The Angel of the Opera: Part Thirteen
by KrazyGirl
Buffy gasped. Atop the first step, a figure dressed totally in scarlet stood there- the Angel! He wore a feathered hat, red suit, and red shoes. A red cape swirled gracefully around him. He also wore a death mask. "Red Death!" whispered a few people. The Angel stepped down the stairs, one at a time. All was silent, and Buffy stood transfixed on her tutor. The Angel was half-way down when he began to speak, or rather, sing:
"Why so silent, good monsieurs?
Did you think that I had left you for good?
Have you missed me, good monsieurs?
I have written you an opera!"

He pulled a large script out from his cloak, and tossed it to André.
"Here I bring the finished score:
DON JUAN TRIUMPHANT!
I'd advise you to comply,
My instructions should be clear.
Remember, there are worse things
Than a shattered chandelier!"

He turned to Buffy, beckoning her to come to him. She unwillingly walked to him, eyes wide with shock and fear. The Angel sneered (it was hard to tell by the skull mask) at the ring on the gold chain around Buffy's neck. He grabbed it, pulling taught. Buffy leaned forward. The Angel's eyes bored down into hers. "Your chains are still mine! You will sing for me!!" He ripped the chain off from Buffy's neck. Buffy's hand flew to her neck, grabbing at the extremely red line where the chain tore through. The Angel walked to the center of the ballroom, waved his hands in the air, and vanished!

The entire crowd panicked. People ran everywhere, screaming and shouting. Xander let Willow lead Buffy to her dressing room. As he scanned the rushing crowd, he spotted Giles running backstage. Xander ran to him,, and caught his arm. "Monsieur Giles, you must speak!" Giles stared at Xander with fear and anger in his eyes. "Sir, I know nothing!" Giles began to run again, but Xander easily held him back. "You do know something! What is it? What do you know about this . . this Angel?!" Giles finally stopped resisting. Oh, sir, if only you hadn't asked me. It is a story from a time long ago. I will tell you. It all started a long time ago:

"It happened many years ago. A traveling circus had come to the city. There were tumblers, jugglers, conjurers, human oddities . . ." Xander urged Giles on. Giles became in a trance as he recalled the past. "There was . . a poor young boy . . . I shall never forget it . . a poor young boy, barely a man, locked in a cage . . " "A cage?" asked Xander. "Yes, and people paid plenty just to see the 'freak of nature'. My heart broke at the sight of him, captured and alone. He was deformed from birth, with only a mask to hide his hideous features. He did not deserve to be treated like a monster."

"He had many talents- a prodigy, scholar, inventor, architect, musician and composer!" "All that, but all alone." added Xander. "One day, he escaped from his cage, and ran away. His owners said he died, but . . . I have seen him." Xander was stunned. "I have seen him. He gives me the notes, approaches me in Box 5. I pray that my dear Willow will never fall wrath to him. Oh, I have said to much already, monsieur" Xander ran after Giles. "Wait! There must be mo-" "No more! there have been too many accidents already! Too many . . ." Xander stopped in his tracks. "Accidents?!"


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