What Lies Beneath

Author's Note: Okay so for all … er, two of you that might actually be interested in seeing this story continue … well, since I had such success reviving my long-dormant "Spellbound" story, I thought I'd try to do the same with this tale. Despite my rampant fan-girlism for Mozenrath, Mirage is actually my favorite villain from the TV series, and I felt I needed to do her justice with a fic that gives her some layers and depth. So here we go! Also, I hope everyone remembers the episode "The Eye of the Beholder," specifically, the end bit with Phasir, because … well, you'll see.

Chapter One: Challenges

Mirage was bored.

This fact hardly surprised her, because it was an entirely normal experience for when attending one of these little gatherings. Normally, she would have made her excuses to their hostess, Queen Mizumi, and found some more diverting activity, but her brother Shadow had put his foot down with her for once, insisting they must make an extended appearance. And as always, she was loathe to disobey him. The Queen of Moraine had been melancholy as of late, owing to her recent break-up with Jareth, the so-called Goblin King, and Shadow had insisted they stay at the party to support their friend.

Frankly, Mirage thought Mizumi should have been glad to be rid of him. He was incredibly arrogant, if superficially charming, and besides, what did Mizumi need a lover for? She already had two beautiful children from her union with the dearly departed Drumlo. They were quick and clever little princesses, and every day growing as powerful and timeless as their mother. Mirage was actually quite fond of them, and of Mizumi herself as well, even as she remained baffled by her desire for love.

She herself had always though love – at least of the romantic variety – was a spectacular waste of time. Her friend told her she might change her mind one day, but she sincerely doubted it.

Mirage sighed. As far as she could tell, her presence here was doing Mizumi no good. She might have occupied herself entertaining the queen's children, Moulin and Drumlin (Moulin especially was a favorite of hers), but they had been put to bed hours ago.

And if something interesting didn't happen soon, she might just have to cook up some mischief on her own…

"Phasir, how nice to see you! I'm so glad you were able to come…"

Mirage's ears perked up. After taking a moment to note the forced cheerfulness in her friend's voice, she realized that whomever Mizumi was greeting was unfamiliar to her. She and her brother traveled in the same circles as the queen, and knew most of the same people, so it was unusual for one of them to know someone that the others did not. She looked up to see who Mizumi was talking to.

The man before the queen was tall, with a dignified bearing, and dark, flowing black hair, and an equally dark, flowing black beard. He was richly but simply dressed, and might have been able to pass for mortal, except for –

"A Cyclops," her brother muttered, materializing as if out of nowhere by her side.

"Yes, I can see that," Mirage said, tilting her head to study the man better, as he clasped Mizumi's hand briefly and nodded, smiling at something she was saying. "How did Mizumi meet him?"

"Apparently, he helped her out of some minor difficulty a while back, and she told him he would always be welcome in her home. I suppose she must have invited him. I haven't seen a Cyclops in centuries."

"I've never seen one."

"I know that, little one." He grinned at her. "This could prove interesting. Come on then, let's go introduce ourselves."

They made their way over to the two of them. Mizumi turned from the Cyclops to hug each of them in turn.

"Who's your friend?" Shadow asked, with just the hint of an edge to his voice. He was protective of Mizumi, in much the same way he was protective of Mirage herself, and was mistrustful of strangers as a rule.

The Queen smiled reassuringly. "Shadow, Mirage, this is –"

"Phasir," the Cyclops said simply, and Mirage blinked. His voice was … well, not what she had expected. It was rich and deep, and also slightly accented, though she couldn't place the land of origin. "It is a pleasure to meet you both," he continued. His voice was also strangely melodious. She found she rather liked the sound of it, actually …

"A pleasure to meet you as well," Shadow said smoothly. "Any friend of Mizumi's …" He paused, frowned slightly, and then prodded Mirage, who murmured to Phasir that it was nice to meet him. He smiled warmly at her.

"Thank you," he said, and she found herself smiling back. There was a strange sort of silence as the two of them contemplated each other.

After a moment, her brother cleared his throat. "So," he said, "Has anyone heard the position of Evil Incarnate opened up again? I swear, that Incarnation goes through us immortals quicker than any of the others …"

"I shudder to think who would seek out such a position," Phasir said. Shadow chuckled.

"Oh come now, being evil might be … fun."

Phasir looked disconcerted. "You can't be serious," he said. Shadow gave him a feral smile.

"Oh, I rarely am. But still, it could be an amusing way to spend the time." Phasir frowned.

"Some say there is no good and evil," Mirage offered, sensing the potential for an outright disagreement between the two of them. "Some say there is only power, and those who seek it, and those who do not."

Phasir shook his head. "I cannot believe that," he said softly, which such quiet conviction that Mirage couldn't help but be intrigued.

"What do you believe, Phasir?"

"I believe that good shall always triumph over evil."

"Oh?" There was that warning edge to her brother's voice again. "And just who decides what's evil and what's good, Cyclops? You?"

Mizumi sighed. "Shadow –"

"I'll tell you what I believe," Shadow said softly. "I believe I could beat you in a fight. I believe you are not so strong in magic as you appear to be."

The Queen rolled her eyes at his alpha-maleness. "Really Shadow, this is not –"

"In fact, I believe even my little sister could beat you."

Mirage whirled on him, her eyes glowing dangerously. "What do you mean even?" She hissed at him, but he just grinned at her.

"There's the sister I know and love," he said, too softly for the others to hear. "Always up for a challenge." He raised his voice. "So what do you say, Cyclops? Are you willing to fight her at least?"

Phasir looked at Mirage, his brow furrowed. "I have no quarrel with you. Either of you," he added, glancing at Shadow.

"Of course not," Shadow said. "I would just be a little … contest, for the sake of amusement, that's all."

"Still, I have no desire to fight. In fact, I am quite tired of fighting." Indeed, Mirage could hear the weariness in his voice. He turned to Mizumi. "Forgive me, my dear, but I think perhaps I should not have come –"

"Are you afraid to fight me?" The words were out of her mouth before she could stop herself.

She could not think of what else to say to keep him from leaving.

Mirage saw his expression change then, and she grinned when she realized she'd struck at his pride. "Of course not," he said.

"Well then … it's decided." Her brother said. "It'll just be a friendly little duel, of course, doesn't really matter who wins, it's all just for fun." But then he put his hands on her shoulders, and whispered, "Crush him, sister," and she felt excitement and determination course through her. Perhaps this evening just might be entertaining after all.

Phasir bowed to her slightly. She did not return the courtesy.

"Shall we begin?" He asked her. She gave him a feral smile which was much like her brother's.

"Yes," she said, "But not here."

With a wave of her hand, they were transported to another realm.

She was gratified to see that Phasir looked rather disconcerted. The sky was black and blanketed with stars, and bits of rock floated around them. Her brother's temple floated in the distance, its fires burning bright.

"What is this place?" Phasir asked.

"It is my home," Mirage explained. "Well, our home. I mean, my brother's and mine. It is Morbia."

"Ah. So you will have the advantage of being familiar with the terrain. I hardly think that's fair –"

"Are you still so afraid to fight me, Cyclops, that you would hide behind such a flimsy excuse?"

His single eye flashed red at her. "I fear nothing," he said firmly. "Let us begin."

It was more fun that Mirage could have possibly imagined. He was surprisingly good, and contrary to what Shadow and said, he was every bit as strong in magic as he appeared to be – perhaps even more so. Still, she was managing to hold her own quite admirably. At least until her foot slipped –

She was never quite sure what happened next. All she knew was that he had caught her, before she fell, and suddenly she was being held quite securely in his arms.

"It's alright," he said softly. "I won't let you fall, Mirage."

It took a moment for her to find her voice.

"It … it seems as if we have reached a sort of … stalemate."

"Indeed." There was such indescribable warmth to his voice, she thought, and it seemed to pour over her. "Unless … will you yield to me, Mirage?"

She felt a little breathless, and giddy, and could not stop herself from smiling at him. "Never," she whispered.

He smiled back at her. "Never?" He asked. "Are you certain?"

She lowered her gaze. "Not today, at least, Phasir."

"Fair enough." He righted them, and then gently let go of her. "Then I suppose our little contest ends in a draw."

"For now. But I don't think the battle's quite over. Perhaps … we could continue it sometime."

"I look forward to it."

"A draw? Really?!" Shadow was saying as they rematerialized in Mizumi's home. "Honestly sister, I expected better. I know how much you hate to lose –"

"I didn't lose!"

"Yes, but you didn't win either –"

"Now Shadow, remember how you said it was just a friendly little duel? Besides, Mirage handled herself quietly admirably, I'm sure." Mizumi took his arm. "Now come along, there's something I want to show you."

He frowned at her. "What?"

Mizumi glanced between Mirage and Phasir, smiled slightly, and then gestured vaguely at Shadow with her hand. "Oh, you know, that … thing we were talking about earlier."

"What thing?"

She tugged at his arm and started leading him away. "Come and see, my friend."

He sighed. "Very well," he said, and followed her, leaving Mirage and Phasir unaccompanied.

For a moment, they were both silent.

"So …" Mirage began hesitantly. "You uh … you were saying earlier … about good and evil …"

They fell easily into conversation after that, discussing, arguing, and debating. Mirage's rather unscrupulous viewpoint clashed with Phasir's more principled one, but they found they each enjoyed trying to convince the other one to see things "correctly." Without consciously meaning to, they drifted away from the rest of the crowd, and eventually found themselves alone together on the balcony, where they continued to talk about nothing and everything, until the sun went down and the sweet breeze of evening blew through the land.

Mirage and Phasir were just entering into a discussion about the strengths and weaknesses of mortals when Shadow's voice intruded on their conversation.

"Sister dear, I think we've imposed upon Mizumi's hospitality long enough. It's time to go."

Mirage turned to him with a start. "Already?" She asked. He chuckled.

"What do you mean 'already?' Everyone else is gone! We're the last ones here."

Mirage opened her mouth to protest that this couldn't be, but just as quickly closed it again. The soft hum of conversation she had heard from indoors was no longer present, she realized. How had time passed so quickly? She hadn't even realized …

"Come," he brother was saying.

"What? Oh, of course." She turned to the Cyclops. "It really was good to meet you, Phasir. I enjoyed our talk and … well, everything."

"As did I." Such warmth in his voice. It made her feel … well, she wasn't quite sure what it made her feel. Something … not entirely unpleasant. "I hope we will meet again."

"As do I."

"Mirage!" Her brother called, sounding slightly impatient now. "Come along, sister."

With a final glance at Phasir, she hastened to her brother's side. "Nice meeting you, Cyclops," he tossed back carelessly over his shoulder as they departed. Then he began to chuckle, and was still chuckling as he transported them to Morbia.

Mirage felt slightly annoyed. "What's so amusing?"

"You are," he told her. "Honestly, Mirage, after all the men that have thrown themselves at you, the one you chose to fall for is this … Cyclops? It's just too ridiculous!" He laughed louder.

"Fall for –? What, what are you talking about, I haven't –"

"Oh please! You spent half the night with him –"

"It wasn't half the night, and we were just talking!"

"Oh come now, dear sister, you are not so naïve. Surely you could see he has a bit more than conversation on his mind."

"Phasir's not like that," she protested. "He … he respects me."

Shadow put her arm around her. "Well, he had better, if knows what good for him. Otherwise, I shall have to crush his bones into dust –"

"Don't talk like that, please."

His eyes widened. "Why Mirage, you really are smitten, aren't you?"

"I am not."

He chuckled again. "Well, I suppose we'll see."