Author's Note: I don't own Phantom of the Opera, nor do I claim to. This story is majorally Erik/Christine, and please understand that it does kind of portray them slightly out of character, but for the storyline, and they direction I wanted it to go, it works.
Please read and review!
Man Behind the Mask
"Fear can turn to love.
You'll learn to see to find
The man behind the monster."
-Stranger than you Dreamt It
The Opera Populaire was no more. It was a shell; gray, smoky, charred, and useless. The pitiful, lonely remains stood out in Paris. But the constant fear of being murdered, kidnapped, or haunted is what kept both citizens and staff from entering.
There wasn't a single resident who couldn't recall the night of the disaster. From the colors of the flames as they licked the evening sky to the smell of smoke, it was all clear in their minds.
Firmin and Andre desperately tried to cover up the "Opera Ghost" story. They made up stories of the performance being planned, and blamed the fall of the chandelier on faulty ropes. Finally, they left the area, and went back into the junk business.
Madame Giry and little Meg moved into a smaller, but well run opera house, and Meg continued dancing. They found themselves happy, for once.
Carlotta went back home. It was no longer an option for her to stay.
Raoul and Christine were still engaged. It had been five months since the life-changing incident had occurred. The viscount wanted to stay as far away from the opera house as possible. Christine, however, only wished to find Madame Giry and Meg; the only family she had left. Raoul reluctantly agreed, on the grounds that he wouldn't leave her side the entire time.
So, the story begins on a cold, winter night, in a horse-drawn carriage destined to Paris...