That's it; I can no longer trust a single soul in this damned world. I will change the ending of this opera…I will take her down to the dungeons of my black despair, down that path into darkness as deep as hell. They will never find us…

It was the night of the performance. Erik had already made the changes needed. The trap door was set, Piangi was to be tied up nice and tight, and they would live together forever. Suddenly the sound of the band began to play. The queue to start. Erik rushed up to the rafters to watch Christine.

She's so wonderful.

He cut the rope for the light backdrop to fall. It was so tempting to cut the main one…oh so tempting, but that would mean endangering his beloved Christine. The arguing of André and Firmin started and then Christine's accompaniment started.

"Think of me, think of me fondly when we've said goodbye.

Remember me ev'ry so often, promise me you'll try.

On that day, that not so distant day, when you are far away and free, if you ever find a moment, spare a thought for me."

Erik jumped down from the rafters backstage and got ready for his main entrance. He got many an odd glance from the cast since he had his messy black hair pulled back into a neat ponytail and had a mask on. It even gave the people who were playing André and Firmin a scare, and they were football stars.

"Flowers fade, the fruits of summer fade, they have their season so do we…

but please promise me that sometimes you will think

of me!"

The curtains closed as the scene changed. Erik hid in the mirror that he had designed. Meg and Christine were heard singing Angel of Music. Erik played along to the tune on his lap. He knew these songs by heart now. Then, he finally got to sing.

"Insolent boy, this slave of fashion, basking in your glory.

Ignorant fool, this brave young suitor, sharing in my triumph."

"Angel, I hear you! Speak, I listen. Stay by my side, guide me!

Angel, my soul was weak; forgive me! Enter at last, master!"

"Flattering child, you shall know me, see why in shadow I hide.

Look at your face in the mirror! I am there inside."

"Angel of music, guide and guardian, grant me to your glory!

Angel of music, hide no longer! Come to me strange angel!"

Erik started to semi-hypnotize the crowd with his voice, "I am your angel of music; come to me angel of music!"

Raoul could be heard in the distance, "Who is that voice? Who is that in there?"

"I am your angel of music; come to me, angel of music!"

The music drastically changed as Erik stepped out of his mirror and started to lead Christine through all of the set changes. He had pre-recorded the organ music for this part so the band could play along as he sang and danced with Christine. To touch her hands filled her with so much joy. He led her down the steps through the isles as they Christine started to sing.

"In sleep he sang to me, in dreams he came, that voice which calls to me and speaks my name.

And do I dream again? For now I find…

The phan-tom of the opera is there…inside my mind,"

Erik was ready for this. He was born to play this part and would play his instrument beautifully.

"Sing once again with me our strange duet; my power over you grows stronger yet.

And though you turn from me to glance behind

The phantom of the opera is there…inside your mind."

He led her down the left isle and when they reached the end, he spun his cloak around them and appeared on the other side. He got stares of awe and wonder from even the eldest of watchers. He could see Christine's amazement in her eyes as they walked back to the stage.

"Those who have seen your face draw back in fear.

I am the mask you wear,"

"It's me they hear"

"My/Your spirit and my/your voice in one combined;

the phantom of the opera is t/here inside my/your mind…"

The chorus started to sing: "He's there, the phantom of the opera! Beware the phantom of the opera…" with that the curtains closed for the scenery change as Erik and Christine kept on singing.

"In all your fantasies, you always knew that man and mystery"

"Were both in you.

"And in this labyrinth where night is blind,

The phantom of the opera is /there, inside my/your mind."

"Sing, my angel of music!" Erik said as he led Christine back up the stairs onto the stage.

"He's there, the phantom of the opera. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

"Sing, my angel of music!"

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

"Sing, my angel of music!"

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

With that ending on the 16va "C" note, and Christine 'passing out' into his arms, the curtain opened to reveal rock, candles, a coffin, and a very old church organ. Erik carried her over and set her down in the coffin and then went over to the organ. He stared at it for a moment, looked up at the lights, sighed and then sat down. He started to work on Don Juan triumphant when Christine walked over to him.

"Will you sing for me angel?" she asked.

Erik put his fingers on the keys of the organ and started to play.

"Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation;

darkness stirs and wakes imagination.

Silently the senses abandon their defenses.

Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendor;

Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender.

Turn your face away from the garish light of day, turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light and listen to the music of the night.

Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams!

Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before!

Close your eyes let your spirit start to soar,"

There was a pause as that note rang throughout the opera house.

"And you'll live as you've never lived before…

Softly, deftly, music shall caress you.

Hear it, feel it, secretly possess you.

Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind in this darkness which you know you cannot fight, the darkness of the music of the night.

Let your mind start a journey through a strange, new world;

Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before.

Let your soul take you where you long to be!

Only then can you belong to me.

Floating, falling, sweet intoxication.

Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation.

Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in to the power of the music that I write, the power of the music of the night.

You alone can make my song take flight, help me make the music of the night….."

Erik stood up from the organ and bent down on one knee, "Oh Christine," he said as he kissed her hand. She blushed furiously and tried to remove the mask. Only pretend though. She couldn't bear to see what would happen this time if she tried to remove it…

Erik had his little anger fit and then returned her to the surface. Erik and Christine exited the stage as Andre, Firmin, Carlotta, and everyone else that wasn't those two entered. Erik ran back up to the rafters and watched. Dammit Carlotta! HIT THE RIGHT NOTE! YOU ARE OFF SO MUCH! MY POOR EARS! GAH! NOOO! OH SHIT, I ALMOST MISSED THAT QUE…must….pay….ATTENTION!

"IF MY DEMANDS ARE NOT MET, A DISASTER BEYOND YOUR WILDEST IMAGINATIONS SHALL OCCUR!"

It was now time for Erik to rush over to box five to watch Christine for a while. Oh…what a beauty. If only I could behead Raoul….or blow him up…well in theory I could…..hmm….OOH DID CARLOTTA JUST CROAK! YES! Erik ran back to the rafters to watch from there once he knew that Christine had glimpsed the shadow of her angel. Erik tried so very hard not to laugh at Carlotta's croaking. He grabbed the mannequin and got ready to drop it with a noose. 3…2…1….Erik laughed as he heard the gasps of the audience members. The scenes started to change as Andre and Firmin reassured the crowd that it was okay. Soon, they left the stage as Raoul and Christine ran on.

"Why have you brought me here?"

"We can't go back there…"

"We must return…"

"He'll kill you! His eyes will find us there,"

"Christine don't say that,"

"Those eyes that burn,"

"Don't even think it."

"If he has to kill 1000 men,"

"Forget this waiting, he is a fable believe me,"

"The phantom of the opera will live and kill again,"

"There is no phantom of the opera,"

"My god who is this man,"

"Who hunts to kill,"

"With his mask of death,"

"I can't escape from him, I never will,"

"And in his labyrinth where night is blind, the Phantom of the Opera is t/here

Inside my/your mind…"

"There is no Phantom of the Opera…"

As they continued their little interlude, Erik slowly crept on stage and sat behind one of the onyx statues. He listened until he was queued to stand up. In his hand he held a single red rose.

"But his voice filled my spirit with a strange sweet sound,

In the night there was music in my mind

With the music my soul began to sing

And I sang as I had never sang before"

"What you heard was a dream and nothing more…"

"Yet in his eyes, hold all the sadness in the world

Those faded eyes that both frighten and adore."

Erik looked at Christine and saw that she was actually crying. Is she crying…for me? NO! That little viper is a wonderful actress no doubt about that…Oh shit….not this song….rage…building…

"No more talk of darkness, forget those wide-eyed fears;

I'm here, nothing can harm you, my words will warm and calm you.

Let me be your freedom, let daylight dry your tears;

I'm here, with you, beside you, to guard you and to guide you,"

"All I ask if every waking moment, turn my head with talk of summertime.

Say you need me with you now and always;

Promise me that all you say is true, that's all I ask of you."

"Let me be your shelter, let me be your light;

you're safe, no one will find you, your fears are far behind you."

"All I want is freedom, a world with no more night;

And you, always beside me, to hold me and to hide me."

"Then say you'll share with me one love, on e life-time;

let me lead you from your solitude.

Say you need me with you, here beside you, anywhere you go let me go too.

Christine, that's all I ask of you."

"All I ask for is one love, one life-time;

say the word and I will follow you."

"Share each day with me, each night, each morning."

"Say you love me!"

"You know I do."

"Love me, that's all I ask of you."

Erik peeked around the statue so the audience would know that he was there.

"I must go, they'll wonder where I am…" Christine said.

"Christine, I love you," Raoul replied as he led her off stage.

Erik came out…looked at them, and dropped the rose.

"I gave you my music, I let your soul take wing, and now how you've repaid me, denied me and betrayed me. He was bound to love you, when he heard you sing….."

"Christine…" he sobbed, "Christine…"

in the distance he can hear Raoul and Christine still singing

You will curse the day you did not do. ALL THAT THE PHANTOM ASKED….OF….YOU!" He cackled evilly. This was just like last night. All of the emotions were back. He was the heartless killer again.

Erik stayed out for a moment and bowed. Christine and Raoul joined him.

"The show will continue in ten minutes time, thank you!" Meg piped as she ran out and did a cartwheel.

Okay, sorry for the crappy lines, the editing thing loathes me with a fiery passion. Anyway, I am drawing nearer and nearer to my final chapter as I type. I want to thank everyone who has stayed with my story despite everything that has happened during them. Thank you all for reviewing and on my next update we shall all see what happens!

Luv you all!

Eek