//------------------------------//
// Chapter 15: Music of the Night, Part One 
// Story: The Fourth Alicorn 
// by Cobalt the Kitsune 
//------------------------------//

        The old mine underneath Canterlot was dark and damp. A perfect place for a creature of darkness to plot his revenge. Night Stallion didn’t have a true form. Somewhere between abstract and having a physical body, he was a shadow, an imprint of what he once was. His eyes, Two eye shaped red lights, were fixated forward. Gilda, and the pegasus were tailing him cautiously.
        Suddenly Night Stallion’s pacing was interrupted by an orchestral chorus that echoed throughout the casme.
        “What is that?” Night stallion asked with a harsh tone. 
        “Someone must of bought that old opera house.” The pegasus suggested. “It’s built right on top of here.”
        “How can I contemplate how to carry out my revenge on the alicorns with that racket?” Night Stallion asked.
“There’s an old legend that the opera house was haunted by the the spirit of a disfigured composer whose opera was rejected because of his appearance.” The pegasus explained.
“How is this relevant to the current situation?” Night Stallion said his voice increasing in anger. 
The taken aback pegasus then stuttered out what he was trying to say. “I’m suggesting that you become this phantom of the opera. Scare them so bad no one pony would dare disturb your peace again.”
“If your plan wasn't so brilliant,” Night Stallion scolded. “I would have killed you on this very spot.”

	.........

It was a few days after Cobalt was released from the hospital he was sent a letter.

Dearest brother,
        We would like to invite you, and five friends to the nine hundredth eight-second Grand Galloping Gala. Enclosed you will find the tickets. And if you keep your habit of arriving in Canterlot early, you can watch a play with me and Luna. They've reopened the old opera house we used to go to all the time. Remember all the those memories we had there?

Signed,
        Princess Celestia of Equestira
        P.S. I don’t know if you remember. But I do hold the gala on my birthday.

        Cobalt did remember the old opera house. It was there that the Sirius found out his wife was pregnant. But he did remember all the laughter and entertainment he and his sisters had enjoyed there. Cobalt quickly etched down this reply.

Dearest sister,
        I accept your invitations. Both to the gala and for the play. 
your L.B.B.B.F.F.
        Cobalt.

.........

        “What is this for?” Night Stallion said holding a pure white half mask in his shadowy aura.
        “The composer always wore a white mask to hide his disfigurement.” The pegasus explained as Night Stallion slipped on the mask. “He also was notorious for watching his female actors through a false mirror in their dressing room. So you should make an appearance there as well.” 
Gilda brought out an aged piece of parchment. “This is a map of all the secret passages he used.” She rolled out the piece.  “Most of them lead to a part of the mine where he had his secret lair. Where he wrote most of his operas. And also took some of his actresses down to umm...”
“Mate?” Night Stallion finished changing his voice to be less harsh and began to look more like a real pony. “I’m beginning to like this stallion more and more.” Night Stallion slung a cape over his wings

	Think of me,


	Think of me fondly,

“WHAT IN TARTARUS’ TORTURE, IS THAT AWFUL NOISE!” Night Stallion roared.
“I believe they call it a rehearsal.” The pegasus said tentatively.
“What ever it is I’m going to stop it.” Night Stallion said dashing down one of the secret corridors.
“Master wait!” The pegasus tried to call out.

	..........


	when you find a moment...

The high pitched squeal was coming from a frilly unicorn. Night Stallion glared down at her from the rigging. He then noticed a rope holding up a really heavy piece of set.  Hoping it would fall on lead mare, he cut it. When it barely missed Night Stallion cursed under his breath. The mare started to curse at two ponies in pinstripe suits. Both had candy stripe manes and
 one had a mustache.
        “My diva please.” The un-mustachioed one said.
        “NO! Thes’ t’ings happen too of’en!” The mare shouted in a strong accent. Enraged but keeping in character Night Stallion scratched some demands on a piece of note paper then dropped in the middle of the crowd. The other candy striped stallion  noticed and read it aloud.
Dearest Film and Flam,
I would like to welcome you to my opera house. I like to inform you how things work here. You are to follow all my instructions to the letter. You are to pay me my salary of 200 bits a week. And most importantly you are to leave box 5 empty for every performance. Fail to do his and a great disaster will befall the theater
Singed your fiendish friend.
O.G.
P.S. Get a lead mare that is not tone deaf.
Blubbering the other one pointed at the first chair cello player in the pit. “You there.”
“Me?” The light grey mare asked. 
“Yes, come up here.Maybe showing this phantom that not everyone can sing will appease him.” The frilly mare said as Octavia made her way up to the stage. 
“From the top of the aria, Tavia?” The conductor asked. Tavia gave a nervous nod to the conductor and they were off.

	Think of me, think of me fondly,


	When we’ve said goodbye


	Remember me once in awhile


	Promise me you’ll try


	


	Then you find once again you long


	To take your heart back and be free


	If you’ll ever find a moment


	Spare a thought for me

Night Stallion was stunned at the beauty of this mare’s voice. Dare say, he found himself stunned at the beauty of the mare.

	We never said our love was evergreen


	or as unchanging as the sea


	But if you still remember


	Stop and think of me

Could it be possible? The incarnation of hate and fear falling in love?

	Think of all the things 


	we’ve shared and seen


	Don’t think about the way 


	Things might have been

The lead mare huffed and stormed off in a jealous rage. Night Stallion also departed at this time.

	.........

The night of Octavia’s first performance when on without a hitch. And angst the warning Night Stallion had given them Film and Flam book box five to one of the unicorn royal by the name of Purple Heart. A childhood sweetheart of Tavia’s. He met her after the performance in her dressing room.
“You were great tonight.” The light purple Stallion said.
“Oh, I wasn’t all that great.” Octavia said humbly.
“No, you were amazing!” Purple Heart said setting the flowers he brought for her on her table. “How’d you do it?”
“You now how my father said to me before he died that while he look down on me from the stars. If I was ever in need of assistance he’d send an angle of music to guide me.” Octavia asked. “I think I received help from that angle tonight.”
“Angel or no Angel you were marvelous tonight.” Purple Heart held Octavia’s face in his hooves. “And now we go to supper.”
“Oh, I mustn't.” Octavia said.
“Oh, but you shall.” Purple Heart said. “Get dressed and meet me outside in ten minutes.”
“Alright” Octavia giggled as Purple Heart left. As soon as he shut the door behind him the room darkened and the door locked with an ominous click. An equally ominous voice that seemed to come from everywhere then sung this refrain.

	Insolentlet colt,


	 This slave of fashion,


	Basking in your glory,


	


	Ignorant foal,


	This brave young suitor


	Sharing in my, 


	Triumph


	


	Octavia: Angel I hear you,


	Speak, I listen,


	stay by my side,


	guide me,


	


	Angel, my soul is ready, 


	Come to me,


	Enter at last master.


	


	The voice: Flattering child,


	 you shall know me,


	see why in shadow,


	I hide,


	


	Look at your face,


	 in the mirror, 


	I am their,


	 inside

A masked stallion then appeared in the mirror.

	Octavia: Angel of music,


	guide and guardian,


	enter in your,


	Glory,


	


	Angle of music,


	I no longer,


	want to be stange,


	Angle,


	


	Night Stallion (whispering): I am your,


	Angel of music,


	Come to,


	The angel of music,

This seemed to put Tavia in a trance. She was drawn to the mirror.

I am your,


Angle of music,

Tavia stepped through the mirror into a musky corridor. As Tavia took Night Stallions hoof, she began to sing a new melody.

In sleep he,


sang to me,


In dreams,


he came,





That voice,


that calls to me ,


and speaks,


 my name





And do I,


dream again,


for now, 


I find,





The Phantom,


of the opera,


is there, 


inside my mind,

As Tavia was lead down deeper Night Stallion sung also,

NS: Sing once again, 


with me,


our strange,


duet,





My power, 


over you, 


Grows stronger,


yet,





And though you,


 turn from me,


To glance behind.





The Phantom,


of the opera,


is there,


inside your mind,




They then came to a small boat on a underground lake. As Night Stallion lowered he in, Tavia began to sing again.

	Octavia: Those who have, 


	seen your face, 


	draw back,


	 in fear,


	


	I am the mask,


	you wear.


NS: It’s me,


they hear,





Tavia and NS: Your/my spirit,


and my/your voice,


in one,


combined,





The Phantom, 


of the opera,


is their,


Inside my/your mine


The then came to a room that had an organ and many candles, the composer’s lair.

Tavia: He’s there,


The Phantom,


of the opera





NS (spoken... or shouted, I guess)


Sing, my angel of music,


Sing, my angel,


Sing, for me,


Sing my angel,


SING FOR ME!!!





.........

“I am so glad you invited me to his play.” Cobalt was walking to the opera house with his sisters, his daughter, and her husband. He was where a new pure white suit and hat.
“It’s our pleasure” Cadence said cheerfully. As they approached the theater they began to determine something was wrong. 
“Canceled!?!” Luna shouted in dismay. “I demand to know why tonight’s entertainment is no more.” 
By this time Film and Flam had heard the royals were outside and had come out to greet them.
“For give us your graces.” The one without the mustache said.
The other brother cut in. “You, see the lead mare has gone missing.”
“And who this lead mare.” Shining Armor asked.
“I think her name is...” The one without the mustache started.
“Octavia, her name is Octavia.” The other one finished.
“I think I know her.” Cobalt said. “Was she a light grey earth pony with a dark mane?”
“Yes thats her!” the mustached one said.
“That can’t be.’’ Cobalt said. “She’s a cello player not a singer.”
“She was until the phantom requested her for lead mare.” The other one said.
“Phantom?” Cobalt asked.
“You haven’t heard of the legend of the ghost of the Canterlot Opera House?” The mustached on asked almost in shock. “Where have you been the last century?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” Cobalt said.
The Flim Flam brothers then got back on their train of thought. “Accept our apologies by allowing us to show you our opera house.”
 Once they entered the lobby the Cobalt felt something was wrong. Two letters were skewered by a dagger and pinned to the table. They could turns reading the notes, in song.

	Dear Flam,


	I look forward to the gala,


	I hope it will be sublime,


	We were hardly bereft,


	When Miss.LaLa left,


	On that note,


	the diva's a disaster


	 must you cast her,


	when her seasons past her prime.


	


	Dear Flim,


	 just a brief reminder,


	my salary has not been paid,


	Send it care of the ghost,


	By return of post


	PTO


	no one likes a debtor,


	So it’s better,


	if my orders are obeyed.


	


	Shining Armor: Who would have the gall to send this,


	Cobalt: Someone with a purer brain.


	Film and Flam: They are both signed O.G.


	Cobalt: Who the hay, is he?


	Film and Flam: Opera Ghost.


	It is nothing short of shocking,


	Film:He is mocking our position.


	Flam: In addition he wants money.


	Film: What a funny apparition.


	Film Flam: to expect a large retainment,


	nothing planer,


	he is clearly quite insane,


	


	 Purple Heart (interrupting): Where is she


	Where is Octavia.


	Where is she


	Film: We’ll how should we know


	Purple Heart: I want an answer,


	I take it that you sent me this note?


	Luna: what’s all this nonsense,


	Flam: of course not


	Film: Don’t look at us.


	PH: She’s not with you then.


	Flam: of course not


	Flim: Were in the dark


	PH: mister don’t argue,


	Isn’t this the letter you wrote


	Flam:And what is it we have meant to have wrote. 


	Or written.


	


	(Spoken) 


	Do not fear for Miss Octavia,


	The angel of music has here under his wing,


	Make no attempt to see her again,


	Cobalt: If they didn’t write it who did?

Cobalt looked back at the dagger now lying on the table. As soon as he picked it up It evaporated into shadow. Cobalt glanced at her sisters. A mare with a young filly taking her.

	Mare: Octavia has returned,


	Film: I hope no worse for ware,


	 as far as we're concerned.


	Flam: We’re exactly is she now


	Mare: I thought it best she was alone,


	Filly: She needed rest.


	PH: May I see her.


	Mare: She will see no one.


	All: Will she sing 


	will she sing 


	Mare: Here I have a note.


	All: Let me see it.


	Flim: Please,


	


	(spoken) Gentle colt’s,


	I have now sent you several notes


	of the most amiable nature


	detailing how my theater 


	is to be run,


	NS (fading in): you have not followed my insturtions


	I shall give you one last chance,


	Miss Octavia has been returned to you,


	And I am anxious


	 that her career


	 should progress


	In the new production,


	Of Il Muto,


	You will therefore cast the devia,


	as the page boy,


	An put Octavia 


	in the role


	 of Countess,


	The role of which,


	Octavia plays,


	calls for charm and appeal,


	The role of the page boy


	is silent,


	Which my casting,


	in a word,


	Ideal,


	(Spoken) I will watch the performance in my normal seat in box five. Which will be kept empty. Should these commands be ignored a disaster, beyond imaging will occur.


	I remain gentlecolts your obedient servant.


	O.G.


	To be contiuned


	**authors note. I do not own the rights to phantom of the opera, and most likely never will.**