a/n: there will be some scenes and lines from the batb movie (and even some glee episodes) but for the most part, it'll follow a very different storyline (partly based off zellk's [hello!] ideas and drawings) to keep things interesting. hope you enjoy.


Chapter 2: The Beast

It broke her heart. Puck had been right and it broke her heart.

She stood, hand clasped to her mouth, sobbing quietly, in the middle of the wreckage. Parts of the carriage were strewn about; wheels were torn and missing. If her fathers had been inside, there was no way they walked away from this, without... she didn't want to think about it. She couldn't think about it.

The carriage almost split down the middle where it impacted the tree.

She walked back over to the road to look for something- anything that could show her if her fathers were okay. She just needed to know they were okay. She stared down at more debris, and held in a shaky breath.

Belle nudged her, nose brushing softly against her cold, tear stained cheek. Rachel wrapped her arms around her neck. "I'm okay." She sniffled. "I'll be okay."

The horse snorts, huffing, as it steps back to give Rachel room to investigate further. Belle really was smart, and scarily humanlike most of the time. Rachel felt a bit uneasy about that.

The gray of morning seeped through the twisted, dead trees. It had only gotten colder, and Rachel's nose was redder for it. She'd been out all night, following the path only to be led to what seemed like a dead end. She couldn't see any footprints leading away from the wreckage; no doubt the result of the new layer of snow that coated the ground from last night.

She kicked some pieces of the carriage out of the way, and bent down to get a closer look. She saw small indents in the snow. It looked like… paw prints; like a large dog- a wolf, maybe. Rachel saw they soon disappeared and were replaced by thick, straight lines. It looked like something being dragged out into the forest, away from the road.

She stood up, and turned slightly to look in that direction.

She froze.

A very large and very furry, black wolf stared right back at her, past the bushes further in the trees. It's eyes were dark, and it was unwavering in its stare.

Was that where the prints came from? Rachel couldn't help but wonder.

She watched as it bowed it's head, almost beckoning her forward. It turned and walked a few steps, before turning back around.

Was it checking to see if she was following? It certainly looked like it.

Rachel took a few steps toward it, and in response, it turned back around and walked some more. Again, it turned to see if Rachel was following.

Rachel shook her head. She was not going to follow a very dark and scary wolf into the forest. That's utterly ridiculous.

The wolf waited, none the less.

"I…" Rachel said, but stopped herself. Was she really about to talk to a wolf?

Belle trudged up behind her, pushing her forward.

"Excuse you, Belle?" Rachel turned her head to face her. "You want me to follow it?"

Belle didn't respond, obviously, Rachel thought, because she's a horse, but Belle did glance back at the wolf, which prompted Rachel to do the same.

The wolf huffed, almost impatiently.

"You want me to follow you?" Rachel asked the wolf, then immediately shook her head. She was talking to animals. Yes, she was crazy, but she was not that crazy.

Apparently, it wasn't that insane of a move, because she could have sworn the wolf nodded.

Rachel stared at it a moment longer, before taking a few more steps toward it. Again, it walked some, and looked back.

They repeated this strange tango a couple of more times, before they both found a safe pace, and Rachel was following the wolf, fully, now, with Belle in tow. It didn't take Rachel long to notice that she was nearing a large estate of some sort, up on what looked a hillside. It looked old and worn down, with dead roots clinging to every which surface, and broken windows. It was terrifying, to say the least.

She also noted that this was the beginning of every horror book she'd ever read.

They trudged up the old stone road leading to the castle gates. Rachel breathed, unevenly. She was tired. She hadn't slept correctly in days, only getting a few hours rest here and there, but she hadn't slept at all last night, and she was starting to feel it.

Not to mention she wasn't exactly used to all this physical activity. The most walking she'd done was to the market, which was all the way on the other side of town, and back.

"Did you see my… dad? And his friend?" Rachel asked, as the wolf and her were now standing side by side. By no means did she trust the thing as of yet, but it hadn't tried to eat her, so that had to mean something, she was sure.

The wolf exhaled a breath through it's nose and looked up at her, momentarily.

Before Rachel could ask if that was a yes or a no, they reached the gate, and the wolf slipped into the grounds. Rachel swung the gate open, and it creaked loudly, causing the crows perched on the castle roof to fly away.

Eerie.

Rachel helped Belle through the gate, her hooves making more noise that she'd like on the stone floor. Rachel turned to see that the wolf had already entered the castle.

Rachel placed a kiss to Belle's nose, and whispered. "Stay." Before she ran off to follow the wolf.


The castle was dark, the only light came from the cracked windows, and not by much considering all of the curtains were drawn. It seemed so strange to have such large windows, and not let the sun in. Rachel guessed it was because the castle was abandoned. It certainly looked like it was.

"Hello?" She called.

The wolf appeared at the top of the stairs, slightly startling her.

"Are my fathers here?" She asked. Her voice was sharp, even more so with it being the only noise besides the whistling of the wind outside.

The wolf only walked away.

She hurriedly followed. "Please, if you could just nod again, or indicate in some way that you understand me-" She said, desperately. "Oh, who am I kidding, you're a wolf."

The wolf suddenly seemed offended at this, and bit down on her skirt to hurry her up.

"Hey!" She exclaimed. "Rude!"

She tried to shoo it away, but it didn't let go, as it dragged her down the hall. There were hollow armored suits lined throughout the halls, and Rachel couldn't fight the distinct feeling that she was being watched. The wolf finally let go, as it ascended stone spiral steps, and Rachel, of course, followed.

"You're not taking me to all your wolf friends so you can eat me, are you?" Rachel asked, somewhat out of breath. How tall could this place be? "Because that wouldn't be very nice, and you're a nice wolf… right?"

The wolf seemed to be ignoring her now, so Rachel only pouted.

They rounded the last step, and Rachel turned to be in… some sort of dungeon. Or were dungeons only in basements? She wasn't an expert in castle rooms, unfortunately.

"What is this place?" Rachel asked, and her voice reverberated off the walls. It was dark, she could barely see her hands if she held them out to her face. She grabbed a dimly lit candle that was mounted on the wall.

"Rachel?"

"Rachel, dear?"

Rachel spun around, immediately recognizing the voices. There they were. Her fathers.

And they were in chains?

They clung to the bars of the their separate cells, each of them, slightly shaking from the cold. Rachel ran, and fell to her knees, sliding toward them.

"Dad! Daddy!"

"Rachel, how did you find us?" Leroy asked, reaching for her.

Rachel grabbed his hand. "Dad, your- your hand is like ice… we have to get you both out of here." Rachel reached up to pull on the lock, but was interrupted.

"Nevermind that!" Hiram shouted. "Rachel, you can't be here, you need to leave!"

"B-but why?" Rachel asked. "Don't be ridiculous, I'm here to rescue you."

"No, sweetie, you can't. You need to leave." Leroy said, nodding. "Your father is right. It's not safe-"

"There's a monster here- and- and-"

"Monster?" Rachel repeated. "Daddy, what are you talking about?"

"That wolf! That wolf knows the monster- and- and the other one! Don't come near us!"

"You stay away from my daughter!"

Rachel turned to face the wolf, who was just a silhouette from where they were. From what she could see, the wolf was sat up still and straight. It didn't seem at all phased.

"The wolf is how I found you." Rachel turned back to her dads. "It led me here… I- I don't understand-"

Suddenly, Rachel was tugged around, and the unexpected movement caused her to drop the candle she was holding into a small puddle of melted snow. The hiss of the fire going out and a low growl was heard, then immediate silence.

Rachel, breathed heavily, chest suddenly tight. She stared up at a terrifyingly large shadow that towered above her.

"What are you doing here?" The shadow spoke. The voice was menacing, and not at all kind. It sounded like a woman, but… more animalistic. The voice had a very frightening edge to it.

"Run, Rachel!" Hiram yelled.

"Who- who are you?" Rachel asked, squinting, hoping her eyes would adjust to the darkness. The only light sprung from a crack in the ceiling, and landed in between her and whoever this large figure was.

"I own this castle." The shadow simply replied.

"I've come for my father and his friend." Rachel said, as bravely as she could. "Your wolf guided me here- and- and please let them out! They're shaking! Can't you see they're sick?"

"They cannot leave."

"But- but why? Please, I'll do anything."

"Rachel no, don't negotiate with this… this thing, please you need to go." Leroy pleaded. "Just go."

"There is nothing you can do." The shadow said. "They are my prisoners. I helped them. I saved their life. I decide what happens with them. You have your chance to leave. I suggest you take it."

"There must be something…" Rachel trailed off, looking back at her fathers. They wouldn't survive very long like this. She couldn't just leave them. "Take…" She looked back up at the figure. "Take me instead."

"You… you would take their place?"

"Rachel, no!" Leroy said.

"You don't know what you're doing!" Hiram added.

"If I did, would you let them go?" Rachel asked. Her hands were shaking at this point. It was foolish, absolutely foolish, but what else could she do? Her fathers needed treatment; they were old and sick, and if they stood, they would die. There was no doubt about that.

Rachel didn't have much of a choice.

"Yes, but you- you must promise to stay here forever."

The voice sounded desperate, and Rachel furrowed her brows in confusion. What an… odd request, and also very bold, she thought. She doubted whoever this was could get away with something like this. If she was missing for more than a few days, the town would notice, no doubt like they did with her fathers, and if she had freed her fathers, they would go back and tell everyone about this… thing and the abandoned castle and the smart wolf. They would send a rescue team, or something.

Or would they? They hadn't bothered with her fathers, so why would they bother with her?

Rachel still couldn't see whom she was talking to, and if she was going to promise to stay somewhere "forever", she'd at least need to know with whom.

"Come into the light." Rachel breathed.

Rachel went wide-eyed. First, she saw it's legs; tall, claw-like hooves, it's muscles prominent, and Rachel could see a long tail, swaying slightly, between them. Her eyes trailed up to see a very toned stomach and mounds- wait… breasts? Rachel quickly looked up at the Beast's face, embarrassed. So… it was woman, whatever it was.

Rachel just hoped she wasn't blushing, because this was not the time for that.

The Beast's face was similar to a lion, and it's two, bottom, sharp teeth could be seen, even with the Beast's mouth closed. It's mane, a light blonde, compared to the darker blonde of the rest of the Beast's body, was unkempt, and long, with ears peeking through it, and… horns? Yes, curved horns jutted out of the fur, along with the small, floppy ears, and Rachel just stared up in amazement. Oddly enough, not much fear, just astonishment.

And even stranger, was the fact that Rachel hadn't gasped at all when she let the full image of the Beast sink in, but when she ran her eyes over the Beast's form, once more, and landed on hazel-green eyes, she almost whimpered. They looked pained; sad, even, and Rachel suddenly felt like she was staring at a small, lost puppy, rather than a terrifying monster.

The Beast shifted, uncomfortably, under the smaller girl's gaze, and stepped back, almost frightened, when Rachel stood up and took a step towards her.

"You have my word." Rachel said, quietly.

"Done!" The Beast said, before Rachel even finished her sentence, and glided past her, to unlock the cell doors. Rachel's legs gave out, finally realizing what she'd condemned herself to. She put her face in her hands, hunched over, in defeat. She felt her fathers' embrace, shortly after, and just as quickly, they were ripped from her.

She pulled her face out of her hands to watch the Beast drag her fathers by their collars. She stumbled up to hurriedly follow them down the spiral staircase and out the castle.

"Please, we- we beg of you, spare her, please." Hiram said, as he was stuffed into a waiting carriage at the front of the castle. Rachel noticed there were no horses attached to it.

Leroy tried to fight, arms flailing, but was also just thrown into the back seat.

"She is no longer your concern." The Beast said, and shut the carriage door. "You will tell no one of what you saw here, and if you do, she will suffer. Take them to the village."

Rachel watched from the castle doors as they sped away, Belle galloping behind the carriage, towards the town; a town she may very well never see again. That might have been what she wanted, at some point, but certainly not like this.

The Beast rushed back, but slowed to a stop when she saw Rachel, crying, very quietly in the doorway. Rachel felt the wolf brush against her legs, and glanced down to see it look up at her momentarily before it walked passed her. The wolf stopped right in front of the Beast, almost defiant in it's posture.

The wolf barked several times, and it was strangely high-pitched, like… a girl dog. Was the wolf a woman too? Was it a werewolf? Rachel felt like she was certifiably insane at this point. Not only was she actually considering the wolf to be some sort of werewolf, but chances are, with the current situation of carriages that move without horses and a giant woman-beast, she was probably right.

The Beast simply looked from Rachel to the wolf before lowering itself on all fours.

"Follow me." The Beast said, quietly, passing Rachel, almost silently. The Beast didn't make half as much noise Rachel thought she would when she walked. There was a very odd grace about her, too.

Rachel sniffled, and just did as she was told. "I… I didn't even get to say goodbye…" She thought aloud.

"... I'll show you to your room."

"My room?" Rachel looked at the Beast. "I- I thought I was a prisoner."

The Beast snapped around. "You wanna stay in the tower?"

"N-no."

The Beast turned and resumed walking, calmly. "Then follow me."

Rachel heard the soft pitter-patter of the wolf following them, and turned her head just in time to see the wolf rush up beside her. The wolf barked again, looking straight at the Beast. The Beast tensed up a bit, muttering a "hmm", before speaking, quietly, again.

"I hope you, um, like it here." The Beast said.

Rachel noticed the Beast was strangely soft-spoken for such a large creature.

Rachel looked back down at the wolf, and the wolf barked again, as if it approved. Rachel couldn't help the feeling that they were talking to each other, somehow.

"This castle is your home now, so you can go anywhere you like." The Beast continued. "Except for the West Wing."

"Well, what's in the west-"

The Beast stopped, and angrily spun around. "It's forbidden!"

Rachel was taken aback by the sudden outburst. The Beast's composure returned, as quick as it went, and she continued up the stairs. Rachel followed, quite reluctantly, wolf still at her side.

They reached her room, not long after, and the Beast swung the door open. Rachel stepped inside, silently surveying if there were any means of escape.

There weren't.

There were cobwebs in every corner of the room; floor and ceiling. The bed was slightly dusty, and oddly enough, there weren't any drawers or closets. Most bedrooms had storage of some kind, Rachel was sure, but there weren't any here.

"Now, if there's anything you need, my servants will attend to you."

Rachel had the fleeting urge to ask 'what servants', as she hadn't seen anybody in the castle, but suddenly found it hard to care. She was stuck. She was stuck here forever with this thing and a possible werewolf in an old, moldy castle.

When she hoped that her life would turn into some great adventure, this was certainly not what she had in mind. But of course, leave it to the universe to take her request completely out of context, like it always did.

Nothing could ever work in her favor.

The wolf stood beside the beast, and barked again, waking Rachel from her thoughts. The Beast looked down at it, almost annoyed.

"Um, you- you will join me for dinner." The Beast said, looking in Rachel's direction, but not at Rachel. "And that is not a request!" The Beast slammed the door shut, leaving Rachel on her own.


Rachel stirred awake. She couldn't remember lying down on the bed, and she certainly couldn't remember falling asleep. She hoped that it was all just a very elaborately terrifying dream her brain had constructed, and that she would wake up in her bed, to the smell of her fathers' cooking breakfast, and she would be able to write a book about it and become an established young author, but no. No, it wasn't a dream. Here she most definitely was, in a strange castle she was doomed to spend the rest of her days.

Her cheeks were wet, and she could only guess she had fallen asleep crying. She sat up, slightly, and suddenly the curtains in her room were thrown open, letting the orange of the setting sun seep in.

She turned to the window and saw a tall blonde woman, smiling, warmly, with twinkling blue eyes.

"Hi." She said, sweetly. "I'm Brittany."

Rachel studied her, momentarily, before nodding, slowly. "I'm… Rachel."

"That's a pretty name." She said, head cocked to the side. "What's your last name?"

"Berry."

"Really? Like a 'berry'?" She said, excitedly. "How cute!"

Brittany walked over to the bed, and plopped herself down on it. "Have you met any of the furniture yet?"

"Have I… met the furniture?" Rachel repeated, not sure if she heard right.

"Yeah. They're all really nice, and they already like you." Brittany said looking around the room. "There used to be a wardrobe in here… I forget her name. She never liked this room, said it smelled funny, and it kinda does," She giggled. "Maybe she moved downstairs… she has a crush on this lampshade, and he's downstairs so maybe she's tryna' put the moves on him…"

Rachel just listened to the girl ramble. She was speaking utter nonsense… or was she? After all, Rachel had just promised to live with a beast in a castle for the rest of her life. Rachel couldn't stop thinking that thought. It sounded utterly ridiculous, and she was still in denial about it being true.

But that considered, anything could be possible at this point. Including a love story between a wardrobe and a lampshade.

"We all think you're really brave for doing what you did." Brittany spoke, softly.

"I've lost everything…" Rachel said, hopelessly. "My dreams, my family… my friends..."

"Brittany!" another girl rushed into the room, startling them both. She was shorter, and had dark hair and tanned skin. Unlike the taller girl, whose blonde hair was pulled up in a tight ponytail, this girl's raven hair was loose, almost wild, flowing freely down the sides of her face. "I told you, you can't come in here!"

"Oh, I know, San, but I knew Rachel would be lonely and hungry, and I felt bad." Brittany pouted. "Look, she's been crying all morning."

"If Q-" The smaller girl stopped herself, looking in Rachel's direction. "If you-know-who finds out, she'll be pissed. And I am not in the mood to argue with her today."

"She won't find out, Santana, I promise." Brittany said. "Scout's honor."

"You're not a scout, Brittany."

"You have to be a scout to say that?" Brittany whispered, like it was a secret. "Bummer."

Santana looked back to Rachel, who honestly had no clue what was happening.

"Get up." Santana ordered. "It's dinner time."

Brittany clapped happily, and jumped up from the bed. "Ooh! Let me find you a nice dress. She'll like it if you wear a nice dress… where do they keep the dresses again?" Brittany asked no one but herself, as she exited the bedroom.

Rachel could only guess the 'she' Brittany was referring to was the Beast. Rachel wondered, faintly, if the Beast had a name, but realized she didn't really care at the moment. She honestly couldn't have doomed herself to this life. It was absurd!

No, no, Rachel had a plan.

She was going to convince the Beast to let her go. It was the only way. She wouldn't stay here- she couldn't stay here! She was Rachel Berry! She was supposed to be famous, in some capacity or another. Preferably on stage, but she was open to other possibilities, like writing, or something. She did love books, after all.

Rachel stared over at Santana, as she waited. Something was oddly familiar about the girl…

"What?"

"Have we met before?"

"Sort of." Santana said. "Follow me. Britt will get you into something nice looking."

"I'm not…" Rachel tried. She cleared her throat. "I'm not going." She said, forcefully.

"The hell you aren't." Santana said. "She asked you to dinner."

"No, she demanded me to come to dinner. Hardly the same thing."

"Oh, okay, last time I checked you really didn't have a say in the matter? You're a prisoner, remember?"

"I'm not going and that's that."

"Oh great." Santana threw her arms in the air. "You're all independent… and you probably read, too, don't you?"

"I do." Rachel nodded, curtly. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Ugh, I was stupid for thinking this was going to be easy."


"Brittany!" The Beast called out, as the blonde girl passed. "Have you seen- what are you doing with that dress?"

"Shh! It's a surpise!" Brittany smiled. "Aren't you going to get dressed up?"

"I…" The Beast looked down at herself. "Am I supposed to?"

"Well, it's only courteous to dress to impress, m'lady."

"I… don't… wear clothes." The Beast said, innocently. "None of them fit me…"

"Maybe we can find you something downstairs in the tailor's room."

"Maybe…" The Beast said, thoughtfully. Brittany nodded, and turned to continue on her way. "Wait!"

"Yes?"

"Have you seen, um, the girl?"

"Her name is Rachel Berry, and yes." Brittany said, excitedly. "She's nice, I like her."

"Rachel Berry…" The Beast repeated. She seemed to be lost in thought, before her eyes snapped back down at Brittany. "She's late."

"Let's find you something to wear." Brittany said, walking away, prompting the Beast to follow. "Don't worry so much, mmkay? Give her some time. She was just taking a nap, but she's all rested up now. She'll be down soon, I'm sure."


"I'm not going down there." Rachel crossed her arms against her chest, and looked toward the window.

"You have to." Santana said. "She invited you. You just don't turn down an invitation from the owner of the place where you're gonna spend the rest of your life."

"Well, I am, and I did."

"Don't be stubborn, okay? Just make this easy for the both of us and go down there."

"No."

"I'm serious. You need to go."

"No."

"Get your ass down there."

"How rude." Rachel said, shocked. "Does anyone in this castle have manners?"

"Okay, maybe I'm not being clear enough here; if you don't go, she'll be angry. Do you really want her to be angry? You have seen her right? Does she look like the kind of person you want to make angry?"

"I don't care. I said no."

"Okay, look, you two probably... have stuff in common, or something. You said you read, right? She reads. You guys can talk about books. It'll be lovely, and you two will bond, and everyone will be happy and I won't have to deal with a stubborn little girl, and a very, very angry hostess. Now, get down there."

"Who are you calling little? I'm not much shorter than you."

"Alright, you want friggin' manners? Fine. Can you please go down there?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Are you serious right now?"


The Beast had one eye closed, and her face was scrunched up, as Brittany placed yet another hat on her head. This one was pink, with a black ribbon around it.

"Aww. Perfect." Brittany squealed. "You're like a little bunny... with a hat on."

The Beast didn't look too convinced.

"Now, remember, be charming, and… sincere. And don't get angry, okay?" Brittany removed that hat, and placed smaller, green one on her. "Be gentle. Ooh, and smile. You have a nice smile, right?"

Santana slammed open the double doors, storming angrily into the room.

The Beast stood up, nervously. "Is she ready, yet?"

Santana looked at Brittany, for some support, then up at the Beast. "She… she's not coming." Santana said, bracing herself. "She doesn't want to have dinner with you."

The Beast ripped the hat off her head, throwing it to the side, as she got on all fours and raced through the castle. Santana and Brittany ran to catch up, but the Beast was so infuriated, she skipped steps entirely and climbed up on rails to get to the room quicker.

"Be gentle! Be gentle!" Brittany called out.

The Beast nearly slammed into Rachel's bedroom door, which was now locked.

"I thought I told you to come to dinner!" The Beast yelled. "And who said you could lock the door?"

"I'm not hungry." Rachel said, from behind the door, sounding just like a child that didn't get her way. "And I wanted some privacy! What if I'm naked right now? Would you have wanted to just barge in?"

The Beast blinked, rapidly, seemingly caught off guard, but shook it off. "You'll come out or- or… or I'll break this door down!"

"Does gentle mean something else? Am I using the wrong word, San?" Brittany asked, confused.

Santana shook her head. "Look, Q," She reached up and put her hand on the beast's shoulder to get her attention. "You have to be calm. You don't want to scare her, right?"

The Beast swallowed, thickly, and straightened herself out.

"Be ladylike." Brittany said. "Graceful, y'know?"

"But she's being so difficult!" The Beast whispered through gritted teeth.

"Calm." Santana repeated.

"Ladylike." Brittany nodded.

The Beast took a deep, frustrated sigh. "Will you come down to dinner?'

"No!"

The Beast shot an exasperated look towards the smaller girls, who only shrugged. She sighed, and closed her eyes to regain her calm.

The Beast slightly bowed at the door, even though Rachel couldn't see. "It would give me great pleasure if you would join me for dinner."

"Say 'please'." Brittany nudged her.

"… please." The Beast added.

"No, thank you." Rachel responded with a 'hmph!'

The Beast shot up, furious. "You can't stay in there forever!"

"Yes, I can!"

"Fine!" The Beast growled. "Then you can go ahead and STARVE!" She turned to Brittany and Santana. "If she doesn't eat with me, than she doesn't eat at all!"

The two girls watched as the Beast rushed down the hall, into the west wing, slamming the door shut behind her, so forcefully, a piece of the ceiling collapsed nearby.

Santana's shoulders slumped, and she looked over at Brittany who was nodding, approvingly.

"That went well." Brittany said, optimistically. "I give it a B+ for effort."