//------------------------------// // The Face of the Phantom // Story: Cinematic Adventures: The Phantom Of The Opera // by extremeenigma02 //------------------------------// A few months had passed since the Il Mutodisaster at the Opera Populaire. Life slowly began to return to normal… For the most part. Following the death of Joseph Buquet, Andre and Firmin quickly dissuaded the entire event as a freak accident, ensuring the public nothing like it would happen again. It took a while for the patrons to believe them, but overtime they forgot the horrid scene and soon started to fill up the performance hall once again. Before long, the Opera Populaire was back at full capacity, with more amazing shows nearly ever week. Fortunately, it seemed the Phantom completely vanished overnight and not a word from him to be heard ever since. As for Christine and Raoul, they spent the last few months in complete bliss. Ever since they confessed their love for one another, they spent nearly every waking moment together. Christine eventually moved out of the ballet dormitories and moved with Raoul in the De Chagny Manor. Before going, however, she insisted that Raoul allow the Mane Six and Spike to come with them. It didn’t take even a moment for Raoul to agree, seeing how in the short time getting to know them he too came to see them as friends. <> Three months later… Rarity strolled the halls of the De Chagny manor, pausing for a moment to look out the window overlooking Paris. From where she stood, she could see a slight outline of the Opera Populaire. She sighed sadly, thinking about Erik as she had every day since their last meeting. She felt dreadful, leaving him all alone on that roof all that time ago. She had forgotten why she was even upset with him in the first place. True, murdering Buquet was wrong and nothing short of terrible. But he did save Fluttershy, so at least he had a good reason… This was so confusing. “Rarity!” The fashionista unicorn nearly jumped out of her skin, turning to see Spike standing behind her. He was looking at her, by his face he was rather confused. “Are you alright?” Spike asked. It took a moment for Rarity to catch her breath before responding. “Of course, Spikey-Wikey,” Rarity answered. “Why wouldn’t I be?” “It’s just… I’ve been trying to get your attention for the last five minutes. But you seemed distracted, come to think of it you’ve been distracted these past few months. Rarity tried to brush it off as though it was nothing. “Oh Spike, I suppose I’m just missing home is all.” Fortunately for Rarity, that answer made complete sense for the little baby dragon. “Yeah, I know what you mean,” Spike nodded. “Thankfully, Twilight assured us that though time certainly flies by here, it won’t affect Equestria time at all.” That indeed was something to be quite thankful about. Since their television adventures began, much time passed in all those words. The Mane Six were thankful, however, that the amount of time spent in one world didn’t affect the time they left Equestria. “That is true,” Rarity nodded, yawning. “I suppose it’s time for me to turn in for the night. Good night my little Spikey-Wikey.” Rarity leaned down and gave the little dragon a kiss on the cheek. Once she pulled away, Spike froze in place and fell to the side as giant hearts replaced his pupils. “Good night, Rarity,” Spike said, dreamily. Rarity couldn’t help but giggle at her little friend. She knew he still carried a massive crush on her, she honestly found it completely adorable. She hoped one day he’ll find some pony his own age, someone who will love him as he loves her. When that day comes, Rarity would be happy for him. And not like the time Rarity got super jealous when Spike started hanging with Gabby. Dude, we’ve been over this! Let the PhD guy worry about that ship. I’M NOT A DOCTOR!!! *Pause* Anyways, as Rarity entered one of the many bedrooms of the mansion, which Raoul allowed her to have, her thoughts once again were plagued with terrible memories since this journey began. After seeing Christine and Raoul together, she couldn’t help but feel jealous of the love they shared that she feared she’d never find. Tears pooled from her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Instead, she climbed into bed to lie down for the night. After a few hours and absolutely no sleep, Rarity finally had enough and threw the covers off herself. She huffed as she approached the fireplace, which burned brightly at the end of the room, and sat alongside it. As she stared into the flames, once again her thoughts returned to Erik. For some reason, she couldn’t push the thought of him out of her head. They had so much in common: They were both eccentric, lovers of fine arts, and passionate about their work. “Why is it that I feel such a connection with Erik?” Rarity thought. “Could it… Could it be perhaps I might actually… ‘Like’ him? “No! It can’t possibly be true. He’s a human and I’m a pony. We come from completely different worlds… And yet, there’s something about him…” “Oh, I can’t stand this anymore!” Rarity said, aloud. Finally, Rarity had enough of these thoughts and needed a long walk. It was winter in Paris, so she took her winter cloak, which she fashioned herself, and left the room. Creeping quietly through the halls, she made her way to the grand entrance of the manor and walked outside, shutting the giant doors as quietly as possible. Breathing heavily to herself, she took off in a gallop toward the Opera Populaire. One thing was absolutely certain: She needed to see Erik. Unfortunately for her, her sneaking about did alert someone of her departure. Spike was laying along Twilight on a giant bed, as they both slept peacefully. Only when he heard the creaking in the night did he slowly stir from his slumber yawning to himself. Slowly getting out of bed, so as not to wake Twilight, he approached the window to investigate. Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, he saw Rarity run off towards Paris, his eyes widening. “Where’s she going this late at night?” Spike asked, to himself. Nevertheless, Spike knew very well Rarity shouldn’t be off on her own. Rather than waking Twilight and the others, Spike slipped out of the room quickly and out the front door of the manor. He studies Rarity’s hoof prints in the snow, which led straight to Paris. “Rarity, what are you doing?” Flapping his little wings, Spike hovered into the air and burst off after his friend. He could only hope she wasn’t going where he thinks she was trotting toward. <> Soon enough, Rarity came upon the Opera Populaire, the building stood completely empty. Seeing as how it was the holiday season, most productions wouldn’t take place until the new season. Approaching the side of the opera house, Rarity made her way toward the back and through the stage entrance. As she crept through the dark halls, she’d have no problem believing this place was haunted had she not known any better. Fortunately, she knew where everything was even in the utter blackness and soon found herself in Christine’s dressing room. “Erik, are you here?” Rarity called. Nothing but silence was heard throughout the entire area. Even the wind itself made no sound; you could hear a pin drop. “Please Erik, I just want to talk.” Once again, nothing but silence. Quite frankly, Rarity didn’t blame him if he didn’t wish to talk to her. For three months, she hadn’t spoken a word to him or even seen him at all. Not even a single red rose was sent to her. This saddened her, as she always looked forward to them. She sighed in defeat, turning sadly. “I don’t blame you for not wanting to see me. I should have been more sympathetic to you, more willing to listen and understand. All I can say is… I’m sorry.” A lone tear fell from her beautiful blue eye as she was about to leave. Suddenly, the sound of movement caught her attention and she quickly turns as the large mirror opened, revealing the secret passageway to her. However, instead of seeing Erik standing there, she stood face-to-face with Dr. Gangle, Ms. Fleck, and Mr. Squelch. The three smiled in unison, beckoning her forward. “We’ve been expecting you, Miss Rarity,” Dr. Gangle said. “Many months have passed since you’ve last been here,” Ms. Fleck added. “Come quickly, for ‘he’ will be ever so pleased to see you again,” Mr. Squelch concluded. With the prospect of seeing Erik again, Rarity followed the trio through the mirror and the many passages leading toward the Phantom’s lair. <> Sitting at his pipe organ, Erik scribbled fiercely at his sheet music. For three long months, he worked night and day on his latest masterpiece with little to no progress. He knew exactly why this was happening to him. Ever since Christine, and that stupid fop of a Vicomte, professed their love and his only friend, Rarity, left him behind, his passion for his music greatly dwindled. After a few more moments of not making his ‘music of the night’, he had enough. Growling madly, he ripped the sheet music into millions of pieces and threw them everywhere he could. He began destroying anything in his path, unleashing the rage and despair that took over him. After he ran out of things to destroy, he collapsed at his desk, placing his head in his hands. Never before in his horrid life had he ever had trouble composing music. Erik looked down at his desk and a smile found its way to his face when he noticed what laid on top. A single picture he had drawn of Rarity, among many lined along the walls in such great detail. In a way, they were much like he had done with Christine. But the one sitting on his desk, the portrait of the beautiful unicorn, was the first he had drawn of her. It always managed to lift his spirits whenever he was upset. He couldn’t deny that he truly missed her, along with Christine. With both of them running through his twisted mind, the disheartened Phantom began to sing. As he finished singing, Erik felt so emotionally drained he fell back into his chair and nearly fell backwards. Whenever he sang, he put all his emotion into it but never as much as he just did. He truly missed his muses; he missed them so much he’d do anything to have them back. “Sir?” The Phantom turned his head, seeing his three minions standing in the black gondola at the edge of the water. “Why must you disturb me now?” He asked, annoyed. “You have a visitor, sir,” Ms. Fleck smiled. “An especially eager visitor,” Dr. Gangle added. “One we believe you shall be rather pleased to see,” Mr. Squelch concluded. They stepped aside allowing Erik to see who they brought into his domain. The moment the Phantom saw who it was, he started falling to his knees. There stood Rarity, in all her beauty and grace, wrapped in a winter cloak. She smiled bright at him, he in turn offered a small smile back. Then it quickly faded when he remembered their last meeting. The last time they had seen each other. “I thought you would never wish to see me again,” Erik said, sadly. Rarity stepped off the boat, onto the stone floor. She slowly climbed the steps, till she stood before the Phantom. On his knees, Erik was able to look her in the eye. Rarity lifted a hoof along the masked side of his face, as she smiled. “Never will I ever wish not to see you,” Rarity said, softly. Waving his hand to them, Erik silently beckoned the trio to leave. His minions bow their heads, before climbing back onto the gondola, drifting off back from whence they came. This left the Phantom and the unicorn completely alone. “Erik, I truly am sorry for—” Rarity’s words were cut off when Erik pulled her close to him, hugging her close. This caught her off guard, but after a moment she hugged him back with as much force as he gave her. “C’est bon de te revoir mon ange,” He said, happily. “Tu m’as manqué mon mystérieux ami,” Rarity responded. It's good to see you again my angel… I missed you my mysterious friend… *Cries* *Sniffs* DANG IT!!! Who’s cutting onions?!?! *Clears throat* Rarity yawned, long and hard, as Erik pulled away to see the large bags under her eyes. Rarity’s eyes were bloodshot due to the lack of sleep. “You must rest now,” Erik told her. “No, I don’t wish to sleep,” Rarity argued, tiredly. “I haven’t seen you in so long.” “Well, you can’t very well see me with your eyes half-closed,” Erik tried to joke. Rarity tried to laugh, but her eyes finally shut, and she slumped forward. Thankfully, Rarity landed into Erik’s waiting arms as he picks her up with ease and carries her away to the swan bed, where he places her gently along her to sleep. Regardless how short their reunion may have been, it relieved him greatly having one of his angels back. Now he just needed the other one… <> The next morning, Rarity awoke not knowing where she was. Her mind seemed fuzzy as she wondered what happened the other night. She sits up, looking at the bed she slept in. Memories rushed back into her mind, as she slowly stood up, unsure what to do. She ran her hoof through her silky mane, searching for Erik. She walked forward, spotting the man sitting at the desk with the mock-up stage on it. He seemed to scribble away furiously, pausing, scratching something out, and then writing again. Rarity began to walk towards him, as quietly as possible. He wore his black coat, and she noticed something else – His mask sitting on the table; he finally wasn’t wearing it. Curiosity pried her brain with questions, but only one stood out. “What was he hiding from the world?” Rarity thought. Suddenly, her foot touched a pile of books, causing one to fall onto the floor. Hearing her approach, Erik’s right hand quickly flew to his face, covering the half usually covered by the mask. Rushing over, Rarity grabbed his left wrist, stopping him from grabbing said item. She knelt down beside him, gently grabbing his right wrist as well. “Please,” Rarity pleaded, quietly. “Let me see…” Erik glanced at her. Rarity was as curious as Christine, but it was a ‘kinder’ curiosity rather than naïve. But he quickly turned away from her face. “No, I would only repulse you,” Erik told her. “Just like Christine…” Rarity sighed, her hooves still holding his hands. “Nothing about you has ever repulsed me.” “Then, this would be the first.” The way Erik said that, his voice so thick, it was like he was trying to suppress his tears. Rarity tried to move into his line of sight, to look him in the eyes with a soft smile. “Erik, you won’t repulse or disgust me,” Rarity assured. “I know you hide your face for a reason. Whatever you’re hiding from the world, you were probably judged for. We’ve all been judged too much in our lives. I’ve been judged by many different people since arriving in this world. But you… You’ve obviously been judged to the point you’ve hidden yourself, which is completely unfair. I promise Erik, I won’t judge you.” His eyes snapped to hers as she said his name, her voice so angelic and musical, not like a curse. “I have no reason to, and I never will,” Rarity told him, releasing his left wrist. “If Christine does, then that’s her. If you don’t wish to show me, I’ll respect your wishes.” Slowly, Erik took his mask, and Rarity stood, relinquishing his other wrist. He turned away, putting his mask back in place before turning to face Rarity. As he looked at her, she gave a warm smile while staring into his eyes. “She truly is an angel…” Erik thought, to himself. Erik’s head buzzed with thoughts. Should he never allow her to see his face? If she were disgusted, she’d never wish to see him again. But… If she didn’t find him a deformed demon, then he wouldn’t have to worry about her running away from him. Then, maybe his plan would work more than he originally intended. The buzzing ended with a click, as he decided. “Rarity…” Erik began. Rarity turned to him, nodding as a means to say, ‘go on’. “I… I will show you why I wear the mask… But you must promise me not to tell no one of all of this, or of what I show you.” Rarity nodded, waiting in anticipation. With a deep, slow breath and shutting his eyes, he lifts his hands shakily to the mask, his fingers gripping the edges. He slowly pulled it away, allowing light to hit the once hidden skin. And he waited… For a yell… A scream… A horrified expression… But it never came. His eyebrows scrunched at the silence; his eyes opened. Rarity didn’t look horrified nor disgusted or even revolted. Instead, she looked completely calm as she examined his face. She took a step closer, causing him to take a step back. “Erik…” Rarity spoke. “It isn’t bad.” The statement along shocked him; she wasn’t afraid. “It… Isn’t… Bad. See?” Rarity stretched her left hoof forward, gently touching his deformed cheek. He was taken by surprise, jumping a bit at her touch. Her hoof, so soft and smooth, against his skin. He just stared at her in disbelief. “I’m not disgusted or repulsed,” Rarity stated. “But… Why…” Erik muttered, almost to himself. Rarity still didn’t move her hoof, she only smiled at him. “Because there’s nothing wrong with you; others may think so, but it just isn’t true. You’re just different. People dislike others who aren’t the same as they are. Maybe that’s why they don’t pay attention to me at the Opera House – I just have a different personality. I know you must have been judged; I don’t see any reason to. You’re just like everyone else, like me, just different.” His eyes met hers and he could see she was telling the truth. A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, feeling what must have been a kind of warmth in his chest. Erik was at a loss for words. What does he say to her? Does he thank her for understanding him? For knowing who he truly is? Does he not say anything? Rarity was truly a special girl, as he glanced at the painting, which he’d done of her the night before. Then, his eyes caught sight of the pocket watch sitting beside it. It was mid-morning, no doubt someone was bound to notice her absence. “I must bring you back before everyone starts to worry,” Erik told her. “We’ll keep our meetings secret and have them every night possible.” Rarity nodded, moving her hoof away from his cheek. “Thank you for doing this for me,” Rarity said, softly. She was thanking him for trusting her enough to show her his true face, his true self. He looks over her, as he puts the mask back over his face. “No Rarity,” Erik smiled. “It is I who must thank you.” Rarity found she grew to love his smile and the way it made his eyes twinkle in whatever light was around. She felt a blush spread across her cheeks, as she looked down. Nothing bad could come from any of this, could it? Unbeknownst to the two of them, a certain little dragon was hiding behind a corner in the cave and had watched the entire scene unfold before his eyes. He himself had to turn away from the horrible face that he would most certainly be having nightmares about for a long time. “Someone needs to hear about this”