Disclaimer: I don't own POTO.

BeautifullyTragic91: The cousins are never returning to the 21st century. I'm not worrying about that at all. It complicates the story way too much.

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ANNA HAS COMPETION

Another Blipic

Erik slowly made his way down from the rooftop. He had spent a good three hours sitting on Apollo's lyre, thinking and contemplating. He had fought against the cowardice that had held his heart captive for so long and he finally overcame it. He loved Anna tremendously…more than he had ever thought possible…even when in the middle of his infatuation with Christine. If Anna meant so much to him, then he would overcome every obstacle for her. She deserved nothing less. If he would murder for Christine, then he would be brave for Anna.

And he would start by telling her that he loved her…ASAP.

Thus, Erik descended into the opera house intent upon flinging himself at Anna's feet. And if her response was favorable then he might just be brave enough to offer her the gold ring sitting in his top bureau drawer.

The Phantom passed by the ballet practice room when he heard a nauseatingly familiar sound. He edged closer and, much to his chagrin, recognized the strains of "It's Gonna Be Me." Scuttling through the vents circumventing the practice room, Erik beheld a most amazing sight: Meg Giry and the corps de ballet dancing to the electronic beats and ultra-tenor voices of NSYNC. A mischievous giggle reverberated off the walls of the ventilation tunnels. Erik's sensitive ears picked it up immediately. He turned in the direction of the telltale giggling. Sure enough, it led him straight to the cousins.

Seeing Anna made Erik's heart pound, but the tunnel was hardly the place for profusions of love. So he feigned indifference...for the time being.

"Hello, Erik," chirped the dynamic duo.

"What in the name Charles Garnier are you doing?"

"Indoctrinating the ballet rats."

Erik noted the diabolical gleam in Brooke's eyes as she watched the ballerinas attempt to put together a pop routine.

"Brooke, I don't know how you'll ever get along without an outlet for your insanity," Erik said.

The brunette gave him a rakish grin. "Who says I won't have an outlet?"

"I still think we should have given them the DVD with dance instructions," Anna muttered.

"Enough of this foolishness. Time to go home." With that, Erik reached over and turned off the small radio providing the music. A cry of disappointment arose from the girls below. Just then, Madame Giry stormed in, looking less than pleased with her little troupe of dancers.

"Your shenanigans are distracting the candidates in the try-outs. To the barre! Immediately!" she hissed, rapping her can on the floor. The ballet rats scattered.

Up above, Anna and Brooke stifled giggles.

"Whoops. Didn't mean to get them in trouble."

Erik frowned. "What did she mean by try-outs?"

"They're holding auditions for an understudy for Christine," Anna said.

"Why didn't I know about this?"

Brooke grinned slyly, "Maybe because you've been a little distracted as of late?"

Both of her companions instantly flushed deep crimson.

"Let's go," Erik whispered, leading the way out of the tunnel.

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At the auditions…

Her voice filled the auditorium like a beam of light piercing a cavern of darkness, every note as clear as the crystals on the massive chandelier. Nothing could be more captivating than that sweet sound, save the radiance of her face.

It seemed that the very soul of the music had possessed her, filling her with light so that her waves of golden hair shone as bright as the sun. Indeed, all of her glowed with the warmth of her song. Her skin was smooth and pale as porcelain, though her cheeks were rosy. Her large violet eyes, curtained by perfect lashes, carried a lifetime of sorrows and moments of stolen ecstasy. A simple green peasant's dress, complete with laced bodice, clothed her luscious figure. Though her face and manner were as demure as a servant girl's, her posture bespoke of a secret, noble heritage.

Everyone in attendance was held spellbound by her beauty. Up in Box Five, Erik regarded the resplendent girl with vague curiosity, distracted from his mission with Anna.

"What is she?" he wondered out loud. He turned to the cousins. They stood behind him, pale as ghosts.

"Great nightmare before Christmas," Brooke breathed.

"What?"

Anna gulped. "It's a Mary Sue."