Chapter 10: The Mob and True Love

After arriving home, Gaia made haste and supported her father inside. He was as cold as ice and still barely conscious but he was able to half-walk, half-tumble into the house with her. Phillip took to eating some fresh grass as Gaia walked inside and watched the surroundings curiously. It seemed as if there was a snow man with real arms next to house.

Zack shook his head and the snow fell off, leaving his skin white and frosty. "Ohh," he said, shuddering. "They're back." He quickly detached himself from the yard and ran off to get Vanitas and the rest of the town.

…..

Ansem opened his eyes and saw the beautiful image of his daughter sitting over him with a smile on her face. "Gaia," he said weakly. She smiled even larger as she placed a warm cloth on his brow.

"Shhh," she murmured soothingly. "It's okay, Daddy, I'm home."

He sat up with a big smile on his face. "I thought I'd never see you again." He leant in and gave her a big hug. Right now, it was all right because Gaia was home and safe in his arms.

"I've missed you so much," she whispered gently.

"But the beast…" said Ansem, resuming his serious, frantic tones. "How did you escape?" He pulled her back at arm's length to study her carefully.

"I didn't escape, Daddy," she said softly. "He let me go."

"That horrible beast?" Ansem's voice rose along with his eyebrows in surprise. The last that he saw of the beast was that he never backed down on his word and that he took Ansem's daughter away.

"But he's different, Daddy," she said sweetly. "He's changed somehow." Before she could reply more, she heard a cluttering sound from her bag and looked over to see Ventus come out.

"Hi," he said cutely, giving her a big smile.

"Oh," she gasped. "A stowaway."

Ventus hopped up to Ansem and sat in his hands. He gave Gaia a little stern and sad look. Ansem didn't seem to notice because he was happy to see his little friend again.

"Why, hello there, little fella," he said kindly. "Didn't think I'd see you again."

"Gaia, why did you go away?" asked Ven, looking at Gaia sadly with his innocent blue eyes. "Don't you like us anymore?"

Gaia gave him a gentle smile. "Ven, of course I do," she said. "It's just that…"

The sound of the knocking door made her pause and she stood up to go answer it. Who would come calling at that time a night? She walked over and hesitantly opened it. There stood Xehanort, the asylum owner, but why was he there?

"Can I help you?" she asked seriously, her smile dropping into a frown.

"I've come to collect you father," he stated with a twisted smile.

"My father?" she repeated in surprise.

"Don't worry, mademoiselle," he said, stepping back to reveal the asylum carriage. "We'll take good care of him." A crowd of people stood out there with torches and pitchforks.

"My father's not crazy!" shouted Gaia, stepping out of the house to advance on Xehanort.

"He was raving like a lunatic," Zack supplied. "We all heard him, didn't we?" He gestured to the angry mob and they all shouted in response.

Ansem's friend, Eraqus, came out of the crowd and stood next to Gaia in order to defend her if they tried to hurt her. He didn't know what to do because there were more of them and less of him but he had to keep Gaia safe if they got Ansem.

"No," said Gaia sternly, "I won't let you."
"Gaia," she heard her father's voice from the doorway.

"Ansem," said Zack mockingly. "Tell us again, old man! Just how big was the beast?"

Ansem went to stand near Gaia and Eraqus, who also had his arms around Gaia protectively. "He was…well, he was…he was enormously tall. I'd…I'd say at least six, no, more like seven feet!" He gestured to show how tall Xemnas was but the whole crowd laughed derisively.

"Well," said Zack, "you don't get any crazier than that!"

"It's true, I tell you!" shouted Ansem in response, running down to address to the crowd.

"Get him out of here!" yelled someone from the crowd.

Two men from the asylum grabbed Ansem by the arms and began steering him away. "Let go of me!" Ansem shouted.

"No!" shouted Gaia, grabbing Xehanort by the arm. "You can't do this!"

Xehanort merely shrugged her off and continued walking towards the carriage. Vanitas walked up and looked at her mockingly. She gave him a little glare before looking back at her father. Ansem was trying to resist but it was futile. Eraqus ran up to Gaia and placed his arm around her shoulders protectively.

"Poor Gaia," said Vanitas mockingly. "It's a shame about your father." He pulled Gaia out of Eraqus's arms and placed his arm around her.

"You know he's not crazy, Vanitas," said Gaia, desperately grabbing at his shirtfront.

"I might be able to clear up this little misunderstanding if…" he paused dramatically.

"If what?" asked Gaia curiously.

"If you marry me," said Vanitas, manic growing in his eyes.

"What?" gasped Gaia, horrified.

"One little word, Gaia," he said, drawing her closer. "That's all it takes."

Gaia roughly pushed herself off of him and glared at him. "Never!" she shouted.

"Have it your way," said Vanitas.

"Gaia?" called Ansem. "Let go of me!" He tried to fight the men again.

"My father's not crazy," shouted Gaia, holding the enchanted mirror, "and I can prove it!" She held the mirror as Xemnas taught her how. "Show me Xemnas!"

Xemnas's enraged tanned features showed up on the mirror and he was growling out from his castle. Gaia showed the whole crowd, who recoiled like they just got hit with something. Everyone gasped at the sight of him but Gaia didn't care. She wanted to set the record straight that her father wasn't crazy.

"Is it dangerous?" asked one woman from the crowd.

"No, no," cried Gaia, running down to the crowd. "He'd never hurt anyone! Please I know he looks vicious, but he's kind and gentle! He's my friend."

"If I didn't know better," said Vanitas, placing a cold hand on her shoulder, "I'd say you have feelings for this monster."

"He's not a monster, Vanitas!" shouted Gaia venomously. "You are!" She tore away from him and held the mirror close as if guarding it from them.

"She's as crazy as the old man," declared Vanitas, tearing the mirror out of her hands. "The beast will make off with your children! He'll come after them at night!"

"No!" cried Gaia.

"We're not safe until his head is mounted on my wall!" shouted Vanitas. "Who's with me!"

The whole crowd shouted in agreement and Vanitas saddled his horse.

"We're not safe until he's dead,

He'll come stalking in the night,

Set to sacrifice our children,

To his monstrous appetite,

He'll wreak havoc on our village,

If we let him free."

Vanitas grabbed a torch and began singing along with the crowd.

"So, it's time to take some action, boys,

It's time to follow me,

Through the mist,

Through the woods,

Through the darkness and the shadows,

It's a nightmare but it's one exciting ride,

Say a prayer,

And we're there at the drawbridge f a castle,

And there's something truly terrible inside,

It's a beast,

He's got fangs, razor-sharp ones,

Massive hands, killer weapons for the feast,

Hear him roar,

See him foam,

But we're not coming home,

Till he's dead,

Good and dead,

Kill the beast!"

Gaia rushed out and tried to fight Vanitas off. "No!" she shouted. "I won't let you do this!"

"If you're not with us," said Vanitas, grabbing her by the wrist, "you're against us! Bring the old man!"

The two men that had him came forward with him. Ansem was putting up a struggle but they had a good grip on him.

"Get your hands off of me!" he shouted but was thrown in the cellar.

"We can't have them running off to warn that creature!" shouted Vanitas, throwing Gaia in next and shutting the door.

"We'll rid the village of this beast!" shouted Vanitas. "Who's with me!"

The whole village shouted in response and began singing more.

"Light a torch,

Mount your horse,

Screw your courage to the sticking place,

We're helping Vanitas lead the way,

Through a mist,

To the woods where within a haunted castle,

Something's lurking that you don't see every day,

It's a beast,

One as tall as a mountain,

We won't rest until he's good and deceased,

Sally-forth,

Talley-ho,

Grab your sword and your bow,

Praise the Lord and here we go!"

Vanitas shouted from his horse as they walked through the forest, "We'll lay siege of the castle and bring down his head!"

….

Back at Gaia's house, Gaia tried desperately to get out of the cellar but it was no use. "I have to warn Xemnas," said Gaia. "It's all my fault. Daddy, what are we going to do?"

Ansem came up and wrapped his arms around Gaia. "Now, now," he said, "we'll think of something."

From the outside, Ven and Eraqus saw a cool new invention out in the field. Suddenly, a thought crossed both of their minds and they exchanged a smile. The wood chopper could probably open the door and let them free.

….

The crowd in the forest continued singing as they stormed to the castle.

"We don't like what we don't understand,

In fact, it scares us,

And this monster is mysterious at least,

Bring your guns,

Bring your knives,

Save your children and your wives,

We'll save our village and our lives,

We'll kill the beast!"

….

"I knew it," said Saix from inside the castle. "I knew it was foolish to give our hopes up!" He was still pacing with Aqua, Axel, and Larxene.

"Maybe," said Axel angrily, "it'd be easier if she didn't come at all!"

Angel's barking attracted them to the window.

"Could it be?" asked Axel hopefully.

"Is it she?" asked Aqua at the same time.

Aqua, Axel, and Saix ran over to the window and saw men coming with lit torches.

"Sacrebleu!" shouted Axel. "Invaders!"

"Encroachers!" shouted Saix, watching them come up to the castle.

"And they have the mirror," said Aqua, seeing the mirror in one man's hands.

"Warn the master," ordered Saix to Aqua, who nodded and rushed off. "If it's a fight they want, we'll be ready for them! Who's with me!" He turned once the door shut. "Ah!"

….

"Take whatever loot you can find!" order Vanitas from outside. "But remember, the beast is mine!"

….

The servants from the castle began singing as they ran down the stairs to defend the castle.

"Hearts ablaze,

Banners high,

Unafraid,

Although the danger just increased."

….

From the outside, the men sang the same song but with different lyrics.

"Raise the flag,

Sing the song,

Here we come,

We're fifty strong,

And fifty Frenchmen can't be wrong,

Let's kill the beast!"

….

The thud on the door attracted the servants and they came screeching to a halt at the door.

"Pardon me, master," said Aqua, coming to a stop at Xemnas's room.

"Leave me in peace," said Xemnas in distress.

"But sire," cried Aqua, "the castle is under attack!"

From outside the mantra of "Kill the beast!" attracted their attention from downstairs. The servants from downstairs tried to hold the door shut but it wasn't working out well.

"This isn't working," said Axel in a struggled tone.

"Oh, Axel," said Larxene," we must do something."

"Wait I know," said Axel, lighting up with his idea.

From upstairs, Aqua asked Xemnas desperately, "What shall we do, sir?"

"It doesn't matter now," said Xemnas dully. "Just let them come."

….

The men broke in and saw regular looking house ware from the inside. They all stepped in and looked around with their torches in hands. Zack grabbed Axel from the desk and looked around until the unexpected happened.

"Now!" cried Axel and the lights came on.

The servants came alive and began fighting the men with everything they had. Everyone was getting owned by the furniture but Vanitas managed to escape in the scuffle and went upstairs to look for the beast.

….

Meanwhile, back at Gaia's house, Ven and Eraqus powered up the invention and began driving towards the cellar. The whistle let out a loud screech and the axe came down on the cellar door. When it sliced it open, the machine fell inside and collapsed where it was. A loud explosion came from the cellar and the machine was broken into pieces. Eraqus was sitting lopsided in the chair and Ven was dangling from a spring.

"You guys have got to try this," said Ven excitedly.

…..

At the castle, the fight raged on. The baker got pelted by tomatoes until a strong voice came from the castle stairs.

"Up here, you scurvy scum!" shouted Aqua. "Now!" The cups of hot tea next to her poured down on the man, drenching him in hot liquid. Aqua had a satisfied grin on her face.

From the top of the stairs, Aerith let out a loud whoop and jumped off. She landed on one of them and crushed him into the ground. She began beating the men with her doors and drawers until she enclosed one in and let him come out looking like a girl. He let out a wail and ran off.

Axel was backed into a corner and Zack held up a torch. Axel's wax began melting with the intensity of the flame but there was nothing he could do for he was trapped. To save him, Saix slid down the banister with a knife and gun in hands and stabbed Zack in the back. He let out a loud cry and jumped up in the air.

One man began ripping the feathers out of Larxene who tried to fight but it was difficult to because she had no arms or legs. Axel came rushing in and went to aid her. He plugged his nose and let the flames flare out onto the man's pants. He quickly dropped Larxene and she landed in Axel's arms.

Later, Angel let the men chase her to the kitchen. They surrounded with pitchforks and knives but the drawers opened revealing butcher knives. The men hesitated a bit but ran when they saw the oven flare up and let out an evil laugh. They then screamed like little girls and ran out of the castle, followed by many others.

The servants in the castle cheered for the victory and hopped up and down. Saix stood on the top of the stairs with his knife and grinned victoriously.

"And stay out!" shouted Saix.

Axel kissed him twice on the cheeks but Saix slapped him on face lightly.

….

Alone in his room sat Xemnas, wallowing in his pity, praying Gaia would come back soon. He wanted to see her smile again and so he could say that he loved her but it was too late. He sensed someone walk in and he turned to see a man walk in with a bow and arrow ready. Indifferently, Xemnas turned away and just resumed sitting in pity.

He let out a loud cry when the arrow pierced him in the shoulder. Vanitas took advantage of that and pushed him out the window. When they landed out in the rain, Vanitas laughed and kicked Xemnas off the balcony and let him land on the roof of the castle.

"Get up," ordered Vanitas, kicking Xemnas. "Get up."

Xemnas refused to because he wanted to die.

"What's the matter, beast?" demanded Vanitas. "Too kind and gentle to fight back?"

Xemnas let out low growl and let himself lay there, awaiting for death. Vanitas grabbed a spiky pat from the castle and held it over his head, ready to strike.

"No!" shouted a familiar voice, Gaia's voice.

"Gaia," whispered Xemnas, pushing himself up a bit to look at her.

"No, Vanitas, please!" begged Gaia, pressing her hands together.

With a newfound power, Xemnas grabbed the club and pushed it back. He began to press against it and fight with Vanitas. He trailed Vanitas onto the tower and grabbed the club again. This time he ripped it out of Vanitas's hands and threw it away, knocking him off the tower and they landed on another balcony. Xemnas hid in the shadows and waited for Vanitas to strike.

"Come out and fight!" shouted Vanitas. "Were you in love with her, beast! Did you honestly think she'd want you when she had someone like me!"

That was the final push for Xemnas because he came out of hiding and loomed around and over Vanitas. He dodged and grabbed at the club but Vanitas pulled it back. He slid down the roof a bit but didn't give in.

"It's over, beast!" shouted Vanitas. "Gaia's mine!"

That was the absolute push for Xemnas because he knocked the club out of Vanitas's hands, grabbed him by the lapels, and dangled him over the castle. His grip was firm and Vanitas tried to fight out of it.

"Let me go," begged Vanitas, "let me go! Please don't hurt me! I'll do anything! Anything!"

Xemnas felt a pang of humility strike him and he pulled Vanitas back over to him. He got in the man's face and looked him in the eyes. "Get out," he growled dangerously before setting him down.

"Xemnas!" cried Gaia from the balcony.

Xemnas looked up and saw her in the rain. He climbed up the roof and went to her. "Gaia," he whispered tenderly. "You came back." He placed his hand on her cheek and gazed into her eyes tenderly.

She smiled and placed both hands on Xemnas's but a sickening thud made her gasp and she looked to see Vanitas have his knife deep in Xemnas's side. Xemnas clawed at Vanitas, who tried to stab Xemnas again but fell of the tower and was never seen again. She grabbed Xemnas to save him from falling and pulled him back over the edge.

Blood came from his side but Gaia did all she could to place him on the ground safely. Tears began to well up in her eyes but she stayed strong. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Aqua, Axel, and Saix dash up. She cradled Xemnas's head and upper torso in her lap and tenderly held him tight, resting her hand on his cheek. A terrible gasping sound came from Xemnas but he opened his eyes and looked straight at Gaia tenderly.

"You…" he gasped weakly, "you…came back."

"Of course I came back," she said shakily but softly. "I couldn't let them…Oh, this is all my fault." She bent down a bit and embraced Xemnas tightly. "If only I got here sooner."

"Maybe," gasped Xemnas, "maybe it's better…it's better this way."

"Don't talk like that," said Gaia tearfully. "You'll be all right. We're together now. Everything's gonna be all right, you'll see."

"At least," said Xemnas, touching her cheek tenderly, "I got to see you one last time." His hand slid off her cheek and he fell back on her lap limply, breathing no more.

Tears began to fall from Gaia's eyes and she clapped her hand to her mouth in horror. "No," she cried, "no. Please. Please. Please, don't leave me." She bent down and began sobbing onto Xemnas's chest. "I love you." It came out a whisper but was laced with love and tenderness.

The last petal fell from the rose and fell to the ground. Saix, Aqua, Axel gazed at it and looked away, crying. The rain fell on Gaia but she clung to Xemnas, crying her heart out. She stopped crying when she saw spears of light hitting the ground. It pulled Xemnas out of her arms and held him up in the air. A bright light began to shine and Xemnas's body disappeared in it. Gaia watched on with wide eyes and saw the coat turn into a navy blue shirt and the black pants turn into tan hakamas. His skin lightened a bit and his hair grew short and brown. He landed on his feet and his blue eyes gazed at Gaia with love.

"Gaia," he said in a soft, loving tone, "it's me."

She touched his hair and then looked into his eyes. It was him, she knew, by the some soft glow in them. "It is you!" she exclaimed, and she placed her hands on his shoulders. She bent in and kissed him on the lips. She felt the magic in her veins and the love in her heart. Their shared kiss sent magic into the sky and the servants began to turn back into people.

Axel was a tall, skinny man with red spiky hair and green smiling eyes. He had long, gangly limbs with a smile on his face. His outfit consisted of a red shirt and dark pants. He was still who he was but just human. Xemnas looked happy to see him.

"Axel," he said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Aqua," –he said to a blue haired woman with an angular, skinny body and blue smiling eyes—"Saix," he looked at a blue haired man with blue smiling eyes and long muscular limbs, "look at us." He pulled the three of them into a group hug.

"Mama, Mama," called Ven's voice and the cup turned into a small boy with blond spiky hair and blue excited eyes. His smile was big as he sat on a small black dog who barked excitedly.

"Oh, my goodness," laughed Aqua, scooping Ven up into her arms.

"It is a miracle," said Terra, lifting Gaia up into his arms and whirling her around lovingly. "Come on, Gaia, I need to apologize to your father." He set her down and they both ran off to find Ansem.

A/N: Whoo! It's almost over! To change this a bit, I'm gonna add a little surprise to the end chapter! It involves Aerith, Zack, and the song of the said movie! Thanks for sticking with me till the end! Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts or Beauty and the Beast! Read and review please! No one's with me because we're planning the wedding scene! See y'all later.