Chapter 6: Love and War
People looked at him as he stood there, they showed no signs of returning to their music and festivities. Madame Cuivre looked at Leon as he smiled.
" Forgive me," he said, " I was not invited, I thought perhaps you forgot about me."
He walked down the stairs and looked at them. Isabelle narrowed her eyes at him along with Philippe
" Why so, quiet it is after all a celebration?" he questioned in a raspy voice
His blade was removed from his sheath and looked and stopped at Isabelle. She was not happy to see him in her presence.
" Mademoiselle Fleurs, forgive me in saying that it would be lovely to hear you in a silent role for one. My ears can not take it anymore, hearing your glass shattering voice."
" To bad," she said
He cut the feather off her mask and caught it as it fell. He ruffled it up in her face and she slapped his hand. Leon smiled and looked at Philippe.
" Monsieur DeVan, your arrogance in this opera house makes your brother's spirit sad. If he were here, I'm sure he would gladly kick you to the curve," Leon said
" Sad to say sir he's weaker than I," Philippe said
" Then let him speak through me, he is sadden by your engagement decision to a pampered princess," Leon said
Michelle looked at the phantom as he came down the stairs.
" Monsieur Love, forgive me, but you of all people have failed to stay in your office. Poking your nose into others business is not welcomed here," he said, " You and Monsieur Ecorce must talk business in an office after all that is where business is talked about," Leon said
" Not always," Monsieur Love said
Leon flipped his blade and pointed it at Monsieur Love and said, " In my opera house it is."
Leon pulled from his coat a leather music holder. He lifted it up and looked at Monsieur Ladet, the director of the orchestra.
" You sir I have written a piece for you to perform, to all those who play a part. It is one of my masterpieces," he said, " I look forward in hearing it."
Leon looked directly at Michelle with a smile and put out his hand.
" Michelle, my dear Michelle, it seems you have falling back to your old ways. Still a foolish child. Here your teacher stands and you do not bid him welcome. Instead you stand in fear and awe," Leon said, " This man beside you will lead you to the end of your career ."
Pierre looked at Michelle as she stared at him and he narrowed his eyes. Leon presented his hand to her and Michelle looked at him.
" Will you have me as your teacher, accept the music that I write fully," he said
" Michelle," Pierre whispered
Michelle reached out her hand towards him, and he took her hand. She curtsey all the way to the ground, dress flared around her. Leon smiled and kissed her hand, then slipped the ring off.
" Monsieur Puissant, you are a man of money, she has decided," Leon said
" No," Pierre said
Leon smiled and stepped into the center and looked at them.
" Carry on," he said
He wrapped his long cape around him and disappeared. Pierre narrowed his eyes and followed behind the phantom as the ground closed. Pierre looked around the room of mirrors and went after the reflection of Leon.
" Do you really think you can fight me in my own domain Monsieur," Leon called
" Stay away from her," he growled
" I will, but she won't stay away from me," Leon said
Pierre struck and then his hand was grabbed , then looked at Madame Cuivre.
" Follow me," she said
She led him out the room of mirrors, she led him down an empty hall and came to some stairs.
" Who is he Madame?" Pierre asked
" He's a renaissance man Monsieur Puissant," she said, " He's a born genius who is scared."
" Scared? He's terrorized everyone," Pierre said
" I'm sorry sir, but I have helped his brother Philippe keep him away from the eyes of man," she said, " His disfigurement has held him back from leading a normal life."
" It's the 21st century, he's able to have work done," Pierre said
" No, he's already been through that, in fact it was modern technology, who has increased the disfigurement. He wears deeper scars that will not heal even with medical technology," Madame Cuivre said
Pierre looked at her and sighed as he started up the stairs.
" You would be better off to forget about him," Madame Cuivre said, " Michelle loves you, and that is what matters, but you can not fight him Monsieur Puissant."
" I will to protect Michelle," Pierre said
" Then take her away from here," Madame Cuivre said, " If you do not do it now than there will be hell in the future."
Pierre nodded and went up the stairs and found Michelle. He kissed her cheek and she looked at him.
" Pack your things Michelle, we're leaving Paris," he said, " Tonight."
" Tonight, where will we go?" she asked
" Anywhere, but here. You are no longer safe from this monster," Pierre said
" Pierre, I can't leave," she said
" You will, this thing is no angel…he is a devil," Pierre said
Leon laughed out loud and poured a glass of wine.
" Here's to my victorious revenue of glory," he called
He looked into the mirror and smiled as he touched his reflection.
" You, my exterior will no longer strangle my thoughts!" he exclaimed
Leon slightly danced around and sat down as he pour another glass of wine and downed it like a drunk.
" Glad you feel free brother," Philippe said
Leon looked at his brother and laughed at him.
" Your face brother, why so long, did I embarrass you?" Leon spoke loudly
" Your disfigurement lies deep inside you brother" Philippe said
Philippe walked over to his brother and grabbed him by the neck.
" Forgive me brother, but you are the fool who drank the poison when you brought me here," Leon said, " This place in my playground and you are walking in a trap."
" Your threats brother do not work on me," he said
Philippe lifted the noose and cut it and tossed it into the water.
" I should kill you now brother, but I don't want to spill blood on my clothing," Philippe said
" Your loss," Leon said with a smile
He kicked his brother's feet from under him and pushed him back a few steps. Leon pulled a lever and Philippe fell into a pit of dark water. Leon looked at him and laughed.
" I told you brother you were walking into a trap," he said.
" You bastard!" Philippe shouted
Leon changed his attire and walked up some stairs then turned to the dormitories. He walked through a door, which separated him from the room. There he leaned against a wall and listened to Michelle singing as she packed.
" Insolent boy! This slave of fashion basking in your glory! Ignorant fool! This brave young suitor, sharing in my triumph!" Leon chanted out
Michelle looked up and around and folded her hands together.
" Angel of music," she whispered
Leon looked at her and came to a double pane mirror.
" You have forgotten your promise Michelle," he said, " This boy has made you weak. How can you let the music set you free, if he is there."
" I'm sorry," she whispered, " Please come to me again."
" Look in the mirror and see I am there," he said
Michelle walked to the full length mirror and the lights were turned off. A light shined from the mirror and there Leon stood. She smiled and he looked at her as she smiled.
" Please, angel of music stay by my side," she whispered
She closed her eyes for a few and Leon walked out of the double pane mirror. His arms wrapped around her and embraced her. She turned and rested her head on his chest as tears fell from her faces. He leaned his head on hers and closed his eyes and she wept.
" Forgive me," she whispered, " I am nothing without you. I will never be the star everyone wants me to be, if I am not with you."
Leon looked at her and wiped her eyes and lifted her chin up.
" Flattering child," he whispered
His eyes showed their softness once more and the devil's mark showed no where.
" Come with me," he whispered, " I wish to show you something."
He lifted her into his arms and carried her through the many walls and trap doors. There at the end wrapped his long black cape around her, then set her on the horse. He climbed on and took off outside into the open air. He did not stop until he came to a cemetery, soft snow was covering the old desolate cemetery and Michelle looked at it. She pulled his long cape tightly around her and Leon pulled a candle out of a pouch on the horse's saddle. He lit it and led her around holding her hand as he went, they came towards a beautiful head stone of someone. He gentle wiped the snow off it and Michelle looked at it reading the date.
" She's beautiful," Michelle whispered
" Her name is Christine Daae," Leon said
She looked at the music box that was setting by the grave.
" She was a young soprano, who was taught under her angel of music," Leon said
Michelle looked at Leon as he placed a rose on her grave and walked on.
" Why did you bring me by her grave?" she asked
Leon stopped and dusted the snow of the grave that was close to hers. His rose laid there as well.
" Monsieur Roul de Chagny," Leon said, " A man of great power, and loved only one woman until the day he died."
" Who are they?" she asked
" My great great grand parents," Leon said, " They are the reason I am who I am. My name is not that of de Chagny, no I do not have that honor."
He walked forwards and came to a elaborate tombstone, which had the name DeVan written on it. There were 3 of them right beside that one and Leon wiped them off.
" DeVan," she whispered, " Maria Elizabeth DeVan, Marguerite Joan DeVan and Joseph Paul DeVan."
She looked up at him as he held the candle and he nodded.
" I am their family," he said, " My father was a great man, died 18 years ago. He worked his life off so that my mother and everyone else could live a luxurious life. My sister, Marguerite live for three years and died, falling down the stairs, breaking her neck. My mother, Maria Elizabeth DeVan, died 12 years ago trying to stop a crowd from following me to a safe place. My brother, Philippe Augusta Paul DeVan and I, Leon George Paul DeVan were the survivors and last of the DeVan family."
Michelle stood up and looked at him and gently touched his face.
" Leon George Paul DeVan," she whispered
He closed his eyes hearing her say his name, it was music to him. If she spoke so softly to him. She looked at the graves and looked at the other two they had past. She could feel the sadness he had lived through, the loss of his family and the torture she knew about.
" Madame Cuivre helped you hide," she said, " She told me when you brought me back."
Leon looked down at Michelle and touched her face with his gloved hand.
" I've seen the cruel aspects of mankind and do not wish to venture forth into its world," he said
Michelle reached up and gently removed his mask and touched his face. He looked at her and saw sadness in her eyes.
" You can't feel this can you?" she questioned
" No," he whispered
Tears fell from her face as she reached up and kissed his cheek that could feel.
" Michelle," he whispered
" Shh," she whispered
She reached up and kissed him fully again and then pulled away.
" I can't be with you," she whispered, " I'm engaged."
He touched her face and shook his head.
" No, it's not final," he whispered
" I'm sorry," she whispered
She slipped the mask on his face and suddenly there was a sound of a car pulling up. The lights shinned brightly on them and Pierre walked out.
" Phantom, let her go!" he shouted
" No!" Leon growled, " I've already told you she's mine!"
" Leon please," Michelle said
Leon whistled and the black horse came and he leapt onto the black stallion with Michelle.
" Michelle!" Pierre called
" Pierre!" she exclaimed
Pierre ran after them as they headed to the large tomb that read Daae. Leon rode towards there and Michelle hang on.
" Leon don't do this," she cried
Leon put her down and rode off behind the large tomb. Leon then hid and let the horse go off until he called him.
" Michelle, who ever he is, don't listen to him," Pierre said
He with drew a blade from it's sheath and went to find Leon.
" Pierre he's Leon," she said
" Leon?" Pierre questioned, " DeVan?"
" That is correct sir," Leon's voice called out, " I am the brother of Philippe DeVan. Did you really think I was dead sir?"
" Then come out and fight like a man, Leon DeVan!" Pierre said
" With pleasure," Leon answered
Leon jumped down and slashed at Pierre, Pierre blocked him and looked at him. He saw his mask and slightly found it hard to believe.
" The Phantom," he growled, " You horrible being."
Leon laughed and slashed at Pierre, making him fall back. Michelle felt her heart racing as the two men fought in pure jealousy. Pierre dodged the blade as it came for his head. Leon jumped back onto the ledge of the tomb and Pierre followed, both charging at each other.
" Do you not have any respect for the dead!" Leon growled kicking Pierre off balance.
Pierre fell back and stumbled over a grave. Leon slashed at his opponent and managed to slash him.
" Damn it," Pierre growled
Leon walked toward Pierre and Pierre looked Leon. Pierre breathed deep and Leon lifted the blade up. The skull hilt stared at Pierre and Michelle looked at Pierre and Leon.
" Please stop it!" she shouted
" Stay back Michelle!" Pierre ordered
" Abandon your thoughts for her and I shall make sure your life is spared," Leon said
Leon came closer and Pierre narrowed his eyes, Pierre stood up and held his blade out.
" You haven't won this," Pierre said
Leon laughed and looked at Pierre, his eyes filled with anger, sadness, and confusion. Pierre charged at him full force and both were forced to once again duel. Michelle looked at them, both were foolish men to her. Pierre slammed Leon's hand into the wall of the tomb. He punched Leon and Leon looked at Pierre in slight anger. Michelle ran towards them and threw herself over Leon's disfigured half, seeing the mask had fallen off, she did not look at Pierre.
" Michelle," Pierre growled
" Please, Pierre," she said, " You have showed your strength."
Pierre looked at her and sheathed his blade and sighed.
" Let's go back," he said
Leon looked at Michelle as she stood, she placed the mask on his face. She looked at Leon and then took Pierre's hand. He breathed deep and narrowed his eyes as they walked off. Leon came to his knees and watched them walk off, then growled.
" Let this be a sign then that you both are against me," he whispered
He whistled and the black horse came to him and he saddled the horse. He rode back to the opera house and returned to his domain. He slipped his coat off and sighed as he drank a glass of wine.
" I was blind," he whispered
He changed into something cleaner and walked out.
" Must you become dirty?" Madame Cuivre said
" Of course," he said
" She's afraid you know," Madame Cuivre stated
" Yes, I know," he said, " That is why I told her about myself."
Madame Cuivre sighed as she picked up his dirty clothed and then cleaned up around him.
" So, the phantom no longer exist?" she asked
" He very much is alive," he said
Madame Cuivre looked at him and gently dabbed his face with a cool cloth and tended to the busted up lip, as well as his swollen cheek. She sat beside him and he winced in pain as she cleaned it.
" Was this fight worth it?" she asked
" I love her," Leon said
Leon sighed and she looked at him and touched his suave face.
" Leon, you are a tender heart, perhaps she doesn't deserver you," Madame Cuivre said
" Perhaps," he said
" Leon," a voice called
Leon looked up and Madame Cuivre looked over and Michelle stepped out of the shadow. Leon stood up and she looked at him as she held his cape.
" I'm sorry," she whispered
Leon look at her and gently took the cape, she looked down and he lift her chin.
" Can you decide," he whispered
" I can't be with you I'm sorry," she whispered
She reached up and touched his face. Leon grabbed her hand and closed his eyes to her touch.
" Then I will help you decide," he said in slight anger, " Go and be with your lover."
" Leon," she said
" Mademoiselle," Madame Cuivre said
Michelle lowered her head and Madame Cuivre walked with her. She stopped Michelle and Michelle looked at the old woman.
" Do you truly care about him?" she asked
" I do," Michelle replied
" Then what is holding you back?" she asked
Michelle lowered her head and Madame looked at the singer.
" I'm afraid I can't be with him, without living above the cellars," Michelle said
Madame Cuivre sighed and said, " Then you don't deserve him."
Michelle walked off and Madame looked at Leon as he sighed. His eyes were that of death, but he knew that life couldn't be normal.