I don't own The Phantom of the Opera or Final Fantasy.
The Phantom of the Opera – Chapter Three
"Think of Me"
Tifa quietly observed the man in front of her before asking, "Wh-Who are you?"
"That my dear…is irrelevant right now." His voice was deep and powerful, yet slow and soft at the time. He took another step forward so that they were sharing the same step; their bodies sharing warmth. The Phantom grasped her hand gently, making her blush at his touch.
"I must apologize for my behavior last night. You must understand that I do not….appreciate intruders." He said with a touch of annoyance.
She frowned, pulling her hand out of his grasp, earning a hurt expression. "I wasn't intruding!" she whispered fiercely. "Besides I'm not the one who bribes the opera house out of money and steals!"
He chuckled darkly and he suddenly moved forward, causing her back to ram into the wooden railing behind her. His chest was against hers and she cursed the fact that he could feel how hard she was breathing.
He scanned her face, his hazel eyes seemed to be taking in every inch of her face; every nook and crevice. "You are scared of me."
Tifa remained stiff under him, her mouth agape. Who was this man? How could he read her so well? She wasn't scared of him….was she?
Her thoughts returned to the present as she felt his hand moving up her arm to her face. He caressed her cheek delicately; the tips of his gloved fingers moved ran gently along her cheek as if she was a fragile doll.
"I cannot fathom why someone whose mother was one of the greatest singers to grace the Populaire's stage would choose to be a dancer." He whispered. She tightened her lips out of anger and was about to speak but he held a finger to her lips.
"You have a habit of interrupting me." He said ignoring her glare, "Whatever your reasoning is doesn't matter to me. It will soon change anyway." He moved back so that they had space between them again and began to climb the stairs.
"What do you mean 'it will soon change'?" Tifa asked, turning to him. He ignored her and continued his ascent. "Hey! I'm talking to you!" Tifa borderline shouted.
He sighed, turning towards her, with a patronizing look on his face, "Shouldn't you be at the stage by now? I've heard Madam Gainsborough is not pleased with late students." He said crossing his arms.
She crossed her arms also; suspicion in her eyes, "I don't trust you." She said firmly as she turned away and went down the stairs. When she got towards the large drapes and hesitated. Daring to look back, she turned back towards the stairs; only to find no one there.
"Where've you been?" Yuffie asked as Tifa quickly dipped her slippers in rosin powder before sitting next to the young brunette.
"I had a little trouble putting on the outfit but I eventually got it." She responded, secretly patting herself on the back for her quick little white lie. She saw Elmyra give her irritated look and she whispered 'Sorry' and the dance instructor simply shook her head.
"Leblanc's outfits can be pretty crazy sometimes." Yuffie said as she popped the gum in her mouth. "But you missed the two blond bimbos duke it out."
"What happen?" Tifa asked as she sat down in her new friends circle at the back of the stage.
"Our precious Prima Donna claimed to have another wardrobe malfunction." Rikku answered, rolling her eyes. "I swear I think she's trying to get Leblanc fired because she hates her outfits."
"Shinra's not going to fall for that though." Yuna said finally speaking up.
"Yeah but there has been those rumors about him leaving." Garnet added.
Silence fell over the group until a blood-curling laugh broke it.
"Kya ha ha!" the loud laugh came from a tall blonde woman coming onto the stage with a heavy-set man and a small entourage behind her.
"Speak of the devil." Rikku grumbled.
The woman was cuddling a miniature poodle in her arms, fawning and cooing at it. "Heidegger my darling you shouldn't have!" She said to the large beside her. She was dressed in a very elaborate outfit; a dress fitted with a corset with a long trail and a golden crown with small jewels encased in it and large orange and yellow feathers sticking from the left side of it. The man Tifa assumed to be Heidegger was dressed as a soldier with golden armor.
Heidegger grinned proudly, they both had a pompous air about them, Tifa disliked them immediately.
"Scarlet! Scarlet!" A tall, lean dark haired man came running up to the lead soprano, "Are you ready?"
"Yes, Yes. Anything for you Reeve." Scarlet answered, practically throwing her new pet into her assistance arms.
"That's Reeve Tuesti, the conductor" Garnet whispered to Tifa then quickly added, "Yuffie has a crush on him!"
"GARNET!" Yuffie screeched. "He is waaaay too old for me." She yelled, trying to hide her blush.
"For someone who doesn't have a crush you sure are blushing." Aerith teased.
"Oh shut up Mrs. Sephiroth!" Yuffie snapped back playfully.
Aerith emerald eyes widen, "Why you-"
"Everyone get in your places for Act I!" Reeve yelled over the noise of the workers. Yuffie smirked at Aeirth as she quickly ran over to her spot.
As everyone began moving around to their respective places, Aerith signaled to Tifa to follow her. They sat down behind the curtains. "My part doesn't come until later." Aerith explained as she watched Scarlet take the center of the stage.
The woman released a long, shrill high note as she held up a fake chopped off head and Tifa had to cover her mouth to stop herself from laughing as one of the maids put cotton balls in her ears to block out the singer.
"This trophy from our saviors, from our saviors from the enslaving force of Junon!" Scarlet finished the last note and threw the prop head at one of her assistants.
Chorus girls dressed in intricate gold and red dresses and men dressed as soldiers began to march out in a military style, "With feasting and dancing and song, tonight in celebration, we greet the victorious throng, returned to bring salvation!"
Immediately, the men joined in, "The trumpets of Carthage resound! Hear, us, now and tremble! Hark to our step on the ground!"
Scarlet moved around the forefront of the stage, smiling at the invisible audience, and almost tripped on her dress as the chorus continued on, "Hear the drums, Hannibal comes!"
They parted a way at the center of the stage as Heidegger or "Hannibal" made his way through, "Sad to return to find the land we love threatened once more by Roma's far-reaching grasp."
Reeve began to tap his baton on his music stand to stop the performance, "Please, Gentlemen."
A handsome blond man began to lead two men from the backstage. One was black and large while the other was white and shorter but still stocky. "This is the rehearsal, as you see, for the new production of Chalumeau's 'Hannibal'." He said to them.
"Mr. Shinra, these are rehearsals." Reeve said with agitation.
"That's Rufus Shinra, our manager." Aerith whispered to her, "His father owned this place and died about two years ago. Shocked he's just now selling the place."
"Mr. Tuesti, Mrs. Gainsborough, ladies and gentlemen, your attention please." Everyone began to gather closer, eager to hear what their manager had to say. "I'm sure that all of you have heard the rumors about me selling the opera house." There was a large murmur over the stage but soon hushed when he continued, "And they are true so I would like to introduce you to the two gentlemen who now own the Opera Populaire, Mr. Barrett Wallace and Cid Highwind."
There was a chorus of applause and Rufus continued, "You might have heard of their recently acquired wealth through the junk busin-"
"Scrap metal." Cid roughly corrected.
Behind Aerith and Tifa, a chorus girl whispered to her friend, "I bet they're rich!"
Barrett cleared his throat to clear the awkwardness, "And we are deeply honored to introduce our new patron, Mr. Strife." He turned as a man with wild blond hair came walking towards them.
"Cloud…" Tifa whispered.
Aerith glanced at her and then looked back at the man. "You know him?"
Tifa looked away out of embarrassment, "We lived in Nibelheim together. Before I left….before my father died, we were 'childhood friends'."
Cloud smiled, glancing at everyone on the stage, "My mother and I are honored to support all the arts especially the world renowned Opera Populaire."
There was small applause as Scarlet moved towards Cloud with her hand out. "Gentlemen, this is Scarlett Delisle , our leading soprano for five years now." Rufus said as Scarlett bowed to Cloud and he kissed her hand in return. Scarlett's entourage could be heard saying bravo as the new managers clapped for her.
Heidegger coughed loudly, gaining Rufus's attention, "And Heidegger Konietzko."
"It's an honor Mr. Konietzko, but I'm keeping you all from your rehearsal. I will be here this evening in Box five to share your great triumph. My apologies." Cloud bowed politely and walked away.
Aerith let out a soft gasp and stiffen when Cloud said Box five but Tifa decided to stay silent about it.
"Thank you, Mr. Strife. Once again, Heidegger." Reeve ordered.
"He loves me! He loves me. Love me, love me, love me." Scarlet cooed to her entourage as one of them checked her makeup.
Tifa hitched her breath as Cloud headed right towards her…and continued to walk past. She looked away dejectedly. "He wouldn't recognize me." She said quietly.
Aeirth put a comforting hand on her shoulder, "He didn't see you." She looked around and saw that the ballet routine was starting and her Aunt was talking to the new managers.
"I take a particular pride here in the excellence of our ballet program, Monsieur." She could hear her Aunt saying. She watched Sarah, Yuna, and Garnet do a clean Allegro and bended into a forward position, as Noel, Tidus, and Zidane leaped over them respectively.
"Come. The choreography for this is easy. Just follow my lead." Aerith slide into the front of the group and Tifa moved behind her and matched Aerith's movements.
"I can see why, especially with that little green-eyed nymph." Tifa could hear Cid continue on the conversation.
"My niece, Aerith Gainsborough." Elmyra said with an edge and he got the message.
"And that exceptional beauty?" he asked, pointing to Tifa, "No relation, I hope." Eying her suggestively.
"Tifa Lockhart. Promising talent, Monsieur Highwind, very promising." Elmyra said eying Tifa, as she did a swift Brisé. "Gentleman could you please stand to the side please." She instructed as the dancers and chorus began to move forward.
"Bid welcome to Hannibal's guests, the elephants of Carthage! As guides on our conquering quests, Dido sends Hannibal's friends!"
"Don't step on my dress!" Scarlet yelled to a chorus girl as she moved backwards.
"The trumpeting elephants sound, hear, Romans, now and tremble! Hark to their step on the ground, hear the drums! Hannibal comes!"
"Okay everyone! Break for 10!" Reeve yelled as the workers began to disperse."
"The mayor is coming in tonight. He is very excited for tonight's gala-"
"Ooooooh!" Scarlet interrupted as she looked at the three angrily, "I bet he is excited about dancing girls as your new managers because I-"She pointed at herself for emphasis, "WILL NOT BE SINGING!" She turned around, "Get my doggies. Bring me my doggie's!" she yelled to her assistant.
"What the hell do we do?" Barrett asked Rufus.
"Beg." He answered flatly, gesturing for them to follow the angry star.
"Mrs. Delisle please?" Cid called after her.
"Beautiful Diva!" Barrett added, causing her to turn around.
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" she shouted.
"Goddess of Song!" Cid yelled, feeding her ego.
"Mr. Tuesti isn't there a special aria for the character Elissa in Act Three of Hannibal? Perhaps if…."
"Yes! Yes!" Scarlet answered instead. "But I'm not ready because someone not finish it!" She said glaring at Leblanc, who just stuck out her tongue. "And I hate this horrible hat!"
"Well as a personal favor could you give us a private rendition of it?" Barrett asked as she began to cry. "Unless Mr. Tuesti objects."
Reeve began to answer but once again Scarlet interrupted, "No...No…" she paused and laughed, "If my managers command it." Causing Barrett and Cid to give each other satisfied glances. "Reeve?
"If my diva commands it." he replied.
"Yes I do!" She answered hastily pushing to get to the center of the stage. "Everybody be quiet!"
"Um Shinra can I ask exactly why you are retiring?" Cid asked.
"My health." He retorted.
"Ah, I see."
"Are you ready, Scarlet?" Reeve asked.
Scarlet quickly sprayed something in her mouth and handed the bottle to her assistant. She fixed her posture as the pianist began playing.
"Think of me, think of me fondly when we've said goodbye."
Everyone's attention was on Scarlet, oblivious to the cloaked figure moving overhead…
"Remember me, once in a while. Please promise me you'll try! When you find, that once again you long to take your-."
There was loud scream as from overhead a large backdrop began to fall…directly where Scarlet was standing. There were loud shouts and confused faces as the men rushed to get the backdrop off their star who was pounding her hands on the floor like a child.
Tidus and Rikku were looking up at the second floor in excitement and Garnet looked up at Tifa, "He's here; the Phantom of the Opera!" she said softly, fear and excitement in her voice. Aerith didn't say anything at all.
"What the-! Wakka! Wakka what's going on up there?" Rufus shouted up to the second floor.
"Hey, don't look at any of us up here! None of us were at this post ya!"
"Ms. Delisle these things do happen." Barrett said, trying to comfort the star.
She turned to him with fire in her eyes, "These things DO happen! For the past three years these things DO happen! And did you stop them from happening! NO!" she said, glaring at Rufus. "And you two! You're as bad as him! 'These things do happen!'" she paused in anger, "Until they STOP happening, this thing-." She yelled pointing at herself, "does not happen. Heidegger! We're leaving!" she said as she stormed away.
Heidegger turned to look at them before leaving, "Gya haa haa haa, amateurs."
"Well," Rufus sighed, "this is all yours. I'll be leaving for Costa del Sol. Good luck." And he turned and walked away.
Both men just stood there in shock until Cid turned to Reeve, "Scarlet…will be coming back?" Reeve looked as if he would faint.
"You think so, messieurs?" Elmyra asked, "I have a message, sir, from the Opera Ghost." Elmyra said smirking, as if she was mocking their misfortune. "He welcomes you to his opera house-"
"His opera house!" Barrett shouted.
Elmyra simply continued, "And commands you to continue to leave Box Five empty for his use and reminds you that his salary is due."
"His salary!" Cid yelled.
Elmyra flicked some dust of her, "Monsieur Shinra paid him twenty thousand gil a month."
Barrett snatched the letter angrily, "Twenty Thousand Gil!"
"Perhaps you can afford more, with that Strife boy as your patron." Elmyra sneered as she backed away from him
"Well, we had planned to have made that public tonight at the gala. But is seems we will now have to cancel as it appears we have lost our star!" Barrett yelled as he ripped up the letter.
"But isn't there an understudy!" Cid asked Reeve.
"Understudy. There is no understudy for Scarlet!" Reeve yelled, his frustration getting the better of him.
"A full house Cid!" Barret yelled. "We'll have to refund a full house!"
"Tifa Lockhart could sing it." Elmyra interjected, causing Tifa to look up in surprise.
"A chorus girl? Please." Cid frowned.
Elmyra ignored him, "Tifa is no chorus girl. She is the daughter of Julia Heartilly."
Both of the managers and even Reeve looked at her in surprised. "The Julia Heartilly?" the managers asked in union. Elmyra only nodded in response. Tifa stood rigid; that was exactly what she didn't want people to know.
"Well, come on then." Cid said. As Tifa walked forward, Elmyra gave her a supportive push.
Reeve took his position in front of his music stand, "From the beginning of the aria then." He ordered.
"Cid, I still don't feel any better about this. We don't-." Barrett mumbled.
"Oh shut up and hear her sing first." Cid grumbled back.
Tifa touch the ring on the thin chain around her neck as the melody began, 'Mom…'
The lights shimmered in her face as she smiled to the crowd. Her hair was pulled back with soft curls and small white flowers arranged in it. She had a fluffy white dress on that complimented the serene midnight backdrop behind her.
"We never said our love was evergreen or as unchanging as the sea - But if you can still remember, stop and think of me...
Think of all the things we've shared and seen - Don't think about the way things might have been.
Think of me, think of me waking silent and resigned. Imagine me, trying too hard to put you from my mind." From the side of the stage, Aerith stood watching her new friend's performance as her Aunt began to walk. She frowned but a part of her knew what it was for.
Recall those days, look back on all those times, think of the things, we'll never do. There will never be a day, when I won't think of you!"
"When I won't think of you!" echoed through the walls down in the deepest parts of the opera house.
"Tifa…" the Phantom breathed, as he clasped his heart.
He heard the audience applause but his cerulean eyes stayed connected to the stage. His eyes stayed connected to her. "Can it be? Can it be Tifa?"
He stood up in his box, clapping, "Bravo!" and he turned and left his box; not noticing Elmyra hiding behind the curtains…
"Long ago, it seems so long ago, how young and innocent we were...She may not remember me, but I remember her..."
"Flowers fade, the fruits of summer fade, they have your seasons, so do we but please promise me that sometimes you will think…" Tifa paused as she saved up for her high note, "…of me!"
The audience erupted in a standing ovation, through roses at her feet, and Barrett and Cid shouted their rough praises.
"No autographs!" Elmyra said as she shut the door to the dressing room. Tifa looked around to see flowers everywhere and almost had a heart-attack when Yuffie and the others jumped out.
"Surprise!" They all shouted, gathering around her.
"You guys!" Tifa said, smiling even though her heat had skipped a beat. Elmyra smiled and sat down in front of the vanity mirror.
"Tifa you were so amazing!" Serah gushed.
"I know right! Especially that high note!" Rikku added.
Eiko who was being held by Yuna, tried to mimic the older girl's performance with less success. As they girls laugh there was a knock at the door and Garnet went to answer it.
A tall, attractive man, with beautiful silver hair stood at the door, he awkwardly glanced at them until he laid eyes on Aerith and gave a small smile. Garnet moved out the way and everyone glanced at Aerith, who only blushed and gracefully moved to him.
"Hi Seph." She greeted him.
"You were great tonight." He said, grasping her hand.
There was a chorus of 'Awww's' and the couple looked back at them; Aerith with annoyance and Sephiroth with confusion.
"Let's go somewhere private." Aerith said leading him out the door and into Tifa's waiting crowd.
"Anyway, we came here to tell you we're going to hang out in Yuna and Serah's room tonight after we all change."
"Alright, I'll be there!" Tifa said. The filed out one by one, while saying goodnight to Elmyra. Once they were gone Tifa turned to her new instructor. To be honest, she didn't know whether she should be pleased or pissed for what Elmyra did earlier, and what irked her is that Elmyra seemed indifferent to it.
Elymra stood up and picked up a single rose that lay on the vanity table and walked to her. "You did wonderful my love. He is very pleased." She said as she handed it to her and left.
Tied around the single rose was a black ribbon. 'It will soon change anyway.' The words echoed in her head, as she sat down, and turned around to look at the large mirror behind her. She stared at it for so long that she jumped when the door opened.
"Tifa!" a man greeted her.
She saw his reflection from the mirror and turned around, "Cloud!"
"It's been so long Tifa." He said as he sat the flowers he brought for her on top of the rose from the Phantom; crushing it.
She frowned at that, but regarded as nothing. "I know. We have so much catching up to do."
"How about tonight?" Cloud asked as he kneeled in front of her.
Tifa bite her lip, "My friend's asked me to be with them tonight."
"You can have a girl's night out anytime."
"But-" He pressed his finger to her lips, and same action the Phantom did earlier.
"Get ready while I get the Valet to bring my car out front." He said, heading for the door.
"Cloud-" But he had already shut the door. She sighed. Having dinner with Cloud wasn't such a bad thing, she thought. He was childhood friend, her friends would understand. She had to find a dress though…
She had changed out her dress and into a nightgown she had found in the dressing room. She was about to go to Leblanc to ask for a spare dress when the lights went out. Tifa looked around worriedly and quickly headed for the door when…
"Insolent boy! This slave of fashion, basking in your glory!" It was him…and he was angry. His voice was loud and powerful echoing through the room.
"Ignorant fool! This brave young suitor, sharing in my triumph!"
'He's trying to scare me.' Tifa thought. 'I'll show him…'
"Phantom, I hear you! Take off you mask, come from your hiding and show yourself! Enter at last, Phantom!" She sung back to him.
He responded, his voice not as harsh as before, "Flattering child you shall know me, see why in shadow I hide. Look at your face in the mirror. I am there inside!" Tifa looked towards the mirror and her brown eyes widen as his figure appeared in the mirror.
"Mysterious Phantom! Why do you hide! Tell me you secrets! Mysterious Phantom hide no longer! Come to me, strange phantom!"
His voice pulled her to the mirror, "You are my Angel of Music; Come to me Angel of Music."
She continued towards him oblivious to the loud, knocking on the door, "Whose is that voice? Who is that in there?" Cloud yelled from the outside. "Tifa! Tifa!"
"You are my Angel of Music; Come to me Angel of Music…" Tifa stepped into the mirror, where he stood waiting and grasped the hand he held out for her…
He's here, the phantom of the opera!
Anyway for the important stuff!
1st: I want to address me adding Cloud as a secondary character. Does this mean this fic is Cloud/Tifa? No! I don't ship it. (No offense to anybody that does) I added Cloud instead of just Tifa b/c he is the 3rd most important person in this fic. There is some foreshadowing of him and the Phantom's future relationship if you read the part about the flowers again.
2nd: This is the longest chapter so far! 8 and a half pages. I want to thank everyone who has been reading so far!
3rd: I want more guesses about the Phantom. Because everyone kept guessing Sephiroth. And I'm like Seph/Aerith forever! Remember: think outside the box.
4th: Who's your favorite character so far? Is there anybody who could be written better?
5th: The song between the Phantom and Tifa is called The Mirror. I changed the words for Christine's part b/c Tifa doesn't have the same relationship that Christine has at this point in the story. The Phantom's lines aren't really changed except for the ending because it's REALLY important later. So if you want to hear the differences I encourage you to look up the actually song.