Part Six

They run backstage and Danny showed him the trap door. The Phantom opens it and jumps down inside. He can't see well, but notices a white, glowing shape in the corner. He runs to it. It was Crystal. He notices her wrists and feet are tied. He takes out his dagger and grabs her arm. The Phantom cut the ropes freeing her wrists. He turned her around to face him. He cut her feet free as well.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"I'm fine. How did you find me?"

"Danny saw what had happened and told me."

"Is my father alright? You didn't kill him, did you?"

"No, I wouldn't do that." They were silent for a moment.

"Why did you come for me? You let me go. I was no concern of yours any longer." He now went and held her in his arms.

"I came back because that's what friends do." She held him back.

"Thank you."

"Come, we must go to your father."

"Where is he?"

"In the lair."

Danny put a ladder down for them to climb up on and ran back to the balcony. Crystal tried to get up but she couldn't move. The Phantom, seeing that she couldn't get up, picked her up and carried her to the lair.

"I think I can walk now. Thank you."

The Phantom placed her down just as Raoul walked out from where he was hiding. He ran and embraced his daughter.

"I'm so glad you're alright," Raoul said, now facing The Phantom, "Thank You. For saving my daughter. Also my life."

"I'm sure your lives will be safer since that man is gone."

"So you think," said a voice. Just then, the man appeared a sword in hand.

"I knew you couldn't do it. Just for that, I will kill Raoul and your beloved Crystal, right here in front of you," he said.

"No! You will not harm them!" screamed The Phantom as both men lunged at each other. The Phantom, now taking out his sword, swung furiously at the man.

"You will die as well," the man said, stabbing The Phantom in the arm. They kept on fighting, each one getting hurt. The Phantom found a chance to take the mans' sword away. After throwing it into the water, The Phantom stabbed him in the chest. The man fell to the ground, motionless.

The Phantom started to cross the lagoon to where Raoul and Crystal waited. He was wounded badly and he fell into the water and sunk to the bottom. Crystal ran to where he had fallen and dragged him out of the water. He didn't wake up.

"Get up!" she cried. "Please, get up!" She started crying. There was no sign of life in him. She laid across his chest, crying to herself. Raoul went over to Crystal.

"I'm sorry," he said. " He saved you. I wish there was something I could do." Raoul, after saying this, left leaving Crystal and The Phantom alone.

It was a long time Crystal had spent down there. Suddenly, the eyes of The Phantom opened. He sat up slowly. Seeing Crystal crying, he took his hand and stroked her head. Startled, Crystal sat up and stared at The Phantom in disbelief.

"You're alive!" she whispered.

"Of course I am. I would never leave you."

Crystal raised her hand to touch his face and paused, but only for a moment. She ran her fingers through his hair.

"I love you," she whispered. The Phantom reached out and held her in his arms.

"I love you, too," he whispered in her ear. As he held her, he noticed a white object floating in the water. It was his mask. He pulled away.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"My mask," he said, looking at the white object. She turned and saw what he was looking at.

"It fell off when you fell into the water. Would you like me to go and get it for you?"

"You're not frightened of my face?"

"No," she said surprised. "Why would I be? It looks fine to me." The Phantom smiled. He knew she truly loved him. She slowly approached his face and kissed him fully on the lips. It lasted for which seemed forever.

"I have to go see my father," she said after they had stopped. "I must talk to him. Do you trust me to come back?"

"Of course I do." He helped her up and walked her to the mirror.

"When I come back, will you stay up here, above the opera house?" she asked.

"I can't. I would be killed on sight.

"No one will harm you. I'll be sure of it. If it doesn't work, I will stay with you, if you want me to."

"You're welcome to stay with me, but I don't know if staying up here would be such a great idea."

"It's up to you. I'll be back tonight."