The Angel of the Opera: Part Four
by KrazyGirl
Meanwhile, Xander, Firmin, and Andre were making their way to Buffy's dressing room. As they came to her door, Xander turned to his friends. "Excuse me, gentlemen. But this is one visit I should make myself." Xander straightened his jacket, and knocked on Buffy's door. He entered with a charming grin. "Miss Daaé? Where is your scarf?" Buffy looked at him. "Monsieur?" Xander faked a shocked look. "Why, you couldn't have lost it! I was only a boy of 14, and I was soaked to the bone . . ." "Because you ran into the sea to fetch my scarf," Buffy finished for him. "Oh, Xander! It is you!" They hugged each other. "You were wonderful tonight, Buffy. It's just like when we were in your attic." "My father playing the violin, while the Angel of Music sang songs in our heads." Buffy sighed happily. Then her face grew grave and serious.

"Xander, I must say this. My father said that when he died, he would send me the Angel of Music. Well, Xander, father is dead, and I have been visited by the Angel of Music!" Xander barely heard her. "Of course. We must celebrate! I must get my coat, and you must change. 2 minutes . . . Little Lotte." With that, he wafted out the door. "Oh Xander. Things have changed." Buffy looked into her hand mirror. Just then, a voice from nowhere spoke to her.
"Insolent boy!
This slave of fashion.
Basking in your glory!
Ignorant fool!
This brave young suitor.
Sharing in my triumph!"

Buffy's eyes were transfixed on the long mirror by her desk. She rose and stood before it, eyes pleading.
"Angel of Music!
Speak, I listen.
Stay by my side!
Guide me!
Angel, my soul was weak
Forgive me!
Enter at last, Master!"

The voice seemed to soften a bit at her apology.
"Flattering child,
you shall know me.
See why in shadow I hide.
Look at you race in the mirror.
I am there inside!"

The face of a man with a mask over half his face appeared in the mirror. The half that wasn't covered had angelic features. Buffy's smile grew very wide.
"Angel of Music,
Guide and Guardian!
Grant to my your glory!
Angel of Music!
Hide no longer!
Come to me,
Strange Angel!"

The mirror began to shimmer with inner light, and the face beckoned Buffy to him.
"I am your Angel of Music.
Come to me: Angel of Music"

Buffy walked slowly towards the mirror, eyes caught on the face. Outside Buffy's room, Xander came to find the door locked. He heard the voices inside and pounded on the door. "Who is that voice? Who is that in there?"
"I am your Angel of Music.
Come to me: Angel of Music"

The mirror opened up to reveal the phantom-like man in a long corridor. Buffy stepped into the mirror, and held the man's hand. It was icy cold. The mirror slowly closed behind her, swallowing them up. Just as the inner light faded away, the door magically opened, and Xander stumbled in. When he saw no one was in the room, he cried out. "Buffy! Angel?!" But no one answered him. Buffy Daaé was gone. In a split second, Buffy and the Angel were floating in a boat along a glassy lake underground. Buffy, realizing where she was, began to sing of her plight with the Angel.
Buffy
"In sleep he sang to me.
In dreams he came.
That voice which calls to me,
and speaks my name.
And do I dream again?
for now I find
The Angel of the Opera
is there-
Inside my mind.
Angel
"Sing once again with me
Our strange duet.
My power over you
Grows stronger yet.
And though you turn from me,
To glance behind
The Angel of the Opera
is there-
Inside your mind."
Buffy
"Those who have seen your face
Draw back in fear.
I am the mask you wear . . ."
Angel
"It's me they hear."
Both
"Your/my spirit and your/my voice
in one combined:
The Angel of the Opera
is there:
inside your/my mind."
Angel
"In all your fantasies
you always knew
That man and mystery . . ."
Buffy
"Were both in you."
Both
"And in this labyrinth
where night is blind,
the Angel of the Opera
is there/here inside
your/my mind."

The boat was nearing it's destination. The Angel used his power over Buffy's voice to make her sing. "Sing, my Angel of Music." Buffy began to vocalize strangely. Her voice rose as the Angel cried out, "Sing for me!" Buffy ended the song with a blazing sound that erupted from her throat. "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!"


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