Disclaimer: Please don't sue. I don't own POTO... All I own is an overactive imagination.
Summary: ErikRaoul slash fic.
Warning(s): homosexual content, slash!
Pairing(s): ErikRaoul
A/N: Hi, it's me again. Well, hope you like the fact that I'm posting everything up at the same time. It's quite addicting, right? Well, I hope you enjoy this chapter. And well, every chapter that follows.
This one's action packed. I wanted to break it up some more and leave cliffhangers but then I remembered that I suck and forgot to post this sooner, so… here you go all in one chapter and for your reading pleasure.
o.o.o.o
Pass Time: Fated Paths – The Big Night o-
o.o.o.o
By: Lucifer Rosemaunt
o.o.o.o
Last Time: Well, Erik and Raoul have a near miss in meeting each other, but they have to meet in this chapter, right? Well, they both plan to check on the organ tonight. Christine's in trouble again, poor Robert who seems to be a good guy is stuck with her, and what's Madame Giry planning with Henri?
o.o.o.o
-.-
Raoul rolled over in the bed and pulled the sheets up over his head. The bed was so warm he almost fell asleep again.
As soon as his mind cleared a bit, he sat up quickly looking at the clock. He hadn't meant to sleep for too long. He hoped that it wasn't morning already. All his plans would have gone to waste. Henri would be around and then he would not be able to do anything at all. Tonight had been the only reason he had managed to stay sane so long.
He sighed, seeing that it was only eleven in the evening. He would have plenty of time to go wander the halls and look for the organ.
On the bedside table lay a tray of food, presumably from Madame Giry but Raoul felt too excited to feel hungry.
Raoul pushed the blankets down and slid his legs over the edge of the bed. He tentatively placed his left leg down but had to take the pressure off it as searing pain shot through his spine. All Raoul had felt the past few days was a dull ache, but the slightest touch had sent that dull ache into a burning sensation that rivaled the fire that had given him the injury. He was not to be deterred though. Raoul pushed himself into a standing position and balanced on his right leg. Spotting his clothes folded on the table, he hopped on his one good leg to it. He was dismayed to think that none of his clothes had survived the fire. All he had left were his pajamas, which were already in horrible shape, but compared to the flimsy night robe one of the managers had kindly provided and he currently wore, he knew he didn't really have much of a choice. Raoul was consoled when he saw a cloak on the seat. Raoul figured one of his servants must have accidentally left it. He pulled the cloak on to fight the chill of the night.
Finally dressed, he hopped to the door and picked up the cane that Henri had bought for him. Holding the cane, he couldn't help but feel that it seemed too heavy. Before he could think about it more though, his eye was caught by an ornament on the cane. He looked at the design adorning the top of the cane and was surprised to see an elaborate metal figure of a rose. A rose? Raoul couldn't help but think of the Phantom of the Opera. He wondered why Henri had chosen the design.
He ignored his thoughts for the moment and tested walking. It was a bit painful on his hand but that couldn't be helped. No leg injury, no clothing mishaps, and definitely no pain in his hands would deter him from going out tonight. Looking at his hands, he was glad that the bleeding had stopped and they didn't look too injured. He would have to make up a reason and ask Madame Giry tomorrow for some bandages.
Finally deciding that he was ready to go out, Raoul pressed his ear against the door. Hearing no one on the other side, he opened the door slowly. It squeaked quite loudly in his ears, but no one was outside. Looking left and right down the corridors all he saw was darkness.
Not only was Henri gone but so was everyone else from his household. It was late and no one would be back yet, and if they were, Raoul hoped they were deep asleep from the long day. He hobbled out of the door almost losing his balance because he had stepped on his left foot. He kept forgetting to lean on the cane for some reason.
Raoul had to make a conscious effort to use the cane. Whenever he wasn't being careful though, the cane thudded on the ground echoing loudly through the halls. This was becoming more of a pain than anything else. He almost considered turning back around and staying in the room, but remembering the torturous week of imprisonment he had experienced, he decided to deal with the shortcomings of being injured and using a cane. At least he was moving around.
The one good thing he had to admit being cooped up in that room accomplished was the fact that his eyes were well adjusted to the darkness. He couldn't see everything, but everything minus the darker shadows was clear as day to Raoul now. It amused him as he looked through this new perspective of the opera house, and this time he allowed his mind to wander to the Phantom.
o.o.o.o
Christine frowned at the ballet clothes she had just finished mending. She hadn't had to sew in such a long time, and she had pricked her fingers many times. Robert even had to help her so that she would finish before it became too late. He was just as bad, but at least he made things a little bit faster. Madame Giry had let the dancers off already, but she had forced Christine to stay until she finished sewing.
It was so late now that she had to stay and help clean up the props on the stage. She looked at the props in disgust. Both she and Robert were backstage, the curtain was down and the lights barely bright enough to see what she had to move. To her irritation, Robert had decided to sit down by the wall and watch while she did all the work. True enough, it was her punishment, but what kind of gentleman would let her do it by herself? She had to move quite a number of furniture pieces to the other side of the stage so that the crewmembers would have easier access to the new changes in the set design. Along with that, she had to move some pieces of armor and swords that had been left quite haphazardly to the side as well. It would take quite a bit of time if she was to do it by herself, but if she could play her cards just right, she would be able to get Robert to do it for her.
"Robert," Christine called out. Not hearing an answer she called again, this time louder, "Robert? Where are you?"
Feeling a hand on her shoulder, she screamed and backed away from said person. Robert held his hands up in hopes to placate her.
"I'm not the Opera Ghost, Christine," Robert replied, the sarcasm subdued but audible.
Christine rolled her eyes and muttered, "Well, that's quite obvious."
"Did you say something?" Robert asked.
"I just said, you shouldn't go scaring people like that," Christine smiled sweetly.
Robert nodded his head, not really believing that was what she had said. "Christine?"
Christine nodded a bit eagerly thinking Robert was going to offer to help of his own volition.
Robert continued, "Wasn't there an organ in the back before?"
Dismayed that Robert had just gone off on a tangent, Christine shrugged her shoulders before realizing what he had said. The organ was missing? It had been there all week, and now it was gone? Christine had a fleeting thought that the Phantom had retrieved it but let the thought slide. The Phantom was dead. She decided one of the managers must have just moved it and irritatedly told Robert as much.
Robert sighed and asked, "You called me?"
"Yes," Christine cradled her arm against her chest, "I tried carrying one of those heavy chairs all by myself, and I think I injured my arm."
It was Robert's turn to roll his eyes. Christine was really trying his patience. She was just using him. However, if he didn't help her out with her chores, he would never get to sleep. It was a vicious cycle, but he had freely offered to be around her, and now he had to deal with the consequences. He sighed deeply and began to move the furniture to one side. Christine sat on the chair she had supposedly injured her arm on and watched him work.
Robert lifted one of the swords. He was surprised to find that it wasn't a prop but an actual sword. He tested its balance and took some practice swings with it.
"Don't dawdle, Robert," Christine said harshly.
Robert had finally reached the end of his patience and turned to snap at her when a thud from the shadows caught his attention.
"Well, standing there isn't any better than playing with that toy," Christine stood up to grab the sword away.
Annoyed, Robert covered her mouth with his free hand and shushed her. Robert took his hand off her mouth when he was sure that she wouldn't talk again. Readying the sword, Robert strained to hear any sounds.
Seeing that Christine was going to talk again, he whispered, "Someone's here."
o.o.o.o
Madame Giry looked at the unmoving form of the Phantom of the Opera. She had yet to go to sleep because she was going to check on Christine and see how well the girl was progressing. With Robert's help, Madame Giry knew that a good portion of the work would be completed. Madame Giry also knew that Christine would be making the poor boy do all of the work instead of just helping.
Madame Giry no longer knew what to do with Christine. She couldn't be disciplined any more because the prima donna seemed to be taking lessons from Carlotta on stubbornness and every other bad habit the woman had. It was too numerous to keep up with. She could only hope that something would snap Christine out of the mindset she had gotten into after Don Juan Triumphant.
As she opened the door, she realized that Erik had woken and was staring at her.
"Where are you going?" Erik asked.
"I'm going to check on Christine," Madame Giry said warily.
Erik considered this for a moment before sitting up. "Why don't you allow me to check up on her so that I can see my organ?"
Madame Giry almost laughed but seeing that Erik was actually being serious, she shook her head. "I do not think that wise, Erik."
"I will do no harm to her," Erik replied as though it were the farthest thing from his mind – as though he hadn't been thinking about it for the past week. "I simply want to get out of this room and see my organ."
Madame Giry looked at him still uncertain. In his current state, she knew that Erik couldn't do anything physically strenuous. At least, she hoped he couldn't.
"You should get some sleep since you've been waking earlier," Erik tried to convince her.
Against her better judgment, Madame Giry agreed. "If something happens to Christine, I will hold you responsible and will tell the mob they'd failed to kill you."
Erik look affronted, "That is a harsh punishment, Madame."
"It needs to be harsh when it concerns you, Erik," she replied evenly.
Erik stood up and made his exit through the mirror in the room. Madame Giry looked at her reflection in the mirror still uncertain whether she made the proper choice. Having Erik caged was not the best course of action but placing him near Christine may just be worse.
o.o.o.o
Raoul hadn't passed anyone on the way, so he had taken his time. The last time he had been here everything had been decorated differently. Masquerades were such a grand affair that the opera house looked completely different now. It could also be credited to the fact that the place was completely empty and dark.
By the time he reached the stage, Raoul was getting the hang of the cane. He could move relatively quickly and he had already begun to ignore the new pain in his hand. Of course, he couldn't avoid the occasional trip, but he wasn't used to completely avoiding his left leg and his arm was tiring.
Raoul didn't realize there were people still on stage until he heard Christine's voice. He stopped suddenly and immediately tensed so much that he slammed the cane on the ground. The Vicomte flinched as the sound echoed through the stage. He moved quickly towards the darkness of the curtains when he heard a man's voice telling Christine to be quiet. He stood as still as possible hoping that whoever was with Christine would let it be.
His heart was beating so loudly that he almost missed when Christine spoke again.
"Robert," Christine whined, "remove your hands from my mouth. There is no one there."
Raoul moved towards the voices. He knew that he should probably run since he was in no condition to encounter anyone yet, but his curiosity got the best of him. Peaking past the darkness he saw Christine being held by another man, one he assumed to be Robert.
Something clenched in his heart seeing that Christine was cheating on the Phantom like that and so obviously too. He then realized that the Phantom must be nearby if Christine was still on the stage. Worriedly, Raoul looked up at the catwalks and around the stage but he saw no one and no mysterious shadows. The only thing out of place was himself. He returned his gaze back to the two on stage when Robert began speaking of the Phantom.
Robert had yet to let her go preparing himself with the sword in his hand just in case someone should attack them from the darkness. The darkness was so deep he was certain someone was hiding in them. The meager lighting the lamps they had was only enough to light a small circle of stage. Anything past that circle was deep darkness. "It could be the Phantom of the Opera, Christine."
Christine's laugh openly mocked Robert's response. She didn't notice as he glared at her.
"Do not let your imagination run away with you, Robert. The Phantom of the Opera has yet to strike again since the masquerade."
Raoul moved closer to hear their conversation better. He too had glared at Christine, for different reasons of course, and he could feel his anger building. Christine was all over Robert placing her hands on his chest. He gripped the cane harder in an effort to calm himself. Unfortunately, he could feel his hand protest at the action and his wounds open again.
Christine finally realized that she was annoying Robert. She desperately tried to think of a way to keep him loyal to her. She looked at the position she and Robert were in. It was compromising to say the least, and Christine realized a way she could keep Robert appeased. She smiled coyly up at Robert catching his attention immediately. She pressed herself closer to him. She smiled a little more smug seeing Robert begin to blush.
"C-Christine," Robert stuttered not really trying to get away but putting up the pretense of trying. He couldn't help but feel a little bit entitled to kissing her since he'd spent the past week listening to her whine and giving in to her whims.
"Yes, Robert?" Christine placed her arms around his neck. She noticed the change in his demeanor as the blush faded, "I know something better than your hand that you can place on my mouth."
Robert grinned roguishly leaning forward to capture her lips.
Raoul couldn't believe what he was seeing. Christine had stolen his house and almost his life. She had failed in taking his life though had managed to injure him enough to force him to use a cane. But that was not all, she had stolen what had mattered most to him. Christine had stolen the Phantom away from him. He couldn't contain his anger any longer. That kiss was the last straw. He screamed and swung his cane at the couple hitting both. He stumbled forward as he stepped on his left foot but caught himself in time to remain standing. Christine had fallen to the ground with a yell and Raoul moved to hit her again but Robert stepped in front of her.
Robert held his sword in front of him. The cane had hit his shoulder and it ached as he stood in front of Christine but he ignored it. He, too, was enraged. He finally was able to kiss Christine and someone interrupted him. He glared at the man in front of him, blonde hair messy, wearing a cloak covering all of his body and holding the cane, that Robert was certain left the bruise on his shoulder. Robert looked at his face and saw no mask but rather a handsome man, but it made no sense since if the man was not the Phantom of the Opera, he would have no reason to attack them.
"Who are you?" Robert ordered.
Raoul looked right past the man as though he were insignificant. He stared his hatred straight at Christine. He leaned heavily on his cane feeling both his leg and hand throbbing in pain. He would destroy Christine. "Get out of my way."
Robert shook his head. He was not budging from this spot. Looking behind him, he saw Christine had stood up and was staring at the man in shock and anger. She too held her shoulder where the cane had landed. Never turning completely away from Raoul, he asked her, "Who is this, Christine?"
Christine stared from Robert to Raoul and back again. Raoul was glaring at her again. His anger was not abating and he was certain it wouldn't until he hit her again, preferably harder and numerously. Christine couldn't believe it. Raoul was indeed still alive and she was correct in her assumption that he was trying to attack her. She felt her indignation rise and realized that Robert needn't know that Raoul was a Vicomte.
"Robert," she made her voice quiver, "that is the Phantom of the Opera."
Momentarily forgetting about his anger, Raoul stared at her in shock. "What?" The question fell from his lips before he could comprehend what had just happened.
Robert considered her statement for a moment before turning back to Raoul with new resolve. He had heard that the Phantom had mask, but he knew that Christine had had more dealings with the mysterious opera ghost than he did. Maybe it had been exaggerations that the opera ghost had a porcelain mask. He knew what he had to do.
Raoul couldn't believe it. She had just called him the Phantom of the Opera. The man couldn't be that gullible. Before he could finish his thought, Robert had lunged at him. It was only because of the extra training Raoul had put himself through that he hadn't been skewered. He looked at Robert in disbelief, and tried to stop him.
"I'm not the Phantom of the Opera, Monsieur."
Robert wasn't listening though. He figured the Phantom was simply trying to trick him before killing them both. "I would not believe a word from your mouth."
Christine backed away from the two. She wasn't sure she wanted Robert to kill Raoul, but she couldn't just take back what she had spoken.
Robert swung for Raoul's head. Knowing that he couldn't dodge it, Raoul lifted up his cane to block. The clash reverberated through his hands almost making him lose his grip. Raoul pushed the other man away trying to get some distance between them. However, Raoul couldn't move if he was using his cane as a weapon so he stood his ground. Raoul gripped the cane with both hands in a ready position.
"I am not the Phantom, Monsieur. I am the Vicomte de Chagny."
Robert scoffed and attacked again. Raoul continued to block. He was being pushed back by the force of Robert's attacks. He hopped backwards, avoiding the use of his left leg because he was certain to fall once he tried to walk on it. His hands were starting to get numb from the pain and the shocks from the impacts of their weapons.
Raoul quickly assessed the situation. He would not be able to do anything as long as he was on the defensive. He couldn't outrun Robert. So, Raoul gripped the cane harder even though he could feel his hands slipping slightly because of the blood. He swung for Robert's head forcing the other man to stop his vicious attacks. Raoul didn't stop. He was losing his balance but he kept pushing forward. He swung downward and Robert blocked. The two were at a standstill.
Robert had noticed that Raoul didn't have a firm grip on the cane. He grabbed the cane and ripped it out of Raoul's hands throwing it behind him. The cane skidded into the darkness.
Raoul finally lost his balance and fell to the floor. He turned onto his back, and the sword was immediately at his throat. Out of breath, Raoul stared at the man's eyes and calmly stated.
"I am not the Phantom."
Robert leaned closer, drawing blood from the Vicomte's neck. "I will rid this opera house from the infamous opera ghost. Good-bye, Monsieur."
o.o.o.o
Erik was walking to the stage slowly. He was feeling better but didn't want to overexert himself lest he injure himself further. He was surprised that Madame Giry had actually let him go check on Christine. He was surprised that she agreed to let him anywhere near the woman. Madame Giry knew best how Christine's betrayal had affected him. He was certain that she also had an idea of how Christine's attempted murder of Raoul had affected him.
He couldn't believe that Christine was so frustratingly evil. He was certain she was no mastermind, but idiocy can only be an excuse for so long. If he had the opportunity, he would kill her tonight.
Erik knew that he should make her suffer, but he didn't know if he could contain himself. That woman had ruined everything in his life and she had taken Raoul away from him. He no longer knew where the boy was and he had no means of finding him. He could try to talk to Madame Giry but he was certain she would not speak to him about Raoul's whereabouts. It wasn't as though he could go traipsing about the countryside following the Vicomte even if he did know where he was.
He so desperately wanted to find Raoul though. Erik had to admit to himself that he would do anything to get the Vicomte back.
Erik walked faster when he heard sounds of a battle. He walked on the stage in the darkness but could only see Christine's back as she watched the fight. He shifted to the side so that he could see what was happening when a cane slid at his feet. Erik picked it up in confusion when he felt blood on the handle.
Past Christine, the scene he saw stopped his heart. Erik took all of it in in a moment. The familiar blonde hair was the first thing to catch his eye. He couldn't help but smile just a bit. The joy turned sour when Erik saw the blood on Raoul's hands and the sword at his throat drawing more blood. A man stood above the Vicomte about to deliver the fatal blow. Erik knew he was too far to be able to stop it.
He moved faster than the thought that had driven him to action yanking Christine by the hair to him. Her scream immediately stopped Robert from killing Raoul. Christine was about to scream again when Erik used the cane to choke her.
"One scream was all that I needed," Erik whispered hoarsely in her ear, "Now, not another peep from you."
Christine struggled and realized immediately who was behind her. She would recognize that voice from anywhere. She couldn't help but panic. The Phantom was alive and well. He was going to kill her. She implored Robert to help her with her eyes.
Turning around, Robert and Raoul gasped in unison.
"But," Robert looked down at Raoul, "Aren't you the Phantom?"
Erik laughed mockingly. Christine shivered, feeling the hatred the Phantom exuded. He whispered to Christine loud enough for everyone to hear, "You've certainly picked a winner with this one Christine. Someone easily manipulated."
Robert pulled the sword from Raoul's neck quickly.
"Didn't you hear I wore a mask?" the Phantom mocked further.
Robert didn't answer, already feeling ashamed at himself.
Raoul slowly levered himself onto his forearms. He had been calm before. He had been willing to face death because his life had been over the moment he had lost all hope that he could be with Erik. He had stared past the sword at Robert and serenely stated the truth. He hadn't been afraid. He hadn't felt his heart skip a beat at the thought of death. But now. Now, Raoul couldn't stop his heart from racing. He almost felt as though he was going to hyperventilate. He saw Erik and felt a myriad of emotions flood his system. He didn't know how to feel. Not only was Erik in front of him, but he was threatening Christine. Raoul couldn't help but feel hope for his situation. Hope that Christine had simply told another lie about being with Erik. Hope that Erik was fighting for his wellbeing. Hope that Erik did care. Raoul felt his hope fade a bit when he realized that the Phantom would probably just be angry with Christine for cheating on him. He had seen them together with his own eyes at the masquerade. Raoul didn't know why he kept lying to himself. The Phantom would not be here to save his life. He would be here to get revenge. Raoul laid back down and stared at the darkness above him. He couldn't move even if he wanted to. His cane had been thrown from his hands. Then, the Phantom would chase him down and kill him eventually now that he knew he was in the opera house. Raoul closed his eyes and hoped that he would be able to have a quick death. At least then, the pain in his heart would finally stop.
He was reluctant to leave his previous adversary on the ground unattended but seeing the masked man holding Christine hostage, he suddenly felt sick to his stomach. He had been about to kill an innocent man. Christine had lied to him and he had readily believed her. He had let himself be manipulated. Robert didn't want to check on the man he had a sinking feeling would be the Vicomte de Chagny for fear that if he turned away for even a moment, the Phantom would take Christine away. He stood up and moved closer to the Phantom. He distantly thought to himself that the stories about the Phantom had actually been the truth. He did wear a mask. The porcelain mask shone unnaturally in the dim light and the anger in his eyes was enough to make Robert quiver in fear.
"Release her," Robert winced when he heard his voice crack.
Erik laughed evilly. He spoke to Christine, "This is to be your saviour?"
Robert cleared his throat and moved closer. "Release her."
Erik spared a glance at Raoul. He felt his throat close when he saw the blonde's head on the floor unmoving. He wondered if he hadn't acted fast enough. Raoul was dead. Erik felt his hands tightening of their own accord. Christine made a gurgling sound as the little air he had been allowing was cut off so suddenly. She struggled for a bit before all her energy left her. She stood limply in his arms. He didn't want her to faint though so he forcibly loosened his grip. He felt his mind go numb and remembered how good killing felt. How satisfying it was to get his revenge and get what he wanted. Now, though what he wanted was dead. Returning his gaze to Robert, he glared at the man that was about to die at his hands.
"You don't even have a weapon. Just let her go," Robert tried to appeal to him.
Erik scoffed. He moved his hands so that they were side-by-side near the rose design. Christine struggled futilely. His hands tightened on Raoul's blood. Robert watched warily at the movement. Before he could even react, Erik had twisted the top and pulled out the steel rapier from the wooden shaft of the cane. He sliced Christine's throat with deadly precision and let her fall to the ground with a dull thud. Erik felt a deep satisfaction in the act and watched as the blood flowed out of her throat. She hadn't even had time to react.
Robert stared in complete shock. He was frozen in his spot holding the sword uselessly in front of him. He hadn't done a thing to stop the Phantom. Christine lay on the stage her eyes open and still conscious as her life slipped from her neck slowly. Her hands were trying to stop the blood, but it wasn't doing her any good.
Erik practically sauntered over to Robert. Still, Robert couldn't move a muscle. Erik grinned maliciously before raising the sword to kill the man who he thought had killed Raoul.
"Don't!" Raoul yelled. He tried to push himself up but failed. He had had his eyes closed but when he heard the dull thud on the stage he looked to see what had happened. He stared numbly as Christine bled all over the stage. The Phantom was looking a bit crazed and was holding what once had been his cane. He didn't know what to feel much less do, but when he saw the Phantom move towards Robert, he had to stop him. Erik wouldn't do that.
Erik stopped. Raoul was alive. He sheathed the sword and stared at the blonde with relief. He spared a glance at the man in front of him and then at Christine. He heard Madame Giry approaching.
In a moment, Erik was at Raoul's side lifting him up in his arms and leaving the stage. Raoul didn't understand what was happening at all. The last thing he saw was Madame Giry giving him a look before yelling at Robert to stop the bleeding before the darkness of the opera house overtook his senses.
o.o.o.o
0.0.0.0
o.o.o.o
A/N: Don't forget to R/R (Read and Review)!
Pure insanity, right? I hope it was good for you. :o)
I slit Christine's throat!
o.o.o.o