Chapter 6: He Would Die For Her

Belle stood stalk still, afraid that whatever growled will attack if she so much as moved a muscle.

"Oh, don't mind the master dear,"
A tea pot and little cup hopped over to Belle, "He's been grouchy all day."

Bells eyes widened with even more shock, "But your a-a-"

"Yes, yes I am." She poured some of her contents into the little cup and it hopped over to Belle, "Careful now, Chip, don't spill!"

Belle hesitantly reached out to grab it, the dryness of her mouth edging her on. She took a sip and the cup squirmed in her grip, "Want to see me do a trick?"

Belle almost dropped the cup with surprise as it started to bubble, the tea pot scolding it, "Chip!"

The cup, she noticed had a chip in its rim, looked sheepishly away, "Sorry." And hopped down off her hand.

The candelabra hopped forward, and spoke in a profound French accent, "Are you alright mademoiselle? We know them not to be to friendly."

"Well, I'd say I've gone mad, but I live with superheroes so I can't really complain. Otherwise, I'm fine."

The clock stood next to the candelabra, "Good to hear! I am Cogsworth, head of our master's former household." He then gestured to the candle, "This is Lumiere."

"AnJanté chére." He said as he bowed.

The tea pot spoke next, "I'm Mrs. Potts and this is my son chip."

"I'm Belle." Too many questions had formed in her head, "How did you all get like this?" Belle asked confused and slightly interested.

"It's a very long story dear, probably bore you to death."

Belle chose to ignore the sudden change of subject, "Master?"

"Hmm?"

Belle stood up and peered out of the bars towards the source of the growl, "You mean your master is what-whoever is over there?"

"Your smarter than you look." Came a deep baritone voice. Belle did not like the sarcasm, "Excuse me?"

Lumiere chastised him, "Master, manners."

A mix between a grunt and a growl came as a response.

Lumiere backed away.

"He's right you know. You could be a little nicer."

"To you?"

Belle stood her ground despite now being able to see an outline of a large body and horns, "Y-yes. It's very rude." Her curiosity came again, "Its also rude not to introduce yourself. Come into the light."

The outline disappeared and he growled in a way that had her heart racing and eyes darting for exits.

~

The Avengers filed into the quinjet, sheer panic written all over their faces (mainly Tony), "I told her to stay! Why would she leave?! She never disobeys me-"

Vision grabbed Belle's book, "She finished, so she was her for a while."

Natasha nodded in agreement, "She must've just left. Couldn't have gone far."

Tony wasn't having any of it, "Hydra men were missing, what if they have her or-!"

"Stark, calm down." Wanda grabbed his shoulders, "Vision's been helping me, and I think I might be able to track her thoughts."

Tony didn't waste time on leaving the jet, "Then lets go!"

~

It was useless. Every time she tried to speak to the creature, he just stayed silent. Might as well have told her to go to hell. The servants weren't much help. They were evasive with most of her questions, changing the topic to the guards, Hydra, or even the color of the walls.

But then she heard it. An explosion shook the base. Papa! Belle's heart filled with joy at seeing her father again. But then guiltily remembered how mad he probably was.

Hydra men came in the room carrying tranq guns and prepared to open the creature's cage. As the door opened she took the opportunity, "The Avengers are going to take you down!"

It was all he needed, and she suddenly regretted it.

The creature lunged out of its cage, throwing the men every which way.

She could see him clearly now. He had the hind legs and tail of a wolf, body of a bear, the head and beard of a buffalo, mane of a lion, brow of a gorilla, and tusks of a wild boar. The horns didn't help much either because Belle was horrified. A Beast.

He would switch between standing on two legs or all fours, the tranquilizers barely doing anything.

Then it happened. He hit the main control switch and the door to her cage opened.

She ran.

She ran as far as her legs would carry her. Through the halls, out the door and into the cold snowy night air. The base obstructed her view of the Avengers.

She heard footsteps and shouts and ran into the woods. Farther and farther away. She stopped to take a breath. But jumped when a piercing howl cut through the air.

Wolves.

There must have been half a dozen, snow white coats, all surrounding her. She ran. They chased her. One bit and tore into her dress knocking her down. She tore off a branch of a tree and swung it at anything that moved.

One bit into the branch, yanking it out of her hand as she screamed. Snow blocking her vision, she was barely able to make out a single one, presumably the leader, ready itself to pounce. This was it. This was how she was going to die. She covered her face with her arms and waited.

The wolf didn't come.

A deafening roar made her dropped her arms.

It was the Beast.

He had the wolf's neck clasped in one of his large, furry hands, and through it into a tree. The other wolves pounced and bit into his skin, drawing blood. He clawed and threw them until they ran off.

He turned towards Belle who was too shocked by such a scene that no words escaped her as the Beast fell into the snow, succumbing to his wounds.