//------------------------------// // Prima Donna // Story: Cinematic Adventures: The Phantom Of The Opera // by extremeenigma02 //------------------------------// Opera Populaire 1919 The nurse/nun and the liveried chauffeur assist the frail Raoul back into his elegant car. As the nurse and driver are seated, Raoul looks up to see Madame Giry leaving the theatre. As his car moves away slowly, they both turn to each other – two old friends that have shared many dark secrets – who know they will probably never see each other again. With great effort, Raoul makes a chivalrous gesture, raising his silk top hat and places it over his heart. Madame Giry is moved, and does a tiny, elegant curtsy. Raoul leaving his hat, rests back in the expensive leather seat. His mind once again fills with haunted dreams of the past, as he looks in the side mirror, the old, scarred theatre disappearing in the distance as he recalls the days of his youth… <> Opera Populaire 1870 It was early morning, and they had been gone a long time or so it appeared. Could they have been gone the whole day? Slowly, Christine, the ponies, and Spike walk through the door, pulling it open. Unknown to the motley crew, Monsieur’s Andre and Firmin, Madame Giry, and Meg had been looking for Christine… To be precise, Andre and Firmin had been panicking over the loss of their new star. As they stepped along the corridor, they heard a gasp. Down the hall, young Meg Giry stood there in awe seeing Christine and her friends. “Meg!” Twilight called. “Twilight! Christine!” Meg cried out. The ballet girl ran down the hall, tightly embracing Christine, as the two friends cry. “Thank God, you’re all right!” Meg spoke, staring at her friends. “What happened to all of you?” The ponies turned to each other, uncertain of what to say. The things they’ve seen, what they’ve encountered, and a world completely different from what they’ve seen since being here… It was too unbelievable to be true. “Honestly, ya wouldn’t believe us even if told you,” Applejack replied, honestly. “It’s okay, you can tell me anything,” Meg assured. “You can trust me.” Christine glanced around side to side, as if making sure someone wasn’t listening. “Not here,” Christine said, grabbing Meg’s arms. “Come on!” Meg followed Christine, with the ponies and Spike following close behind. They made their way towards the girls dressing room. They shut the door behind them but taking precautions Spike leans against the mirror tapping the glass with his knuckles. “What on Earth are you doing?” Meg asked, inquisitively. “Can’t be too careful,” Spike replied, stepping back. “I’m pretty sure it’s safe for us to talk, Spike,” Twilight assured. “Well, we better,” Rainbow spoke. “Last thing we want is any more surprises.” “Girls, what are you talking about?” Meg asked, again. “Okay, to make a long story short,” Twilight began, taking a deep breath. “We saw the Opera Ghost.” Meg’s eye went wide the moment Twilight answered her question. All the other ponies and Spike nodded in agreement, especially Rarity. “You actually saw him?” Meg asked. “What was he like? Where did he take you? Did he try to hurt you?” “Well, you see—” “We didn’t actually get a good look at him,” Rarity interrupted. All the ponies, Spike especially, turned toward their friend in surprise that Rarity would deny actually having seen the ghost, Christine especially. After all, they were there that night, they saw what he was like… And Rarity was actually denying it. “You didn’t actually see him?” Meg asked, to confirm. “It was dark… And we mostly saw was a shadow,” Rarity continued. “He tried to scare Christine into not going out with Raoul that night. Poor child was so frightened, she decided to go out for a walk but as good friends as we are, we couldn’t bear to see her out and about alone. So, we agreed to go with her so she can show us around Paris.” “You took them out to see Paris?” Meg asked Christine, suspiciously. “In the middle of the night? Without telling anyone?” Meg had every right to be suspicious of Christine, considering it wasn’t like her to be out like that. Christine wanted to admit the truth, until she turned towards Rarity’s face, her eyes telling her not to sell her out… To take the story as if that were true. Then, she thought back to when they were actually there, how he acted towards them; how angry he was… She couldn’t bear to think of that experience again. Reluctantly, Christine took a deep breath and turned to Meg. “Rarity’s right, it’s just been a rough night,” Christine concurred. “I needed some air; probably a little rest.” “Well, if that’s all it is,” Meg said. “Very well, I’ll let mother know. I’m just glad you’re safe.” With that said, Meg proceeded to leave the girls and Spike alone to meet up with Madame Giry. When they knew for sure Meg was gone, everyone turned toward Rarity, especially Applejack. The cowgirl could barely stomach the lies that they heard, especially from one of their friends. “Why in tarnation did ya have to lie to one of our friends about that there Opera Ghost?” Applejack asked, confronting Rarity. “He’s not a ‘ghost’, Applejack!” Rarity argued. “He’s no different compared to any human we’ve met, a man who wears a mask I’ll admit, but still… “Are you kidding me right now, Rarity?” Rainbow interrupts, irritated. “Ghost or no Ghost, that ‘man’ as you call it cannot be trusted. He’s just some creepy guy living under the theater trying to take advantage of you and Christine!” “No, you didn’t see what he was like before,” Rarity argued. “I admit he’s not the most social person I’ve ever encountered, but if you had seen him at work. He has great ideas for music and art, but no one’s giving him a chance!” Looking for some pony, or someone, to believe her, Rarity turns to Christine. “Christine, you and I were there, you saw how he was. You can vouch for me, right?” It was one thing for Christine to have Rarity’s back, about not fully explaining about who or what the Phantom was like. But any thoughts she had on that man, one thing was perfectly clear: This man was not some ‘Angel of Music’, not the way she thought he was. “I don’t know what I saw, Rarity,” Christine answered, regretfully. “But whomever he was, he was no Angel and he certainly isn’t my father. Meg was right about him: He really is a ‘Phantom’.” Rarity could not believe that Christine would say that, assuming that they had each other’s back. It was one thing for her friends to disagree with Rarity, she’s been through that before. But coming from Christine, whom she had grown rather close to, that was a stab in the heart. “Look girls, it’s been a long night and I really am tired,” Christine replied. “I’m just going to rest for a little while.” “Of course, Christine,” Fluttershy nodded, understanding. “Please take all the time you need.” Christine nods toward her friends, as she makes her way out of the dressing room. She pauses for a moment as she looks back towards Rarity, the unicorn fashionista sharing a silent gaze of disappointment. Though at the same time, Rarity could also see a bit of regret in Christine’s own eyes, as if the girl were truly confused and didn’t know what else to do. Christine then turns back and leaves, which left the ponies and Spike alone together. “Rarity… Are you even ‘sure’ that man can be trusted?” Spike asked. Rarity looked down at the ground before meeting her friends’ eyes. “You don’t know him like I did, Spikey-Wikey,” Rarity said, tearfully. “Christine and I spent time with him, you had to have seen him—” “Rarity, what we saw appears to be a man with a history of violence,” Twilight points out. “That temper of his is more than enough proof.” “Okay… So maybe he got a little angry because we saw his face. Who doesn’t? It’s not like he actually ‘tried’ to hurt us!” “Yeah, and I’m sure those three people who lead us toward you were acting creepy because it’s funny?” Rainbow Dash asked, sarcastically. “I have no explanation about those three or what connection they have with that man. But I implore you—" “Rarity please, you ‘have’ to listen to us,” Twilight insisted. “You are not to listen to a word that man says. We are not to do a single thing he says, and we are not to believe what he wants us to think of him. Our goal right now is to keep Christine safe, to make sure the Opera runs smoothly.” Rarity looked at Twilight with confusion and shock. She and her friends were only judging ‘Erik’, a name she only knows, only based on what ‘they’ saw when Christine and Rarity spent a longer period of time with him. But even so… Was Erik overreacting about his deformity? Was he ever telling the truth about himself? ‘Was’ he only using them because of their voices and not for ‘who’ they are? Rarity didn’t want to think this was true, no wonder she was visibly upset. “You don’t believe me either, do you Twilight?” Rarity asked, tearfully. “And here I thought you and the girls were my friends… That I could count on you when I’m the one who needs help. But I wouldn’t expect ‘you’ to treat me like I’m just a drama queen who only acts out for attention!” “Rarity…” Twilight reached out. “Don’t touch me!” Rarity brushed Twilight away. “You think you know what he’s like, but you don’t!” Crying, Rarity pushes past her friends before they could react, as they watched her run down the halls. Tears flew from Rarity’s eyes as her hooves echoed down the hall. But she didn’t get very far when she ran into Madame Giry, who wrapped the young unicorn with her arms, consoling her as she cried. “Shh… There, there,” Madame Giry hushed. “It’s going to be all right, no need to speak…” By the time Twilight and her friends had caught up, they found Rarity with Madame Giry, who seemed exhausted and worn out. Madame Giry in turn could see the conflict in the eyes of the group, she could only guess whatever happened last night had something to do with not just Christine, but Rarity too. In her grasp is a familiar envelope, with a bright red wax seal on it, clearly The Phantom had a message for the Opera Populaire. Specifically, it was addressed to Andre and Firmin. “We’re so sorry, Madame Giry,” Twilight apologized. “We were talking, and we said some things—” “No need to explain yourself,” Madame Giry spoke. “Come, we must find the gentlemen in charge – ‘He’ has a note for them.” As Rarity calmed down, she caught a glance of the seal and she felt her heart quicken. As Madame Giry led the group down the hall, only one question crossed their minds: What could he possibly want now? <> Sometime earlier, Monsieur Firmin swiftly walked towards the Opera House, passing a large crowd buying tickets for the Opera Populaire’s next show, Il Muto. The man was in a state of panic: His new star(s) had vanished, he held a distressing note from the ‘Opera Ghost’, and he was becoming fed up with this so-called ‘Phantom’ despite all the major publicity these series of events brought to the theater. So much stress he carried, he had to let it out through song… Firmin mused as he recalled the papers and the headlines that very morning. He removes his heavy coat and top hat, handing them to two elegantly dressed gentlemen, who took them away. As he sings, he climbs the polished marble steps, stopping on the landing only to marvel at the golden statues surrounding him all while the workers were scrubbing the floors clean. Eventually, Firmin continues to climb the steps, discarding his gloves and trying to think. As Firmin strides toward the office at the other end, Monsieur Andrew bursts out, in a fiery temper, confronting Firmin in the busy corridor. As Firmin confirms with Andre, he wraps an arm over his colleague’s shoulder, leading him away from the stairs. As Firmin leads Andre back to the office, Andre produces a black bordered letter. As they march into the Grand Foyer, Andre looks up to Firmin as he rips the note open and reads: Meanwhile, Firmin had the other note, also with a black border. He reads it out: Both men face each other as Firmin finished, outraged over the notes as they kept walking and Firmin studies both notes. The two gentlemen sang together, when they are interrupted by another voice ringing out from the base of the steps. They turn around and notice the arrival of the Vicomte de Chagny, Raoul. He is wearing a deep blue wool coat, over a golden yellow vest, and his hair was neatly brushed behind his ears. But the look of anger engraved on his face was apparent, especially brandishing another of the Phantom’s notes. Raoul was demanding answers, as he ascends the stairs, an annoyed look on his face. The note itself grasped firmly in his hand, a note which he found most ‘offensive’. Raoul walked up the steps, as the two men met him halfway up the second set. Holding out the note, Andre took it himself. He face turns to confusion, as he glanced over the contents. He proceeds to read it aloud: “Do not fear for Miss Daae,” Andre reads. “The Angel of Music has her under his wing. Make NO ATTEMPT to see her again.’” “If you didn’t write it, then who did?” Raoul asked. Just when the gentlemen were about to go into Firmin’s office, they turned as Carlotta, all but shrieked, barging into the Opera Populaire. Carlotta wore a gaudy pink dress and matching fur shawl; a large unflattering hat sits atop her bright red curls. She is followed closely by Piangi and her retinue, she explodes into the foyer and heads up the grand staircase. She, too, has a letter, which has cheered her no more than the others. Annoyed, Raoul takes the letter and proceeds to read it: “’Your days at the Opera Populaire are numbered. Rarity and Christine Daae—'” “Christine Daae!” Carlotta spat. “’… Will be singing on your behalf tonight. Be prepared for a great misfortune should you attempt to take their place.’” Everyone silently looked toward each other, but the Managers grew tired of the intrigue. Firmin and Andre escort Carlotta toward the grand staircase, while everyone else follows. They turn and recognize that voice coming from Madame Giry, who appears along with the ponies, Spike, and Meg. Raoul steps forward, the note still in his hand. Sure enough, Madame Giry held up a note with the broken skull seal as everyone walked downstairs toward the two women and the group of ponies (And Spike). Madame Giry holds out the letter to Firimin, who grasps it in his hand. Unfolded the envelope, not bothering to scan the words first, he proceeds to read: “’Gentlemen, I have now sent you several notes of the most amiable nature detailing how my theatre is to be run. You have not followed my instructions, so I shall give you one… Last… Chance…” <> Meanwhile, in the Phantom’s lair, the model of the Opera Populaire details the stage of the opera house with the set for Il Muto. The figurines, all in wax, are exact reproductions of the cast, including Carlotta, Rarity, and Christine, populating the stage. The Phantom’s hand, in a white glove, starts messing with the figurines including swapping the heads of Christine and Carlotta, as he reviewed his letter. He takes the removable head from Carlotta’s figure, which was dressed as the Countess, and one off of Christine’s figure, which was dressed as a pageboy, yet leaves Rarity dressed as a maid. He places Carlotta’s figure’s head onto the pageboy’s body. He positions Christine’s figure’s head onto the countess’s body, smiling in satisfaction. The Phantom soon places the letter into the black-edged envelope, applying the red wax, and stamping with the signature skull emblem. “’I shall watch the performance from my seat in box fix, which will be kept empty for me,’” The Phantom speaks, in his letter. “’Should these commands be ignored, a disaster beyond your imagination will occur. I remain, gentlemen, your obedient servant, O.G.’” “’P.S. I expect Rarity to dazzle the audience with a beautiful opener before tonight’s show. I expect she will not disappoint.’” <> Back in the Opera Populaire, after Monsieur Firmin read The Phantom’s message, everyone remained silent contemplating what they were told to do. Christine… As the lead? And once more, he expects Rarity to open the show… Again? Even Rarity herself was surprised, hearing that the Phantom wants her to sing one more time. The ponies, and especially Spike, weren’t exactly thrilled any more than the managers. “What utter and complete nonsense!” Firmin shouted, waving the letter. “This ballet girl cannot play a lead!” “And Miss Rarity to open tonight’s show?” Andre added. “Don’t be absurd!” “Say what now?” Applejack asked. “They are excellent singers!” Raoul interjected, in their defense. Carlotta spun to face him, pointing a glove finger at him. “Ah-Ha! He is the one who wrote this horrid note!” Carlotta accused. “Don’t you go pointing fingers at that young man, lady!” Rainbow shouts, getting in Carlotta’s face. “This is a surprise for every pony!” Twilight assures. “We’re in the dark about this too!” “Of course you’d side with that brat of a dancer!” Carlotta spat. “A nobody who has the audacity to be considered in taking my spotlight! Filth like you belong in the stables.” “I BEG YOUR PARDON!!!” Rarity gasped, outraged. “Ladies, please!” Fluttershy butted in. “Don’t you suppose maybe we should at least give Christine a chance?” “Why not?” Madame Giry added, toward the managers. “You took a risk there, did you not?” “Exactly, let’s not start having plot holes in this story!” Pinkie rambled. “I mean after all; Carlotta wasn’t there to play the role in the last show because she chose to walk away. Meanwhile, Rarity over there has proven to be a the most spectacular, most super-duper-fantasamazing singer before the masses and should Christine agree to play the role—” By this point, Carlotta was completely put off at the thought of being replaced by a young ballet dancer from the chorus… And a pony! A pony nobody even knew before she and her friends showed up! Like a speck of dust amongst everyone else who worked in the Opera House their entire lives! During these few lyrics, Carlotta stormed back to her dressing room as the managers desperately called out to her, pleading and groveling. Everyone had followed her as she had her attendants, from all around the Opera House, help remove her things, tossing them in her suitcases in a fit of rage. “Miss Daae will be playing the pageboy!” Firmin announced. “The silent role.” Everyone went silent, on the one hand the ponies and Spike figured these managers would do ‘anything’ to prevent their hysteric diva from leaving. But, at the same time, it was a hasty decision that clearly went against what that Phantom had in mind. “WUT?!” Applejack cried. “What?!” Twilight added. “What-the-what?!” Rainbow added. WHAAAAAAAAT?!?!?!?! “Oh… They wouldn’t…” Spike shook his head. “Yeah… They would…” Pinkie concluded. Carlotta merely stood up, as everyone followed her, while she stormed through the backstage, towards the stage and to the front doors, while the cast and crew laugh at her hysterics. The whole theatre troupe laughed at her, one particularly bold cast member pulled a risky maneuver and mooned the diva to her face. She angrily stormed through the mass of people, who mockingly waved goodbye to her, neither one sad to see the unlikable woman depart… Again. She marched onto the stage, while Madame Giry, with Raoul, Spike, and the ponies, following close behind. As Carlotta sang, mid-tune with everyone else, she shoved any unlucky ballet girls out of her way, while others jumped out of her way. She all but screamed, spinning those following her as she reached the steps of the stage. Eventually storming away through the theatre and towards the marble steps. Carlotta marched down the steps toward the lobby, followed by Piangi, who stayed as close to her as possible. As Carlotta pushed the doors open, stepping outside the Opera House, a storm of people swarmed all around her. The diva stumbled back in shock but smiled upon the crowd of people holding roses. In her mind, they were rejoicing to hear that Carlotta Giudicelli had come back to grace the Opera Populaire with her presence… They must have… After all, the people were clapping seemingly for her… That is, until one man stepped forward and Carlotta’s smile disappeared when she heard him say: “Would you please give this to Miss Daae? Miss Daae?” Carlotta stepped back, slamming the doors in the man’s face. It was true, it was all true… They were asking for Christine! That stupid ballet girl had won their hearts and not ‘her’. Carlotta could hardly contain her rage and perhaps… Even a bit of sorrow. She ran a hand over her pink colored fur wrap, releasing a slow puff of air as everyone behind her went silent. Even the ponies and Spike, while not considering Carlotta a truly ‘terrible’ singer but rather how her methods toward a song were handled, they too felt somewhat bad for her. The group of people around them glanced at one another, urging someone to step forward and say something. Andre and Girmin steal behind her, approaching her somewhat lovingly. “Your public needs you,” Andre insists. “We need you too,” Firmin added, to Carlotta’s right. Carlotta’s wistful gaze quickly shifts to the two men beside her, her face contorting in a look of annoyance. With a smile, Carlotta turned, walking back towards her dressing room, pushing the ponies out of her way. “Hey!” Rainbow shouts. “What about Rarity?! You’re not going to let her open the show either!” “You girls and your friend are lucky if we include you in the ballet for Act Three!” Firmin shouts. “Don’t push your luck!” Rainbow growled angrily and was about to storm after them for continuing to treat them like common stable creatures. But a tug on her tail stops her in her tracks, as she turns around and sees Applejack holding her. “Furget it, Rainbow,” Applejack said. “They done made up their minds.” “Girls, I’m not so sure if this is such a good idea,” Fluttershy replied, worried. “How can it be?” Pinkie asked. “It’s not as if this plan could possibly go wrong in the most insanely, catastrophic way!” “Way to lay it on pretty thin, Pinkie,” Spike said, sarcastically. “Thanks!” Pinkie smiled. “Come on, girls,” Twilight ushered. “We better follow and hope they know what they’re doing.” The ponies and Spike, apart from Rarity, follow the two gentlemen as they usher Carlotta to her room. Rarity looked around the Opera House, as if sensing that somehow The Phantom a.k.a. Erik could be spying on them from somewhere, a gut feeling told her so. “I do hope Erik is the forgiving type and was only exaggerating,” Rarity hoped, mentally. <> Later, in Carlotta’s private dressing room, the diva sat before her vanity brushing her hair, preparing for her performance as The Countess. Andre and Firmin had spent this time trying to keep her as happy as possible, arranging for attendants to carry large vases overflowing with pink flowers and even small trays of pastries, most of which Carlotta waved off while they sing. While Carlotta kept brushing her hair, Firmin grabs another box while Andre opens a heart-shaped box with an array of chocolates inside. Both were brushed aside, as Carlotta puts earrings into place. Her curled hair was held back from her face with a pink ribbon. Around this point, Carlotta was getting annoyed, preferring to concentrate on getting ready, and not on these stupid confections these managers tried to offer her. But no one can say they couldn’t try. Finally, Firmin found something Carlotta would like: A black fur muff. She grinned at the item and took it, smiling. Andre held out a hideous-looking flowered bonnet-type hat, which Carlotta waved away in disgust as she looks back into the mirror, examining the muff. Near the recent verses, Andre offered a box that housed diamond earrings with a matching necklace, which Carlotta grinned at. But then, she gasped when Firmin hands her an adorable black poodle, with tiny pink bows in its fur, the perfect companion for a poodle she already has. But nevertheless, Andre & Firmin had won her trust in them as the preparations commenced. Meanwhile, standing by the door of the Opera House chapel, Raoul began to muse over the things Christine had mention to him from the night before. That night, she had mentioned something about an ‘Angel of Music’, that this ‘Angel’ had been teaching her all these years and that same Angel had a peculiar interest in Rarity. Could it be possible… This whole he was real? That this… Man or Angel or whatever he was truly tried to get the two their spotlight in the Opera House? Or… Could it be possible he’s just a mad man merely demanding money and using the girls as a convenient excuse to run the theatre as he places. Frankly, he did not know what to believe. Back in Carlotta’s dressing room, Firmin tightened the pink laces on the deep pink corset Carlotta is wearing for Il Muto. The front was covered in pink lace and jewels, including a large diamond necklace wrapped around her neck, all the pendants and stones covered close to the entity of the exposed skin along her chest. Her face was powdered and painted white, with a tiny black heart painted on her left cheekbone. A pink bald cap sits on her head for when her wig would be put in place, smiling as she gets ready for the show. Madame Giry walks to grab Christine’s costume with sad, almost grim, expression. She picks up the thick skirts, draping them over her arm. One of Carlotta’s attendants slips one of her pink satin shoes from Carlotta’s foot, handing it to Andre, who uncorked a champagne bottle with an audible popbefore filling the show with a small amount of the bubbly. As Carlotta fantasizes of the crowds once more calling her name, the show is slowly handed to Firmin, trying to keep a disgusted look off his face as he gulps down the champagne as quick as he could with a shudder. Soon, Carlotta was carried through the backstage area on a small couch, Piangi walking beside her. Both her poodles – the black one and the white one – sit at her feet, as the two managers struggle to carry her while stumbling along. Complain as the managers would, Carlotta merely waved to the various members of the Opera House, regally like she was royalty. Everyone else, including Twilight and her friends, sighed knowing Carlotta was just getting her way… Again. After all, the woman always got what she wanted whether she’d complained, throw a fit, or threaten to leave that didn’t matter. Carlotta alwaysgot her way. As the two managers felt their muscles ache reaching the stage, Carlotta merely acted like her regular self… Then there would be many more scenes worse than carrying her down the hall without dropping the Diva (As tempting as it was.) Raoul climbs the steps of the grand staircase, his mind set on figuring out the identity of the Opera Ghost and what he truly wanted. Eventually, Carlotta’s skirt quite literally lowers from the scaffolds so it could be tied around her waist. The skirt was massive and just in one word, pink. Carlotta had the skirt tied around her, while her attendants busied themselves, trying to make sure she looks perfect. She had music notes drawn in black on her right shoulder blade, and a heart as a bonus. Similar symbols were painted along the collarbone, as a massive white wig is placed upon her head, adorned with pink flowers and bows. As the manager sing in unison, Madame Giry and Meg contemplate as they made their way down to the stage. While the ponies and Spike got ready, Rarity’s beautiful blue eyes were cast to the floor wondering what horrid things could befall the opera. If Erik’s requests weren’t appeased, he threatened that something horrible would happen, and deep down every pony knew. The question was: Did he really mean it? Soon everyone at the Opera House was on stage, waiting to greet a growing crowd outside, waiting to be let in. They aimed for this night to be the biggest Opera of the year and no Opera Ghost was going to ruin it, this they promised to their public. “SO, IT IS TO BE WAR BETWEEN US!” Near the end of the song, The Phantom’s voice echoed through the Opera House as the ponies and Spike look around, Rarity just as nervous. “If these demands are not met,” The Phantom warned. “A disaster beyond your imagination will occur!” The Ponies and Spike could keep a straight face hoping that whatever plans The Phantom had, they’d be ready for it. That despite the questionable decisions, they would not let this creature hurt these innocent people. They took a deep breath as all, minus Rarity, sang with the crew toward The Phantom in defiance.