One Day Out There (Part the Sixth)
Title: One Day Out There
Fandom: Crossover (HoND/Aladdin/Beauty and the Beast)
Prompt: See Part the First.
Quasi stumbled out of the carriage. He hadn’t really planned for much - maybe some guards. He could take guards. Though the only people in the room were Belle, the new captain, and-
“Master,” he said without thinking.
Frollo started. His jaw dropped. “Who-” And then his eyes narrowed. “Quasimodo.”
Quasi couldn’t think of anything to say, and could only watch as the captain drew Belle closer to him.
“Your face…” said Frollo, peering at him. “You’ve been changed. Someone has changed you. With witchcraft!”
“No!” said Quasi.
“Yes!” said Frollo. “It all makes sense! Her unreal beauty, and yours - it’s witchcraft! She has been casting spells!”
“No!”
“She’s been using you, boy, don’t you see? She ensnares men’s hearts, like Gaston, like the gypsy girl - she’s a witch!”
“N-n-no, it wasn’t her!” Quasi babbled. “It was-” He stopped. He’d gone too far.
“What?” said Frollo, and suddenly his face arranged itself into a smile. “Quasimodo, tell me. It’s not the girl, is it?”
“N-no,” said Quasi.
“Quasimodo, clearly you’re under the influence of some dark magic. You need to be purged of its power, and I, and I alone, know the cure.”
“B-but-”
“Unless it is the girl,” said Frollo. “What a pity, to see her burned as a witch when you could have saved her… unless you show me who truly did this to you. I can protect you from its retribution, Quasimodo. I can save you from the darkness of Hell.” He put his hand on Quasi’s shoulder, as he used to do when Quasi had a hump. “Tell me, boy. Tell me, and I will free her. I am a righteous man. I only want to see justice done.”
That did it. If it meant Belle’s freedom, Quasi would give up all the wishes in the world. His only regret was not granting Genie’s wish, but Genie would understand. He reached into his bag to pull out the lamp, and gave it to Frollo.
“Now,” said Frollo, “Let’s see what sorcery this is.” He turned the lamp over in his hands, peering at the faint carvings on its side. “What manner of incantation…” He rubbed the carvings with his cloak.
And Genie appeared. “Hey, Quasi, I just… oh. You’re not…” He turned to look at Frollo. “Hi, nice to meet you, I’m-”
“Silence, demon!” said Frollo.
“Demon?” said Genie. “You could have at least gotten to know me before insulting me.”
“Be silent! You have a new master now, demon! You are in the presence of God, and you will obey me!”
“Isn’t that just a little hypo-” said Genie, turning into some sort of fat, purple animal, but Frollo’s glare shut him up.
“What is your purpose, creature?” asked Frollo.
Genie looked like he wanted to remain silent, but his lips moved as if of their own accord. “I grant you three wishes. Any three wishes you want.”
“And you gave my ward beauty?”
“…Yeah.”
“Well, then,” said Frollo. “My first wish, then, is to turn him back into the monster that he used to be!”
“No!” screamed Quasi. He couldn’t go back, he couldn’t, he couldn’t, not with Belle there!
Genie covered his face with his hands. “I am so, so sorry, kid.”
And then he was once again surrounded in smoke and sparks. And he felt it. He felt his spine contorting, his face twisting into abnormality, his limbs growing heavier and more muscled as he turned back.
He heard Belle’s scream, and he knew she’d seen. He’d lied to her, he’d run from her, and now she saw him as he truly was - a monster no one could ever love. He sank to his knees, sobbing.
“There, now,” said Frollo, unmoved. “What shall I do next? Oh, I know.” He laughed bitterly. “For my second wish, I wish to have the ability to control objects.” Genie sighed, looking at Quasi, then blew smoke over Frollo before disappearing back into the lamp.
“Now, Captain,” said Frollo, “As pleased as I am with your work, you do have one small flaw.”
“What?” asked Gaston, looking warily at Frollo from behind Belle.
“You’re married.” Gaston’s belt knife leapt from its sheath. “And unfortunately, Captain Gaston, that puts you in my way.” The knife buried itself in Gaston’s abdomen. “I’m sure you understand.”
Gaston sank to the floor, clutching the dagger in his hand. His eyes remained open in shock and horror long after the light was gone from them.
Frollo ran to the broken window, glass crunching under his feet as he surveyed the square below him. “At last, I can rule Paris as it is meant to be ruled!” Ropes from the gallows flew from their posts to strangle the prisoners- carts moved on their own towards stakes that were lighting themselves - swords freed themselves from outstretched hands to skewer guards and gypsies alike. “Now I can do as God commands! No! I am a god, with all the powers of one!”
He laughed again, madly, as tall candelabra stands twisted around Quasi’s arms and pinned him to the wall. Quasi cried out in pain as he was slammed onto the cold stones.
“But,” said Frollo, “A god requires a goddess to stand beside him.” He turned to Belle. “Join me, as my wife, and we shall create a new Paris from the ashes of the old.” He ran a finger along the curve of her jaw. She turned away from him as far as her bonds would allow, to look at Quasi, who refused to meet her eyes.
“How dare you, girl? Look at me! Don’t look at that - that monster!” He grabbed her chin and forced her face towards him.
She glared at him. “You torture and kill people in cold blood. I may not have known him, or you, for very long, but I know who I’m in love with between the two of you. There is only one monster in this room, and it is certainly not him!”
“Witch!” Frollo felt for the lamp and rubbed it. Genie appeared. “Demon, for my last wish, I wish for this woman to fall in love with me!”
“Er, sorry,” said Genie, “But I can’t do that.”
“What?”
“I can’t make anyone fall in love with anyone else. It’s against the rules. No love, no death, no zombies - them’s the rules.”
“You wretch!” shrieked Frollo. “I don’t need you! I’ll take her by force if I have to!” Grabbing Belle by the throat, he threw her to the ground, cracking her head painfully against the stone floor. Blood pooled beneath her as Frollo started to lift her skirts.
“No!” cried Quasi. He couldn’t let that happen to her. He loved her, and she him, and Frollo was - Quasi strained against the metal, feeling his returned strength course through his veins, his muscles, bending the weakening metal - he was free. Frollo turned towards the noise of metal on stone, but Quasi was already upon him, Frollo’s neck cradled in one massive arm, the other lifting him bodily off the ground, away from Belle. “Don’t - you - touch - her.” Frollo went rigid in his ward’s arms. Even if he tried to use an object to kill Quasimodo, he would never be able to move it before his neck was snapped. “Don’t touch her,” repeated Quasi. “Leave here. Leave Paris. Stay away.”
Frollo gulped audibly. “I will,” said Frollo, for once feeling the fear he inspired in others. “God will reward you for your mercy.”
“This is not for God’s mercy,” said Quasi. “You raised me.”
With that, he released Frollo, scooping up the lamp and Belle’s body before leaping out the open window, to get to the street, and then to his tower. He did not see Frollo go.
---
He placed Belle on his cot, lighting candles around her. She wasn’t waking up. Her chest rose and fell, but her eyes refused to open. He rubbed the lamp, and Genie appeared as he always did.
“It’s not good, Quasi,” Genie said after a moment. “This isn’t something that could heal on its own. I mean, couple hundred years from now, sure, but now? That’s wishing territory, Quasi.”
“I’m s-s-sorry,” said Quasi, staring at Belle. “I know how much you wanted… I’m sorry.”
“Eh,” said Genie, shrugging his shoulders. “Love like this doesn’t come every day, you know. You’re not the first one to be pushed into a third wish, Quasi, and maybe someday I’ll find someone who’ll free me down the line.”
“I’m sorry,” Quasi said again. “Genie, I wish that Belle were healed.”
Genie blew a soft purple fog over Belle’s sleeping form, and as she breathed it in, her cheeks became ruddier and her face became softer, without pain. Her eyelids fluttered, though they stayed closed.
“Thank you,” said Quasi, as Genie sank back into the lamp. Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain in his side.
“And thank you,” said Frollo, bloodied sword in hand.
Quasi wheeled around. “M-m-master, what-”
“You strayed from my path, Quasimodo,” said Frollo. “He that spareth his son hateth his son: but he that loveth him chathenth him betimes.” Quasi barely had time to duck out of the way before the sword swung again, this time at his neck, and he scrabbled out of reach to the open doorway. Below him, at the foot of the cathedral, fires burned in carts, in clothing, and in bodies. Smoke rose thickly, until the air around the cathedral was almost totally obscured.
“I should have known,” said Frollo, “That you would turn against me. Vermin beget vermin. Evil begets evil. I should have killed you when I had the chance, just as I did your mother!”
“What?”
“You mother was a demon who bred demons! I would have put an end to your suffering and your evil, but you were saved by that interfering archdeacon! But God has granted me another chance! Now I have the power!” The sword flew of its own accord to stab Quasi again, and he stumbled backwards onto the balcony. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil!”
This time Frollo called the blade to his hand, and climbed onto the balcony railing to stand over Quasimodo as he stabbed him for the third time. The blow sank into Quasi’s flesh. And yet, somehow, he found the strength to stand. As he rose to his feet, Frollo, who was still holding the sword, moved backwards, the movement throwing off his balance. To Quasi’s horror, Frollo took one step back, and then another, then teetered on the edge of the balcony before falling backwards off the railing.
“Master!” He was still there, clinging to a gargoyle. For one horrifying moment, Quasi considered letting him die. But he couldn’t. He still felt like he owed Frollo for raising him, yes, but it was more than that. He couldn’t allow himself to become like Frollo. He had to save him.
“Master!” said Quasi. “Take my hand!” He reached a hand down to his fallen master.
Frollo reached out to his clothes with his mind even as he reached out to Quasi’s hand, but as he tried to mentally raise them, he felt how challenging it was, how heavy clothing was with a man in it. There was a loud cracking noise.
The gargoyle.
And in the moment before he died, Frollo looked into the fires below him and, for the second time in his life, he felt the eyes of Notre Dame gazing into his soul as he fell into his own hell.
“Thomas!” said a voice from the doorway. It was Belle, carrying the lamp. She ran to Quasi, who shuddered weakly on the flagstones. He had lost a lot of blood, and one of Frollo’s blows had punctured his lung.
“Thomas?” She knelt beside him. “Or is it Quasimodo?” She laughed weakly, a tear running down her face.
Quasi grinned. “Just Q-Q-Quasi.” He wiped the tear away with his hand, his old hand, the one roughened and callused from bellringing. It was too large, and seemed ugly next to her beauty. But it was his hand.
He heard a faint roaring in his ears. Everything was getting darker. Well, he thought, At least I know she’s alive. His vision faded. The last thing he saw before the roaring overtook him was Belle’s face.
The first thing he saw when he opened his eyes was Belle’s face.
“W-W-What? What happened?”
Belle grinned and waved the lamp at him. “You’re not the only one who can use wishes, you know.”
“Yeah, yeah, you’re very smart,” said Genie, who was leaning against a wall. “Don’t cut it so close next time, I don’t do zombies.” Quasi tried to stand up, shakily. Belle fit her shoulder under his arm to stable him, and he leaned on her. “Don’t move so fast, kid, healings like that take a bit to kick in.”
Belle looked out over the city of Paris. “My second wish,” she said, “Is to undo all of Frollo’s damage. Gypsies need to be accepted here, and everyone who is alive must be healed, and everyone who is held prisoner unjustly has to be set free.”
“That’s a long wish,” said Genie, “But under the circumstances…” And sparks flew over the fires and healed the burned. And somewhere, in the dungeons of the Palace of Justice, doors opened, and men and women left the building in a flood of faces.
Genie smiled. “You got a third wish?”
Belle bit her lip. “Well, since Thom-Quasi wasted a wish to try and save me-”
“-it wasn’t a w-w-waste-”
“-I thought I’d give him one of mine.” She turned to the man currently sagging against her shoulder. “If you want it.”
“I…” Quasi looked at his hands again. His old hands, calloused and hard. He ran his fingers through his hair - his familiar hair, that fell over his eyes just as it always had. He wasn’t normal, and never would be without magic.
He whispered in Belle’s ear. Belle smiled.
“Genie,” said Belle, “I wish you free.”
“One world-class makeovahwah? What did you say?”
“Genie,” said Quasi, in a clear voice without stuttering, “You are free.”
And with those words, the lamp began to rise. Smoke and sparks billowed around Genie’s form as his manacles unlocked themselves and vanished. The lamp fell to the floor with a clatter.
“Oh, my stars,” said Genie. “I’m free. I can’t believe this - I’m free - I won’t believe it - quick, wish for something! Wish for magic talking gargoyles!”
“I wish for magic talking gargoyles?” said Belle.
“NO WAY!” Genie yelled. “I’m free! I’m so happy I’m beside myself!” He directed this last remark to a duplicate of himself. “I’m going to see the world, maybe go back in time, see Al’s kids - I have to meet the kids! - and-” He turned to Quasi and put a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll miss you, kid.”
“I’ll miss you, too,” said Quasi. “Maybe… come back once? Now that you’re free?”
“’Course I will,” said Genie. “Although…” He looked pointedly in Belle’s direction. “I think I’ll leave you two alone for now.”
And with a thunderclap, he was gone. Belle and Quasi were alone.
“Belle,” said Quasi haltingly, “I’m s-s-sorry, it’s just that I promised him-”
“Quasimodo,” Belle interrupted, “I know who I’m in love with, and it’s not your face. I’m in love with the sweet, gentle man who was willing to risk his life to rescue me, not the body he happened to be in at the time. I love you.”
And with that, she took his face in her hands, and brought his lips to hers.
Somewhere in the clouds, a flock of birds flew over Paris. They did not look down, but if they had, they would have seen two figures embracing on the tower balcony, and two more embracing in the street, both couples clinging to each other as if one might disappear. When they returned in the spring, they flew again over the city. If they had looked down then, they would have seen two figures in white, surrounded by showers of flower petals. And perhaps, after many years, they might have heard the laughter of children mingled with the ringing of the bells.
But that is a story for another time.
Fandom: Crossover (HoND/Aladdin/Beauty and the Beast)
Prompt: See Part the First.
Quasi stumbled out of the carriage. He hadn’t really planned for much - maybe some guards. He could take guards. Though the only people in the room were Belle, the new captain, and-
“Master,” he said without thinking.
Frollo started. His jaw dropped. “Who-” And then his eyes narrowed. “Quasimodo.”
Quasi couldn’t think of anything to say, and could only watch as the captain drew Belle closer to him.
“Your face…” said Frollo, peering at him. “You’ve been changed. Someone has changed you. With witchcraft!”
“No!” said Quasi.
“Yes!” said Frollo. “It all makes sense! Her unreal beauty, and yours - it’s witchcraft! She has been casting spells!”
“No!”
“She’s been using you, boy, don’t you see? She ensnares men’s hearts, like Gaston, like the gypsy girl - she’s a witch!”
“N-n-no, it wasn’t her!” Quasi babbled. “It was-” He stopped. He’d gone too far.
“What?” said Frollo, and suddenly his face arranged itself into a smile. “Quasimodo, tell me. It’s not the girl, is it?”
“N-no,” said Quasi.
“Quasimodo, clearly you’re under the influence of some dark magic. You need to be purged of its power, and I, and I alone, know the cure.”
“B-but-”
“Unless it is the girl,” said Frollo. “What a pity, to see her burned as a witch when you could have saved her… unless you show me who truly did this to you. I can protect you from its retribution, Quasimodo. I can save you from the darkness of Hell.” He put his hand on Quasi’s shoulder, as he used to do when Quasi had a hump. “Tell me, boy. Tell me, and I will free her. I am a righteous man. I only want to see justice done.”
That did it. If it meant Belle’s freedom, Quasi would give up all the wishes in the world. His only regret was not granting Genie’s wish, but Genie would understand. He reached into his bag to pull out the lamp, and gave it to Frollo.
“Now,” said Frollo, “Let’s see what sorcery this is.” He turned the lamp over in his hands, peering at the faint carvings on its side. “What manner of incantation…” He rubbed the carvings with his cloak.
And Genie appeared. “Hey, Quasi, I just… oh. You’re not…” He turned to look at Frollo. “Hi, nice to meet you, I’m-”
“Silence, demon!” said Frollo.
“Demon?” said Genie. “You could have at least gotten to know me before insulting me.”
“Be silent! You have a new master now, demon! You are in the presence of God, and you will obey me!”
“Isn’t that just a little hypo-” said Genie, turning into some sort of fat, purple animal, but Frollo’s glare shut him up.
“What is your purpose, creature?” asked Frollo.
Genie looked like he wanted to remain silent, but his lips moved as if of their own accord. “I grant you three wishes. Any three wishes you want.”
“And you gave my ward beauty?”
“…Yeah.”
“Well, then,” said Frollo. “My first wish, then, is to turn him back into the monster that he used to be!”
“No!” screamed Quasi. He couldn’t go back, he couldn’t, he couldn’t, not with Belle there!
Genie covered his face with his hands. “I am so, so sorry, kid.”
And then he was once again surrounded in smoke and sparks. And he felt it. He felt his spine contorting, his face twisting into abnormality, his limbs growing heavier and more muscled as he turned back.
He heard Belle’s scream, and he knew she’d seen. He’d lied to her, he’d run from her, and now she saw him as he truly was - a monster no one could ever love. He sank to his knees, sobbing.
“There, now,” said Frollo, unmoved. “What shall I do next? Oh, I know.” He laughed bitterly. “For my second wish, I wish to have the ability to control objects.” Genie sighed, looking at Quasi, then blew smoke over Frollo before disappearing back into the lamp.
“Now, Captain,” said Frollo, “As pleased as I am with your work, you do have one small flaw.”
“What?” asked Gaston, looking warily at Frollo from behind Belle.
“You’re married.” Gaston’s belt knife leapt from its sheath. “And unfortunately, Captain Gaston, that puts you in my way.” The knife buried itself in Gaston’s abdomen. “I’m sure you understand.”
Gaston sank to the floor, clutching the dagger in his hand. His eyes remained open in shock and horror long after the light was gone from them.
Frollo ran to the broken window, glass crunching under his feet as he surveyed the square below him. “At last, I can rule Paris as it is meant to be ruled!” Ropes from the gallows flew from their posts to strangle the prisoners- carts moved on their own towards stakes that were lighting themselves - swords freed themselves from outstretched hands to skewer guards and gypsies alike. “Now I can do as God commands! No! I am a god, with all the powers of one!”
He laughed again, madly, as tall candelabra stands twisted around Quasi’s arms and pinned him to the wall. Quasi cried out in pain as he was slammed onto the cold stones.
“But,” said Frollo, “A god requires a goddess to stand beside him.” He turned to Belle. “Join me, as my wife, and we shall create a new Paris from the ashes of the old.” He ran a finger along the curve of her jaw. She turned away from him as far as her bonds would allow, to look at Quasi, who refused to meet her eyes.
“How dare you, girl? Look at me! Don’t look at that - that monster!” He grabbed her chin and forced her face towards him.
She glared at him. “You torture and kill people in cold blood. I may not have known him, or you, for very long, but I know who I’m in love with between the two of you. There is only one monster in this room, and it is certainly not him!”
“Witch!” Frollo felt for the lamp and rubbed it. Genie appeared. “Demon, for my last wish, I wish for this woman to fall in love with me!”
“Er, sorry,” said Genie, “But I can’t do that.”
“What?”
“I can’t make anyone fall in love with anyone else. It’s against the rules. No love, no death, no zombies - them’s the rules.”
“You wretch!” shrieked Frollo. “I don’t need you! I’ll take her by force if I have to!” Grabbing Belle by the throat, he threw her to the ground, cracking her head painfully against the stone floor. Blood pooled beneath her as Frollo started to lift her skirts.
“No!” cried Quasi. He couldn’t let that happen to her. He loved her, and she him, and Frollo was - Quasi strained against the metal, feeling his returned strength course through his veins, his muscles, bending the weakening metal - he was free. Frollo turned towards the noise of metal on stone, but Quasi was already upon him, Frollo’s neck cradled in one massive arm, the other lifting him bodily off the ground, away from Belle. “Don’t - you - touch - her.” Frollo went rigid in his ward’s arms. Even if he tried to use an object to kill Quasimodo, he would never be able to move it before his neck was snapped. “Don’t touch her,” repeated Quasi. “Leave here. Leave Paris. Stay away.”
Frollo gulped audibly. “I will,” said Frollo, for once feeling the fear he inspired in others. “God will reward you for your mercy.”
“This is not for God’s mercy,” said Quasi. “You raised me.”
With that, he released Frollo, scooping up the lamp and Belle’s body before leaping out the open window, to get to the street, and then to his tower. He did not see Frollo go.
---
He placed Belle on his cot, lighting candles around her. She wasn’t waking up. Her chest rose and fell, but her eyes refused to open. He rubbed the lamp, and Genie appeared as he always did.
“It’s not good, Quasi,” Genie said after a moment. “This isn’t something that could heal on its own. I mean, couple hundred years from now, sure, but now? That’s wishing territory, Quasi.”
“I’m s-s-sorry,” said Quasi, staring at Belle. “I know how much you wanted… I’m sorry.”
“Eh,” said Genie, shrugging his shoulders. “Love like this doesn’t come every day, you know. You’re not the first one to be pushed into a third wish, Quasi, and maybe someday I’ll find someone who’ll free me down the line.”
“I’m sorry,” Quasi said again. “Genie, I wish that Belle were healed.”
Genie blew a soft purple fog over Belle’s sleeping form, and as she breathed it in, her cheeks became ruddier and her face became softer, without pain. Her eyelids fluttered, though they stayed closed.
“Thank you,” said Quasi, as Genie sank back into the lamp. Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain in his side.
“And thank you,” said Frollo, bloodied sword in hand.
Quasi wheeled around. “M-m-master, what-”
“You strayed from my path, Quasimodo,” said Frollo. “He that spareth his son hateth his son: but he that loveth him chathenth him betimes.” Quasi barely had time to duck out of the way before the sword swung again, this time at his neck, and he scrabbled out of reach to the open doorway. Below him, at the foot of the cathedral, fires burned in carts, in clothing, and in bodies. Smoke rose thickly, until the air around the cathedral was almost totally obscured.
“I should have known,” said Frollo, “That you would turn against me. Vermin beget vermin. Evil begets evil. I should have killed you when I had the chance, just as I did your mother!”
“What?”
“You mother was a demon who bred demons! I would have put an end to your suffering and your evil, but you were saved by that interfering archdeacon! But God has granted me another chance! Now I have the power!” The sword flew of its own accord to stab Quasi again, and he stumbled backwards onto the balcony. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil!”
This time Frollo called the blade to his hand, and climbed onto the balcony railing to stand over Quasimodo as he stabbed him for the third time. The blow sank into Quasi’s flesh. And yet, somehow, he found the strength to stand. As he rose to his feet, Frollo, who was still holding the sword, moved backwards, the movement throwing off his balance. To Quasi’s horror, Frollo took one step back, and then another, then teetered on the edge of the balcony before falling backwards off the railing.
“Master!” He was still there, clinging to a gargoyle. For one horrifying moment, Quasi considered letting him die. But he couldn’t. He still felt like he owed Frollo for raising him, yes, but it was more than that. He couldn’t allow himself to become like Frollo. He had to save him.
“Master!” said Quasi. “Take my hand!” He reached a hand down to his fallen master.
Frollo reached out to his clothes with his mind even as he reached out to Quasi’s hand, but as he tried to mentally raise them, he felt how challenging it was, how heavy clothing was with a man in it. There was a loud cracking noise.
The gargoyle.
And in the moment before he died, Frollo looked into the fires below him and, for the second time in his life, he felt the eyes of Notre Dame gazing into his soul as he fell into his own hell.
“Thomas!” said a voice from the doorway. It was Belle, carrying the lamp. She ran to Quasi, who shuddered weakly on the flagstones. He had lost a lot of blood, and one of Frollo’s blows had punctured his lung.
“Thomas?” She knelt beside him. “Or is it Quasimodo?” She laughed weakly, a tear running down her face.
Quasi grinned. “Just Q-Q-Quasi.” He wiped the tear away with his hand, his old hand, the one roughened and callused from bellringing. It was too large, and seemed ugly next to her beauty. But it was his hand.
He heard a faint roaring in his ears. Everything was getting darker. Well, he thought, At least I know she’s alive. His vision faded. The last thing he saw before the roaring overtook him was Belle’s face.
The first thing he saw when he opened his eyes was Belle’s face.
“W-W-What? What happened?”
Belle grinned and waved the lamp at him. “You’re not the only one who can use wishes, you know.”
“Yeah, yeah, you’re very smart,” said Genie, who was leaning against a wall. “Don’t cut it so close next time, I don’t do zombies.” Quasi tried to stand up, shakily. Belle fit her shoulder under his arm to stable him, and he leaned on her. “Don’t move so fast, kid, healings like that take a bit to kick in.”
Belle looked out over the city of Paris. “My second wish,” she said, “Is to undo all of Frollo’s damage. Gypsies need to be accepted here, and everyone who is alive must be healed, and everyone who is held prisoner unjustly has to be set free.”
“That’s a long wish,” said Genie, “But under the circumstances…” And sparks flew over the fires and healed the burned. And somewhere, in the dungeons of the Palace of Justice, doors opened, and men and women left the building in a flood of faces.
Genie smiled. “You got a third wish?”
Belle bit her lip. “Well, since Thom-Quasi wasted a wish to try and save me-”
“-it wasn’t a w-w-waste-”
“-I thought I’d give him one of mine.” She turned to the man currently sagging against her shoulder. “If you want it.”
“I…” Quasi looked at his hands again. His old hands, calloused and hard. He ran his fingers through his hair - his familiar hair, that fell over his eyes just as it always had. He wasn’t normal, and never would be without magic.
He whispered in Belle’s ear. Belle smiled.
“Genie,” said Belle, “I wish you free.”
“One world-class makeovahwah? What did you say?”
“Genie,” said Quasi, in a clear voice without stuttering, “You are free.”
And with those words, the lamp began to rise. Smoke and sparks billowed around Genie’s form as his manacles unlocked themselves and vanished. The lamp fell to the floor with a clatter.
“Oh, my stars,” said Genie. “I’m free. I can’t believe this - I’m free - I won’t believe it - quick, wish for something! Wish for magic talking gargoyles!”
“I wish for magic talking gargoyles?” said Belle.
“NO WAY!” Genie yelled. “I’m free! I’m so happy I’m beside myself!” He directed this last remark to a duplicate of himself. “I’m going to see the world, maybe go back in time, see Al’s kids - I have to meet the kids! - and-” He turned to Quasi and put a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll miss you, kid.”
“I’ll miss you, too,” said Quasi. “Maybe… come back once? Now that you’re free?”
“’Course I will,” said Genie. “Although…” He looked pointedly in Belle’s direction. “I think I’ll leave you two alone for now.”
And with a thunderclap, he was gone. Belle and Quasi were alone.
“Belle,” said Quasi haltingly, “I’m s-s-sorry, it’s just that I promised him-”
“Quasimodo,” Belle interrupted, “I know who I’m in love with, and it’s not your face. I’m in love with the sweet, gentle man who was willing to risk his life to rescue me, not the body he happened to be in at the time. I love you.”
And with that, she took his face in her hands, and brought his lips to hers.
Somewhere in the clouds, a flock of birds flew over Paris. They did not look down, but if they had, they would have seen two figures embracing on the tower balcony, and two more embracing in the street, both couples clinging to each other as if one might disappear. When they returned in the spring, they flew again over the city. If they had looked down then, they would have seen two figures in white, surrounded by showers of flower petals. And perhaps, after many years, they might have heard the laughter of children mingled with the ringing of the bells.
But that is a story for another time.