Okay! :D Here we go! Sequel, just like I said I would!

It has been two years since our compassionate heroine Christine DeMarco's dramatic adventure in the Digital World. She has completely won both Myotismon's trust and heart...but because things still don't go well for her because of her little problem...especially this time in the entertainment industry...Myotismon is determined to help her get better with her singing...and to put an end to the cruelty towards the disabled once and for all. And it all plays out in the form of both a very familiar musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and a very familiar mystery-romance story by Gaston Leroux.

WARNING: This fanfic is rated M for a little rough language, some violence, verbal abuse, and possibly some unnerving moments.

Well, Phantom Phans...cue the overture!

watch?v=KGvYKAq9F9I

Chapter One

A Star in the Making

It had been two years since Christine DeMarco and Brian Guyed's adventures in the Digital World. During that time, both they and their families had left Detroit and moved to Hollywood, California. As it turned out, Mr. and Mrs. DeMarco had been offered a wonderful deal with the theater industry of Hollywood, and they could not find the will to refuse. In addition, My. Guyed had been offered an exciting job position in production. And who knew? Perhaps the DeMarcos would even have a little time in the movies and TV...or so Christine hoped, especially her.

On this particular night, a great crowd was gathering at the 100-year-old Hollywood Opera House for an exciting variety show. Among them were all the DigiDestined, their Digimon...and Rex and Angelina!

Brian and the other Guyeds were there as well, for all the DeMarcos...Christine included...were in the show, and Brian certainly wanted to give support to and see his best friend.

The theater was a marvel to see. The exterior was of glossy stone with big glass windows, pillars and statues of marble and gold, and a shiny front entrance of two massive brass doors.

Decor of gold and white marble adorned the interior, along with marble floors, white stone walls and ceilings, and brightly colored carpeting. The auditorium itself was huge enough to seat hundreds of people on chairs of soft, red velvet. A good number of seats were in white and gold balconies on the walls, which also sported giant plasma screens. The stage was equipped to all the highest technical standards and decorated with bright red curtains and sand bags hanging above. The magnificent theater was crowned by a beautiful chandelier of gold and crystal which hung from the very center of the ceiling. Whenever its lights were turned on, the chandelier would seem to glitter and sparkle.

The theater was in a flurry as Brian made his way through it. Visitors chatted as they stood in lines to get tickets, ticket sellers grabbed for tickets to hand out, and those who already had tickets were pushing into the auditorium.

Backstage, stagehands ran preparations for the show, and performers rushed for their final touch-ups. Singers, dancers, actors, magicians, comedians...everyone was trying to get that last minute readiness for their acts.

Wanting to wish his friend all the best, Brian had managed to slip backstage to look for her. Finally he came to Christine's dressing room. He raised his hand to knock, but stopped when he heard the sounds of Christine's beautiful soprano voice vocalizing musical scales...along with a beautiful tenor voice vocalizing along with her. "Oh...so Christine has a vocal instructor. VERY handy!" Brian sad to himself, "Well...better wait till she's done. She's gotta be all warmed up, after all."

Finally, the singing stopped and the male voice spoke. "Excellently done, Christine!" it said happily, "Why, I'm convinced you'll steal the show tonight!" Christine's voice giggled and said, "Oh, thank you. I hope everything goes well for me." "My goodness, I sense some tension in your tone. Are you nervous?" the other voice asked. "Oh...just a little." Christine's voice answered, "I still just REALLY hope that people will like me." "Understandable. But don't fret. One day, you will be liked and accepted by MANY...both you and I! And until then, if you ever feel unwanted, remember how much I love you." the male voice said kindly.

A short pause.

"I will...and I love you, too!" said Christine's voice joyfully. "Now...go on out there and make me proud!" the other voice commanded in a rather ecstatic tone. "Yes, sir!" said Christine's voice playfully in a soldier's manner. "Hmmm...that's something you don't come across every day." Brian said quietly to himself, "Whoever this tutor is, he's in love with her. Hm...well...she always DID want someone to share her life with."

A moment later, Christine came out. She was now a beautiful young woman of eighteen. When she saw Brian, she gasped loudly, and her blue eyes opened wide in shock! "Brian!...wha...what are YOU doing here?!" she cried nervously. "Hey, hey, calm down. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." Brian apologized. Christine's lips trembled. "Y...you didn't hear all that just now...did you?" she asked kind of stiffly. "Okay. Don't freak...yes, I heard it all. BUT...I have no problem with it. So you have a voice tutor. What's wrong with that? Nothing. I think that's great. And even better for you...sounds like he's really fond of you." Brian explained.

Christine looked at Brian quietly for a bit. Then she managed to say, "Oh...okay." "Oh, and I wasn't trying to eavesdrop." Brian added, "I came back here to see you. It was when I got there that you were practicing." "Well...okay. So, uh...what can I do for you, Brian?" Christine asked. But there was still a little tension in her voice. "I just wanted to say hello and wish you all the best in your performance. And I thought it would be good for you to know that I came tonight to support you." Brian told her.

At that, Christine smiled and hugged her friend, who hugged her back. "Thank you, Brian. It may not seem so to some, but I find it to be very thoughtful of you." she said. 'Any time...any time for a friend!" Brian replied. Still not over her tension, Christine swallowed and said, "Oh...I'd better join up with the others. We'll be starting soon. See you later, Brian." "All right. Have fun...and break a leg!" Brian grinned as the two friends waved goodbye to each other and Christine dashed off.

For a moment, Brian just stood there very pensive. "That's weird. I don't think I've ever seen Christine act so...so tensed up before." he said curiously to himself. Then he just shrugged and said, "Oh, well...maybe it's just pre-performance jitters. What performer doesn't get them?"

The show progressed smoothly and the audience was certainly having a great time. Christine was the last to go on, but she liked to think of this as "saving the best for last". People in the audience were rather enamored when she came on stage, for she looked very beautiful. She was arrayed in a sparkling, white gown and long, glossy, white gloves. A golden cape hung down her back, and she wore two bracelets, earrings, and a headband, all of them covered with diamonds. An ivory, silk bow adorned her waist, and hanging around her throat was a fancy pendant.

The audience was even more enamored when Christine began to sing. With her strong, angelic-sounding soprano voice, Christine treated her viewers to a beautiful aria from "Madame Butterfly".

When the song was over, a great number of cheers and lots of applause rose from the audience. They even gave Christine a standing ovation, and some began to throw silk flowers on the stage. Christine was greatly delighted as she curtseyed to the crowd in gratitude.

However, throughout the whole song, no one had noticed a dark figure on the walkway over the stage...cloaked in the shadows, looking down upon the young singer, and smiling with pride for her...

Soon, everyone was in the main hall, the performers greeting their public and guests congratulating them. Noticing Christine was not among them, Angelina thought she'd better go look for her friend and check on her. She was certain Christine didn't want to miss THIS!

Alone in her dressing room, Christine took a well-deserved drink of water. As she sat there giving her voice a rest, she heard a haunting voice gently singing to her:

"Bravo...bravo...bravissimo..."

Christine did not freak out. Instead, she only smiled. She knew it was only her voice instructor. "Thank you." she responded softly. Just then, she softly gasped when she heard a knock on her door. "Christine?" came a voice, "It's me, Angelina. May I come in?" Christine began to tense up again. Another knock was heard. "Christine, are you all right? Are you...decent?" "Um...y...yes. Yes...just a moment." Christine blurted out, managing to get to her feet, head for the door and open it.

In trotted Angelina in the cute kitty way. As she did, she sang:

"Christine...Christine..."

Christine was overjoyed. "Angelina!" she cried happily, and scooped up the little cat in a loving hug. "Oh, I missed you so much!" Christine said happily. Angelina hugged Christine back. "I'm so glad to see you again!" Then she looked up at Christine and added, "You were GREAT tonight! I thought I should tell you that, after all." "Thank you." Christine replied with a sweet smile, "I'm so glad people liked my performance." "Me, too." agreed, Angelina, "Now, let's see...how did that part go?"

Angelina looked pensive for a brief moment. Then her face lit up and she began to sing to Christine:

"Where in the world have you been hiding?

Really, you were perfect!

I only wish I knew your secret.

Who is this new tutor?"

Christine softly chuckled at this. Then she too began to sing:

"Father once spoke of an angel.

I used to dream he'd appear.

Now as I sing, I can sense him.

And I know he's here.

Here in this room, he calls me softly

Somewhere inside, hiding.

Somehow, I know he's always with me.

He, the unseen genius."

Angelina looked confused as she sang the next part:

"Christine, you must have been dreaming.

Stories like this can't come true.

Christine, you're talking in riddles.

And it's not like you."

Christine sang again:

"Angel of Music, guide and guardian,

Grant to me your glory."

Angelina sang alone for a bit of the next part, then sang with Christine: "Who is this angel, this..."

"Angel of Music,

Hide no longer,

Secret and strange angel."

Then the girls took turns singing. Christine began:

"He's with me even now..."

"Your hands are cold."

"All around me..."

"Your face, Christine, it's white..."

"It frightens me..."

"Don't be frightened."

After a brief silence, the girls had a little giggle with each other. "Thank you." said Angelina, "That was fun. Oh...and another reason I came: your public's waiting to see you. Do you feel well? Don't you want to see them?" "Oh!" Christine cried, clapping her hand her chin, "Oh, my! I had no idea the cast was allowed to do that! Thank for telling me. Well...I'd better not keep them waiting!" And she hurried off with Angelina in her arms.

Almost an hour later, Christine had shortly changed back into her street clothes when she heard another knock on the door. "Christine? It's Brian. May I come in?" "Um, yes...coming." Christine replied, and stepped to the door and opened it.

"Hi, Christine!" Brian greeted as he came in and hugged his friend, "You...were...AWESOME! Oh, my gods...you stole the show as far as I'm concerned!" Christine grinned. "It makes me really happy to hear you say that!" "Hey, anything for you. And I mean it, too!" Brian replied, "Now, then..."

Brian paused to clear his throat. Then he spoke: "Little Lotte let her mind wander. Little Lotte thought, 'Am I fonder of dolls, or of goblins, or shoes? Or of riddles? Of frocks?" Christine was smiling the whole time. "Those picnics in the attic..." she replied. "Or of chocolates?" said Brian. Christine lightly chuckled. "Father playing the violin..." she said to him. "As we read to each other...dark stories of the north!" Brian finished.

Christine sang the next part:

"'No. What I love best...' Lotte said,

'...is when I'm asleep in my bed

And the Angel of Music sings songs in my head'."

Brian sang with Christine:

"The Angel of Music sings songs in my head..."

"YOU sang like an angel tonight." Brian told Christine, "And I'm serious!" "Thank you, Brian. I'm so glad everything went well for me." Christine replied. Then she grinned and continued, "Father said, 'When I'm in Heaven, child...I will send the Angel of Music to you'. Well...Father is dead, Raoul...and I HAVE been visited by the Angel of Music!" "Oh, no doubt of it!" Brian told her, "And now...we'll go to supper." Then he said, "Really, Christine...everyone's going to TGI Friday's. Are you gonna go?"

Christine thought for a moment. "Hmmm...I'm not sure. I'd really like to, but I'll have to see. I might have something I need to take care of. However...I don't want you to worry about it. I'll come if I possibly can." "Great! Hope I see ya later." Brian said, hugging his friend again. And he left.

As Brian was going, he heard the same strange, male voice he had heard in Christine's room. "You were magnificent, my darling Christine. Had the sirens heard you, they would have wept in envy. Of course, if they were wise...they would have crowned you their queen." "Oh, thank you SO much!" Christine said in joy, "Do you know how happy it makes me to hear you say that?" "Believe me. I have quite an inkling." said the other voice, "Now then...you go ahead and have dinner with your friends, and I shall hear from you again shortly at our special place." "Are you sure? Are you sure you can do without me for tonight?" Christine's voice asked with concern. "Now, now, don't you worry about me at all, my beloved." the other voice assured her, "I promise you that I will be well. And soon enough, we will be together again. So go ahead and celebrate with the others. I insist." "Okay. Since you insist upon it...I'll do it. I love you." "And I you...my Sun, Moon and Stars."

Later at the restaurant, Christine received more compliments from her friends.

"You were incredible! Oh...I had no idea you could sing like that! You've REALLY improved!" exclaimed director Joe Barson, who normally wasn't easy to please. "Oh, yes! That was marvelous! I think we've got a star in the making here!" agreed actor-director Anna Francine, who had directed a production of "Annie" that the whole DeMarco family had been in. "Your voice sounded so sweet and beautiful!" added actor Joel Kurtwood, who was very out-going and friendly, "What's your secret?" "Well..." Christine began. "Come on, Christine. Tell us...pleeeeease?!" begged Kari.

Christine lightly laughed. "It's nothing much." she told everyone, "I just have a really good singing instructor." "What's his...or her...name?" Nick asked. Christine shrugged. "He never told me his name for some reason." "Oh...is it a ghost?!" Matt teased. "Yeah, a ghost who haunts the opera house?!" T.K. chimed in. Christine laughed. "No. I assure you...the Hollywood Opera House does not have a phantom." she told the boys. "Ah, it's an angel, then! An Angel of Music!" said Lois with a grin. "Well...maybe." Christine said, "I don't know for sure, but he might be. It's just a theory, but..."

"Oh, Christine! I love that pendant you're wearing!" Mimi exclaimed, pointing to Christine's throat. "Oh, that is beautiful!" exclaimed Sora, "Where did you get that?" "It was a present." Christine said proudly. "That's really kind. Who gave it to you, sweetheart?" Joel asked. Again Christine shrugged. "I don't know." she answered, "It appears that I have a secret admirer." "Well, that sounds good." Lois replied, "You always DID want a lover. I hope your admirer truly loves you."

Christine fingered her jewelry. It had hurt her to lie to everyone, but she knew it had to be done to protect the one her heart loved...Myotismon. It was he who had tutored her in singing, and it was he whose voice she had heard in her dressing room. And if any of her friends found out that he was still around, they would stop at nothing to kill him! Knowing this, Christine feared for the safety of Myotismon. That had been the reason why she had been so nervous at the theater that evening...and neither Brian nor Angelina had known it.

"Was it only a few months ago?" Christine softly asked herself. Despite all the noise of customers, staff and music in the restaurant, Christine's mind began to drift into the past...