Hi! This is another fic with Charlotte (Erik's younger sister) in it. And yes, I love Christine+Erik pairing. This was based on Sam Siliciano's Angel of the Opera. I just thought I'd add in a few missing scenes, and redo some of the chapters.
Starting with Chapters 5 and 6.
Early the next morning, Henry and Holmes were returning to Paris. Holmes learned from the Lannon Clerk that there had been two passengers to Paris. They had both been ladies, a very young girl and her old, ugly, grandmother. "She was tall, very tall, and very ugly, from what I could see from beneath her veil." The clerk recalled. "But the girl- she was a beauty! Long black hair and the loveliest blue eyes..." Holmes cut off the clerk before he lost himself to lovesick yearnings.
"We appreciate your information, sir." Holmes said. "Yes, that was a clever disguise. I often do the same myself, although height is always a difficulty. But who was the girl?" Henry shrugged, not knowing how to answer. "An accomplice, perhaps? Although I doubt the Phantom would need one."
When they had returned to Paris, Holmes headed for the library and read up on the memoirs of Garnier, who attributed many of his achievements to a 'Monsieur Rouen', who was 'tragically afflicted', and had died just as the Opera was being completed. 'Monsieur Rouen' seemed like a veritable builder, contractor, designer, and carpenter. Very clever and very persistent, Garnier had written.
Later, they met with the managers. Richard and Moncharmin were most angry about the Phantom's demands, but what could they do? It was a hopeless cause, as Sherlock was still rather unfamiliar with the building. (I will skip the long, tedious descriptions about the explorations.) Sherlock got insulted and said he would quit the case, Richard and Moncharmin begged him not to, and they still did not yield to the Phantom's demands.
The night of the performance dawned clear, cool, and bright. However, the gaslights and chandelier made it rather hot and smoky inside the theatre. Christine, as Siebel, sang, but her heart was not in it. Carlotta bellowed like a bull during her arias, and finally, it happened.
CROAK!
The sound rang through the theatre. People gasped and stayed still. The orchestra stopped, but the conductor valiantly tried to continue. Finally, some faint music issued. Then, it happened again.
CROAK!
And then, the voice. Erik, from his perch high up in the catwalks, called. "She is singing to bring down the chandelier!" At this, Charlotte looked around, saw that everyone was too preoccupied to notice her, and threw her golden cuts-through-anything-and-everything throwing star straight up. Nobody noticed it until the chandelier started to shudder-and shudder- and sway, as Holmes and Henry tried to clear the floor. Then, the chandelier's wires finally snapped and it fell down, with a crash, killing a single stubborn woman.
"I tried to warn them." Sherlock said, his mouth twisting into a smile. "I said he was an angel. A fallen angel. Perhaps we should fly to the roof and try to find him there."
Charlotte flew through the corridors, avoiding people. Everybody was too distraught to notice her. She calmly headed to Christine's dressing room. Christine was just being pulled through the mirror. Charlotte looked around, saw that nobody else was in there, and calmly triggered the mechanism. Then, she followed her brother and Christine, acting for all the world like a shadow.
Henry and Sherlock Holmes explored the Opera for the next week. Then, the masquerade came. Raoul, being the idiot that he was, had told Holmes and Vernier about his appointment at the masquerade. Holmes was dressed as a hunchback, Henry as the Reaper. They were just nearing the viscount when Erik descended, resplendent in his Red Death costume. Following behind him was an angel, dressed in white with a white mask, silver gossamer wings trailing behind her. "I find it ironical, that a devil and an angel are together." Henry said, looking at the two of them.
"Ah, our phantom may be both, do not make those assumptions." Sherlock said wisely. Then, he was startled as the angel suddenly grabbed his arm and attempted to drag him off. "What?!" he asked, trying to untangle the girl from his arm without causing her too much bodily harm.
Charlotte gripped onto Holmes' arm even tighter as she sent Erik a message with her eyes. He took the hint and got out of there. Then, she finally let go and headed for Box 5.
Henry and Holmes arrived at Box 5 just in time to see the Christine stalk out followed by a fuming viscount. "I did not mean it, Christine, I swear!" Raoul cried, trying to redeem himself. "Let go of me, monsieur!" Christine cried, untangling Raoul from her body. "You have as much called me a harlot, and I do NOT appreciate your name-calling! Let me go! I shall not trouble you again, since you are too thickheaded to understand anything!"
"But Christine..." Raoul whined.
Christine wrenched her arm free, as she stalked down the hallway, towards her dressing room. Holmes decided it was time to act, and he grabbed her arm. Thinking it was the viscount, she tried to free herself. Then, Christine took a good look at Holmes' face and screamed. She turned around and spotted Henry in his Reaper's guard, which did not help her composure one bit.
"Mademoiselle..." Henry and Holmes both said, trying to talk to her. She recognized their voices, and looked confused. "It is I, Sherlock Holmes, and Dr. Vernier here. May we please speak with you?" Christine looked puzzled for a split second, before turning to Raoul. "You told them! Nobody was supposed to know- how could you! Oh, this is insufferable! So you were in his employ all along, Mr. Holmes. I should not have trusted you! I thought...." Christine trailed off, blue eyes starting to shine with renewed anger.
"I am no man's lackey, mademoiselle, least of all his. I am only interested in one thing- unraveling the mystery of the Phantom of the Opera." Holmes said, trying to reassure her. It didn't seem to work.
"So what does that have to do with me?" Christine asked, as she drew in a breath. "Why are you so interested- it must be those awful managers we now have, is it not? They have hired you to capture the Phantom, is that so? It has nothing to do with me!" Christine finished.
"Surely by now you must have realized that he and your Angel of Music are the same person." Holmes said, attempting to be reasonable.
Christine turned pale underneath her white makeup. She looked like she was about to faint. Dr. Vernier, being a doctor, grabbed her hand to try and steady her. His mask was disturbing, so he removed it, attempting to placate a distraught Christine. Then, she asked, "What can you know of him?"
"A great deal, Mademoiselle Daae. That is why I wish to speak to you. Believe me, I have his interests and yours at heart." Holmes looked at Christine with a beseeching look- trying to persuade her to believe him.
"You speak as if they were one and the same." she said.
"Do you not wear his ring?" Holmes asked, having his inscrutable eye for detail, nothing escaped him. This served to inflame the viscount yet again.
"Christine!" Raoul howled, ripping off his white mask angrily. "How could you?! How could you?! Now I understand- you have played me false! Even as you spoke to me, you were wearing the ring of another man! I was right! You are nothing but a dirty little whore!" Raoul turned and strode away.
Christine's eyes seemed to be teary for a second, but a minute later, they hardened into chips of sapphire ice. She turned and stalked off to-somewhere. (Actually, her dressing room, but Holmes and Henry didn't know that.)
A few minutes later, a LOUD scream was heard from the crowd. "I must go after him!" Raoul shouted. "Wait a minute- where has Christine gone? I just saw the death's-head from Perros!" Raoul rushed after the Red Death, who was ascending the stairs.
Erik frowned. He could not possibly Punjab Raoul out here in the open without attraction undue attention, and he needed to find Christine... <Charlotte! Where are you? Can you get this idiot de Chagny away from me? >
Charlotte stiffened as she heard Erik's voice in her head. <Okay, I'll get him out of the way. > She sent back. Then, she drew her own patented version of the Punjab lasso- only this one was made out of leaping flames. (In other words, Charlotte's Super-Strength Timed Flaming Lasso TM) She looked around, spotted Raoul, who had almost caught up with Erik, and formed a hoop out of the flames. Then, she took aim and flung it into the air. It landed around Raoul's neck, cutting off his air.
Raoul dropped to the ground, gasping and choking, as the lasso tightened and burned his throat. "HELP!" he yelled. Sherlock and Henry had gotten into the room at that moment and they both stared at the Viscount, who was on fire. However, a minute later, the lasso disintegrated into ashes, freeing Raoul, who looked dazed, burned, but otherwise okay.
"How is this possible?" Holmes asked, puzzled beyond comprehension. "A rope dipped in oil maybe- and then set on fire, and looped around the Viscount's neck. Still, it is highly unlikely, and people would have noticed. What is going on around here?"
After a while of searching for Christine, Raoul, Holmes, and Henry FINALLY thought about her dressing room. They arrived just in time to hear Erik's aria end and Christine swept away. When Raoul rushed in, Christine was gone.
Chapter 7
Just as Holmes leaves Christine and asks to speak with the Persian.
Holmes turned and raised his stick, the sunlight flashing off the silver wolf's head. "Please come out, Monsieur Persian. We mean you no harm. We only wish to discuss a mutual acquaintance."
I (Nadir) scowled as he walked towards the two men. * That idiot Englishman! He thinks I'm going to give away Erik so easily, does he? We shall see. I may only have been daroga of Mazenderan, while he is a famous detective, but I will not give anything away! And perhaps I'll do Erik a favor- it's only one more life, anyway, Allah knows I've killed enough already. One more won't matter, besides, it's an act of kindness! * Satisfied, I continued my advance, twisting my features into a perfect sullen look.
"What do you wish of me, monsieurs?" I asked, putting plenty of sarcasm into the phrase. I had learned enough of sarcasm from Erik, and Charlotte, too, those two were so cynical! I carefully adjusted my hat to hide the graying top of my hair, pretending nonchalance. As for my speech, I only had a trace of accent, thanks to the patience with which brother and sister had taught me French, during those years in Persia.
Holmes lowered his stick and leaned upon it, his breathing having slowed to normal. "Merely some conversation. I believe we have a mutual friend named Erik."
I feigned nervousness. "It is best not to mention that name. Especially not in heights such as these. Do you not know that angels can soar much, much higher than these stone buildings?" Mutual friend indeed! That simpering Englishman truly did not deserve that title! He knew nothing about Erik, and he was pretending to be his friend so I would reveal Erik's secret? Did he think me an idiot?
Holmes leaned over the edge, peering downwards.
"For God's sake, no need to take his words to heart!" Doctor Vernier laughed, thinking Holmes quite quaint in pretending that the Persian was actually serious.
"I see neither him nor Quasimodo crawling about, so I think we are fairly safe, and may speak freely." Holmes said.
"This is no joking matter." I said. Truly it isn't, for Charlotte is watching from that balcony up there. Of course, those two fancy detectives think they're so smart, the arrogant brutes! Nobody watching indeed! How did he ever manage to solve so many cases? Maybe it was Watson who did all the work and Holmes just stole the credit. Hmm, now that's a thought.
Holmes smile vanished. "No, it is not. Why did you follow us?"
I shrugged. "I wanted to discover what you were about. As you say, we have a mutual acquaintance." I'll just play it say, be cooperative, and fool them completely. It's worked before! Those managers actually think I hate Erik! Honestly, they are all so naive! And following them? Why, if I told Erik they were threatening Christine - which they were, no matter how they try to conceal it! - The two of them won't see the next sunrisse, dog collars or no! Didn't they know that Charlotte and Erik both know how to throw sharp objects, which can easily cut through those flimsy dog collars? Daggers and throwing stars aren't typically used, so I doubt they'd ever heard of it.
"He followed us?" Doctor Vernier asked.
Honestly, that man is so naive! How dumb can he be? Of course I followed them! Of course, I could have done a better job if I'd wanted to... they're so dumb!
Holmes nodded. "It was done quite skillfully, as might be expected. Remember, we are not dealing with an amateur here, but with the former head of the dreaded Persian secret police."
I clenched my fists, and unconsciously opened my mouth. How the hell did he find that out? "How the devil...? Who told you this? I shall deal with them severely!" So, maybe he isn't as dull-witted as I expected, but he's no match for Erik! And Charlotte... she's the very devil in some cases!
"No one told me, daroga, so you need not add further to your already impressive list of victims."
"Then how did you discover my identity?" Yes, I really did want to know that! Maybe he did have powers similar to the ones Erik and Charlotte possessed in excess, and Christine and that prig of a viscount in bits.
"That shall remain my little secret. It detracts from my reputation when I reveal my methods. People such as you always interest me. I wonder how you could have slaughtered so many of your countrymen that easily. How can you lack morals? The book I have been reading describes your killings into the thousands."
"I was only the tool of the Sultana." Oh, I know perfectly well which book you are referring to, Monsieur Holmes! I wrote it! It is utterly and completely untrue, and I have twisted the truth so much that it’s a wonder people still believe it! Thousands indeed! Well, Erik built the torture chamber and threw the Punjab Lasso, while Charlotte tamed the elements, but I-I did nothing other than lock certain individuals in jail! If that Englishman were smart he would have figured it out by now.
"Ah, so that is your justification? Can you not do better then that?"
"You are very insulting, Monsieur Holmes." Yes, I am insulted! But not for the reason he thinks. I'm getting VERY annoyed, and I'd very much like to push that insulting English pimp off the wall right now! It only reaches to his waist; it would be very simple to do... Charlotte knows this, I think. I look up and take a quick glance and it confirms my suspicions. I'm not the only annoyed person. She is fingering her Fire Lasso already; if this discussion doesn't end quickly she WILL use it!
"The Sultana was supposed to have been equal in every way to the most corrupt and violent emperors of Rome. Mere slaughter and torture did not suffice. She and her court had to watch, and to be amused. You helped arrange those spectacles, did you not? Did you enjoy watching women and children being torn apart by wild beasts?"
"The enemies of the state..." Actually, he has gone too far! I did not arrange a single spectacle! Erik and Charlotte more than took care of that! And women and children were almost never killed; it was always the men, the male Bibi dissidents! This man really needs to work on his history! I settled for a VERY ANNOYED LOOK and prepared to push that English detective off NOW!
"The enemies of the state... such elevated language! So that justifies your crimes!" Holmes said, but then he suddenly fell over.
I took the opportunity and shoved the vulgar English gentlemen as hard as I could and he tipped over the side of the wall. Then, I quickly ran towards the stairs. A second later Charlotte landed next to me and yelled "TELEPORT!" We were instantly sent out of there. We materialized in Erik's lair.
"So, how did it go?" Erik asked. He poured two cups of tea and had us sit down.
"It could have been worse. We couldn't stand it and Nadir pushed that Englishman off." Charlotte said, grinning. "It's a good thing, too. I was about to Punjab him."
I added my laughter and we continued tea in silence, simply glad to be together, and far away from the dangers of the outside world.
Chapter 13.
Henry and Holmes sat on a purple sofa, the small beardless man keeping a grip on Christine's hand. Erik handed Charlotte (If you haven't figured out she was dressed as a guy by now...) one of the revolvers and said, "If any of these gentlemen moves, you will shoot him, do you understand?" Charlotte nodded, not speaking because she knew that they'd see right through her disguise if she did, her ventriloquism wasn't that good.
Christine shivered, looking scared. Henry turned to Erik, as Raoul started to scream. Remember, in Phantom, Nadir and Raoul were separated and Raoul was the only one who was suffering from heat and illusions while Nadir was fine. "Silent!" Erik cried, and, wonder of wonders, the screams ceased instantly. "That's better." Erik said. Turning, he faced the two men with an amused look. "Is it my fault, gentlemen, if the Viscount and the Persian are so infernally stupid as to drop in my torture chamber? Did I invite them here? My chamber, unlike the one built for the Sultana, was not designed to roast people alive. The temperature is no worse then a warm afternoon in Africa, yet the Viscount believes he has been lost in the desert for days. The chamber is rather amusing, a series of mirrors constructed to resemble a wasteland. Perhaps we can have a look at it later."
"I'd be interested." Holmes said.
"I have not introduced my companion. This is Charles. I rescued him from the Daroga's men twenty-some years ago, in Persia. He's been with me ever since. The Daroga killed his parents, and he was only a boy then, so he has not quite recovered from the shock." Erik finished. Charlotte didn't say anything.
"Mifroid and his men are on the banks of the lake." Holmes finally volunteered. Erik looked angry for a moment, but then his eyes seemed to glow a bit. Charlotte suddenly threw a ring of fire around Christine's waist, to prevent her from moving. Then, she opened the door and released two words into the dark. A minute later she returned, and hissing could be heard. Charlotte smiled at Erik without saying anything, and gripped Christine's wrist again. The ring of fire dissipated and returned to the burning flames that girded her waist.
< Firey and Thunder. The lake is crackling with electricity now, and the air is filled with rushing flame. > Charlotte sent to Erik via telepathy. She had not intended to broadcast it aloud, but Holmes, Henry, and Christine all gasped at the same time. Charlotte didn't say anything else.
"Telepathic... Interesting." Holmes remarked, looking at Charlotte. "Perhaps he is not as mentally damaged as you would have us believe." Erik did not say anything else and moved to his organ, Bach transforming into the unearthly tones of Don Juan Triumphant. As soon as the music died away, shrieks could be heard from the torture chamber.
Okay, so Holmes tells Erik to let Christine choose, and Charlotte opens the door. Raoul stumbled out. Nadir followed. A split second, there was a loud BOOM! And Charlotte dropped to the ground, red blood staining her white shirtfront from the gaping wound in her chest. She dropped the revolver and staggered towards Erik, features twisted with pain.
"Pick up the revolver." Holmes said to Henry, who did. Charlotte had her arms wrapped around her brother, and would have fallen if he hadn't been supporting her. Toby barked loudly from the other room.
"You have killed him!" Christine shouted.
"At last!" Raoul replied, smiling.
Henry, being a doctor, hurried to Erik's side. Charlotte had been laid on the sofa. Erik's eyes were now blazing with a mixture of anger and pain. "Star..." Charlotte managed to say, indicating the black star shaped crystal that was hanging around her neck, next to the golden key. Erik nodded and removed them. "I will keep them in remembrance of you, until its time." he said. Charlotte nodded weakly, before she succumbed to the darkness.
Christine stepped towards Erik, who had turned towards the wall. "You damned murderer." he said, turning away. Raoul grabbed Christine's wrist. "Who was that man?" he asked. Christine sighed. "His companion, or so he says. I'm not sure about that,” she said.
"Monsieur Holmes, you have saved the day." Raoul said proudly. "The Phantom will find it is difficult to play tricks behind bars." Nadir scowled. * Allah! I had been hoping that the viscount had been killed first... *
Holmes shook his head. "Not so, Viscount. If you or the Persian makes a move, I will shoot you."
Raoul was amazed. "Surely you are joking!" he protested.
"I assure you that I have never been more serious in my life. It is my fault that the poor fellow is dead. You will back away from Ms. Daae, and the daroga will not move a muscle, or I will shoot you with little regret." Holmes picked up both revolvers and aimed them at the two men.
Erik and Raoul both stood. Christine looked puzzled. "Choose between the two of them." Holmes said, gesturing. Christine turned pale and stared back and fourth.
"Christine!" Raoul shouted, trying to get her attention.
"Monsieur, if she truly loves you, she will not require prompting." Holmes stated. Raoul looked mad but shut up.
Finally, Christine went over to Raoul, who embraced her. "I swear you'll never regret this, Christine!" He shouted excitedly.
Erik turned away, before laughing quietly.
"What is so funny?" Raoul asked, insulted.
"Oh, nothing. Only that within five minutes, we shall all be blown up. My little friends- here he indicated the scorpion and grasshopper- may not be real, but I started a timer a few minutes ago as a precaution. It connects to the detonator for the powder barrels. Even without Christine turning the grasshopper (The book says Scorpion, but any phantom phan knows that it is the Grasshopper which blows everything up), we shall all be blown up. It should be brief and rather painless here, a brief black roar." He finished.
"You are lying!" Raoul shouted.
"How stupid of me to not have realized it." Holmes said, looking a bit miffed.
"I do not want to die!" Raoul shouted. "Christine, I-" And then he was cut off as a lasso of fire wrapped itself around his throat.
Charlotte jumped up, looking completely healed. Her golden wings had unfurled, and she was once again dressed in her gold and black attire. With her blazing eyes and fiery lasso, she looked exactly like an avenging angel. She calmly jerked harder on the lasso, and Raoul was dragged forwards. Holmes and Henry both stared.
Charlotte laughed, the sound filling the air. "My brother was not lying when he said he was God, maybe not always, but at least in this realm,” she said. She tightened her grip on the lasso and stared menacingly at the Viscount. "Raoul de Chagny, you tried to murder me once already. That time I let it slide, since my brother wished it. Now, you have proven yourself unworthy of receiving that mercy again. I have every right to finish you off." she finished. Raoul gulped.
"Let me explain!" Raoul cried, turning pale. Charlotte shook her head. "No. Let ME explain!" she cried as she tore off her mask. Holmes, Henry, Christine, and Raoul all gasped in horror. There were deep gashes and scars across the front of her face. "How did this happen? That is not natural." Henry said, turning pale. Only the most vicious attack could have done that.
"Three years ago, Raoul de Chagny did this to me." Charlotte said. "First, he killed Kitty, Ayesha's sister. Then, he tried to rape me, which resulted in this face! He was slashing me with a knife while he tried to force me! I fainted later, and Erik found me. When I found out what my face looked like, I was horrified. I vowed revenge on the viscount and I will have it NOW!" she cried.
"Death Card!" Charlotte cried, as a dark shape rose out of the floor and attacked Raoul, leaving him dead. Then, Charlotte replaced her mask.
Erik looked at his sister in obvious admiration. Then he turned his attention to other matters. "Two minutes." he said, peering at the timer. Charlotte nodded. "Teleport Card! Take the others out of here!" she cried. Christine, Holmes, Henry, and Nadir suddenly vanished.
Erik and Charlotte linked hands as the air around them began to glow with the colors of their respective powers. Gold and black filtered around them, forming a semi-transparent shield. When the Opera collapsed two minutes later, they were protected. When the dust had finally cleared, they teleported themselves out.
"Well, that's that." Charlotte said. Erik was staring off into the distance again. "Christine..." He whispered, the sound dying into the air. Just then, there was a shout! Erik turned and saw Christine running towards him, followed by an absolutely shocked Holmes and Nadir.
"Erik!" Christine cried, hugging him. Erik looked VERY surprised. Then, they kissed.
And as darkness fell, two lovers slipped through the night, nobody knew where they were going, save for a golden-eyed spirit that watched them and smiled.
Completed 6/21/02