Author’s Note: FINALLY the next chapter! Wow, I think that’s the longest I’ve taken to update a story. But it’s hard when one is writing three fanfics at once…as I am. Nevertheless, I am SO SORRY for neglecting this story for as long as I have! School started up for me again and I have been busy with homework as well as fighting a cold/sinus infection last week. This chapter is also very long as an apology for the long wait, so I wrote it over a number of days as well.

Anyway, I’m glad so many people like this story with all the favorites/alerts I’ve gotten as well as late reviews. So, I hope you can forgive me for my severe tardiness. Enjoy the chapter and please review!

Chapter 11

Masquerade!

“Wendy,” Peter announced nearly two hours later, “I do believe that Jamie is going to absolutely love what we’ve done to his play!”

“I hope so,” Wendy sighed as she rubbed at her eyes tiredly. “My eyes are burning from all the reading!”

“Oh, I know he will, it’s marvelous! I couldn’t have done it without you!” Peter told her sincerely. “Especially since you thought of a much better name for the female lead!”

“That was you who thought of naming it after me, Peter!” Wendy laughed.

“It was? Oh, it was, wasn’t it?! Oh, how clever I am!” he grinned cockily, causing Wendy to laugh even harder. When she had calmed down, she said, “But, I feel very honored that you would name her after me, Peter, thank you.”

“Why wouldn’t I, Wendy?” He asked in reply. “You helped me fix it and finish it and this will give you a chance to have a starring role like you deserve and this one is perfect for you!” He paused and then added, “And, I’m sorry that my plans for you to star in Il Muto did not work out as they should have.”

Wendy waved her hand as if to brush his apology aside. “It doesn’t matter, Peter. As much as I appreciate it, I honestly don’t think I could have adequately preformed the role.”

Peter shook his head at her, smiling. “Oh, Wendy, always so modest.”

“But it’s true! I’m nowhere near Bella’s talent!”

“It takes more than just a good set of vocal cords to be truly talented, Wendy,” said Peter suddenly serious. And before Wendy could come up with an answer, he carefully closed the notebook that held the much revised play and stood up and stretched and Wendy did the same.

“I think it’s time for me to be getting back, Peter,” said Wendy sadly. “I’m surprised Tiger Lily hasn’t sent out a search party by now.”

She waited for him to say something in protest and when he did not she looked at him in surprise where he was climbing back down from his alcove.

“Did you not hear me, Peter?” she asked when he reached the bottom. “I said that I should probably be getting back.”

“I heard you, Wendy and I shall gladly lead you back to your dressing room,” he replied. “As, like you said, I believe the others will be wondering where you are.

“You’re…you’re not upset at my leaving like this?”

He cocked his head to one side, confused. “Why should I be, Wendy? I will see you soon enough anyway.”

Wendy’s eyes widened. “You will?”

Here, he smiled knowingly. “Of course, I must give my managers Jamie’s play so they begin to prepare before he returns, mustn’t I?”

“Yes…yes, but how---?”

He held up a finger, silencing her. “You will see in a few days, Wendy, don’t worry. Now, come on, let us begin our trek back to the light, shall we?” With that, he flung on his cloak and proceeded to lead the way to where the gondola was docked.

When Wendy returned to the main opera house, she found that the only person who really missed was Tiger Lily who grabbed her the minute she laid eyes on her and crushed her against her petite frame. As Wendy tried to pry herself slowly away from her, she saw Slightly walking towards and she noted that he looked much more relaxed than before.

“See, Slightly, you needn’t have worried,” said Tiger Lily when she finally let go of Wendy. “Wendy is back and she’s perfectly fine!”

“Yes, she is, may I ask what you were doing with him for three hours?” Slightly said.

“I was helping him revise Mr. Barrie’s play,” Wendy answered. “It’s absolutely wonderful and Pe—er, the phantom is very excited about it.”

He is? Is he going to give it to the managers soon then?”

“Yes, but he didn’t say when, just that he would see me in a few days.”

To her surprise, Slightly buried his face in his hands and moaned. “Oh, no, I just know when he’s going to deliver it! Oh, dear, Firmin and Andre will be at their wits end if he causes anymore chaos!”

“Which he most likely will,” said Tiger Lily, “considering he is the phantom.”

“And that’s exactly why I have to go talk to him!” cried Slightly and before either of the two girls could say anything more, he ran down the hall that Wendy had encountered Peter previously.

When he was gone, Tiger Lily said, “Do you have the feeling that he knows about something that we don’t?”

Wendy nodded. “I do, indeed, Lily, I do indeed.”

They found out what that ‘something’ was nearly three days later when the managers suddenly appeared on stage halfway through another rehearsal.

“If we could have everyone’s attention, we have an important announcement to make,” Firmin called out. When all eyes were on the two men, he continued, “My partner and I have been observing how hard everyone has been working over these past few weeks especially after having so shaken by what occurred during our last opera. And so, as reward for such hard work and as a celebration of our opera ghost’s defeat, we have decided to host a masquerade ball!”

As the performers exploded into excited murmurs amongst themselves, Wendy walked up to the managers and asked confused, “What makes you think the ghost has been defeated?”

“Why, my dear girl, surely he has been defeated because there has not been a single disruption during any of the rehearsals so he has clearly gotten the message that we will not tolerate any more of his games,” Andre told her, his voice overflowing with confidence.

“But what he’s only gone because he’s planning something much worse than last time?” Wendy asked.

Here, Andre chuckled as if she was a particularly ignorant girl. “My dear, what could possibly be worse that what he has already done? No, I think we have seen the last of the phantom of the opera, don’t you worry.”

I’m not worried for me, Wendy thought to herself as she nodded and smiled to the managers and then walked away. I’m more worried for what Peter has in store for you when he decides to drop in on your little celebration.

As soon as Firmin and Andre had said they were planning a masquerade ball, Wendy knew instantly that that was when Peter was going to appear next. It was the perfect setting for him; everyone would be wearing either a black or white mask and if he dressed simply enough, he would be completely unrecognizable.

She could only imagine what kind of entrance he would have.

The ball was scheduled for a week later, during which Wendy did not even catch so much as a glimpse of Peter’s cloaked form. His absence not only perturbed her, but also made her more anxious for the ball.

Finally the seven days passed and it was the night of the masquerade ball and Wendy was standing in front her mirror, admiring her ivory colored dress that swished whenever she moved. She couldn’t help feeling a little like Cinderella, getting to ready to go to the ball to meet her handsome prince.

In her hand, she held a white mask that was the closest she could get to the one that Peter wore. She knew that it wasn’t required to wear a mask; in fact she had been told by both the managers and James that she had no reason to hide her angelic face. But Wendy wanted to take part in the festivities wholeheartedly, and besides it wasn’t as if the mask was overly gaudy, it was plain and simple…like Peter’s.

She had just placed the mask on her face when she saw Tiger Lily enter, wearing a dress that was almost like Wendy’s except that it was black and promptly exclaimed, “Wendy! Why are you wearing that silly thing?”

“It’s called a mask, Lily,” Wendy answered calmly. “It is a masquerade ball, after all. Aren’t you wearing one?”

“I was, but it was just so itchy,” she said. “And yes, that you’re wearing it because of the ball, but you’re an honored guest! You shouldn’t have or need to wear one!”

Wendy sighed heavily. As the new ‘rising star’ of the theater, she was indeed an honored guest and she was sure that she was going to bombarded by people wanting to speak with her. Only London’s most elite had been invited to the ball and it was rumored that the managers had wanted to make the expensive gathering of the year.

“Since everyone seems to despise the idea of me covering my face, I suppose I won’t wear it,” she said as she slipped off the mask and placed it on a side table. Then, she turned her friend and said, “Come on, Lily, let’s go or we’ll be late!”

The spacious foyer of the theater was a flurry of black and white as couples twirled their way around it in dizzying circles. Everyone was so caught up in dancing or conversing along the sides of the room that none of them noticed the figure who was quietly observing the event from a darkened corner.

Peter had hoped to catch sight of Wendy before he made his grand entrance but he figured that she would be in the company of James Hooke. Even though he believed Wendy in that she had not and did not want to kiss him that night on the roof, he still despised the other boy, simply because he could well and truly have what Peter could not unless he were to give up his way of life and return to ‘normal’ society…which he refused to do, no matter what.

So, moments before Wendy and Tiger Lily arrived, Peter slipped away to wait for the opportune moment to crash the managers’ extravagant party.

As soon as Wendy and Tiger Lily stepped into the brightly lit foyer, James was instantly at Wendy’s side and was asking her to dance.

“Oh, I’d love to,” said Wendy pleasantly enough as she accepted his hand. “Lily, I’m sorry, do you mind?” she asked looking at her friend.

“Of course not, it’s a ball, Wendy! Besides, Slight—er, Nico should be around here somewhere.” And Wendy noticed that Tiger Lily intentionally avoided her gaze as she raised her eyebrows in surprise and hurried away.

Neither Wendy nor James said anything as they walked out onto the crowed dance floor and began to move along with the other couples. After a few minutes, James said, “I haven’t seen you in ages, Wendy, how are you?”

“Taking a much deserved break.”

He chuckled. “As you should, after all you’ve been through. I’ve been busy myself but I’ll admit that I have missed you, Wendy.” He finished softly and caressed her cheek with a fingertip. Wendy felt herself inwardly cringe, his finger felt so cold and so unlike Peter’s own warm and comforting touch.

They danced in silence after that, during which Wendy couldn’t help but steal glances at shadowed corners or the second level where more figures danced, searching for any sign of Peter. She was thoroughly disappointed when she couldn’t even catch a glimpse of something that might have been his shadow.

When the dance finally ended, Wendy wanted nothing more than to escape the overly flashy and seemingly pointless event, when she saw the managers ascend the main, sweeping staircase and raise their hands for silence.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” said Firmin when a hush had fallen over the crowd. “It is our great honor and delight to welcome you all to our theater, especially at such a time when---”

He never finished. For at that moment, the lights went out causing screams to erupt at the sudden darkness. Panic would have ensued if the lights had not come back on as swiftly as they had gone out. And all of the partygoers’ eyes locked on a figure who was standing at the top of the short staircase that led to the second level, and one who had most certainly not been there a moment ago. Because of this, many people gasped or screamed softly at the sight of him, knowing exactly who he was.

The Phantom!

At first, Wendy was surprised at his choice of dress, but then she smiled to herself as she realized that he would’ve wanted his entrance to be a shock in every way possible.

Instead of his usual black, Peter was wearing a coat the likes of which Wendy had never seen before. It was dark red like the color of a rose, save for the hem and cuffs which were elaborately embroidered with gold thread. The coat was so long that it whispered on the stairs as Peter descended, his eyes a vibrant ice blue as they glared at Firmin and Andre who were staring, open mouthed. Yet Wendy realized after a moment that they were staring not only at Peter himself but at the long slender sword hung from his waist and clinked ominously as he moved.

“Why so silent, good sirs?” Peter inquired, looked absolutely delighted that two grown men were so fearful of him. “Did you think that I was gone for good? Ha! I am not so easily chased away by a few unfulfilled requests. Although, I must admit that you two do throw a fabulous party when you want to, even though it is a celebration of my so-called ‘defeat’.” He smirked at the sight of their eyes widening in their increasing fear and his smirk only widened as he swept toward the crowd and announced. “While Misters Firmin and Andre were filling your heads with stories of how they so gallantly defeated me, I and a trusted colleague of mine were busy writing a play. It is a play by this theater’s former manager, Mr. James Barrie who entrusted me personally to finish his play which is entitled, Peter Pan or The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up.” Here, he pivoted around to face Firmin and Andre again and presented them with a dark green leather notebook. Andre took it slowly from Peter’s grasp, never taking his eyes off of his masked face. “You’re…you’re…the phantom?!” he finally managed to gasp.

“Yes,” said Peter, “I am.”

“But…but you’re just a boy!” cried Firmin. “How old are you exactly?”

“Quite young,” Peter replied sincerely, “and Mr. Andre, I am the most wonderful boy who ever lived!” He crowed cheerfully but then his smile faded as he drew his sword from his waist and his voice became hard and commanding once more.

“Now, a few instructions before rehearsals start, because as you know, Mr. Barrie shall be returning in early December to oversee the production before its premiere.” He paused to walk to forward toward Bella who instantly shrank away as he drew near and the fact that his sword was pointing right at her heart. “First, our dear Miss Guidicelli must be taught a lesson in modesty, so she will be given the silent and unseen role of the fairy, Tinker Bell, for she is so much like a fairy already; only able to have one emotion at a time.” He smiled again as Bella’s face reddened and she scowled at him but he had already turned away to face Wendy.

“And our main female lead shall be performed by Wendy Darling, as it is long overdue that she should have a starring role,” he said, his voice growing steadily softer as he neared her. She couldn’t help but smile when he was standing mere inches from her. She knew she should’ve been shaking in fear but how could she possibly be fearful of Peter? He was so kind, so sweet, so caring but unfortunately he hid all of these qualities underneath a mask just like the one he wore to hide his face from the world.

The pair did not notice that the crowd around was watching with bated breath at what the phantom would do or say to the young ballerina. Wendy was so overjoyed to see Peter again that she didn’t notice James slip away from her side as soon as Peter had approached.

Meanwhile, Peter stroked Wendy’s cheek like James had done before, but this time Wendy smiled at his touch and said, “I’ve missed you and thank you for entrusting me with the lead role of Jamie’s play.”

“Of course, Wendy lady,” Peter replied with a smile. “I could think of no one better for role, you share the same name after all.”

It was at the exact moment that Peter bent his head and pressed his lips gently to Wendy’s, that James arrived, buckling a sword to his waist. He had had enough of this ‘phantom business’ from both Wendy and the managers and was determined to put a stop to it. And when he saw the phantom kiss Wendy, even though it might have been the most innocent of kisses, his anger and hatred for him only heightened and he quickly unsheathed his sword and launched himself at the boy in scarlet.

In a flash, Peter was away from Wendy’s side, narrowly avoiding James’ attack and was standing in front of the staircase, grinning cockily at him. James quickly shook off his surprise and ran towards again, brandishing his sword whereupon Peter fled up the staircase yet when he reached the landing, he spun on his heel and fell through the floor, quickly disappearing from view.

Several people cried out at his sudden exit but Wendy could see that a trapdoor had opened in the floor, unseen until now as all eyes had been focused on Peter.

James saw it too and without even a second’s thought, he jumped through the hole after Peter.

And he landed in a forest.

There were trees everywhere and they grew so close together that James could not see any sure way out. He briefly wondered how on earth the phantom had managed to cultivate an entire forest underground when the sound of satisfied laughter and then the phantom’s voice called out mockingly. “Not so brave now, are you? Catch me if you can, James!” He ended with a laugh that echoed tauntingly around the agitated boy.

Angered at his teasingly, James made raised his sword to cut his way through the trees until he saw the phantom appear all around him.

It wasn’t an underground forest at all; it was a series of mirrors that gave the illusion of a large forest.

Nevertheless, James slashed out at the scarlet boy, slicing nothing but air. He whirled around as Peter disappeared and reappeared, smirking cockily at James’ struggle.

It was only when Peter disappeared and did not come back that a hand grabbed his shoulder. James instantly whirled around only to find not the phantom, but Slightly.

He said nothing as he pulled James through a door and out into the familiarity of one of the theater’s dimmed halls.

“James! Slightly! There you are!” Wendy cried in relief as she saw them standing in middle of a hall. After James had disappeared through the trapdoor after Peter, Wendy had run pell mell around the theater, trying to find a possible second entrance to follow James and not allow him to harm Peter. Even though she knew it was pointless, it was better than pacing in the foyer, worrying about it all.

“What happened?!” She demanded when she reached them.

“James fell into one of Peter’s torture chambers,” Slightly replied curtly.

“Torture chambers?” Wendy squeaked.

“Yes, he has several to trap people who try and find his home,” said Slightly as he continued to drag James along the hallway by his wrist.

“Why?” James asked then. “Why does he not want people to find his home? Why does he hide himself away?”

At his questions, Slightly let go of his wrist, spun around to face him and snapped. “I know nothing because the phantom’s secrets belong to no one but himself!”

“But you do know them, Slightly,” said Wendy. “You’re his most trusted friend, besides Jamie and I and Pe—er the phantom has told me nothing about his past.”

“And why should he?” Slightly growled. “He has his reasons for hiding himself away.”

“It would help us if we knew why,” James insisted. “This madness has gone on long enough! Please…Slightly, for all of our sakes.”

The three of them had stopped at the end of the hall and Slightly glared at Wendy and James through narrowed eyes as he considered their request. Finally, he sighed heavily and said, “All right, I’ll tell you the same story that Jamie told me but whatever I tell you will not leave my room, understand?”

They nodded solemnly.

“Alright, then,” said Slightly and he produced a key from his pocket opened an until then invisible door and led the way into his chamber to begin the story of the phantom’s dark past.

Author’s Note: I know, I ended it with a cliffy after I haven’t updated in so long! But I wanted to devote a whole chapter to Peter’s past and I figured that this chapter was already long enough! Again, terribly sorry for the long wait. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and please review!