Hello dear readers, i recently rediscovered this beloved story of my childhood and id been wanting to test out my writing abilites for sometime so i thought id give fanfiction a shot. this is my first "published" work as well as my first fanfiction. Id be very greatful for reviews and feedback, reguardless if you like it or not. this is a genderbent version of the story, loosely inspired by "before the last petal falls" by cheshirecat 9116. that in mind i do plan to take it in some very different directions. I'm hoping to have more of the story up in about a week thank you all again. I do not own batb or any of the characters
Once apon a time ... or maybe twice. in a land far away there was a young beautiful princess who lived in a magnificent castle. As one might expect from a princess of any calibur she was spoiled, selfish and unkind. her parents were well meaning but distant people, believing that there daughter would be made happy with the endless parade of gifts as they attended to there royal duties. it was during one of these absenses that the princess's life would change forever on Christmas Eve no less.
she had been in the sitting room enjoying a cup of tea and supposing she had ought to turn in soon when there was a loud knocking that echoed through the vast stone hallways of the castle. Most of the servants had already went to bed themselves and so the princess went to see who was calling at this unusual hour. she walked through the corridors the knocking growing louder as she grew closer to the entrance.
As she listen'd to this she recalled a rather humorous scene from a favorite Shakespearian play of hers. involving a porter in an odd state of mind. finally she arrived and pulled open the heavy double oak doors. a slightly difficult feet for a girl of only 11. she half hoped it would be her parents, arriving early so that they might spend christmas together but such was not the case. she was greeted by the old wrinkled face of haggard woman wearing a disgusting moldy cloak to shield fer from the harsh december snow. the princess barely contained her annoyence and dissapointment, she pulled her own night gown tighter before remembering she was obligated to be "polite" for the sake of her house.
"can I help you?" she asked the old woman
"please young lady" she replied "may i take shelter her tonight from the cold? im afraid all i can offer as payment is this" the old woman help up a single rose perched between her fingers, perfect in everyway. The princess was baffled at how one could aquire such a delicate bloom in the middle of winter. but the plight left her unmoved
"No, I don't need a rose and I don't have time to play hostess to an ugly commoner" the princess went to pull the doors shut but the old woman slapped a surprisingly strong hand against the door. stopping it dead
" Do not be deceived young lady, true beauty is found within..."
The princess scowled at this, she was not about to be told what to do by some fowl looking woman
"I told you no , now leave you hag before I call the guards on you' the princess went to slam the door but before she could secure the latch there was a loud crack, the doors flew open and a blinding light filled the entrance hall. when it disappeared there stood before the princess the most beautiful woman she'd ever laid eyes on.
The woman had a long flowing green dress and longest, softest looking platinum blonde hair. her eyes were the same deep crimson as the rose the princess had been offered moments ago
"you have proven to have no kindness or compassion in your heart young princess..." as the woman spoke it sounded as though there were three of her speaking in unison
"for this i curse you and your castle..." she raised a hand to the sky and a bolt of lightning struck the tallest tower followed by thunder that seemed to shake the very foundations of the grand structure.
The princess looked around in utter shock and fear, the castle itself was loosing its warm glow as the once white marble walls turned dark and foreboding. The statues and paintings that filled the halls become ugly showing gargoyals along with images of war and strife. through out the castle she could hear screams of terror- screams she recognized as belonging to her servants
"Stop! please! I-i'm sorry, I did'nt want this!-Ahhhh!" the princess begged the woman, but the princess suddenly felt a sharp pain in her abdomen. she clutched her stomach and fell to her knees. looking up at the woman unable to think she was so scared. she felt her legs break and reshape themselves as well as her back. her skin felt tight and itchy- she fell over on the ground from the pain as the could feel the bones and muscles in her face were next. tears dotted her eyes as it was all she could do to stay conscious "ill do anything just please stop!"
the woman looked down at the half- princess and decided to take pity on her.
"hmmm...very well..." she pulled from her sleeve the rose that the princess had refused
"This rose will bloom until your 21st birthday, if by then you find one you love and receive his love in return the curse shall be broken, but should you fail this you and all inhabitants of this castle will remain cursed... forever"
the princess looked up at this eyes wide with the shock of what she was hearing
"I also give you this" from her other sleeve she pulled an intricate silver hand mirror, with this mirror you may see the comings and goings of the world. use it to your advantage"
the princess opened her mouth to say something but the pain returned as the transformations continued.
"Pl-please..." she was able to choke out but it was no use
"I wish you luck young princess" there was another blinding light and the woman was gone. the princess looked on in pain and shock before she could no longer stand it and fell unconcious from the pain. she didnt know how long she slept but she woke up in her own bed in her room. for 1 glorious minute she felt relief beleaving it was some horrible nightmare before she saw her long fur covered arm and the claws that adorned it. she shot up, examining her hands unable to speak from the fear she felt. she rushed to the vanity in her and looked at herself.
A heart breaking and terrifing roar rang through the castle, scaring the already rattled servants and staff. soon it was learned what became of the young mistress of the castle...