Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans or the original storyline of "Beauty and the Beast". I do own the changes to the original plotline, which I hope you will all enjoy

Opening Note: Please note that Bruce Wayne has the tendency to be suspicious.

Dedicated to sekai no yakusoku and castle in the air.

"As you can see, the psuedo-facade was stripped away to reveal a minimalist rococo design. Note the unusual inverted vaulted ceilings. This is yet another example of the late neoclassic Baroque period. And, as I always say, 'if it's not Baroque, don't fix it!' "

-Cogsworth Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" (1991)

Part Two: Arella

There was no turning back on his word, the demoness had assured him. He was in her debt and he was obliged to do her bidding. He promised he would return the next day, ward in tow. He looked so disgusted when she first requested he be brought to her that the room was instantly filled with her cold laughter.

"Worry not, Caped Crusader," she said, "I will not harm him."

And with that she sank into the shadows.

Alfred and Richard had, of course, been worried for him. Bruce was, after all, forty years old. And he'd insisted on going out on assignment on his own that night.

It was with great care that he changed out of his crime fighting garb and sat down with them to explain what had happened.

"Bruce... did you hit your head?" Richard asked carefully.

"It does indeed sound like something out of a fairy-tale, Master Bruce," said Alfred. "This demon requests you to bring Master Richard to her?"

"What does she want with me?" Richard asked.

"She has assured me that she will not harm you, but I want you on your guard."

Usually, Richard would have something to say about his guardian's unhealthy suspicious nature, but today he shared his thoughts.

He and Alfred left Bruce alone to rest. It had obviously been a very taxing night. Richard went to his room to think. He didn't know what to make of the situation. It sounded, as Alfred had implied, like something out of a story book. Naturally h wondered if his mentor was ill, but he'd never behaved this way, and Alfred said he was well enough. There wasn't much reason to doubt that what Bruce said was the truth.

My parents died some time ago. Ten years. I was eight years old. Bruce took me in and provided me with an education, a home, and guidance. Though I've never considered him a father, he means something to me. I know this because there have been times where he has been injured very badly and I was desperate to have him well again. I don't think I could stand it if something were to happen to him, leaving me mostly alone again.

Of course I was grateful that he came home in one piece that night. Morning. And I understood that he hated the idea of using me as a means of payment to that demon who spared him.

The next day I went to him and said I'd go. He tried to talk me out of it. During the night he'd decided to go ask if he could be taken in my place. A long discussion ensued. Finally, he agreed that I would go, but if I was harmed or threatened I was to contact him so that he could bring me back.

Nothing in my eighteen years would prepare me for this.

Wells, Inc. looked sad and vacant as an empty body by day. Batman entered quietly, Robin at his side. They walked through the entrance hall and to the factory floor, down the steps that had nearly been the end of the Dark Knight. The place seemed cleaner, somehow.

"The bat has returned?" the demoness's voice of cold silk drifted out of the shadows.

"As promised," Batman replied.

With increasing trepidation, Robin noticed he was reaching for a Batrang. He reached out and touched his partner's arm.

"Show yourself, please," Robin said.

A low, amused chuckle echoed about them. "I do not like the light, boy. You will see me in time."

At this, Robin followed his guardian's example and reached for a weapon.

"I don't have time for these games," drawled her shadowy voice. A ribbon of darkness burst from under an ancient machine and knocked Batman off his feet. Robin threw a Birdrang in the machine's general direction, but struck nothing.

"You may leave now, Master bat. The boy will be allowed to contact you once he learns his place."

Batman made to draw another weapon, but Robin stopped him.

"You gave your word."

"As did I," the demon voice reminded them. "The boy will not be harmed."

His mentor reluctantly climbing the steps, Robin scanned the room for movement. Everything was still.

"I don't play hide-and-seek, boy. You'll see me when I want to be seen." Her amused laughter vibrated in the shadows. "This will be your home now, so you are free to explore it. Keep out of the basement kitchen and the main bedchamber. You will sleep in one of the smaller bedrooms, whichever you choose." The last words faded away and Robin supposed the demon creature had left him. For now. With a sigh, he went to explore.

He'd heard stories from the other boys at the private school he attended, in the streets, and recently, on the news after those boys snuck in and reported there was a monster living there. Only the part about the monster happened to be true, though. The place was pretty much just empty. There were a few broken windows here and there and the usual dust and cobweb spread. But no trap doors or secret passageways. Even the main bedchamber, where he'd been forbidden to explore, was flanked by a pair of heavy oak double doors. It didn't look as though anything of interest lay beyond it.

He picked out a room for himself out of the three others. It was the one farthest from the main bedchamber and had the most surviving furniture: a bed, a comfortable chair, and a sort of dresser. He found a mirror in one of the other rooms and some cushions to make it more comfortable.

When that was done, he wandered back to the factory floor. He didn't have to wait very long. It was growing dark outside.

"Does the Robin like his new nest?" the voice asked.

He looked around.

"Where are you?"

"Always in the shadows, boy."

He sensed movement somewhere and whipped around. The patch of shadow there seemed to be moving.

"What am I supposed to call you?" he asked, still watching the place where the shadow had rippled like a black pond.

"You will call me Arella."

She – for it was a she, Robin realized – stepped out of the shadows. Or rather, the shadow stepped out of her? And she was there, leaning against the far wall, a figure draped in a long cloak and hood. Beneath, two red eyes glowed like coals. He took a step back.

"Afraid?" she asked lightly.

"No... just surprised." A moment after he said it he realized there wasn't much difference.

She lifted an ebony hand and pulled back the hood. He took another step. Forward.

Where her first appearance had startled him and made his stomach tighten, he now felt something different that he couldn't quite name. Under the darkness of her hood was the sable face of a dark angel, framed by a mass of hair of deepest violet.

"You're beautiful," he said, without thinking.

Her eyes widened for a moment, then narrowed as she pulled the hood over her head again. "In my own way, I suppose," she said slowly.

A long moment passed as she looked down at the floor while he wondered if he was the first person to ever call attention to her beauty.

"You will eat now," she said, her voice back to its shadowy drawl. She gestured to a small door he hadn't seen before. "Raven will feed you."

Ending Note: Yesterday was a bad day. Today hasn't been much better. To make things worse, I have to go to my English class in an hour. I hate my English class. Well, at least maybe I can write another chapter of this while I'm there.

Signed,

The Writer, you fools