A/N: My hand hurts, I tried so hard to make this action pack and just wow. I wanted to get this out before the New Year. I might be able to get another chapter before the New Year, but it might be after the New Year.

Disclaimer: Read the Prologue

"You don't lose hope, love. If you do, you lose everything." – Mrs. Potts, Disney's Beauty and the Beast

Ch. 17: The Last Petal

Jane roared in pain as the arrow hit her shoulder before she was tackled through the glass window of the balcony. Ian and she tumbled across the floor of the balcony with Jane trying to push herself up however, Ian had another idea. Getting up from the ground swiftly, he kicked Jane in the gut then with all his strength pushed her over the balcony.

The Beast reacted instinctively by letting her claws drag to slow her fall as she gripped onto the tiles of the roof. She cringed in pain and looked at her shoulder to see the arrow still there; she grabbed it and pulled it, letting out a roar while Ian laughed as he slid down to another section of the roof.

"It's over, Beast," Ian informed Jane as he drew his sword. "Maura sent me here to kill your disgusting mug and I plan to."

Finally, escaping from the maze, Maura looked up to see Jane and Ian on the roof. "Jane," Maura shouted but Jane could not hear her, and Maura watched as Ian swung his sword at Jane who avoided it. She then heard a loud yelp and turned back to see the bear trying to break through the maze. She bolted from the maze and began to head toward the castle's doors but as she grew closer, she noticed that the castle began to shake.

Suddenly, one of the towers of the castle collapsed and half of the mob was running out of the castle. Maura reached the staircase and pushed through the doors to see the furniture and what was left of the mob still fighting. Avoiding the chaos, she ran toward the stairs, racing up in attempt to reach Jane and Ian.

As she climbed up the staircase, the castle shook suddenly which prompted her to grip onto the railing as some of the walls collapsed into hallways, causing Maura to fall backwards. "Damn it," Maura whispered.

This way…

Maura turned her head at the sound to see the silhouette of a person in one of the mirrors. "Charlie," Maura inquired, and the hand rose to touch the mirror, prompting Maura to touch the mirror and spoke, "Open the door to the place that is reflected."

The mirror glowed and Maura sunk in, falling into darkness.

When she entered the darkness, the young woman called out immediately, "Charlie!"

"Welcome Maura," she heard. Knowing that it wasn't her sister's voice, Maura turned quickly to see an older man, giving her a crooked smile in the darkness.

"Hoyt." Maura attempted to move backwards but stopped when she realized that it was all darkness. "How?"

"That buffoon, Charlie couldn't hold me off forever," he commented. Suddenly, he disappeared from where he stood then reappeared; this time next to Maura. He grabbed her by her wrist and continued his taunt, "You won't save them in time."

At these words, Maura bolted from even though she didn't know where she was heading. I'll find you, Jane. I'm going to make it there and stop Ian.

"You can't run, Maura! This world is now mine!"

I can't lose Jane. I can't lose Charlie. I can't lose the others.

As if her words had some power, the darkness faded to reveal a door.

"No," Hoyt shouted.

Placing her arms over her face, Maura crashed through the door and landed on the floor with the door closing then disappearing. She glanced down to see that the floor she knew very well, prompting her to stand quickly and look around to see that she was in Jane's room. She moved quickly, walking toward the Mirror then looked over to see someone sneaking into the room.

She watched as Dean entered Jane's chambers, look around the room, pushing objects aside until he saw a dim glow from another room. Seeing this, he walked pass the mirror and push the door open to reveal the wilting rose. With bright red eyes, Dean drew the sword and raised his arms over his head, preparing to strike the rose.

Her eyes widened, remembering how important the rose was. "Open the door to the world that is reflected," Maura shouted. The Mirror glowed and the glass melted with Maura stepping through immediately. Knowing she had little time, she looked around the room and picked up a piece of stone that was on the ground, throwing it at Dean.

Hitting her target in the head, Dean turned to reveal his red eyes and sneer appeared. "How perfect. I can kill you here in front of your Janie," two voices spoke at the same time.

Hearing Jane's nickname with that twisted voice and recognizing the red eyes, Maura reacted, placing her hand into her satchel pulling out the small surgical knife and pointing it at him. "How did you get out of the Mirror, Hoyt," Maura questioned as her opponent entered the main room.

Dean's face shifted with a sly smile and their mix voices came together once more. "Opportunity knocked and here it is. A vessel," Hoyt replied as he swung his sword, destroying a table in the room. "This weak-minded imbecile is perfect for me to control especially after I led the other idiot to Jane. Now, if he can't kill Jane then I will but for now, I'll finish you off."

Suddenly, he charged at her.

Jane rolled away before the sword could make contact, throwing her off balance and making her fall to the roof below. She groaned in pain as she limped over to a statue and hid behind it as she tried to catch her breath until she felt a hand grab her by her mane and threw up against the tiles of the roof.

Ian pressed the hilt of his sword against her wound which prompt Jane to roar in pain once more. With all of her strength, Jane pushed Ian back and gripped the hilt of the sword, trying to gain control of the situation. She shoved him back and slammed the blade against the rooftile with the blade, shattering it into pieces. Despite no weapon, Ian grabbed Jane by her scruff until the castle shook once more, knocking them off the walkway and crashing through another ceiling.

Maura duck once more as Hoyt swung the sword and she looked down at her small scalpel knowing that it was not going to stop her attacker. She began to look around until she noticed a broken piece of wood and grabbed it. "I promise you, Maura, your sister and your beast will be dead," Hoyt chuckled.

Maura gripped the wood tighter and came out of her hiding spot, swinging at Hoyt who caught the wood. He pulled it from her hands and tossed it aside, then punched Maura in the jaw. She fell backwards, landing on her back; she rubbed her jaw and tried to move backwards until she felt her back hit the mirror.

With all the strength she had, Charlie was able to transport herself into Jane's chambers. She hissed in pain then looked down at her bleeding wound. Charlie looked at her surroundings and noticed that darkness was taking over and she could feel it; Hoyt's control. "I promise you, Maura, your sister and your beast will be dead," Charlie heard, prompting her head to snap.

"Jane and Charlie are strong," Maura shouted back.

"Strong? Once that rose dies, Jane will remain a beast and your dear old sister…she's dying. I have full control of the Mirror World. The castle is falling apart before you," Hoyt revealed.

Charlie closed her eyes and gripped her hands into a tight fist, trying to gain some semblance of control. She then reopened her eyes to see the formation of the shadows to see Maura against the mirror with Hoyt approaching her with his sword.

He lifted the sword and Maura looked around frantically to figure out what to do until she felt a swift gust wind and Hoyt was wrestling the sword from some force. Maura glanced over her shoulder to see Charlie wrestling Hoyt for the sword. "Maura, run," Charlie shouted.

"You silly girl," Hoyt laughed as he punched Charlie. "You two are going to be dead." He then kicked her, flipping her over and continued, "You have failed Jane once more."

Charlie landed backwards and Hoyt raised his sword, planning to strike Charlie until he cried out in pain and looked down to see Maura's scalpel in his leg. Taking this opportunity, Charlie grabbed his sword and swung it, but Hoyt ducked and grabbed another sword that was on the side and attacked.

The swords collided and Charlie kicked Hoyt's leg before she reached out toward the mirror and shouted, "Maura, touch the Mirror!"

Hearing this, Hoyt looked at Maura and charged toward the mirror, but it was too late for him as Maura's hand touched it. "Open the door that's been reflected," Maura shouted then rolled away.

Unable to stop himself, Hoyt fell through the mirror.

Maura stood up from the ground and looked at the mirror where she watched the two wrestle. "Maura, go find Jane," Charlie shouted as Hoyt tried to place a chokehold on her.

"But…"

"Go!"

Maura nodded and ran toward the balcony then began to climb down to find Jane.

She blinked her eyes several times before she realized that the ruble was on top of her. She glanced over to see that her opponent was under ruble as well. Jane pushed the ruble off her chest, tossing it aside then looked around to see that she was in the shattered mirror room. She then heard a groan and the crackling of glass breaking with Ian pushing himself from the floor.

He looked down at his hands to see them covered in blood then he brought his gaze across to Jane. He looked around and picked up a long shard, charging toward Jane. Seeing the attack, Jane moved to the side then grabbed Ian's arm, wrestling once more to make the shard drop.

"Stop fighting," Ian shouted. "Maura doesn't want you alive."

He's lying…he's lying.

"She wants someone handsome and smart," Ian emphasized as he kicked Jane's knee, making her drop to the ground. The shard dropped but that didn't stop Ian from kicking Jane directly in the chest, making crash through the wall into the hallway that was collapsing. He punched and sent her through the window, landing on another stone walkway.

Ian jumped down, drawing his dagger from his boot as he spoke, "She wants someone like me. Not. Like. You."

"Jane!"

The last bit of the mob ran out with everyone cheering happily. Frankie hugged Nina, Tommy, and Angela while Korsak gave Frost gave him a pat on the back with a triumphant smile. "We won," Drake shouted with a triumph sound from his bagpipe and he turned to look at Susie but what he saw shocked him.

The beautiful fan rested against the pillar where Drake saw her smiling earlier but within a second, the patterns on her fan didn't move like they did. Instead, they were still, and she was still. "Susie," he called but she didn't respond, prompting the other servants to move closer with sad expressions.

"It's starting," Korsak whispered.

"TJ," Tommy whispered then whistled for the cart.

The cart appeared quickly with Angela and Tommy hoping onto the cart and racing to the other side of the castle.

Charlie flipped Hoyt over her shoulder, making him crash into the bedpost. Hoyt pushed himself up and looked at Charlie, cracking his neck as he spoke, "You think that's going to stop me, you pathetic child." With the snap of the fingers, a sword appeared in his hands and he charged at her with the new saber.

Charlie ducked, landing on her back, and attempted to snap her fingers to get a sword to appear. Hoyt laughed at Charlie's attempt as he swung his sword once more. Knowing that she couldn't fight Hoyt on an even level, Charlie did the only thing left and suddenly, Jane's room became complete darkness.

Caught off guard, Hoyt twisted his body around the darkness, trying to find Charlie. "Fight me, Doyle," he shouted. "You're a coward!"

"I'm a coward! You're the coward! You killed a good man for a title that is pointless," Charlie shouted in the darkness.

"And yet, you fight me to protect that title?"

"Because it's not the title I'm protecting," she shouted.

Suddenly, Hoyt was tackled to the ground, making him drop his sword. He reached out, attempting to choke Charlie and they struggled, fighting until Hoyt seemed to start to overpower Charlie.

He's too strong, Charlie thought as she struggled. He has complete control of this world and he is using this body…a real body.

"It's over," Hoyt hissed, drawing out his dagger and cutting Charlie's neck. "How fitting, you match with dear old Janie…maybe I'll give one to your sister."

"NO," Charlie shouted, pushing the knife away from her neck. She grabbed him by his collar and placed her hand out, saying, "Open the door to the place reflected."

This is my only chance.

Maura slid down the rough and looked at the destruction that was happening to the castle. "Where are you, Jane," Maura whispered as landed on the walkway, running down until she reached the collapsed edge. Suddenly, she heard a crashing sound to see, pass another tower, Jane crashing through a window.

"No," Maura whispered as she watched Ian stepped outside and pulled a dagger from his boot.

Looking down at her shoes, she took them off quickly and began to run once more. Got to go faster, Maura thought as she ran faster than ever and as she moved closer, she could hear Ian shout at Jane.

"She wants someone like me! NOT. LIKE. YOU," Ian emphasized as he raised his dagger.

"Jane!"

The Beast's head darted up and her heart reached her throat, feeling a new strength as she rolled away from Ian's attack quickly. She then leapt up from the ground, grabbing the dagger and tossing him aside.

"Maura," Jane roared.

"I'm coming to you!"

Jane shook her head and shouted once more, "Stay there! I'll come to you!"

At those words, suddenly, the castle began to shake but it wasn't a shake that they never experienced before. Maura looked down at her feet as the already destroyed edge collapsed once more with Maura skidding down. Watching Maura sliding down, Jane leapt from the walkway to another roof then start to race down to reach her.

Maura landed harshly onto the ground with the destroyed stone. She looked around and realized that she was on a balcony with the rubble. "Hold on, Maura," Jane shouted.

The other woman looked up, watching Jane jumping from roof to roof. She smiled at the sight, seeing her safe until it faded at the sight of Ian raising a bow and arrow. "Jane, look out," Maura shouted.

Everyone gathered in the ballroom with Korsak doing a headcount when Tommy and Angela wheeled in with TJ and the other furniture in towed. "How many, Vincent," Angela asked in concern.

"Among our main group, it's only been Susie, but other servants are starting to…" Korsak trailed off.

Angela bowed her head and suddenly, they heard a low wheeze, prompting everyone to turn around. "Oh no," Angela whispered as Nina and Frankie rushed over to Drake as he started to collapse, huffing harshly.

"We got you, buddy," Frankie assured as they rested his head back.

Korsak sighed, gazing at everyone else then walked away slowly until he reached an isolated spot away from everyone. He then looked down at his arm, attempting to move it but with all the strength he had, he couldn't move his arm.

It was lifeless.

Hoyt and Charlie crashed through Jane's room in the real world with his dagger sliding away. Now, physically there, Charlie grabbed the dagger and shouted, "You're not hurting my family." She then plunged the dagger into Hoyt's host body, prompting both to scream through and darkness seemed to fade from Dean's body.

She pulled the dagger from Dean's body and let out a sigh until she felt her arm twist, causing the dagger to drop. "You can't get rid of me that easily," Hoyt whispered as the darkness began to engulf her.

Charlie struggled, crashing into the furniture and the wall until she looked at the Mirror in front of her. It's the only way, Charlie thought and suddenly, she was taken to the ground with Hoyt hissing, "I may have lost a vessel, but you can be my new one."

"I don't think you'll like that whatsoever," Charlie coughed as she reached out and had the tip of her finger on the edge of the mirror. "Open the door to the place that's reflected," Charlie relayed the chant.

Hoyt suddenly felt Charlie fight to stand up then Hoyt felt something was pulling him in. "No," Hoyt hissed as the mirror sucked him through, trying to hold onto Charlie but she took the dagger and cut his arm, making him shriek in pain. Taking the opportunity, Charlie shoved the darkness back into the mirror then she raised her hand to seal it.

Hoyt looked around as his physical form in the Mirror World fused back together. He then felt a great pain coming from his chest and arm and looked down to see his arm gone and a stab wound in his chest.

"It's not over," Hoyt shouted, preparing to reopen the Mirror.

"Actually, it is," Charlie retorted, taking the dagger, and stabbing the mirror. There was a crack on the mirror and Hoyt's eyes widened. She pulled the dagger out and took the handle of the dagger and punched the mirror directly, shattering it completely.

As the mirror shattered, Hoyt screamed in pain for his demise was imminent. With the shatter of the mirror, all was left was broken glass and the empty frame. Suddenly, Charlie collapsed onto her knees and grabbed her side, feeling a great deal of pain then the castle started to shake intensely then stopped.

She pushed herself from the ground, grabbing the dagger and the sword on the floor. Attaching them to her side, Charlie rushed to the balcony to see the castle collapsing then she heard Jane shout, "Stay there! I'm coming to you!" She watched as Jane was climbing down to reach Maura then out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that Jane wasn't the only one going after Maura.

Grabbing a piece of the curtain, Charlie wrapped it around her body then began to limp out Jane's chambers, hoping she can cut off Jane's assailant. As she ran across, she noticed that on the floor was a crossbow, prompting an idea to form.

R&I

Ian shook his head and watched as the Beast started to climb down. He gritted his teeth and stood back up, wobbling until he gained his footing once more. He picked up his dagger, placing it on his belt and resumed the chase; he slid down the rooftiles and stopped at an edge where he had a perfect target on the Beast. He drew his dagger and prepared to jump on the Beast and end its life.

"Jane, look out!"

Jane turned around with Ian about to jump until he kicked to the ground, making him fall through another window. The Beast looked up at her savior who let out a big sigh and said, "Well, I didn't expect that to go well."

"Good timing, Charlie," Jane smiled.

Charlie nodded but then brought her focus back to the broken window. She drew her sword and peered through the window, looking around before she announced, "He's gone!"

"You think that's the end," Jane pondered.

Charlie shrugged but the two brought their attention back to Maura. They both climbed down from their spots and traveled down together until they touched the ground of the broken balcony of the west tower.

Jane immediately rushed over to Maura and engulfed her into a hug. "Jane," Maura whispered, hugging Jane back.

"You came back," Jane stated happily.

Maura pulled back and touched Jane's face, "Of course, I did. I wasn't going to let them kill you. You're my best friend."

Jane smiled, pressing her forehead against Maura's. She then looked down at her and said, "Maura, I-" Suddenly, Jane felt her hair stood up causing the Beast to shove Maura out of the way as a dagger plunged into Jane's chest.

"No," Maura shouted.

"I win, Beast," Ian whispered as he pulled out the dagger and attempted to stab Jane once more. Instead, Charlie rushed over and grabbed Ian's arm, making drop the dagger but it didn't stop him as he punched Charlie across the jaw.

Despite being injured, Jane grabbed Ian, pulling him away from Charlie as the three struggled and roared, "I'm not a beast!" Ian groveled at the roar as Charlie went over to support Jane who was starting to wobble. Jane looked down at Ian and roared, "Get out."

"Make me."

The castle started shaking again and a crack went down the center of the balcony which prompted Maura to grab hold on a pillar as she warned aloud, "Jane! Charlie!"

Without missing a step, Charlie shoved Jane aside, making her land backwards for Maura to catch just in time as the center of balcony collapsed. Ian attempted to grab Charlie as a last ditch effort but Charlie pushed him back for Ian to scream as he plummeted to his death. However, despite releasing herself from Ian's grip, Charlie attempted to grab the edge of the balcony but she began to fall through the hole as well.

"No!"

Most of the staff had turned to still furniture, leaving the core group standing together. TJ and Tommy hugged each other while Angela stood with Frankie and Nina and Korsak sat beside them with Frost resting against the wall. "I'm glad I knew you all," Frost stated to everyone. "If I become frozen, I'm glad it's around my family."

"We love you too, Barold," Angela smiled sadly.

"Yes…"

Suddenly, Korsak stopped speaking which prompted Frost to nudge him but he was still. "We love you, Ma," Frankie assured Angela then looked at Nina, about to speak to her but let a small cry at the sight of his beloved becoming frozen.

Everyone moved closer to Angela and Frankie, hugging them for they knew that in mere moments they would not be moving any longer.

As the dust cleared, Maura saw the broken edge and looked back at Jane who was breathing heavily. "Charlie," Maura called out once more, trying to keep pressure on Jane's wound until she heard a grunt and Charlie emerged from the edge, using two daggers to pull herself up back onto the balcony.

She gave Maura a small smile, limping over until she reached the pillar that was by Jane and Maura. She leaned against it and looked down at her wound to see the blood, seeping through the curtain like bandage. She felt lightheaded and weak but that didn't stop her to bring her gaze back at Maura and Jane.

"Maura," Jane whispered.

"I'm right here," Maura retorted, touching Jane's cheek.

Jane reached out her paw and touched her cheek. "You're here," she whispered, "you're here."

"I'm here…Everything's over. You're going to be okay."

"Maura…"

"Save your breath, Jane, please."

Jane wiped the tears from Maura's cheek then took Maura's hand into hers. "You've changed… my life… and I don't regret… anything," Jane whispered with a smile then winced in pain. Suddenly, Maura felt Jane's grip on her hand loosen and she looked down to see Jane's eyes closed.

"Jane…wake up." Maura attempted to shake the Beast but there was no point, she placed her ear against her chest then pulled back sobbing at the sound of no heartbeat. "Jane…come back. Charlie, do some-"

Maura let out another sob as Charlie was slumped against the pillar and seemed to not move. Maura slid over and checked for a pulse then shook her head as she pulled her hand away. "Don't leave me too," Maura whispered to her sister.

She slid back to Jane and placed her head on her shoulder, crying as she whispered, "Jane…please come back. You're my best friend, you understand me, and I can't live without you. My heart hurts at the thought of you being gone because…because I love you, Jane." She ran her hand through Jane's mane and continued, "I'm in love with you because of who you are. I didn't care if you were a beast or not. You are kind, strong, a bit stubborn but you have so much heart that you made me feel like I was home that this is home. You're my home, Jane…please come back."

Unknown to them, the last petal of the rose fell but when it did, it pulsated as if it had a heart.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Please review when you can!