A/N: This contains spoilers for the bonus chapter Marie's Test, along with spoilers for basically the whole game, just so you know. If you don't like spoilers, then don't read this story! This is not the same story as Phantom Thieves, it just begins in basically the same way because Marie's Test hasn't changed.
Sega owns Rhythm Thief and the first part of this fanfiction, as it is basically the same as Marie's Test in the game, and also contains a recap of the Rhythm Thief plot. But it is necessary for the start of the story, so here it is!
A year after saying farewell to Raphael, I decided to take the examination to enter the Conservatoire. I'd passed the first and second tryouts, playing the pieces I was given. For the third, I got to pick the music. I knew at once what I would play the song that reminded me of my time with Raphael.
"Only one tryout remains, mademoiselle," Alfred reminded me before my final tryout. "Maintain your composure, and I'm certain you'll be fine."
"Thanks, Alfred," I told him. "You, uh, might want to check your cufflinks, though."
Alfred replied, "How embarrassing! Here I am trying to encourage you, when I'm the one coming undone." I giggled at the thought of the great Alfred being more nervous than me.
Elizabeth, my mother, spoke to me after. "It's good to hear you laugh. Sometimes I think you take things too seriously."
"Mom..." I couldn't help but nag her a bit. I couldn't help it if I was a serious person, could I?
"You have to enjoy yourself, Marie," my mother continued. "Skill is important, of course, but it's only the beginning. Your audience can tell when you're just going through the motions and when you're playing from the heart. Never forget that. Play like you were playing for him."
"Raphael..." That name sounded so sweet in my ear. It's been a while since anyone mentioned him aloud; his name carried so many memories of the year before. He saved me, and he told me that I had saved him. We worked together, never gave up, and defeated a tyrant. It feels like a dream, remembering my past.
My mother interrupted my thoughts, "Go on now. You don't want to keep them waiting."
"I'll play my heart out," I assured my mother. I walked into the audition hall to hear the judges mumbling. I couldn't quite make out what they were saying, but they were glancing at me often, so I assumed it had something to do with me. I had no time to worry, though, for one of the judges had called my name and signaled for me to begin. "Thank you," I told the judge. Quieter, I added, "This is for you, Raphael. I hope you hear it...wherever you are."
I began to play. Sliding my bow across the strings, all my memories came to mind. I remembered the first time I saw him. He had rescued a stray balloon from a tree for a little girl. I remembered the first time he saved me from the Chevaliers Diabolique. He had carried me, hopping from boat to boat across the Seine river. I had forgotten how safe I felt in his arms. I continued playing, my fingers dancing along the strings, my bow gliding up and down as the rest of our story unfolded in the Phantom Notes. I had played Moon Princess in the Notre Dame Cathedral, and he had saved me from the Chevaliers once again. He had cheered me after the Duchess had told me that she wasn't my real mother. We had danced together at the palace of Versailles, it was such a wonderful feeling, dancing with him. He had tried to save me, and almost gave up his life in the process. If Charlie wasn't there to save him, I don't know what would have happened to him. Then, he followed me to the hanging gardens, defeated Jean-François and the false Napoleon, and rescued me. I played him a song of encouragement, and he used the bracelet of Tiamat to stop the hanging gardens from destroying Paris. We had escaped, and Paris was safe. The final part of my song reminded me of our final goodbye. The music flowed through me as the notes vanished into the air. I remembered when I met him in the Notre Dame Cathedral, when we ran out together to dance one last time. We said our 'au revoirs' and I hadn't seen him after that. I had played my violin many times after that, hoping he would be in the audience, listening to my songs.
I played the last Phantom Note, then turned toward the judges. They were speechless. "Yes?" I asked them, wondering what I could have possibly done to obtain this reaction.
The three judges told me, "I haven't heard someone with your talent in years. You're well on the way to becoming France's preeminent violinist. There are still a few rough patches to work out, of course. I'd like you to start rehearsal with us next week...no, tomorrow, if you can."
It was my turn to be speechless. "I...I don't know what to say."
"Say yes," one of the judges insisted. "Welcome to the Conservatoire."
"Thank you. Thank you so much!" Happiness welled up inside me, as I realized the feat I had accomplished. I ran out to see my mother and Alfred.
"Congratulations, mademoiselle." Alfred spoke right as I exited the audition hall.
"You played from the heart," my mother told me.
"Raphael..." I could not stop thinking about him, wishing he was here. I kept speaking, hoping that he would hear. "I've finally taken the first step toward realizing my dream. But I can't help wondering where you are. Truth is, Raphael...I miss you."
"I miss you too, Marie," Phantom R whispered from the shadows. He had promised to himself to see every single one of Marie's performances, and he intended to do so. Hearing her play always cheered him up, and made him feel like he could do anything. Her song was so beautiful, he thought to himself. He wanted to reveal himself, to stride out of the shadows, embrace her, let her know how much he missed her, but he couldn't. He had a lead. A clue. Something new. There were articles fluttering around the newspapers telling of a sign, the same one on the bracelet of Tiamat and the same one on his coin, that was discovered on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Italy. He wanted to know more, so he decided to infiltrate Constabulary Headquarters to find more information about this new discovery. "Come on, Fondue," Phantom R whispered to his faithful dog. "It's showtime!"
A/N: And there you have it folks! Chapter 1 has been completed! School is going to start shortly, but if y'all review this story, I will try to update every week. Questions, criticisms, comments, even a 'Hello, how are you doing?' whatever! Hope you are enjoying the story! Daisy out!