Chapter 1
How the Story Goes
Think of me
It was the year 1919 in Paris, a abandon opera theater called Opera Populaire was held as an auction. Vente Publique Aux Encheres was the name of the auction, the kids played around the entrance as a playground, people walk past the building, the theater was old and burnt all around: especially the inside. A car pulled up near the entrance, two people came out the car: a man and a woman and one of them carries a wheelchair with them. The man opens the other side of the door letting an old blue paled, washed out hedgehog out of the car and putting him in the wheelchair. As they went up on a flat wooden board on the steps, they entered inside. Inside of the theater was filthy, the walls, statues, curtains, everything was mostly burnt, cobwebs was hanging everywhere, dirt was on the floor, leaves was on every corner of the building, Birds and pigeons was on the ceiling with bird nest with them, they flew everywhere in the for the auction, it began. There was about twenty people in the auction, bidding their prices.
"Sold," The Auctioneer said. "Your number, sir? Thank you. Lot 663, then, ladies and gentleman. A poster from this house's production of Hannibal by Chalumeau."
"Showing here," A man said.
"Do I have 10 francs?" The Auctioneer continued. "Five, then. Five I am bid. Six. Seven. Against you, sir, seven. Eight?" No one else could afford that kind of price. "Eight once. Selling twice. Sold, to Monsieur Deferre."
The people clap their hands as a friendly of well done.
Lot 664," He continued. "A wooden pistol and three human skulls... from the 1831 production of Robert le Diable by Meyerbeer. Ten francs for this,
A man raise his hand.
"Ten, thank you. Ten still. Fifteen, thank you. fifteen I'm bid. Going at 15," As he continued the bidding, a very old rabbit saw the blue hedgehog on his wheelchair, he looks back at her and remembers her from his past. "Your number, sir?" The Auctioneer continued as the two stared at each other. "Lot 665, ladies and gentleman..." A man carried a box with a monkey on top holding cymbals on each hand. "...a papier-mâché musical box in the shape of a barrel organ. Attached,the figure of a monkey in Persian robes playing the cymbals. This item discovered in the vaults of the theater, still in working order ladies and gentleman."
"Showing here," The man press the button and the monkey plays the cymbals quietly as the box plays a lovely tune with it. The hedgehog and the rabbit looks at the music box and smiled at it.
"May I commence at 15 francs?" The auctioneer spoke. A women held her hand up . "Fifteen, thank you," But the hedgehog held his hand up too. "Yes, 20 from you, sir. Thank you very much," But the rabbit raise her hand also. "Madame Vanilla, 25. Thank you, madame. Twenty-five I'm bid. Do I hear 30?" The hedgehog raise his hand. "Thirty. And 35?" The hedgehog looks at Vanilla and she smiles at him and shook her head. "Selling at 30 francs, then. Thirty once, 30 twice... Sold for 30 francs to the Vicomte de Chagny. Thank you, sir."
The man gave the music box to the hedgehog, and he just stared at it thinking to himself.
Sonic: A collector's piece indeed, every detail exactly as she said.
Will you still play when all the rest of us are dead?
"Lot 666, then," The Auctioneer continued. "A chandelier in pieces," A giant white clean curtain was over the chandelier. "Some of you may recall the strange affair of the Phantom of the Opera. A mystery never fully explained. We're told, ladies and gentlemen, that this is the very chandelier... which figures in the famous disaster. Our workshops have repaired it and wired parts of it for the new electric light. Perhaps we can frighten away the ghost of so many years ago... with a little illumination. Gentlemen?" As he gave them the sign, they raise the curtain. And so we head to the past, to tell you readers... the story of the Phantom of the Opera.
(49 Years Ago)
It was the year 1870 in Paris, The theater was clean and neat. The building clear as day and the steps shine as the sun. A carriage pulled up in front of the entrance and two robots came out. It was Decoe and Bocoe in a nice suit. As they saw the building they were thrilled to go in. Inside the theater was performers, animals, and actors practicing their Opera. As the two robots walks through the back stage, they were amazed by the props, the people, the uniforms, the carpenters, the set, even the orchestra was playing their music at the bottom of the stage. Two girls run down stairs, they were Amy and Cream in their ballet uniforms. And Vanilla was their teachers, but there was more students than those two. Outside a blue hedge hog was riding a carriage while standing guiding the horses to his destination.
On stage was Blaze singing her part.
Blaze: The trophy from our saviors, from our saviors
from the enslaving force of Rome!
"Madame," A woman pulled her off stage, as the other actors came on stage.
All:With feasting and dancing and song, tonight in celebration,
We greet the victorious throng, returned to bring salvation!
Outside Sonic lead the horses in the stables.
"I've got them, monsieur," A man said and lead the horses to the stables. As Sonic got off his carriage, Decoe and Bocoe greeted him.
"Sonic, welcome," Decoe said.
While on stage the actors kept singing.
All: The trumpets of Carthage resound, hear, Romans, now tremble,
Hark to our step on the ground, hear the drums Hannibal comes!
Blaze stumbled on her dress and looks at her helpers. "You make my dress train too long."
A white hedgehog came on stage, his name was Silver.
Silver: Sad to returns to find the land we love, threatened once more by Roma's far-reaching grasp,
The Conductor taps his baton, he was Eggman. "Gentlemen, gentlemen," He made them stop but before he could go on he was interrupted by a two tailed fox name Tails.
"Rehearsals are under way for a new production of Chalumeau's Hannibal," Tails said.
"Tails," Eggman spoken. "I am rehearsing."
Tails raise his hand to make him understand the situation. "Eggman, Vanilla... ladies and gentleman, please, if I could have your attention? As you know, there have been rumors of my imminent retirement. I can now tell you that these were all true," Sally pointed at Big and gave him the I told you so face. "And it is my pleasure to introduce you... to the two gentlebots who now own the Opera Populaire... Decoe and Bocoe," Everybody applause to the two robots as the man continued to speak. "I'm sure you have read of their recent fortune in the junk business."
"Scrap metal, actually," Bocoe corrected him.
"They much be rich," One of the girls said.
"And we are deeply honored," Decoe spoken. "To introduce our new patron."
"The Vicomte de Changny," Bocoe finshed.
Sonic step on stage and waves his hand to the actors.
"I still can't believe we managed to get him," Decoe said. "It's such a coup for us, my dear."
Amy and Cream saw the hedgehog. "It's Sonic," Amy said. "Before my father died, at the house by the sea... I guess you could say we were childhood sweethearts. He called me Little Lotte."
"Amy," Cream said." He's so handsome.
"My parents and I are honored to support all the arts," Sonic said. "Especially the world-renowned Opera Populaire."
The actors applause for him as Blaze walks up to him grabs his hand and she offers a kiss, she bow to him.
"Gentlemen, Blaze the Cat, our leading soprano for five seasons," Eggman said.
"Brava! Brava!" The helpers cheered for her.
"Silver the Hedgehog," The man announced him. The actors applause for him as well.
"An honor, Signor," Sonic said. "I believe I'm keeping you from your rehearsal. I will be here this evening to share your great triumph. My apologies."
"Thank you, Sonic,' Eggman said. "Once more if you please, Big."
"He love me," Blaze said. "He love me.
"Thank you, indeed, for the wonderful words," Bocoe said to Sonic. "So inspiring and encouraging."
The three walks past Amy and Cream, Amy was disappionted when Sonic didn't saw her face.
"He wouldn't recognize me," She said.
"He didn't see you,' Cream comfort her.
"If you please. Monsieur," Vanilla said escorting Decoe and Bocoe off stage as the ballet started and sing. "We take particular pride in the excellence of our ballet," Vanilla continued.
"I see why," Bocoe said. Especially that little blond angle."
"My daughter, Cream the Rabbit."
"And that exceptional beauty," Decoe said. "No relation, I trust?"
"Amy Rose," Vanilla announced her. "Promising talent, Decoe, very promising."
"Daae, did you say?" Bocoe asked. "No relation to the famous Swedish violinist?"
"His only child," Vanilla continued. "Orphan at 7 when she came to live and train in the ballet dormitories."
"An orphan, you say," Decoe said sweetly.
"I think of her as a daughter also. Gentlemen, if you would kindly stand to one side."
The two robots stand on the other side of the stage and watches the performance.
All: Hannibal's friends!
Siver accidently stabs her dress
"Ah, me," Blaze argued. Not on my dress! Why?"
An plastic made elephant come on stage rollong to the front.
All: The trumpeting elephant's sound, hear, Romans, now and tremble,
Hark to their step on the ground, hear the drums!
Blaze was staring at the two robots singing as loud as she can so they can hear her voice, while Silver was trying to get on the plastic elephant but he couldn't without Sally's help. So he just stood on the floor and gave up.
All: Hannibal comes!
As they were done singing, Blaze was mad. "All day!" She yelled. "All they want is the dancing!"
"Well," Tails spoken to the two robots. "The Vicomte is very excited about tonight's gala."
Blaze walks in front of Tails and interrupted. "I hope he is as excited by dancing-girls as your new managers... because I will not be singing!" Blaze walked away angrily. "Get my doggy, bring my doggy. Bye-bye."
The three of them just stood there and look at each other.
"What do we do?" Bocoe asked.
"Grovel," Tails answered. "Grovel, grovel."
"Right," Decoe said. The two robots walk towards Sally.
"I'm going now," Blaze continued arguing." It is finished."
"World-renowned artist and great beauty," Decoe said.
"Bella diva," Bocoe said.
"Goddess of song."
"Eggman, isn't there a rather marvelous aria for Blaze... in Act 3 of Hannibal? Perhaps the signora-
"Yes, yes, but no!" Blaze spoken. "Because I have not my costume for Act somebody not finish it!" Bocoe looks at the helpers, the helpers looks everywhere just to ignore him. "And I hate my hat!"
"Sally, as a personal favor," Decoe said. "Would you oblige us with a private rendition?" Blaze started to cry. "Unless, of course, Eggman objects." Eggamn looks at him with his cold dead eyes.
Blaze stops crying for a while and began to spoke. "If my managers command. Eggman?"
If my Blaze commands," Eggman said.
"Yes, I do," And just like that she rushes to the center of the stage. "Everybody be quiet!"
"Tails," Bocoe said. "Why exactly are you retiring?"
"My health," Tails answered.
"I see."
"YOU AS WELL!" Blaze pointed at Silver who was still talking.
Eggman got on the podium. "Blaze."
"Maestro," Blaze said as she was getting in her position.
Blaze: Think of me, think of me fondly when we've said goodbye,
Bocoe covered one of his ears for making her voice stop hurting his hearing.
Blaze:Remember me once in a while, Please promise me you'll try.
When you find that once again, you long to take your heart back.
As she continued to sing, Someone back stage was going up stares and headed to where they control the curtain and back scenes. The mysterious man pulls a rope holding the curtain up and falls down on top of Blaze. everyone in the theater panics.
"Oh, my God, Blaze," Eggman rush to Sally to help her up.
"Lift it up!" Blaze screams.
"He's here," Cream said. "The Phantom of the Opera."
"Blaze," Tails said. "Are you alright? Knuckles! For God's sake, what's going on up there?"
"Please Tails," Knuckles yelled out. "Don't look at me. As God's my judge, I wasn't at my post. Please, Tails, there's no one there."
As Vanilla was on back stage searching who did it, an envelope floated down at her
"Or if there is," Knuckles continued. "Well, then, it must be a ghost. hehehe."
The people started to talk and panicked a little as Vanilla picks up the envelope and on the it was a stamp of a red skull sealing the envelope.
"Blaze," Bocoe said. "These things do happen."
Blaze took a thought and then spoke. "For the past three years these things do happen! And did you stop them from happening? No! And you two," Blaze pointed to the robots. "You are as bad as him. 'These things do happen'. Until you stop these things from happening, this thing does not happen!" Blaze walks away stomping her feet. "Bring my doggy and my boxy."
Silver walks up to them. "Amateurs," Silver said.
"Now you see," Blaze continued to walk off. "Bye-bye, I'm relly leaving."
Tails walk up to Decoe and Bocoe. "Gentlemen," he spoke. "Good luck. If you need me, I shall be in Australia."
"Ooohhhhh," Eggman was upset.
"Eggman," Bocoe said. " She will be coming back, won't she?"
"You think so, monsieur?" Vanilla spoke as the two robots looks at her. "I have a message from the Opera Ghost."
"Oh, God in heaven," Decoe said. "You're all obsessed!"
"He welcomes you to his opera house."
"HIS opera house?"
:And commands that you continue to leave box five empty," Vanilla pointed to the seats up stairs. "For his use. And reminds you that his salary is due."
"His salary?" Decoe got worried.
"Well, Tails used to give him 20,000 francs a month."
"Twenty thousand francs?" Decoe grabs the letter and scan through it.
"Perhaps you can afford more," Vanilla continued. "With the vicomte as your patron?"
"Madame, I had hoped to make that announcement public tonight when the vicomte was to join us for the gala. But obviously, we shall now have to cancle as it appears we have lost our star!" Decoe tears up the letter furiously.
"But surely there must be an understudy," Bocoe said.
"Ther is no understudy for La Carlotta," Eggman said.
"A full house, Bocoe," Decoe continued. "We shall have to refund a full house!"
"Amy Rose could sing it, sir," Vanilla spoke as everybody stares at Amy.
"What a chorus girl?" Bocoe said. "Don't be silly."
"She has been taking lessons from a great teacher."
Bocoe thinks. "Who?" He asked.
"I don't know his name, monsieur," Amy said.
Vanilla put her hands on Amy's shoulder. "Let her sing for you, monsieur," Vanilla said. "She has been well taught."
Bocoe and Decoe looks at each other thinking than back to Vanilla. "All right," Bocoe spoke. "Come on, don't be shy," Amy walks to up the center of the stage. "Come on, come along. just..."
"From the beginning of the aria then," Eggman demanded. "Please, mademoiselle."
"Bocoe," Decoe spoken. "This is doing nothing for my nerves."
"Well, she's very pretty," Bocoe said as Amy began to sing beautifully.
Amy: Think of me, think of me fondly, when we've said goodbye,
remember me once in a while, please promise me you'll try.
Everyone gathers around hearing Amy sing.
Amy: When you find that once again you long,To take your back and be free,
If you ever find a moment, spare a thought for me.
(Later At Night)
The theater is filled with audience and Amy was in a beautiful white dress, flowers on her hair, she was shining bright.
Amy: We never said our love was evergreen, or as unchanging as the sea,
But if you can still remember, stop and think of me.
Think of all the things we've shared and seen,
Don't think about the way, things might have been.
Think of me, think of me waking silent and resigned,
Imagine me, trying too hard, To put you from my mind.
Recall those days,look back on all those time,
Thin of the things we'll never do
There will never be a day, when I don't think you.
Everyone in the theater applause for her for an outstanding song. Bocoe and Decoe was watching her sing and Sonic was there too.
Sonic: Can it be? Can it be Amy?"
Sonic stand and clap for her. "BRAVO!" he yelled out and walks out the room while Vanilla was watching him.
Sonic: Long ago, it seems so long ago, how long and innocent we were,
She may not remember me, but I remember her.
(On Stage)
Amy: Flowers fade, the fruits of summer fade, they have their seasons so do we,
But please promise me that sometimes, you will think," Before she could finish she sing in different tune in each note and finally. "of me."
Everybody stand up and applause and were throwing flowers at her, Bocoe and Decoe clap and saying bravo to her, the people back stage cheered, and a woman was hiding and saw how great she was. She took a quick sip of alcohol and rushes outside heading to a near carriage with Blaze and Silver in it. The woman explains what happen in their and as she finishes, Blaze fainted.