The blinding green light of the portal slowly fades to oblivion, as the Mane Six and Spike slowly step onto the other side. As the vortex disappears behind them, they all took a moment to look about their surroundings, trying to figure out where they ended up this time. They seemed to be in the backstage area of what they could only assume to be a theatre. There were riggings and railings all lined throughout the ceiling and a number of different styled backdrops they could find.
“Alright, so just where in the name of Celestia’s flowing mane did we wind up now?” Applejack asked.
“I’m not sure exactly,” Twilight shook her head. “Whenever we punch in the information, the television just transports us to wherever it can find what we want. We request an opera, and I assume we must be backstage at an opera house by my guess.”
Thankfully, for the moment, there didn’t seem to be anyone around at this time, so they had no fear of being spotted. Feeling brave, they slowly move their way from behind the backstage area and onto the giant stage of the opera house. They couldn’t believe their eyes at just how glorious the entire place looked, especially Rarity. The entire performance hall was adorned with beautiful golden statues that sparkled brightly. There were rows upon rows of velvet red seats with golden frames and trimmings. What really seemed to catch all of their eyes, their mouths dropping, was the centerpiece of it all hung high over their heads. An amazing diamond chandelier lit up the entire hall, twinkling and sparkling like a thousand stars. Rarity had to wipe away a tear that began to from in her blue eyes. Never before had she seen such a beautiful opera house, not even the most famous on in Canterlot measures to the beauty of this room alone.
“Oh my!” Rarity gasped, starstruck. “I’ve never seen such a beautiful sight!”
“I couldn’t agree more, Rarity,” Twilight nodded.
“This sure is one hum-dinger of a setup here,” Applejack commented.
“Wowie-wow-wow!” Pinkie said, bouncing excitedly. “You could have a huge party in here every single day of the week… No, for a year!”
Just then, footsteps and voices are heard, drawing closer and closer.
“Someone’s coming!” Rainbow said, urgently.
“Quick, back here!” Twilight points.
They all jump behind a large curtain, as a sock company of players piles onto the stage area, as a thriving world comes to life. The group peek their heads out just enough to see the people at work. A bevy of ballet girls run through and pass the ponies’ hiding spot, climbing the stairs. The carpenters and painters are preparing sections of the set in the scenery docks. A piece of the set is rolled past on castors, as two tumblers practice their tricks. The whole population of the opera house is in movement, as musicians, singers, dancers, and stagehands assume their positions.
The musicians are grumbling into the Orchestra pit, as a musical composer made his way to his perch over the orchestra pit. The one that seems to stick out the most was a woman with too much armor, fabric, glitz, and a giant headdress. All over-designed.
“What is going on here?” Spike asked.
“Looks like they must be rehearsing,” Fluttershy answered.
“I’m guessing that lady must be the lead singer,” Twilight pointed out.
“Oh yes, in the opera they refer to her as the diva,” Rarity explains. “A title usually given to lead actress of these events.”
“Heh, and here I thought it was just another way to call out when some pony is overdramatic,” Rainbow teased.
“Wut in tarnation is with the weird getup?” Applejack asked.
“Applejack, don’t be rude!” Rarity scolds. “She is an artist; it matters not what she wears so long as she makes wonderful music.”
The leading lady begins her vocal warm-ups full voice, full glory… Full bosom. Suffice to say, it certainly wasn’t as wonderful as Rarity said. This lady must not have a very good sense of pitch or rhythm, seeing as pretty much every note and chord out of her mouth was either off-pitch or off-key. The group had to cover their ears, cringing at the horrible sound. They back further behind the curtain, getting as far as they could.
“Sweet Celestia!” Rainbow complained, covering her ears. “That’s the worst thing I’ve ever heard!”
“It sounds like a mix between a crying cat and scratching your hoof across glass!” Rarity added.
As the group continues to back away, they paid no attention to where they were going and bump in something, or should they say, ‘someone’. They quickly turn around to see a young girl, around sixteen of age, and wearing a costume much like the other ballet girls: Scantily and provocatively dressed. She had curly brown hair that matched her eyes perfectly. She had apparently fallen to the floor when they bumped into her and now was slowly trying to pick herself up.
“Oh, my goodness!” Fluttershy gasped, concerned. “We are so sorry, miss.”
“It was a complete accident,” Twilight added.
They quickly walk over to the girl, helping her back to her feet.
“No worries, it was my fault truly. I really should pay more attention to my surroundings, but I…”
The girl cuts herself off when she turns around to thank those who helped her, only for her eyes to see six colorful ponies and a small baby dragon staring up at her. The girl froze in fear and astonishment at the sight of the group. She looked as if she wanted to scream when Twilight flew up and covered her mouth with her hoof.
“No, no, no, please don’t scream!” Twilight urged, nervously.
The girl’s eyes just widen, as the lavender mare covered her mouth.
“Please ma’am, we won’t hurt yah,” Applejack assured.
“Yes darling, we mean absolutely no harm whatsoever,” Rarity added.
“Now I’m going to lower my hoof,” Twilight explained. “Just promise not to scream. Okay?”
After a moment or two, the girl calms down enough to slowly nod her head. Twilight slowly took her hoof off of her mouth and floats down to her friends. The girl kneeled to their level, studying them completely transfixed.
“What are all of you?” She asked, curiously.
Pinkie Pie was the first to bounce up to her, enthusiastically, and shook her hand with her hoof rather quickly.
“Hiya there miss!” Pinkie greeted, cheerfully. “My name’s Pinkie Pie!”
She finally stopped shaking her hand and when she pulled away, the girl’s arm still shook violently. She reached out and grabbed it with her other hand, holding it to her side to steady it. She turned to the others, her eyes asking for an explanation.
“Sorry for our friend’s enthusiasm,” Twilight apologized. “She may be a little overexcited, but she means well.”
“Worry not,” The girl brushed off, smiling. “When you live with a group of ballet girls for many years, you grow accustomed to excitement.”
“Anyways, to answer yur question there ma’am,” Applejack explained. “We’re ponies.”
“I notice that, yes. But what I wonder is: How are you able to speak?”
“Well… We come from another land called Equestria,” Twilight explained. “A place where ponies of all kinds, unicorns, Pegasi, and Earth ponies live in peace.”
The girl’s eyes widen again for an explanation, this information to her seemed too far-fetched to be true and yet here stood six talking ponies and a little dragon before her. She reached out a hand and lightly pat the little dragon’s head. Spike, in turn, sighed in content as he melted into the scratching behind his ears.
“My, you most certainly are real,” The girl said.
“Yes we are, miss,” Twilight nodded. “I’m Twilight Sparkle and these are my friends: Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie.”
“And of course you already met Spike,” Rainbow said, pointing to the little dragon.
The dragon in question rolled onto his back, as the young girl began to scratch his tiny scaly belly. His leg twitched like a dog, as he enjoyed his little personal heaven. The girls giggle, as the young lady stood back up to her full height, much to Spike’s annoyance.
“Aww, that was a great belly rub!” He whined.
Spike rejoins the rest of the group, as they all look up toward the young girl.
“My name is Christine Daae,” She introduces herself. “I must say, it is quite lovely to meet you all.”
“It’s nice to meet you as well, Christine,” Twilight said.
“Christine Daae!”
Every pony quickly leapt behind Christine, as a middle-aged woman with blond hair wrapped in a tight bun and wearing a dark gray dress approaches Chrstine. This is Madame Giry, the strict ballet mistress.
“Why are you not onstage rehearsing with the others?” The woman asked, sternly.
“Apologies Madame Giry,” Christine answered. “I was merely trying to find the right frame of mind.”
“Well find it in the stage,” Madame Giry ordered.
She talked off back onto the stage, as Christine turned toward the group.
“I am really sorry, but I must go and practice.”
“No worries at all, Christine,” Rarity assured. “We completely understand.”
“Thank you very much. Perhaps, after rehearsal, I can show you around the rest of the opera house. Maybe even introduce you to a few of my friends.”
“That sounds very lovely,” Fluttershy replied, sweetly.
“Now ya’ll best get on out there ‘fore yah get yourself in trouble,” Applejack warned.
Christine nods and quickly runs onto the stage area, working on her ballet routine with the others. The group watch her and the others from behind the curtain, as they all began the great choral scene from Chalumeau’s, Hannibal. The leading diva, Carlotta by name, crowns the moment with a piercing high note.
https://m.During her opening verse, she is holding the severed head while her maid and seamstress still work on her over-designed costume. The set is still under construction, painters re-touching, stagehands walk through with ladders, carpenters are hammering, and the conductor, Monsieur Reye, who strongly resembles Lizst, directs her from the orchestra pit. Madame Giry sends her ballet girls on stage, among them Christine and another chorus girl (Possibly her friend). They are all scantily and provocatively dressed.
The men’s chorus enters. Now the full cast is marching and singing triumphantly, the jubilant chorus rings through the entire building. The men’s chorus goes backstage, changing helmets and circles back to give the appearance of a larger army. A large man, Ubaldo Piangi, a puffed pigeon of a baritone, enters as Hannibal. He is dressed in a Roman warrior’s outfit, strolling confidently onto the stage and stood in fake triumph. From behind the curtain, Rainbow Dash chuckled and snickered.
“Man, I thought Augustus Gloop was fat!”
“Rainbow, hush now!” Rarity scolded.
“No, no, no, no, no!”
The conductor, Monsieur Reye, taps his conducting rod against the podium getting the man’s attention. He then storms up stage in a huff.
“Signor… if you please: “Rome”. We say “Rome” not “Roma”!
“Si, si, Rome, not Roma,” Piangi spoke, in an Italian dialect. “Is very hard for me. Rome… Rome…”
“Once again, then, if you please, Signor: ‘Sad to return…’”
All of a sudden, another man with a bushy mustache, Monsieur Lefevre, the manager, leading two men out from behind the rest of the cast members. They are overdressed, overfed and quite full of themselves.
“This way, gentlemen, this way,” Lefevre leads the two men. “Rehearsals, as you see, are under way, for a new production of Chalemeau’s ‘Hannibal’.”
“Monsieur Lefevre, I am rehearsing!” Reyer complained.
Monsieur Lefevre just brushed him off as he continued, the cast and stagehands turn to look at them.
“Monsieur Reyer, Madame Giry, ladies and gentlemen, please, if I could have your attention, thank you. As you know, for some weeks there have been rumors of my imminent retirement. I can now tell you that these are all true.”
“Ah-Ha!” Carlotta laughed, pointing.
Lefevre just shook his head and proceeds.
“And it is my pleasure to introduce you to the two gentlemen who now own the Opera Populaire: Monsieur Richard Firmin and Monsieur Gilles Andre. I’m sure you have read of their recent fortune in the junk business.”
“Scrap metal, actually,” Andre corrected.
“They must be rich,” One chorus girl commented.
During this time, high up in the flies, someone is watching the people on the stage below. The dark shadow moves, as the cast and crew politely applause, some bowing.
“And we are deeply honored to introduce our new patron,” Firmin said.
“The Vicomte de Chagny!!!” Andrew introduced, beside himself.
From behind the two men walks a dashing and handsome young man, possibly early twenties, with shoulder length blonde hair and a fancy blue suit as he waved to everyone. This is big news as ‘oohs’, ‘aahs’, ‘applause’, and ‘bows’ are made.
“My oh my,” Rarity commented. “He certainly is quite handsome for a human.”
“I have to admit, he does seem rather dashing,” Twilight agreed.
From the sidelines, Christine and her childhood friend, Meg Giry, daughter of Madame Giry, look upon the young man in astonishment. Christine especially seems very happy to see him, as if she actually knew this young man.
“It’s Raoul…!” She said, to Meg. “Before my father died… At the house by the sea… I guess you could say we were childhood sweethearts… He called me ‘Little Lotte’.”
“Oh Christine… He’s so handsome!” Meg smiled.
Madame Giry shushes them as Raoul, unaware of Christine, embarrassed by the impressed, overly adoring crowd, speaks.
“My parents and I are honored to support all the arts,” Raoul explained. “Especially the world-renowned Opera Populaire.”
Carlotta moves forward aggressively.
“Vicomte, gentlemen, Signora Carlotta Giudicelli, our leading soprano for five seasons,” Levevre introduced.
Andre and Firmin politely bow, we can sense Carlotta is not popular with her co-workers and performers. Raoul took Carlotta’s hand hesitantly and she gave a deep, theatrical curtsy. He gave her hand a quick kiss before releasing it.
“Brava! Brava!” Carlotta’s attendants called out.
Rainbow once again scoffed from behind the curtain.
“Oh please,” Rainbow said. “She has got to be one of the worst singers I’ve ever heard after those terrible exercises.”
“Well, maybe she can be a lot better,” Pinkie said. “It all just depends on having a really good teacher, the right music, proper vocal practice…”
As Pinkie rambled on, the others just shook their heads as they observe. Seeing that Carlotta is flirting with Raoul, Piangi asserts himself.
“Ahem!” Piangi coughed, in a high-pitched manor.
“And Signore Ubaldo Piangi,” Lefevre added.
Piangi smiled and gave a bow, his ridiculous costume only allowing him to bend so far.
“An honor, Signor,” Raoul said, smiling and nodding. “I believe I am keeping you from your rehearsal. I’ll be here this evening to share your great triumph.”
Raoul turns toward Monsieur Reye, as Lefevre introduces him to the annoyed conductor.
“Monsier Reyer, our chief repetiteur. Rather a tyrant, I’m afraid.”
“My apologies, Monsieur,” Raoul bowed.
“Thank you, Monsieur le Victomte!” Monsieur Reyer said. “Once more if you please, Signor! ‘Sad to return…’”
Everyone began to set up again, Carlotta happily walked off to her attendants.
“He love me, he love me,” Carlotta said, girlishly. “Love me, love me, love me!”
Raoul walked pasted Christine and Meg without even a second look. This caused Christine’s smile to fade, as she looked at the floor.
“He wouldn’t recognize me,” Christine said, sadly.
“He didn’t see you,” Meg assured.
Fluttershy couldn’t help but frown as well, looking rather sad.
“Poor Christine,” She sighed.
“I know what you mean, darling,” Rarity added. “Seems she quite fancies that man, but it’s as though he doesn’t even remember her.”
A familiar piece of music played and the three rushed onto the stage, taking their place. Piangi starts once more where he left off.
Madame Giry pulls Firmon off the stage, as the ballet dancers begin to perform.
https://m.
“If you please, Monsieur!” Madame Giry called. “We take particular pride in the excellence of our ballet, Monsieurs!”
As they walked about the backstage area, they watched the ballet dancers leap and bound across the stage, with prop chains and shackles around their wrists.
“I see why!” Firmin replied, with appreciation.
“Especially that little blond angel,” Andre points, as they passed Meg.
“My daughter, Meg Giry,” Madame Giry said.
“And exceptional beauty?” Firmin asked, gesturing to Christine. “No relation, I trust?”
“Christine Daae,” Madame Giry said, as they watch. “Promising talent, Monsieur Firmin. Very promising.”
“Daae did you say?” Firmin asked. “No relation to the famous Swedish violinist?”
“His only child. Orphaned at seven, when she came to live at the opera house and train in the ballet dormitories.”
“An orphan you say?” Firmin asked, curiously.
“I think of her as a daughter also,” Madame Giry smiled.
They moved off to the side as they watched the conclusion of the scene, Andre acquiring a spare set of shackles, which were draped around his neck like a scarf. As everyone sang the conclusion of the scene, there was an audible ripping sound as the hem of Carlotta’s dress was ripped.
“Not on my dress! Why?” Carlotta said, angrily.
She smiled again and continued, but it was clear she was getting fed up with how her day was going. The Elephant, a life-sized mechanical replica, is wheeled on. Piangi is lifted (not easily) in triumph onto its back. The elephant’s trunk suddenly rears and almost hits him. The trunk falls back down, as Piangi almost falls off. Carlotta steams because the new managers pay no attention to her.
Andre and Firmin watch and chuckle as Piangi was unable to climb onto the giant prop elephant. Everyone hit their final pose, the happiness for having a fairly good rehearsal ended at the sound of Carlotta’s voice.
“All day!” Carlotta complained. “All they want is the dancing!”
The large elephant was turned around, revealing workers inside of it, drinking.
“Well, the Vicomte is very excited for tonight’s gala,” Firmin said, to Monsieur Lefevre.
“Oh! Oh! Allora, allora, allora,” Carlotta approaches the men. “I hope that he is as excited by dancing girls as your new managers! Because I WILL NOT BE SINGING! Andiamo, tutti!”
Carlotta began to march across stage as people rolled their eyes, mockingly waving at her.
“No, it is finito. Finished! Get my doggy! Bring my doggy! Bye-bye!”
She reached for her dog, which everyone felt sorry and began to leave. No one, besides maybe Piangi, actually liked Carlotta. Meg rolled her eyes, while Christine sighs as they watch the drama unfold. On the sidelines, the ponies and Spike groan.
“My goodness!” Rarity gasped. “Such uncouth action from someone claiming to be an artist.”
“What do we do?” Andre asked, panicking.
“Grovel,” Lefevre instructed. “Grovel! Grovel!”
“Right Andre muttered, walking after her.
“Signora please!” Firmin groveled.
“See you later because I’m going now!” Carlotta continued. “It is finished.”
“World renowned artist and great beauty!” Firmin continued, as Carlotta slows.
“Princippessa! Bella diva!” Andre added.
“Si, si, si!” Carlotta said, looking at them.
“Goddess of Song!” Firmin added.
“Evello!”
“Signora, I have experience all of your greatest roles,” Andre replied, turning to Monsieur REYE. “Monsieur Reyer, if I remember rightly, isn’t there a marvelous aria for Elissa in act three of Hannibal? Perhaps the Signora—”
“Yes, yes, yes, ma no!” Carlotta shouted. “Because I have not my costume for act three, because SOMEBODY NOT FINISH IT! And I hate my hat!”
“But, I wonder, Signora, as a personal favor, if you would oblige us with a private rendition?” Firmin asked.
Carlotta began to ‘cry’, covering her face, hopefully not smudging her blue eye makeup or the gold applied to her face.
“Unless of course, Monsieur Reyer objects.”
“No, aspetta, aspetta!” Carlotta interrupts.
The diva takes a deep breath, ‘recovering’ from her ‘episode’.
“Well… If my managers command.”
Andre smiled back.
“Monsieur Reyer?”
“If my diva commands,” Monsieur Reyer said, slightly mocking.
But this caused her face to fall.
“Yes, I do!” She said, marching up front. “Everybody be quiet!”
The three men head across the stage to watch Carlotta perform.
“Monsieur Lefevre, why exactly are you retiring?” Andre asked.
“My health,” He answered.
Everyone began to prepare for the earsplitting notes they know Carlotta would somehow work into the song. Even though she knew they weren’t supposed to be there.
“Psst! Psst! You, too!” Carlotta shouted, pointing to a cast member.
“Will two bars be sufficient introduction?” Monsieur Reyer asked Firmin.
“Two bars will be quite sufficient,” Firmin assured.
“Signora?”
Carlotta sprayed some of her throat spray into her mouth, swallowing.
“Maestro.”
The piano plays the intro, as Carlotta began to sing.
https://m.
Up above the rafters, a shadow moved about the catwalk above the stage. The shadow’s moves were deliberate and precise; it knew exactly what to do and where to go. It stood just above Carlotta and grabbed a rope that tied the folded backdrop up so it wouldn’t crash down to the stage. He reached a black leather glove clad hand out and quickly undid the rope. The piece of wood on the bottom made the backdrop plummet down, the ropes quickly sliding from the pulleys. Everyone screamed as they saw the backdrop fall, but Meg’s scream was the loudest. Twilight noticed that Christine was in the path of the falling backdrop.
“Christine, watch out!” Twilight shouted.
The girl didn’t seem to hear her, as Rainbow noticed the backdrop was about to fall on Christine. Using her powerful wins, she zipped out from behind the curtain and tackled Christine off to the side, out of harm’s way. The backdrop hit Carlotta’s legs and she screamed, as she fell to the stage.
“Oh my God!” Monsieur Reyer yelled, in shock. “Signora!”
Christine and Rainbow Dash sat up, as Christine wrapped Rainbow in a hug.
“Thank you for saving me, Rainbow Dash,” She thanked.
“No problem,” Rainbow replied, patting her back.
The rest of the group ran from behind the curtain and up alongside their two friends.
“Rainbow, Christine, are you both alright?” Twilight asked, concerned.
“Yeah, it’s all good,” Rainbow nodded.
The rest of the group sighed in relief, seeing their friends unharmed. The shadowy man above watched the chaos proudly, before leaving his place in the rafters.
“Lift it up! Lift it up!” Firmin shouts.
“Cara! Cara!” Piangi rushed over. “Are you hurt?”
Carlotta screamed, smacking the stage as people hauled the backdrop off of her. Meg ran up and took Christine’s hands after she got back to her feet.
“He’s here,” She said, facing the rafters. “The Phantom of the Opera.”
Made Giry made a quick exit, disappearing backstage.
“Signora, are you alright?” Lefevre asked. “Buquet! Where is Buguet?”
He turns to Andre and Firmin.
“Chief of the flies, he’s responsible for this. Buguet, for God’s sake man, what’s going on up there?!”
A filthy old stagehand walked about on the rafters above the crowd, looking down at the former owner.
“Please monsieur, don’t look at me,” Buquet called down. “As God’s my witness, I was not at my post. Please monsieur there’s no one there. And if there is, well then, it must be a ghost…!”
A sly grin formed on his face, as if he knows something that they don’t.
Madame Giry, who was backstage, saw a letter flutter to the ground. She bent over and picked it up. The edges of it were trimmed in black, the red wax seal holding it shut was a large gooey looking skull. She moved her long braid over her shoulder, walking back towards the stage ready to deliver the note.
“Signora, these things… Do happen,” Andre assured, nervously.
Carlotta was still clearly upset, as she gave Firmin a disbelieving look.
“Happen? These… Things… Happen? For the past three years these things do happen!” Carlotta said, directing toward Lefevre. “And did you stop them from happening? No!”
Then she turns to Firmin and Andre, frustrated, trying to collect herself.
“And you two! You are as bad as him! ‘These things do happen’? Ma, urgh! Until you stop these things from happening, ‘this’ thing does not happen! Ubaldo, andiamo! Bring my doggy and my boxy!”
She starts marching off again, everyone sighed and watched her leave. Piangi stepped forward with a sneer, gesturing to Firmin and Andre.
“Amateurs!” He spat, walking off.
“Bye! Ciao! Now you see! Bye-bye! I’m really leaving!” Carlotta shouted, on her way out.
“Gentlemen, good luck,” Lefevre said before leaving. “If you need me, I shall be in Australia.”
Monsieur Reyer gave a groan of disbelief before he turned around.
“Signora Giudicelli, she will be coming back, won’t she?” Firmin asked.
Monsieur Reyer could only give an exasperated shrug.
“I hope note…” Rainbow muttered, with a small laugh.
Christine laughed a bit but stopped when they heard Madame Giry.
“You think so, Monsieur? I have a message, sir, from the Opera Ghost.”
The chorus girls twittered and twirled in fear.
“Oh, God in Heaven, you’re all obsessed!” Firmin said.
“He merely welcomes you to his opera house,” She began.
“His opera house?”
“He commands that you continue to leave box five empty,” She said, gesturing to the box seat stage left. “For his use and reminds you that his salary his due.
“His salary?” Firmin asked, in shock.
“Well, Monsieur Lefevre used to give him twenty thousand francs a month,” She explained.
The way she said that made it seem as if that was the simplest thing in the world.
“Twenty thousand francs?!” He asked, in shock.
The man yanked the note away from Andre, but the message was perfectly clear.
“Perhaps you can afford more, with the Vicomte as your patron?” She asked.
“Madame, I had hoped to make that public tonight when the Vicomte was to join us for the gala,” Firman said, ripping the note furiously. “But obviously, we shall now have to cancel, as it appears we have lost our star!”
Christine, Meg, and the ponies were all talking, ignoring the current conversation.
“But surely there must be a… Um… A…” Andre said, stumbling for the word.
“Understudy!” A cast member offered.
“Understudy!” Andre finished, with hope.
“Understudy? There is no understudy for La Carlotta!” Monsieur Reyer said, as if it were obvious.
“A full house, Andre,” Firmin said, angrily. “We shall have to refund a full house!”
“Christine Daae could sing it, sir,” Madame Giry said.
Christine, the Mane Six, and Spike all looked shocked. This woman couldn’t be serious. By the look on her face, she was. None of them knew, but this idea was the spark that would light a fire. They couldn’t believe Madame Giry suggested that Christine, a chorus girl, would take the place of a lead. This was unheard of.
“What? A chorus girl?” Andre said, dismissively. “Don’t be silly.”
“She’s been taking lessons from a great teacher,” Madame Giry assured.
Monsieur Reyer raised an eyebrow, surprised at this news, having not known this. Andre’s interest sparked slightly at the news.
“From whom?” He asked.
“I don’t know his name, Monsieur,” Christine said, apologetically.
“Oh, not you as well!” Firmin groaned.
Madame Giry placed a hand on the nervous girl’s shoulder and smiled.
“Let her sing for you, Monsieur,” She insisted. “She has been well taught.”
Andre turned back to Christine, smiling brightly. After all, what had they got to lose.
“Come on,” He said softly, speaking to her like a child. “Don’t be shy.”
Christine turned toward her new friends, who look up and nod reassuringly, as Madame Giry urged her forward. Christine just shook her head.
“I don’t think I’m good enough to do this,” She whispered, nervously.
“You can do it, Christine,” Rarity reassured.
“No, I really can’t!” Christine shook her head. “Yes I have been taking lessons, but I still do not think I’m good enough.”
Twilight thought for a moment, then turned to Rarity.
“Rarity, why don’t you try singing something to inspire her?” She suggested.
Rarity’s eyes shot open in fear, looking at Twilight.
“Me?!” She shrieked.
“Of course, why not? You sing for the ‘Ponytones’ back home; I’m sure you can do it here.”
“Yes, but back home I had at least three others singing alongside me. I’ve never actually sang before an audience by myself… Especially not toward ‘humans’.”
“Please Rarity,” Christine pleaded.
Rarity looked in the pleasing eyes of her new, frightened friend. She looked toward the rest of her friends and the other cast members, who just now noticed they were there.
“Oh… Alright,” Rarity sighed.
Before Rarity went, Pinkie Pie quickly zoomed up to Rarity and offered a piece of sheet music from her mane. She quickly whispers into Rarity’s ears as she looks at the lyrics.
“You sure?” Rarity asked.
Pinkie Pie merely nodded rapidly, as Rarity takes a deep breath and takes the sheet music with her mouth. She walks as confidently as possible, or tried to, as she walked to center stage. Everyone else looked confused, especially at a white pony with a horn on her head.
“Can the pony sing?” Andre asked Firmin.
“Of course not, Andre!” Firmin scoffed. “Talking is one thing, but ponies certainly can’t sing!”
Rarity shot the two a venomous look, more than enough to shut them up. She hands the piano player the sheet music, who sets it up and stands at the ready. Rarity looks out at the empty hall before turning to the piano player with a slight nod. As the piano player tunes the keys and plays the notes, Rarity took a deep breath… And sang…
https://m.
(Stop at 2:10)
As she finished singing, the entire cast and her friends looked onto her with wide eyes, their jaws dropped. Even the shadowy figure, observing from above, was watching. His eyes seemed intrigued by this new development. The entire room erupts in applause and cheers.
“Brava! Brava!” Andre cheered.
“Splendid!” Firmin shouted.
Rarity smiled at all the cheers and applause she received, slowly trotting back to her friends. They all smile brightly, hugging her tightly.
“Rarity, that was amazing!” Twilight complimented.
“You were totally awesome up there!” Rainbow added.
“Ah gotta say, sugar cube,” Applejack smiled. “Ya’ll got quite the set of pipes on yah.”
“Yep. Hope we’ll still be able to do that movie I ‘borrowed’ the song from,” Pinkie Pie rambled. “But I’m sure the two narrators wouldn’t mind for the sake of the story.”
Were we ever planning to do ‘An American Tail’?
Let’s about it later.
“You see Christine,” Rarity said, to Christine. “If I can sing up there, so can you.”
Christine sighed to herself, as she knew the unicorn was right. Surely, if she can go up there and sing like that, she herself most certainly could. She slowly stepped forward as Andre brought Christine towards the front of the stage.
“Come on, come along,” Andre urged. “Just… Just—”
“From the beginning of the aria if you please, mademoiselle?” Monsieur Reyer asked.
The conductor walks back to his stand, as Christine fidgeted her skirt nervously before shutting her eyes. Taking a breath and opening her eyes again. Suffice to say, Firmin didn’t bode great confidence despite previous events.
“Andrew, this is doing nothing for my nerves,” Firmin said, stiff as a board.
“Well, she’s very pretty,” Andrew smiled.
As the piano plays, before their surprise, Christine began to sing.
https://m.
(Stop at 0:40)
After the small sample, she stepped back and turned to the cast awaiting the jeers. However, to her surprise, all she received was cheers and applause as well.
“Fantastic!” One cast member complimented. “Absolutely fantastic!”
“Exceedingly well done,” Madame Giry smiled.
She then looks up to another letter floating down towards the ground and quickly retrieves it. While she gathers the letter, Andre and Firmin approach the young Miss Daae.
“You are an absolute gem, my dear,” Andre praised.
“Indeed,” Firmin agreed. “You hit every pitch and note to perfection!”
“Firmin, I think we’ve found our understudy!”
It was at this time Madame Giry returned with the open letter in her hands.
“You are most certainly going to want to hear this Monsieur’s…”
Everyone once again turns to her, as she held the letter.
“The Opera Ghost agrees Miss Daae should be the understudy for the role,” Madame Giry explained. “But he also believes before the performance proceeds, there should be a grand performance to open the show.”
Everyone turned amongst each other, utterly confused. A grand performance to open the show they heard. But what on Earth could that possibly mean?
“Exactly what performance could this ‘Opera Ghost’ have in mind?” Andre said, mockingly.
“Perhaps he means for the dead to rise from the graves and dance vaudeville,” Firmin joked.
The two men laughed, as Madame Giry turned to them angrily.
“Actually Monsieur’s, the performance he commands is a ballad performed by none other than… Miss Rarity.”
“WHAT?!”
Everyone in the room, ponies included, all turned slowly toward Rarity. The fashionista herself had eyes wide as saucers, practically frozen stiff. The Opera Ghost expects her to perform onstage, to open the opera? Suddenly, her eyes glossed over, and she fainted backwards on the stage floor.