Chapter 1- A Sorceress and an Angel

A long time ago, a man named Gustave Daae died. He was a famous violinist and was buried in Peros-Guirec, a chilly coastal town in France that was far enough away for it to be impossible to take a cab, but I digress. Gustave left behind nothing but a pretty little girl named Christine. Orphaned, the girl was taken to the Opera Populaire to study ballet. It was during this time that an extraordinary event took place… well, two, actually.

One night, the little girl was praying for her father's soul in the Opera's small chapel. Seems they left Sweden because he had been charged with petty larceny, doncha know?

As she prayed, she heard a most beautiful, angelic voice singing. She looked around, but the voice seemed to come from everywhere. Christine was so stunned that she forgot her prayer and her father got two more years in purgatory.

"Christine," the magnificent voice proclaimed, "I have sensed your great misfortune and-"

"Are you an angel?" the small girl gasped, "My father told me many stories about angels, especially stories of the Angel of Music, who grants people with exceptional talent!"

"I am not an angel," the voice replied. Christine's heart sank. "But," it continued, "I can help you. You see, I am a magical being." Christine, too young to fling holy water around her and shriek 'get back, demon!' listened raptly. "You see, my dear, there is an enchantment and I will place it upon you. Those under the enchantment are blissfully unaware and lead the happiest of lives, something you dearly need and deserve." Christine looked up toward the Heavens and clasped her hands.

"Thank you, kind being!"

"Think nothing of it, dear child. Now, close your eyes and picture the most beautiful woman you can, for she represents me, the powerful sorceress Maria Susana. Picture the woman and nothing else whilst I recite the incantation." Christine followed the sorceress's instructions and pictured the loveliest woman her seven-year-old mind could imagine.

"Now, Christine," the sorceress whispered, "The enchantment shall come into fruition after you have met your true love. Do you understand?" Christine nodded. "Sing, Christine. Sing." She did.

The next night a real angel came to her.

Nine years later, Christine Daae had grown into a beautiful young woman. She had a petite body, warm brown eyes, and dark curls that cascaded down her back when she allowed it. She was admired by the men at the Opera Populaire, but she was well-protected from their lechery by the strict and devoted Madame Giry, the ballet mistress of the opera. Madame Giry had a daughter Christine's age named Meg and she was Christine's best friend, practically her sister.

Christine had a secret, though she looked like an innocent little dancer. She was the only pupil of the Angel of Music, who had come to her in a time of great distress: after her father's death. She could not really recall the reason he had come to her. She had been praying in the chapel as always and he suddenly announced his presence and told her that he would teach her to sing like an angel.

She thought of this as she danced with the other dancers while they danced the dance in a scene from the opera 'Hannibal' by Chalemeau. She concentrated on her footwork and spins, unaware that the two new managers of the Opera were watching her and commenting on her beauty. When the dance ended, she took a break with Meg and listened to the diva Carlotta's latest tantrum.

"What is her problem?" Meg asked, picking at the ties on her slippers, "She is so lucky to be the lead singer. She should be grateful." Christine nodded as she watched the managers schmooze. She longed to be the lead singer of the Opera. She could see herself, radiant, singing to the angels in Heaven, especially her own Angel of Music. He would be so proud of her.

"She is only upset because they were not paying attention to her," the ballet mistress of the opera said, rolling her eyes. Christine nodded, but her thoughts again wandered. Just minutes earlier, she had received quite the surprise. The new patron of the opera had introduced himself to the cast and crew and it was none other than her childhood best friend- Raulph, the Vicompt de Changy! She had not thought of Raulph for many years, but she had been quite excited to see him and had pushed her way to the front of the crowd, looking his way expectantly, but he hadn't noticed her. She was only a lowly ballet rat, after all.

Christine sighed. Raulph would never notice someone like her. He was a grown, well-respected Vicompt now. He would probably marry some fine lady and bring her to the opera, where they would sit in a box and laugh as Christine missed a step. But she could admire him. If she had thought he was handsome as a small boy, he was even more handsome now: long golden hair and a charming smile.

"Christine!" Meg hissed. Christine had been spacing out again. She looked up and grabbed Meg in horror. A giant piece of scenery was crashing onto the stage! It almost crushed Carlotta, who stormed off angrily, followed by her entourage. Later, Lefevre, the retiring manager, bid them adieu. After this, Christine and Meg chatted about Meg's favorite subject, the Phantom of the Opera. She lived for news of the Phantom. Honestly, he scared Christine and she didn't want to think about him. She focused on her angel instead.

"Christine! Monique said that she saw the Phantom last night!" Meg whispered excitedly. So much for that, Christine thought.

"Christine Daae could sing it, sir." Christine looked up. Sing what?

"What, a chorus girl? Don't be silly," Andre, one of the new managers scoffed. Christine hung her head in shame. Of course she wasn't good enough to replace Carlotta.

"She has been taking lessons from a great teacher," said Madame Giry. Andre scowled.

"Who?" Christine's stomach flip-flopped. She couldn't say that she was being tutored by an angel! She thought of saying his name was Angelo di Musico, but that was idiotic.

"I don't know his name, monsieur," she said timidly. Immediately, she wanted to smack herself. That was even worse! Madame Giry walked over and placed a comforting and supportive hand on Christine's shoulder.

"Let her sing for you, monsieur; she has been well-taught." Firmin, the other manager, gave his colleague a 'wahduhfuzzupwidat?' look, but Andre told Christine to begin the aria. She walked to center stage nervously and waited for the music to begin. Then she did what came naturally to her- thanks to the Angel of Music. She didn't know why she hadn't seen this coming. He had been teaching her the song for months!

Okay, now all of you reading: go watch the movie. That's what happens in the story: the rest of the movie. The story will wait…

Are you done? Good. We'll pick up from the end of the movie. Well, not the end, because the movie ends with Christine dead. We're talking this part:

Raulph ran over to Christine, who had just jumped from the carriage. She threw her arms around the Vicompt, sobbing. Meanwhile, the Phantom was chased into the river by a mob and-

What? You didn't watch the Lon Chaney movie?!

Kidding.

Christine looked back at her angel's form. His pant legs were still soaked from the lake and he was slumped over, watching her go, clutching the ring she had given him. She heard his voice faintly begin to sing,

"You alone can make my song take flight-"

"Stop the gondola!" Christine shouted. Raulph whipped his head around and stared at her.

"Christine… what-" Christine jumped out of the boat, her skirts ballooning as she tried to run in the shallow water, her slippers catching on the track on which the boat ran. "Christine! Where are you going?!" She did not listen. She ran as fast as she could (which was not very fast) back into the Phantom's cave.

"IT'S OVER NOW THE MUSIC OF THE-"

"YOU!" Christine yelled over his powerful voice. He turned to look at her. He had been set to smash one of his mirrors.

"Do you want to give me a lock of your hair now? Do you want to wear a vial of my blood around your neck? What?" Christine, throat a bit sore from the yelling, shook her head.

"I- I can't go." She whispered hoarsely.

"Yes, you want a souvenir. Here. Now just go." He chucked his mask at her. She stepped to the side to avoid it.

"I can't leave you!" Tears that had never really left filled her eyes again. "I can't!" The Phantom- her angel- dropped the candlestick and leaned wearily against the mirror.

"Christine, it would be selfish of me to keep you here. You're young and beautiful and you deserve sunshine and beautiful palaces and all the other things the Vicompt can give you. I'm old and hideous and I'm just going to die, leaving you alone- wait, I'm Gerard Butler with red paint on his face! Christine!" He ran down the stone steps and into the water and embraced her. Christine wrapped her arms tightly around her angel, tears flowing down her face.

"I love you… you."

"My name is Erik. And I love you. I really, really love you." She kissed him again, this time not to save an innocent man's life.

The mob, led by Meg, had reached the lair by now and they saw the two of them kissing.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw," they cooed silently.

"Let's go," Meg whispered, catching a glimpse of the man who fascinated her. "We'll tell everyone that he committed suicide."

"That would be a shame since they're so cute!" whispered a man with a torch, "Let's tell them he flew away on a magic pony!"