A/N: So this is a new story that I got an idea for while sitting in English yesterday. It's sort of a mix between Leroux's Phantom and ALW's Phantom. I'm not entirely sure where it's going, but I think it will end up a Love Never Dies alternate story. And sadly, I don't own any of the characters, songs, etc. I am simply using the genius of others for my own amusement.

Enjoy!

Christine's POV

Tears filled my eyes as I stood in my gown – a wedding gown that was made for me – as the veil was placed roughly atop my head. I faced the man who put it there, glaring at him. This man who was once my Angel of Music was now my kidnapper, and I refused to hide my contempt for him. His disfigured face revealed no hint of sympathy for me, though; he had me for his bride, and that was what he wanted. I cautiously approached him, putting my hand on his shoulder tenderly. I could feel him stiffen at the contact, but I refused to pull away, even as he turned towards me, exposing the whole of his distorted face to my sight.

"Erik," I said softly. "Erik, please don't do this." He pulled away from my touch, my plea falling upon deaf ears. "Forcing me to marry you does not force me to love you!" My words sounded cold and biting, perhaps more than I intended them to.

Erik froze where he stood for a moment as he thought about this, turned away from me. I knew that I had hurt him deeply, and part of me felt bad, but another part of me wanted only to hate this man for the fate he was forcing upon me. I watched as he sat, slumped over at the piano bench, his head in his hands. For a moment I saw him only for the unfortunate, broken man that he was, my fallen Angel, and my heart ached for him. Oh, how I hated my emotions for conflicting like this. I wanted to hate him, but I found that I couldn't. I saw him look up at me tearfully.

"This face, the infection,

which poisons our love…"

Despair filled his voice, deeper than any I could have ever imagined. Again I was reminded that this man was my Angel; my expression softened, my angry tears disappearing.

"This face, which earned

a mother's fear and loathing…

A mask, my first

unfeeling scrap of clothing…"

God, how much scorn had my Angel endured? I moved to sit next to him on the piano bench only to have him turn away from me. Gently I cupped his malformed cheek in my hand. He sighed, putting his hand over mine so as to just barely touch it. "Christine would dare place her perfect hand on Erik's face?" he asked solemnly, his voice filled with disbelief. I brought his face up to the level of mine and met his ice blue eyes, one a different shade than the other, unflinchingly.

"This haunted face

holds no horror for me now.

It's in your soul

that the true distortion lies."

Erik seemed to crumple under the weight of my words for a moment, but in a flash he was standing before me, that savage glint back in his eyes.

"Wait, I think my dear,

we have a guest!"

I turned to see Raoul standing at the gate, waist-deep in the lake, furiously gripping the iron bars. His eyes burned into Erik then went to me.

"Christine, Christine,

Let me see her!"

"Be my guest, sir," Erik said sardonically as he pulled the lever to open the gate. The gate rose just enough for Raoul to under before closing again behind him. I wanted to run to Raoul, but he motioned for me to stay where I was. I felt cold as a saw the sword at his hip and the realization that he wasn't here just to save me hit. He was here to kill my Angel. My stomach sank as I watched Raoul climb out of the lake, Erik approaching him, lasso in hand. I wished more than anything that this was just I horrible nightmare, and that soon I would wake up. I didn't.

"Monsieur, I bid you welcome.

Did you think that I would harm her?

Why should I make her pay

for the sins which are yours?"

The lasso was already around Raoul's neck, but Raoul was faster, sliding his hand between the rope and his neck. The lasso rendered useless, Erik dropped the rope and reached for his sword. Before he could grab it, Raoul hit him hard over the head, knocking him to the ground. Raoul stood over Erik, eyes full of repugnance, sword pressed to his heart. The tip of the sword was already drawing blood. Erik glanced at me, and I saw in his eyes not anger or desperation, but sad resignation. "Any last words, demon?" Raoul sneered.

"No, Raoul!" I shrieked. Both men looked at me, Raoul somewhat annoyed, but all I could think was, No, not my Angel. As if Raoul could read my thoughts, he spoke to me impatiently,

"You said yourself,

he is nothing but a man.

And while he lives,

he will haunt us 'till we're dead."

Anger filled Raoul's voice. "We can not be together peacefully while this monster lives," he spat. "If you love me, you will let me kill him." Raoul thought for a moment before turning back to me, smiling cruelly. "Or, if you're looking for an alternative, think about this: I shall spare his worthless life, but then you must remain with him. So which will it be, Christine: a life with me, free of this monster, or a life with only him?" He seemed quite pleased with himself, thinking to make me understand that I could only have him if my Angel no longer lived. Tears blurred my vision, my mind wishing to be uncomprehending of the choice in front of me.

Erik closed his eyes, waiting to feel the sting of my choice and the penetrating blade of the sword.

So what do you think? Please please please please review and I shall try to get the next chapter up as soon as I can if people like it!