Disclaimer: I do not own Phantom of the Opera (the book, movie, opera/musical) or any of the characters. I only own my OC Sylvia.

Chapter Ten

The orchestra began to play, Reyer conducting them artfully. The music was quick paced and mysterious in a way. Actors began to jog on stage, dressed in their costumes, ready to perform. Against Erik's wishes, Raoul was sitting in Box Five, a policeman in the doorway. Raoul's heart was beating at a fast tempo, his nervousness consuming him. His fingers tapped a nameless beat on his leg, and he looked around the theatre. The red and gold curtains were suddenly drawn back, revealing the stage.

The color scheme was red, black, and gold. On the left and right of the stage were two wooden spiral staircases, joined by a catwalk-like walkway that spanned the stage. Large ropes with tassels on the ends were looped about the stage ceiling, dangling into view. The ropes were write, crimson, pumpkin, pale green, red and brown in color. A curtain of black and red hung at the back of the stage, concealing an exit, and also another section of the stage, meant to be another room. Fire burned in braziers around the stage and other set pieces were on the sides of the stage, carved and painted to look like flames.

The actors, including Christine, were dressed in costumes that looked Spanish in design and would be considered fairly scandalous, showing shoulders and elbows, and a bit too much of the women's chests. They were all in a group in the center of the stage, leaning around each other before spinning out to face the audience.

" Here the sire may serve the dam, here the master takes his meat!" They sang, their words echoing out to the audience, who stared in shock. Obviously, many of the women were supposed to be portraying prostitutes. They audience whispered to one another, glancing at each other as well, unable to look away from the stage. " Here the sacrificial lamb utters one despairing bleat!" The actors were skittering about the stage, holding goblets and clinging to other fellow actors, grinning and laughing. They all gathered around Carlotta, who was wearing a dress with a beaded black bodice, the skirt a golden yellow, a blood red fan in her hand, her lips bright red. At the movements they began to make, the audience murmured more, wondering who on earth had written the show.

" Poor young maiden, for the thrill on your tongue of stolen sweets, you will have to pay the bill tangled in the winding sheets!" Sang Carlotta, joined by the other actors.

" Serve the meal and serve the maid," Sang the chorus.

" Serve the meal and sere the maid," Repeated Carlotta.

" Serve the master so that when tables, plans and maids are laid, Don Juan triumphs once again!" They all sang, pointing out to the audience, before slowly turning their pointing fingers to the center of the stage, where billowing pieces of red fabric gave off the impression of a bonfire of sorts. From the black and red curtain, Meg and Piangi appeared, a bed visible just behind the curtains as they stepped through. The blond young woman's hair was piled on top of her head, her dress red and black. Meg bounded towards the front of the stage, spinning. Piangi then tossed her a bag of what was supposed to be money. She grabbed it from the air, grinning to the audience, spinning once more.

Piangi wore a maroon velvet waist length coat, high waisted black trousers, a white shirt with a ruffled neckline and a sword hung at his hip. His eyebrows were painted to look arched and his goatee had two small red bows tied to the end of it. He was Don Juan.

" Passarino, faithful friend, once again recite the plan!" Piangi sang, turning to another man on stage, who wore a mask covering the upper half of his face, his bushy beard covering his jaw.

" Your young guest believes I'm you! I, the master, you, the man!" The man sang, grinning. Piangi grinned as well, letting out a little laugh.

" When you met you wore my cloak, she could not have seen your face! She believes she dines with me, in her master's borrowed place!" Sang Piangi. Raoul glanced down at the ground floor, seeing policemen marching into their places. He nervously tapped his fingers, looking back to the stage. " Furtively we'll scoff and quaff, stealing what, in truth, is mine," Piangi and the man walked back to the curtain, Piangi taking a cloak off his shoulder. " When it's late and modesty starts to mellow with the wine,"

" You come home, I use your voice, slam the door like crack of doom!" Sang the man.

" I shall say, 'come hide with me, where, oh, where? Of course, my room!'" Piangi handed a hat, sword and the cloak to the other man. Sylvia stood off stage, awaiting her cue to come on. She bit her lip, the nerves mounting in her mind.

" Poor thing hasn't got a chance!"

" Here's my hat, my cloak and sword! Conquest is assured if I do not forget myself and laugh!" Sang Piangi, pulling on a black mask, identical to the one Erik had put on earlier. He let out a laugh, disappearing behind the curtain.

After Piangi disappeared and adjusted the curtains, he began to prepare to come back on, but that time would never come. He gasped as a shadow leapt from the catwalks, jumping on him. Fear overcame the man, as he fell to the stage, staring up at what he believed was the devil himself.

Ignorant to all the happenings backstage, Sylvia slowly walked onto the stage, smiling softly to herself, staring at her feet. Her costume was, in truth, rather beautiful. The top was made of purely white lace, loose ruffled straps that sat on her shoulders but were so loose they fell off to hang on the tops of her arms. She wore a deep, deep red half corset, laced tightly in the back, but thankfully loose enough for her to breath comfortably. On the bottom of the corset, a few small golden coins were sewn on. A bright yellow, slightly transparent, skirt hung to her ankles, splitting up the side, the slit ending just at her mid-thigh, a darker gold scarf tied around her waist, sloping to one side, becoming asymmetrical. Her feet were bare and touched the worn wood of the stage. Her light brown hair was still curled and now pulled over her right shoulder, the rose pinned in her hair. A thick golden bracelet encircled her left wrist, and a second bracelet with red crystals hung from the same wrist. Her cheeks were a lovely shade of pink, her lips a rosy pink, and her blue eyes were cast to the floor. She held a basket full of roses in her hands as she strolled on stage.

" No thoughts within her head but thoughts of joy," She sang with a gorgeous voice that captivated every single person in the theatre, emotion ringing out not only in her voice, but it was visible on her face. She smiled and looked out towards the audience, able to seem like she was lost in her own world. " No dreams within her heart but dreams of love!" She stopped just to the left of center stage, slowly kneeling down, setting the basket on the floor. She picked up one of the roses, a sleeve falling off her shoulder. She smelled the flower, lightly brushing the petals against her lips. She closed her eyes, smiling at the sweet scent.

At that moment, the silk curtains pulled apart, and out stepped 'Don Juan'. His eyes were watching Sylvia, the black cloak pulled up to hide his body and lower face.

" Master?" Sang the man, looking at the person before him. It was, most definitely, not Piangi.

" Passarino… Go away, for the trap is set, and waits for its prey!" Erik sang, slowly lowering his arm. He had a half smile on his face as he looked at Sylvia kneeling on the stage. At the sound of Erik's voice, Sylvia's eyes quickly opened. She turned her head slightly, looking upstage. She saw Erik, and then looked back down at her flowers, her head spinning. He was there… on stage with her. She was confused as to why he was there, but then again, it was his own production, it would only make sense that he would want a part of it. And, she felt a bit pleased he was there, and at that thought, she blushed. She started to play with the roses again, trying to ignore Erik, who was watching her every move.

Raoul stared in shock. It was him. The Phantom. He was on stage! Raoul felt utterly shocked- no one was expecting him to appear on stage. He was too close to Sylvia for Raoul's liking, but there was nothing he could do but helplessly sit there and watch, sitting on the edge of his seat, ready to jump up at any moment. At the sound of Erik's, and not Piangi's, voice, people began to gather in the wings of the stage, watching. Christine watched in fear, recognizing the voice and the form of the man on stage. She didn't want Sylvia to become manipulated or hurt, and that made her panic, especially knowing no one could stop him now.

" You have come here, in pursuit of your deepest urge." Erik sang, slowly walking towards her. She put down the rose and began to look over to him, very slowly. " In pursuit of that wish, which till now has been silent… silent." Erik sang, meeting her eyes, holding a finger up to his lips, not only in a gesture for the acting, but also as if to tell her not to alert anyone it was him. " I have brought you, that our passions may fuse and merge," Sylvia listened to him sing, shutting her eyes, enjoying the pure happiness she felt surge through her at the sound. She smiled a bit, her eyes still shut.

Raoul stared at her in confusion, his brows scrunching together. What was happening?

" In your mind you've already succumbed to me!" Erik sang, dramatically swishing the black cape on his shoulder behind his arm. He wore the same costume that Piangi had been wearing; only it looked far better on him. The coat was tailored to fit him perfectly; the shirt's deep neckline fell open a bit, revealing his chest, the loose ruffles scrunching a bit. The black trousers fit his legs perfectly, his knee high black leather boots matching perfectly. " Dropped all defenses, completely succumbed to me! Now you are here with me, no second thoughts, you've decided…" he sang, coming even closer to her, his bright blue eyes not leaving her once. He had a smile on his face, which, to many, probably seemed malevolent, but, to Sylvia, who had again opened her eyes to look at him, it was just a smile. " Decided…" He moved the cape again, smirking.

Sylvia's heart began to beat faster as she watched him and listened to the words he was singing to her. She didn't know why she was reacting to Erik the way she was, her heart racing, her eyes unable to leave him, and just the excitement of seeing him there with her. She met his eyes once more, and then she slowly began to stand, her second sleeve sliding down her shoulder. Erik stared at her, her gorgeous pale skin exposed on her shoulders and the top of her chest. He grinned a bit more, knowing she was perfect. Not only in the role, but just as herself. He began to slowly walk towards her.

" Past the point of no return, no backward glances, our games of make-believe are at an end!" Erik sang. As he began to sing, dancers began to do their routine at the back of the stage, dressed completely in black. " Past all thoughts of 'if' or 'when', no use resisting!" Erik began to slowly circle Sylvia, their eyes completely locked on each other as he did so. Sylvia's lips were parted in the slightest, her breathing beginning to match the pace of her heart.

Madame Giry stood at the edge of the stage, a nervous look on her face. She knew he would have showed up, but this? On stage in front of dozens of people? Something could go wrong, horribly wrong at any second. Police began to show up backstage, ready to do anything when needed. Looking over at Christine, who stood beside her, she saw the look of utter horror on her face. She was worried sick about her sister and what could happen. No one could rush on stage to stop him. It would only make things worse.

" Abandon thought and let the dream descend!" Erik told Sylvia, raising a hand, stepping behind her. " What raging fire shall flood the soul?" He questioned, pulling her to his chest, one arm circling her waist, his other hand coming to gently hold her neck. Her eyes shut, her head falling to rest on his shoulder. She felt like her entire body was melting into Erik, a pleasant feeling warming in her stomach. She knew that she probably shouldn't have been enjoying the closeness of his body, but she did. His lips were right by her ear, a smile beginning to pull on his lips. " What rich desire unlocks its door?" He released his hold on her, only to trail his hands across her skin to take her right hand. She opened her eyes, a grin spreading across her lips. She couldn't believe how… happy, how… good she felt. " What sweet seduction lies before us?" Erik questioned, sliding his hands down her arm, grasping her soft hand.

Raoul's eyes began to sting. He was watching Sylvia and not believing what he saw. That man had completely hypnotized her. She wasn't scared of him; she was allowing him to use her. Raoul could see poor Sylvia's heart slowly falling for the Phantom, and he didn't like it one bit. That man would not and could not have Sylvia, Raoul would not allow it.

" Past the point of no return, the final threshold!" Erik began to lead Sylvia across the stage, his hold still on her hand. He slowly released her hand, allowing her to step back a bit. She fixed one of her sleeves, and then her face turned to one of thought, seriously thinking of how she felt. " What warm, unspoken secrets will we learn? Beyond the point of no… return?" Erik questioned. As Sylvia began to sing, she couldn't believe how true the words actually were.

" You have brought me to that moment when words run dry. To that moment when speech disappears into silence… silence…" She sang. Erik looked up at Raoul, sending him a glare, before returning his attention to Sylvia. Raoul nodded to his guard, and then to André and Firmin, who nodded anxiously, leaning forward to watch more closely, then André stood, disappearing from view. He returned with a policeman, who was standing at the ready. Sylvia's mind reeled at the feelings that were arising in her mind and in her heart. She looked over at Erik, who watched her intently. " I have come here, hardly knowing the reason why," She turned to face him, taking a step or two closer, feeling drawn towards him. " In my mind I've already imagined our bodies entwining, defenseless and silent…" She scanned his face, suddenly remembering a thought that had been plaguing her for a long time. Why had Christine found him revolting? Erik was the most handsome man Sylvia had ever met. And suddenly realization hit her like the backdrop that had nearly crushed Carlotta. She finally understood why she'd been feeling so odd towards Erik.

" Now I am here with you, no second thoughts. I've decided…" She sang, a smile pulling at her lips. Erik saw actually realization dawn upon her face, and the words she was singing sounded true, almost like a confession. He wondered what on earth that realization could be. " Decided…" She sang, taking another step forward. It all made sense to her now. Why her heart was racing, why her thoughts always came to him, why she as so excited about his presence, and why she was so drawn to him. She was in love with Erik. Truly in love. She grinned.

" Past the point of no return, no going back now! Our passion play has now at last begun!" Sylvia sang to him, emotion seeping into her voice. The two watched each other as they each began to walk towards the spiral staircases- Sylvia to the stage left one, Erik to the one on stage right. The two began to climb the stairs, always watching the other. " Past all thought of 'right' or 'wrong', one final question! How long should we to wait before we're one?" The two paused, staring. Erik scanned her face, almost disbelieving the emotion she sang with. She'd never sung the song in that way before. What had changed? What made her sing the best she had yet? He saw her eyes glint with happiness as she looked at him. His eyes widened.

She was singing truthfully. The words of the song were reflecting her feelings. She hadn't 'given in', it was a choice she made. She truly felt what the song was saying. They began to climb the stairs again. " When will the blood begin to race? The sleeping bud burst into bloom? When will the flames at last consume us?" They reached the catwalk-like landing and each stood on opposite ends. Sylvia grinned at Erik, who removed the cape, draping it over the railing, watching her. He wanted so strongly to believe that she was being truthful. And, another look at her completely convinced him.

Raoul stood, eyes brimming with tears. Why was Sylvia acting like that? She couldn't possibly be in love with him! She couldn't! That man was vile and evil, trying to capture his little sister. It couldn't happen.

" Past the point of no return!" The two sang together, stepping closer together till they were less than a foot and a half away. " The final threshold!" Erik gripped her forearms, and she grabbed his jacket, and then he spun her around, pulling her to his chest once more. Her hands rested on her stomach, his hands over hers. She leaned back into his embrace, feeling relief wash through her as she finally understood why she felt so happy. " The bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn!" Her head fell back onto his shoulder, her eyes falling shut again. Erik momentarily buried his face in the loose curls of her hair, feeling what he could only guess was joy wash through his veins. Erik's hands guided Sylvia's so one hand slid across her stomach to her waist, and the other ran up, over her chest to rest at the base of her neck.

" We've passed the point of no… return…" The two sang quietly, like it was a secret only they could know. Everyone backstage watched the pair in shock. Meg joined her mother, who was watching in shock and worry. Christine had tears rolling down her face as she saw her sister seemingly give into Erik. With an angered huff, she spun around, running off to go change everything for the better. The crowd of technical crew and the actors all stared at them, unsure of what was going on, and why Sylvia was so easily allowing the Phantom to do this to her. Even the policemen seemed surprised.

The tears in Raoul's eyes finally slid free, rolling down his cheeks. He didn't know why he was still watching. The Phantom held her too close. He was making her act like someone who wasn't herself. Raoul's hands were shaking and his jaw trembled. How was this going to be stopped?

Erik couldn't believe the pure, actual happiness he felt radiating through himself. He buried his face in the hair that covered Sylvia's shoulder, resting his head lightly against her, his lips lightly brushing against her ear. She rolled her head to rest against his neck, a smile pulling at her lips again. Erik's lips trembled and he closed his eyes, allowing a smile to grace his lips. When her head rolled back to his shoulder, he gently moved his hands from hers, touching her jaw and cheeks with his fingers, his touch gentle and delicate.

" Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime…" He sang softly to her, his hands moving down her neck to her exposed shoulders, his bare fingers skimming her skin. Raoul made out the words and the tune to the song and his eyes widened. No… no… no! Not her! Not Sylvia! Raoul shouted in his head. " Lead me, save me from my solitude…" Erik gently brushed her hair from her neck, watching her face. Her eyes were still closed, and a pleased smile had fallen on her lips. With his other hand, he took her hand, holding it tightly. " Say you'll want me with you here, beside you," Erik began to pull away, and Sylvia opened her eyes, lifting her head and looking over at him, her smile widening. He held her hand still, looking her in the eyes. " Anywhere you go, let me go too!" He sang wholeheartedly, moving his hands to rest on her shoulders. She rested her hands on his chest, her eyes beginning to tear up. " Sylvia, that's all I ask of-"

Suddenly, none other than Christine came running up behind Erik, wrenching the wig and mask off from his face, revealing the deformed half of his face to the audience. The lights on the stage only made it look worse than it actually was, creating shadows that made the skin look darker and lighter and unhealthy, his real hair messily appearing. Everyone screamed, gaping at Erik, scrambling about in their seats. Raoul began to run out of Box Five, trying to get down the stairs.

" Christine!" Sylvia shouted in shock and anger. Christine had no look of regret on her face, just a look of determination. Spinning to look at Christine then back at Sylvia, hurt filled Erik's eyes. Had Sylvia been sent to manipulate him to expose him? After the happenings in the graveyard had she been scared enough to turn on him? Was the woman he loved, and had moments ago thought loved him back, lying to him? Sylvia stared up at him, shock and apology crossing her face. She lifted a hand to touch his cheek, but he quickly turned his head to stare out at the chandelier hanging above the audience. He saw the policemen scrambling to get onto the stage, to stop him. There was only one way out.

Erik angrily grabbed Sylvia around the waist, yanking her to him. He pulled a knife out of a sheath that was hidden in his coat, and cut a red rope close to him. The chandelier shook, the crystals rattling. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, a look of pure anger on his face. He kicked a lever by his foot, and right where the two were standing, a trapped door opened. Sylvia quickly grabbed Erik around the waist, hiding her face in his chest in fear as they began to fall. The fake fire-pit below them was, in fact, also a trapped door, which had opened and as they fell through, everyone gasped. Reyer stared in shock, gaping in fear in the orchestra pit, watching Sylvia disappear.

Raoul rushed back into the Box, watching them fall, and Christine rush off stage, trying to figure out a way to follow the two. In the rafters, the rope Erik had cut slid through pulleys, flying free and chains began to rip from their places. The massive, sparkling chandelier dropped then began to swing, the chain ripping through the painted ceiling. The crowd screamed, trying to run for the doors. It then began to swing, making its way towards the stage. The chandelier crashed within the first few rows of seats, the orchestra pit and the front of the stage. Everyone in those places had luckily gotten away, but the candles from the chandelier fell, lighting the papers in the pit on fire along with the wood on the stage. People scrambled out of the theatre, panicking and screaming as the Opera House began to catch fire.

Carlotta rushed onto the stage, trying to find Piangi. Spotting a form on the ground she screamed, rushing over.

" Piangi, my love!" She sobbed, dropping to her knees by his body, which had a piece of rope tightly wound around his neck. She leaned her head on his chest, sobbing and stroking his hair, her sorrow consuming her. Many people had forgotten she was a person, focusing only on her bratty attitude, but in the moment, she was purely human.

" Oh my God!" Firmin yelled as the two managers watched the flames. " We're ruined, André, ruined!" He exclaimed as the two rushed out from their box seat.

Raoul had seized a golden rope, repelling from Box Five, landing on the stage. As he rushed backstage, fire burst through windows, sending shards of glass flying everywhere. The Opera House was slowly being eaten by fire, its grandeur slowly being burned away. Raoul ran over to Madame Giry, keeping pace with her quick walk.

" Where did he take her?" Raoul demanded, also trying to search for Christine, who was nowhere in sight.

" Come with me, Monsieur, but remember, keep your hand at the level of your eyes!" Madame Giry told him over the noise, raising her hand to the side of her face, demonstrating for him.

" I'll come with you!" Meg said, rushing up.

" No! Meg, no! You must stay here! Come with me, Monsieur, do as I say!" Madame Giry instructed, running off with Raoul. Meg noticed the crowd trying to follow and attempted to stop them all.

OOOOO

When the two had landed on the ground, Erik grabbed Sylvia's wrist, yanking her up, beginning to lead her down more cold, damp passages.

" Erik, what wro-" Sylvia began to question, but she was cut off by the look that he gave her. His face was contorted in rage and sadness, his eyes watering up.

" Don't speak!" He yelled at her, grabbing a torch. Sylvia's eyes widened. What was making him so upset with her? Was he upset with her because Christine exposed him? And if so, did he… did he think that she was part of her plan? Oh God… she thought. No…

In fact, that was exactly what he thought. He didn't know why Sylvia would have turned on him. What had he done to cause her to turn on him? If there was one thing he decided, it was that if she wouldn't go with him willingly, then he was just going to have to make her.

Afterword: Well, there's the chapter! Hope you liked it! I would have updated earlier, but, it turns out this week was actually pretty crazy- auditions and callbacks and chorus concerts… who knew life could get so hectic? XD Ahahah! So, I hope you liked this chapter! I really enjoyed writing 'Point of No Return'; it probably has to be on the top of my list of favorite songs from this show!

Now I move onto the part where I thank my reviewers! Thank you to: grapejuice101, AmberRedRose, Desi-Pari Always, MonstarzGirl, and Xxnikkigirl123xX. Thanks so much for reviewing you guys! I'm really glad you've been enjoying this story! And, I've heard from a few of you that you want me to do a sequel possibly when this story is finished. Anyone else want me to do so? Cause I've got some ideas brewing in my head if I get enough 'yes'-es!

I hope to get the next chapter up tomorrow! Also, to those of you who also read my National Treasure fanfiction, I really, really, REALLY hope to get the next chapter up tomorrow as well!

Please review! I'd love to know what you liked about this chapter! Thanks again!

~Mary