D.H. A.N.: This is my longest Chapter so far. Thanks to all who read & review

Disclaimer: I do not own "Down Once More", or "Music of the Night." Andrew Lloyd Webber, however, does.

Chapter Three: The Music of That Night

The group of the Ishtars, and Sheon exited from the theater into the cool crisp night. Keimo was talking, apparently to anyone who would listen to him. Marik had his arms crossed at his chest, obviously trying to tolerate his son's incessant chatter. Sheon and Mhera were walking arm in arm, whispering softly to each other. "We did well, but I honestly think you'll just have to sing with your sister rather than me." Sheon was giving genuine consideration to his girlfriend's words when Kim came out running.

"Mhera… They want you…and your brother…onstage now…they have one last tryout for Raoul…and I can't find Bakura anywhere." She paused to catch her breath. " You two are the only other two they would take. The tryout has requested to do the last number." Keimo glanced at Mhera, his green eyes meeting her amethyst blue ones in silent conversation. "Go on, you two, don't leave them waiting. This is a chance that very few people get, to basically audition again. Your auditions must have been good for them to ask you to do this; besides, you're keeping that tryout waiting. I know that I've taught at least one of you better than to keep someone waiting." Marik saw the worried look in Mhera's eyes "Don't worry, I'll be fine. What's to be worried about, anyway?" He knew that there was plenty to be worried about. "Promise us you'll be careful." Keimo and Mhera said at once. They were honestly scared for him, Mhera more so than Keimo, because she knew that her father and Bakura had a proposed deal during the Battle City tournament, a deal that, thankfully never went through. Mhera was keeping her eyes out for anything suspicious, and she knew suspicious when she saw it. "Promise me you will lock the door when you get home, Father. I don't want to lose you again." He didn't answer. Keimo set his hand on her shoulder, and took his sister back into the theater.

The two siblings had two thoughts crossing their minds as they descended to the theater stage. One: Who was the tryout? And Two: Why the last number? "Down Once More" was the hardest number of the show, and for good reason. It tested the qualities of every aspect of Raoul, Christine, and The Phantom. "We're ready for it. What a spectacular opportunity." Keimo said, trying to console his sister's worries, though he knew they weren't for the audition. "Tell me, what is troubling you, dear sister?" "I can't shake the feeling that something is going to go wrong, horribly wrong." "You don't have to worry, Mhera. I promise after this audition, we'll go straight home. You know how much this role would mean to me if I were to get it." "I know, I know. It's just that when you've gone through as much crazy stuff as I have, you would know what I mean. I would like to see you get cast, so I'll do anything I can to help you to do so." The faintest smile crossed her face, as if part of her worries had left her after she had said that. Now her worries were in the right place. "Keimo, do you really think that we can pull this off? I'm really exhausted after what I've been through." "Of course we can. I just hope there won't be anymore surprises." Keimo answered. Just as his last word echoed softly through the theater, the judges approached the two siblings. "Sorry to burst your bubble, but there are plenty more surprises waiting for you." One of the judges said. "I don't think he meant that so literally, Alex." Another judge responded. "Don't mind him, he does that pretty often." The brunette cracked a sincere smile. "I'm so excited to meet you two. I think your performances were great, but you two need a little help with balancing your voices in the duets, as Christine and The Phantom need to sound as if they have one voice." The two siblings exchanged worried looks. "But don't worry, every Phantom/ Christine duo we encountered had that problem." The brunette judge said, "By the way, I do not think I've been introduced to you personally yet, or that you are trying to hide from me." "They weren't trying to hide from you, you just failed to notice that they were right under your nose the entire time" Alex motioned to Mhera. "You dueled pretty well." "You saw that? It's nothing; really, I just do it in my spare time." Mhera said defensively. " No it isn't nothing; you show true talent in the game, almost like it's been your life for a decent amount of time." The brunette judge interrupted Alex's interrogation, " Alex, just ask your question. Clearly you're making her nervous, and that's the last thing we want a tryout to be." Mhera was beginning to think very highly of the brunette judge, as she had left Alex speechless.

"I think what he is trying to say is that when we saw your duel with the other tryout, who by the way, chose to tryout for Carlotta instead of Christine, we saw cards we had only heard about. They are really good, too. We were wondering how you got them." "I uh, kind of created them myself, madam. If you want, I could show you how." Mhera replied gently. She didn't like showing her abilities too much, her dueling skills included. Ever since she had been in the city, she had been reluctant to show her Powers to anyone. But she would use them when necessary, and more often than not, circumstances had proven necessary.

"That would be wonderful. But, back to what we were discussing earlier. If you did create those cards, would you create a deck for The Phantom and Raoul? We were thinking about adding a climactic duel to the scene at the end of the show, you know, the part in The Phantom's underground lake. I presume that the tryouts for Raoul and The Phantom know how to duel. I think that your companion would be able to hold his own in a duel." Mhera pat her brother on the back, "I don't to need ask you, do I? I know you can duel plenty well." "As do you, Mhera. I think it's an interesting twist that would be worth seeing, wouldn't you agree?" All the two judges could see on the faces of the tryouts were two equally impressive smiles that neither one could explain. "Alright, I'll do it, but first, would you like to see how?" Mhera removed her deck from the duel disk that she was still wearing, and made a procession towards a table set up for the judges. Setting the deck on the table, she took the top card making sure her keen eyes did not catch sight of it. Handing the card to the brunette, she remarked, "Memorize it carefully, any characteristic will do for the adept mind. Now put the card in the deck and describe the card for me, please." The brunette was somewhat nervous, apparently that red head really knew what she was doing. She began her description.

After the description was complete, Mhera pulled the top card from the deck, and asked, " Is this the card?" "No" was the brunette's answer. Still holding the card she had drawn earlier, Mhera asked the judge to describe the card that she had seen again, and watch the card closely. As the judge described the card, all of those who were present in the theater were astounded at what they saw. The card that was drawn was gone, and in its place was the card that the brunette judge had selected. After that process was done, Mhera thumbed through her deck, finding the original copy of the card the judge had chosen. "Now, watch me change it back." Mhera had seen the drawn card, so she knew what it was. The card had a faint glow. There was an almost invisible flash that only Keimo's eyes caught.

"Wow, I never knew that was how you did it, Mhera." "That was simple, I'll show you how I create cards off the top of my head when I start on the dueling decks for the play. Keimo I would like you to help with The Phantom's deck. You have the same creative mind I do, so I figure you will bring some neat ideas to the duelist who gets the role." "What makes you think it won't be me who gets the role? But that is a question that can be answered later, of course I'll help you out." Keimo thought with a smile. His brain was already working on card ideas that would make this production the best it could be. "So, now that we can see that you possess a talent the show could use, would you be so kind as to use it?" The brunette judge asked earnestly.

"Of course I would. My brother was also thinking about using the holographic simulators on the duel disk to create stage cards, instead of having to use paint and other supplies that are in short supply and high demand." Mhera changed the subject abruptly, with good intentions, but abruptly all the same. "Aren't we keeping that tryout waiting? I'd think he'd be nervous by now, I know I would. I wonder who it is?" The feelings of pre-tryout nervousness crept through her body. Not only would she have to sing with her brother, The Phantom at the most intense part of the show, but she would also be singing with the new tryout.

I hope Keimo doesn't get into character too much. When he becomes as frightening as The Phantom is supposed to be in the beginning of this scene it's really bad, but he, The Phantom, really is sympathetic towards the end, when Christine…kisses…him. She got a horrible feeling in the pit of her stomach. She didn't want to, but she'd do it. She knew how much it would mean to Keimo if he were to get this role, and there would not be any second glances back. Then again, I could have to do the scene with Bakura. I guess I should be thankful. I know what I have to do if I get the part. I have to pray that Keimo becomes my Phantom, my Angel of Music, the only one to sing me the music of the night, the only one to take me past the point of no return, and the one to take me down once more to where the music of the night ends. I suppose that Keimo's just as nervous as I am, maybe more so.

Mhera's nervous; she's getting that look again. A look that I hate seeing in her, I wonder why? Keimo then glanced at the last number, seeing the notes in the script. Now I see why, I have to be so hard on her, but it's all in character. He then glanced at the script again and saw another reason why. There's a kiss in this scene? I've never kissed anyone before. I don't know if that's the reason that Mhera is so nervous, maybe it's something else. Or maybe, it's just the pre-tryout jitters. I sure am thankful I already had my share. Oh great. I'm probably making her more nervous by not getting this over with.

"Alright, let's meet your fellow tryout, shall we?" Alex asked. The two siblings let a nervous gulp pass their throats, before saying simultaneously, "Yes, we're ready." "You're not going to get too into this role, are you, Keimo?" "You're worrying too much, Mhera. You've seen me at my worst, there's no way I could ever imitate that. But I will have to be pretty harsh, and I'm sorry in advance." "It's all in good competition." They both let a small smile cross their faces. They looked into each other's faces, Mhera looking at his scarred face; Keimo looking at his sister's worn face that had obviously held better expressions in times past. He knew that if they got the parts, she would have to do something that she could never bring herself to do in times past. Mhera would have to remove his mask, twice. It wasn't that he wouldn't remove it, it was just something that she felt wasn't right for her to do. He had given her permission in times past, but she would always insist on him removing it himself. In the scene coming, his potential character would be startled, and upset over someone he cared for removing a simple mask that hid the presumed horror of his face, when there was really nothing to fear. Or, maybe, maybe it was something more. I'll worry about that predicament later, I'm sure we can work something out if she can't bring herself to do it. I don't want to force it on her. But then again, the surprise is half the fun. Then those pre-tryout jitters crept through him as well. Wait! I haven't even looked at this part yet, and I set the mood for the finale.

Mhera looked to the audience seats to see who was there. Surprisingly, quite a few familiar faces dotted the rows of the dim theater. Let' see… There's Joey Wheeler, Tea Gardener, Tristan Taylor, Duke Devlin, …There's one missing. Mhera gasped. Yugi, that's who! She also saw Coletta with a smile on her face, obviously waiting for Keimo to grace the stage with his powerful voice. Mhera waited for that as well. Just as her father always looked to her duels, Mhera looked to Keimo's songs. Coletta had confronted her with a question that Mhera knew was coming since the first time Coletta approached her. She asked Mhera with a voice that resembled her own voice when she had been love struck. "Mhera, what is your brother like? I want to get to know him better, because… I think I love him. I am really sorry for how I treated you." "It's alright I think he likes you too. He just won't admit it to me." Mhera let a rare laugh pass her lips, "But brothers are like that, aren't they?" "Yep, that's a brother in a nutshell." Mhera then changed the subject. "Your audition seemed like it went well. The judges were writing stuff down all through your performance. That's usually a very good sign." " It is a good sign. I just hope the signs are in my favor." Mhera shot her a good-natured smile. "I think you'll be surprised." "What happens if only one of you gets the part you seek?" "I've honestly never thought about that before. Somehow, I think I won't be cast as Christine, but I may be an understudy. I don't know about The Phantom, though. How did the other auditions go?" "I'll tell you one thing about one of the auditions, it was creepy. The guy is definitely one that will be considered, along with your brother, of course. Of course, doesn't The Phantom have to know how to play the piano? It would be awesome if it wasn't a recording, and it was live. It would just add to the mystery" "My brother knows how to play one. The way his fingers dance across the keys leaves me in doubt about his future profession. Maybe I could convince him to play for you. He knows what he's doing." "Thanks, Mhera, I would really like that."

The dark theater faded into nothingness as beautiful music from a piano filled her ears. It was a vivid memory that, for the strangest reason, had chosen to manifest itself now in the theater's warmth.

Mhera's Flashback

She awoke in a sweat of fear to the faint sound of a piano's haunting melody. She slowly slipped into her customary tan slippers, and out the door of the room. Slowly proceeding down the stairs, Mhera brushed an auburn lock away from her eyes, so that they could see the midnight musician. At the small piano in the living area, sat the brother she had just been getting to know better. His tan fingers danced across the black and white keys with such familiarity that Mhera wondered if he would become a duelist, or a musician. He stopped playing. Mhera froze, gripping the railing, holding her breath. She wasn't very fond of sneaking up on people, but she had become quite an unintended expert at sneaking. There was just one problem; she could never sneak up without giving herself away. "Did you want to come down and listen, Mhelo?" Since most of his memories had been forgotten, because of an earlier incident, he was still learning her name then. Keimo smiled, to him, this girl would go by many names, but only one identity for the moment. She was his sister.

As an answer to his question, Mhera only nodded. She lightly descended the remaining stairs to take a seat beside him. His warm smile caught her off guard, as her father's always would, as she was used to a callous smile from either of them. Keimo began playing a melody that was of his own creation, one that Mhera had seen him working on for many a night, it was beautifully dark, and mysterious, yet light and happy, but the pure passion it gave the listener was unmatched by Chopin, Tchaikovsky, even Mozart. Keimo played all these pieces with his own twist. He added something special to any piece he played; yet Mhera had never heard him sing. He then began playing a piece that was from a different place in the music world. He started to play the piece that would become his tryout solo. Then, the piano man began to sing, in a beautifully handsome baritone voice:

"Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation

Darkness stirs, and wakes imagination

Silently the senses abandon their defenses"

She could fell herself slipping out of conciseness, wrapping itself in his warm voice. Her head rested against his shoulder, so he ceased his playing, but he still sang to the only one to ever sneak up on him, and stay to listen. He continued his serenade to his rescuer, the one who had rescued him from his dark solitude. He sang:

"Softly, deftly, music shall caress you

Hear it, feel it secretly possess you

Open up your mind; let these fantasies unwind in this wonderfully beautiful design. The beauty of my music of the night."

"You sing so beautifully, I think I've heard that song before, but you sing it very well." She sighed on his shoulder. "Odds are good you have," He said softly, "This piece is from one of my favorite musicals, "The Phantom of the Opera." This is my favorite piece of the entire show." He cracked a small smile. "You know, you're the only one who ever has walked in on one of my rehearsals and stayed for the entire thing." Mhera gave him a quizzical look as if to ask him a question, which he answered for her. "Yes others would walk in on me, but they would always leave after a moment or two. Was I keeping you awake?" Mhera grimaced, then half-smiled "No, of course not. It was something else. "

It was those nightmarish past duels, specifically a Shadow Duel and a duel against her brother, resurfacing from her memories, and recreating themselves in her dreams, that made her want to wake; someone playing the piano was just a plus.

Now, she was wondering what the mask that her brother wore hid from her eyes. He was probably wondering what her glove hid from him as well. She wanted to ask him, but she couldn't do it. She had this problem with every male that was in her presence, if she asked, she wouldn't be able to look at them the same way again. Keimo took her gloved hand gently, pausing before removing the glove, "May I… Mhera?" Mhera was somewhat shocked; as this was the first time he had said her name correctly. " Of course. Please, be gentle, though."

Before he did so, Keimo put Mhera's free hand on his mask, saying to his speechless sister, "You are wondering about this, yes?" She nodded, saying, "I have no right to remove your mask, for I betrayed your trust. I will never forgive myself for what I did to you." Those words echoed in her memory, for her father had used almost the same apology. Even more surprising was Keimo's answer, and how much it resembled her own. "I have already done that. It should be me asking you to forgive for almost…" He couldn't bring himself to speak of the event that almost lost her. He understood that if he were to share with her what he hid from the world, he would have to do it himself. "If you find yourself unworthy to remove my mask, then I am not worthy to do the same to you with your glove. Agreed?"

"Yes, although I would have let you remove my glove, and I will." "Nah, besides, I wish to have a hand free as I remove my mask." His smile faded, a little bit of a grimace forming itself on his face. He was obviously unaccustomed to doing this. He slowly removed the mask covering the right side of his face. Behind it were scars, Mhera unfortunately knew, from a whip. Mhera followed suit, removing the glove from her right hand, revealing an eye-shaped scar. She did not look at it. Keimo wondered why. He took her hand with almost a whisper, "It appears we both have scars that we wish to hide, that cause us pain. Another connection besides bloodlines, our love of dueling, and perhaps… music." He started to leave the room, when Mhera softly said, "I would love to hear you play again." "Of course, I would be honored for you to stop in on another of my rehearsals. Though, I don't think anything I play for you shall ever be like the music of this night."

End of Flashback

Maybe nothing you play, but what you sing tonight must be your best, my Phantom. Mhera thought as the curtain rose. Standing on the stage was the missing member of the group that she had counted in the audience. She should have guessed the tryout was Yugi, but she wasn't thinking. That explained why the gang of friends were there. Mhera hoped they wouldn't mind seeing her singing with him on stage. She was worrying over nothing.

The tryout began. Keimo's powerful voice filled the whole auditorium. "Down once more to the dungeon of my black despair. Down we plunge to the prison of my mind!" Meanwhile, Mhera was backstage, waiting for her cue, thinking, Wow, Keimo's doing great. Just keep it up and you'll be a shoe-in for the part. What a prison his mind has been for him, though. Mhera then felt an almost too familiar feeling in her head. I'm just stressed, it's just stress. There is nothing wrong, and if there is something wrong, it's not what I think it is. Either way, after I'm done here, I'm headed home as fast as my body will allow me to. I'll be finished before Keimo, so I should be able to get a decent head start on him. Besides, he might be a while. Mhera thought looking at Coletta with a small, slightly mischievous smile. Almost time for me to go on. She let out a sigh of relief, and nervousness at the same time. As much as my brain is telling me to 'Leave now, check on him; make sure he's home safe', another part of it is shouting 'you can't fail your brother again, you gave him the idea in the first place. You pleaded with him to do it for you, if not for him, and now you must do the same. He needs you.' Those last three words echoed in her mind as she almost waltzed onto the stage with grace that would never leave her.

The rest of the audition went well, except that Mhera almost responded to the Phantom's line of, " his heart is now the prize that you must earn." With the response of " and earn it I shall", as she would have responded if it was not written in a play. Yugi's performance went quite well. It was flawless, as were most of his dueling strategies. That reason alone was enough to make Mhera want to create a deck worthy of the two lead actors. Either set would do wonderfully, of this, Mheralo Ishtar was certain.

D.H.: I hope you enjoyed that long Chapter. Next Chapter: The audition is over, but the fun is just begining, at least for Bakura. Find out in Chapter Four: Past The Point of No Return. Please keep the reviews coming. I told you the chapter names would get better. C-ya.