Chapter 1: Masquerade Madness
He was dressed in red as eyes of fear fell upon him. His presence brought fear to those around him and then there was always wonder. He stepped down his long red cloak flowed behind him as he descended the steps. His skull mask smiled at those who made contact with him and his devilish eyes showed amusement towards the masqueraders' reactions. They backed off from him as he came to the middle of staircase. He looked at about and looked at Carlotta, then Piangi, both backed off.
Then he did something that they didn't expect from this stranger dressed in red.
" Why so silent good Monsieurs?" his dark voice rang
They gasped as they waited to hear him speak again…this voice that spoke it belong to none other than 'him' the Phantom of the Opera.
" Did you think I had left you for good? Have missed me, good Monsieurs?" he spoke again
He descended the steps once more and laughed a little.
" I have written you an opera!" he announced proudly
He smiled, but this was no hopeful smile from him, this was an evil smile. The phantom's game had just begun as he lifted the score and announced it's name. Masqueraders' jumped back as he threw it down to the ground then drew his skull blade. There were gasp from the guest and he slid his black gloved hand gently over the blade.
" I wish to state that before rehearsals start that this woman is put to act," he said
He cut off Carlotta's feather off her head dressand caught it in his hand. He lifted it and smirked then tossed it back at her.
" No more strutting about like she usually does," he stated
Piangi step forward and the phantom laughed and pointed his sword at him.
" If one is popular with the ladies, one must lose weight, Don Juan was no behemoth of a man." he said
He turned and looked at the mangers and a chuckle was heard. He did not sheath his sword, but continued to hold it.
" For my mangers you have yet to learn your place…your business is done in an office not the arts," he said
He turned and looked at Christine and sheath his blade and walked down the stairs. He stopped and looked at her before he went down anymore, her presence made him feel welcomed. Though fear filled her eyes, but there was something else that made him smile at her. His hand extended towards her and Christine reached out her hand to the phantom.
" As for our star, Ms. Christine Daaé ," he whispered
She looked up at him, seeing his eyes become more gentle and more caring just as they were the first time. He stepped down from the stairs and took her hand in his and lifted her hand to his lips.
" No doubt she'll do her best, but if she wishes to excel and pride will let her return to me, her teacher. Her beloved teacher," he said
Christine just stared at him as he continued to hold her delicate hand. He looked down seeing a glittering ring hanging from a gold chain. He narrowed his eyes at her and grabbed the chain. He looked up at her and grasped her wrist.
" You belong to me!" he shouted
He threw her down to the ground and climbed up the stairs.
" Erik no!" Christine shouted
He vanished in a mist of fire and Raoul jumped down the same trap door.
" Do you dare challenge me, Red Death!" he laughed
" Red Death, you're the Phantom!" Raoul shouted, " Come out you coward!"
His reflection showed and Raoul swiped, his laughter taunted Raoul to continue to swipe at nothing. A lasso flew out at him and Raoul swiped at it.
" A foolish boy you are," he said
Flames escaped from the floor and there was silence, then they died away. He once more had tricked an idiot into becoming angry. His game had just begun and he had gain another enemy, this pleased him very much.
