Disclaimer: I don't own The Phantom of the Opera in any of its mediums. Nor do I own X-Men: Evolution.

Thanks very much to Lorie and author-fanatic, my two reviewers. C'mon, if anyone else is reading this, leave a review too! It's common courtesy, and it boosts my self-esteem. : )

Chapter Two: A Visit to the Attic

Armed with a flashlight and his patented solemn look, Lance marched up the stairs. There was determination in his step, and the air of a leader about him. He felt powerful and in control, yet slightly apprehensive.

Behind Lance stomped Freddy, who had attempted to sit on Todd after learning the fate of his Oreos, but had been persuaded by Lance to let the Toad go and join in their mission to discover the intruder.

Lastly, Todd bounced up the stairs holding the bait...six peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on a plate.

As the trio ascended to the second floor, Pietro whipped his head out of the bathroom doorway. Thanks to Boom-Boom's constant attentions the door had recently fallen off its hinges, and therefore Pietro preferred, despite his superspeed abilities, to perform his toiletries while everyone was downstairs. Yet now he had been interrupted--comb in hand, and tousled hair covered in blue gel. Quicksilver scowled, then pulled his head back into the bathroom.

Five seconds later he was leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed and white hair immaculate.

"Hey, what's goin' on? Why the hell are you all up here now, you guys gonna go to school or what?" The speedster inquired, tone both irritated and curious.

"No school today." Lance replied. "We've got work to do."

"Yeah man!" Todd exclaimed gleefully, bouncing from foot to foot. "We're in the middle of a mission! Someone's leaving notes on the fridge, and we're gonna find out who!"

Todd hopped over to Pietro, and thrust the plate under the speedster's nose.

"We're gonna use these. You wanna help, Pietro?"

"What? Hey man, I got better things to do then lurk around the house with PB&J!" Pietro declared, wrinkling his nose at the messily prepared sandwiches. "Have fun playin' your little games, I'm outta here!"

With that, Pietro swung past Todd, swerved between Lance and Freddy and darted down the stairs. Almost immediately after, sounds could be heard emitting from the living room, where the television was.

"At least he's staying home." Lance said. "But we won't need him."

"Damn straight." Todd muttered, re-arranging the sandwiches that the wind in Pietro's wake had messed up. "I made these, an' no one insults ma cookin!"

"Mmm...you'll get no objections from me." Said Freddy, who had eaten the first three Todd had made.

"Thank you, Freddy. Nice to know I'm appreciated 'round here."

"Back to business." Said Lance, walking down the hallway and trotting up the next flight of stairs. Freddy and Todd followed him eagerly...until they reached the landing, and stared down the long hallway of unused rooms to the attic door, embedded in the ceiling. Light streamed from the large window at the very end of the hall, but it didn't help.

The Brotherhood rarely came up to this floor. All the living, eating and sleeping rooms they needed were on the first two levels, and all the rooms up here were dusty and cluttered anyway, full of furniture and old books. None of the rooms had been locked, but nothing within had been of any use to the boys. So they were disregarded

Taking a deep breath, Lance started forward, walking until he stood halfway down the hall, under the attic door. Standing on tiptoes, he pulled the cord slowly, letting the stairs connected to the door come down until they landed on the floor with a soft tap.

Todd and Fred edged forward for a look, but remained a considerable distance away.

Turning on his flashlight, Lance ascended the attic stairs. Cautiously, he poked his head up until his nose was level with the attic floor, and his eyes could just peer over it. Looking around, Lance shone his flashlight into the dark recesses of the room.

There was lots of old junk, cabinets and lamps and shit. Like the rooms...but more musty and attic-y. It looked the same as it had when Lance had poked his head in after the first note had appeared. And just like before, the hairs on the back of Lance's neck rose.

Relieved that his quick check was over, Lance scrambled down the stairs and motioned for Todd to come forward.

tbc.