//------------------------------//
// Chapitre Un 
// Story: The Operatic Angel 
// by misskoifishpony 
//------------------------------//

1905 Paris, Prance

The clock tower, across the street from the opera house, began to ring and ding twelve times. This signaled to all of Paris that it was noon. After the twelfth ding, a withering and crippled mare slowly approached L' Opéra de Cheval. She was using a light brown cane to support her front left leg, while her right front leg was being supported by a bulky black cloaked pony. The black hood on the cloak covered the mysterious pony's face. In fact, the pony' s cloak and bulky structure prevented any pony to know if it was a stallion…or a mare…or just something else. However, despite its unsettling appearance, the black cloaked pony held the elderly mare's hoof with great care and gentleness. The mare at his side, was wearing a slender and elegant black laced dress which contrasted with her bright yet slightly wrinkled white body. Her mane was wavy, long, and silver with blonde streaks in it. The only feature on her face that still holds her youth were her eyes. They were big, and they glowed with the deepest shade of navy blue. Any pony, no matter how old, could get lost in those eyes.

It was fall in the fair capital today. The trees and parks that spread throughout the city were painted with the colors of burgundy red, fiery orange, faded brown, and greenish yellow. Even though it was late in the fall season, and most of these beautiful leaves have fallen upon the grey streets, the air was still fresh with the fall crispness. The bareness of the tree branches actually accented their dark colored beauty of the branches themselves. The crisp breeze gently blows all the dead leaves around, making them dance and swirl all around the ponies on the streets. The fall sky was decorated with dark grey rain clouds and peaking streaks of sunshine.

L' Opéra de Cheval…Despite its holey and uneven roof top, it's ashy smudged white walls, its dusty stairs leading to the front entrance, the gathering of trash and rubbish decorating the front doors and side alleys of the building…. L' Opéra de Cheval still hold some of its redeeming beauty. Even after years of its sudden closure, the finely sculpted stone gargoyles and other stone mythical creature statues that lurked on the roof top edges looked ageless and timeless. The arches over the front entrance of the opera were still standing…still glimmering in golden paint. The rounded front entrance doors were still dark brown and complimented with heavy iron knockers and door handles. It was as if the iron had never seen moisture…or fire. The doors still had the triangular pattern carving…a carving so deep and complicated that you could feel the hard work from the artist who made the doors. Most of its beauty comes from its towering structure of course. Even though ponies have made many more tall and modern buildings since the opera's prime, their height and spectacle and style can still never match of L' Opéra de Cheval. And the name sign that hangs in between the arches of the front entrance…it is still intact. No burnt pieces, no decaying edges, no chipping paint. The cursive and delicate writing was still fresh and clear.

The old mare didn't show any signs of pain or agony when wobbling around in her crane. In fact, she felt like she could speed up those stairs leading to the front entrance of the old opera house. But when she reached those big and round doors…she paused…and looked up slowly to take in all of the details making up the door and the arches. When she was done looking at the front entrance, she focused her attention on the large iron door handles. When the black cloaked pony turned its head to face the mare, the pony saw that the lady expressed a solemn but also petrified look on her lovely face. This caused the cloaked pony to squeeze its hoof onto her hoof. When the elderly mare felt this comforting squeeze on her hoof, she turned her attention to the pony next to her and gave it a sweet grandma-like smile. The squeeze on her hoof gave her the courage to enter into the L' Opéra de Cheval.

When the two ponies opened the doors, they were greeted by an overwhelming whirlwind of dust and the smell of ash, old costumes, and old sewer pipelines. The elderly mare's slightly confident smile faded a little when she saw the condition of the opera house on the inside. The opera house…the place of all her memories…both good and bad…was empty…and bare. The once elegant polished floors were now scratched and covered in what appeared thick muck like dust. The walls were so lonely without the master piece art collections, the only thing that gave the walls company were the star spiders and their silky webs. Even the high and beautifully arching ceiling was lonely…lonely without its crystal chandelier. The chandelier that was here years ago wasn't as grand and wide as the one….that hung above the stage….but the crystal chandelier had a welcoming charm to it and captured the sunlight from the high windows so well. Without the chandelier in this front room, the room was dark and filled with shadows. From the corners of the old mare's eyes, she can see pigeon nests in the dark corners of the ceiling along with piles of trash gathered by rats on the floor. The one thing that didn't change was…the black marble stairs before them that lead to the opera stage inside.

Seeing those stairs drew the elderly mare out of her thoughts and it gave her the determination to climb, as if she was about to face the demons of her past. She started to walked, which immediately encouraged her companion to walk with her. Time certainly passed quickly walking up those prestigious stairs….or at least it felt like it to the old mare. Her heart was pounding wildly the entire time. And the black cloaked pony could hear her increasing heart rate and it made the mysterious pony worry about her. However, this pony knew better to stop her when she was on a roll. So the black hooded pony did its best at being her strong and supportive cane on her right side.

By the time they got to the top, the elderly mare was panting and slowly catching her breath. While the old mare lowered her head to the ground, the black cloaked pony brought its head to her eye level to make sure its lady was alright. The black cloaked pony even gave her a small nuzzle on her nose to show its concern. She chuckled slightly at her companion's gesture. She brought her head high into the air to show her status and strength, and opened the small but skinny doors before her with no fear. She didn't even need her friend's help to do so, which made the elderly white mare smile.

When the doors were opened, the two ponies saw a large area covered by crushed and destroyed theatre chairs, giant pieces of wood and stone all around, a sadly collapsed stage in the back, torn box seats on the walls, old and burnt burgundy curtains hanging all over the collapsed staged, and a medium size gathering of ponies before the broken stage. Luckily, there was some space left on the stage in the front to allow some ponies to climb up there and present the important news that were soon to be announced. The elderly mare noticed, while she and her companion, were walking slowly towards the stage that there was a massive white piece of cloth on open part of the stage. More so towards the left side, as if it was coming from the backstage. The cloth was covering some kind of huge yet clumpy looking object. What is that thing? She wondered.

As the two ponies got closer to the group, they began to actually hear their multiple conversations going on at once. Most of the ponies in this gathering were in this mare's age group. Some of the ponies were smiling and laughing with each other, catching up on old times and such. While others held what sounded like more solemn and serious conversations, portraying a sense of anxiety and worry of what was going to happen next. When the old mare approached the group, she smiled at them. Showing a sign of relief on her face, feeling thankful to see familiar faces in a time like this. Even though the black cloaked pony's face cannot be seen through the hood, the pony smiled with the lady at its side.

The old mare scanned the group with ease, looking for more acquainted friends she knew many years ago. During her scan, she noticed an elderly purple unicorn stallion on the stage. His mane was shaggy and copped looking, it was pure grey with streaks of pink it. Her eyes widen at the sight of him….Dusk Shine? It wasn't long before she noticed that the two regal brothers, Prince Solaris and Prince Artemis, were standing next to Dusk Shine. For some reason, they were all guarding the mysterious object underneath the white cloth. Dusk Shine shared a relaxed and vigilant look on well-aged face. It was true that unicorns had an act of aging well due to their magic, although she never thought that about herself. Despite being a unicorn herself, she always felt that there were mares much prettier than her. She also noticed that Dusk Shine looking extremely healthy and handsome for a stallion of his age. She assumed that was because he was in the radiant and powerful magic of the princes, him being their advisor and all. But the most important detail she noticed was the expression on the princes' faces…they expressed royalty and beauty naturally…but it also expressed graved yet emotionless frowns…they were very stern and hard.

Before the elderly unicorn could get a closer look at the princes, she was interrupted with some pony calling out "Miss Bluebell!"

She quickly directed her head towards the direction of this sound, and saw a grown yellow stallion waving excitedly at her. He was very muscular and well built, with large and hard hooves to prove this. He had a thick red mane with some streaks of grey in it, along with some crow feets around his bright child-like eyes.

She joyously answered him "Apple Buck!"

She wobbled as fast as she could, with her faithful companion by her side, towards Apple Buck so that she could give him a big hug. And he did the same. Despite the crowd separating, they didn't have trouble getting to each other. Apple Buck gave Miss Bluebell a big bear hug, just to let her know how much he missed her. Miss Bluebell enjoyed the tight embrace of her old friend, and grinned widely at him.

The strong old stallion remarked to Bluebell in a southern drawl "How have you been Miss Bluebell?!"

Bluebell answered in a giggle "Nothing much really. Just been living the simple life as a dance teacher out in the country. In a town called la ville de jaune."

Apple Buck responded "My! It sure sounds like a mighty fine place Miss Bell."

Bluebell then asked "More importantly, how are you? How's dear Macareina been doing? Where is she?"

Apple Buck answered in hesitant tone "Well not too good, I'm afraid….you see, the old carriage business took quite a stoll on her. She been doing it for so long, and being the hard worker she is…she…she's paralyzed."

Bluebell gasped at this and covered her mouth with her front hooves. Apple Buck closed his eyes and continued "Not just from the waist to the back hooves, but all of her. She can't even move her neck and head by herself. My wife and I have been taking care of her out in Applaosa, but…she's on her last stride."

Bluebell then placed her wrinkled and soft hoof on Apple Buck's shoulder, which made the tall stallion looked into the beautiful eyes of the unicorn before him.

She comforted him with "I don't know what to say, but…I'm so sorry Apple Buck. Please….Please give your sister my love. She will always so kind and understanding about me, the least I can do is…do the same for her."

Apple Buck gave the elderly unicorn a soft smile and placed his large hoof over Bluebell's hoof, "Thank you Miss Bell….I will…without a doubt. I think…that will make my sister…"

Then the country let out some soft sobs before answering with "very happy…"

Bluebell then lifted her hoof from Apple Buck's shoulder, and used it to wipe the tears away from his face like a grandmother would do for her sad grandchild. Yes…that's exactly what he was to her…a child….a grandchild…that she will never have….

When Apple Buck was finally able to see clearly through his teary eyes, he noticed the black cloaked pony behind Miss Bluebell. He gave the pony a surprised yet suspicious look before proclaiming "Who's this stranger?"

Bluebell quickly answered "This is my friend Apple Buck. My dear friend….whom I have known for so long….he's been my caretaker ever since I couldn't walk by myself." She then tapped her front hoof on the cane on her left side.

Apple Buck noticed this and began to understand that this mysterious pony doesn't mean any harm, especially to the precious Miss Bluebell. He smiled at the stranger and offered his hoof to him "Well, any pony friends with Miss Bell is a friend of mine! What's your name stranger?"

The black cloaked pony didn't take Apple Buck's hoof in return. In fact, he didn't say anything to Apple Buck. The mysterious pony just stood there quietly and stiffly in front of Apple Buck. This sent an unsettling feeling down Apple Buck's spine. Apple Buck slowly took his hoof back towards his side and turned his attention back to Miss Bluebell.

Bluebell answered with a soft smile "He feels like this event is for me…not for him. He feels like it isn't his place to speak and interact. Plus, he's a little…shy."

Apple Buck then returned his gaze to Miss Bluebell's companion to give him one last suspicious look. He remarked to her "Alllright…if you say so Miss Bell."

Apple Buck and Bluebell's conversation was interrupted by the sound of some pony tapping on an old fashion and bulky mic stand on the stand. It was Prince Artemis who was doing the tapping. The sound wasn't painful to hear, but it was annoying. However, this annoyance was proven effective by the fact that every pony in the room stopped their chit chat and focused on the princes on stage. Once Prince Artemis saw this, he stepped aside and let his older brother come to the mic stand.

Prince Solaris cleared his throat before announcing "Bonjour, madams et monsieurs. Welcome…I'm sure you all know why we are here. We have come here to not only to properly announce that L' Opéra de Cheval will be revived and furbished into a historical museum, but also to properly hand back the valuable items that rightfully belong to all of you…the staff…the musicians…the dancers….and the singers…of this once beautiful opera house."

Prince Solaris faced his brother for strength and hope before continuing to his audience, "My brother and I want you to know that… L' Opéra de Cheval will never be forgotten. Not because it is in the heart of Paris itself, but because of what all of you have done to make it so special. All of you, in some way, made art…beauty…and life. And that my citizens is why this opera house will always live on. L' Opéra de Cheval will always live on through those three things and by all of you….and nothing more. Today my subjects…let us chase away the ghosts and demons of the past….and bring hope into this opera once more…."

When Prince Solaris finished his speech, the advisor Dusk Shine went backstage and returned with a plain light brown wooden box. Dusk Shine placed it in Solaris's golden platted hoof. The prince lightly caressed and traced the outside of the box before turning his attention to Bluebell. Bluebell returned his gaze, expressing longing and hope for the box he held in his hooves. Prince Solaris floated towards the old unicorn and gently placed it in her grip.

Bluebell took a small breath in before lightly opening box. Inside the box was….a delicate and gorgeous blue stain glass ballet dancer pony. She was dancing and spinning in a small room of gold and silver. The dancer was wearing a big and beautiful dress along with an elegant mask on her face. She was dancing to a tune that Bluebell too well…a melody that always haunted her dreams…a melody that she always knew the lyrics too…but if she sang them out loud…she would be scared on what would happen next.

Instead, she sang a different tune in her head…a more haunting and slow tune…contrasting to merry and joyous melody in the music box….

A collector's piece indeed . . .
Every detail exactly as he said . . .
He often spoke of you, my friend ...
Will you still play,
when all the rest of us are dead?

The black cloaked pony placed both his front hooves on her shoulders, and gave his lady a warm and soothing warm from behind…in order to ease her mind of…the memories…soon to come. Once the memories come, it's hard to get Bluebell out of her head sometimes…it's like she in her own little world. She can't hear him…she can't see him…she can't even feel his touches and hugs…her memories take hold of her. He silently prayed to himself that once this day was over, they would return back to the way that they were.

All the while, Dusk Shine went back stage once more and returned back with a dusty and aged brown cowboy hat. He handed it to Prince Artemis who then took the hat to Apple Buck. When the Prince landed in front of Apple Buck, Artemis couldn't look into the eyes of this country pony…both of them clearly knew who it belonged to…the prince handed the hat to Apple Buck as if it was a feather ready to travel into the breeze. Apple Buck immediately clutched tightly onto the hat and began sobbing into it…in order to hide his grieving face.

The rest of the hour proceed just like that. Dusk Shine would go back stage, find some kind of item and hand it to the princes. Then the princes would personally and gently give these gifts to each pony in the group. Each gift received with reactions like crying….or anger….strange trance-like states….or no emotion at all in order to hide their vulnerabilities. But each pony and each reaction reflected the trauma and tragedy that happened to the opera house….long ago. Each gift and reaction build deep and soul shattering heaviness into the princes' hearts and into Dusk Shine's heart as well.

By the end, every pony was silent…every pony couldn't look at one another but only at their hooves. Bluebell was still holding the music box and listening to its strange yet classical song. Her companion, still clinging to her tight, hoping that his friendship and love will get through to her this time. Prince Solaris was the only pony trying to stay strong during this, raising his head and eyes high into the many rows of the opera house. Trying to hold back the tears and sobbing building in his eyes and throat.

He muttered hoarsely to his brother, "It's time…"

Prince Artemis nodded his head at his brother, and turned his body towards Dusk Shine still lingering near the sides of the stage. Artemis nodded solemnly to Dusk Shine, which signaled Dusk Shine to go towards the mysterious object on stage. Both Prince Artemis and Dusk Shine grabbed the giant cloth with their magic on two opposing sides. They dramatically lifted the cover off….and revealed to their audience…a chandelier. But not just any chandelier…the chandelier…the massive and spectacular chandelier they though they lost. Every pony gasped at the sight of this, and it brought Bluebell out of her memory trance. Her eyes widened to their fullest at the sight of the chandelier…looking new yet lifeless on the stage floor…but how? How was it possible?

Prince Solaris then announced to his surprised audience "We were able to fix and renew the famous chandelier that lived in the opera house. With the help of brilliant pony technicians, the chandelier will be lit once more…only with bright and illuminating light bulbs…this is gift from my dear brother and I…it can never erase the memories of what was…but it will lit a way to a new future!"

After Solaris proclaimed "lit a way to a new future!", Prince Artemis and Dusk Shine turned on the grand chandelier with their magic and magically lifted the chandelier to its original spot in the middle of the high ceiling. While every pony awed and smiled at the chandelier gracefully flying in the high to its home, the black cloaked pony turned his full attention to his Bluebell. Her eyes were filled with the lights of the chandelier, but her face didn't expressed awe. It expressed her wandering mind and her lost soul. She was going back to the way things were at…. L' Opéra de Cheval.