Required Disclaimer: I do not own the Supernatural characters, Beauty and the Beast (Disney) plotline, and in this prologue, I don't even own all of the words. I give all credit to the original creators of all the previous; this story is purely for entertainment purposes.
Enjoy.
Once upon a time, in a faraway land, a young angel Prince lived in a shining castle.
Polished silver and gold surrounding the grounds, finely trimmed hedges with a garden no other could match. Winding pavement leading towards the wrought-iron gates of the castle. The castle itself had been specially designed for the Prince; Imported carpets from Egypt, handcrafted tiles from Taiwan, the finest tapestries from India and lovely furniture from the heart of Britain.
Servants and friends surrounded him, though even still the Prince was selfish, spoiled and cruel. He treated all those around him as if they were beneath him, for he was certain that if he had lost a friend, he could simply buy another one.
One bitter, frosty Christmas eve, an elderly man, draped in torn and tattered clothes and threadbare shoes, came knocking, offering him his thanks in exchange for a single night's hospitality. The beggar man had introduced himself as Joshua, promising to make it worthwhile for Prince Castiel if he could do him this one kindness.
Repulsed by his lowly looks and obvious lack of finesse or class, Castiel laughed in his face before giving him a threat and nearly slamming the door in Joshua's face. Sticking his foot in the door, the beggar had asked once more if he could stay the night, offering him a single red rose in exchange.
Once more, the Prince laughed at him, much less amused this time before turning him down.
Joshua, no longer bearing his hopeful smile or carrying the slight twinkle in his eyes, straightened his back and warned him not to be deceived by appearances, for beauty is found within. As he spoke these words, his beard shrunk away, tattered clothing changing and morphing into lovely robes draping from his body, which was less scraggly.
The old beggar melted away to reveal a very powerful and displeased angel.
Castiel begged for his forgiveness, throwing himself onto his own steps, pleading with Joshua to disregard his foolishness, for he had not known it was God's right hand at his stoop.
No amount of pleas could have changed his mind however, for the angel had seen there was no love in his heart and as punishment, he transformed him into a hideous beast, who's outward looks reflected his twisted personality as well as warping the looks of the castle and all that lived there.
Ashamed and repulsed by his own reflection, Castiel concealed himself inside his castle, not once leaving for the outside world. He was hardly comforted by the rose Joshua had offered before, which, according to him, would bloom until his twenty-fifth year. Moreover, if he could learn to love another, and they could love in return, by the time the last petal fell, the spell would be broken.
If not, he would be sentenced as the beast he so hated for all of time.
As the years passed, he fell into despair and lost all hope.
For who could ever learn to love a beast?