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

Summary: ErikRaoul slash (finally). Story continuation of A Mask for All Occasions. Inspiration has its price.

Warning(s): violence

Pairing(s): ErikRaoul

Story note: Make sure to check whose POV this is!!! We have a guest POV!

A/N: I guess I could just profusely apologize, but what's the point if I can't maintain my writing schedule? I don't know. Here's the next chapter. It's been a hit and miss writing this chapter. I can't promise how consistent I will be from now on, but I figured I should at least post what I do finish.

I've come to the conclusion that there will be no more A/N's since what can I do. All I can do is apologize and that's annoying because I'm sure I'll be apologizing so much. :o( So instead, it will simply be story notes.

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Unmasking the Chains

Chapter 13

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By: Lucifer Rosemaunt

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Philippe's POV (Remember, Raoul's unconscious)

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Last time (Raoul's POV even though this won't matter as much since this chapter's not his POV):

He was playing with me. Just like Philippe, but the thought did not settle well with me. The phantom could not be like Philippe. I did not think that the world could survive with two people like Philippe. I knew I could not. I open my mouth again, but suddenly he was appearing everywhere. The constant turning to catch just the barest sight of him was making me dizzy, but I needed to stop him. A part of me knows that he's nowhere I could possibly reach him. This was a losing battle. Not only did I feel too weak to continue this game, but I was also in one of his traps.

I turned when I heard what sounded like Madame Giry's voice, but when I did, a knee swung into my abdomen. My mouth opened in a silent scream. I was in too much pain and shock for anything to come out. Doubled over, something hard connected to the back of my head. I dropped to the floor already feeling the headache forming.

I tried to cling onto consciousness, but it was too hard. It was too painful. I was too weak. The last thought I had before blacking out was, 'Please, not again.'

o.o.o

Remember: Philippe's POV

I arrived at the opera house only to find it in disarray. I could not stop the wave of disgust I felt watching these sheep run around. I did not bother hiding the scowl I knew to be on my face. Everyone was in a frenzy; it hardly mattered. Albeit reluctantly, for I did not want to waste my time, I pressed forward in search of pitiful Raoul and his managers.

I had to forcefully stop a person rushing out of the building to ask, "Where are the managers?"

The stranger looked indignant for only a moment before wincing at the grip I had on his arm. Squirming in my grasp, he answered, "They're in the main hall."

I released him and scoffed at his weakness. I had not even grabbed his arm that strongly. I strode through the entrance pushing people aside as they hurriedly left the building. Most people avoided me completely, for which I was pleased. It was good that people understood their place in my presence.

It was much too early for the gala to be finished and I saw no signs that there was a fire, so I wondered why everyone was so eager to leave. The show could not have been that bad though I did wonder if that indeed were the reason.

I looked at the gaudy decorative statues and wondered why Raoul even bothered with this dump. The managers were idiot sycophants. Their prima donna, Carlotta, was a tone deaf narcissist. Their male lead, Piangi, was an obese lap dog. Their supposed new singer, Christine, was a conniving opportunist. At least her, I could tolerate. Opportunists were what made society function. Beyond that, I was surprised that the opera house was still operational. However, scandals were abound with the Opera Populaire, and the wealthy found such joy in scandals. The tickets would sell even without a proper owner. Case in point Raoul, he was not too bright. This was probably the only business that he could reasonably control, and even that, he could not do well.

As I walked through the building, it was nice to finally be able to look at the surroundings leisurely. After discovering from Christine that there really was an Opera Ghost and having confirmed it later with Raoul, I knew I had to be on guard. I doubted that this supposed ghost had left after his disappearance. He was simply waiting for the right moment to reveal himself. Timing was very important to make the correct impression on people. Life was all about using others weaknesses against them. Looking at the chaos that was only beginning to subside, I amusedly knew that this Opera Ghost knew how to play on the fears of these peons quite well.

I had chosen not to stay long inside the building even though the ghost intrigued me greatly. I listened to stories of his terrorizing the singers and dancers. At first, I dismissed the events as simple parlor tricks until I heard the story of the night of Il Muto. A death was something to be noticed.

To think that pathetic Raoul had tried to oppose this ghost was laughable. Life was a game of tactics, and I was the master tactician. I was the general who controlled what moves occurred. Had I to place Raoul in a position, he would be nothing but a pawn. He would in fact be the first pawn I would sacrifice to place my other pieces in a better position. I smirked at my own analogy.

Finally catching sight of the two managers, I walked over to them. They were yelling at the people to be 'calm and assured that nothing else would happen.' Of course, since they themselves seemed quite upset, no one listened to them. I waited impatiently for only a moment before interrupting them, not even bothering with pleasantries.

"What has occurred?" I asked expecting that they give me a satisfactory answer.

Andre was the first one to turn to me. He looked flustered and quite unprepared to answer me. He sputtered a few syllables and lifted up his hands which held a stack of bound papers before turning to Firmin. I knew I scared Andre. He was never comfortable in my presence, and I was glad he was not. He was very simple minded. If he were anything but afraid of me, I would have to teach him a lesson like I had taught Raoul. Those inferior should know their place.

Firmin looked at me and gave a grim smile. Though similar to Andre, I could appreciate Firmin. He was discerning and quick to understand what was needed in a situation. Unfortunately, it hardly covered the fact that he was an idiot sycophant. It did however make him the slightest bit better than Andre. He seemed ruthless as a businessman. He was someone with whom I could appreciate working. However, he had his own vices that needed to be watched carefully.

"I'm sorry, Comte." He gestured vaguely at the disarray. "We have just been visited by the Opera Ghost."

I considered this new development before nodding. I had been correct in my assumption that the ghost was still around. It was good that I had remained scarce since Raoul's adversary was indeed still alive. I waited for further explanation but wondered if the appearance of one man, one ghost was enough to send these people into a frenzy.

"He ordered us to perform his opera," Firmin indicated to the manuscript in Andre's hands. I had wondered what the fool was holding. So, the ghost could write operas. Interesting specter.

Neither said anything for a moment. I knew Andre would not say anything so I looked to Firmin. Firmin seemed reluctant to go on. I pinned him with a glare. He was withholding something from me and that was not an intelligent move.

"Also," Firmin fidgeted slightly, "during his escape, he grabbed a necklace from Mlle Daae and left through a trap door." I could see no problem with this. I hardly cared if the Opera Ghost had a fondness for accessories. "The Vicomte followed and we have not been able to find him since."

I almost laughed aloud. Raoul managed to get himself kidnapped. Well, if that Opera Ghost thought that the boy could be ransomed, he would have a rude awakening. It did not make any sense though. Unless Raoul was going against the fear I had instilled within him in the basement, something was wrong. I thoroughly doubted that Raoul could have done anything so bold without a reason. I had seen the way he trembled under my gaze. He would not, in fact, he could not disobey me.

"A necklace you say?" I prompted.

"It appeared to be ring," Andre supplied.

I brought my hand up and cleared my throat to hide the smile on my face. It would be the ring. At least I was certain Raoul was being a good little pawn. This would truly be an interesting visit to Paris. I was suddenly glad that I had finished all my other business earlier tonight. I had thought to stay only to keep an eye on brainless Raoul's progress, but now that this was occurring, it would be more entertaining. I forced myself to frown and look distraught before continuing.

"Where was this trap door?"

Andre and Firmin looked to each other before moving a couple of feet and pointing to the ground. So, the Opera Ghost had trap doors throughout the building. It was a good thing I had remained scarce. He could have caught me. I doubt as easily as Raoul, but since I had been unaware of the gravity of the situation, I could have been caught by surprise.

I walked onto the trap door and looked around. It was in an area that many people walked on every day. The lever to open it would have to be very well hidden or else anyone could have accidentally opened it. No, it was too well hidden for that to happen.

I looked at the two managers and had to ask, "And you know how this trap operates?"

Firmin and Andre shared a look and both shook their heads. I did not think they would.

"Do you know where it leads?"

Again both shook their heads. How could they even know that their patron was missing then?

Firmin finally answered, "You should speak with Madame Giry. She knows a lot about this opera house and its ghost. She was the one that told us that the Opera Ghost had kidnapped the Vicomte."

I nodded. I would definitely have to find this Madame Giry. I had seen her from afar and heard a few stories from Christine. She seemed like a very austere individual. I turned to look around and was surprised to find someone had snuck up behind me. Not many people could do that. Not many people had survived to do it again. However, this Madame Giry seemed to be one to live to tell tales. If she dealt with the Opera Ghost, it was obvious she would have to be.

"Comte."

"Madame Giry."

Her gaze, her voice, her posture was disturbing. I suddenly felt like I was six years old again being scolded by my father. No one, not even my mother could do that to me anymore.

I did not quite know what to make of her. She seemed to be a very calculating person, not so much calculating as very much an observer. She knew much more than she let people to think. I was wary of her presence to say the least. She had too much power, too much authority, and I knew that I did not want to cross paths with her too often. If she knew about the Opera Ghost, she may actually be an adversary, but I could not be left unawares in this new game.

She began to walk away not bothering to look behind to see if I followed. No one had treated me so inferiorly in my life. I was tempted to not follow, but once again, I had to remind myself that this was for a good cause. I would finally find something with which to amuse myself. Furthermore, it would look suspicious if I did not try to save Raoul. As the Comte, I would have to put forth much effort to search for the missing Vicomte. I reluctantly followed her.

We had barely turned a corner when she stopped walking. I looked around. This alcove of the opera house was indeed empty and the sounds of the horde that we had just left seemed to fade into the background. I found the silence strange since I knew we were not very far from the main hall.

An unbidden thought came. This would be the perfect place to kill someone. It was close enough to the main hall that anyone could have done it, and noise was silenced here. I wondered how many places like this one were in the opera house and how many times they had been used simply for that purpose.

One thing was certain though. This was a woman who I could not test. She brought me here for a reason, and I knew she could just as easily find another reason, one that was not to my benefit. Her stern features almost frightened me. There was this aura about her. She had the sort of authority that came with knowledge and as far as the Opera Ghost was concerned, she was the most knowledgeable.

I assured myself that she would not harm me. She knew nothing of what I did to Raoul nor what I planned to do to the Opera Ghost. I stood my ground because I needed to know what she did.

She turned to face me, "I assume the managers have told you about the Vicomte."

I nodded. She had expected no response since she continued without pausing.

"You are aware of the Opera Ghost."

I nodded once more. I responded cautiously, "I had heard stories from Christine."

Treading lightly had never been my strong point and it felt awkward to attempt it now. The look she gave told me that that was a topic she would like to breach but would do so later.

"I only tell you this because your brother has been taken."

I listened as Madame Giry relayed the Opera Ghost's story: how this ghost had been in a traveling carnival, the 'devil's child' and how he had become a murderer then. I had not expected such a story, but it did not matter. This ghost, this man was an opponent. He was a tactician who had the advantage. Moreover, the man was a supposed genius. This would indeed be fun.

Genius or not, our paths had crossed and I would show him what freaks like him deserved. They deserved to die.

Upon finishing her story, I inquired, "How did you know that the Vicomte was missing?"

The woman looked around surreptitiously as though not wanting others to know she knew of the secret passages. I would have thought that had been obvious. If she was the one who knew most about the Opera Ghost and even the managers knew of her connection to the specter, then would it not be logical that she knew not only of his traps but maybe also of his home.

"I know of some of his traps, Monsieur," she answered cautiously.

Madame Giry looked at me warily. She did not trust me. In fact, I think she did not want to be telling me any of this at all. I wondered if she was really only doing so to save Raoul. She must know that the Opera Populaire would still manage without the Vicomte, and to save face, I would support it even if Raoul were never found. I wondered what she was trying to accomplish by helping me. She could not want to save Raoul after having protected the Opera Ghost for so long. I did not bother to think on it any longer for I only needed her for what she knew. I only needed her because she knew more about the phantom than she was letting on. I would have to ascertain a means of obtaining that knowledge for myself.

Madame Giry looked reluctant to say anything more. I realized that I would have to find other means to learn more of this phantom. Madame Giry had protected him before, and I was correct in assuming that she would do so again.

This recent act of kidnapping that twit of a Vicomte was not so unheard of in his behaviour for it to be unexpected. I could not be certain why exactly the phantom had taken Raoul, but he had kidnapped before. He had kidnapped Christine.

Christine.

I bowed shallowly before bidding Mme. Giry adieu and taking my leave.

I headed back towards the main hall only to find it relatively empty. The managers were gone and only the maids were left to clean up the mess that has been made. Some were obviously drunk, but they attempted to clean nonetheless.

I needed to find Christine, so I headed towards her room. I knew my way fairly well around the opera house, but not having the opportunity to truly know the landscape would be a handicap. I would have to remedy that soon. As long as the Opera Ghost had Raoul, he would hopefully not harm me. There had to be a purpose to the kidnapping and that monster would have to keep me safe if he hoped to receive anything for Raoul.

I knocked quietly on Christine's door. I heard no response but I heard rustling. There was movement in the room. I opened the door slowly only to find Christine in all sorts of disarray. Her hair was mussed, and she paced nervously to and fro. She looked as though she were about to cry.

I cleared my throat softly. Finally recognizing my presence, she ran into my arms and sobbed loudly.

I smiled at this. This situation could not have happened any better than if I had planned it. I had been visiting her often to plant the seeds of distrust. I had been certain that Raoul would eventually bend to my will. It was only a matter of time. He tried to rebel. He had been trying for so long to believe I loved him. I had seen it in his eyes when I had first arrived. He wanted to believe I had the best interest in mind for him. He had always been slow. Christine had been easy to sway. I was certain that she understood they would never be married as long as I was alive. She had taken to my companionship easily enough for me to know that fact.

"It's horrible. Just horrible." She wailed.

I shushed her. I did not want anyone to find us like this. It would be irksome.

However, I was not sure for what reason she was exactly upset. I determined that it was either because Raoul was kidnapped, because Raoul had broken the engagement, or because the Opera Ghost had taken the ring. It seemed to me more to be the latter than the former reasons. She was not upset about Raoul's disappearance though she would like me to think so.

I gently led her to her bed and sat down beside her.

I made my voice as gentle as possible, "Tell me what happened."

"You were right," Christine began, "All this time you were right. Raoul is nothing but a little boy. A fickle little boy."

I was glad she had leaned her face on my shoulder. I tried to hide the smirk but I was certain it was showing if only a little.

"I didn't believe you at first," at this she looked up, and I managed to look sympathetic in time. She continued, seemingly satisfied with the look, "I didn't think that he would be so petty, but just like you were telling me before, he's nothing but a philanderer."

She began to weep once more, and I could not help but appreciate the effort she was putting into this act. I had seen many women of her kind, but she was truly a specimen that stood out. She was taking this deceit to a whole new level. She could play the part of the spurned lover extremely well.

I distantly recalled her as she was as a child when Raoul had been smitten for her and her father's attention. I had not thought things would turn out this way.

"So, what exactly did happen?" I prompted. I was a little angered at myself for having missed the past events. I would have liked to have seen my brother jump into that trap. I would have liked to have seen him break his engagement off with Christine even more. I hoped she had slapped him. It would have made my night complete. Though having him kidnapped was a surprisingly nice turn of events. It seemed those threats I had made to Raoul in the basement could actually come to pass.

Christine leaned back and composed herself, "During the masquerade, I approached him and was trying to get him to dance. He refused and suddenly, he says that we should break the engagement off."

I forced myself to look surprised and appalled at his actions.

She nodded fervently and added in pure disbelief, "and then the gall of him to ask when I was running away to try to contain my sadness if he could have the ring back."

I was having a hard time not smiling, but I could always manage to have the correct expression for the moment. I was a Comte. I was charming and sympathetic. It was who I was as a Comte. Christine was expressive and emotional. Christine was an actress. It was who we were.

Right now, she was being truly dramatic, and if I were a lesser man, I would have believed every word that fell from her mouth. I was not a lesser man, and I did not believe her. I could believe the facts that she was relaying, but she did not seem to have any emotions for anyone but herself.

"Then I remembered about what you said about him," She looked at me with doe eyes. At least, she was pretty. It was a shame that she knew it all too well. Low self-esteem was quite enjoyable in others. Raoul being a prime example of that, but he was a work I had struggled hard to maintain. For what he was emotionally, he was a masterpiece that I had created.

I nodded to tell her to continue her story. She said, "I remember how you said that he had done this before: asking for a girl's hand in marriage and changing his mind the last moment. I remember that you said the others were able to keep their rings and that I should too. So I refused."

I could not fully hide the grin that was now showing. I knew she would not be able to tell though. I kept my face mostly emotionless and the grin expressed itself as but a mere tightening in my jaw. I knew she was willfully believing these stories. She knew they were lies, but if they helped her own lies, she would use them. She would play the innocently misled young girl, but she didn't know with whom she was dealing. She may have ulterior motives, but I would be in control of every step of the way from here on out.

I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and squeezed just a bit. She turned into my arms and hugged me.

"I tried to warn you," I said mournfully, "I was only looking out for you. He's still such a boy. He doesn't know anything about sadness and pain. What he does to people is so horrible."

I felt her nod before sobbing once more and continuing, "Then later on, the Opera Ghost ruins the masquerade. He comes and threatens us all and gives us an opera that he had written."

She sighed and I wondered what hold this Opera Ghost had on her. That sigh was not one of sadness. It was of something else and it was only the second time that she did it did I realize what it was. She was infatuated with him. Maybe not so much infatuated as it seemed she had a vested interest in the man. I remembered that the ghost had given her her first leading role. He had also kidnapped her. He had forced the leading role on her during Il Muto as well, and I was sure that this next opera would have her as the prima donna once more. The ghost did seem terribly fixated on her in ways that were only to her benefit. She was good. I shouldn't forget that.

She continued her story and I continued to look concerned and nod in the right places, "He grabbed the ring from my neck and exited through a trap door in the floor. Raoul ran after him, and that was the last I have heard of him since. Madame Giry says to be wary because he has been taken."

"Yes," I replied somberly, "we must all be careful. Especially you. We wouldn't want to let poor little Raoul's sacrifice go to waste."

She nodded and put on a brave face. She looked at me pleadingly, "You will help the opera house now that Raoul's gone missing, won't you?"

I smirked a little. That was her game. She had not even asked about Raoul. She had not asked for me to save Raoul, instead she asked to save the opera house. The opera house would have to survive. It was her livelihood, at least until she could entrap another wealthy suitor. "Of course, I must find my baby brother. Nothing is more important than family and loyalty."

Christine further clung to me. "My heart hurts terribly so. I do not know what to do."

She swooned precariously away from my shoulder. I wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it all, but instead I fell into my role quite easily. I could play the hero easily. I steadied her, and a plan suddenly dawned upon me.

I turned her to face me. If the Opera Ghost wanted this woman, I could use her to lure him out. The ghost had probably stolen the ring because he knew that Raoul was his rival and thus needed to dispose of him. I already considered Raoul dead; he had been dead to me a long time already.

"They say the only way to cure heartache is to find a new love to soothe the pain," I murmured leaning closer to her.

She did not look confused. She didn't even pretend to. She had wanted this to happen. I was sure she wanted the same thing from me as she wanted from Raoul. She wanted security, stability, and a title. All women were trying to obtain that from me. It no longer surprised me. However, I now wanted something from her, and I would obtain it. I would use her.

I leaned forward. The way our eyes stared at each other seemed to be filled not with affection but with challenge.

I kissed her brutally, using teeth and tongue. Nipping at her lips to make sure she knew I could give more. She returned in suit with fervor. She was no blushing virgin. She knew as well as I did that this was indeed a challenge.

She smirked when the kiss was through. I leered back. There were no more lies between us. Each of us knew the other would use deceit and cunning to obtain what we wanted. She would act as would I. It was in our nature. It was the way in which society functioned.

Then the moment was gone. She smiled softly and turned coyly away, "You should go now. The others will probably check in soon. They would worry that I had been stolen by the Opera Ghost."

I stood up and smiled in a gentlemanly manner. Bowing to her, I replied, "Of course, and be safe while I try to figure this out."

I turned and left.

That moment had been a surprise. I knew she had ulterior motives and she knew I had my own. That was now painfully obvious. She wanted me to know that even though both of us had plans, she would come out victorious. It was not as it was between her and Raoul. Raoul had always been oblivious. He would always deny what was right before his eyes before wanting to think badly of others. I had fostered that belief in him. No, the tension that hung in the air between Christine and me was nothing like that. We each knew how we were to act in front of others, she the spurned innocent love and me the worried Comte. We had only momentarily let those masks fall to acknowledge what we both knew. We knew how to thrive in this life, and we would do whatever it took to do so.

I loved a challenge.

I had much to do, but first I would have to find the managers. Luckily, the managers were in their office and I made certain the opera house would be fine if I left for a while. They assured me that everything would return to normal soon. I left them uncertain of their promises but surprisingly enough, they were not lying. The spectators had all left and the cleaners had sobered enough that their work to make the Opera Populaire shine once more was not futile. Evidently the Opera Ghost did terrorize this place much too often that routine had been set.

I headed home, the anticipation making me giddy.

Entering the house, I head to the sitting room to find my mother sitting by the fireplace reading a book.

"Mother," I said calmly. No need to excite her just yet, but I knew I had to break the fact that Raoul had been kidnapped to her tonight. She would wonder where Raoul was.

She turned to face me smiling. Seeing my grim expression, she frowned herself. "Why are you home so early?"

She looked behind me, "Where is Raoul? Did he break the engagement off?"

I sat across her and stared into the fire. "He has indeed broken off the engagement. I promised you that he would, didn't I?"

She looked appeased if only momentarily, "I know. I trust you. That was why I called for you. You have been gone for far too long."

"Yes, I have," I looked at her, smiling only slightly.

"What," she knew something was wrong, "happened? Are you okay?"

I nodded, thinking of a way to break this to her.

"You seem happy," she commented. Apparently my mother knew me entirely too well. She continued, "I'm glad that this matter has been settled. I could not bear to think on it any longer. I am glad Raoul has finally come back to his senses."

I sighed dramatically, "Raoul has been kidnapped."

She frowned and considered what I said. "What did you say?"

"He has been kidnapped," I repeated.

"By whom? When? Where?" She barraged me with questions. She did not stop until she realized something, "He has broken the engagement off, correct?"

I nodded.

She threw her book on the floor angrily, "First the engagement and now this kidnapping. How could he?"

I smiled at my mother's antics. She had always been concerned more than I about our image in society. I tried to appease her, "Do not worry, mother. Since the engagement has been broken, this kidnapping will do nothing to us. It will only become a scandal for the Opera Populaire. We will actually receive all of the sympathy."

She looked at me with doubt only momentarily before calming down considerably. "You are correct. It seems such a pity though."

"It does. Doesn't it?" I said lightly.

"You don't care?" She asked, "You sully our basement for a month, and now you do not care?"

"Oh, mother," I stood up and poured myself a glass of brandy, "if you remember, you were the one that suggested it."

She snorted, "It was safer than your idea to take him out of the city."

"Indeed," I commented.

"This does explain why you are happy," she replied, "You never did like him very much even when you were a child. Oh, I remember how you used to make him cry."

She laughed lightly. I frowned at her. Raoul was an annoyance in my life that never went away, a constant reminder of the idiocy I had to face everyday.

"I do expect some effort from you though," she scolded, "You must look concerned. You must look for him. Troublesome as it is. Raoul never knew how to be a proper Vicomte. He did not listen to us at all. You, on the other hand, have always made me proud. I expect you to find a way to keep the Chagny's in good light during this time."

I waved dismissively at her. I knew very well how to act. "I shall search valiantly of course."

Silence descended. Both of us were content with how things were moving. The engagement had been broken. Our name had been saved. Raoul had been kidnapped.

Mother broke the silence. "Maybe," she said contemplatively, "you should not search too hard."

I looked at her questioningly, "Were you not the one that said it was a pity?"

"It is. It is," she defended. She continued slowly, "It may be more beneficial to us if he did not return though. He has been falling astray."

I laughed aloud, "True indeed, mother. How about Raoul dying by his kidnapper's hand, but the brave Comte obtaining his revenge by killing the famed Opera Ghost?"

Mother shook her head affectionately, "You have always been fond of games. You be careful now though."

I looked at her in mock astonishment, "I am always serious. I know of no such games."

Laughing, she responded, "You have always had a penchant for games. Raoul was just never strong enough to take it."

I smiled at her. At least, I had her approval. Now, I would have to set everything in motion.

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End ch13

Word count: 5,442

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

Chapter Review: Philippe's an ass. So's Raoul's mom though. How sad for him!

To those who still read this... I salute you!