BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
(AN: This is basically Disney's Beauty and the Beast with a few twists here and there. In this story Dracula defeated Van Helsing and now Anna is back to where she started. By the way I don't know much about the history of Dracula so if a few things are inaccurate I apologize! Review when you're done reading this chappie!)
One day his wish came true, but not to his happiness. He was killed by a great soldier who went by the name Gabriel. In death he made a bargain that turned him into a hideous beast that would hunt the living and drink their blood. His only companions were little monsters known as the Dwergi, and three beautiful women who became his brides. His father was angry because of it and swore that either he or his descendents would destroy him at all costs.
The only relic he had from his past life was a sword with the symbol of a rose on it. The curse stood thus. If he could learn to love another of the human race, and earn their love in return, then the spell would be broken and he would be human again himself. If not, he would remain a beast for all time. The undead of the Earth. Four hundred years passed to the point where he stayed in the dark. He was filled with rage and lost all hope. For who could ever learn to love a beast?
Who could ever learn to love a beast? I could, and did once. But that didn't work out. I still remember when the hunter known as Van Helsing and his assistant, Carl, and I went to Castle Dracula to defeat him. The battle was fought valiantly and we stopped Dracula from bringing his children to life. But our efforts were in vain. Dracula ended up being the one to kill Van Helsing, right in front of my eyes. Carl and I were barely able to escape. Frankenstein's monster fell to the icy waters below and was never seen again.
For three long days I went into mourning for Van Helsing. In spite of the fact that he was a werewolf I had loved him. His death seemed to bring more despair on my people. Yes, they were MY people. Because to them I was known as Anna Valerious, Princess of Transylvania.
A little after Carl and I returned to the village we learned that somehow, no one knew how, Dracula had brought all three of his brides back to life. With that going on things were just as they were before. Fighting off Dracula's wives once or twice a month. It was almost as if Van Helsing had never been there. But one day when they came by something different happened.
Rather than attacking Verona threw a knife into a wall of one of the houses and then they flew off with out a word. Nervously Carl pulled the knife out of the wall and took off the note. Most of the people and myself gathered around him.
"What does it say?" I asked.
"It's a letter from Dracula himself," replied Carl. "It says; 'I wish to propose a truce between myself, my brides, and the people of Transylvania. We all will promise never to attack the people for our feeding ever again, but on one condition. In the event that Princess Anna willingly surrenders to the three brides of Dracula and comes to live in Castle Dracula forever. If she agrees then the people will never see myself or any of my brides again. She will have two days to make her choice. On the night of the second day Marishka, Verona, and Aleera will come and see what she has chosen to do. Sincerely, Count Dracula.' Either he means it or it's a trick!"
I could hardly believe what I had just heard. Why would the Count suddenly make a truce like this out of the blue? And why was I the price for my people's freedom. I suspected part of it was because I was the last of in the line of Valeriouses. Another reason was probably because he wanted a fourth bride. I still remembered when he kissed at the ball on All Hollow’s Eve. I took a deep breath before making my reply.
"I will think about it," I said. "Tomorrow I will make my choice. Stay together and be strong no matter what I choose!" With out waiting for a reply I slowly went inside the Valerious mansion. I needed to think alone. I could already tell it was going to be a long and weary night.
Long into the night I was in my room thinking long and hard. Sometimes I thought I would surrender to Dracula and be done with it so that my people would be safe. Other times I would feel like I should refuse and fight to the death. But who knew how that would turn out. In all it was a stressful night. It wasn't until around four in the morning when I made my decision. If it was a choice between me and them, I would choose me. And I did.
The next morning when I announced I would surrender everyone started to mourn for me. They themselves didn't know whether Dracula would never attack again but they also didn't want to lose me. Nothing they said changed my mind. Not even when Carl said what would Van Helsing think of me if he was still alive. I merely glared at him and said nothing else.
When the second night came Marishka, Verona, and Aleera all flew down to the village. They landed in the center and the people backed away fearfully not wanting to get to close to the three vampiresses. Aleera stepped forward.
"What is your choice, Princess?" she asked me. "Will you come with us or will you fight?" Trying my hardest to hide my fear I shook my head.
"I will go with you," I said quietly. A look of triumph and happiness crossed their faces. "But first allow me to say goodbye. Seeing as I will never see any of them again!" The three brides nodded.
"You have one minute," said Verona.
The goodbye was brief but painful I first bid farewell to Carl, who promised he would stay with my people and take care of them. The people cried hard and said they would never forget me as long as they lived. I felt a tug on my arm, when I turned a little girl with raven black hair handed me a necklace. The chain was black, and the pendant was a red jewel in the shape of a heart with a silver cross carved across it. I looked down at her, and she smiled a sad smile at me.
"It used to be my Mama's," she said. "Now it's for you. Be careful, Princess." I bent and gave the little girl a hug, by then my tears were released.
"Thank you so much," I whispered. "I'll be alright."
Something sharp grabbed my shoulders. Before I knew it I was lifted off the ground and flown up into the sky. When I looked up I saw Marishka in her bat-like form carrying me with her claw like feet. I looked back down at the village and watched as the people cried out tearfully and waved goodbye. My tears fell from my eyes into the frosty air. I was never going to see my village ever again.
Once upon a time. There was a great soldier who lived with his family in Romania. Although he had everything his heart desired, the soldier was spoiled selfish, and unkind. His only true pleasure was dreaming of all the great battles he could fight in and how he would have his side win.
(AN: Pretty sad huh? Don't worry, I'll try to make it a little better in the next chapter! By the way sorry that this chapter is so short, I'm a little tight on time over here. Review!)