Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my OC Cosette and any alterations to the original storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe during these dark and gloomy days.
Innocence Of A Child Chapter 24
Despite his massive size the Beast is in truth quite nimble and deft on his feet. Before he can tumble to his death Beast digs his claws into the slanted rooftop in order to break his fall. He hugs the rooftop, heaving heavily. Luckily the shot Gaston took didn't leave him serious damage. He can still move around and fight.
After all he has more than himself to protect now. More reason to live.
Gaston peers down over the edge of the turret to keep track of the Beasts whereabouts. Replacing his pistol with a crossbow he reaches to pull an arrow from his quiver. Instead of an assortment of arrows Gaston's fingers graze empty air. Alarmed by this Gaston turns to find that Cosette has them in her hands. She'd snuck up from behind and grabbed them while he'd been distracted.
"Cosette," said Gaston, surprised to see her here.
Cosette looks up at him fearfully, but stands firm.
Outstretching a hand, palm upward, Gaston demands "Give them to me."
Cosette shakes her head, backing away.
"Give them to me," shouted Gaston, repeating the command.
Cosette refuses.
Now deeply aggravated Gaston moves to hit her in frustration.
Belle won't allow that. She steps in the way, taking the arrows from Cosette and acting as a protective wall for her.
"Belle," exclaimed Gaston, even more shocked to see she escaped and returned here.
Snapping the arrows angrily over her knee and tossing them away, Belle hissed "Where is he?!"
Sneering in a hostile manner, Gaston said "When we return to the village you will marry me. And the Beasts head will hang on our wall!"
"Never," declared Belle, pulling away from Gaston, cleverly using a pivot to snatch the barrel of Gaston's pistol.
A small struggle ensues with Belle the victor with a little assist from Cosette. Cosette throws small stones at Gaston, hoping to get him to let go. It doesn't work, but the effort is appreciated. With Gaston on the black foot for a split second Belle yanks the pistol hard. Not letting go nor expecting it Gaston swings, seeking balance on a loose stone. The stone collapses underneath causing him to fall.
The reflexes Gaston has gained in the army and as a hunter are quick. He catches a gargoyle, using it to swing down through a window on a lower section of the turret. He lands on the spiral staircase with more even footing. In the meantime Gaston's pistol clatters below. Eventually coming to rest on the landing of a nearby stone footbridge.
Not about to let this delay stop him, Gaston yells "I'm coming for you, Beast!"
Ignoring his wounds Beast begins to make the climb around the lower turret. This is not made easier by the castle quavering and cracking in multiple places. With the final petal of the red rose almost ready to fall the Castle is imploding on itself.
Time is running out.
Beast leaps onto a second parapet. Tiles slide away beneath as he scrambles to hang on.
Across the way Belle and Cosette are running, holding hands to stay together. Belle is trying to keep track of Beast and seeking a way to help him. Finally the two sisters reach a point where they can clearly view Beast on the faraway turret.
Here his grip slips leaving Belle unable to contain herself any longer.
"No," screamed Belle, terrified.
"Belle," breathed Beast, turning his head to the sound of her voice. He sees them nearby and arranges his position so he can face them. "Belle! You came back!"
"I'm so sorry! I tried to stop them," said Belle.
"Stay there! I'm coming," said Beast, launching into the air as his superhuman agility brings him from the far parapet back toward the central turrets.
Belle and Cosette make it easier for him to handle by going into the Beasts chambers. It's a better spot and good for him to know where they'll be.
The Beast lands on the central walk intent on reuniting with his girls.
Unfortunately no one once thought to keep track of where Gaston is.
Suddenly Gaston reveals himself wielding a club he got from a stone spire as a weapon, cracking it onto Beasts broad back.
Beasts roars in pain, but pushes passed Gaston, determined on his goal.
Withstanding Gaston's heavy blows Beast somehow makes his way to the cupola that stands directly opposite from his lair. Belle and Cosette are already there watching everything with wide, scared, and worried eyes. Cosette has even begun to cry, not knowing what she can do. Gaston lifts the club to deliver another hit when, out of nowhere Beast snatches it from his grasp. He yanks the club away, hurling it against a wall where the force behind it shatters the club to pieces.
Snarling Beast locks his paw around Gaston's throat. He lifts Gaston off his feet and dangles him over the edge prepared to drop him. As Gaston pathetically pleads for his life Beast is fully prepared to kill him until he glances in Belle and Cosette's direction.
Beast freezes as he meets Belle's eyes and scrolls his eyes over to Cosette.
That is what breaks him. Cosette can't even look at him. Her tiny hands are covering her eyes, tears falling freely behind them.
For so long now Belle and Cosette have repeatedly told him that he is not a monster. Yet here he is fighting one monster and about to truly become one.
Beast isn't a monster. Never was. He is better than that and so much more.
Regaining his self-control, features twisted in rage and hate now returning to normal as his anger fades, Beast states "I am not a Beast." Beast sets Gaston on his feet allowing the coward to scramble away to apparent safety. "Go! Get out!"
Beast knows he made the right choice when he sees both Belle and Cosette looking so proud at him.
There's just one thing left to do.
To cross the final chasm that is separating all of them.
Beast prepares for the leap, getting down on all fours, muscles tensing in advance, hind legs digging into the stone.
Deciphering what he's about to do, Belle said "Don't! It's too far!"
Paying absolutely no heed to this Beast gains speed as he runs on all four limbs.
Belle gasps and Cosette shrieks as he leaps, the suspense unbearable. Beast barely touches earth, but he still makes it, nonetheless. Beast rose meeting their warm and welcoming smiles with his own.
Their moment is destroyed by a gunshot.
Gaston hadn't left. He'd retrieved his gun, intent on vengeance. He stands on the crumbling walkway, pistol back in hand.
Beast roars, collapsing. He grins as he reloads for the kill shot, disregarding the pleas from Belle and Cosette to leave him be. Gaston fires a second time. This one sending Beast rolling into his lair with the sisters following him.
The Beast drops just as the unstable walkway Gaston is standing on finally crumbles to pieces. In an instant there's nothing beneath his feet and he disappears screaming in a cascade of stone.
And so is the end of Gaston.
Back inside the castle, the Beast is not doing too well.
Belle is knelt at his head, cradling it in her lap. Cosette is on the other side while holding his hand.
Having eyes only for Belle as he pants for air, Beast said "You came back."
Tearfully, Belle said "Of course I came back. I promised I would. I'll never leave you again."
Sorrowfully solemn, sad, Beast said "I'm afraid it's my turn to leave."
Shaking her head in denial, Belle whispered "We're together now. It's gonna be fine."
Accepting his fate, Beast said "At least I got to see you one last time."
The final rose petal falls, joining its brethren lying on the bottom of the crystal glass bell jar.
Exhaling shakily Beast fills life slip out of him along with it. The light in his eyes go dark, dim, die and he's still.
Cosette whimpers.
Belle clutches him to her in great fervor, saying "No. Please no. Please don't leave me. Come back."
Belle then passionately kisses Beast on the lips, but there is no response. He is gone. Heartbroken Belle lays her head on Beasts chest, lost in her grief.
Cosette sniffles leaning forward to gently kiss Beast lovingly on the forehead.
"Love you," she murmured.
That's just what needed to be heard.
All Agatha has been waiting for her.
In the shadows where Agatha has born witness to this scene she emerges. Smiling benevolently Agatha removes the hood from her head and places a hand on the bell jar. The bell jar explodes creating a wave of golden rose petals that whirl in the air. The golden radiance emanating from both Agatha and the petals then encases Beasts form completely. This causes him to float from their grip, rising in the air. He is enveloped by the swirling aurora, entirely blocked from their site as a fantastic transformation takes place.
Inside the golden bubble he is transformed, reverting from a Beast back into what he was always meant to be, into a Prince.
Healed and renewed.
The golden light disperses, unveiling him in his full illuminating glory.
Back turned facing the sister the Prince lands on his feet checking his arms, hands, and chest as if he can't believe his eyes that he's alive.
Is this a dream?
Far from it.
Hearing them slowly approaching from behind the Prince spins around to meet them revealing a handsome young man. His exterior has been altered, but his gentle blue eyes are exactly the same.
The Prince doesn't move a muscle his gaze never once breaking from Belle's as she inspects him. In disbelief she runs her fingers through his air and looks deeply into his radiant sapphire eyes.
It really is him. All doubts vanish instantly.
Tears of grief turn into tears of joy as the Prince and Belle embrace in their first official kiss.
"Me too! Me too," said Cosette, hugging them around the legs.
Separating from Belle, well aware whom truly saved him this night, picking up Cosette and holding her close to him as he kisses her hair, the Prince said "Thank you, Little One. I'd be lost without you."
Cosette giggles, kissing his check right back.
The curse is broken.
They are free.
Authors Note:
Only the Epilogue remains and this one is done forever. Really and I mean really bittersweet after so much time and dedication put into this work. I'm very proud of it.
Just a heads up I'm accepting suggestions on numerous shows, books, and movies to write about in the future. You see I'm trying to reach my goal of 100 stories on my profile. Currently I have 10 left to go until I get there. So think it over and if I feel a connection with what you suggest I'll do it.
I hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D
Fellas I really need your help. I know it's probably alot to ask for, but I want this to be at 200 even before it ends. Fingers crossed we get there. It's a goal I really want to get to.
Right now during this epidemic with the coronavirus that's impacting every nation in the entire world we really do need find whatever sources we possibly can in order to lighten our spirits. Especially those who are unfortunately stuck sick or those locked in self isolation in order to prevent both contraction and spread of the illness. For those of us who have the abilities to do this we have a duty to keep up morale and that's exactly what I wholeheartedly desire these new stories and updates concocted during this time do for you.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm very satisfied and happy about it.
I recently put up some other works I've put out at titled Sayuri Wren, Romance Of The Cimarron, Glenstorm's Daughter, Dianca Robbins, Morning Star, Secret Of Bristol Cove, The Forgotten Chieftain's Wife Prequel, Predators Redemption, Rava's Journey, Princess Of The Forest, A Revolutionary Romance, Aunt, Fantine Tezla: Hot Wheels Acceleracers, Green Lantern Odette Dupree: First Flight, Magic And the Brave Little Toaster 1, Lavinia: Princess Of Edelweiss, Rorschach's Legend, Watchmen Meets Avengers: The Newest Defender, The 8thLoser, Naomi Poldark: Mistress Of Nampara, Serenity: End Guardian To The Moors, Dido Cruger: Power Rangers SPD, The True Catwoman Of Gotham, Green Lantern Odette Dupree: First Flight, and Nuala: The White Lioness. I highly recommend them. ;D
By the way, Morning Star, Romance Of The Cimarron, Rorschach's Legend, Sayuri Wren, Bianca Robbins, Aunt, Glenstorm's Daughter, Mandalorian: The 2ndFoundling, Eira Byrnison, the Forgotten Chieftain's Wife Prequel, and Watchmen Meets Avengers: The Newest Defender, Rava's Journey, Princess Of The Forest, Green Lantern Odette Dupree: First Flight, and The True Catwoman Of Gotham, are some of the best newest additions to my profile. If you're a fan of the Golden Compass and Watchmen which are the new series on HBO then you will love these. Then if you haven't saw them yet then I recommend that you check it out. Since there are still just recently uploaded I really would enjoy hearing other peoples thoughts on the subject matter so far. So feel free to do so if you have the time.
I have other grand news! I was a patron at New York Comic Con 2019! Ah! I'd been dying to go for years and now I had the opportunity. The Jokers from Impractical Jokers have been here along with Tom Hiddleston and so many others. Over those few days I actually got my picture taken with a couple of other actors/actresses and some really great panels. It really is so exciting there. This is an opportunity of a lifetime so there's no way in hell that I was going to waste a single second of it. No one ever should with something like this. Ever! ;D
For future preferences I highly recommend that you all keep an eye out for when tickets for New York Comic Con are available for purchase again for next year. This is a huge event and you should jump on it whenever you have the chance. Unfortunately this year it appears like Comic Con might be skipped not just in New York, but also in all it's regular places during the course of scheduled events. I think we all know the reason for it is plain as day.
The coronavirus.
Can't exactly blame with how dreadful things are getting in escalation and the fact that places like the Javits Center in New York have been temporarily converted into makeshift hospitals in order to deal with the overflow of people contracting infections from this rapidly spreading virus that might as well be called a plague at this point. Let's keep fingers crossed that an aim is to have this pass us before then so things can get back on track. If it is then New York Comic Con might be exactly what people need in order to lighten their spirits after all this darkness. Stay safe everyone and long to eventually see you there.