It's been an official year since I've been working on this story! Yay! So, in honor of this special day, I wrote a crack chapter. What a way to celebrate, right? XD It's kinda confusing but oh well! The ending sorta works out anyways!

Thanks to all those who've been reading my story! :D All your reviews make me happy! ^_^ Anyways, I hope you enjoy! Happy anniversary~

A hooded figure dashed through the dark of the night. Crows cawed, yellow eyes flashed every which way, and a dark castle loomed ahead. Bare trees were scattered across the gloomy castle and from atop the castle, in the window, moved a large and murky shadow.

The hooded person entered the silent castle and glanced around curiously. A candle upon a desk moved. The candle's holder was green, very different from an ordinary holder. It also had what looked like a bit of hair, though it was actually a melted brown wad of wax atop the candle. A red clock stood beside it.

"Hello?" the hooded figure, undoubtedly a female from the voice, called out.

"Hello!" a voice came from the far side of the wall, where the clock and candle stood. There was a 'shush!' immediately following the response. The visitor twirled around to face the wall curiously, confused.

"Is anybody there?"

"Yes, over here!" It was the candle that spoke. The woman looked at it. Her expression was unreadable, for her hood covered her face.

"You idiot!" the clock reprimanded. "You're going to have to leave at once," he said to her. "This castle is private. Only we and our master may stay here."

"Please," she begged, seeming to be quite neutral to the fact that she was talking to inanimate objects, "I have nowhere to go. Wolves were chasing me, and I had no other place to turn to! Please allow me to stay, at least just for the night! I beg you!"

"Of course, mon amour, for as long as your heart desires!" the candle crooned. The woman giggled but the clock frowned disapprovingly.

"Must you charm every woman you meet, you lout?"

"But I haven't seen a woman in years, Cogsworth!" the candle protested.

"It matters not! You know the master won't be happy to know that another would stay in his castle!"

"What's all the hubbub?" a teapot seemed to appear out of thin air. "I hope you're not arguing about how Lumiere smells, because I told you, he can't help that—oh my!" The teapot looked a little feminine, with long eyelashes, but it bore the voice of a man. "Who do we have here?"

"Yes, who dares enter my castle?" a growl came from behind the ruckus. Everybody stopped talking and froze, slowly facing the voice behind. There, stood a hideous beast. Fur covered his body from head to toe, horns jutted out from beside his furry ears, his mouth was wide open to reveal rows and rows of sharp teeth, and his fingernails were dirty and long.

The woman stumbled back a few steps, eyes wide in horror, though nobody could tell. "I—I'm sorry if I intruded—but I need a place to stay, and…and…"

"LEAVE!" it roared.

"Be a little more thoughtful, master," Lumiere said as he jumped toward the Beast. "I'm sure—"

"Shush!" the Beast snapped. "Nobody is allowed here! Leave before I force you so!"

The woman hung her head and slowly started to walk away.

"Wait!" Lumiere shouted and the Beast glared at him. The candle climbed up onto his shoulder. "She may be the one to break the curse," he whispered in his furry ear.

"…Wait!" the Beast cried reluctantly and the woman paused. She slowly faced him and lowered her hood. The Beast's eyes widened—he knew that face all too well. It was impossible though! How could the tactician…? It made no sense!

"Yes?" the brunette murmured, blue eyes shining hopefully.

"You can stay here," he grumbled, looking away. "Though it's against my will…"

"Now now," the teapot said firmly, "I'm sure Miss…what's your name?"

"Belle."

"No!" said the Beast suddenly and everybody stared at him. "I mean…you look like someone I know…knew."

"Oh?" Belle—Jasmine, in the Beast's eyes—said. "Strange. I don't recognize you." She paused hesitantly. "If you don't mind me asking: is this possibly House…?"

"Yes," the Beast snapped, "though it's none of your business."

"I didn't mean to...I'm sorry," she murmured.

"You have no need to be sorry!" a voice came from the floor. "You should be proud of where you come from, brother! Yes, this is House Cornwell." It was a small teacup that was speaking. "Our city was destroyed in a fire and my parents were killed, though I still have my brother." She smiled up at the Beast.

"Chip!" the teapot said and hopped toward her. "It's passed your bedtime!"

"Just because I'm a teacup now doesn't mean I'm a kid!"

"Yes, of course," smiled the teacup, "my apologies, milady."

The Beast rolled his eyes. Belle narrowed her eyes and leaned in forward.

"You…remind me of somebody," she murmured. "Somebody I once knew that I traveled with. I haven't seen him in years, though…"

"Do you miss him?" the Beast asked. She stared at him.

"Everyday," she said quietly. "I…cared for him. And I thought he felt the same way, but…it didn't work out."

He took a step toward her. "What if he did feel the same way, but was too caught up in his nonsense to realize his feelings?"

Her eyes widened. "What are you trying to say?"

"…Do you recognize me?"

She paused, face bunched in worry and confusion, to stare into the Beast's eyes. Then she gasped. "Raven?"

The Beast started to transform. His claws shrunk and became fingernails, his furry hands become normal, human hands, and his back started to twitch and twist. Within moments, he turned into a handsome redheaded man.

Belle gasped. Lumiere started to cheer when he too grew into a brown-haired young man with shining green armor. The red clock turned into a hard-faced redheaded knight. The teapot became a blonde man that was mistaken many times for a woman. Finally, the little teacup transformed into a young woman with red hair like her brother.

"We're humans again!" the green knight cheered and the stern faced redhead laughed jovially. The blonde and the redheaded woman rejoiced, embracing one another. Raven and Belle held each other's eyes, unaware of their surroundings.

"Raven…? How could it…? But…uh, I'm so confused!" she cried, putting her hands up to her head.

"You're a tactican, aren't you? Shouldn't you be able to understand these kinds of things?" Raven said.

Belle—Jasmine—immediately scowled. "Well now I see that you're clearly Raven."

He smirked and walked toward her so that they were only a breath apart. "You talk too much."

Her eyes widened as he leaned in toward her.

Then the castle started to shake. Screams echoed throughout the deserted place when bricks and walls started to crumble.

"What's going on?" Chip—Priscilla, it seemed—shouted.

"No worries, Princess, I've got you!" Lumiere, looking an awful lot like Sain, except his face was a little blurred and strange looking, shouted and took her hand.

"Oh no you don't!" Raven roared and advanced toward the green knight, a sword magically appearing in his hands.

"Raven!" Belle screamed and he turned to watch the ceiling collapse, ready to smash her to pieces—

Everything went white. Raven was all alone. Then flames appeared out of thin air and encircled him. He tried to slash uselessly through the hot fire. He could see his castle burst into flames, engulfing all those within it.

"No!" he screamed. "NO!"

Raven awoke with a gasp. Sweat dripped down his forehead, down to his chin, then his chest, where more sweat was accumulated on his shirt. He breathed short gasps and slowly sat up.

He must've fallen asleep sitting up when he probably slipped down onto his side. Which had to do with his crumbling castle. It was all just a dream. Nothing more, nothing less.

With shaky legs and shaky hands, he slowly pushed himself up. Quietly, he grabbed his sword off the table, and, with a quick glance to the sleeping Lucius, crept out of his room.

It was time for the murder of Lord Uther.