Disclaimer: Please don't sue. I don't own POTO... All I own is an overactive imagination.

Summary: ErikRaoul slash. Raoul and Erik meet before the whole fiasco. This is what happens.

Warning(s): homosexuality (that's what slash is people)

Pairing(s): ErikRaoul

Author Note: Enjoy.

Story Note: Not a very long chapter because of the cliffhanger. There's not much of a battle going on either… but big things do happen. Actually, big things begin to happen before I get evil and make them cliffhangers (I think it's an illness).

o.o.o.o

Imaginary Friends

Chapter 25 – Left Hanging

o.o.o.o

By: Lucifer Rosemaunt

o.o.o.o

Last time: The audience clears out of the opera house because of Erik's not so subtle threat. Firmin's hanging from the catwalk in the middle of the stage. Philippe and Raoul are at the stage, trying to help him (blame Raoul). Meg and Christine are waiting in well, presumably Christine's room. Andre's looking for Carlotta, and the Comte gets caught by Erik.

o.o.o

I still think we should just leave him. Erik stated, as Raoul struggled to get to the catwalk.

Raoul didn't even have to think about his response. No. I refuse to leave him like this.

Philippe was right when he said that he deserves what's going to happen to him. Erik tried convincing him even though he knew Raoul was too stubborn to actually listen to reason.

No one deserves to be humiliated and then left vulnerable. Raoul shook his head when he could feel Erik's amusement. Don't feel so proud of yourself either.

Erik paused before replying, You know that if the ghost finds you here, he will not be happy. I know I wouldn't be happy about it.

That's not true… Raoul paused. If Erik said he wouldn't be happy, then Raoul had to assume that the ghost would have similar feelings. Moreover, Philippe hadn't been very happy to see him either; he could imagine the ghost being just as mad if not more so. After all, the Comte had been trying to kill him, but it wasn't as though Raoul had come unprepared. He'd had every intention to remain hidden while he made sure his brother and his ghost were safe. It wasn't his fault that Philippe ruined those plans.

Did you just think 'your ghost'? Erik asked.

Raoul was about to retort how ridiculous that was when he reviewed his thoughts. Not replying to him, Raoul called down to Philippe, "Keep a look out."

Erik was laughing rather triumphantly. You didn't answer my question.

What question? Raoul tried to ask innocently.

Erik only laughed louder. This is truly going to be interesting.

"Get me down from here already," Firmin yelled. Now that Andre was gone, the Vicomte and his brother were the only ones who could help him. For the moment, he ignored his surprise at seeing the Vicomte alive.

We really should leave him though. Erik said seriously. Let's just get me and get out of here.

Me? Raoul asked in confusion before realizing he was talking about the ghost. You really need stop doing that to me. It's really confusing.

You'll have to get used to it eventually.

"Do you hear me?" Firmin struggled, causing him to spin in a slow circle again. "Get me down!"

Things were beginning to make sense for Firmin now. The Comte had lied about both the ghost and the Vicomte, but what was the Vicomte's brother doing here? He didn't particularly care though. The only thing he wanted was to leave the opera house alive. Now that he had a means to escape, he didn't care about Carlotta. She would never work for the Opera Populaire again, that was for certain.

He almost believed that after some time, the ghost would eventually not want to kill him or humiliate him in public. He hadn't wronged the man that much, so there was still a chance to salvage what had occurred tonight. This was not good publicity in any way, but it was publicity. Someone was bound to be interested in coming back. Maybe if he started to spread the rumor that the ghost had been killed and then make a deal with said ghost to remain hidden, then the Opera Populaire could stay in business. The fact remained that he could do nothing but hope they weren't ruined by this.

"Will you shut up?" Philippe yelled at the manager as he watched Raoul climb up. "Or he'll leave you there."

It was a good thing that Firmin didn't know Raoul well enough because he stopped yelling immediately.

To Raoul, Philippe called, "Look out for who? The ghost or the Comte?"

"Both," Raoul replied, finally on the catwalk. He looked at all the ropes; this was going to be a little harder than he expected. A little out of breath, he commented, "Neither will be very happy to see me, I'm afraid."

Reaching down, he realized he didn't have a sword on him. How am I going to get him down?

Quite intelligent. Erik remarked, You even knew something was going to happen. A sword should have been the obvious accessory to bring.

Raoul tried to follow the ropes down, but there were so many different ties and knots hanging down that the ropes crossed. That's why I didn't bring anything. I was here to stop them from fighting.

Yes, Erik replied sarcastically, stop their fighting with your words. That'll protect us from steel.

Raoul sighed. I need suggestions, not criticisms.

Philippe has his sword with him. Erik answered with his own sigh.

Glancing down, Raoul noticed for the first time that Philippe was carrying his sword.

That should've been your first clue for what he was doing here earlier.

It's not that uncommon, Raoul replied, for him to walk around with it.

It's not that common either. Erik retorted.

We could untie it, Raoul said after thinking about having to climb back down.

That'll take too long. Erik sighed again in exasperation. Let's just find the correct rope for now. Maybe you can pull him up instead of lowering him down.

o.o.o

Madame Giry leaned against the nearest wall to catch her breath. Her arms were justifiably tired. She'd gone through almost every portrait in the room, and they were all portraits. The subject never once diverging.

Things were finally beginning to make more sense. She had been watching Erik all their lives. He may not have realized that the same scrutiny he placed on the opera house was being placed on him, but Madame Giry had never meant any harm to him. She liked to believe that he even trusted her, if only a little. After so many years though, she realized that she knew nothing about him.

Of course, she knew his behaviour.

The way that he had thrown himself into painting all those years ago – she just now saw the result of all those oils and canvases she had helped him purchase. Admittedly, most of the supplies must have been stolen, since Erik hadn't had money then. It was the same way he immersed himself into music.

The way he had fixated on Christine when she had first arrived to the opera house. The innocence and pain in her expression matched so closely to that of the boy in the portraits. It was the innocence of youth and the pain of separation. She had known Erik was talented; he was a genius in her opinion after all. Lately though, she had only thought of him as the ghost who terrorized the opera house, the man behind the machinations, but the pain and longing portrayed in his art reminded her of the boy she had helped escape from the carnival. He wasn't the ghost. He was Erik.

And she now knew that Erik's odd behavior both when he first arrived all those years ago and now when the new patron arrived were connected. She didn't know if the boy was actually Raoul. Why would Raoul have that expression? But it was more than just pain, those portraits were of adoration, trust, and love. She just couldn't think of a situation where they would possibly meet. The resemblance was uncanny, but the only thing that did matter was the fact that Erik believed it to be the same boy.

The good-bye to Christine was due to the fact that Erik had found another person to obsess about. Raoul would ultimately be in danger. She would have to warn the patron… if it wasn't too late.

Hurrying up back towards the opera house, Madame Giry found that the only exit she could use was the one that let her out near the front door. It was dangerous considering the fact that there was still a performance occurring, but it would be convenient since she would have to go to the Chagny estate. From what she'd heard, the Vicomte hadn't left yet. Hopefully, he wouldn't mind the intrusion. Or, she could try to deal with this problem from the phantom side of it. He was difficult to track however, and if he had already left the opera house, then going to the Vicomte was the only choice she had.

She slid out into the hallway after checking to make certain it was clear. She rushed towards the main entrance and almost ran into a group of police officers.

"Madame," one of the officers stopped her. She stared at them in confusion. He asked, "Which way to the stage?"

"The stage?" Madame Giry dreaded their presence. If the police were here, she expected the worst. "Why?"

"Someone reported that there was a problem with an evacuation."

"Evacuation," Madame Giry whispered to herself. Erik must've done something again. Pointing to the longest route to the stage, she replied, "Then go down that hallway, take a left, a right at the next corner, and then continue down until you hit a dead end; you should see it then."

She waited until the man led the group away before taking the most direct route to the stage. Apparently, the decision was made for her. At least, she knew where the ghost was now. She just had to reach him before the police did.

o.o.o

Philippe whistled sharply, catching Raoul's gaze. It only took a second before Raoul reacted, dropping onto his stomach and pressing himself as low as possible. He had yet to find the correct rope to free the manager. Philippe shot a warning glance at the manager, who shut his mouth before turning towards the new arrival.

Just as soon as Raoul disappeared from sight, Erik walked on the stage, dragging a hogtied Comte beside him. The Comte had struggled, rather admirably. The element of surprise had taken much of the sport out of their fight, but Erik had not so cautiously knocked the man unconscious. Luckily, the man had woken when just as he had finished tying him up. It would have been less fun if the Comte had remained asleep.

What are we going to do now? Erik asked.

Raoul peeked over the edge of the catwalk to watch the ghost. I don't know. Stay here until we can move without being seen.

Are you staring at me?

What? Raoul pulled away from the edge when he thought the ghost had looked in his direction. What are you talking about?

You were staring at me. Erik's taunting actually made Raoul blush.

I was just looking at his mask. Raoul floundered to find a reason. He had been staring at the ghost, but he rarely had the chance to look at the man in the light without having an argument of some sort. He got it back.

Erik didn't reply to him, though his disbelief was easy to feel.

The ghost threw the Comte down in front of Firmin. He looked at Philippe in confusion.

"Philippe?"

Firmin looked down at them in surprise. The ghost knew the Vicomte's brother? Then it had to be true that they were working together, but just what did the Comte de Chagny have to do with anything? What was going on?

Even with their current situation, Philippe couldn't help but smirk; he hadn't thought Erik would have used his name so familiarly.

"What are you doing here?" Erik pressed, crossing the stage. Standing right in front of Raoul's brother, he couldn't help but realize that they were the same height. His mind categorized the differences and similarities between the brothers. Their eyes were different colors of blue, and though you could see the similarities, Philippe really did look like their father while Raoul resembled their mother, if the family portrait in the sitting room had been any indication.

Philippe's reply cut off his train of thought, "Probably the same thing you are."

Scoffing, Erik rolled his eyes, "I've taken care of everything. Go back home," he stared pointedly at the man's side.

Philippe glared at him, eyes dropping towards the Comte, who was lying on his side, the ropes preventing him from balancing well enough to sit up. "Comte de Montmartre."

The man sneered at him, though its effect was greatly diminished when he tried to sit up and failed, "Comte de Chagny. It seems you've heard the terrible news about your brother. My condolences."

Erik punched the man before he could continue to speak.

Momentarily confused by his words, Philippe focused on the fact that the man was simply too smug for his own good. Someone needed to beat some sense into him, and he would gladly oblige. However, he knew that Raoul was probably watching, and knowing his brother, if he did what he wanted to do, Raoul would surely reveal himself in an attempt to stop him from killing the man. Trying to calm himself down, he told himself that Raoul was alive. So alive and healthy that he would never hear the end of it if he did something rash.

Instead, he smiled maliciously at the Comte, saying to Erik, "Since you've gone through all the effort, I'll graciously," he emphasized, "stand down." He sauntered over to the Comte and kicked him as hard as he could.

The Comte curled up into himself, coughing but he began to laugh. "I'm glad I killed your brother."

Both Firmin and Philippe looked at him in confusion. Firmin bit his tongue though. If they were going to get rid of the Comte for him, then he was rooting for the ghost and the Chagnys.

Through his anger, Philippe didn't care that the Comte wasn't making any particular sense. Erik caught him before he could strike again; he had seen Raoul's brother wince the first time he kicked the man. A second attempt would surely hurt him even more.

Whispering, Erik said to him, "He thinks Raoul is dead."

He calmed immediately and stopped trying to rush the Comte. Looking at Erik for confirmation, the ghost nodded. Philippe couldn't stop the bark of laughter at the thought.

"You won't attack him again?" Erik asked, though it was more of a command.

Philippe nodded and stood back. His side did hurt, but kicking the man had been worth the pain. When Erik turned his attention back to the Comte, Philippe glanced up at the scaffolding. Raoul looked at him in confusion, but he shook his head an almost imperceptible amount.

What was that about? Raoul asked when Philippe wouldn't explain.

The Comte thinking he killed you? Erik answered. Well, the ghost did deal with the kidnappers so maybe he didn't get the message that the only one that was really hurt was Philippe.

Frowning, Raoul couldn't stop the rush of hatred he felt towards the man.

He deserves to die. Erik said simply.

Raoul couldn't help but agree. It doesn't matter what the man deserves. Things'll only become more difficult if the ghost or Philippe kill him. Can't we just move on?

I guess we'll have to see and find out.

"What? No response?" The Comte mocked.

Erik walked to him and kicked him for good measure before pulling him forward again.

"I'll kill you, you dogs," the Comte spat out and he struggled against the rope. There was no give, but he wasn't worried just yet. "You won't even know when it's going to happen. You'll think you're safe."

"We need a gag," Erik shook his head. Dropping the man more in the center of the stage, he walked towards the back of the stage.

Philippe watched him go with interest. The ghost had something planned. This would be interesting.

"I knew that you and that Vicomte were working together," the Comte shouted at Erik's retreating form.

"They weren't working together, you idiot," Philippe was tempted to kick the man again.

The Comte ignored him. "And getting him alone wasn't very difficult at all." He laughed raucously, though it was interspersed with coughs.

Erik came back dragging another body towards the center of the stage. Philippe tried to get a better look, but he didn't recognize who it was.

"Carlotta," Firmin finally said, stiffening when the ghost sent him a glare.

She was still in her costume; the main addition was the gag. Her screams, though muffled, were still audible.

Erik asked pointedly, "How brilliant must you be to be fooled by these two?"

The Comte glanced at Carlotta and then Firmin. His face reddened. "It was you!" He said to Firmin before turning his attention to Carlotta. "And you. What were you thinking? This was originally your idea."

Her reply was muffled and punctuated by several screeches.

"Do we even want to hear her response?" Philippe asked rhetorically. This was their original prima donna? He remembered Raoul's reaction to her.

"Oh," Erik grinned, "I think it would make the Comte understand just who he was fooled by."

He ungagged her and barely dodged the spittle that came his direction as she screamed.

"As if my plan was for you to be interested in Christine!"

Philippe's eyes widened a fraction. He may have heard the story from the butler about what had happened with the Opera Populaire, but this first hand experience was completely different from what he'd imagined. To actually see the people who had conspired against his brother made it that much more real, and for such a reason as thinking that Raoul and the ghost were working together to control the opera house completely. Erik and Raoul did have a connection, but Raoul would never do anything he didn't see as beneficial for a business. And even if he did go against the managers, Raoul was simply too polite to do something underhanded. He was fairly certain that Erik had a lot to do with their current situation since he was the center of these attacks. Just what part though, he'd have to ask Raoul later. He wanted to hear the whole story when this was over.

"You traitor," the Comte and Carlotta yelled at the same time.

"Look what you've done!" Carlotta shrieked.

Firmin yelled back, "This is all your fault."

"I'll ruin you all," the Comte yelled. This was unacceptable. No one dared to cross him and it was this greedy manager and self-obsessed prima donna who had actually fooled him? He'd never been so insulted in all his life. Allowing Firmin and Carlotta to continue the screaming match without him, his mind raced with the possibilities of how to properly obtain his revenge for their deceit. He looked around the stage and the empty seats.

He had the perfect idea.

"Don't worry." Erik's voice silenced them all.

Philippe watched in fascination. The sound had even put him in attention. He wasn't sure if he should be impressed or worried for Raoul. This was a man who had almost died just to save his brother. What would happen if Raoul did not treat him the way he wanted to be treated? Philippe already knew that he would keep an eye on the ghost just in case, but he honestly didn't think Erik would ever do anything to intentionally hurt his brother. And that might be the problem. Philippe didn't think Erik understood just how easily Raoul could be hurt; the ghost didn't understand his own strength. Just how badly could Erik 'accidentally' hurt Raoul before Philippe would have to step in? For now, he let his worries about the two of them settle into the background. He could worry about that later. There was ample enough to focus on right now.

"I'll take care of the Comte first," Erik stated conversationally, "and then you two." He almost couldn't fight the grin. Raoul was safe and waiting for him at the estate, and the people he had to deal with were all in one place. Killing them shouldn't be too difficult. He was so close to leaving the opera house, and he found that he was ready to. He wanted to leave. After all these years, he was finally going to be with Raoul.

The Comte wriggled his wrists trying to loosen the ropes. His eyes had been scanning the area around him, but since the ghost had placed him directly in the center of the stage, there was little he could grab onto. However, his hands and feet were tied together, which meant if he could loosen the ropes just a little, then he could grab the small boot knife he carried. The ghost had already divested him of his sword.

"How are you going to do it?" Philippe asked, curious.

"I was thinking the lasso before snapping his neck," Erik was surprised that Philippe was playing along. In fact, he hadn't exactly known what to expect from the man. The only thing he'd ever known about him was the fact that he was Raoul's brother. "You?"

"I was thinking a simple castration before slitting his throat," Philippe nodded. He could feel Raoul glaring at him, but that didn't matter. He had answered honestly. However, he wondered if Raoul would really stay hidden if Erik began to enact his plan. Raoul wouldn't be that smart though.

He glanced up just to see the kidnapper quickly limping towards his brother.

"Raoul!" Philippe yelled pointing behind him.

Get up! Erik shouted even as Raoul's body moved of its own accord.

At Raoul's name and Philippe's diverted attention, Erik's head snapped towards the catwalk where Raoul scrambled to his feet just as the kidnapper grabbed his arm and yanked him backwards. The man's hands were frigid, not all of his fingers were closing, but it felt as though he were inhumanly strong. Raoul threw a punch with his other arm, which the kidnapper didn't bother dodging. Instead, he held tighter and wrenched Raoul's arm upward. Raoul couldn't stifle his pained cry.

The second that Erik saw the kidnapper touch Raoul, he ran past Philippe saying, "We'll do it your way." He was halfway up the rigging when Raoul cried out.

On his toes, Raoul managed to kick out. The man stumbled but didn't release his arm. He twisted rather stiffly throwing Raoul off balance. The kidnapper fell backwards, obviously in pain. Raoul tried to balance himself, teetered near the edge before plummeting over.

Erik was almost to the catwalk when Raoul fell over the edge, too far for Erik to reach him. His heart stopped when he saw Raoul flail out, his hand grabbing the edge just in time to catch himself. Raoul's body swung viciously at the sudden stop, but he held on. Releasing a shaky breath, Erik climbed onto the catwalk.

The kidnapper was getting up slowly, his back towards the ghost, as he headed towards Raoul.

Erik knew he should've killed the man when he had the chance.

o.o.o

Philippe was so focused on Raoul barely hanging onto the edge of the catwalk that it wasn't until Carlotta screamed did he turn to see the Comte charging at him with a small knife. The man was too close for him to draw his sword, so he dodged the lunge, grabbing the Comte's hand in the process. He hissed when that movement made his side protest. He ignored the pain.

Twisting the man's hand to an awkward angle, Philippe was disappointed when he didn't hear it break. Instead, the knife clattered to the floor and the Comte shoved them onto the floor. This time, Philippe couldn't stifle his cry of pain. They rolled over each other, trying to gain the upper hand. The pain radiated out from his side to his back, weakening the muscles there. The Comte easily pinned Philippe down and began to punch everything he could reach. Using his arms to cover most of the blows, Philippe was surprised when the Comte just stood up and ran towards the edge of the stage.

Rolling over slowly, Philippe pushed himself up. He drew his sword as he saw the Comte's back. He was holding the rope that had tied him. Philippe couldn't exactly tell what he was doing since his back blocked much of what he was doing.

It didn't matter what the Comte was doing though. This was his chance to get revenge. Erik wouldn't let anything happen to Raoul, so he could focus on this man. Nothing else mattered right now but killing him.

o.o.o

o.o.o.o

End Chapter 25

Word count: 4,048

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A/N: Don't forget to R/R (Read and Review)!

Chapter review: Man, the kidnapper is still alive!

Vote: As stated in the previous chapters: your vote… Masked Series part 03 or Imaginary Friends continuation… honestly, they'll both have happy endings (I'm sure you were worried about that with respect to the Masked Series, but I said I'd give a happy ending) and I'll eventually write both of them, but it's your choice. Or, if you want another story, why not vote for that too… if there's a tie, I get to pick w/e story I want. :)