Six Years Earlier…

"I promise, I will never let you go." He vowed to the young girl.

"No matter what, I will always love you." She said leaning her forehead against his chest. He didn't care of her age, whether she was fourteen or twenty four, she loved him and he loved her. They may have only known each other a few weeks but she was everything to him. He took her chin and lifted her head to look at him before lightly pressing his lips to hers. The kiss started becoming more passionate, so much that they fell down onto the bed right behind her.

Her eyes opened suddenly and her body was covered in sweat. She released a very long sigh and bent her head back further onto her pillow.

"Only a dream." She closed her eyes and let a stray tear fall down the side of her face. "That really sucks." She reached under her pillow and pulled out her cell phone. She pushed the center button and let the screen light up revealing the home screen with the date and time. She started chuckling. "April first. With the dream I had, I really am an April fool."

March 31 2012…

It had been a long day. Ashley stumbled into her dorm room and threw her book bag onto a chair before plopping down on her bed. Her dirty blond hair falling all over her as her head hit the pillow.

"Can school be any more painful?" She asked herself. She turned her head to her roommate's bed and sighed. "Of course no one else is home." She picked herself off her bed and went over to her television and turned it on. She began flipping through channels seeing if there was something worth watching. She turned it off feeling defeated. She looked at her watch and saw that she still had a few hours before she had to go to club. "Might as well get some work done." She said picking up her bag and throwing it on her bed. She pulled out her accordion folder and pulled out her music work. "Should start with his."

After a while she managed to finish her work. She looked at the clock and it read 6:30.

"Guess I'll get something to eat." Ashley didn't really like eating in the dining hall. She always felt uncomfortable around a lot of people, especially around people she didn't know. But she had to go because she had to eat at some point. So she put on her shoes and her iPod and began listening to her music on shuffle while making her way to the dining hall.

When she got there, the room was a bit crowded but not as bad as it would have been about half an hour ago. She found an empty table situated right next to the window so she could look out towards the forest. Her school was pretty big and was safely nestled in the mountains. It got a little chilly but she loved the scenery and had a great view of the sunrise if she was up early enough. But, she had to admit, she was a bit lonely too. Even though she was at school and she was meeting people every day, she had a hard time making friends. She was a shy girl by nature and felt awkward around people, feeling like she as imposing on others. But when she joined some of her clubs, she was able to relax and interact with some of the people.

When Ashley finished her food, she made her way to the exit. She once again listened to her music as she walked towards her dorm building. She looked at her watch and it read 6:50. She still had another hour before she had to go to the club meeting. So she took this time to get stuff she wanted to bring. When she had what she needed, it was finally time to go. But before she left, she looked over at her bed at her Phantom plushie and smiled.

"Six years tonight." She said sighing. "At midnight, it would be six years."

By the time club ended it was five to midnight and everyone was exhausted. Ashley was ready for bed and was not looking forward to class the next morning. As she was on her way back to her dorm, she looked up at the clear night sky and admired the beautifully shining stars.

"Man, I wonder if the stars are the same in his world." She wondered. Then, something shot across the sky. "Shooting star!" She quickly began wishing.

I wish I could go to his world…

RING!

RING!

The giant clock started to chime the hour. Ashley began on her way again, but there was something wrong. As she continued walking, she began feeling dizzy. The world around her began spinning making it hard for her to keep herself going. Finally, she collapsed, still listening to the chiming of the bells.

Chapter 1

Ashley pulled her hair back into its usual ponytail and got into her clothes. She knew it wasn't really right at the moment for her to be wearing a shirt and pants, but she would rather be caught dead than wear a dress. She looked out the window of her room out at the unfamiliar streets and sighed. It's been about two weeks since she arrived in this world and it was a big shock to her…

Ashley still felt herself reeling a bit but otherwise felt fine. She turned over in her bed thinking what happened the night before was just a dream. But as she pulled the covers over herself, she noticed that something was wrong. She reached out for her fuzzy blanket but couldn't find it. Her eyes shot open and found herself in an unfamiliar room. She bolted up too quickly and her head began spinning again until she fell back over.

"I hope you don't try that again." A young, but not too young, voice said beside her. She turned around to see who the voice belonged to and found a young blond sitting beside her bed.

"What happened to me?" Ashley asked.

"Well, my mother and I found you unconscious outside the opera house last night." She explained. "You hadn't been drinking so we thought perhaps you were ill. We had no other choice but to bring you inside."

"Inside where?" She wondered.

"The opera house." Ashley paused for a moment. She didn't remember an opera house anywhere near her school.

"Um, which opera house, exactly?" She looked at the young blond skeptically.

"The Opera Populaire in Paris." Ashley couldn't believe her ears. But, then again, she didn't and began laughing.

"That's a good one." She said giggling a bit. "The Opera Populaire in Paris France. Home of the infamous Opera Ghost. Next you're gonna tell me it's the year 1881, right?"

"Well, yes." She handed her a newspaper and Ashley looked at the date on the top. Her smile fell from her face and became as white as a sheet.

"No freakin' way." She whispered. "There's no way!" She got up from her bed and ran to the window. She didn't see the pleasant scenery of the mountains or the forests surrounding the campus of her school. Instead she saw a heavily bustling city with horse drawn carriages and people wearing clothing from films taking place in the past. Ashley couldn't breathe and the world turned black.

When she woke again, she was back in the bed and had a few more faces over her. This time, she woke up and began to panic.

"How the hell did I get here?" She began. "Who are you? Why am I here?"

"Please, calm yourself!" She heard a very stern voice say to her and she head the loud bang of a cane on the wood floors. She turned her attention to a tall and very harsh looking woman. "We cannot answer how you came to be here or why, but I can assure you, no one will harm you here. You are safe." Ashley felt herself calm slightly. But that didn't change the fact that she found herself in a world different from her own.

"I'm really in Paris?" She said looking over at the blond girl who merely nodded to her. "And it's the year 1881?" The girl nodded again. Ashley felt tears prickling the backs of her eyes and nearly broke down. She took a few deep breaths and tried steadying her mind.

Crying isn't going to get me anywhere. She thought. She managed to calm herself down but a few stray tears managed to break free and fall down her face. She felt someone touch her shoulder and turned to see a very beautiful young woman staring her in the face. She had long brown hair that fell down her shoulders in a waterfall of curls and innocent brown eyes. Oddly enough, she looked vaguely familiar to her.

"Do you have any family we can contact here?" She asked. Her voice was very melodious and pretty to her ears and was filled with concern and pity for her. Ashley just shook her head.

"I'm alone." She stated.

"Well, I suppose we can find a place for you here." The older woman said. "I'll inform Monsieur Lefèvre of your current situation and set you up to work here as well as live here." And just like that, the woman was off. Ashley felt as if she had head that name somewhere before.

"Oh, we should introduce ourselves." The blond girl began. "My name is Meg Giry." Ashley's head just jerked around to her.

Meg Giry? She thought.

"This is my friend Christine." She continued gesturing towards the dark haired girl. Ashley felt like she was going to faint again. "The woman who was just here was my mother."

Meg Giry… Christine… Madame Giry?... This can't be! Ashley had a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach. She had a very acute idea where she is.

Ever since that day, Ashley has been working as Madame Giry's assistant. Due to her shy nature, she doesn't say very much to anyone at the opera house. The only people whom she does speak with are Madame Giry, Meg, or Christine. Everyone else, since she barely says a word, believes that she's mute; that she can't talk at all. The entire better for her since no one would try striking a conversation with her. She pulled her iPod from her pocket and just looked at its black screen. She hasn't used it once since she came to Paris and only plans to use it should the time arises.

"Ashley, when are you going to dress normally?" Meg asked walking into the room.

"Back home, girls are allowed to dress like this." She explained. "Besides, I'm not one for dresses."

"But it's improper." Ashley chuckled.

"Thanks for the concern Meg but I shopped caring what people thought about me long ago." She turned away from the window and made for the door. "We better get down to the stage. Rehearsal will start soon.

When Ashley began working at the Opera Populaire, she was very unsure as to what period in time she would be starting at. But after some analyzing and a few vague questions, she figured out that she wound up just before the story of Phantom took place. At the moment, they were indeed rehearsing for Hannibal and the new managers have yet to show their faces.

I'm not sure whether to be afraid or to be excited. She thought. The idea of living the story from the beginning did sound like fun, but at the same time, IT'S THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA! She could be dead in a millisecond if she wasn't careful. But with her knowledge of this world, she's kept herself out of trouble. Besides here state of dress.

As Ashley watched the practice for Hannibal, she wondered when the story was going to begin and was wondering what she would be doing as soon as it did take place.

"Ashley!" She jumped a little when she heard Madame Giry call her name. "Try to stay focused." Ashley nodded to her new boss and tried keeping her mind on the rehearsal. Carlotta was once again throwing another temper tantrum over God knows what and Ashley knew it was going to be a long day.

"Signora, whenever you are ready." M. Reyer said standing before the orchestra.

"Maestro." She said in that annoying voice.

Ah boy, here it comes. Ashley braced herself. So rehearsals continued on for a few short minutes until M. Reyer had to stop because Piangi still couldn't get his line right. Once again he said Roma instead of Rome. How many times is he going to mess that up? Just then, she saw M. Lefèvre coming up onto the stage with…

Oh sweet Jesus! She thought as she saw the two gentlemen in tow. Andre and Firmin. I wasn't far off after all!

"Ladies and Gentlemen! If I may have your attention!" Everyone began turning to the manager. "As you know, for some weeks there have been rumors of my imminent retirement." The room was completely silent. "I can now tell you that these are all true."

And it is my pleasure to introduce you to the two gentlemen who now own the Opera Populaire: Monsieur Richard Firmin and Monsieur Gilles Andre. Ashley recited in her head as Lefèvre spoke to the crowd. Ashley knew this was the moment of truth. She began watching the rafters hoping to catch a glimpse of the Phantom. But her luck was short lived when Mme Giry pulled her to the side and rehearsals continued with the dancers beginning their performance. She began walking along side the ballet mistress and the managers but continued looking up every few steps determined to see him.

"See something interesting up there?" She heard one of them say and quickly brought her eyes back down to the stage. She looked down at her feet and her face turned beet red.

"What might your name be?" Firmin asked her. Ashley tried to speak but shut her mouth once again.

"Her name is Ashley." Mme Giry answered for her. "She is very shy and doesn't speak to anyone besides myself, my daughter, or Mlle Daae."

"That's a shame." Andre said. "I hope we can hear that lovely little voice of yours in the future my dear." Ashley gave a small smile and nodded. M. Lefèvre came over and began speaking with the new managers.

"The Vicomte is very excited about tonight's gala." He began and Carlotta made her way over.

Wow, just like the movie. She thought. Ashley began noticing some differences and some similarities in this world. Just like the movie version of the musical, the costumes were the same, the people all looked like they did in the movie, and most of the lines were that from the movie. She even heard Carlotta say her "I hate my hat!" line and gave a silent laugh thinking she sounded like "I ate my hat!" instead. But for the original play, the year was 1881, not 1870, and the month was six months before the Masquerade instead of three. Things were going to be very confusing from this point on. And not a moment too soon, she heard screaming and saw the background fall from above and on top of the diva. Ashley looked up and caught a small glimpse of the Phantom. Her heart began racing as she remembered when seven years ago she had first saw The Phantom of the Opera. She had the terrible urge to go off and find him but knew well enough to keep away.

"Signora, these things do happen." Andre said to the diva and Ashley readied herself for the next part.

"For the past three years 'these things do happen', and did you stop them from happening? NO! And you two, you're as bad as him! 'These things to happen'. Until you stop these things from happening, THIS thing does not happen!" Ashley just shook her head.

"Prima Donnas." She whispered to herself. Carlotta stormed off with Piangi following close behind.

"Gentlemen, good luck. If you need me, I shall be in Frankfurt." There was another surprise. Instead of Australia, he's going to Frankfurt. She just shrugged. Mme Giry came up behind the two managers with an envelope in her hands. Ashley quickly made her way to her side.

"I have a message sirs from the Opera Ghost." She began

"Oh God in heaven you're all obsessed." Firmin exasperated.

"He welcomes you to his opera house-"

"His opera house?"

"-and commands that you continue to leave box five empty for his use. And reminds you that his salary is due." Then Firmin started up about the Phantom's salary and Mme Giry continued to calmly give him the info. "Ashley, he has left a note for you as well." The ballet mistress handed her another envelope with the same skull seal. Ashley stared at the note for a moment before opening it and pulling out the note.

Fondest greetings Mademoiselle,

I'm sure that, by now, you are aware of the rules of which everyone in this opera house abides by. My apologies for not sending my welcome to you sooner, but I only just became aware of your presence a few days ago. I'm sure you will do well to heed my words and should you require any information, ask Madame Giry or you can leave me a note in the box under the seats in Box Five.

With all due respect
O.G.

Ashley tucked the note away into her shirt then turned back to the ballet mistress.

"What did he have to say?" She asked. Ashley was about to speak when she heard Christine begin to sing. She turned to the young soprano and was immediately entranced by her singing. It was one thing to watch her on a television screen, but hearing her actually sing in person was beyond her. And for some reason, seeing her sing began bringing back memories of her dream she had six years ago. The stage was exactly the same as it was in her dream and she could see herself standing before the judges that first day before the real work began…

"You have all been chosen to participate in our little competition because of your unique voices." One of the judges said. "You have been pulled from various schools across the country and have been brought here to this other world where you will be judged not just by us, but the people of this world. There are currently thirty of you. Only one will come out victorious. And only one will make his or her dream come true."

Ashley was both excited and nervous about this competition. She wasn't too sure how she was chosen since there were clearly better singers that auditioned. But she wasn't complaining.

"Now, everyone will report to their rooms immediately and get settled. Supper will be at six and lights out by nine. And remember, there will be no roaming the corridors at night. You're all dismissed." And all the students dispersed. All the contestants were around the same age group as Ashley was, maybe some a bit older. Ashley was 14 and mainly entered hoping to make some sort of accomplishment for herself.

Later that night, Ashley was preparing for bed with the other girls when there was a knock at the door. One of the girls went to open it and Joseph Buquet came in wearing a cloak over his head. All the girls screamed and ran into the corner, Ashley included.

"You young ladies better not go roaming about tonight." He said in an eerie tone. "You wouldn't want to be caught by the Phantom." Then a bunch of the boys came in dressed like Phantoms and the girls screamed. Ashley just looked at them and rolled her eyes.

"Geez, don't you boys have better things to do than to scare us?" Ashley questioned.

"I bet you'd be the Phantom's first victim!" One of the taller boys said trying to sound scary.

"Yeah! I bet he preys on the weaker females." Another said. Ashley blushed with embarrassment then took a nearby pillow and threw it at the group.

"Get out of here before I start calling for the directors!" She threatened. The boys just laughed and they made their way out. Joseph, however, stayed a moment longer.

"I'm serious about what I said. The Phantom won't hesitate to kill whoever strays from their rooms." He said before leaving. The girls began removing themselves from the corner and returning to their beds.

"Don't listen to them." One of the older girls said to the rest. "They only wanted to frighten us. Now get some sleep. We have a long competition to get through."

Later during the night, Ashley woke up to the feeling of having drunk too much fluid before bed. She sleepily got out of bed and left the room to find the restroom. But as she did, she didn't pay any attention to the turns and corners she took along the way. After finally taking care of herself, she found herself a little lost. Now that she was a little more alert, she felt somewhat frightened because of her situation and the fact that she had wondered the opera house at night when she was told not to.

"Just relax Ashley, you'll find your way out." She said to herself and made her way back. She took a few turns and up a flight of stairs but only managed to make herself more lost. And just when she thought things couldn't get any worse the floor gave out beneath her…

Ashley broke out of her little daydream to the sound of applause. Christine had finished her aria and the managers had given her the role of Elissa for Hannibal.

"Christine, you were amazing!" Meg praised her friend. "You will make a wonderful Elissa."

"I agree." Ashley joined in. "And I believe He will be proud of you." Christine's face suddenly brightened. Christine did not fail to mention her Angel of Music to Ashley, and Ashley was more than eager for Christine to tell her stories about how her father had promised her an Angel of Music when he was in heaven.

"By the way Ashley, you never told us about your family." Christine said. At the mention of Ashley's family, she realized that she was in an alternate world. What if she never saw home again? She would never see her home, her friends, her family, ANYONE! She was alone…