chapter 5
Christine felt frozen in peace as she stood center stage waiting for the curtain to go up and for the music to begin. Slowly the music started to softly play, and Christine could feel the time for her to start singing come closer and closer. "mommy, give me strength," she thought in her mind. Images of her mother, and Raoul flashed in her mind. She glanced to the side and saw Raoul staring at her. She knew he was going to be angry with her later. But she didn't care much since she was going to leave him anyway. Later she would have another chat with Erik and Kat about it but for now she had to do what she wanted. With the memories of her mother playing in her mind she then began to sing.
"Who knows when love begins, who knows what makes it start, One day it's simply there, alive inside your heart,It slips into your thoughts, it infiltrates your soul. It takes you by surprise and seizes full control,Try to deny it and try to protest, but love won't let you go, once you've been possessed, Love never dies...Love never falters, Once it has spoken, love is yours, Love never fails, love never alters...Hearts may get broken, love endures...Hearts may get broken...Love endures... And as soon as you submit, surrender flesh and bone...That love takes on a life much bigger then your own, It uses at whim, and drives you to despair...And forces you to feel...more joy then you can bear, Love gives you pleasure and love give you pain, And yet when both are gone, love will still remain..." sang christine
Christine sang before she unwrapped her arms and glanced at Raoul. She wasn't surprised to see him gone, but what surprised her was that in the section that was next to where Raoul was, the one face she had been dreaming of seeing almost all her life since she was a child... She saw her twin mother smiling proudly at her with happy tears spilling down her cheek. She was here...Her mother was safe...She was alive! Why is she still so young though. Christine almost took a step towards her mother, but she saw her mother raise her hand telling her to stop, quickly glancing at the audience before looking back at her. Christine knew that her mother was telling her not to let anyone know that she was there and to finish the song. Using the chance to walk to the front of the stage and present her hands to the audience, ready to show her mother her singing talent. Christine was cut off as she saw that her mother was looking across to Erik with a sad face. Christine looked back to the audience quickly finishing the song so she could ask what was wrong.
"Once it has spoken, love is yours... Love never dies...Love never alters...Hearts may get broken...Love endures...Hearts may get broken... Love never dies...Love will continue...Love keeps on beating...When you're gone...Love never dies...Once it is in you...Life may be fleeting...Love lives on.. Life may be fleeting... Love...Lives...On..." sang christine
The audience roared with applause in the theater. bella smiled proudly at her daughter with tears of joy spilling down her cheeks. bella giggled as Christine took her bows, as she did bella noticed Erik was looking right at her. bella got nervous and slipped the hood of her large cloak that covered her entire costume up over her head hiding herself before she turned sharply and started to run back to her dressing room quickly. bella could hear Erik right behind her so she quickly flung her cloak in her changing room before she quickly got her mask on as soon as she sensed Erik run right inside the dressing room. Erik panted as he slowly walked around the room.
"What is it, Erik?" asked bella
"Did anyone else come in here?" asked erik
No, Erik, I have just come in myself," said bella
"bella, you don't have to lie to me," said erik
erik knows when she was lying to him. and that was something that he was not going to let her do right now. bella sighed he must have noticed her. but she was taking a risk. She wanted to give her daughter hope when it came down to her performance. and that she is here with her. but now she knew it was almost time. She was in her cosmos form, and she knew it was going to be soon for her to end endymions brother. but for now, she needed to save her ass for erik might be catching on. but she knew her daughter was probably wondering why she hasn't aged. and herself as a matter of fact. and she will be dammed she would give Raoul long life. She slowly walked backwards till she felt herself cornered against the wall. Erik rested his hands on her shoulders so to gently keep her against the wall.
"W-what do you mean? What are you talking about Erik?" asked bella
"bella... I saw someone come in here. Someone that had the same face as Christine performance, bella...Tell me the truth...Was that woman her mother?" asked erik
bella stared into his eyes, feeling her heartbeat faster and faster. She was scared to tell him. Afraid of what his reaction would be. But if she was to have a chance to know whether Erik had feelings for her, she had to have faith in him and trust him. So, she summoned up her courage and answered him honestly. It was time anyways. and she needed to clear the air just in case she didn't make it when enydmion brother. she needed to let erik know what her final secrets are. and that is Christine is her daughter. and that she has found her. but she was hoping her experiment was going to go well. she made something that would kill endymions brother power and then maybe toss him into hell.
"Yes," said bella
Erik looked at bella with a surprised expression on his masked face. 'She answered me,' he thought in his mind. 'Of all the years I have known her, she always tried to avoid the questions I would ask about her past,' he added in his mind. 'Does this mean she trusts me with her secrets that she and her gypsy clan have been protecting all her life?' he asked in his mind before he cupped bella face. a smile on his face. He could feel the lower part of her cheeks warm up under his cold hands, knowing she was blushing. He smirked at her before he spoke again. Erik started to say something but was suddenly interrupted by someone running into bella dressing room. bella looked towards the doorway and saw that the person who came in was her daughter Christine. And to bella she looked pissed! Christine who had sometime taken off her gloves and costume jewelry before coming here. She held up a piece of paper that looked like a letter. She held the letter in front of her as she walked to Erik.
"Did you know about this? Did you and Raoul make a bet with me as the prize?!"snapped Christine
christine asked looking more outraged. bella knew that her daughter wasn't going to like this bit of news. Especially if she wasn't told about this before she sings Erik's song. Erik took the letter from Christine and started to read it. bella then looked between them before she looked at her daughter. bella sighed she gotten the temper from the blood adoption. It's a family trait. but right now, she needed to defuse the issue. and blame herself for this one. she was going to take the heat on her. so erik didn't have to have the heat on him. erik was looking to bella and wondered what she was going to do. He didn't even get the chance to ask what he wanted to ask.
"Let me guess...Raoul has left?" asked bella
"How do you know?" asked Christine
"Because I was the reason the bet was made," said bella
"What? You are the reason for him leaving. But...How...I mean...Why?" asked Christine.
"He was harming her, I was angry at him for he had her in a choke hold," snapped erik
erik explained which resulted bella to gently hit at his stomach in warning to keep quiet. erik groaned and looked to bella and wondered what. He was just telling the truth. but for now, he was going to tell the truth since she, but it was too late for Christine gasped in shock. she had gently rested her hands on her own neck. But then she went to bella and tried to see her neck. She wanted to check her over to see if she was going to be ok. and see if there were bruises around her neck. this was something she took notice with Christine she is caring. something that she raised her up in being. well enough before she was drugged and taken by james endymions brother. bella smiled at her daughter concern but kept Christine's hands away in fear of her sister accidentally slipping her mask off and causing her biggest secret to come into light.
"What?! Raoul tried to choke you. Are you all, right? I hope he didn't seriously harm you..." said christine
"I am fine Christine, Raoul was drunk at that time," said bella
"That still doesn't excuse him of what he did and what he called you," I had made the bet with him with the intent of keeping you from being harmed, I won't lie to you that I had originally planned this when I first came here to Coney Island, But as I spent time here, slowly I had begun to have feelings for someone, feelings that I had thought beloved to you Christine," said erik
erik said all of this to Christine, seeing the look of surprise appear on bella masked face. Erik then looked at Christine. Christine knew whom Erik had feelings for and that person was none other than bella. Christine sighed and knew it from being around them. but then again there was so much that has changed with erik since they saw each other last all those years ago. he moved on. and that made her happy. she didn't love him like a lover. She loved him like a brother or a father or something like that. But for now, she needed to know more about what Raoul had done and still survived to live the tail about it.
"And this someone... Is the one that changed your mind about stealing me from my husband?" asked christine
"Actually, I had asked Erik to try and have you leave your husband, I had felt that you should be happy with someone that doesn't use you as a meal ticket and honors his marriage vows," said bella
bella was confessing her intentions of having Christine come here, other than to see her daughter after years of being separated years. and she was going to be dammed when it came down to the fact that her daughter was not going to remain in that filth. She wanted her to be with her soulmate and someone to make her happy. but for now, she needed to finish this. because she sensed something was off. and it was not a good thing. and all the time Pluto had to go back to the future to check to see how her and soon to be erik kingdom doing. She knew that her children were taking turns and her ex-husbands are taking turns to running it.
"Also, because the twins wished for you to be here, the twins were supposed to come back here after Christine's performance, He was supposed to be here!" cried bella
bella cried with worry. Tears started to form as hundreds of ideas of what happened to her children. The worst thought that terrified her was that james had somehow taken her children. Erik's hands tightened on bella shoulders. Erik then released her shoulders as he started to think of what could've happened to Gustave and who took him. Then an idea came to him.
"They are missing. Raoul..." hissed erik
"You don't think that Raoul would..." said Christine
"I will kill that drunken fool! How can he take a children, a children that isn't even his!" growled erik
Erik opened the door and walked out of the dressing room. bella and Christine followed him worried that Erik might hurt someone in his foul mood. and she was the only one who would be able to stop him. but for now, they needed to see where the twins were at. and who has them. bella was sick if Endymion brother who has them then it was time for her to finish her last secret. well more than enough secrets from Christine. but she had a feeling that she was going to have to face Endymion brother soon. and he has a reason to call her out. Erik shouted, making some of the stagehands jump in surprise. Soon as their names were called Dr. Gangle and Mr. Squelch followed by marcus.
"The twins are missing, And the drunken Vicomte has taken him!" said erik
"That is impossible Erik, one of our spies reported to me that he had just left in a carriage ALONE, Was there anyone else that was here backstage that looked suspicious to you?"asked marcus
Christine shook her head now, not thinking of anyone that was suspicious. Dr. Gangle shook his head in reply as did Mr. Squelch. Marcus glanced at bella and Erik then. They both were thinking up names and then suddenly bella and Erik both looked at each other. bella thought of something. and she has a feeling that the person might be behind it. or might not be behind it. but for now. She never leaves without the object that would help her in the battle. while Christine was worried about the two sweet twins who she grown attached to.
"Madam Giry," said bella
Why would you say that?" asked Christine.
"She tried to cause a... bit of trouble between me and Erik, she flat out told me that she knew of the twins being...our children, she started to get personal with her words and I told her to leave," said bella
"And she was here with her demonic sneer, and that comment she made, she asked for her repayment. Well, she is going to get it...tenfold! Go! Bring her to me! Find the twins safe and sound! If they aren't with her, I will rip her apart limb by limp till she tells me where my children are! I will bring back our twins...I swear on my life I will bring our twins back," said erik
erik then pulled her into his arms and embraced her that only a man would hold his wife while comforting her through their search for their own children. And that not only surprised Christine but it surprised bella as well. bella felt as if she was dreaming. Erik was holding her! And not just a simple hug, but a hug that only a man would do if he was consoling or comforting the woman he cared for. Erik gently rubbed bella back comfortingly as he tried to comfort bella. He could feel himself being soothed somewhat by holding her. Moments ago, his anger was so overwhelming that he would have possibly kill the first person that was foolish enough to piss him off. But as soon as he held bella in his arms, he felt his anger dimmer. And he knew it was because bella was the woman he loved. If anything happened to her or their children, he was sure that he would kill the one that caused it. Especially if that person happened to be the one that kidnapped bella and now planned on killing her for escaping and in killing his brother and tossing him into the gates of hell. If he came across this man, God help the bastard when he got his hands on him. Soon Mr. Squelch and Dr. Gangle came in, barely dragging Madam Giry towards them.
"We have found her Master, she was by the stage door," said Dr. Gangle
"What is the meaning of this!? What have I done to be handled in this manner? Tell your minions to unhand me!" snapped madam giry
"Where is they?" demanded erik
"What?" asked Madam Giry
"The twins! Where did you take him? What have you done with my twins?!" hissed erik
Madam Giry looked at Erik surprised. while erik finally finished shaking her with his anger. bella hand to lay a hand on him so she wouldn't be hurt, but this was something that they needed to talk to her about and make sure they find out who and or what took them. Christine was hoping for madam giry was not the person who took these kids. that would be awful if she did take those poor kids. but for now, they needed to remain calm and see what and where they were. He then grabbed her by the neck and held her in a choke hold.
"The twins? You think I took the twins? You think I took your bastard children?!" snapped giry
"You do well to talk in a better tone, Madam, it is one thing to speak of me in such language But it is another thing to speak of Kat and MY children in such a manner! Now tell me, what have you done with the twins!" hissed erik
bella feeling a bit worried of Erik harming Madam Giry walked up to them. she gently touched the wrist of Erik's hand that was holding onto Madam Giry's neck. Erik glanced at her, with anger in his eyes. Erik looked at Madam Giry and then back to bella. He then released Madam Giry's neck making her cough for air. bella then took Erik's hand before looking at Madam Giry. Christine sighed and would of done the same thing. but there was no way to find out things if she was going to be choked. but for now, giry was trying to gain breath.
"Madam, please, you know where my children are please tell us," pleaded bella
"I do not know where they are, I did not take them, even IF I know they are Erik's heirs, all of these years, I have been faithful as your employee, No one has done so much for you as I have! And you think I have taken the twins of your-!" snapped giry
"You barely done anything, and you know it! You only try to take credit of what Meg and bella have done for the past six years, and before you came bella worked hard to be sure that-!" snapped marcus
"Marcus! Enough! If you don't have my kids, do you have any idea who might have taken them?" asked bella
"Why should I answer you? Why should I help the gypsy harlot that is Erik's mistress? His whore?" hissed giry
bella narrowed her eyes and glared at Madam Giry before she let go of Erik's hand, she was about to strangle her this time. and she was not going to be nice about it. or just feed her. or just enter her mind and take what she wanted. she was getting close to it. as she walked straight to the woman. Everyone around gulped and could feel and taste what she was feeling. even though christine was confused where the feelings were coming from. while she surprised everyone, bella slapped Madam Giry in the face. and drew blood this time. as she pushed her arm behind her back and grabbed her hair. She hasn't done this since her soul socitey days. Everyone gasped at that.
"Listen to me, you stubborn old hag of a bitch. I'm going to speak to you the way you deserve right now. You pushed me more and more and now you are going to get my anger against you. now listen verrrrry carefully, you of all people should know what I am feeling right now. My children are missing, and I fear that the crazy man that held me captive out of revenge against me AND has been murdering some of my gypsy band, has taken them as revenge against me! over because I killed his vile brother who made my life hell for fucking years and years. But if you know anyone who might have possibly taken them, please tell me! If you were in my place and Meg was missing, wouldn't you want to know what or who might have taken her? Please, Madam Giry, I'm begging you!" hissed bella
even though bella anger she fought the urge of breaking down into tears. bella released madam giry and put a hand over her eyes. this was killing her not knowing where her children are. It was tamaki and draco all over again. she was happy pluto told her that they were found. but they had the care that they needed when they were found. but this was them all over again. and she knew she went too far. but she had no choice the woman was being a pain in her ass. Christine walked up to bella and gently rested her hands comfortingly on bella shoulders.
"Do you know anyone that was here backstage? Anyone at all?" asked christine
"The only two other people I know of were Meg, and an old friend of mine, Meg I know wouldn't hurt them, But James...James I am not so sure about. He arrived here yesterday, which surprised me," said giry
"James? The man that took over Joseph Buquet's job at the opera house?" asked erik
"What is it, Erik? What does James have to do with all of this?" asked christine
"it's a VERY VERY long story but for another time. We have no time to explain it. so, I would make it short. Because James is the madman that bella just mentioned before, the same madman that took your mother. That bastard is here," hissed erik
Madam Giry nodded her head in reply. Erik then walked to bella who then started to tremble. She had a feeling that he would do this. He would do anything to harm her. and she was going to have to face him. erik made his way over to bella. and put a hand on her shoulder and knew what she must do. but he was not going to go into detail about it. Christine was confused on what was going on. she was wondering why james is making bella freak out like this. it's as if there was something going on. erik sighed he didn't know if he should go into detail about the history between bella and james. but they figured that meg was nowhere to be found. And madam giry was taking blame for the fact that she messed up her daughter. it took until now when she steals a freaking kid to know what she had down as a mother. bella sighed and understood the feeling that giry was having.
meanwhile a little while later
athenadora and aro had felt a bit nervous as he followed Meg to the pier. Meg had promised that they would be back in time for their birthday party that would happen after the show. But they was starting to think being out here where he could see no one, was a bad idea. They were getting this feeling that they should run and hide. but they would see where meg was taking them. maybe it was some sort of surprise for their birthday. She pulled the twins closer to the pier where she would always go for a swim at. and now she was going to take them on a swim.
"Please Miss Giry, can't we go back? our mother will be worried about us," said aro
"Miss Giry? Can we go back please?" pleaded athenadora
"No, not until we get to the place I wanted to show you, You see there? Isn't the view wonderful? Doesn't it make you feel at peace? Like all the dark ugliness of life is washed away from you," said meg.
Meg said with a tone of one that had spent a lot of time here washing away the ugliness of her life. as if the world finally killed everything inside of her. and she finally gone to another state of mind. The twins felt again another chill go over them before they looked behind them and saw Erik, Marcus, Christine, and Madam Giry running towards them.
"Miss Giry, look! I told you they would be worried about us!" said aro
"Not another step or the boy goes in!" hissed meg.
Meg saw them and she pulled Gustave close to her, her arms under their necks. she said threateningly as she inched closer to the edge of the pier. Everyone stopped in place which caused athenadora and aro to be a little frightened. Erik and Marcus were closest to her, since they both believed that they could save aro and athenadora and Meg from the madness that James caused. Meg laughed softly as she looked at Erik.
"I always wanted you to watch me, to show you how I can be just as useful as Christine or bella, And not once in all these years have you ever thanked me or tell me that I did a good job, Here in America, they make you pay for everything, And I paid for it, to help you, I gave THEM what they would take, Again and again, I paid, and not once you never noticed me," cried meg
meg added with more tears coming down her cheeks. Erik looked puzzled at Meg before he glanced at Marcus. to Marcus. Erik knew that Marcus had always kept an eye on Meg for the past six years, ever since she first arrived here. If anyone knew what really happened to Meg, it would be Marcus. but what is meg going on. marcus sighed and wondered if she was going to be ok. but he was going to try his best to get meg to listen to him. Marcus stepped an inch closer to Meg.
"Meg, I know of what you are talking about, I know better than anyone of what you have done, of your hard work, but there is something you don't know, Something that bella and I kept hidden from you until it was the right time to tell you," said marcus
"What do you mean? What secret are you talking about?" asked meg
"Meg, Let the kids go, he doesn't know any of this, they have no part in this," said marcus
marcus was trying to do his best to save his little nephews. They didn't need to be treated like this. and it reminded bella of tamaki and draco. and that is not a good this. and the issue is also that there is a mad man who is bent on revenge against bella all because she rid the world and universe of his brother. giry covered her mouth she didn't know how bad her daughter was. How could she not know. she is her mother for the love of God. while bella sighed and knew that marcus was trying to get to meg. but she was not sure if he was going to be able to do it.
"No! Tell me the secret! I have had to pay on the beach, in my dressing room, In their beds, in the dark, and in their laps! Tell me, Marius, what secret do you and bella have about me?! What is it!?" cried meg
"Meg, the secret is that you never...paid...as you believed, You never had intercourse with all those men!" said marcus
marcus said this loud enough for Madam Giry and Christine to hear. They both gasped in shock. Meg looked at Marcus shocked, which Marcus looked at her with a sad look in his eyes. He was trying his best to explain what she really did. and this was something that he needed to have her to hear. while meg grip on the twins got tighter. as they cried out in pain. while bella growled and as did erik. but they were letting marcus do what he was able to do. and they were wondering where this was going as well. it's as if marcus knew something that they didn't know. well maybe bella. but she was kind of at a loss for words right now.
"Did you think bella was going to allow you to give away something like your first time to a man whom wasn't the one you loved? Even I would have killed those pigs if they even touched you," said marcus
"How? How did you guys do it? How did you make those men believe it was me they were...were..." said meg
"That they were sleeping with you? bella had the drinks you would serve them drugged, then when both of you and your 'guest' were partly passed out, bella and I would carry you out of the room or wherever you were back to my room and replace you with one of our gypsy girls that resembled you somewhat. And I watched over you while you slept until the 'deed' was done and returned you to your room where bella would watch over you after words, you never had sex with ANY of those men, Meg, Meg, let twins go, they are bella's children, HIS children," said marcus
"Meg, let my children, my only twins, go, you have my attention now, and I can see you clearly," said erik
erik sighed this was his time to go and speak to meg. He knew he needed to talk to her down from doing this. and he was the one she wanted to hear from. but bella was looking at him and wondering what he was doing. is he going to make things worse. marcus sighed he hoped that erik would get her to listen. because she didn't listen to him to let go of the children. but for now, he needed to make sure he watched her. he would have to jump in. or bella would have to reveal her more intense powers. and that is something they didn't want to happen. since it happened with madam giry.
"You do?" asked Meg
"Yes, you want the attention of someone that you admire, love, or idolize," said erik
"Yes, yes, I have, Mother never told me if she was proud, and only told me to be useful to you, I tried to, I tried, I am not like bella or Christine, but I work just as hard as they do, James said I was just as good," said meg
"You are Meg, why do you think I always go to see your shows? And bella always said that she was so happy to see you work so hard," said marcus
Meg looked up at him with a surprised gaze. Meg was not sure what to think about everything that had been told to her. It was something that she didn't know. They protected her. and she didn't even know it. It was something she didn't know. and she took her children, and she protected her from the perverts. Meg was not sure what to think. It was as if everything was crashing around her. she thought she slept with all those men and a few women. and bella and marcus was there protecting her like as if they thought she would be able to be with them. but for now, she needed to figure out what to do right now.
"Meg, don't destroy everything you have achieved now, Let the kids go Meg, Please, Please Meg." pleaded marcus
Meg looked from Marcus to Erik. She then looked at her mother and Christine. Meg then closed her eyes and softly sniffled. She then let the twins go. Marcus went to her and pulled her into his arms, holding her comfortingly and lovingly. Meg softly sobbed against his chest as the twins ran to Erik. Erik hugged them with relief over his children being safe and sound. He then brought the twins to Christine as Madam Giry went to Meg and Marius. Gustave had been hugged by Christine before he looked up at Erik. They all turned to see the evil grin of the one man that instantly made their blood run cold. The man that they knew as the monster that wished to harm bella. James Endymion's brother. He smirked. at them all as he slowly walked towards them like a tiger stalking its prey.
"Well, well, well, isn't this an interesting turn of events? Here I originally planned to lure bella here by herself but instead I have Christine Daae, the phantom himself, my old friend Madam Giry, and the prince of gypsies, interesting turn of events indeed, they are her bastard children, Guess you couldn't settle with just Christine huh? Tell me, which one was better?" said james
Erik glared at James with anger and hatred. He started to take an angry step towards James. he wondered if he would be able to defeat him. because none of them has the power that Bella has. she can kill him with her powers. but he only has low level power that she showed him how to use. but he knew it was not going to be strong enough for him to defeat or even wound Endymion's brother. but he knew why he was here. and it was not going to be a pretty sight once bella finds him. but for now, he was going to have to find a way to help out with this. and maybe use a shield to help everyone out. james quickly pulled out a revolver and pointed it at him.
"How dare you!" hissed erik
"Ah-Ahh, another step and I will be forced to shoot you, And we are not in your opera house, Phantom. You don't have any of your trap doors or Punjab lassos to help you now," said james
james said that knowing that he had an advantage over the former Phantom of the opera. Erik Grunted his teeth in anger. He knew james was right and knew that he couldn't risk getting shot, not until he had the opening to have the slight advantage over james. But how can he get that opening when the madman was so focused on them? a man bent on revenge because his vile brother was killed and tossed into the gates of hell. Erik stepped in front of Christine and the twins, shielding them from james gaze. James looked at Erik then.
"What do you want? Why did you have to use Meg to bring my children out here? Surely you could have taken them yourself, I expected more from the one that bella was so frightened of for the past eleven years, I see nothing more than a coward." said erik
"I see that we are more in common then I first thought, we both have an unrequited love for a Angel," said james
"We both have a rival, not to mention we managed to make them suffer somewhat. But my rival is dead. My brother was a fool to believe I was ever on his side. but I did love him.," said erik
"At least I don't kidnap woman and use them for my own plans, or out of revenge for their brothers death and being tossed into the gates of hell." said Erik
"I don't kidnap woman, just what DO you know about me it seemed she must of showed you her history. What little tale did that backstabbing whore weave about me?" asked james
Erik glared at james tensing up as he held back the urge to tear james limb from limb for insulting bella. james noticed this and half laughed. while the others were wondering how in the world someone could be tossed into the gates of hell. and who the hell are they talking about. madam giry was confused she never knew james had a brother. and how could someone be tossed into hell. that was confusing all of them now.
"Oh! Did I hit a sore spot? tell me that the opera ghost himself has dumped Christine for her mother? I know you are here Isabella, why don't you come out from the shadows and give your old friend a proper greeting?" said james
james asked with an amused grin. Erik and Christine felt their blood grow cold at james's words. A cloaked figure then appeared out of the shadows of the pier and slowly walked towards james. james turned to see her coming towards him and smirked. james smirked at bella as he slowly circled her. james said in a tone of voice that was so cold that even bella trembled at. Gunner then grabbed bella by the neck in a tight choke hold. bella quickly grasped at his hand and softly gasped.
"I must say my dear that I am quite proud of you, your father raised you to stay in the shadows and you have been in the shadows for combat, I always wondered if my brother stuff ever came into your hands. When I woke up the next morning after you drugged my drink and disappeared, And you are lucky that you weren't there when I woke up, my dear, Why? Whatever caused you to betray me like that?! just like you did with my brother! Tell me!" hissed james
Erik started to run towards them, But Marcus managed to stop him. erik tried to fight through Marius's hold. Erik froze in place as both james and bella looked at him. It wasn't Gunner's gaze that froze him. It was james surprised and hopeful gaze. james looked between them before he smirked at Kat knowingly, which she noticed and looked down.
"Oh, I see, Darling isabella turned her back on me just like my brother endymion, who loved and cared for her, because she fell in love with the Phantom of the opera," hissed james
"My family never gave up on me and you know it, you lied to me and used one of your brother's illusions. I knew that you were lying to me about helping Erik for my sake, I would have rather faced your anger than letting you use me as bait to draw him out! My eyes were opened then, And I won't be fooled again," hissed bella
bella said as her voice got clearer and she straightened her back, showing she was standing up against Gunner. And that she wasn't afraid of him anymore. but while she was being strangled, she chanted the spell that would make him powerless. and it seemed to be working. but he hasn't figured it out just yet. Christine was confused about what was going on. while james strangled her new friend. erik was struggling to get out of marcus grip. bella made sure that marcus put up a kido spell to make sure everyone was going to be protected.
"What gave me away that day? I am curious." said james
"Endymion did the same thing. your hand. you're not so different from your brother if you want to know." said bella
"And after I passed out, you went straight to him, didn't you? just like you did with Loki." said james
james asked waving the tip of the revolver in Erik's direction. erik knew about loki and all of her ex-husbands. but he didn't mind that much. but for now, he was trying to make sure she was going to be ok. james then looked at Madam Giry. He couldn't believe a old friend would betray him like this. While madam giry had no clue how horrible her old friend was. He was always so kind to her. but now she sees the light in what was going on the whole time. she did hear rumors of him hiding a woman and harming her. but at the time she didn't want to believe it. Madam Giry looked shocked. james then looked at Kat with a sick and twisted smile.
"I guess he was at my old house I offered to you and your daughter, eh? Do you wanna know something funny? When I told you that Erik heard your singing and was looking for you," said james
james started taking a quick glance at Erik, he knew erik was the king of the silver kingdom all along. he overheard pluto talking once. while erik was wondering where all of this was going. while eyes widened at james words. james knew then that Erik figured out why bella was there that night. Or what she had believed that night. but this was all coming out by a crazy man who is soon to be powerless. because of bella spell she made. She was going to make sure the kido worked enough that she was able to take him down. but it takes some time to make it affect the person who it was targeting.
"He NEVER heard you sing my dear. He didn't even know of you till that night, did you really believe that he had any feelings for you that night? Or that you weren't your daughter?" said james
bella hands bawled up as she tensed up and turned away with tears forming in her eyes. She felt her heart breaking as the memory of that night struck her hard. Not because she had thought of Erik thinking that she was her daughter that night, but because she was the one that came onto him. she had a feeling that he knew that erik was the future king of rhe silver kingdom. but she didn't know how much she knew at the time. but now she kinda did. even though she was still mentally chanting the spell so she can make him powerless.
"Bet you cuddled up to him like a bitch in heat, huh bella? Or should I say isabella?" said james
James asked with a sadistic smirk. Everyone fell dead silent at his words. Christine was the first to break the silence. everyone was now looking to bella and wondered what was going on. But Christine was the one who was going to be the first to ask the question. and to see what this mad man was talking about. bella sighed this was not how she wanted this information to come out. it would seem she has no choice but to reveal everything. hell, she might not survive this so what the hell. She might end up being sucked into the gates of hell as well.
"What do you mean? bella what is he talking about? Why did he call you. bella..." said christine
"I don't know about you people, but I think it is about time we should see what the moon angel of Coney Island looks like without the mask, why don't you do everyone a favor and show everyone the REAL reason why you wear that mask?" said james
james asked with his tone sounding threatening. As if telling bella that she didn't do what he as hinting at, he was going to shoot someone dear to her. And bella wasn't going to risk that. She rather gets this done and over with since she has a fight on her hands. and there is to many people here for her to go and do what she wanted. sure, she has done it before but not with people who didn't know what power she has. and her children are here as well. so, this was an issue she was trying to avoid. bella then undid the tie of her cloak and let it drop to the ground. She stepped away from the cloak before standing still again. She made sure that her back was to them. Her hands trembled as she slowly reached for the strands of her mask. bella felt time slow down as she untied the strands and held the mask in her hands.
Erik and Christine heard their hearts pounding in their ears as they watched bella untie the strings of her mask. They both held their breaths as bella slowly removed the mask from her face. And then bella slowly turned around looking right at them. Christine looked at bella with wide eyes and gasped a shaky breath as she saw who bella really was. Erik was as shocked as Christine was. He looked back and forth between bella and Christine. mother and daughter.' Tears streamed down Christine's face as bella slowly walked towards Christine. But stopped part way as Christine herself started to walk to her after letting go of the twins. bella half smiled at her as she got closer. Twenty years they were separated. Twenty years Christine had prayed for this moment. Dreaming of seeing her mother again. Wondering about what happened, of what her mother's life was all these years. And now they were together again. but why is she so young still. After getting close enough, Christine reached her shaky hand to touch bella cheek.
"You're real, You're alive, mama, mama, Oh, mama!" cried christine
Christine sobbed as she then embraced her long-lost mother. She knew there was going to be a lot of explanation to her of what was going on. and why she still looked like what she did the day she was taken from her. bella felt joy go through her as she was hugged by her daughter that she missed all these years. The twins were confused why Christine would be calling their mother that. its as if there were going to be a lot of things that was going to be need said. but for now, they have an issue that they need to finish. well, bella needed to finish. but bella had tears streaming down her face. James smiled sadistically at the scene. james now powerless slowly aimed the gun at Christine... Erik acted on instinct and ran straight for james, hoping that he would save Christine in time. But as soon as he tackled james, the mad man pulled the trigger. A scream echoed in the night as Erik looked at whom had been shot. bella acted on instinct. She couldn't lose another loved one to the mad man that caused nothing but pain and sorrow to her family. She pushed her daughter out of the way from the gun's range. The bullet struck her so hard that she fell to the ground landing on her back. Grasping at the wound and hissing in pain with her eyes shut tight but she opened the gates of hell and james was sucked into it. as they closed, she laid her head on the ground. That was when the twins and Christine rushed to her side. Christine knew that she should allow her mother and Erik to have a moment.
"Macius, Meg and Madam Giry went to get a doctor, Keep her awake till then! Come now my brother and sister," said christine
erik trembled from seeing the gates of hell before him. but he knew she was free of the Endymion brothers. While Christine was still a bit shaken for the night, she witnessed hell herself. and now she was never going to forget it. while sailor pluto came and was going to explain everything to everyone what was going on. while erik was attending to bella. until someone found a doctor. that bullet was made for bella and to harm her. Erik then saw bella wound and felt a part of him was slowly dying.
"You'll be all right bella." said erik
"Are you all, right? I know seeing the gates of hell for the first time is a bit tough, but I hope it didn't bother you that much. pluto would explain everything to the others." said bella
"I'm all right, I'm more worried about you, And I am not talking about the wound on your body," said erik
"You mean me being reunited with my daughter? Or the night we shared eleven years ago?" asked bella
"Tell me Kat, Did you come to me that night to try and save me? To save me from being captured by james for the bounty that was on my head. Please bella." pleaded erik
"Yes, I went to you that night to save you from being caught, you saved me from james's lies. That night of the Masque and when you performed with Christine, you made my dream of being an ordinary woman become real, but I'm no ordinary woman as you well know. That I didn't have to live in the darkness and alone, and what love really was, I fell in love with you from the moment you asked me to dance with you, And I still love you, even though I know that you love my daughter," said bella
bella gasped and she passed out. from being shot and strangled and opening the gates of hell while wounded it did her in. that was when she passed out. she overused the amount of power she was able to use that night Erik's eyes widened in fear as he saw bella faint in his arms, not knowing if bella was really dying or not he gently shook her. But she didn't move, which made the fear within him grow. The sound of an ambulance's sirens echoed alerting Erik that they were close by. He heard them and he gently shook bella again.
"Please, bella, Please don't die, bella, listen! Help is on the way! Please bella open your eyes!" pleaded erik
erik kept begged again with tears streaming from his eyes. He then trembled as he then pulled bella into his arms and held her close to him. he wondered if pluto was seeing this and getting some form of help. he has a feeling no ordinary doctor would be able to care for her. and he has a feeling that is what pluto was doing. since bella dropped the taboos when she came queen. plus he knew that the time guardian is extremely protective over bella.
"Please don't leave me, I love you isabella...Come back to me...!" cried erik
erik cried everything out before the ambulance arrived. The medic attendants came out from the vehicle and quickly got to work on checking bella and getting her into the vehicle to the closest hospital. Erik soon jumped in the back with them not wanting to leave her side. He prayed to God that bella would live. He couldn't bear to loose her again nor live in a world without her.
meanwhile a few hours later
Hours seemed like years for Erik as he sat in the waiting room of the hospital. Thedcotor that pluto came back with. who happened to be a son in law and good friend to bella. he was a odd one. but you could sense the power on him. but there was no other doctor to work on bella other than the man named szayel. szayel came and told him to wait outside of the operating room as the doctors worked hard to try and save bella's life. The journey to the hospital went smooth and quick which made Erik hopeful that God was on their side. Suddenly armitage, Christine and aro and athenadora came into the room surprising Erik. the twins cried as they ran to Erik, embracing him. Erik hugged his children back holding them close for he needed some comfort right now. Erik then glanced up at Christine and armitage.
"How is she? Have they said anything?" asked christine
"They still are working on her, pluto brought someone who would work on her." said erik
Erik gently lifted aro and athenadora up to sit on his knees and hold them as a father would hold his son and daughter. as they learned their heads on their father's chest getting comfort from their father. They were still shocked that Christine is their elder sister. but it seemed they have elder siblings. Christine was in shock still after she learned and saw all her mother's history. now it made sense why she didn't age. and that is why she didn't age either. so that means she is no longer human. not that it bothered her. but Raoul would never accept something like this. so, she agreed when their mother was ready to be moved they would go to the future. not as if Raoul would miss her.
"Will mama be all right?" asked aro
"She will be, my little ones, your mother is the most strongest and bravest woman I know, And she is an moon goddess. God wouldn't let her leave us when she is doing good in this world, the moon wont shine anymore" said erik
"And because the moon made mama for you, she loves you very much father, She always cried for you in her sleep. Every time we asked where you were, she always said that you were hiding from bad people and that you didn't want us to be discovered by them, we always wondered when those bad people were gone and you can come home, are you and mama going to be together now? Cause mama thinks you don't love her," said athenadora
athenadora and aro then fell asleep. Erik frowned at that as he gently settled twins down on the waiting couch and took off his dress coat to cover the sleeping twins. he sighed how could he be so blessed. he was not sure what the future was going to be like. but he was going to close out the season and then they would close down the shows. that was when they were going to go to the future where they can roam free and not be bothered. even though when he goes there he was going to be known as neo king erik. never would he thought that he would be a king of all things.
"bella thought that I was in love with Christine these whole ten years didn't she?" asked erik
"Yes, after the first three months after you and her made the twins, she began to think that, It was that day that she came up with her plan," said armitage
"Plan? What plan are you talking about?" asked Erik
"I know she is going to get me for this, bella planned on helping you get back together with Christine and make sure both of you had a happy life, She worked hard to make sure we got the attention of anyone that would have the work that you would be the best job to excel your talents in, About the first week we arrived here she had the twins, That poor manager, he was so worried when bella's water broke right there in what became your loft, Right in your bedroom area, your twins was born, She recovered a week later and that is when she first performed there on Coney Island," explained armitage
"We all remember that day,"
They all turned to see Dr. Gangle, Miss Flick and Squelch before them. as Christine wondered when they were there. it seemed that they came out of nowhere. erik sighed Christine needed to get used to how people were going to be now. even though she just figured out about not being human. there was going to be a lot of non-humans where they were going. but for now he was wondering when they got here. he knew they were worried for bella. but he was going to update them when he had the chance.
"How long have you three been here?" asked Christine
"We all came as soon as we heard that monster shot moon mama," said Dr. Gangle
"We all thought being here for her was more important," said Miss Flick
"All? What do you mean by 'all'?" asked erik
"Just as my daughter said sir, all of us came," said sqealch
squelch said before pointing to the doorway that led outside the hospital. Feeling his heart stop as he slowly walked to the door with Christine and armitage following behind. What he saw amazed him. Out in front of the hospital building were all the freaks and performers of Coney Island. they were all here waiting for bella. erik was in shock from what he was seeing. while Christine was in shock as well. even though she thought this should be a family thing. but it was different in bella world. Her mother is so kindhearted and deadly. Seeing the gates of hell was also amazing. and knowing one of your grandfathers is the soul king. He heard Christine gasped beside him.
"Oh my God," said Erik
"isabella is that special to them, She is like a mother figure to them. She gave them the courage to perform their talent or act in front of people, They all must be here to see or hear of isabella's condition, Although I suppose they already know that, loki is here he came with szayel to help with explaining things. im sure you know who loki is to bella." said armitage
"There hasn't been a large gathering like this since bella first performance years ago, She was enchanting that night, Like an Angel." said dr gangle
gangle was followed by Miss Flick and Mr. Squelch, who was holding the sleeping aro and holding athenadora in his arms. They were trying to help where they could. while loki walked into the room and looked around. he sighed and didn't know where to start. but he was needed by szayel so he was going to go into the room where he was needed. while tamaki and draco were waiting with the others. Christine looked at the two males and knew that they were her brothers. as they nodded to her to let her know it was not the time to get to know each other just yet. but they were looking forward to it.
"She had all of us perform with her. Telling a unique story... a story about Coney," said Miss Flick
"More as an introduction for those that were scared of performing in front an audience," said Mr. Squelch
Squelch remembered that day. He then handed the twins to Erik. They softly mumbled in their sleep as the twins rested their heads on their father's shoulder. Erik then looked among the people that were setting up camp before the hospital. He then glanced further to see that some reporters had started to arrive.
"Keep them hidden. I don't want the reporters to wake them and force them to hear harsh things about their mother, please," pleaded Erik
armitage smiled at Erik before he slipped out a mask and handed it to Erik. Erik looked at the mask and smirked as he knew that this mask was the one that bella gave to him as a gift for his birthday this year. He then slipped it on. Erik then glanced at Christine.
"You should go inside with armitage." said erik
"No, I am not going to hide and fail to protect my mother when she is fighting for her life, I have to ask though, Are you going to try and marry my mother?" asked christine
"I am not going to try, I am going to marry her," said erik
he added before he prepared himself for the hounds of the press. while Christine with her two brothers was joining them to go and speak to the press. while loki joined as well. he was not going to have bella good name smeared. she was fighting for her life. they may not be married no more but he still loved her deeply. he is happy that they are still friends. while sailor pluto stood beside her king and waited to see what she is able to do. erik sighed he was happy he has all of the people here to be with him in this press conference.
to be continued
