Worlds Below

Rating T

Disclaimer: I deny ownership of any of the characters used in this story. The TMNT are owned by Mirage. Beauty and the Beast characters are owned by Ron Koslow

Author's Note: This is a cross over story. Many years ago there was a TV show called Beauty and The Beast- Beauty being Catherine Chandler, and the beast being Vincent. Vincent and his family lived under the city of New York. Now you think that his people and the turtles would have to meet some time, considering they all share the same home more or less, right?

Prologue

He moved with a silent, steady grace through the darkest of Central Parks paths, if one could call them paths, for this part of the park was rarely frequented even during the day never mind during the night. Still he welcomed the shadows and darkness of the trees and he walked this path so many times, he didn't need to see the obstacles that might get in his way, nor was he afraid of being harassed by some one. He smiled a bit secretively, the only people who might be here now, were those up to no good or drunk and sleeping in the bushes. If he was seen by any of these beings they might change their mind. It was that thought, staying into his mind, that had caused his lips to curl up into a gentle smile.

Of course he knew he shouldn't allow himself to be seen, and he had promised his father to be extremely careful when he went above. His father worried for him, he was a good man. He owed his father so much, that he had no problem obeying, he tried his best not to cause his father to furrow his brow, or fret over him something father did frequently mind you.

He took a deep breath, inhaling the damp earth and vegetation, his sharp senses detecting nothing amiss. He enjoyed the smell of the rain, as if it had washed clean the dirt and grime of the city, the city that he had so little to do with;But neither could he ignore it, for though he was not part of it and never could be, there were those he cared for that were, that had moved on from the family and had gone to the world above. Of course there was that one special person who meant so much to him, she did belong to this world above. Since he saved her their lives had been linked, their relationship was tenuous at times, but it was the most wonderful thing that had ever happened to him.

' That she could accept me for all that I am is far more than I could ever dream.' He told himself.

He glanced slightly over his shoulder, seeing nothing but darkness, as if he was far from any form or hint of civilization. He inhaled again relaxing, completely at home with his surroundings, this was far more to his liking then the bright lights of the city beyond. He moved on, his feet making not a sound as he carefully brushed branches aside, hardly seeming to disturb them at all in his movement. He lengthened his stride just a little knowing that he would soon be nearing the entrance to his world, a world far below the city and it was best not to attract attention to where he was going.

His safety and the safety of his family relied on it, and he would do anything to protect those he cared for.

Suddenly he stopped and furrowed his brow, cocking his head, he thought he had heard something...unnatural perhaps? He stayed very still, listening hardly breathing, and was rewarded with a faint sound. He cautiously followed the noise, alert to any trap or problem that might arise, but he was curious and besides that he was sure he smelled blood. His sharp eyes scanned the shadows, he could see quite well in the dark and was grateful for that fact as it aided him on more than one occasion. This time was no different, for his sharp vision detected something amiss under a bush. It was a couple of feet, but they were only two toed, and stranger yet, the skin seemed rather odd coloured even in the blackness that surrounded them.

He could not get in to what ever lay in the bush, if anything he was startled that the two toed being had managed to squeeze itself into such a small place, doing his best to be gentle he reached in and laid hands on the person. Immediately there was a jerk on the leg, and it kicked back hitting him, causing him to fall back on his rear, he snarled a little, more because he'd been caught by surprise then for any other reason. The being rose to it's feet staggering and tried to keep its balance, teetering uneasily.

He gained his own feet, quickly seeing the wounds, deep cuts and gashes on this strange, not quite human being, it was badly injured, and it was amazing it could even stand. The strange green humanoid blinked as it looked at him, then as if all his remaining strength had evaporated he collapsed forward.

Forgetting his sudden anger at being kicked he reached out catching the falling being, he looked like a giant turtle, and for some reason, he Vincent, felt kinship with this strange injured being. Vincent had never seen anything quite like it, and yet, he had always hoped for something like this. Still Vincent knew from the amount of the injuries that the turtle would die if he was not given some assistance. Vincent removed his warm hooded cloak and wrapped it carefully around the turtle, before picking him up.

Vincent was used to moving with care, and he could move very quickly when he needed to, but this time he would need to do both.

As he packed the turtle towards home he thought of his friend Mouse, Mouse loved to prowl the sewer tunnels venturing further then most of those who lived in the sewers. He often told other of things he'd found of interest, lately he had been insisting that there were green people who lived in a part of the sewers, and a giant rat, large enough it could kill Mouse or his friend Arthur, the pet raccoon. Vincent had recalled teasing his friend "Why are you afraid of a giant rat, when you are a giant Mouse?"

"Okay laugh at Mouse. Okay good. Okay fine. " Mouse replied in his usual way, " These green people Vincent carry knives and things to hurt with. Mouse not want them here."

Vincent had clapped his friend on the shoulder and stated, "That is wise of you Mouse, none of us need trouble."

' Is this one of Mouse's green people? He is not carrying weapons, there is a tattered belt on him, and pads of some sort on knees and elbows, but no weapons that I can see. someone has hurt him badly though.' Vincent suddenly wondered if it was wise to take this turtle being back to his home, perhaps he might only be inviting trouble by doing so, and yet Vincent could not turn his back and ignore the fact that he needed to help this fellow being, because he Vincent, was not all that different.

' Do you know what they would do to you if they found you up there? Or even down here? They would kill you, or lock you up and make you wish you were dead.'

His father had told him that not once, but many times. Vincent knew it was true, for Vincent like the being he held wasn't fully human either, Vincent had never been human, not in the full sense of the word. It was because of and due to this, that he felt a kinship with the one he carried, and why he felt that no matter what might come their way, it could be worth it, because finally there was someone who could totally understand his aloneness, his uniqueness with the world above.

But all of that would not come to pass if the turtle died.

TBC