Masquerade! ^^ I hope it's to everyone's liking. Belle's Red Death costume is slightly different, but the concept comes from the movie's. Yes, she has a sword as well. Thank you so much for ideas, newbornphanatic. R&R!

Chapter 7

Belle gathered her sheet music and put it in its' leather cover. She started singing to herself. "Masquerade! Paper faces on parade! Masquerade! Hide your face, so the world can never find you..." She walked over to her closet and pulled out her costume. Belle loved her Red Death costume. It was a short, strapless red dress with black lace around the waist and the edge of the skirt. Over top went a long sleeved dress jacket with tails, the same color red as the dress. The jacket had black detailing on the sleeves, the collars, and the edges, with two rows of black buttons going up the front. The collar was up, and a long, to the floor, drape fell across the left shoulder. She wore matching red tights, as the dress was to her knees like all her others. She also had tall, flat-heeled, black boots to go with her outfit. After she was dressed, she went to find her mask. This mask covered the entire top of her face, concealing her deformity. It was off-white with a textured appearance. She painted her eyes black so it would give the look of a skull when she put her mask on. "Now, where is my sword?" Belle started sifting through blankets, pillows, and sheet music. "Stupid sword! It won't be the same without it-aha! Found it." From under a dark blanket, she pulled out her skull-handle sword. She smiled wickedly. "It wouldn't be a party with out a sword." She put it in the sheath on her belt, gathered her manuscript and made her way to the foyer where everyone was dancing and singing...

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All present wore lavish costumes and masks to match them. Kings, monsters, jesters, dancers, so many masqueraders. The foyer was filled with song, dance and mirth. It had been three months since the incident of Il Muto and Buquet's death. Everyone was relieved, delighted, and were celebrating New Years in style.

"Masquerade! Paper faces on parade! Masquerade! Hide face your face, so the world can never find you! Masquerade! Every face a different shade...Masquerade! Look around-there's another mask behind you! Flash of mauve...Slash of puce...Fool and king...Ghoul and goose...Green and black...Queen and priest...Trace of rouge...Face of beast...Faces...Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round...in an inhuman race...Eye of gold...Thigh of blue...True is false...Who is who? Curl of lip...Swirl of gown...Ace of hearts...Face of clown...Faces...drink it in, drink it up, til you've drowned in the light...in the sound...But who can name the face...? Masquerade! Grinning yellows, spinning reds...Masquerade! Take your fill-let the spectacle astound you! Masquerade! Burning glances, turning heads...Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you! Masquerade! Seething shadows, breathing lies...Masquerade! You can fool any friend who ever knew you! Masquerade! Leering satyrs, peering eyes...Masquerade! Run and hide-but a face will still pursue you!"

"What a night!"

"What a crowd!"

"Makes you glad!"

"Makes you proud! All the crème de la crème..."

"...Watching us, watching them!"

"And all our fears are in the past!"

"Three months..."

"...of relief!"

"...of delight!"

"...of Elysian peace!"

"And we can breathe at last!"

"No more notes!"

"No more ghosts!"

"Here's to health!"

"Here's a toast: to a prosperous year!"

"To our friends who are here."

"And may our splendor never fade!"

"Three months!"

"What a joy!"

"What a change!"

"What a blessed release!"

"And what a masquerade!"

Charles and Rachel step aside from the rest of the dancers. Rachel is looking at the engagement ring that hangs on a chain around her neck. She sighs.

Charles is ecstatic, but seems nervous as he sees masks that remind him of the Phantom. "Think of it! A secret engagement! Look-my future bride! Just think of it!" He takes her hands.

Rachel pulls her hands away and looks at him hard. "But why is it secret? What have we to hide? You promised me..." She starts to kiss him.

"No, Rachel. Please don't. They'll see..."

Rachel huffed."Well, then let them see. It's an engagement, not a crime! Charles what are you afraid of?"

"Let's not argue..."

"Let's not argue..."

"Please pretend..."

"I can only hope I'll..."

"You will..."

"...understand in time..." Charles pulls Rachel back into the dancers, and begins to spin her.

The dancing is wild and intense. As they're dancing, Rachel reaches up and kisses Charles.

The music begins to slow. "Masquerade! Paper faces on parade! Masquerade! Hide your face, the world will never find you! Masquerade! Every face a different shade...Masquerade! Look around-there's another mask behind you! Masquerade! Burning glances, turning heads...Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you! Masquerade! Grinning yellows, spinning reds...Masquerade! Take your fill-let the spectacle surround you..." Everyone stopped. Their gazes were directed to the top of the stairs. Belle stood, in all her Phantom glory. Charles gasped. He also noted how stunning she looked in that outfit.

Belle looked around and smirked. "Why so silent, good messieurs? Did you think I had left you for good? Have you missed me, good messieurs?" Belle pouted a bit. "I have written you an opera!" She holds up the leather bound manuscript. "Here I bring the finished score-'Don Juan triumphant'!" She throws it to the ground and pulls out her sword as she proudly states the title. Belle has slowly made her way down the stairs. "Fondest greeting to you all, a few instructions just before rehearsal starts..." She points her sword at Carlos. "Carlos must be taught to act...Not his normal trick of strutting round the stage." He glares at Belle. She points her sword at Piangia. "Our Amnita must lose some weight-it's not healthy in a woman of Piangia's age!" Piangia gasps. Belle giggles and smirks.She quickly turns her sword to Monsieurs Firmin and Andre. "And my managers must learn that their place is in an office-not the arts!" Belle looks around and sees Charles. Rachel grabs his arm and pulls him closer. Belle replaces her sword to its' sheath. "As for our Don Juan, Monsieur Charles Daae..." She walks towards him, her trail following down the stairs behind her. "No doubt he'll do his best-it's true his voice is good. He knows, though, should he wish to excel, he has much still to learn, if pride will let him return to me, his teacher, his teacher..." Belle descends the stairs until she is right in front of Charles. He looks into her eyes and is mesmerized. He starts to move towards her, his hand reaching for her face. Her glance flits to the engagement ring around Rachel's neck. Belle reaches out and grabs it with a black-gloved hand. She glares at Charles. "Your chains are still mine-you belong to me!" She disappears into a puff of smoke and vanishes completely.

The whole foyer was thrown into a frenzy. Rachel looks for Charles, but notices Madame Giry walking calmly away. "Madame Giry...Wait!" She pushes through the throngs of panicked people to get to her.

Madame Giry looks around in surprise. When she sees Rachel she tries to get away. "Please, mademoiselle, I know no more than anyone else."

Rachel reaches her and grabs her arm. "That's not true!"

Madame Giry shrugged Rachel off. "Mademoiselle, don't ask...There have been too many accidents."

"Accidents? Please Madame Giry, for all our sakes..."

Madame Giry walks to the door to her room as Rachel follows. "Very well." She motions Rachel into her room.

The next chapter: Belle's history! Also, I'm torn! One person wants me to stay true to the movie, one person wants me to give Belle her happy ending, I need help! Personally, I would like to give Belle the happy ending I think she deserves, but I also want to make my readers happy. :)