My name is Vosel. When I was little, I was given this mystical weapon called Keyblade, the Tri-Disaster, by some weird old man back at my home world. However, when my world was attacked by the monstrous Unversed, I failed to defend it, and I lost my home in the process. So now, I'm on a long journey across the worlds to find a way to master the keyblade, along with it's secret power: the Full Form, and halt the invasion of Unversed.

On my last account, I came across a nice place called Twilight Town, which had a slight Uversed infestation problem. Those small fries were no big deal, but the large Unversed that came by later was as good as unstoppable. Not even as Vosel Knight was I a match for him. However, a brave little man Vivi stood up to the monster, and this made both his and my own strength skyrocket, unlocking the next level of Full Form: Vosel Ex Knight. The monster fell in a matter of seconds, and Vivi has firmly decided to join me on my journey. Also, I was told about the legend of the heart paradise Kingdom Hearts, and now, with new resolve, I have made up my goal anew:

Vosel: „I'm going to become... Kingdom Hearts!"

Yosh! Now, let's see what happens next! On to the next world!

episode 4: „Entchanted Castle: A Beast's first Christmas!"

A woderful snow-filled landscape was fulfilling the world's horizon, like an endless swap between the green and white, as if there was a conflict between the steady green woods and the harsh forces of nature. Cold was in the air, but a certain warmth was also streaming around, comforting passangers at heart. The sun was still warm in shadeless areas, and the birds were still singing their merry melodies.

For a moment, it was paradise.

But then again,scenes such as these occur:

Vosel and Vivi came out running out of the bushes:

Vosel: „RUN FOR IT!"

And they kept running, they ran like they had firework stands up their feet. And here's why:From the same direction, a horde of wolves arrived and chased after them, growling and drooling. Those weren't the haski-kind of wolves, these had dangerous teeth within their jaws.

Vivi: „(running) Can't we just fight them off like we did with the Unversed?"

Vosel: „(still running) I wish! The keyblade takes out the Unversed in a single blow, these guys are tougher than that!"

Just to have a slight impression of what it was like: those two were running through a thick forest of busherry with snow chased by at least 20 wild wolves that had no problems navigating through that kind of terrain.

Not an easy task, huh? No wonder they were high-tailing.

But at one point, Vosel halted and turned around to face the beasts.

Vosel: „Keyblade! (summons the blade) I might as well give it a shot. Frost Spike! Times Four!"

After having summoned 4 head-sized chunks of ice in mid-air, Vosel swung his keyblade and wacked those as projectiles at four different targets. About the same time, Vivi ceased running (he had no trouble catching up despite his shorter legs) and followed his example:

Vivi: „Plasma Bolt! (creates a ball of lightning between his palms, then throws it)"

Both attacks hit at least one wolf in their heads, making them squimmer and fall on their backs.

But, the rest of them didn't seem to mind their friends getting bullied and proceeded chasing those two without further ado.

Vosel: „(panicking) Forget it, let's scaddadle! (keeps running away; Vivi follows)"

Vivi: „(still running) You're strong, Vosel-san, why aren't you fighting the beasts?"

Vosel: „(still running) Strong people's rule #1: See a foe you don't have to fight, best avoid it!"

Vivi: „(still runs for his life) Hai!"

And so, the wolves were slowly catching up with them, but the snow beneath them became less and less deep, and the forest became less and less thick, giving two-legged runners a slight advantage.

Until, at some point...

The forest suddenly ended, and the snowy grounds continued all the way to a large, iron fence, about the same size as the trees. This forces Vosel and Vivi to stop running, unfortunately.

Vosel: „A dead end!"

Vivi: „Whaddawe do, Vosel-san?"

They turned around, only to see the pack of wolves slowing down and slowly pacing forward their prey (namely those two), with their teeth exposed, growling, drooling and occasionally gulping saliva.

Vosel: „Well what can we do? (put his blade in a battle position) Rule #2: when in a dip, fighting is a must. You let me handle these."

Vivi: (afraid) "I don't mind that, Vosel-san..."

The wolves were getting closer, narrowing their eyes like real feral predators...

Vosel held his blade up and was ready to strike...

Until...

The alpha wolf, the one ahead, whined out loud like a puppy and withdrew, and rest of the pack followed his lead, running away like stray dogs.

Vosel: „/O-O ?/ Ah? (dismissed the keyblade) What got into them?"

Vivi: „(relieved, smiling) You did it! Vosel-san must be so strong he scared away the wolves just by looking at them."

Vosel: „I wish I could say the same, but I didn't do anything to scare them off."

Vivi: „Eh? Then what made them run away like that?"

On that note, Vosel turned around to take a better look at the large fence that was in their path: the terrain beyond the fence was shrouded in a dense mist, but it seemed to settle now and revealed what was beyond that: a huge castle, covered in snow, and built on bricks of medival age. Certain parts such as the walkway and the huge garden were barren and clean of snow.

Vosel: „Wow, would you look at that!"

Vivi: „Huh? What is it, Vosel-san?"

Vosel: „Some kind of castle, obviously. The wolves sensed presence of civilized people and ran off scared. By the looks of it, someone must be living there."

Vivi: „Shall we go in and look for shelter, Vosel-san?"

Vosel: „(nods) Hm. Let's go."

The entrance to the castle itself was a huge wooden door, easily large enough for the Interdimensional Train to fit through. The doorknock and the arch was oddly decorated, however, everything was full of gargoyles and statues of goblin and devil-like creatures, but was amazing for any other accord.

This is the world called Beast's Castle.

Vosel: „Amazing, just look at the size of this gate!"

Vivi: „Wow, Vosel-san, who do think lives here?"

Vosel: „Only one way to find out. (grabs the large doorknock and knocks,but afte the 2nd knock the huge doors open by themselves) Huh? (opens further) Hello? Anyone here?"

The both of them entered the castle, and observed the interium of the huge facility: the enterance hall was immense to begin with, but despite the bright daylight outside, the entire interium was kinda dim and foggy, occasionally with some tracks of ripped off or dust covered items, most notably paintings, carpets and wallpapers. The statues that were decorating it were also spooky, all resembling dark gargoyles, goblins, demons and beast-people.

Vivi: „Uhm... When I look at it from the inside it's kinda scary, Vosel-san."

Vosel: „(yells out) Oi! Is someone here? Can we come in?"

Then suddenly, voices responded, but they couldn't tell where they came from. They both had a French accent:

1st voice: „Oui, monsieur, you're most welcome."

2nd voice: „Hush! No they're not! Keep it down, you old ashtray!"

1st: „Come now, have a heart."

2nd voice: „No!"

Vosel and Vivi couldn't help to wonder, they felt like they've been greeted by invisible people. The looked at each other before looking around more, but no apparent source of the greetings was to be found.

Vivi: „You just heard that, Vosel-san? Where did it come from?"

Vosel: „No idea. Keep your eyes open."

Vivi: „(kinda scared) That wasn't a ghost, Vosel-san? I hope not, they scare me a lot."

Vosel: „What kind of ghost would greet us like this? (yells out) Oi! Are you hiding?"

While those two were looking around, there were two particular items on a nearby table: one very particular golden candlestick with 3 lit candles...

/Lumiere/

... and one very particular houseclock whose two clock hands only pointed 4 and 8 o'clock.

/Cogsworth/

Clock?: „(wispering) You be quiet, Lumiere, not ONE word!"

Vosel: „Oi! Come on now!"

Vivi: „We're just looking for shelter. We were attacked by wolves on our way here."

Candlestick?: „(to the clock) Oh, Cogsworth, have a heart."

Cogsworth: „The master is going to kill us if he finds out!"

This time, Vosel definitely heard voices. He walked to the table and inspected, but found nothing. Vivi followed afer him, sneaking around afraid of being attacked by a ghost.

Vosel: „This is getting really odd. (grabs the „candlestick") This should make things easier. Oi, Vivi, hold this. (hands him over the item)"

Vivi: „Hai."

When Vivi held the „candlestick" in his hand, the both of them kept looking around in their hopeless search. In the meantime, the candlestick raised his eyebrows a few times to the clock with a wide smile, much to the shock of the later, who kept waving his head trying to point out his idea was a bad one. And then...

Lumiere: „You're more than welcome, monsieur."

Vivi: „Huh? (looks around) Who said that? (he moved the candlestick aside all the time)"

Lumiere: „I'm here, little man."

Vivi: „(turns around again) Where?"

Lumiere: „(knock-knock on Vivi's head)"

Vivi: „Huh? (takes a closer look at the candlestick, which smiled to him)"

Lumiere: „Bonjour."

Vivi: „(freaked out) WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH! GHOOOOOOOOOOOOOST!"

Out of shock, Vivi dropped Lumiere on the ground, accidentally forcing him to increase the flames on his head ten-fold.

Here's a funny thing: he dropped him right behind Vosel, so the flames actually roasted his...

Vosel: „(with but on fire) AAAAAAAAACH! ACH-ACH-ACH-ACH-ACH, HOT-HOT-HOT-HOT-HOT!"

Use your imagination: did Vosel halt, ducked and rolled?

Nope.

What he did could more properly be described as a silly dance, holding his rear and jumping up and down.

He fell down on his back-bone, right next to the table, which shook the table the table enough for Cogsworth to loose his balance.

So he fell down.

Atop of Vosel's head.

With his own head.

Both of them were knocked out cold for a minute. Cogsworth fell on Vosel's lap, which startled Vosel slightly, so he knocked him off in the next second, causing him to fall down hard was funny seeing an alive clock whose eyes were replaced with a pair of rotating spirals.

Vosel: „What the heck!"

Lumiere: „Oh, ehm, pardon me, sir, that was my bad."

Cogsworth: „(gets up, and is mad at Lumiere) YOU MORON! Didn't I tell you to keep quiet!"

Vosel: „Did the clock just talk?"

Cogsworth: „Huh? (looks at Vosel, sweating, then panicks) Nonono, I'm not talking! You're just halucinating! You bumped your head and now you're seeing things! There's no entchated people here!"

Vosel: „Huh? Entchanted people?"

Cogsworth: „(freaked out) AH!"

Lumiere: „(sarcastically, to Cogsworth) Nice going. You just told them the whole thing."

Cogsworth: „(to Lumiere) Shut up! I didn't tell them everything! They still don't know this whole castle is entchanted!"

Vosel: „What, really all of it?"

Cogsworth: „AH! I DID IT AGAIN!"

Lumiere: (sigh) „(to Vosel) Yes, we're all entchanted residents of this castle, please forgive Cogsworth for his rude behaviour."

Cogsworth: „Stop encouraging them!"

Vosel (smiling): „Haha, so cool! (picks Cogsworth up)"

Cogsworth: „Huh-aaaah!"

Vosel: „(inspecting Cogsworth) This is so awesome, a real alive talking clock, I wonder how this works (starts picking his „feet", tickling him)"

Cogsworth: „What are you doing? Hey!(gets tickled) Hehe, cut it out, cut it out, cut it out... (Vosel is about to open his pendulum case, making him angry) CUT IT OUT! (slaps Vosel's hand) Put me down this instant!"

Vosel: „Eech, sorry, Clock-dude. (puts Clock-dude down)"

Cogsworth: „For you still MISTER Clock-dude... Ehm, Cogsworth! I mean, manners, please!"

Vosel: „Gee, no need to be so unwinded. Ah? (looks around) Vivi? Where are you?"

Lumiere whistled to point out at Vivi's current position: he was shaking in fear, hidden under a carpet.

Lumiere: „Right here, monsieur."

Vosel: „(sweatdrops) That's his way of hiding? Oi, Vivi, it's alright, they're friendly."

After looking back at Vosel, Vivi, got the courage to leave his „hideout", and approach the living objects.

Vivi: „So they're, uhm... People?"

Lumiere: „Oui, at least we used to be. My name is Lumiere. I am the maitre'd of this castle. (points at Cogsworth) And this crancky gearhead here is the majordomo, Cogsworth."

Vosel: „My name is Vosel, and this here's Vivi. Uhm... If it isn't rude, may I ask why you are, well, you know..."

Lumiere: „An old yet elegant candlestick and a clock? See, the thing is..."

Cogsworth: „(interrupts) Oh no, you don't! You will not tell them how an enchantress came to this castle and put a curse on the master and all his servants! GAH! I DID IT AGAIN!"

Vosel: „An enchantress did this to you?"

Lumiere: „This was a long time ago, many years ago on this very evening."

Vosel: „(thinks) Hmmmm... Say Vivi, you know about magic, can you turn them back somehow?"

Vivi: „(shrugs) It doesn't work that way. It might be risky to break a spell I didn't cast on them. I might accientally blow them up."

Vosel: „So you've got nothing. (sigh)"

Lumiere: „It's not that bad."

Vosel: „Huh?"

Lumiere: „We already got acostumed to our current appearances, it's no big deal living a relatively normal life. Besides, we already know how the curse can be broken."

Cogsworth: „Alright, that's it! They came, they said hello, they saw a bunch of household items come to life, now it's time for them to leave!"

„What is all this noise?"

The third voice came from a third person (and I mean that in the most respectful kind of way) that came into the entrance hall. Same as Lumiere and Cogsworth, it was not human: it was a porcelan pot, which moved by hoping up and down.

/Mrs. Potts/

Mrs. Potts: „Why, I just barely made the kids go to bed, and you must argue again. Oh? (notices Vosel and Vivi) I didn't know we had guests."

Cogsworth: „We're not, they were just leaving."

mrs. Potts: „Come now, we could at least accomodate them properly. (comes over to Vosel and Vivi) Hello dears, would you like some tea?"

Cogsworth: „Mrs. Potts, please!"

Vivi: „Uhm... I would like some, please."

Lumiere: „They sure earned it. They say they were attacked by a bunch of woves ont heir way here."

Cogsworth: „Not you too, Lumiere."

Mrs. Potts: „Heavens, wolves? In that case we can't just let them go out in the harsh cold like that."

Vosel: „Meh, it was nothing, really."

Vivi: „Hai, because Vosel-san is really strong."

Lumiere: „He is?"

Vosel: „Heh, nah, he's just telling stuff."

About at this point, Cogsworth lost all his nerves:

Cogsworth: „ENOUGH ALREADY! (everyone looks at him) Tea party is over! Accomodations are over! Sightseeings are over! The two of you must leave this instant! This is a castle, not a motel!"

Mrs. Potts: „But Cogsworth..."

Lumiere: „How can you be so cruel?"

Cogsworth: „Mind I remind you master is already having a hard time with the one guest we already have? If the master finds out we brought, nonono, welcomed more strangers, we're all going to be punished!"

Vosel: „Ah?"

Cogsworth: „... Except those two. (points at Vosel and Vivi)"

Vosel: „Oh..."

Cogsworth: „... Who will be killed instantly."

Vosel&Vivi: „EEEEEEHHHH! WHY KILLED!"

Cogsworth: „The master has limited patience with visitors. He, in fact, dispatches them in an instant."

Vivi: „So cruel!"

Vosel: „So heartless!"

Cogsworth: „I beg your pardon, that's my master you're talking about!"

Lumiere: „Ah, but there's no denial to his cruel nature I'm afraid. And ever since he was entchanted along with everyone else, things have gotten much worse."

Mrs. Potts: „But with Belle now here, things could start looking up now."

Vivi: „Who's Belle?"

Vosel: „And who's this 'master' you keep mentioning. Sounds like one heck of a guy for you to fear him this much."

Cogworth: „The two of you should have left this place already! If he catches you, he's going to execute you personally!"

Vosel: „Peh, like I'm that eays to be executed. What is he anyway, a couch?"

The following phrase explains what happened next perfectly:

Imagine: a roar so powerful nd so loud, it would echo between the walls of the castle for generations to come under every other sound that is heard. A roar so malevolent it would freeze the blood in your veins and make your soul leave your body for a split second, more than enough to see the horrible cold underworld. A roar so great, so loud, that no lung could ever mimic it's potential. That was indeed the most terrifying sound Vosel and Vivi had ever heard.

Needless to say, everyone, especially Vosel and Vivi, were startled. In fact, Vivi looked scared enough to say something like „I need to use the bathroom" if he had the strength to say it.

Vosel: „(freaked out) What... Was that?"

Cogsworth: „(looks life-scared) The two of you must leave at once! He's in extremely foul mood today!"

Vivi: „Vosel-san, can we go now?"

Vosel: „(nods) Agreed. Let's just head ou..."

Before the knew it, something large jumped behind them. Whatever it was, it covered Vosel and Vivi with a large shadow.

The term „petrified with fear" applied to the situation perfectly. Both Vosel and Vivi turned around... very, very slowly, afraid of finding out what awaits them.

And then they saw it.

Vosel: „(eyes wide) Shimata."

Before them stood a huge humanoid beast covered with thick, brown fur, easily the same proportions as an oversized lion, except this one had a pair of short horns as well. Also, it stood on two feet and wore a pair of ripped pants and a purple cape. His hands were in fact paws in size of a bear's, bearing sharp claws.

/the Beast/

The Beast looked down to them, with nothing but anger in it's expression: in fact blue eyes seemed crimson red, narrowed with thick fur and a mouth that was exposing nothing but sharp fangs as it growled.

Beast: „Who are you? (looks at his servants, without bettering his glare) What did I tell you about intruders?"

Lumiere: „(death-scared) Well, uhm, you see, the thing is..."

Cogsworth: „Hush, don't make things worse."

Vivi: „(death-scared) Vosel-san... What is that?"

Vosel: „I can't believe it, it's a..."

Beast: (growls)

Vosel: „... Bulldog."

Cogswoth: „WHAT BULLDOG, IT'S A BEAST!"

Beast: „Cogsworth!"

Cogsworth: „Uhm, I mean... Who said that?"

Beast: „(to Vosel and Vivi) You two... Leave my castle NOW!"

It was as if all winds changed direction whenever the Beast yelled.

Vosel: „Vivi, no sudden moves. Let's just get to the exit slowly."

Vivi: „H-h-hai. Rule # 1 applies."

Following this advice, both of them started pacing their way around the Beast, slowly making step by step, as if they were trespassing a minefield, while the Beast kept glaring at them, ready to rip them to shreads if they attempt something silly.

The tension was almost taggable. One wrong step and they'd be goners. There's no telling what the Beast was capable of.

Vivi, in particular, is easily terrified by the Beast's presence, making him extremely twitchy for that matter.

And then, the unspeakable happened (I'm gonna tell you anyway):

Vosel almost lost his balance and tripped over a crease in the carpet, but managed to hold his grounds.

The Beast raised it's eyebrow for this, but remained on spot.

However, when Vivi saw this raise, he lost all sense and panicked:

Vivi: „AAAAHHH! FIREBALL!"

Vivi launched a ball of fire into the Beast's face, igniting it's fur and covering his face in smoke.

Lumiere, Cogsworth and mrs. Potts were head-frozen out of shock, and so was Vosel.

Vosel: „(angry)Vivi!"

Vivi: „I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I panicked!"

But it was too late. As soon as the smoke cleared, the Beast's glare was more sinister than ever. The fire did as good as no damage to the monster. It was beyond mad now, and it unleashed another terrifying roar for the whole castle to hear before putting his claws up:

Beast: „Stalwart Fang! (rushes at Vivi)"

Vivi: „(stiff of fear) AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"

Fortunatelly, Vosel grabbed him by his collar and pulled him aside just before Beast managed to smash him, cracking the floor below instead. Vosel has already summoned his keyblade and put Vivi behind him to guard him before the Beast looked back at the two, growling horribly.

Vivi: „I'm sorry, Vosel-san, I thought he was going to eat me!"

Vosel: „Forget it, we're in for a fight now! (puts his blade up) It's his castle to make a ruckus out of it, so I say we give it to him!"

At that point, Beast lunged at the two, and Vosel put the keyblade up to guard himself.

Beast: „Stalwart Fang!"

When Beast's claws clashed with Vosel's keyblade, the sheer force of the counterimpacts was strong enough to crack the floor beneath them. Still, none of them backed down, and after a few seconds, the force send them all backwards a few feet. Vosel made the first move here:

Vosel: „Okay! Frost Spike! Times Three!"

Vosel created 3 large blocks of ice in mid-air and batted them into the beast, but this one put his huge arms in defense, and the blocks shattered on impact like snowballs. Enraged, the Beast lunged at Vosel, but he jumped aside and tryed hit him in the head with the keyblade, only for the Beast to block this with his horns.

Beast: „(enraged) Horn Pierce! (pushes Vosel away by brute force of his head)"

Vosel failed to make a decent landing, having ended up sitting down instead.

Vosel: „What is this guy made of?"

Beast: „Stalwart Fang! (rushes at Vosel)"

Vosel: „Shimata!"

Vivi: „Palm Freeze!"

Vivi threw a ball of concentrated snow on the Beast, aiming precicely at his hindlegs, freezing them in an instant, so the next time he put them on the ground, he slipped and fell down.

Vosel: „Nice one, Vivi! And now... (keyblade radiates red, and Vosel jumps up) Burning Halberd!"

The Beast saw this comming, so he quickly ducked aside. Vosel's attack missed, but the flames on his keyblade were strong enough to melt the ice that had trapped the Beast's feet.

The whole thing looked like a neverending dance where neither partner was leading. The Beast's movements were not fast enough to catch up with Vosel's speed, so he had little problems dodging. Then again, the Beast's ressistance was unbelievable, and he endured as good as anything Vosel or Vivi threw at him. The event was concerning on the servant's behalf:

Cogsworth: „Master, please..."

Mrs. Potts: „For heaven's sake, this is all just a misunderstanding!"

Lumiere: „Conflict such as this won't solve anything!"

This had little effect. The battle was still raging on. Vosel had just jumped across one of Beast's Stalwart Fangs, using his own back as a platform and jumped over him. When the Beast turned to face him, Vivi acted up:

Vivi: „Fireball!"

He threw a ball of fire into the Beast's back, causing him to battle-cry even more, but the effect was not the same. It barely left a stain at the Beast's cape. Still, it was more than enough to make him mad.

Beast: „(looks at Vivi) You! (Vivi is terrified) You're making me mad!"

With his four large feet, the Beast lunged in Vivi's direction, and he started running in the opposite direction, being scared the boots out of himself.

Vivi: „Vosel-san, help!"

Vosel: „Vivi! Huh... (notices the carpet beneath the Beast) Yosh, that could work."

Vosel dismissed the keyblade and grabbed the carpet on the floor, the one Beast was running over. The moment Beast's feet were on the ground...

Vosel: „Your opponent is me!"

... he pulled the carpet with all his might, forcing the Beast down to the floor, and it fell down on his jaws, causing tremendous pain.

Vosel: „Yosh! And now (summons the keyblade) ... Burning Halberd! (charges, with keyblade ablaze)"

The Beast was in the middle of standing up, so there was no time for him to dodge, and Vosel was on his way to strike.

Cogsworth: „Oh dear, master! (someone runs past him) Huh?"

And just when Vosel was about this close to attack...

Vosel: „Haaaaaaarrrrrrgggg...!"

... a certain pretty brunette got int he way between him and the Beast, with arms stretched to the fullest, as if to protect the Beast.

girl: „Please stop!"

Vivi: „Huh!"

Lumiere, mrs. Potts& Cogsworth: „OH!"

Vosel: „EH! (sudden brake)"

Vosel started braking his advance forward, very much how a speed-driver brakes when he sees a cat on the road, so his shoes were leaving a smokey track behind him. His keyblade has had already ceased burning, and he finally halted a few feet before the pretty girl, who was still holding her protective stance. Afterwards, she sighed of relief, while Vosel and Vivi looked at her confused.

/Belle/

Lumiere: „Amazing, she stood in the path of fire to protect the master!"

mrs. Potts: „That's Belle for you."

This fact remains unconfirmed, but I thing Cogsworth passed out at this moment.

Then, the beast got up and was about to charge at Vosel again, but was halted by the girl again.

Belle: „Easy now."

Beast: „Let go, I have a score to settle!"

Belle: "(she glared at him oddly) I said ease down!"

Whatever glare Belle gave to the Beast, it was enough for him to put his guard up and flinch for a moment, before standing up straight.

Vosel: „(confused, blinks) Ah, ah, uhm... She scared him?"

Belle then turned to face Vosel and bowed down.

Belle: „I'm so sorry about this."

Vosel: „Huh?"

Beast: „Don't appologize, they attacked me first!"

Belle: „(to the Beast) They wouldn't have if you didn't scare them!"

Beast: „(about to say something, but it slips)... Well they shouldn't have come here in the first place!"

Belle: „Well you should learn to control your temper!"

Vosel: „(sweatdrops) /O_O/ Uhm... She's arguing with a bulldog?"

Vivi: „I didn't see this coming."

Belle: „And now... As for you two (looks at Vivi and Vosel, both flinched) I'd like you to appologize to him."

Vosel&Vivi: „HUH!"

Beast: „AHA!"

Belle: „(to the Beast) And you should appologize to them too."

Beast: „/!/ Eck!"

Belle: „Well?"

Vosel and Vivi looked at each other before meeting a decision:

Vivi: „It kinda is our fault."

Vosel: „It's the least we could do. (dismisses the keyblade, then bows down to the Beast) I'm sorry we entered uninvited."

Vivi: „(bows as well) And I'm sorry I set your fur on fire."

Belle: „That's fine manners. (to the Beast) And you?"

Beast: „(looks away) Hmph, I don't want to."

Belle: „Beast!"

Beast: „(growls) Hmmmmmmgh... (slowly turns his head back) I am... (a little more) Sorry... That I..."

„Soul Ember."

Suddenly, another fireball exploded in the Beast's face, shocking everyone. He was quick to put the flames out, but was also about to attack again:

Beast: „WHY YOU LITTLE...!"

Belle: „(stops him) No, wait!"

Beast: „You saw it, he attacked me on purpose!"

Vosel: „Vivi!"

Vivi: „But it wasn't me, I swear, it was the entchanted lantern guy!"

Vosel: „Huh? A lantern?"

Vivi: „Yes, the one over there."

Surprisingly enough, Vivi was pointing at a certain point in mid-air, above the hall. Everyone looked there (even the Beast, although he was growling), and were oddly surprised and/or shocked of the sight:

Lumiere: „That's odd, I can't remember we had a lantern servant in this part of the castle."

Cogsworth: „We don't."

The thing in mid air looked a lot like a lantern, but the flame within it was burning with a slight violet light. Worse yet, there was a body attatched to the roof of the lantern: a pair of fly-like wings, and a diamond shaped head with narrow red eyes.

Vosel: „That's not a lantern. It's a..."

/Unversed: Ghost Lantern/

Vosel: „An Unversed!"

Besast: „A what?"

On that cue, more Unversed slid into the hall out of nowhere, shocking rea people present of their appearance: several Scrappers surrounded them on the ground, while more Ghost Lanters teleported into the air above them.

Lumiere: „Are these friends of yours?"

Vosel: „They're not, look out!"

A Scrapper was in mid air of nearly lunging at Lumiere, but it was cought by the Beast with his ferociuos paws and slammed against the floor.

Beast: „More intruders! Get out of my castle!"

„Soul Ember!"

A few Ghost Lanters increased the flames in their bodies and launched them at the Beast, who merely glanced at these flames before they reached him. Fortunately, Vosel got in the way and sliced those with his keyblade.

Vosel: „Everyone get somewhere safe! You too, Vivi!"

Vivi: „Ha-Hai, Vosel-san! (something approaches him from behind) Huh?"

/Unversed: Shoegazer/

„Stomp Kick. Stomp Kick. Stomp Kick. Stomp Kick..."

Vivi: „WAAAAHH! (avoids stopms of oversized boot-shaped Unversed) Wah! Ah! Yah! Wah! AAAAH!"

Vosel: „Vivi! (rushes towards him, but a bunch of Scrappers get in his way) Get outta my way!"

„Breath Bla..."

Beast: „WRAAAAAGH! (pounds the Scrappers down before they attacked)"

Vosel: „Thanks. (gets closer to Vivi) Haaaaaargh! Jolt Twister!"

As his keyblade radiated yellow light, it produced sparks of electricity as Vosel swung it against all Shoegazers and eliminated them with a single swing. Even as they were vanishing, they kept saying „Stomp Kick" like broken puppets.

Vivi: „Thank you, Vosel-san."

„Soul Ember!"

A bunch of Ghost Lanterns launched their array of flames, only these were aiming at...

Cogsworth: „Miss Belle!"

Lumiere&mrs. Potts: „Look out!"

The flames were headed for Belle, and she merely put her hands on her head in a desperate attempt to avoid it.

Beast: „Belle! (hugs Belle, and takes the hits with his back) (growls at the Unversed) You're making me mad!"

Vivi: „I got them! (charges hands with electricity) Plasma Bolt!"

The orb Vivi launche at the airborne Unversed produced massive lightning strikes, which vaporized the Lanterns on impact.

Vosel: „Nice! Looks like your magic works well in disposing the Unversed."

Vivi: „(blushes) Heh, thanks."

Meanwhile:

Cogsworth: „Shoo, shoo! Go away!"

Him, Lumiere and mrs. Potts were running (or hopping as you were) away from a pair of Scrappers and a bunch of Shoegazers, all of whoom kept repeating „Stomp Kick" as they were hopping on their own.

The Beast then got between them, and wacked a great number of Shoegazers away with a single swipe, then turned his attention to the Srapper in front of him:

Beast: „Stalwart Fang!(smashes the Scrapper into the ground)"

The Scrapper was misshapen and motionless for a while, but to the Beast's surprise, all those wounds he dealt to the monster healed up and the Unversed regained his original form, now looking up to his attacker.

Beast: „What?"

„Twin Claw!"

The Scrapper stoke the Beast with both his hands, sending the massive mammal backwards a few feet with surprising strength. The Beast growled at the thing, not sure how he could survive such an impact of his. Even worse, he looked around and saw the other supposedly defeated Unversed stand up as if nothing happened.

Belle: „They all healed?"

Beast: „This time I'll take them down for sure!"

And as the Unversed slowly got closer to them...

Vosel: „Burning Halberd!"

Vosel's vertical swing with his keyblade created a wall of fire that swallowed and vaporized all Unversed in the line.

Vosel: „Be careful! Unversed can be beaten up, but only me and Vivi can really defeat them."

Vivi: „Speaking of which, Vosel-san..."

Vosel: „Huh? (looks at Vivi)"

Vivi: „We just might have a slight problem!"

A bunch of Shoegazers and Ghost Lanterns surrounded Vivi, Cogsworth, Lumiere and Mrs. Potts. They all cuddled together and shiverred, expecting an impact.

Vosel: „Shimata! I just had it 'till here with them! (thucks the keyblade in front of him) Yosh! Get ready! (summons red, yellow and blue radiance into his keyblade) Triple Damachi! HAAARG!"

Vosel produced a swirling vortex of fire, ice and lightning, which swallowed all Unversed that were about to attack, eradicating them on sight. Vosel kneeled down and started breathing heavily, holding his chest with one hand while supporting his body up with the keyblade in the other one.

Vosel: „(breathe)... (breathe)... Hehe... Victory."

Vivi: „(runs over to Vosel) Vosel-san! You alright?"

Vosel: „It's fine. This attack always consumes more power than usual."

Vivi: „(relieved) I'm glad. And the Unversed are all gone too!"

But...

As if nothing stopped them in the first place, more Unversed slid into the hall in equal numbers as before, to everyone's shock.

Belle: „Oh no..."

Beast: „Belle, stay behind me!"

Vosel got up and lifted his keyblad eonce more:

Vosel: „Confound it. They just keep coming. Vivi, looks like we'll have to get serious!"

Vivi: „Hai, the Full Form then?"

Vosel: „(nods) Right. Here we go!"

And as all Unversed were about to take a pounce...

No, Vosel did not transform.

Instead, an awkward melody was heard. The sounds of orgains filled the otherwise silent hall, taunting the air to shiver like teardrops. It wasn't beautiful, though, it was just...odd.

The Unversed kept twitching nad swinging their heads left and right.

Then, they slid back into nothingness where they came from, leaving no trace behind.

Vosel: „Huh? They're gone?"

Vivi: „We did it! Vosel-san's strength terrified the Unversed!"

Vosel: „My strength... (gasp) Wait a minute!"

Vosel flashbacked at the same kind of situation, minutes ago when the wolves ran away like frightened pups.

Vosel: „Those wolves, they ran off because they were afraid. (realizes) Afraid of the Beast! Then the Unversed ran off in the same way. Could it be... That they felt fear as well? If so, what could have possibly frightened them so much?"

Suddenly, the Beast grabbed Vosel by his collar.

Vosel: „Gyah, hey!"

Beast: „What kind of pest did you bring here into my castle!"

Vosel: „I didn't bring them here! Put me down!"

Beast: „I want you and your friend out of my castle now!"

Belle: „Please, calm down."

Beast: „NO! My mind is made up. (drops/puts Vosel down) Either you both get out, or I'll kick you out, understand!"

Cogsworth: „Uhm, sir, pardon me, if I may?"

Beast: „WHAT?"

Cogsworth: „Well, uhm, the thing is, err, actually... (ahem) The monsters we just saw are gone, but that doesn't mean they left, sire. For all we know they might still be hiding somewhere in the castle. And, well, you all fought well, but it seems your strength might have been (ducks)...insufficient."

Beast: (growl)

Lumiere: „It's true, sire. After all, only mister Vosel's odd weapon and mister Vivi's magic managed to defeat those infernal things that attacked us. If you chase them away now, and those things return, we might be facing a real problem."

mrs. Potts: „Perhaps we better accomodate them for a little bit longer, just until the monster issue has been cleared out."

Beast: „Are you speaking up to my decision!"

Cogsworth&Lumiere&mrs. Potts: „NO! CERTAINLY NOT, MASTER!"

Beast: „(growls)... Fine, I've made up my mind. (points at Vosel) You, Vosel, and your companion, I'm putting you in charge of getting rid of those monsters. I don't want a single one of them remaining. AND THEN I'M GONNA KICK YOU OUT!"

Vosel: (sweatdrops) „Uhm... sure."

Beast: „Hrmmmmm... I'll be in my room."

With that, the heavy Beast walked up the stairs and left the hall into the west wing.

Vosel: „Salt of the earth, this one."

Vivi: „(nod, nod) At least he didn't eat us."

Belle: „Uhm... (walks up to the two of them) I'd like to thank you for defending us. (bows down) Thank you very much for your help."

Vosel: „(blushes) Ah, heheh, it's nothing. But... One question, why are you not... Uhm, you know..."

Lumiere: „You mean why is miss Belle not like the rest of us?"

Vosel: "(nods) Yeah."

Lumiere: „Belle was not present in the castle when the curse was put upon the castle. Truth is, she decided to stay in the castle on her own accord."

Vivi: „And live with the Beast?"

Vosel: „Why would she do that?"

Belle: „Well I... Uhm... I made a deal with him. My father once came here uninvited, and in order for the Beast not to harm him, I offered to stay with him forever."

Vosel: „EH! Forever! How can you stand it, that guy's a monster!"

Belle: „It's not like that. I believe... I believe that there's good inside of him. It's just, the beastial part of him clouded his mind, making him think he can never change. But I believe he can be thought differently. He can learn to be nice, and see the good side in the world. That's why I stayed."

Vosel: „Such stong will... (sigh) Well, if you ask me, he still has a long way to go."

Lumiere: „Ah, but master has made quite a progress ever since miss Belle came into our lives."

mrs. Pots: „That's true, his personality has improved quite a bit."

Cogsworth: „Ah, but who are we kidding? It always seems to be making one step forward and two steps backward. He's not taking orders from anyone, even Belle has problems keeping him calm. Especially in times such as this, even if it is Christmas."

For a moment, it seemed like a lantern of joy lit up above Vosel's head.

Vosel: „What! Christmas! It's Christmas already?"

The castle residents gave Vosel an odd look.

Cogsworth: „What have you been, counting the roots of a stump all along? Of course it's Christmas. In fact it's Christmas eve on this very day."

Vosel: „(his eyes sparkle of joy) Awesome! I've been traveling for so long that I've completely forgot about the time. Come to think of it, I can't remember the last time I celebrated Christmas."

Vivi: „Uhm, Vosel-san..."

Vosel: „Huh?"

Vivi: „What is Christmas?"

On this cue, it was as if a huge ! and a huge ? mark appeared above everyone present, and their expressions told about the same.

Vosel: „E-e-e... Didn't you ever celebrate Christmas back in Twilight Town?"

Vivi: „I never heard the word before."

Lumiere: „But little man, this is awful! Not knowing about Christmas is like not knowing about the air around you, the sounds of nature, the beats of a loving heart."

mrs. Potts: „Christmas is a very special time of the year. Everyone comes together and sing along in harmony, they become friends, they share bread, they forgive and forget about arguements."

Vosel: „Also, you get to decorate the tree!"

Lumiere: „And eat pudding!"

Vosel: „And get presents!"

mrs. Potts: „And sing songs!"

Lumiere: „And wish on logs!"

Vosel: „And eat turkey with gravey!"

mrs. Potts: „And decorate!"

Lumiere: „And kiss beneath a missletoe!"

Vosel: „And eat lots of stuff!"

Vivi: „So... You can eat Christmas?"

Vosel, Lumiere, and mrs. Potts hung their heads and became somewhat gray.

„(whining) He didn't get it."

Cogsworth: „Ah, but I'm afraid none of these events have been held under this roof for years."

Vosel: „Huh? Why not?"

Cogsworth: „The master, he... He has forbidden Christmas."

Vosel: „WHAT! How can someone forbid Christmas?"

Vivi: „Did Christmas taste bad?"

Lumiere: „(sadly) Remember when I told you about the enchantress that came to the castle? That is when the curse was put upon us all. It happened on this very day, on Christmas eve."

mrs. Potts: „And ever since, for the master it was just a painful memory."

Cogsworth: „The day his life has ended, how he always tells us."

Vosel: „Oh... So you guys have been getting it hard, huh? Sure, I can't blame him for hating it, but why does he have to take everyone else's joy away?"

Belle: „Well I think he can't!"

everyone else: „Huh?"

No one noticed it until this point, but Belle has dressed herself in a furry coat, a pair of gloves and a scarf to match, ready to head outside.

Belle: „I don't think he has the right to forbid Christmas for anyone. And that's why I'm going to surprise him."

Lumiere: „Miss Belle, where are you going?"

Belle: „I'll be looking for a tree."

mrs. Potts: „A tree, what for?"

Belle: „A Christmas Tree, of course."

Lumiere, mrs. Potts & Cogsworth: „EH! DESPITE HIS PROTEST!"

Belle: „I think all he needs is remember what Christmas really is about. Once he sees how happy people can be, I'm sure he'll be one step closer of seeing the human side of him."

Vosel: „(smiles) I see. Bringing the Beast in a Christmas mood, boy would I like to see that."

Cogsworth: „But you can't just go out there on your own, there's still monsters in the castle!"

Vosel: „Oi! We can escort her."

Belle: „Huh? You will?"

Vosel: „Sure, I like your plan. (grins) Looking for a tree was always one of my favorite parts of Christams anyway, right after the fancy feat. I sure wouldn't want to miss my Christmas turkey just because a bulldog says it's illegal."

Vivi: „But Vosel-san, weren't we supposed to go look for Unversed?"

Vosel: (-_-) (grabs Vivi's hat and kneels down to his level) „We'll be looking for them WHILE we're looking for a tree. After all, what would the Beast say when he finds out we left Belle go out on her own?"

Vivi: „Oh, that so? Then I'm in. (smiles)"

Vosel: „It's decided. Guys, let's go find the best tree for the Beast! (holds his fist high above)"

Vivi: „Yay!"

mrs. Potts: „Yay!"

Lumiere: „Yay!"

Cogsworth: „Yay! Ah wait, did I said that?"

Belle: „(smiles of joy) Thank you all."

In the meantime, in a chamber resembling the castle's attic in the west wing, a pipe organ was playing a sinister melody.

Literally. The organ was playing all on it's own, and spooky, ghastly, smokey green notes kept appearing out of it's tubes whenever they made a sound.

The melody was creepy, even for pipe-organ made the dust rise, the walls stretch and the bats flatter (if there were any).

Then it let out another final tune, and went mute, shaking the air one last time.

Next to the organ was a small humanoid picollo flute, clapping it's hands.

/Fife/

Fife: „Bravo, bravo! You're as splendid as ever, Forte-sama!"

And now would be a good time to mention that atop the huge pipe organ, there was an engraving with a huge humanoid face, and it was moving.

/Forte/

Forte: „Yes, another splendid masterpiece. It is an opera..."

At this moment, Forte let out a single sound composed out of the highest tones of the keyboard, and the sound was so powerful the floor was literally cracked and the glass of the windows nighly fell apart.

Forte: „... to bring a house down."

Fife: „Well, huhuh, yeah, your tunes always let out a, errrr, mighty impression."

Forte: „But it does more than just that. In this form I posses powers beyond anyone's grasp. All those foolish servants want the curse broken to become human again, but I can see the big picture here. Being human is highly overrated, Fife. Like this, we can be immortal."

Fife: „Yes, but, I don't think the master would aproove that, I mean, ehm, he's not immortal, Forte-sama."

Forte: „Yes, but he has been such a good listener ever since fortune bestowed this curse upon us. Only my music can cheer him up, you know?"

Fife: „Absolutely! Oh, andand, that Belle girl was also making him smile, didn't she."

Forte: „Pih, don't remind me. I'm telling you things would be much better if that girl would just go away into whatever cottage she came from! She's been making master far too kind for his own good."

About this time, Fife saw something through the window.

Fife: „Uhm, speaking of which, Forte-sama, guess who just went out for a stroll. Come, take a look!"

Forte: „Come and look? Oh, what a splendid idea. I'm just going to get up and, no wait. (he looks behind his structure, noticing a chain that keeps him connected to the wall) What is this? Oh, that's right: I AM CHAINED TO A WALL!"

Being frightened about his superior's apparent overbombastic sarcasm, Fife simply lead Forte into what he saw:

Fife: „Well, it's Belle, and she's taking a stroll."

Forte: „I figured that much, you idiot! Tell me something I don't know."

Fife: „No wait! What's this? There is... someone with her!"

Forte: „Of course there is someone with her. Those servants keep following her like fleas."

Fife: „Uhm, I don't think it's them. These are... Human."

Forte: „Come again? Human?"

Fife: „Yes! O-ho, I didn't know we had visitors. Now we can have an actual audience for our... err I mean Your masterpiece."

Forte: „I wouldn't play for the girl if Iwas chained tight in her room. Hmmmm... But the appearance of the two 'guests' does explain certain things now. (realizes) But it doesn't have to be a hazard. Fife, I have a task for you!"

Fife: „Huh? For me?"

Forte: „Yes, Fife, don't you agree it would be better if the girl and her little friends would, I don't know, LEAVE for an indeffinite amount of time?"

Fife: „Leave? But she, uhhhh, she seems to be making the master so happy."

Forte: „That's the point, you pinheaded piece of wood. Once she's out of the way, NOT making him happy, then it will be only me, I mean us, making him happy."

Fife: „Gee, errrr, I'm not sure I can..."

Forte: „But Fife, my old friend, you're only one in this whole castle I can rely on. If you can't follow a simple order, then I might just reconsider giving the role of... (charms) the flute solo to someone else."

Fife: „(happy) A flute... Solo!"

To make things clear, a box next to the organ's keyboard magically opened and revealed a piece of paper that said „Flute Solo in A-mol by Fife", but the entire rest of it was covered up. Fife tried reaching out for it, but the box closed before he got the chance.

Forte: „Of course, I might just as well change my mind if you are willing to... cooperate."

Fife: „(cries of joy) Haaaa! I'll do it, Forte-sama! Anything! It will be a dream come true!"

Forte: „That's more like it. Now go down and tell our 'guests' I'd like to see them."

Fife: „Right! Straight away!"

Fife then hopped down the hall and left the room, unintentionally whistling a merry tune with each step he made.

Once he was gone, Forte smiled widely. And sinisterly.

Forte: „Yes... A dream come true indeed. (cackles silently)"

Moments later, Beast entered the room, and he was as grumpy as ever.

Forte: „Master, welcome. My, you don't look so good. Perhaps a short suite will bring a smile on your face?"

Beast: „Yes, Forte. (sits down at the sofa) Your music has always been the only thing that made me forget that horrible night."

Forte: „I only do as told... my friend."

To conclude the conversation, Forte moved the keys on the keyboard and played a silent melody like a lullaby. A lullaby that might never wake anyone again.

And in the back garden, there was a lot of trees. Or at least it looked like it, those were in fact only tree-resembling plants, and the resemblance was poor. Most of the trees were never taken care of by a gardner, so many of them had dulled down, wore off, went glim or simply died out. Vosel was desperately trying to make Belle pick one of them for the Christmas event, but...

Vosel: „How about this one? (stands in front of a leafless tree)"

Belle: (shakes her head)

Vosel: „This one? (stands in front of a bush)"

Belle: (shakes her head)

Vosel: „This one? (a blank tree)"

Belle: (shakes her head)

Vosel: „This one?" (a burned tree)

Belle: (shakes her head)

Vosel: „This one?" (an oak)

Belle: (shakes her head)

Vivi: „This one?" (picks up some weed)

Vosel and Belle both shook their heads.

Lumiere: „Come on, now, everyone. There has got to be a tree somewhere on these grounds that will pass as a Christmas tree."

mrs. Potts: „Is there anywhere we haven't look yet?"

Cogsworth: „What's the point, anyway? I can already see the look on Master's face when he finds out we've been plotting a Christmas party without his permission, and then present him a well-decorated piece of weed."

Vosel: „(while inspecting another tree) Did anyone ever tell you what a big pessimist you are, Clock-dude?"

Cogsworth: „I am being a realist, and stop calling me Clock-dude!"

Vosel: „Alright then... (grins) Clockhandmustage-guy."

Cogsworth: „I beg your pardon!"

Belle: „(smiles to the name) I just hope he remembers it. That's why I'd like to get him the nicest Christmas tree I can find."

Vosel: „Hmmm, maybe we're shooting a little too high. I mean, sure a tree would be nice, but wouldn't it be better to get him a nice present first?"

Belle: „But I already got him one."

Vosel: „Really?"

Belle: „(nods) Yes, me and some friends made a fairy-tale book for him. He loved it when I read him stories, I'm sure he'll like it."

Vosel: „Awesome! You're really trying to make it a good time for the guy."

Belle blushed slightly.

Vivi: „But still, there's no tree on these grounds that looks nice. Maybe we can just drop the idea?"

Vosel: „No way!"

Vivi: „Huh?

Vosel: „If Belle-chan is trying to make Beast a nice Chrustmas, we better help her doing it! A strong heart like that will not go unrewarded or I will just as well discard the keyblade! Now let's go find that tree!"

Cogsworth: „Any idea where to look? We scraped the entire castle twice already."

„Ooh, ooh, I know, I know!"

Everyone's attention was turned towards the small item that said that: it was Fife, a small picollo flute that was waving to them all from the snow.

Lumiere: „Why, that's Fife!"

Mrs. Potts: „What is he doing here?"

Fife: „I know someone who can help you! Especially you, miss Belle. (turns around and heads fo the castle) Follow me!"

Vosel: „Huh? Uhm, okay..."

Needless to say, the group consisting out of 3 humans and 3 humans made items followed Fife as he was leaping in the snow, all the way to the castle.

Then through the castle halls.

Then, just as they were about to enter a large stairway, pipe- organ music was to be heard, and it didn't lack it's sinister nature.

Belle: "Do you hear that? It's beautiful."

Vivi: „It's spooky."

Vosel: „It's... Uhm, deep."

Lumiere: „If I'm not mistaken, aren't we on our way to the maestro's quarters?"

So they followed Fife up the stairs, which kept going in circles, until they reached a large door. Fife stoped here.

Fife: „Here we are!"

The sounds of organ-pipes were at their loudest here, but they died just as they got in front of the door. The door itself seemed somehow darker and gloomier than the rest of the castle.

Fife: „Go ahead, come in."

Fife fit through a gap in the door, and everyone else had to use the doorknob to enter, starting with Belle, then Vosel and Vivi.

But when Lumiere, Cogsworth and mrs. Potts were about to enter, Fife got in their way.

Fife: „I'm sorry. Humans and instruments only quarters. (slams the door, leaving them confused)"

The entire room was huge, yet gloomy. It was almost as large as the entrance hall, and the same as messed up: most of the glass in the windows was cracked and the carpet was torn off. There was also a huge pipe-organ on the other side. Aside from that, there was a sofa, a fireplace and a table that kinda left out a warm atmosphere. There was a weird object on the table: it looked like a glass cylinder with a sparkling rose floating within.

Vosel: „So cool! (walks up to the rose-thing) I wonder what it is?"

Jus as he was about to touch the case,Belle intervented:

Belle: "Don't touch it!"

Vosel: „(halts) Huh?"

Belle: „It's a rose that Beast keeps safe. But I wonder what it's doing here?"

Mesmerized by the rose's beauty, Vosel could only sigh on the fact he couldn't understand it's importance.

Then, there was a deep, charming voice, speaking like a ghost of the past. It came from the pipe organ.

„Music!"

Vosel, Belle, Vivi: „Huh?"

A few keys moved on the keyboard, causing musical tunes to exit the pipes and spread around the room. The group later noticed a huge face atop of the structure. It was Forte.

Forte: „'Music is the one incorporeal entrance into the higher world of knowledge which comprehends mankind, but which mankind cannot comprehend.' That is Ludwig van Beethoven."

Vivi: „ (freaked out) Vosel-san! The piano is alive!"

Vosel: „(-_-) Didn't you notice that it's nothing unusual here?"

Belle: „Such charming words... Who are you?"

Forte: „Forgive me, madam, I forgot to introduce myself. I am the maestro composer of this castle, Forte. And you already met my assistant, Fife."

Fife: „(whistles) That's me!"

Vosel: „So cool! It's a huge talking piano, way bigger than the others!"

Forte: „(his eye twitches) I am an organ, boy. Say, I don't believe I met your aquintance."

Vosel: „Oh, right. My name is Vosel. And this... (points at Vivi, who is hiding behind his legs) Is Vivi."

Forte: „Oh, another visitor? The master must have been overgenerous to have left you stay here."

Vivi: „Well... We've been passing by."

Forte: „Indeed you were, and a little birdie told me you (he means Belle) were preparing a Christmas party for the master, that true?"

Belle: „(nods) Yeah, we've been thinking to surprise him."

Vivi: „In fact, we've just been trying to find a tree to eat at Christmas."

Vosel slaped his own face on this comment, but Forte didn't seem to mind.

Forte: „A tree? How noble. To think, back then, the Christmas tree was the master's favorite part of the day."

Vosel: „I guess he's just going to have to manage without one. We searched everywhere, and unless there's a tree that grows on bricks, I don't think he's going to be satisfied."

Forte: „Really? Everywhere?"

Vivi: „Yes. (counts on his fingers) The east garden, the west garden, the back garden, the basement, the parlors..."

Forte: „And what about the Black Forest?"

This mention surprised the present human beings.

Belle: „The forest? But isn't that outside castle grounds?"

Forte: „Indeed it is, but a little birdie told me there is a marvelous tree growing out there. Deep, deep, in the hidden regions of the forest, lies a tree untouched by man. The snow on it's braches froze a long time ago and sparkles like the dew in the dawn, and it's branches are so green birds are ashamed to sing in it's presence, and the stature so powerful it evokes the very fire within everyone's heart."

Vivi: „(amazed, gasps) That sounds marvelous!"

Belle: „But we can't go there. I made a promise to the Beast never to leave the castle."

Forte: „And does he know?"

Belle: „Huh? well, uhm..."

Forte: „He doesn't have to find out, then? If you leave for it now, you just might be back untill sunset. It's going to be our little secret."

Vosel: „And what about the wolves?"

Forte: „Trust me, they will be the least of your concerns. They never hunt at this time of the day."

Vosel: „(thinks) Hmmmmm... I dunno."

Vivi: „We just might give it a shot, Vosel-san. Everything else we tried has backfired."

Vosel: „True-true."

Belle: „I think it's worth a shot."

Vosel: „Okay then, we can go look for this marvelous tree."

Forte: „(smiles widely) Excelent. Fife can take you there, he has seen the tree with his own eyes."

Fife. „Huh? I-I-I did?"

Forte: "YES, Fife, don't you remember telling me how the tree has quills as soft as feathers of a young swan?"

Fife: „Well, uhm..."

Forte: „A-HEM!"

Fife: „Yes! Yes, it does, i-it most certainly does!"

Vosel. „Awesome, flute-guy! You can show us the way!"

Forte: "But you can't all go, can you?"

Vosel: „Huh?"

Forte: „If I remember correctly, didn't the master tell you to dispose of the Unversed, little man?"

Vosel: „(surprised) Unversed?"

Forte: „Yes, I'm sure miss Belle would apreciate your help, but the castle needs you more, does it not?"

Vosel: „Hmmmm... Now that you say it... But we can't just leave Belle to go out there on her own. Wouldn't that be dangerous?"

Forte: „(laughs) Trust me, you're in more danger in this very room. (grins widely)"

Belle: „Don't worry about me, Vosel. I'll just ask Lumiere and others to be my escort. You just make sure Beast doesn't get suspicious."

Vosel: „Hmmmm... Okay then, you say so."

Fife then jumped down from the table and wento to open the door for Belle.

Fife: „Right this way, m'am."

That way, Belle, Vosel and Vivi went out, but before Fife followed them, he winked and gave Forte an OK sign with his hand, and the huge organ smiled vilely to that.

As soon as the coast was clear, Forte smugged and laughed silently.

Forte: „Hmhm, and now, on to the great finale of this opus."

Later, Belle was on her way to leave castle grounds, followed by Lumiere, Fife and Cogsworth. She told them all abut it, the marvelous tree that was hidden in the woods. The candlestick and the clock didn't seem that happy about it.

Lumiere: „Pardon me, madmoselle, I apreciate your concern for the master, but don't you think going into the Black Forest to get a tree is a little bit..."

Cogsworth: „Suicidal?"

Lumiere diliked Cogsworth's comment, and looked at him oddly.

Belle: „I know it's weird, but I think Beast deserves the best. He's been having it so rough."

Right before they went outside the large gate to the castle, Vosel came running towards them, wearing winter-ressistant clothing.

Vosel: „Oi! Wait for me, guys!"

Belle: „Huh? Vosel? (he gets in front of them) What are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to look for monsters?"

Vosel: „Meh, keeping an eye out for friends is more important to me than monster-hunt. Besides, I left Vivi in charge of the castle. Mind as well give you a hand in taking down the tree."

Lumiere and Cogsworth looked at each other in confusion.

Lumiere: „Are you certain your little friend can handle those mosnetrs by himself?"

Vosel: „He'll be alright. Vivi's tougher than he seems. More importantly, (looks at Lumiere and Cogsworth) I was afraid some of your candles might go out in the cold, and your gears might rust off in the moisture."

Belle: „(smiles) Thanks. I apreciate your concern. Well, let's get going."

Vosel: „Yosh! More importantly, I wouldn't like following every single word the piano-guy said. There's something suspicious about him..."

flashback:

Forte: „If I remember correctly, didn't the master tell you to dispose of the Unversed, little man?"

flashback end

Vosel: „He called them Unversed. But where did he know the name? Maybe the Beast told him, but I don't think he cared much about naming them. Some parts just don't fit. Good thing I warned Vivi about it..."

flashback:

Vivi: „Who, me?"

Vosel: „That's right. I'd like you to be brave and guard the castle while I keep Belle-chan safe."

Vivi: „You'll be leaving me all on my own?"

Vosel: „Of course not. You're a brave little man, aren't you? You can handle a few Unversed, right?"

Vivi: „(blushes) You really think so?"

Vosel: „Of course. And if anything comes up, just yell my name out loud."

Vivi: „Hai! I won't fail you, Vosel-san!"

flashback end

Vosel: „I hope the little guy is as tough as I said..."

Right about here, the group was just entering the dark part of the forest, where the trees were growing thick.

Cogsworth: „I have a bad feeling in my pendulum."

Lumiere: „I'm afraid I'm gonna have to put my candlesticks down to say I agree with Cogsworth for once. Aren't you afraid of the wolves?"

Fife: „Relax. Forte-sama knows what he's talking about. They won't attack us now."

Belle: „Especially not with a powerful warrior like Vosel on our side, right?"

Vosel: „(blushes) Oh, ehm... Right, I won't fail you. Every wolf out there is probably dead scared on the tought that I'm here."

Elsewhere:

A wolf was just beaten up. It fell on the ground, severely wounded, and knocked out cold. Around him, in the snow, more wolves were lying down, all of them either motionless or twitching in pain. Something horrible has happened here.

What, you ask?

Well, there were 3 figures standing above the pile of defeated wolves.

3 Scrappers, whose eyes and claws flashed in the darkness, as their hunger for bloodspill wasn't sattisfied.

- To be continued

Vosel: „Yosh! It's time to check my journal for all the nasty things I run into. Let's see, today's featured page is...
Ghost Lantern
A spooky Unversed that keeps foating around like a ghost, forever bond to the flames within it's lantern. On...ce it expells those flames, thigs really get cooked up, and not in a good way, this Soul Ember burns badly and might cause illusions. I'd hate to carry these lanterns int he dark, I stick to a flashlight.
Yosh! Now let's see what happens next! Please come watch, heheh!"

(next time)
Vosel: „The tree is alive! Forte tricked us!"
Lumiere: „But we have to protect Belle no matter what!"
Belle: „Forget me, save the rose!"
Vosel: „The rose? Why is it so important?"
Belle: „It's Beast's greatest treasure! He must not loose it!"
Vivi: „Vosel-san, they need our help!"
Vosel: „Yosh! Vivi, Belle, Beast, we all must fight as one to beat Forte!"
Vosel: „Next time on Heartkeepers: 'Save the rose! Ex Knight Rides Anew!' I'll definitely become, Kingdom Hearts!"

- Kingdom Hearts concept and it's characters are created and owned by: Square Enix, Disney, Pixar, and many more

original appearances:

Belle, the Beast, Cogsworth, Lumiere, mrs. Potts- "Beauty and the Beast" (1991)
Forte, Fife- "Beauty and the Beast: an Entchanted Christmas" (1997)

original Unversed: Shoegazer

fanmade Unversed: Ghost Lantern