Presenting: A Dimensional Cruise Musical!
With the Dream Keeper being a well-known figure in the Magical World, it wasn't a surprise that some of the guests on the cruise knew who Gabriel was. The raven was always humble about being recognized, and even lent his Fantasia whenever people asked for some music. Gabriel also helped out around the ship whenever they needed him, and this was one of those times. The Dream Keeper burst into his cabin with a huge smile as he looked over all his friends.
"Guys, do I have an event for you!" Gabriel exclaimed, holding out a pamphlet. "The show director here wants us to participate in a one-night-only rendition of a famous Disney musical!"
"Really? That sounds amazing!" Porsha cheered.
"Not much of a singer myself, but I'll try it at least," Ray shrugged.
"Which musical will it be, Gabriel-san?" Lop asked.
"The production is going to be Beauty and the Beast," Gabriel revealed. "I even have the casting list for all the roles here for us to pick from."
"Won't it be difficult to assign certain roles since that musical requires quite a few male roles?" Jasiri questioned. "We only have… five guys here."
"The said that we can genderbend a few roles if need be," Gabriel replied.
"If you guys think I'll be playing the Beast, you're sorely mistaken," Azrael said quickly.
"Aw, but we'd be the perfect Belle/Beast combo on stage together," Porsha wined.
"I'm not familiar with this play. Could you explain it to me?" Mineru asked.
"I've got it, sister!" Sisu said with a snap. "Basically, this jerk prince totally blows off an old lady that comes to his castle, but then plot twist: she's actually an enchantress and curses the prince to be a hideous beast! Then years later this small town girl named Belle shows up at the castle to rescue her father and promises to stay at the castle for her dad's safety. Then after some misunderstandings she helps the Beast learn to be nice and kind and the two start falling in love, until this jerk from the village, Gaston, shows up to ruin everything. Gaston gets defeated, Beast almost dies, but true love saves the day as Belle breaks the curse. The end!"
"That's one way to summarize it," Jasiri chuckled. "I think Chomper should be Chip the teacup."
"Oh Em Gee, yes! He would be so adorable!" Porsha squealed.
"Then I shall take on the role of Mrs. Potts. I certainly have the curves for it," Mym said.
"I'll take on the role of Lumiere to give everyone the showstopping number they deserve," Gabriel said, giving a bow.
"And I can be your opposite as Cogsworth. I do know how to manage time well," Morgana said.
"We still need someone to play our three main leads," Jasiri said. "And if Gabriel isn't the Beast, then I'll let someone else be Belle."
"I can be Gaston. I know how to play the villain," Azrael said, flashing his sharp teeth. "I think Porsha already said she wanted to be Belle. That leaves Ray to be the Beast then."
"I think I can use my pactstone to call on one of my other dragons for the role," Ray replied, rolling his necklace around in his hand. "I'll be happy to play opposite to you, Porsha."
The wolfess smiled, before frowning as she thought about something. "Actually… I think Mineru should play Belle," Porsha said.
Everyone looked surprised at that. "What? Porsha, you're always taking about wanting the starring role in the shows you play," Mei Ling said.
"Yeah, I do like being the star… but as fun as it is to be the leading role, you also have to know if a part really fits you or not," Porsha explained. "Mr. Moon taught me that one, even if I took the lesson the wrong way when he first told me it. Belle is a smart girl that can bring out the best in others and can see past outward appearances, and I think that fits Mineru better than me. Plus I'll admit that I'm not the brightest, while Mineru is an actual genius."
"Thank you for the kind words, Porsha," Mineru said, glowing from the compliments. "I will try to play the role well."
"Then what part do you want to be?" Sisu asked.
"I can be LeFou. He was totally in love with Gaston anyway, and it lets me and Azrael duet," Porsha said.
"The rest of us can play the ensemble roles then," Jasiri said.
"Great! If we're all sorted out, then let's get started with practice," Gabriel nodded, pulling out scripts for everyone to read. "Let's make this the best Beauty and the Beast production ever!"
[***]
When the day of the musical arrived, guests piled into the theater room to see the show, making it a packed theater for our friends to perform for. "Everyone one ready?" Gabriel whispered. He got excited whispers from the others. "Okay then, let's do this." With a wave of his hands the orchestra started to play dramatic music as the curtains opened on a familiar castle.
"Once upon a time, in a faraway land, a young prince lived in a shining castle," Lop narrated as Ray came out in stage, dressed in a fancy blue suit. "Although he had everything his heart desired, the prince was spoiled, selfish, and unkind." The ensemble, dressed as servants, all came out into the stage, with Ray turning up his nose at them.
"But then, one winter's night, an old beggar woman came to the castle and offered him a single rose in return for shelter from the bitter cold." The lights darkened as Sisu, dressed in a large green cloak, came out into the stage, holding out a rose to Ray. "Repulsed by her haggard appearance, the prince sneered at the gift and turned the woman away." Ray looked disgusted at Sisu and turned up his nose at her, pointing back the way she came.
"Be she warned him not to be deceived by appearances, for beauty is found within. And when he dismissed her again, the old woman's ugliness melted away to reveal a beautiful enchantress." Sisu threw off her cloak and turned into her dragon form, the servants all falling to the ground in shock as Ray looked on stunned. "The prince tried to apologize, but it was too late, for she had seen that there was no love in his heart, and as punishment, she transformed him into a hideous beast, and placed a powerful spell on the castle and all who lived there." Ray fell to his knees in a pleading motion, but Sisu shook her head and held up her dragon gem. Lightning flashed as the servants were all blown away, with Ray clutching his head as he transformed into a hideous dragon with black scales, torn wings, and spikes jutting out of his tail and back.
"Ashamed of his monstrous form, the Beast concealed himself inside his castle, with a magic mirror his only window to the outside world." Sisu gave Ray a magic mirror before departing from the stage. "The rose she had offered was truly and enchanted rose, which would bloom until his 21st year." The rose from earlier was put into a glass jar, now glowing a magical pink color. "If he could learn to love another and earn her love in return by the time the last petal fell, then the spell would be broken. If not, he would be doomed to remain a beast for all time."
Thunder rumbled as the scene faded away. "As the years passed, he fell into despair and lost all hope, for who could ever learn to love a beast?"
"Wait, he has until he's twenty-one to break the curse?" Mineru questioned. "That seems fairly young. Just how old was this prince?"
"They don't really say in the movie, but most people guess he was about ten?" Gabriel replied.
"Well, this enchantress seems very rude then," Mineru frowned. "Of course a child would turn away someone like that from his castle. I wouldn't want strangers coming into my house in the middle of the night."
"They did try to correct it in the remake, but it's probably best to not think about it," Jasiri shrugged. "Oh, the next scene is coming on! Places everyone!"
The scene transitioned from the castle to the village, now many years later from the prologue. We see Mineru come out of a cottage at the edge of town, the Zonai wearing a blue and white peasant dress. She swings a basket in her hands as she walks across the stage, starting to sing along with the music.
Little town, it's a quiet village
Every day like the one before
Little town, full of little people
Waking up… to… say…
It was then that the ensemble cast appeared, each of them dressed as French villagers as they woke up to greet each other.
Man 1: Bonjour!
Man 2: Bonjour!
Woman 1: Bonjour!
Man 3: Bonjour!
Man 4: Bonjour!
Mineru gave a smile and wave to the villagers as she passed them by.
There goes the baker with his tray, like always
The same old bread and rolls to sell
Every morning just the same
Since the morning that we came
To this poor provincial town-
"Good morning, Belle!" the baker greeted, setting his tray of bread down.
"Morning, monsieur," Mineru replied.
"Where are you off to?" the baker asked.
"The bookshop," Mineru said, pulling out a book from her basket. "I just finished the most wonderful story about a beanstalk and an ogre and..."
The baker waved her off as he looked off-stage. "That's nice. Marie! The baguettes! Hurry up!"
Mineru rolled her eyes before walking away, the townsfolk now getting a chance to sing about Belle.
Townsfolk: Look there she goes, that girl is strange, no question
Dazed and distracted, can't you tell?
Never part of any crowd
Cause her head's up on some cloud
No denying she's a funny girl that Belle
Mineru ignored the works of the townsfolk as she kept on her walk to the bookshop.
Man 1: Bonjour!
Woman 1: Good day!
Man 1: How is your family?
The driver waved to one of the townsfolk as he passed by.
Woman 2: Bonjour!
Man 2: Good day!
Woman 2: How is your wife?
The market seller got hit over the head by his wife for jeering at the woman.
Woman 3: I need six eggs!
Man 3: That's too expensive!
Mineru sighed as she finally arrived at the bookstore.
There must be more than this provincial life!
"Ah, Belle," the bookseller greeted as Mineru entered.
"Good morning. I've come to return the book I borrowed," Mineru said, handing over her book.
The bookseller chuckled. "Finished already?"
"Oh, I couldn't put it down. Have you got anything new?" Mineru asked.
"Ha-Ha. Not since yesterday," the bookseller laughed.
"That's alright. I'll borrow..." Mineru went over to the shelf and grabbed another book from it. "This one!"
"That one? But you've read it twice!" the bookseller said.
Mineru smiled as she spin around with the book in hand. "Well, it's my favorite! Far off places, daring swordfights, magic spells, a prince in disguise."
"If you like it all that much, it's yours," the bookseller said warmly.
Mineru gasped. "But, sir..."
"I insist," the bookseller said.
"Well, thank you! Thank you very much!" Mineru waved goodbye as she left the bookshop, the villagers looking at her again as she walked around reading.
Townsfolk: Look there she goes, that girl is so peculiar
I wonder if she's feeling well
With a dreamy, far-off look
And her nose stuck in a book
What a puzzle to the rest of us is Belle
Mineru took a seat at the edge of the stage as she read her book, looking out to the audience as she sang.
Oh, isn't this amazing?
It's my favorite part because you'll see
Here's where she meets Prince Charming
But she won't discover that it's him 'til chapter three!
As Mineru got back up to wander around the stage, the townsfolk continued to sing about the "funny girl" of their town.
Woman: Now it's no wonder that her name means "beauty"
Her looks have got no parallel
Shopkeeper: But behind that fair façade
I'm afraid she's rather odd
Very different from the rest of us
Townsfolk: She's nothing like the rest of us
Yes, different from the rest of us is Belle!
Suddenly a gunshot was heard, and on stage came Azrael and Porsha. Porsha was holding a comically large bag over her shoulders while Azrael held a large gun.
"Wow! You didn't miss a shot, Gaston! You're the greatest hunter in the whole world!" Porsha praised.
"I know," Azrael grinned, blowing smoke off the end of his gun.
"No beast alive stands a chance against you. Ha-Ha-Ha! And no girl, for that matter," Porsha said, giving Azrael a dreamy look.
"It's true, LeFou. And I've got my sights set on that one," Azrael put an arm around Porsha's shoulder (the wolfess blushing from the touch) as he pointed his gun in the direction of Mineru.
"The inventor's daughter?!" Porsha questioned.
"She's the one! The lucky girl I'm going to marry," Azrael nodded.
"But, she's..." Porsha tried to say.
"The most beautiful girl in town," Azrael cut her off.
"I know, but..." Porsha was cut off by Azrael tossing his gun into her arms.
"That makes her the best! And don't I deserve the best?" Azrael asked, giving Porsha small growl.
Porsha chuckled nervously. "Well, of course! I mean, you do! But, I mean..."
It was then that Azrael got to sing.
Right from the moment when I met her, saw her
I said she's gorgeous and I fell
Here in town there's only she
Who is beautiful as me
So I'm making plans to woo and marry Belle
As Mineru walked away Azrael made his pursuit, with Porsha sighing as she and some of the other village girls sang together.
Bimbettes: Look there he goes
Isn't he dreamy?
Monsieur Gaston
Oh he's so cute!
Be still my heart
I'm hardly breathing
He's such a tall, dark, strong and handsome brute!
The townsfolk all started singing over each other as Azrael tried to make his way through the crowd.
Bonjour! (Pardon!)
Good day! (Mais oui!)
You call this bacon? (What lovely grapes!)
Some cheese (Ten Yards), one pound ('Scuse me!)
I'll get the knife. (Please let me through!)
Woman 4: This bread (Those fish) – it's stale! (They smell!)
Madame's mistaken
"There must be more than this provincial life!" Mineru sang out.
"Just watch, I'm going to make Belle my wife!" Azrael declared.
Look there she goes
The girl is strange, but special
A most peculiar mad'moiselle!
It's a pity and a sin
She doesn't quite fit in
'Cause she really is a funny girl
A beauty but a funny girl
She really is a funny girl
That Belle!
The townsfolk sang the last line as Mineru finally made it to the edge of town.
Man 1: Bonjour!
Woman 1: Bonjour!
Man 2: Bonjour!
Woman 2: Bonjour!
Man 3: Bonjour!
Man 4: Bonjour!
Mineru turned around to see what all the commotion was, before the village people quickly went back to their day. She shrugged before leaving to go home. The play progressed smoothly from there, with Mineru singing the "Belle" reprise while Mei Ling (taking on the role of Maurice) went to the Beast's castle and met the transformed servants before being captured by Ray. One funny thing that did happen was that, during the scene where Gaston tried to propose to Belle, Azrael's muscular body wasn't able to be properly tripped by Mineru, so the wolf had to improvise and let the door knock him over as she closed it, much to the amusement of the others.
Eventually Mineru found Mei Ling's horse and went to investigate at the castle, where Morgana and Gabriel were discussing the events of the previous night.
"Couldn't keep quiet, could we? Just had to invite him in, didn't we?" Morgana said, mocking Gabriel's previous actions. The cat was wearing a clock outfit, complete with a large turnkey sticking out of his back. Gabriel, on the other hand, was wearing a golden suit with magic fireballs hovering over his head and hands to mimic a candle. "Serve him tea, sit in the master's chair. Pet the pooch."
"I was trying to be hospitable," Gabriel defended. Jasiri giggled backstage as the raven put on a fake French accent.
"And I thought Sly Cooper's Italian accent was bad…" Ray chuckled.
"Mama, there's a girl in the castle!" Chomper said excitedly, the little T-Rex bouncing around in his teacup outfit.
"Now, Chip, I'll not have you making up such wild stories," Mym chided, the dragoness wearing a large dress that mimicked Mrs. Potts' teapot form.
"Really, Mama, I saw her!" Chomper insisted.
"Oh, there's my cue!" Jasiri whispered, before quickly going out on stage, the hyena dressed as Babette the broom. "A girl! I saw a girl in the castle!" she exclaimed to the audience.
"See! I told ya!" Chomper laughed.
Eventually Mineru found where Mei Ling was being held, but also encountered Ray at the same time. The Zonai traded her freedom in exchange for letting Mei Ling go free, which Ray accepted after some encouragement from Gabriel. Their relationship was off to a rocky start, with Mineru refusing Ray's offer of going to dinner and the servants all failing to make the Beast act nicer towards their guest.
"If you ask me, she was just being stubborn," Morgana scoffed. "After all, he did say "please."
"But if the master doesn't learn to control that temper, he'll never break the…" Mym started, only to stop as Mineru entered the scene with Gabriel close behind.
"Splendid to see you out and about, madameoiselle," Morgana said, his French a lot more convincing that Gabriel's. "I am Cogsworth, head of the household." Gabriel got in front of him and took Mineru's hand in his own, giving it a kiss. "This is Lumiere."
"Enchanté, chérie," Gabriel said.
"If there's anything we can do to make your stay more comfortable…" Morgana asked, trying (and failing) to push Gabriel out of the way.
"I am a little hungry," Mineru mused.
"You are? You hear that? She's hungry!" Mym said. "Go on, stoke the fire. Break out the silver. Wake the China."
"Remember what the master said," Morgana seethed.
"oh pish-posh," Mym scoffed, giving the cat a small bump that sent him comically flying into the backstage. "I'm not about to let the poor child go hungry."
"Ow…" Morgana winced as he wobbled about out on-stage, getting a laugh from the audience. "Fine. A glass of water, and some bread, then off to bed with you!"
"Cogsworth, I am surprised at you!" Gabriel gasped. "She's not a prisoner; she's our guest! We must make her feel welcome here. Right this way, madamemeoiselle."
"Well… keep it down. If the master finds out he'll be at our necks," Morgana warned.
"Of course, of course," Gabriel brushed him off. "But what is dinner without some music?" The raven clapped his hands together, calling down a spotlight onto himself as he looked to the audience and winked. "Ma chère Mademoiselle, it is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that we welcome you tonight. And now, we invite you to relax, let us pull up a chair, as the dining room proudly presents: Your dinner!"
Fantasia started to spark around the stage as Gabriel sang, one of the servants bringing a chair for Mineru to sit in as the raven began to perform the big show-stopping number of the musical.
Be... our... guest! Be our guest!
Put our service to the test
Tie your napkin 'round your neck, chérie
And we provide the rest
Soupe du jour, hot hors-d'œuvres
Why, we only live to serve?
Try the grey stuff, it's delicious!
Don't believe me? Ask the dishes!
Gabriel threw out his hands, calling on other servants (all dressed as plates, forks, knives, and spoons) to come out on-stage and start dancing with him.
They can sing! They can dance!
After all, Miss, this is France!
And the dinner here is never second best!
Go on, unfold your menu
Take a glance and then you'll be our guest
Oui, our guest! Be our guest!
Some of the servants brought out various food dishes, letting Mineru try a taste from each of them.
Beef ragout, cheese soufflé, pie and pudding "en flambé"
We'll prepare and serve with flair, a culinary cabaret!
You're alone and you're scared
But the banquet's all prepared
No one's gloomy or complaining
While the flatware's entertaining!
Gabriel started juggling his fireballs and doing various tricks with him.
We tell jokes, I do tricks!
With my fellow candlesticks
And it's all in perfect taste; that, you can bet
Come on and lift your glass, you've won your own free pass
To be our guest
Gabriel put and arm around Mineru as he grinned at her, the Zonai laughing as everyone preformed.
If you're stressed, It's fine dining we suggest!
Be our guest! Be our guest! Be our guest!
Morgana came out to try and stop the show, but a blue spotlight shone on him, with Gabriel going over to him and looking sad as he sang the next part.
Life is so unnerving, for a servant who's not serving
He's not whole without a soul to wait upon
Ah, those good old days when we were useful
Suddenly those good old days are gone
Gabriel picked up Morgana and waltzed with him as he sang, the cat looking unamused as he was dragged into it.
Ten years we've been rusting
Needing so much more than dusting
Needing exercise, a chance to use our skills!
Most days we just lay around the castle
Flabby, fat and lazy, you walked in, and oops-a-daisy!
Mym suddenly burst out onto the stage with Chomper by her side, the two joined by other teacups as the dragoness led them all in a dance.
It's a guest! It's a guest!
Sakes alive, well I'll be blessed!
Wine's been poured and thank the Lord
I've had the napkins freshly pressed
Mym pulled out a towel (representing a napkin) and started downing an elaborate dance with it.
With dessert she'll want tea
And my dear that's fine with me
While the cups do their soft-shoeing
I'll be bubbling, I'll be brewing
Mym laughed as Chomper and the other teacups did there own little dance.
I'll get warm piping hot
Heaven's sake! Is that a spot?
Clean it up! We want the company impressed!
Seeing a spot on her dress, Mym used her towel to rub it off before discarding the rag, which just so happened to land right in Morgana's face.
We've got a lot to do! Is it one lump or two?
For you, our guest!
She's our guest!
She's our guest!
Be our guest!
Mym and Chomper brought over some tea for Mineru to sip on as Gabriel came back out with the other servants to continue the song.
Be our guest! Be our guest! Our command is your request
It's ten years since we've had anybody here and we're obsessed
With your meal, with your ease, yes, indeed, we aim to please
While the candlelight's still glowing, let us help you, we'll keep going…
As the music swelled, the servants all lined up in a chorus line, champagne bottles popping behind them as they started doing a kick line in time with the music.
Course… by… course!
One by one!
'Til you shout... "Enough! I'm done!"
Then we'll sing you off to sleep as you digest
The song reached its climax as Gabriel turned his fireballs into fireworks, dazzling the crowd with the display as he laughed.
Tonight you'll prop your feet up, but for now, let's eat up
Be our guest! Be our guest! Be our guest!
Please, be our guest!
The raven struck a pose as the crowd clapped, Gabriel even blowing a few kisses before getting pushed backstage by Morgana. "That was amazing, Gabriel!" Jasiri said, giving her boyfriend a big kiss.
"I was really fun to get to do that number," the raven said. "Oh, I think the West Wing scene is coming up next, Ray. You better get back into form."
Ray nodded, touching his pactstone and taking on his dragon from once more. The story continued from there, with Mineru going into the forbidden West Wing, Ray saving her from the wolves, and the two slowly starting to bond as Mineru taught the Beast how to read and showing him kindness. Meanwhile, Azrael was stewing in his tavern after Mineru had rejected his marriage proposal, with Porsha doing everything she could to try and appease him.
"Who does she think she is? That girl has tangled with the wrong man. No one says no to Gaston," Azrael stated, pounding his fist on his chair.
"Heh, darn right!" Porsha nodded.
"Dismissed. Rejected. Publicly humiliated. Why, it's more than I can bear," Azrael crossed his arms.
"Uh, more beer?" Porsha offered.
Azrael smacked the mug away. "What for? Nothing helps. I'm disgraced."
Porsha gasped dramatically. "Who, you? Never! Gaston, you've got to pull yourself together." The wolfess cleared her throat before beginning to sing.
Gosh, it disturbs me to see you, Gaston
Looking so down in the dumps
Every guy here'd love to be you, Gaston
Even when taking your lumps
Azrael turned away from Porsha as she continued to sing.
There's no man in town as admired as you
You're everyone's favorite guy
Everyone's awed and inspired by you
And it's not very hard to see why!
The wolfess turned Azrael around, whistling to call over the Bimbettes to swoon over him as she sang.
No… one's… slick as Gaston
No one's quick as Gaston
No one's neck's as incredibly thick as Gaston
Porsha pulled out a tape measure and wrapped it around Azrael's neck, the wolf easily snapping it with one flex.
For there's no man in town half as manly!
Perfect, a pure paragon!
You can ask any Tom, Dick or Stanley
And they'll tell you whose team they prefer to be on!
Porsha grabbed three of the guys in the tavern to sing along with her.
No one's been like Gaston
A king pin like Gaston
No one's got a swell cleft in his chin like Gaston
Gaston: As a specimen, yes, I'm intimidating!
Azrael stood up from his chair and flexed, showing off his muscles, much to amusement of the ladies in the audience.
My, what a guy, that Gaston!
Give five "hurrahs!" Give twelve "hip-hips!"
Gaston is the best and the rest is all drips!
Porsha accidentally threw some beer in Azrael's face, the wolf growling as she looked sheepish and jumped out of the way, Azrael instead brawling with the other guys in the tavern.
No… one… fights like Gaston
Douses lights like Gaston
In a wrestling match, nobody bites like Gaston!
For there's no one as burly and brawny
Gaston: As you see, I've got biceps to spare
Azrael picked up two of the guys and effortlessly hoisted them over his head before dropping them to the floor.
Not a bit of him's scraggly or scrawny
Gaston: That's right! And every last inch of me's covered with hair!
Azrael grinned as he pulled put his shirt, showing off his chest floof. Porsha went bright red and resisted the urge to faint as she continued the song.
No one hits like Gaston
Matches wits like Gaston
In a spitting match, nobody spits like Gaston
Gaston: I'm especially good at expectorating!
Porsha ran to the other side of the stage and held up a tin can. Azrael gathered up spit and spat it out, the wad flying across the stage and making a ding as it landed in the can, making the townsfolk cheer.
Ten points for Gaston!
Gaston: When I was a lad, I ate four dozen eggs
Every morning to help me get large
And now that I'm grown, I eat five dozen eggs
So I'm roughly the size of a barge
Azrael juggled some eggs before swallowing them whole. "I hope he doesn't get food poisoning from that…" Gabriel worried backstage.
"I think his Death powers make him immune to getting poisoned," Ray replied.
No… one… shoots like Gaston
Makes those beauts like Gaston
Then goes tromping around
Wearing boots like Gaston!
Gaston: I use antlers in all of my decorating!
Azrael gestured outwards towards the walls of the tavern as he lounged in his chair.
Chorus: My what a guy!
Gaston!
The people in the tavern all cheered for their town hero, sharing drinks before a frantic Mei Ling suddenly burst in, fear in her eyes. "Help! Someone help me!"
"Marcie?" The bartender said in surprise.
"Please! Please, I need your help! He's got her! He's got her locked in a dungeon!" Mei Ling shouted.
"Who?" Tom asked.
"Belle! We must go! Not- Not a minute to lose!" Mei Ling panicked.
"Whoa! Slow down, Maurice," Azrael said. "Who's got Belle locked in a dungeon?"
"A beast! A horrible monstrous beast!" Mei Ling exclaimed, holding her arms out wide.
Everyone in the tavern started laughing. "Is it a big beast?" Dick asked.
"Huge!" Mei Ling nodded.
"With a long, ugly snout?" Stanley snickered.
"Hideously ugly!" Mei Ling said.
"And sharp, cruel fangs?" Porsha laughed.
Mei ling nodded frantically. "Yes! Yes! Will you help me?!"
Azrael put a hand on her shoulder. "Alright, old lady. We'll help you out."
Mei Ling gasped. "You will? Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!" Instead of helping her, Azrael instead tossed her off-stage, with Sisu catching the golden cat backstage as she went flying.
"Crazy Old Marie!" Tom laughed.
"He's always good for a laugh." Dick nodded.
Azrael sat back in his chair and hummed. "Crazy Old Marie," hmm? "Crazy Old Marie…" The music came back on as the "Gaston (reprise)" started up.
LeFou, I'm afraid I've been thinking
LeFou: A dangerous pastime
Gaston: I know
But that wacky old coot is Belle's mother
And her sanity's only so-so
Azrael put his hands together as Porsha sat on the arm of the chair, listening intently.
Now the wheels in my head have been turning
Since I looked at that loony old lass
See, I promised myself I'd be married to Belle
And right now I'm evolving a plan!
He put his snout up to Porsha's ear. "If I..." he whispered.
"Yes?" Porsha nodded.
"Then we..." the wolf whispered.
Porsha gasped. "No, would she?"
"Guess!" Azrael said.
"Now I get it!" Porsha exclaimed.
"Let's go!" the two cheered.
No one plots like Gaston
Gaston: Takes cheap shots like Gaston
LeFou: Plans to persecute harmless crackpots like Gaston!
"Wow, Gaston is a pretty despicable guy, huh?" Lop said backstage.
"You don't know half of it," Gabriel shook his head.
So his marriage we soon will be celebrating
My what a guy
Gaston!
The crowd cheered as the song came to and end. The story went on as usual from there, with Belle and Beast's relationship growing with the song "Something There", all leading up to the iconic ballroom scene. Mineru came down the steps wearing Bell's iconic golden dress, with Ray's dragon form wearing Beast's blue suit. He cleared his throat before coming down the stairs, smiling as he held out a hand for Mineru, which the Zonai happily accepted.
The servants all watched on from the sidelines, with Gabriel using Fantasia to call on the music. Mym then stepped off to the side, singing out as Mineru and Ray started to ballroom dance together.
Tale as old as time
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Then somebody bends
Unexpectedly
Ray let Mineru take the first steps, the two having practiced these moves in the days leading up to the production. It was actually their first official dance together as a couple, so getting to perform in one of the most iconic dance scenes was very important to both of them.
"You look lovely," Ray whispered.
"Thank you…" Mineru blushed.
Just a little change
Small to say the least
Both a little scared
Neither one prepared
Beauty and the Beast
Gabriel used Fantasia to levitate instruments around the room to play the music as the couple continued to dance.
Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
Ever just as sure
As the sun will rise
"I didn't know Mym could sing so well," Chomper said.
"She's a dragon of many talents," Mei Ling nodded.
"She sounds sort of familiar now that I'm listening closely…" Azrael mused.
Tale as old as time
Tune as old as song
Bittersweet and strange
Finding you can change
Learning you were wrong
Ray smiled happily as he danced with Mineru, Morgana and Gabriel giving their approval as they did so.
Certain as the sun
Rising in the east
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast
Mineru rested her head against Ray's forehead, smiling as the song came to an end.
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast
The crowd gave a standing ovation as the song came to an end, Ray and Mineru giving a bow. The play continued from there, with Ray letting Mineru go free so she could save Mei Ling from freezing in the snow, Azrael trying to force Mineru into marriage, and the wolf leading in the villagers in "The Mob Song" as they stormed Beast's Castle. The servants fought back against the villagers, with Azrael climbing the tower to battle Ray. The two dueled it out, with Azrael even using Death's whistle to add more tension to the scene at one point.
Mineru arrived just in time to see the final battle, with Azrael giving Ray a fatal blow before getting tossed off the castle to his death. The servants all arrived to see what had happened as Mineru helped Ray to lay down, the Beast holding onto his wounded side.
"You came back…" Ray gasped out as Mineru stroked his face.
"Of course I came back," Mineru replied. "I couldn't let them… Oh, this is all my fault. If only I'd gotten here sooner."
"Maybe, it's better… It's better this way," Ray said.
"Don't talk like that," Mineru said. "It'll be all right. We're together now. Everything's going to be fine, you'll see."
Ray put a claw up to Mineru's face. "At least I got to see you one last time." He closed his eyes and gave a final gasp as the Beast died.
Mineru covered her mouth in shock. "No. No. Please. Please. Please don't leave me." She cried over his chest as she whispered, "I love you." The crowd waited in anticipation for this moment, the one when the Beast turned back into a man… but nothing happened. "I said… I love you," Mineru repeated, a bit louder.
"Uh…" Gabriel silently moved backstage as he looked for the effects crew. "Guys, it's the big final scene. Where's the transformation smoke?"
"The fog machine broke last minute," Azrael replied.
"Wait, can't Mei Ling just use her mist for this part?" Chomper asked.
"I used up all my chi to create the rain effects. I'm all spend," the gold cat said.
"Oh no…" Gabriel shook his head. "This can't happen now, not when we're so close!" The raven fiddled around in his pockets, his hand brushing over the jade teapot he'd found. "Oh, I wish the effects were working as the should be!"
"Your wish… is my command," a voice suddenly said, making Gabriel look around in confusion as pink smoke started to billow out from his pocket. No one else saw it as smoke began to rise around Ray, the cat taking that as his cue to start the transformation sequence. He slowly reverted back to his true from, letting the audience see the transformation from ghastly dragon into handsome cat boy.
Ray rose from the floor, looking at his hands in shock before turning to Mineru. "Belle, it's me!" he exclaimed.
Mineru cautiously approached him, running a hand through his hair and looking deeply into his eyes. "It is you!" she shouted, before the two shared a kiss as the curse had been broken. The crowd cheered as the castle was restored and the servants all returned to their true forms. Everyone then came out to sing a final reprise of "Beauty and the Beast" before giving their bows to the audience, everyone cheering for the production that they'd just seen.
"Way to make us wait for the final cue, Azrael," Ray laughed as they all left the theater for the night. "For a second there I thought the fog machine had broke!"
"It did break, but then it started working all of a sudden," the wolf said.
"I should have double-checked that all of our technology was working beforehand," Mineru apologized.
"Eh, it all worked out in the end, so we're good," Sisu shrugged.
"Yeah, it's all good," Gabriel nodded. "You guys can go back to the cabin. I want to get some fresh air before I go to bed."
"See you in our room," Jasiri said, giving him a kiss on the cheek before going with the others.
As soon as Gabriel was alone, he took out the jade teapot and looked at it inquisitively. "Okay, I know I saw smoke coming from this thing, and I heard a voice when the machine started working. Is this some kind of genie lamp or something?"
"Oh, I'm much, much better than a genie," the voice from before said. Pink smoke suddenly poured out of the teapot, wrapping around Gabriel as he was suddenly picked up by a figure that emerged from the smoke. He was a pink Chinese dragon with purple accents and hair, his tail wrapped around Gabriel's waist as he inspected the raven. "Huh, I've never had a non-human master before. Eh, should be easy enough."
Author's Note
I hope you enjoyed this musical chapter! "Beauty and the Beast" won the vote, so that was what our characters got to perform in. Porsha got to show off some growth from her movie by letting Mineru get the spotlight, and all of them performed classics like "Belle", "Be Our Guest", "Gaston", and "Beauty and the Beast" from the movie.
But when things looked like they were going to go wrong, that teapot Gabriel found last chapter suddenly came in handy by fixing the broken fog machine. Turns out that it's not just a teapot, but a magical teapot that holds a creature of great power. Who is this wish-granting dragon that Gabriel's found himself the master of? You'll find out next time!
There's still some time to submit more story ideas for what the gang should get up to on the cruise, so don't be afraid to give me suggestions!
Next Time: Gabriel learns more about his new wish dragon, and Ray explains something unique about his universe after meeting one of his friends from the Gamesphere.