Chapter 34: Countless Wolves, Beasts, and Lunatics - Oh My!

Disclaimer: read chapter 1

Kelsey was in debate whether to come along. It was bad enough to be going in a dark, cold forest for hours, but the sound of howls heightened her fear. She had to tell herself that she had a hunter to protect her. Gaston may be a prick, but he knew how to hold a bow and arrow.

"Hear that?" Maurice perked. "The wolves! It means we are getting close! Close to the castle!"

"How close?" Jiminy asked with a yawn, resting on Kelsey's arm that was lying on the rail of the wagon. Kelsey was on the verge to doze off, but she would perk up at the sound of howls and the bump on the road.

"Gaston," Lefou winced with unease, clinging onto Gaston's shirt. "I don't like this. Can we turn back?"

"There!"

Gaston stopped the wagon at Maurice's cry. The wagon's stop jerked everyone's body including Kelsey who bumped her head against the rail. She groaned, rubbing her forehead.

"There," Maurice repeated, pointing at a tree nearby. "That's it! That is the tree! I'm sure of it!" He hopped off the wagon running towards it. "It was downed by lightning at the time."

Gaston and Lefou looked at Kelsey and Jiminy, debating whether the old man has really gone looney. Neither knew how to respond, only listened to Maurice.

"But now... It is in an upright position! As if it was caused by..." Maurice turned back to face them. "Magic... or other."

Kelsey and Jiminy groaned, face palming. If Maurice wanted to prove that he wasn't crazy, he should keep some minor details to himself.

Lefou leaned forward and whispered into Gaston's ear, "Do you really want to marry into this lunatic family?"

Kelsey gazed at him sharply, "Hey. Don't talk about Belle's father that way!"

Immediately, Gaston jumped into the defense, punching the poor little man off the wagon. "Yeah, don't talk to Belle's father that way!" Lefou grunted, raising his head up that was covered in dirt. He let out a sneeze, causing a blow of dirt everywhere.

"Which means..." Maurice paused, debating which way to go, "That way!" He pointed at the first dark path, but paused with hesitation. "No... I think this way..." He pointed at the right path. "No... That way!" He pointed back at the first path. "Definitely that way!" He slanted his hand diagonally, blowing a blueberry noise, intimidate how the tree fell and try to remember which way he went. "Yes!"

"Look," Gaston approached Maurice and Kelsey stayed behind to help Lafou up on his feet. "I am done playing this game of yours."

"Are you okay?" Kelsey asked the dusty, little man.

Lefou nodded, dusting his clothes, "I am fine. I am used to it."

Kelsey's heart reached out to Lefou. No doubt that Lefou suffered abuse from Gaston. No doubt Lefou stayed because he idolized and may be in love with Gaston. The poor little man needed to open his eyes to see that Gaston was the monster he could become. Lefou needed to find a different kind of hero. A real hero.

"Listen, Lefou, I apologize about earlier."

Lefou's face retorted in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"About what my sister said. About you being gay and all."

"Oh," Lefou let out a laugh. "You mean that. Kelsey, there is nothing to be sorry about. She's right."

Kelsey blinked, "She was?"

"Uh-huh!" Lefou nodded. "I am happy."

Kelsey blinked again.

"I maybe illiterate and not good with vocabulary words, but I do know that gay means happy."

Kelsey widened her eyes, "Oh."

Lefou's face faltered slightly in confusion, "I mean... I am right, right? Gay means happy, right?"

Kelsey quickly got over the shock and Lefou's naivety by a nod, "Yes! Yes, of course! Absolutely!" She silently thank Walt Disney for sending a smile back on Lefou's chubby face.

Jiminy caught on Kelsey's hesitance, and couldn't help but ask, "What does it really mean?"

"Trust me, Jiminy," Kelsey whispered. "Disney isn't ready for that, yet."

Jiminy didn't understand what Kelsey meant, but decided it was best to heed the girl's advice.

"Where is Belle?" Gaston demanded Maurice.

"I told you!" Maurice argued. "The beast took her! And she-"

"There are no such things as beasts. Or talking teacups. Or magic!" Gaston's voice began to raise at every word. No doubt that he was frustrated, and so was Kelsey. It was late and cold. Kelsey wanted to settle down on a soft bed and digest food. The Underworld was the last time that she received somewhat a special treatment.

"But there are wolves, frostbites, starvation, and talking bugs!"

"Hey!" Jiminy cried angrily.

"But the beast-" Maurice was cut off when Gaston's hands grasped the old man's collar shirt, lifting him up on face level.

"Gaston, what are you doing?!" Kelsey demanded.

"If you say 'beast' one more time," Gaston hissed at the sweet, old man. "I will feed you to the wolves!"

"Gaston, stop!" Lefou jumped to the conversation, sensing the tension in Gaston. "Stop, Gaston! Deep breaths."

The hunter looked over his shoulder, ready to snap at Lefou, but realized that a woman was present. Her eyes widened no doubt in fear of the wolves and him.

Gaston attempted to calm himself.

"Go back to the war!" Lefou stated. "Blood, explosions, countless widows."

"Widows," Gaston whispered with a loose smile creeping across his lips.

"Yes. Yes. That's it," Lefou smiled at his accomplishment. Finally, Gaston calmed down, still smiling that gave Kelsey, Jiminy, and Maurice the creeps.

"So sorry, Maurice," Gaston apologized, setting the man down, patting the wrinkles off Maurice's shirt. "I should have never raised my voice. It's no way to talk to Belle's father, is it? Especially when fathers are ranting on about talking teacups and enchanted castles!"

Maurice raised a brow, questioning Gaston's somewhat an apology.

"There is a castle, Gaston," Kelsey spoke up. "It is real and somewhere deep into the forest."

"Kelsey," Gaston began, approaching her.

Kelsey suppressed the urge to step back. Jiminy snuggled out the sleeve of her apron dress, and stood firm on her shoulder, pressing the tip of his umbrella on a pressure point that made Kelsey wince slightly.

"Have you ever been to this castle before?"

Kelsey didn't respond right away. She turned to Jiminy in hope of him knowing where it was. Jiminy shrugged his shoulders helpless.

Gaston sighed, knowing the answer, "I'm sorry. I truly am. But I don't know where this castle is. You don't know where the castle is. Even Maurice don't know where it is! If no one knows where it is, then it doesn't exist."

The wolves howled deep into the forest, making Kelsey, Jiminy, and Lefou shiver.

"If you think we are making this up, Gaston, then why have you offered to help?" Maurice demanded.

Gaston sighed, shaking his head.

"Because he wants to marry your daughter, Sir," Jiminy explained the obvious. His eyes raised at Kelsey. "And wants to impress Kelsey."

Kelsey gazed down at Jiminy in confusion, "Me?" She furrowed her brows. "Why?"

"In case Belle doesn't work out."

Kelsey scoffed with amusement, refusing to believe that Gaston could ever want her. "That's not true."

"What isn't true, Kelsey?" Gaston challenged her. "That you are beautiful? Gorgeous?... Not as much as Belle, but you would do just fine as my backup wife... or a mistress."

Kelsey blinked, trying to process what he just said. She really didn't like the idea of being a man's arm candy - back up arm candy.

"Excuse me?" Kelsey asked with a hand on her hip. "If you think I will ever be your trophy, you are sadly mistake-"

"Hey... Why don't we go back?" Lefou suggested with a sheepish smile, attempting to defuse another round of tension. "Back to Villeneuve! Maybe Belle is at home, making a nice lovely dinner for you, Maurice. And maybe tomorrow morning, Kelsey, we will return back here and continue searching for this alleged castle-"

"Marry Belle? You?" Maurice asked Gaston in disgust.

Gaston faced Maurice with a sheepish smile, "Why not? Your daughter is beautiful, witty, stubborn... beautiful!"

"Let me make something clear, Captain," Maurice stepped forward, using a tone that Kelsey never thought she would hear. "You will never - ever marry my daughter," Maurice hissed, pointing an index finger at Gaston.

Kelsey, Lefou, and Jiminy couldn't believe that they were hearing it from a sweet, naïve man like Maurice. It would seem that there was a lot in Disney than Kelsey thought when watching these movies. A part of her wanted to stay and learn more, especially want to hear more of Maurice fighting for Belle. But she didn't want to stick around to see Gaston's current expression. He clearly didn't appreciate the way the old man was talking to him. Gaston swung his fist, punching Maurice straight in the face, knocking the man out unconscious.

Kelsey gasped, covering her mouth in horror.

Lefou stood there, clearly not surprised to see Gaston hasty act, "I saw that coming."

"Why did you do that?!" Jiminy demanded. "Why would you do-"

"If he won't give me his blessing," Gaston growled under his breath, began dragging his body towards the tree. "Then he is in my way."

"What are you doing?" Kelsey asked with unease.

"Offering the wolves fresh meat," Gaston replied, sitting Maurice's body up against the tree.

Kelsey and Jiminy's mouths dropped in shock. They turned to Lefou to see if Gaston was serious, only to find the little man carrying a hope of rope.

"You can't do that!" Jiminy cried.

"Once the wolves are finished with him, Belle will have no one to take care of her but me."

"Do you hear yourself?!" Kelsey cried. "Do you know how sick you sound?!"

"Shut up!" Gaston roared at her. Kelsey's eyes widened, taking a step back. She looked around, trying to avoid the predatory eyes from the obsessed man. She tried to look around to find anything - anything to use as a weapon. This man was clearly insane and armed. She needed to escape.

"Lefou! The rope! NOW!"

Lefou hurried to Gaston's side, handing him the hoop of rope. He, too, was questioning Gaston's animalistic behavior. "Gaston... N-Not to question your decision or anything. B-but for the sake of exhausting all of our options... maybe - just maybe we should consider a slightly less... gruesome alternative?"

Gaston grasped the collar of Lefou's tailored jacket, lifting up to level his menacing face. "Would you like me to tie you up with the old man as well?"

Lefou choked, attempting to say something. His eyes bulged wide, and his face turned blue.

"Answer me!"

Lefou shook his head rapidly, stating his silent answer.

Gaston shoved the little man down, ignoring the coughs and wails from Lefou. He continued tying Maurice up. He debated what to do with Kelsey and the bug. Jiminy will be squashed underneath his leather boot was easy. The girl was challenging and reluctant to go through with this plan. She was a reminder of Belle in some ways, but Kelsey was more quiet but whiny. That won't do for a back up wife. He must stick with the original plan - win Belle no matter the cost.

"I apologize for the inconvenience, Kelsey, but I am afraid that there is no other..." Gaston was interrupted by Lefou's choked gasps. "What now, Lefou?"

"Be... Be..." Lefou loosened the bow tie, stammering out his message. "Behind you... Behind you..."

Gaston turned too little, too late. The last, brief thing he saw was Kelsey holding a thick branch with her face contorted in rage. Four swings, and it was lights out for Gaston.

Lefou was on the ground with a raised defensive hand, backing away from Kelsey, "Please! Please! Don't!"

"Kelsey, don't," Jiminy ordered her.

Kelsey ceased her movements, listening to her conscious.

"One bad guy is enough. Lefou is just another victim of Gaston's abuse. He's not worth it."

"It's true!" Lefou cried. "Please! Help me!"

Kelsey scoffed, tossing the stick to the side, "You need someone better."

Lefou nodded frantically, while Kelsey was patting Maurice's face attempting to wake him up.

"C'mon, Maurice. Wake up! Wake up!"

Maurice didn't respond, making Kelsey couldn't help but worry the old man's health.

Jiminy slid down Kelsey's arm to check the man's carotid pulse. He sighed with relief, "He is still breathing. Thank Disney."

Kelsey relaxed, attempting to untie the knots Gaston tied for Maurice, but no avail. She glared sharply at quivering Lefou, demanding him to help her. Lefou gazed down at unconscious Gaston, debating whether to stay or help.

"I-I can't. He might kill me."

"He will kill us either way if we stay here!" Jiminy argued. "We need to get help! Maurice is holding a life line! He has a daughter!"

Lefou continued looking at the old man, Jiminy and Kelsey, and unconscious Gaston, not sure what to do.

Kelsey huffed, raising up on her feet, "Forget it." She rushed to the wagon, holding on the reigns.

"W-What are you doing?!" Lefou demanded.

"Getting help! I would let you come along, and I would drag Gaston's body in the river-"

"Kelsey!" Jiminy scolded her.

"-but I fear that he might jump on me like one of those horror movies, and you will avert me from going to the police."

"You are just going to leave me here?!" Lefou demanded helplessly.

"You made your choice not to help!" Kelsey snapped. "If you do decide to help, make sure that Gaston is still sleeping! Or help set Maurice free!" She slapped the reigns, going to the first path past the tree.

"Kelsey, we can't just leave them there!" Jiminy scolded her once more.

"What choice do we have?!" Kelsey argued. "Lefou isn't our side! Maurice is too heavy and tied up to carry him in the wagon!"

Jiminy opened his mouth, but no words came out. He didn't know what to say or do. He was supposed to be a conscious, he should be the smart one and know the solution to every problem. There was a debate whether having Kelsey as client was more difficult than Pinnochio.

"This... This is my fault. I... We shouldn't have left with that phony scoundrel."

"No, Jiminy," Kelsey interrupted. "It was me. I just want to find the key and help KT get home."

Jiminy raised a brow at her choice of words, "Don't you mean... help you and KT get home?"

Kelsey paused to hear the wolves howl once more. She was slapping the reigns to speed the wagon. "The sooner we get help the better."

"Do you even know how to drive this thing?"

Kelsey pressed her lips together, not replying the question right away.

Jiminy groaned, face palming, "We are doomed."

"Hurtful!" Kelsey retorted. She received goosebumps from the sudden change of temperature. The ground was covered in snow. Kelsey looked back to see that part of the ground was untouched by snow. It was almost as if a snow cloud was hovering only a certain area.

"Didn't Maurice said that this castle was snowing-" Jiminy started.

"in June," Kelsey finished.

Her heart began to race when the wolves howled louder... and louder... until they spotted a wolf on top of the snowy hill. She let out a scream when the wolf growled at the pair and howled once more, summoning his hungry friends. Three more were following right behind them.

"Holy shit!" Kelsey cried in fear, slapping the reigns, urging the horses to faster.

"Kelsey, the horses!" Jiminy cried.

"What about them?!"

"The wagon will slow us down. We need to jump on the horse, unlatch the straps, and try to escape!"

"Jump on the horse! Do I look like Jack Sparrow?!" Kelsey snapped.

"We have to try! It's our only chance!" Jiminy looked behind him and screamed, "Behind us!"

Kelsey looked over her shoulder to see one wolf hanging on the edge of the wagon, clawing his way up. Kelsey quickly released the reigns, mentally preparing to take the jump, but worried that she would fall off the horse.

"Kelsey, jump!" Jiminy cried. "Jump! JUMP!"

Kelsey took the leap and hopped on the horse, grasping the bridle.

"Quick! Unlatch the straps!"

Kelsey looked at straps, reaching down to unlatch it. She let out a scream when a set of claws and teeth stuck into her shoulder and bandaged arm. Jiminy used his umbrella to poke the wolf's eye that was holding onto Kelsey for dear life. Jiminy hit the wolf's nose that winced in pain, releasing Kelsey. Once the teeth were removed, Kelsey hissed out in pain, feeling the blood well up from the fresh wound. She continued to cry, unstrapping the horse from the wagon, freeing the horse to run free, abandoning the weight behind it. Jiminy took off his jacket, pressing it into Kelsey's wound.

"Hold on, Kelsey! We're almost there!"

"No," Kelsey shook her head dizzily, resting her exhausted body onto the horse. "We both know we're not."

Jiminy slid down Kelsey's arm, holding onto the bridle, taking control of the horse. An upcoming large log was lying nearby, blocking the trail. Jiminy pulled the reigns back, commanding Kelsey to hold on tight.

Kelsey processed what Jiminy said through blurred hearing. She grasped onto the bridle in a tight fist. The horse leaped over the log, but Kelsey's body slid sideways.

"Kelsey!" Jiminy screamed.

Kelsey gasped, perking up from her tiredness. She grasped the bridle, yanking horse's head down, turning it around completely, facing the upcoming wolves. Her legs slipped off the saddle, falling onto the snowy ground. Kelsey kicked the hungry wolf's snout and another. The scarred eye wolf's teeth dug into her loafs, yanking it off her foot til it was bared.

"Back away, beasts!" Jiminy commanded angrily, holding his umbrella up as a weapon, trying to protect Kelsey the best of his ability. "I am warning you! I trained with the musketeers in the king's castle! You don't want to mess with me!"

Kelsey held her hands over her head protectively, while kicking, screaming, and crying. She was the only one who couldn't process another set of parties present. The scarred one attempted to leap at Kelsey, but his head was whacked on the side with a large stick.

"Get back!" a sharp, strong voice commanded. It was a voice of a woman, no doubt. Jiminy was surprised to another girl in the dark forest. But she wasn't alone.

A large growl that terrified Jiminy and the wolves. Its shadow hovered over them, causing the wolves to back away. Only two. The scarred one shook his head and growled menacingly, showing that he wasn't backing down without a fight. Wonder where the beast got that from?

Jiminy looked up. His eyes widened and his body shivered in fear. The pointy umbrella was still in the air, but Jiminy was too in shock to use it. The shadow attacked and fought the wolves with all his might. While he was fighting, the woman turned her attention on Jiminy and Kelsey who was still kicking her legs and screaming for mercy.

"Kelsey, it's alright!" Jiminy attempted to calm her down. "We're safe!"

"Who are you?!" the woman demanded, letting out a gasp to see the blood filled wound on Kelsey's shoulder. "Miss, you are hurt."

Kelsey continued to scream, not realizing that kind woman was talking to her. Her body soon filled with exhaustion, shutting down slowly.

"Stay with us, Kelsey! It's alright! We're safe!"

Kelsey rested her back on the snowy ground, shivering in the better cold till she had gone numb. The last thing she noticed was a brunette. The face was blurry, but the voice was crystal clear.

"It's alright, Miss. We will get you help! Just hold on!"

Kelsey panted for breath. Her eyes closed, whispering a name of the voice she recognized.

"B...Belle?"

~000~000~000~

Lefou was frantically pacing back and forth with the stick in his hand. He wasn't sure what to do, what he could do. He was only three feet tall. He couldn't believe that Kelsey and the bug left him alone with crazy loons. Kelsey did advise him that if Gaston awakes, knock him out. Could he do it? Could he really harm the hero he every knew and loved?

Perhaps if he left the pair behind and save himself, but what would happen if Gaston found out? He could go find help himself. He could've sworn that Kelsey went deeper into the forest instead of escaping it.

Making a decision he turned around, only to feel a tight grasp around his ankle. He let out a scream, attempting to pull only for it to be tighter. He looked down to see the dangerous beast waking up from his slumber, more angry and menacing. The man's teeth bared sharp and white, his cheek bruised and blue, his eyes flamed and darkened with rage.

He was out for blood. People must pay for doing him wrong.

~000~000~000~

The next day, KT woke up refreshed but stuffy. She kicked her feet from under the cotton wool, stretching her legs freely. She squinted her eyes from the rising sun that was peering through the old, dusty curtains. Whoever was in charge of cleaning this place should be fired. KT had issues with dust and mold, giving her allergies and red eyes. She couldn't help but sneeze, sadly waking up her companion.

Aladdin yawned from the floor, wincing at the bandage around his foot. The feeling was far from pleasant. The doctor was like everyone else - judgmentally unpleasant, scolding him for lack of shower while wrapping his foot. They would've wished Genie to heal Aladdin, but Aladdin didn't want to waste his wishes and neither did KT.

Abu wasn't a morning person. He shivered into the covers on KT's bed, refusing to open his eyes. He buried his face into the pillow when KT woke Genie up who transformed himself into a military sergeant and blew a loud trumpet that probably earned complaints from neighbors.

"Rise and shine, sleeping beauty!" Genie yanked the pillow off of Abu. "Rise and shine!" He blew the trumpet once more. Abu hopped upright, screeching protests and throwing punches. "Yesh. Not a morning monkey boy, aren't ya?"

"How is the foot, Al?" KT asked, looking down at the bandaged leg.

Aladdin shrugged, "Fine. Like I said, I had worse." Aladdin chuckled, standing up on his feet, nearly tumbling back on the floor. He grasped the squeaky bed post as leverage.

"Whoa! Easy, Al!" KT hopped off the bed, offering a hand to guide him downstairs.

When the gang made it below, the immediately saw a buffet of food: pancakes, waffles, scrambled eggs, fruit, and jugs of milk or orange juice. Their mouths drooled and stomachs growled at the sight.

"Kids, lets dig in!" Genie commanded happily. Nobody needed to hear them twice. They quickly grabbed a stack of plates to stuff food on, only to have the guy from the front desk in their way.

"Excuse me," the man began.

"Yes? Can we help you?" Aladdin asked with a raised brow.

"My apologies, children," the man snatched the stack of plates from Aladdin. "But the food is for guests only."

"Uh, we are guests," KT retorted.

"Not anymore you are."

The gang's mouths dropped in shock, "What?!"

"We booked a room!" Aladdin snapped. "We paid for a room and food!"

Abu screeched in agreement.

"For last night," the man explained. "You freaks wasted a great deal of food supply."

"Excuse us?! Freaks!" KT snapped, "but we paid for it! We could be the best guests you have."

"Not according to the guests who complained about the noises upstairs."

The gang glared at Genie who hid the trumpet and hat behind him, whistling innocently.

"And a certain vermin." The man's eyes narrowed at the monkey who immediately took offense and about to pounce. If only Aladdin wasn't holding him tight to keep him doing something regretful.

"We can tip!" KT added.

"Can you afford to tip?" the man asked with a raised a brow.

The gang looked at each other, asking the same question silently. The man huffed, knowing the answer immediately, "Then I am afraid no food for you - freaks!" The man walked away, handing the plates out to paying costumers.

The gang scoffed, couldn't believe what they encountered.

"Can you believe that?!" Aladdin asked angrily.

"Some five star hotel this is," KT grumbled. "We can always give them a bad review... if the internet and iPad exists here."

"Well, my friends, I am sure that Kelsey and Jiminy are helping themselves at the enchanted castle."

KT groaned at her growling stomach, "Why couldn't I just go?" She let out a tired yawn that answered her question. "Oh yeah. That's why."

"We were all tired, KT. We couldn't help it," Genie said.

"I could," Aladdin limped towards a nearby chair to rest his foot. "If I could walk."

Genie quivered his lips in debate whether to put the rules aside and help. Aladdin was his friend after all. "Oh! I can't take it!" Genie zapped his finger at Aladdin's foot that magically healed on its own.

Once Aladdin was free from the bandage, he wiggled his toes no longer feeling a stinging sensation. "Thanks, Genie."

"You know," KT glared at him with narrowed eyes, "You could've done that sooner."

Genie shrugged his apology, "You never asked."

KT rolled her eyes.

The doors burst wide open with a bang. Everyone perked to see Lefou dragging an exhausted, bruised Gaston. The man from the front desk rushed to the hero's aid, shoving Aladdin from his chair so Gaston could sit down.

"Really?!" KT snapped.

The man ignored her, demanding answers from Gaston, "Are you alright, Monsieur? What happened?!"

Gaston opened his mouth, grunting his answers while holding to his side. "They are crazy. It was madness! They were madness!"

"Who?"

Gaston grasped the collar of the man's shirt, "That girl and the old man that's who!"

"What happened?" Aladdin demanded. Meanwhile, Abu was helping himself to the buffet without anyone looking.

"We were on the way to find the castle," Gaston began. "We traveled a long way, but found nothing. When I suggested we turn around, they have gone mad!"

The gang gazed down at Lefou who was averting gazes, staring down at the floor, shuffling their feet.

"Maurice hit me from behind, knocking me and Lefou off the wagon. I tried to talk sense into him, but the girl took the reigns. The last thing we heard were wolves and screams."

Everyone gasped.

"You mean..." Aladdin trailed off, refusing to state the fearful.

"I'm afraid they are a lost to us," Gaston sniffled.

"How could you let this happen?!" KT demanded. "You were supposed to be the town hero!"

"You think I don't know that?!" Gaston snapped. "I would've helped if the old man didn't hit me on the head!"

"Don't you mean that girl hit you, while you tied-" Lefou was cut off by a kick from behind. He quickly shut his mouth, refusing to spill anymore.

KT narrowed her eyes, not liking this story one bit. Not by how Kelsey and Jiminy were in trouble by wolves, but Gaston's story. No way Maurice could force violence on Gaston - he's too nice.

"It is not your fault, Monsieur Legume," the man assured him with a pat on the shoulder. "No one can control those... freaks."

KT and Aladdin huffed, wanting to go crazy on that snooty bellboy.

"Did you ever find their remains?" Aladdin asked.

"No," Gaston shook his head, regretfully. "Lefou and I searched all morning, and found nothing. I fear that the wolves took hold on their bones, leaving nothing behind."

Genie shook his head, blowing his nose, spilling tears, "No! Not Kelsey! We should've gone with them!"

"What about Jiminy?" Aladdin asked. "What happened to Jiminy?"

Gaston immediately collapsed onto the chair, not answering Aladdin's questions anymore.

"I can't believe this!" Aladdin cried. "I knew I should've gone with them."

"Kelsey isn't dead! She can't be dead!" KT disagreed.

"And just how do you know that?"

"Because this is my dream."

Aladdin's face saddened with regret. The only reason why he didn't tell KT about this new found reality was to spare the fear. But this was real. Kelsey could be dead. KT needed to know that her sister wasn't going to be around or Jiminy.

"KT... there is something you should know... what is happening, right now is-"

"Al," Genie began.

"Genie, not now. I have to tell KT-"

"She is gone, AL!"

Aladdin perked up to hear the door closed and KT was nowhere to be found.

"KT!" Aladdin grabbed the lamp and Abu, before the monkey could take a bite of cantaloupe. "Wait! KT!" The characters rushed out the door with a bang.

The man huffed, sticking his nose in the air, "Good riddance." He turned to Lefou, patting Gaston's shoulder, "Don't worry, monsieur. I'll go fetch him a doctor."

The second the man left, Gaston's right eye opened.

"It's clear," Lefou whispered.

Gaston huffed, sitting up right, letting out a quiet hearted laugh, "Suckers. Not only am I the best at hunting, and grasping countless widows, but I am the best actor in the village."

Lefou shuffled his feet, nervously. "Gaston, I know that deserting Maurice and the girl wasn't part of the plan but-"

"Sh!" Gaston hushed him with a slap in the head. "Do you want people to hear, Lefou? Look, Maurice was getting old. His time was up. I did him a great favor. With him gone, I will be the one to take care of Belle."

"But no one knows where she is," Lefou retorted. "And that girl - she didn't do anything wrong. She was kind to me."

Gaston huffed, resting his hand on his fist, his elbow pointing on the table, "Her demise is unfortunate. But she asked for it. Believing in those crazy ideas of some enchanted castle." He scoffed. "And dare to lay that stick on my face - my face, Lefou!"

"But doesn't Belle read those ideas from books and toss you out into the mud with pigs after you-"

"Belle can be fixed. Soon I will find her, have her cry in my arms (once I tell her of her father) and agree to be my wife and mother of my future sons."

"But the freaks," Lefou began, pointing at the door.

"What about them?" Gaston asked dismissively.

"Suppose they find out what happened. What if the old man and girl are alive-"

"They won't. Nobody can survive in the forest at night... except me, of course." Gaston leaned towards Lefou in a threatening manner, "And as long as we keep this to ourselves, you won't see me in a jumpsuit, nor I see you getting pummeled by the scum in prison. I am your friend, Lefou, and you wouldn't dare betray me, right?"

Lefou's heart clenched, not liking the idea of betraying Gaston or getting beaten up in prison. He could handle Gaston's abuse, but not ten more men like him.

"Right?" Gaston growled.

Lefou nodded obediently, only to watch Gaston groan and rest his head down as the man returned with a doctor and a cold steak for the bruised cheek.

A/N: I know it's been forever, but I had other stories to attend to. I probably won't publish a new fanfic like I planned before. I decided to focus and finish the stories I have before I jump into anything brand new. I won't make that mistake again, like I did two years ago.

Anyway, today is the day that Beauty and the Beast is out in stores and iTunes. What better way to update this story than today? I know there isn't much going on or a musical number in this chapter, but it will get better.

Thank you: Whiteling, grapejuice101, KidzRule, KaseyKay10, Charles Partridge, bubblebathgirl13 for reviewing. Thank you, readers for taking the time to read, favorite, and follow this story. You guys, ROCK!