GASP people. Haven't updated in a while. OK a DAY but ya know. Gotta keep up that 1 chap. a day routine! I'll try my muy hardest from now on yo. So...Go on and take a look at this chapter.

Disclaimer: That lucky of a Gaston Leroux owns all the characters...along with my Phantom:sob:

The headlines of all the Paris papers the next morning were all the same: "A New Terror of the Opera: Another Phantom?"

"Uh oh..." mumbled Raoul, reading his paper over tea and coffee in his large, over-furnished home.

"Shiitake..." Danielle said under her breath. "Well you know what this means people," she sighed.

Christine looked at her strangely, completely oblivious.

Ah, poor young girl, thought Danielle. So ignorant...so skinny...so bloody irritating sometimes!

"It means," she said aloud, "damage control will be in order!"

"Huh?" Christine asked, still confused.

"Christine," Raoul sighed, folding up the paper. "It means we'll have to do something to make sure Erik isn't blamed."

"Oh! Well I get it now!" she said happily. "Ok! What do we do?"

"We go to the opera house," Raoul said, throwing on his cloak. "And we see what's up."

"Maybe we can gather all the morning papers up before anyone reads them?"

"At least we can get a few," Chistine said, finally understanding.

"Onward then, people!" announced Danielle. "To the Opera Populaire!"

The three made their way to the Opera Populaire shortly after breakfast, hoping to squash any rumors flying around the opera house.

Out of nowhere...

"Hey!" hissed a voice in the alleyway next to the front doors.

Raoul and Christine were already through the doors, walking into the foyer, but Danielle heard and looked around suspiciously.

"Hey!" the voice hissed louder. "Over here!"

"What the...?"

"Over here!" a young man poked his head out from the corner of the alley way. "I know what you need to know!" he disappeared from her sight.

Danielle frowned. There was no way in trusting him...But! she thought. He was really cute...I can flirt and find out about whatever it is that I'm supposed to find out!

"Hey, Raoul, Christine!" Danielle called up the steps. "I'll be right in!"

"Sure thing," Christine called back.

Danielle cautiously made her way to the alley way where the stranger had been.

"Hello?" she asked, peering into the darkness.

A hand caught her by the waist and another clapped over her mouth. Whoever it was began dragging her down the alley way. Once secluded in a far corner of the street, a lamp was lit, and the hands were taken away.

"Ssh!" the voice hissed as the kerosene flame brightened. Danielle was frigthened; all possibilties of flirting were out the window now. Not wanting to be killed-or worse-she began backing up down the narrow alley.

"Non! Stop!" the voice called, running after her. "Sorry about that, but we needed to be alone. Listen: I know who's after the Phantom of the Opera-!"

"Who are you?" asked Danielle. "Tell me your name before I get the police!"

He sighed. "My name is Gaston. Don't worry! You needn't be afraid of me," he said, seeing the fear in her eyes. "I won't hurt you. But I know who is out to get the Phantom. I have tried to stop him myself, but my attempts proved pointless. He's very powerful...I need...reinforcements to defeat him."

"What are you saying? Why are you speaking in riddle!" asked Danielle frustrated. "Who is it?"

"Well, I don't know his name," he faltered. "But I know his appearance! And his plans to destroy the Phantom of the Opera and take over the Opera Populaire."

"Why am I talking to you?" asked Danielle, half directing the question towards herself. "You know no more than I do. Or Christine, or Raoul!"

"Yes I do!" Gaston said, grabbing Danielle by the arm. "He's a masked man...A cruel man...A man who needs to be stopped. He's, he's...Napoleon! Napoleon of the Opera!"

Danielle cocked her head to the side. "Napoleon?" she said, unamused.

"He's trying to take over the city, I tell you! And he's starting with L'Opera Populaire!" he said, pointing to the building.

"You're bloody insane!" gasped Danielle, trying to leave again.

"Non, Mademoiselle Danielle!" he said frantically.

Danielle looked at him with wide eyes. "How do you know my name!"

"I work as a stage hand in the opera house," he explained. "I've been watching you practice for your performances...You're very good...And quite pretty..." he muttered, reddening, visible even in the low lamplight.

"Really...?"

"I've spoken with the man who's out to ruin the Opera Ghost. I've evenconvinced himthat I was on his side. I told him I'd help him...But I don't want to, not really! I couldn't betray the Opera Ghost like that..." His grey eyes flashed with misty sorrow.

Danielle's defensive mood-and heart-softened a bit, seeing him looking so sad...

"Gaston...Would you tell me everything you know?"

Dun dun dun...A new character introduced to the (carrot)soupy mix of madness! Didja like my homage to Monsieur Gaston Leroux? Heh heh heh...Next chapter A DINNER PARTY! Say whaaaat? Oh, you'll see! Teehee! Review, review, review!