Adieu readers,
Welcome to a tale of romance, mystery, and the true wonder that is the theatre. Tonight, we shall perform for you one of the greatest plays of all time, The Phantom of the Opera. But, dear readers, we have added a Fairy Tail twist with it. Prepare to be mesmerized as I-
Natsu: JUST START THE STORY ALREADY!
Well alright then, Mr. Pushy-pants! Just enjoy the show!
Prologue: The Stage Of The Fairy Tail Opera
It was a dreary night as the rain fell down in the town of Magnolia. People walked the streets, splashing in the puddles and holding their coats close to them, shielding the bitter cold away. At the edge of the town, the famous opera house, Fairy Tail, looked even gloomier than usual. It was strange to see it that way, for fifty years ago it had been the highlight of the town. Now, in its entirety, an auction was going on inside it's hollow chambers.
"Sold. Your number, sir? Thank you."
The auctioneer beamed as another one of the priceless artifacts was sold. A few people had come that day, some who had worked in the opera house itself. The auctioneer nodded and the auction continued.
"Lot 663, then, ladies and gentlemen: a poster for this house's production of "Fredrick and Yanderica" by Rabue." The porter shows the poster to the audience. "We'll start the bidding at 10 jewels. Do I have ten jewels? Seven, eight jewels going once, twice, sold to Count Dragneel."
"Lot 664: a silver key and three human skulls from the 1831 production of "Key of The Starry Sky" by Meyerbeer. Ten jewels for this. Ten, thank you. Ten jewels still. Fifteen, thank you, sir Fifteen I am bid. Going at fifteen. Your number, sir? "
The next item, however, showed potential of selling. The auctioneer was sure of it, for this item was hard to discover, a papier-mache musical box, in the shape of a barrel-organ. Attached, the figure of a fairy that looks as if it was floating while playing the flute. He showed it to the audience.
"This item, discovered in the vaults of the theatre, still in working order." He put out. He motioned towards the porter, who wound up the box. Almost immediately, a light tune played throughout the theater. The audience oohed and ahhed at the marvelous tune. Count Dragneel's eyes filled with tears at this.
"My I start at twenty jewels? Fifteen, then? Fifteen I am bid." This auction continued until it was sold to Count Dragneel for thirty jewels.
"Sold, for thirty francs to Count Dragneel. Thank you, sir." The porter hands the box to Count Dragneel, who gazes longingly at it.
"A collector's piece indeed. Every detail exactly as she said. She often spoke of you, my friend. Your velvet lining, and your figurine of lead. Will you still play, when all the rest of us are dead?" He whispered to himself.
The auction continued on, the auctioneer pointing his attention towards the back of the room.
"Lot 666, then: a chandelier in pieces. Some of you may recall the strange affair of the Phantom of the Opera: a mystery never fully explained. We are told ladies and gentlemen, that this is the very chandelier which figures in the famous disaster. Our workshops have restored it and fitted up parts of it with wiring for the new electric lacrima, so that we may get a hint of what it may look like when re-assembled. Perhaps we may frighten away the ghost of so many years ago with a little illumination, gentlemen?"
And with a snap of his fingers, the lights of the chandelier erupted with a flash of blinding light.
Magnolia Theatre, 50 years before…
The stage was set to look as if a festival was going on. The decorations made a palace looking feeling around the stage. The dancers all were dressed like slave girls and peasant boys. The lead of the opera, Madame Ultear, wore robes of soft silk and gold threads ran down her outfit. In her raven hair, gold gems glittered on a crown.
Then the chorus started. The conductor, the fabulous Gray Fullbuster, struck up the orchestra and everyone started to sing.
With feasting and dancing and song, tonight in celebration we greet the victorious throng, returned to bring salvation!
The trumpets of Carthage resound! Hear, Romans, now and tremble! Hark to our step on the ground!
Hear the drums -Hannibal comes!
The chorus leads toward the back of the stage as the hero, Hannibal, walked on. The male lead was played by Jellal, his blue hair strung up by black cords. He wore a fine robe and his red scar even matched his boisterous appearance. He opened his mouth and started to sing.
Sad to return to find the land we love threatened once more by Hargeon's far-reaching grasp!
"Hold up!" Gray shouted, stopping the music. The orchestra gasped and the performers stared at him. "Why are you guys giving me weird looks?"
"Gray-sama has no shirt on!" Juvia, one of the dancers, squealed as the rest of the chorus girls giggled at his blushing face. He looked around frantically and found his shirt at the bottom of the orchestra pit.
Meanwhile, Makarov Dreyar was leading two fine young gentlemen towards the scene of this commotion. One of them, a fine looking fellow with blond hair while the other had dark black hair and a frown on his face.
"This way, gentlemen, this way. Rehearsals, as you see, are under way, for a new production of Chalumeau's "Hannibal. And as you can tell, everyone is right at work on it." Makarov turned to see Gray shirtless and the entire chorus laughing at him pulling his shirt from a tuba.
"CAN YOU BRATS PLEASE REFRAIN FROM DOING THIS AT THE ACTUAL SHOW!?" He yelled, restoring order imminently. He straighten his tie and gestured to the gentlemen. "Some of you may already, perhaps, have met Mr. Sting and Mr. Rogue I presume?"
"Sorry gramps, but we're in the middle of rehearsal here. Would you mind waiting a minute?" Gray asked, putting on his shirt.
"Oh I'm sorry, go ahead and continue your practice." Makarov insisted. Gray gave a firm nod and struck up the chorus again. "That's Mr. Fullbuster, our conductor; he's a bit on ice."
The music started once more and Jellal sung again.
Sad to return to find the land we love threatened once more by Rome's far-reaching grasp. Tomorrow we shall break the chains of Rome. Tonight, rejoice -your army has come home.
The ballet girls come out on the stage. Amongst them, two girls stand out the most. A pretty blond haired maiden by the name of Lucy and her blue haired friend, Levy. They dance as if no one was watching. However, Makarov and the gentlemen stand in the way of the dancers, making it difficult for them. At this, a red headed woman walks on the stage, her face clearly showing disproval.
"Gentlemen, please! If you would kindly move to one side?" She says in a demanding tone, sending shudders down their backs.
"My apologies, Madame Scarlett." Makarov moves the two aside. "That is Erza Scarlett, our ballet mistress. Now Mister Rogue, I have assumed that the papers are ready?"
Rogue nods. "Yes, but I keep asking you sir, why you're retiring?"
Makarov dismisses the question as if it were nothing. "We take a particular pride here in the excellence of our ballets."
Levy starts to dance more fierily now, taking the lead amongst the girls.
Sting takes notice of this. "Might I inquire the name of the girl leading?"
"Oh she's Levy McGarden, Scarlett's greatest student. Promising dancer she is indeed."
Lucy, struggling with the steps, makes a wrong turn in her move. Erza takes note of that and points her sword at her.
"Miss Heartfilia, please concentrate with this step. It's very complicated and I'd hate to let the whole performance be ruined by it."
Lucy shivers in fear and fixes her dance steps.
"Heartfila? What a curious name." Sting points out.
"Oh she's from some town away from here. Tragically, both her parents died when she was little. The opera house is the only place she has left. Poor girl, always has her head in the clouds or in a book."
The chorus enters its final number as Ultear takes the lead.
Once more to my welcoming arms my love returns in splendor!
An elephant made from brass and copper comes out on stage and Jellal gets on it. He belts out the last line of the song.
Once more to those sweetest of charms my heart and soul surrender!
Then the whole chorus sings the final verse.
The trumpeting elephants sound hears, Wizards, now and tremble! Hark to their step on the ground hear the drums! Hannibal comes!
And just like that, the elephant gives a loud cry and the opera is finished.
And that's where we're stopping tonight!
Natsu: What the heck? I didn't even appear!
Me: You did, but only in the beginning.
Natsu: So unfair! I wanna be in the next chapter!
Me: You are in the next chapter! Anyway please review and favorite and follow! Scene two is coming soon!