(Adam's P.O.V.)

I heard Pippa's footsteps, recognizing her voice, and I made sure not to appear threatening as I waited for her and the others, seeing Pippa appear with a smile when she saw me, and spoke warmly as she touched my shoulder, "Any trouble out there yet?".

I shook my head, "Not yet, Pippa, but we must hurry. I believe that Haku has run out of his grenades a few minutes ago.". Pippa looked curious, but nodded, "Right, come on, fellas. Don't worry, he's one of the good guys. He saved my life almost two days ago.", smiling brightly as I saw shocked and protective/scared faces.

A few moments later, I scented the smell of acceptance and wariness after the fear has fallen off them, and I nodded gently, making sure not to scare the youngsters, "Indeed that I did. This castle used to be my home before goblins took it from me.". The adults seemed to understand that, tension freeing from their shoulders, and one of them spoke, "Which way, mister?".

I gestured on, "Follow me. Pippa, you sure you'll watch from behind?". Pippa grinned, "I will be fine, Beast. Besides, if I lead, I would be lost sooner or later.". I nodded, and walked out of the room through the door, sniffing and looking around for goblins as the freed people filtered out into the hallway, staying close as they followed me.

I headed back the way we came, whispers and murmurs occasionally filling the atmosphere amongst the footsteps, and I knew Lumiere is staying close to Pippa just for comfort. For the next several minutes, I was quick to dispose of the patrolling goblins while Lumiere helped Pippa guide the group without being close to the goblins, knowing of her desire to avoid goblins alive or dead.

Then I heard a scream just as we passed another door once more, and I looked back, relieved to see Pippa untouched, but horrified to see the teenage girl who named herself Audrey, being attacked by Creeper, and Pippa was frozen for a moment before Audrey screamed again, and I was to come forward when a thunderclap sound echoed through the hallway.

Shocked yet surprised, I saw Pippa's pistol smoking, recognizing that she had shot Creeper who was laying and bleeding, a bit of distance away against a wall. Audrey, who was frantically backing away from him, and got up with wide eyes as the young adolescents, Russell and Vanellope comforted her, checking her all over, "Are you okay, Audrey? Did he hurt you? Anything hurt?".

I came close to Pippa who was shaking all over with her pistol clenched tight in her hands, and I placed a paw over her pistol, ignoring the heat, "Pippa, you got him. He's down.", and Pippa exhaled shakily, "Is he dead?".

I lowered her pistol with the paw, "I'll check. I'll be fine. I got claws if he dare gets back up.", and Pippa nodded shakily, and I realized that injuring, perhaps killing off her attacker is striking deep in her soul, and I hated to leave her like this just for a few moments, but the woman, Eve, seems to be wanting to comfort her somehow, so I let her as I walked over to the wayward goblin, the scent of blood even stronger when I got closer, checking him.

I saw a bullet wound, the same shape as I saw back in Montreau among the dead goblins, glaring back at me in the position above the ear, and I knew immediately that Creeper is dead, cold as stone as no goblin would survive such a wound to the brain, hearing no sound of breathing at all, and seeing the shell-shocked, almost eerily calm look in his eyes as they've became dull.

I turned around to face Pippa and the others, and Pippa looked quite anxious yet hopeful before I spoke quietly yet loud enough to pierce the air, "He's dead. You defeated him, Pippa. He won't hurt you anymore.". Pippa's shoulders sagged down in relief as if a burden was finally leaving her, but I knew it wasn't the end of it yet as I can see the hints of tears in her eyes, and I do not know if these tears are happy or plainly scared.

After all, I have the faintest feeling that Pippa would think this could have been a dream for awhile, thinking that Creeper is haunting her, causing her to have future nightmares in the next few days or weeks, but I will be at her side no matter what, and I owe her that, wanting to see her smile without fear or terror.

I walked to her, putting a paw on her shoulder gently, "Come on, let's get out of here. You wouldn't want those little kids to have nightmares more than they do, hmm?", and Pippa nodded, gulped audibly, "Yeah, yeah...Let's go...", turning around and walking on, leaving me briefly.

"Is she going to be okay?", asked Russell nearby, and I spoke softly, "Let's say Pippa was nearly violated by that goblin. You're very lucky she saved you from that fate, Audrey.", looking over to Audrey who looked quite shocked yet disgusted at the same time before walking on to follow Pippa, hearing footsteps behind me, and Lumiere hopped alongside me quickly to catch up.

"Master, are you alright?", spoke Lumiere quietly, and I rumbled lowly, "Is it wrong that I want her to be safe and happy?". Lumiere smiled softly as I took the moment to pick him up while I got up upon my back two legs, figuring the height would help me to watch out better.

"Oh, it means that you care for her, Master. It's terribly sad that Pippa is struggling to believe all of this, but I suggest that you are to be by her side as she needs a friend in those times. Romance will come in time, and if so, just be there for her, Master.", Lumiere spoke lightly, and I smiled genuinely, realizing that he's right, like always.

I was to thank him when Pippa called out, "Which way now?", and I looked ahead to see Pippa stopping upon a split hallway, looking back at me with a determined, slightly anxious face, and I grinned, recognizing that she's slipping back into soldier mode if the others told me right, and I went on past her, leading her down the correct way through the castle, hearing the distinct sounds of whispers as the others followed alongside.

Sooner or later, the castle will be empty of dead goblins if the others did their jobs properly, and sure enough, I heard the distinct sounds of thunder far down, and a shout here and there. I knew Emma is planning to interrogate the last surviving goblin for information about Princess Cinderella, etc.

Before I got cursed, I had quite the day of hosting Prince Charles and Princess Cinderella some time ago, and I admit she wasn't too delighted with my attitude back then, giving me that look of disappointment, through she was quite friendly with my servants as she had been one herself.

I was admittedly shocked and horrified of Prince Charles's choice of bride when I heard the news, but I mostly gave into it as he's the Prince of Fantasia while I was the Prince of Montreau and its forests. And of course, gossip throughout the forests, I was shell-shocked when I heard that Princess Cinderella had been kidnapped, and expecting a baby, to boot as well!

I wouldn't wish that on anybody, and not especially on a pregnant woman like Princess Cinderella. And if I heard right, she is heavily expecting, but not dangerously close to her due day for now. I just hope Prince Charles would appreciate my help even if I wasn't very polite to his wife back then or that he would not freak out at my new appearance as Pippa would have said it so.