AN: I've caught the writing bug again, and was inspired to write the next chapter. Here you go.

Chapter 9: In which battles are won and lost

Everyone turns to look up at Marius. The rope he cut swings back at him, and Marius and Eponine swing down to the floor, Indiana Jones-style. Dut da dut da, dut da da!

Marius: Those knife throwing lessons sure came in handy!

Marius joins Les Amis. Eponine, not to be left behind, follows as well.

Erik: (enraged) You can't do that! He's my prisoner!

Javert: (to Erik) And you're MY prisoner!

Les Amis: And we don't like you!

Enjolras: Let us die facing our foes
Make them bleed while we can
Make them pay through the nose
Make them pay for every man
Let others rise to take our place
Until the earth is free!

Charge!

A fight breaks out. Erik, however, is too clever for Les Amis and slips out of the brawl as they all beat up on Javert. He tries to slip away, but is pulled backward and knocked to the ground by Raoul. After a brief skirmish, Erik finds Marius's knife on the ground. He pushes Raoul against the wall.

Erik: Ah, we meet again!

Raoul: You've hungered for this all your life
Take your revenge

Christine: (watching) Raoul, no!

Raoul: (not listening) How right you should kill with a knife!

Erik glances at Christine and thinks, while holding Raoul at knifepoint.

Erik: You talk too much
Your life is safe in my hands

Erik releases Raoul. Les Amis halt their assault of Javert and watch. (Halt their assault. Ha. It rhymes!)

Raoul: Don't understand

Erik: Get out of here

Christine: Take care, Raoul, he's warning you

Erik: Clear out of here

Raoul: Once a thief, forever a thief
What you want you always steal

Erik: You are wrong
And you always have been wrong
I'm a man, no worse than any man
You are free, and there are no conditions,
No bargains or petitions
There's nothing that I blame you for
You love Christine, and nothing more

Everyone gasps as Erik backs away. Raoul runs to Christine.

AN: Look out for the next chapter, when a certain character will show some compassion – even more shocking than Erik's!