Me: I do not own anything but the OCs and the plot. Enjoy!
_
Sad, dark eyes scanned the dimly lit catacombs. Shattered glass was scattered all over the floor. A gloved hand ran over the keys of the organ absentmindedly before playing several meaningless notes. The figure's left side of his face was burned, deformed. No longer was he wearing a mask, for he had left it when he had run away. His catacombs, his home, lay in shambles, finally resembling the hell he had once referred it as. He reached into his pocket and traced a large ring that rested inside. Tears ran down his face as he recalled Christine's betrayal.
"I gave you my music, made your song take wing. And now how you repay me, denied me and betrayed me…" He sang softly.
"Is this anyway for the infamous Phantom of the Opera to act?" an angelic voice asked. Erik turned to see a fair haired maiden bathed in a bright glowing light and wearing a flowing gown.
"Who, or what, are you?" he asked.
"You know what I am Erik. Did you not claim to be one such as me?" she replied. When he said nothing, she walked over to him and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. He looked at her face, expecting to see disgust and instead seeing a kind smile.
"Why are here?" he asked her. The angel's smile widened as she turned away from him.
"Ahhh, that. Well you see, God has decided to give you another chance. When he saw your free Christine and Raoul, he thought you could help us."
"And how could I help God?" he asked bitterly.
"There's a girl who needs you as much you will soon need her." This statement shocked him into silence, so the angel decided to continue.
"You are needed in New York….In the year 2011." Before he could utter another word, his chambers began twisting and morphing into the bustling streets of 21st century New York.
"You are given a year to rebuild your opera. Good luck, Phantom." The angel whispered before Erik stole into the dark.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Kristina Lange stood outside a large building, clutching a piece of paper with the words 'AUDITION FOR THE OPERA POPULAIRE'. This theatre was opened only recently but had abundant success. She took a deep breath and walked in, gasping when she saw the entryway looked exactly like a set from the 'Phantom of the Opera.'
"Hello, can I help you?" a voice asked. The brown haired girl jumped slightly and turned to see a auburn haired girl about her age.
"Yes, I am here for the auditions." Kristina told her. The girl smiled.
"Cool, follow me. I'm Keira Pryor by the way." Keira said.
"Kristina Lange." The blue-grey eyed girl replied, following the other.
"So the audition consists of A) Singing whatever modern song the judges throw at you and B) a song from the musical of your choice. Think you can do it?" Keira asked when they reached the stage. Kristina nodded.
"Good, now go out there and good luck."
"Thanks."
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Erik groaned. All of the people auditioning were horrid! Only a handful of people were good while the rest screeched like scalded cats. 'Where is she? The angel said I would meet her during these auditions!' Sighing, Erik spoke into a microphone.
"How many more are auditioning Riley?" He asked. The speaker crackled for a moment before a clear, feminine voice was heard.
"There's just one more. Relax; we'll be able to stop for now after this one." Riley said, before turning to the girl on the stage. Erik looked to the girl and was stunned by her beauty. Her long, light brown hair seemed to be streaked with gold they way the lights hit it. Her skin was pale as snow, different then most women of this time period, while her eyes were a gorgeous blue-grey.
"State your name." Riley ordered.
"Kristina Lange." The girl answered.
"Well Kristina, would you like the hard part or the easy part first?" The dark haired male next to Riley asked.
"The hard part please. I like a challenge." Kristina said, eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Okay then, let's hear….You found me by Kelly Clarkson." The male, Matt, said. Kristina smirked before taking a deep breath. Erik was amazed by her voice. She hit every note of that mildly passable song with ease. Both Matt and Riley were clapping when she finished.
"Brava! Now, which song are you going to sing, and from which musical?" Riley asked the talented girl.
"I am going to sing 'Wishing you were somehow here again' from Phantom of the Opera." Kristina told her.
"Alright, let's hear it." The singer took a breath and closed her eyes.
"You were once my one companion
You were all that mattered
You were once a friend and father
Then my world was shattered
Wishing you were somehow here again
Wishing you were somehow near
Sometimes it seemed if I just dreamed
Somehow you would be here
Wishing I could hear your voice again
Knowing that I never would
Dreaming of you won't help me to do
All that you dreamed I could
Passing bells and sculpted angels
Cold and monumental, seem for you the wrong companions
You were warm and gentle
Too many years fighting back tears
Why can't the past just die?
Wishing you were somehow here again
Knowing we must say, "Goodbye"
Try to forgive, teach me to live
Give me the strength to try
No more memories, no more silent tears
No more gazing across the wasted years
Help me say, "Goodbye"
Help me say, "Goodbye""
When the judges were about to comment another voice began to sing.
"Wandering child,
So lost, so helpless
Yearning for my guidance"
Kristina turned towards the voice to see a man who looked just like the Phantom. Knowing what to do, she sang her line.
"Angel or father?
Friend or phantom?
Who is it there, staring?"
The man smiled and continued their duet.
"Have you forgotten your Angel?
Angel, oh, speak
What endless longings
Echo in this whisper!
Too long you've wandered in winter
Far from my fathering gaze...
Wildly my mind beats against you...
You resist...
Yet your/the soul obeys...
Angel of Music,
You/I denied me/you!
Turning from true beauty!
Angel of Music!
Do not shun me/My protecter!
Come to your/me strange Angel...
I am your Angel of Music...
Come to me; Angel of Music..."
Once the impromptu duet was finished, Kristina bowed.
"Thank you, I didn't know that this Opera had its own ghost." She said.
"Your welcome, and what is the Opera Populaire without a Phantom?" The man asked.
"True. It was a pleasure singing with you Monsieur…?"
"Erik, call me Erik. I would formally like to welcome you to my opera."
"You mean I…I passed?" she asked, excited.
"Yes, your voice is quite good. It still needs training to become great. Would you like me to teach you?"
"I would consider it an honor Monsieur Erik." Kristina said, smiling brightly before turning to the room's other occupants.
"Do either of you have the time?" she asked.
"Yeah, its seven." Matt told her. Kristina paled and ran off the stage, muttering,
"I'm late. I'm late. Dear god I'm so dead for this." She turned to the others when she reached the door.
"I apologize! I have to go. I will be back tonight." And with that, she disappeared.
"I wonder what's got her spooked." Riley stated.
"Yeah, she ran outta here like a bat outta hell. And you," Matt said turning to Erik, "Why did you refer to yourself as the Phantom?"
"I don't know…" Erik said, still staring after his newest student.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Kristina burst into a broken down building. A group of people turned to face her, most of their faces fearful yet relieved, save for one. A brunette man at the head of the group had a scowl on his otherwise handsome face.
"You're late Kristina."
"I know Collin. I was caught up at an audition-Save your excuses, you know what we do to people who are late." Collin said, interrupting her. Kristina nodded sadly before being dragged to a small room. The others in the building tried to block out the pale girls screams as their boss beat her for hertardiness. An hour later, the girl limped back to the theatre. Once she was inside, she did her best to disguise it and prayed that her bruises had yet to appear.
"Kristina! You're back!" Keira said.
"Yeah." She replied.
"You okay?" the auburn haired girl asked.
"Just tired is all." She lied.
"Oh, let me show you too your room."
"Thank you." Kristina looked about, swearing she felt someone's eyes upon her.