The games are just beginning…but where will they lead to once they end?

This is a E/C pairing, I will not write a story which does not end in those two characters. I do not write unhappy endings, sorry for all those who revel in the sadness. This story may progress into intense sexual situations, hence the rating. *UNDERAGE DO NOT READ*

This story, though retold, will give a twist on the ALW version, to make it my own. Pleaase forgive, this is my first Phanfic, so it may be a tad dry until you give me some reviews! J This is to be a story filled with hope, fluff, romance, suspense, heavy and light hearted pieces, angst and much more.

I do not own any of the original characters, their temperments are just played with J hehe…

Please review, *sad puppy dog eyes* I need to get better, and the only way I can do that, is for you dear readers, to critique me! Thank you. Now enough begging, enjoy the show!

PryingPandora

As it begins

I.

He could not stand it any longer. La Carlotta had butchered too many an aria. Enveloping himself in shadows the Phantom skirted along the rafters as he decided to drop in once again. To remind those fools know who they were trifling with.

At the height of La Carlotta's croaking notes he unwound the rope from it's hitching post, sending the scenery for Hannibal crashing down upon their insolent heads. He could hear the screams of the patrons below, and a sense of satisfaction filled him.

The Phantom could not resist watching the chaos that he created, proudly he glanced over the railing, just a fleeting glance at the prone and screaming Carlotta gave him immense pleasure. Her hideous voice, making a mockery of any aria, she deserved what came to her. He smirked, and turned quickly away, using the shadows as his guise.

As he sped away, he let loose the envelope, one containing his wishes for the new "owners" of HIS opera house.

Poor fools, they will learn whom they listen to.

He could hear them squabbling, his newest entrance causing quite the stir. Smirking he continued to listen to their petty woes, as Carlotta exits, her high pitched keening slowly dimming.

A sudden voice piqued his interest, listening more closely he could hear their irritating childlike voices.

"What shall we do? She shall be back wont she? Perhaps there…there was an understudy?" Andre pleaded frantically to the Maestro, waving his black walking stick around as if he was conducting his own aria.

The Maestro was outraged; the Phantom could hear the disbelief in his voice as he quickly told the new managers that there was no understudy for La Carlotta.

The Phantom was bemused, how interesting that the new managers' first test was so difficult, intrigued he continued to listen from his hidden vantage point.

"Then we must cancel tonight's gala, because we seemingly have no star!" Firmin's moustache twitched in anger as he ripped up the letter, scattering the pieces around the aria stage.

His ears pricked up as he heard his faithful attendant speak, Madame Giry's voice carrying a rather hopeful message, one that even his genius did not think of.

"Why Christine Daae could do it monsieur. "

Foolish mistake! His cold soul insisted, Is she ready?

As soon as a single note left her beautiful lips, he knew his hard work will have paid off. Her voice pure and delicate, captivating anyone within earshot. He could see the stage hands leaving over the rafters to view the source of such an angelic voice. The cast wandering close, their mouths agape in awe and he knew.

Smirking he slipped from his vantage point, eager to see how his young protégée will handle her newfound fame.