Introduction

Many think that the Phantom of the Opera is a fable made up for publicity. You see, this is a lie. The reason I know this is, because Madam Giry is like a mother to me. I grew up on tales of what her strange friend had done to the residents of the opera house. The many times I had laughed from the man in a mask. Never did Antoinette tell me his story of how he had first reached the Opera house in the first place.

I never thought it of any importance to ask. Now after not seeing Antoinette for three years, I regretted never learning about it seeing as I had been accepted as the understudy of Carlotta. She was determined that she needed no understudy but Madam Giry had insisted it. So here I was thinking of all this as I walked down the detailed halls to room 824, I was the only resident on the 8th floor. No one ever stayed on that floor because it was said to be the Phantoms favorite place to haunt.

People, if they knew of course, would think me crazy for hoping that the Phantom walked the 8th floor. After so many amusing stories I really wanted to meet this man. Wondering if Antoinette had ever mentioned me, I turned the lock to my new room. Walking I became very happy that no one else stayed on the 8th floor. My room was huge large enough to fit a piano. The thought that I had the possibility to have a piano in my room lightened my spirits. There was just one problem pianos were not cheap and I had no money.

Well I could always start saving. Looking around I took in the crimson walls and balcony, the queen sized iron wrought bed with black sheets, the oak floors and matching oak vanity, dresser and bedside table. On the small table beside my bed there was a note. Opening it I read:

Dear Natalie,

Welcome, to the opera. I hope you enjoy your room. Meet me for breakfast tomorrow in the lobby at 9 o' clock. And Natalie don't be late.

Signed,

Antoinette

Smiling I set the paper back on the table and went to packing my clothes in my new dresser, slipped on a night gown and lay in my new bed. Sleep took me, but soon something glorious awoke me, the sound only an angel could make.

"Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation. Darkness stirs and wakes the imagination. Silently the senses abandon their defenses. Helpless to resist the music I write. For I compose the music of the night." A voice softer and more beautiful than I had ever heard before echoed in my room. Lulling me into a trance of beauty, nothing mattered now but finding who had created such a masterpiece. I must thank them for the beauty they have created, with an angels touch the music continues," Slowly gently night unfurls its splendor. Grasp it sense it tremulous and tender. Hearing is believing, music is deceiving…" It continued until the last line, "Soft as candle light…"

The love for the song made me write the entire thing in my music journal, where I copied beauties such as this and created my own, but of course nothing this perfect nor pure. My eyes closed and I dreamed of a dark, beautiful angel. I would meet this man sometime soon or I'd go mad with loss.

I awoke at 7 and picked out the perfect outfit for that day (.com/cgi/set?id=40576557). Smiling I let my hair stay down. Forgetting to grab my journal, I left it sitting by the note Antoinette had put for me. Walking down to the lobby people looked at my curiously the only other who dressed as dark as me was Antoinette, who was sure to be growing impatient. Picking up my pace I walked up to her and gave her a long hug.

Smiling she led me out of the building towards a small café a ways down the street.

Phantom's Point of View

The strange girl left with Antoinette out through the front. She was the first to dare stay on the 8th floor in years. Let us see how long she lasts. My plan was to find out anything about her, because she reminded me of Madam Giry. Deciding to check her room while she was out, I headed into one of my many secret tunnels that led me directly in her room. Walking through the now open wall I decided the best place to look was her night table. With ease I noticed the leather bound book sitting next to a note with Antoinette's hand writing. Opening the note I read the directions for a girl named Natalie to meet her in the lobby. Madam also said don't be late which means she knows the girl well enough to know that she would most likely be late for their meeting.

Next came the leather journal. Opening it I flipped through a composing book. All type of songs were written but one of the newest one made me chuckle it was Music of the Night. She must have heard me play it. And telling from how the ink enlarged when she thought, trying to get every lyric right made me see she liked it a lot. Flipping to the next page I fell on a beautiful and dark, very dark indeed, song. A short to the point one it read in Natalie's elegant script:

Oh sweet memories,

I am on my knees,

Pleading,

Hoping you will find me,

Angel I am dreaming,

Of the Music of the Night,

Compose me,

Create me, angel,

Make me who I wish to be

Make me who I am…

There was something about how she worded this that suited me perfectly and I easily memorized it. When I went home I'd add music and write everything down. This Natalie was certainly someone I would watch after this. Right now I knew one thing, Natalie was worthy of my music.

Natalie's Point of View

"So do you like the room I found you?" Antoinette asked.

"Oh it's just splendid. Thanks so much."

"Of course dear."

"I really must head back I have to talk to the director to get my lines and everything so I'll see you sometime soon. Good day Antoinette."

"Good day to you Natalie."

"Oh, did you tell him about me?"

"No I never did I don't know why I assume the topic just never really came up. Sorry dear if you want me to tell him all about you I will."

"No don't say anything I want to see if I can attract his attention on my own." With these words I left toward the opera house.

Thinking it best I headed for practice. Carlotta was strutting around ranting about how she was the best. This was going to be a long day. Turning towards me she choose me as her next target, "You little toad get up here and fix my dress," I blinked one, twice, was she serious. There was no way in Hell I was going to be treated like a servant.

Phantom

I looked down at the scene from the rafters paying attention to the expression on Natalie's face after Carlotta called her a toad and commanded her to fix her dress. "Actually I'd rather not." She replied in a controlled voice.

"Did you just refuse, I will have you fired." Carlotta snapped.

"And I can have you killed, your point!" It took all the control I had not to laugh.

"And I will have you arrested, toad."

"Actually I believe it is you who is the toad."

"Why you little, whore." Those words made my laughter die and fury rise. I did not understand what my emotions were screaming at me at the time all I knew was Carlotta would pay for that comment.

"LA CARLOTTA!" I spoke my voice silencing everyone. "DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT SHE COULD REALLY HAVE YOU KILLED OR DID YOU BELIEVE SHE WAS BLUFFING, I FOR ONE AGREE THAT SHE COULD HAVE YOU KILLED. RIGHT NOW! I SUGGEST, TOAD, THAT YOU WATCH WHAT YOU SAY BEFORE YOU HAVE A NOOSE AROUND YOUR NECK! GOOD DAY…" I disappeared through one of the many tunnels and back down to my home. By now the rumor Natalie is associated with me would be all around the opera house. Why could I not hold my tongue? These feelings reminded me of Christine but stronger.

I did not understand this. Though I did make up my mind about something, tonight I would apologize to Natalie in person.

Natalie

After the Phantom showed up and scare Carlotta to near death I thought it best to slip up to my room. I entered my room without noticing anything unusual that was until I glanced around and set eyes upon him. The Phantom of the Opera was leaning up against my wall with a look of ease on his face.

The first few words I spoke weren't what you could call lady like, "What the hell are you doing in my room?"

Holding up his hand in mock surrender her he smirked at me and spoke in a voice I had heard earlier. The angel… "I wanted to speak to you alone and I knew you were sneaking up to your room so I simply slipped in." He said innocently.

"And what is it you wished to speak to me about?"

"I'd like to apologize for the hassle I'll have put you through ahead of time."

"What hassle?"

"There are rumors spreading that you've allied yourself with me."

I laughed slightly and asked in a confused sort of voice, "So let them talk and in all truth I wouldn't mind allying myself with you, Phantom."

"Is that so?"

"Indeed." This is when I really looked at him he wore all black and had striking with the rest of his outfit a white mask the covered half his face. The mask suited him, so did the rest of the outfit. He definitely could pull off Antoinette's description. "Thank you, Erik…"

His eyes widened at being called by his real name, "How do you know my name?" His voice grew cautious and his hand reached towards his sword.

"Antoinette told me almost everything about you, Erik."

"How do you know her?"

"She adopted me."

"Did your parents die when you were young?"

"No…my parents…how to say this…they sold…me…"

"What!" The alarm raised in his voice.

"I do not know you well enough to tell you my story Erik maybe one day but not now."

"You mentioned you would not mind being my ally, correct madam."

"That is true I believe it would actually be a lot of fun."

"Well then care to be my one and only friend?"