leaned woman with wavy dark brown hair and light skin color. She returned his nod and looked at her sleeping mother, Grandmother Gonzalez, a woman who was unfortunate to be frail in health. The doctors ordered she was to spend for a month in the country side. Saving money was a challenge but with the help of a funding webpage, the family could finally make this trip possible. Behind his wife and mother-in-law sat the last remaining members. A 10 year old boy who slightly resembled his father but had wavy brown hair like his mother. Kevin Cortés was too focused playing with his DS3D to even noticed what their guide announced. Next to him was a gloomy corner where a young woman of 19, listening to music on her iPhone6.
Roselia Cortés resembled strongly to her mother but she was the polar opposite of the very formal woman. Like her father, she had light brown skin with golden brown color eyes that shined brightly in the sunlight. She had a short layer hair style, the same color as her father but not wavy as her mother. Her clothing is what definitely described her personality. The girl wore tight black jeans with a light gray Ramones tie dye seal shirt and over it a sleeveless black jean vest, in addition, she wore her favorite black army boots with white roses embroidered on the side. On her right middle finger, the girl wore a silver ring with an infinity symbol bearing three blue stones. It has been a year that Roselia tried to get rid of it but...something kept her from doing so. If someone would judge her from afar, one would think she is a rebel who would only hear metallic or rock music. Well, that person would be partially be wrong. Yes, Roselia could be considered a rebel but that has changed a lot since the terrible tragedy. She still maintain that quite, solo persona who only cares for her family. There is so much culture in which Roselia admires, one of them is hearing classical music. What better way to enjoy the forest road with one of Debussy's symphonic poem: Prelude of the afternoon of a faun. As she looked at the passing trees, Roselia felt relieved that for once the journey to Conques was running smoothly than having a fit with her mother. The woman was unbearable, though it wasn't always like that between mother and daughter. Her mind wandered back to her home, the polluted city of Los Angeles. I wonder if I'm missing any police chase? Hmmm, what's Jenna up to?Probably at the arcade driving mini karts.
The sudden rough cough from her grandmother broke her thoughts and her mother asked Pierre to stop. The man obeyed making a turn to a dirt road and stopping ahead. Both Pierre and Mr. Cortés helped the two women off the silver Opel Vivaro van. Roselia and her brother both got out and stood on the side, watching with worried eyes their grandmother trying to stable her breathing. Roselia felt her stomach drop, each day her grandmother was getting worst, she hopes they can get to the village soon.
"Martin, let's stop for a while," Mrs. Cortés said as she and Pierre got the elderly women back on the car seat, "She needs a bit of fresh air. Why don't you take the children for a walk. Not too far though."
Roselia rolls her eyes at this, of course her mom refers to her still a child and not thrilled being with someone walking in this beautiful forest, even if it is with her dad. Kevin on the hand, was more than happy, he was tired of sitting for 6 straight hours. Placing his DS3D on one of his overall pockets and he rushes towards his sister, and started to pester her unintentionally.
"Alright! Let's go dad! Come on Rosy, let's go haunt leprechauns," he said, pulling her arms, trying to get her to move.
"Kevin, leprechauns are from Ireland, we are in France. You would be looking for sprites or nymphs," she responded as a matter of fact, rolling her eyes as she took her ram back and pushing Kevin softly, walking ahead. The boy pouted, crossing his arms at his sister's selfish act. How he wished Rosy would be who she was before, nicer and more playful. Mr. Cortés chuckles as he holds his son's hand.
"Don't listen to your sister Kevin," he said, winking at him and whispering at his, "She is a sour hermit crab."
"I heard that!"
Kevin and Mr. Cortés looked at her innocently, halos would appear if possible. The trio ventured in to forest, the birds were chirping happily and the winds made the trees swayed, making a few leaves fall on them. Roselia breathed in the sweet clean air as she continued to listen Debussy on her iPhone. She was unaware that Kevin was up to mischief, letting go of his dad, he marches up to her. Then started to tickling on her sensitive waist. This made Roselia yelp and fall on her bottom. Taking off her earbuds, she angrily glares at a laughing Kevin.
"Stupid Kevin! What was that for?!" Roselia shouts, ready to pummel the boy.
"That's for being a sour hermit crab," replied Kevin, indignant. Roselia growled dangerously and was about to chase him when her dad held her shoulder.
"Now Roselia, be nice," he said sternly, "He is just a boy, Kevin just wants to play with you."
"I'm not going to put up to his bull d-"
Kevin blows a raspberry at her, making her more furious. She struggles her dad's strong grip, wanting to give chase. Kevin immediately zooms out of sight.
"You jerk face! Come back here stupid baby," she screamed.
"Roselia! Calmate! Stop acting like a 2 year old for pete sakes," Mr. Cortés finally says, making Roselia to stop and groan in annoyance. "Now let's go get Kevin before a wolf gets to him first and has him for lunch."
"Tha'll be the day," mutters Roselia.
"What was that?" Mr. Cortés asks, which receives a shake of the head from his sour daughter.
Both walked deeper into the forest, yelling for Kevin. It nearly went on like this for 10 minutes when both father and daughter stopped in their tracks. Their eyes widen and both gasp at the sight before them. They found Kevin but the boy also was staring with amazement. What stood before them was a long stoned bridge, in the other end a ruined stoned castle, or what used to be one. A few walls stood covered with moss, vegetation covered the floor and not too far from them a tower with stain glass windows stood at the end of the ruins. Roselia could see a small opening into it, there seemed to be no door.
"What is this place?" asks Roselia, her voice barely a whisper.
"I'm not sure princessa," responded Mr. Cortés, she barely notice the affectionate name he used for her. "But looks like it used to be a castle of some sort."
"Correct Monsieur Cortés!," the voice of Pierre boomed, making everyone jumped and turn around. They saw Pierre pushing the wheel chair that Mrs. Gonzalez was sitting on, along with Mrs. Cortés who was now wearing her Nike running shoes. Roselia couldn't help but feel amuse, mom was sure prepared for anything. Pierre continued to speak. "I knew this road looked familiar, I should've known better, hehe! What you are seeing before you is the ruins of the tragic prince of Comte." This statement caught Roselia's attention, tragic prince of Conques?
Kevin looked around and muttered cool, he started walking towards the ruins.
"Kevin, hold my hand," Mrs. Cortés called out, making the boy groan and obeying his mom. Roselia sneered wickedly at him, Kevin showed his tongue at her. When she did the same her mother immediately caught her. "Roselia! Stop acting childish and be nice to your hermanito."
"Sheez, why don't you scold at him too mom?" Roselia hissed through her teeth. Her mother glares at her and Roselia just turns back at the ruins.
"I never heard about a tragic prince of Comte. At least not from my history lessons at school," she says, turning to look Pierre with a raised eyebrow. The man chuckles and shakes his head.
"There are so much hidden gems and history yet to be covered that it gets missed easily. Come, let me take you all to the Tour de la Mémoire."
Pierre lead the way, as he pushed the elderly woman towards the lonely small tower. As they walked, Roselia hear her mother bickering with her dad.
"You didn't hear us calling you or the children?"
"No mi amor,we were looking for Kevin-"
"You and Roselia nearly lost him?! Estan locos?"
"Roselia and Kevin were bickering and-"
"I knew it! It had to be that immature daughter of ours-"
"Now now querida, it isn't entirely her fault-"
"Don't you build up excuses Martin! She needs to learn how to be responsible and Mature."
"She is starting to mature Lorena, why don't you trust her now?"
"You know why! I can't...I won't trust her yet."
Roselia frowned and clutched her hands into fists, but pretended she hadn't eavesdrop. She quickly walked behind Pierre as they entered the tower. Roselia couldn't help but gasp out a wow, inside the dark tower, was illuminated colorfully by the stain glass windows, as the sun's rays shined through, around it. Her parents and brother also complemented the wonderful effect. Even Grandma Gonzalez looked excited as she quitely enjoyed the spectacular view before her. Pierre on the other, looked proud and watched everyone.
"Bienvenue to the Tour de la Mémoire! This tower symbolizes one of France's hidden gems and of course one of Conques' legends." This perked everyone's attention and he continued gesturing the stain glass windows. "What you see before you are the famous stain glass windows that tells our most popular legend: The Tragic Prince of Comte."
He was right, Roselia saw that each stain glass window depicted a different setting though the only thing they all had in common was that of a figure, a man with a crown. Looking at him closely, Roselia saw that it was the prince Pierre was talking about. The Prince wore royal clothing, had flowing auburn hair and eyes colored blue, but one thing that truly show was that this prince had an arrogant look. He stood proudly with a sword and looked...unhappy. Roselia blinked at this. Where does she get that this guy was unhappy?
"Please Mister, can you tell us about this story?" asks Kevin turning around and nearly gotten dizzy.
Pierre nodded and gestured everyone to stand in front of the first beautiful stain glass window. It depicted the Prince surrounded by what appears his castle and a village he rules over. Beneath him was a banner that reads: Vincit qui, se vincit. Roselia read it and raised an eyebrow. Having a AP English teacher who knew Latin paid off when she needed to know Latin phrases. This one reads: he conquers who conquers himself. Strangely, it makes sense, sort of. Pierre cleared his voice and began to tell the tale.
Long ago...no, no... how about Once upon a time. It is the traditional way to start. So...
Once Upon a Time, a young prince lived in a shiny castle. What you are standing on are the very grounds that once stood one of the most magnificent castles in France. Much grander then the palace of Versailles and even more elegant than England's castle's. It has been rumored that the prince's father was one of the many illegitimate children of King Louis XV of France. The prince's father was given a land to govern in order to help the King and in return was given large amount of wealth than even Madam Pompadour herself was given. I assume this palace was created to have his son raised safely from the horrors of the world, the prince was very young when he lost his mother. As he grew, the prince became spoiled, selfish and unkind. Why you asked? Well, the prince had everything his heart desired. The boy could do anything in his power: buy with his wealth, taunt and punish his servants and subjects, make horrible tantrums when things don't go his way and, even have soirees like his grandfather. The prince was ungovernable and no one can do anything about. BUT...that was about to change!
One cold, winter night a very strange visitor came upon the castle, an old and ugly beggar woman. She offered a single rose to the prince in return for shelter from the bitter cold. The prince, having a black heart, sneered at her pitiful gift offer, despite knowing roses don't bloom in winter. He dismisses her, ordering her to leave and never return. The beggar woman again begs and warns the prince.
"Don't be deceived by appearances, for beauty, is found within." The prince laughs at this and turns her away again, shutting the door again. Now this is where the prince's faith takes a turn for the worst. For the old and beggar woman was not mortal. The old woman magically transformed into a beautiful enchantress. The prince, now realizing his mistake for angering a powerful deity, went on his for the first time in his life, and begged for forgiveness. But it was too late, the enchantress had seen there was no love in his heart, but darkness. She raised her wand and punished the prince for his cruel act not just to her but to his subjects. She transformed the prince into a hideous beast! To make the situation more unbearable, she placed a powerful spell in the castle and all who lived there. Before leaving, the enchantress told the young beast that the only way to break the spell was to find someone to love and earn her love return. Of course there was a time limit to this, the rose she had offered was also enchanted. it served as a time capsule. The beast had to break the spell before the last petal fall. if not, then he would be doomed to remain a beast for eternity of his remaining existence.
Now one would think the beast succeeded and lived happily ever after, no? Well the ruins have answered that question. Sadly, the prince never found anyone, thus he sealed his faith and of his servants. Many have said that once the prince fully became beast, he went to lived in the forest of Conques like any creature and was never heard of. The servants vanished, never knew what happened to them. And the castle was left in disrepair and was lost throughout time. Thus, this concludes the Tragic Tale of the Prince of Conques.
Hearing Pierre finishing his story, Roselia remained still as she looked at the last stain glassed, which showed the castle standing alone and falling apart. Kevin was hugging his mother, looking sad at what happened to this prince guy. Truth be told, the story was fascinating but something didn't make sense.
"Mr. Berger, there's something I don't get...why did the enchantress punished the servants?" To this Pierre shrugged.
"I would theorized the reason was that it was their fault how they raised the prince to be." Roselia scoffed and crossed her arms frowning.
"Well that wasn't their fault! I mean, the guy is royalty, it's not like the servants had the right to spank him or punish him for being a brat."
"Look who's talking," mumbled her mother, to which Roselia ignored.
"I think this witch was too harsh and over the limit. On top of that, I think the guy had the right to not let her in."
"Really? How so?" Pierre asked, raising a brow with interest.
"Would you let a stranger in to your home? No! I mean, he doesn't know her so it was right of his instinct not to allow her in. For all he would know, she could've been a psycho killer."
"I will have to agree with you young lady. This legends do has it's plot holes sort to speak. Though personally, I think the enchantress already knew of the trouble the prince was brewing. It's not so much about not letting her in. She, as an enchantress must have foretold his downfall as a ruler in the minor lands and did what she needed to do."
"That still doesn't excuse her from hurting the innocent party," grumbled Roselia, giving the enchantress on the stain glass window a hateful glare.
Suddenly, a soft wind bellowed in the tower. Roselia felt her small hairs on her neck rise, someone was staring at her. At the moment she looks at the entrance, she could've swore a cloaked hunched figure was standing before vanishing in a flash. Roselia shakes her hear and looked at the main entrance. Nothing. Perhaps Pierre's storytelling is getting to me, god dammit!
It was nighttime when the family reached the rented cottage in Conques. The cottage was small but comfortable for them during their two month stay. Pierre went to his small apartment in the heart of town and promised to give a tour to the family tomorrow. Roselia, to her dismay, had to share a bedroom with her annoying little brother. She was hearing some 80's hits while Kevin still tried to reach the next level in the KH game. When the game over song played, Kevin gave a loud sigh and turned it off and tucked himself to bed.
"Rosy?" Kevin asked, he heard Roselia grunt, "Do you believe that story? About the prince?"
"Come on Kevin, you're still thinking about that bs?" asked Roselia with a scoff.
"What's bs?"
"It means bull sh... It means trash Kevin. Weren't you paying attention? It's just tourist junk people sell just to get more visitors. Nothing he said was real. For all we know, this castle belonged to some snotty noble that was killed during the french revolution."
"French reve-"
"When you get older, you'll learn about," cut in Roselia, too tired to get herself explaining history. "Let's get some sleep. Tomorrow were going to see the "cool" Conques," She sarcastically said.
Kevin, being the naïve, quickly closed his eyes, excited to get to know about the little village. Roselia rolls her eyes as she felt her eyes closed and a deep slumber overwhelmed her.
Dream...
Roselia wasn't sure where she was. Everywhere was darkness, when she looked down, she was standing on nothing. What the hell is this? A spotlight shined on her, it was her only source of light. A wind suddenly howled and echoed around her. Then, Roselia saw the cloaked hunched figure approaching before her. She gasps as she stood a few feet in front of her. She tried to move back but her feet were glued on the endless abyss floor.
"W-who are you?!" demanded Roselia. The cloaked figure looked up but the girl couldn't see her face . The figure chuckled, her voice sounded cracked and wicked.
"My, my, my," the figure taunted," If it isn't the little theif."
"Hey! Watch your mouth you ass-" but a booming voice cut Roselia off.
"SILENCE! I didn't come here to hear your immature insults, you little devil!" Roselia clenched her jaws, a unnerving feeling was beginning to swell in her stomach. She looked around, still questioning where she was and when this nightmare will end. The cloaked figure laughed darkly, shaking it's head.
"Still wondering where you are? I thought you would know by now. I was not going to tell you, but, why torture you. We are in your heart."
"My h-h-heart?" stammered Roselia, looking in disbelief.
"Yes, you stupid girl! We're in side of your heart. And as you can see, it is nearly consumed with darkness. Just a speck of light remains. It can still be saved."
Roselia looks at the figure, not believing her." This is bull shit! You're not real. All of this isn't real! I'm going to wake up very soon back to where I was the last time." She crosses her arms with a smug look on her face. This made the hooded figure gave a very deep laugh.
"Oh really? Is that what you think it's going to happen?" Roselia smiles falters, she didn't like the way the stranger sounded. "You are very wrong my dear."
The hooded figure and reached a wrinkly clawed like hand, placing it on Roselia's chest. Roselia desperately wanted to get away but...she was stuck. She felt a tingly sensation spread through her body.
"You need help my dear," the cloaked figure said, this time with empathy, "There is still hope...you might be the one to help the other one...yes!"
"Who are you?" Roselia asks for the final time. The cloaked figure giggles as it takes off the hood. Roselia's color drained when the identity of the cloaked figure was revealed.
"No! no...no, it can't be you!" her voice barely a whisper as the old woman looks at her with a grin.
"We meet again and this time you didn't killed me like the last time. I hope my gift can help you find the true light and love to heal your broken heart!"
With that everywhere around her, shattered like glass, sending the girl screaming for her life as she fell down the empty void.
"ROSELIA!" her father was shaking her, waking her up from the terrible dream.
"W-what's happening," she said disoriented, she could hear hard raindrops outside.
"A terrible storm is happening and were in danger of a flood! Quickly, get ready, we need to get to higher ground!"
Her dad went to wake up Kevin and get him dressed quickly. Roselia began to change and get the necessary in her backpack. She runs out to see Kevin was about to grab his gaming system.
"No Kevin, leave it! We need to get higher grounds now," scream their dad.
They went downstairs and Roselia couldn't help but gasp, water was already filing the main room. Roselia started shivering as her feet touched the cold water.
"Where's mom and grandma?!" cried Kevin.
"Pierre already took your mother and grandma away. We need to get to car right-"
The door suddenly blast open, as water began to fill. Everyone screamed, as they tried to hold onto dear life. Roselia grabbed the railing of the staircase as she held on.
"Daddy, I'm scared!" screamed Kevin.
Their grunted as held on the wall and held his son close to him. "Just hold Kevin! Just hold-"
Roselia screamed in horror as Kevin and her dad slipped and fell into the water.
"Daddy! Kevin!" she cried out.
Kevin scream for help before the water overlapped their heads. Roselia started to cry as they disappeared in the water. They gone! They are dead! She gasped when her fingers started to slip.
"No, no, no please!"
Her fingers reluctantly let go of the rail. She screamed as she fell into the water. She hit her head on the wooden floor and twisted her ankle. What happened next, Roselia couldn't remember. All she felt was going in circles, like a whirlpool.
Dad...Kevin...Grandma...Mom! Mom...I'm sorry... then her whole world became dark.