Chapter 17: Off Script

"He has to be taken in Miss Luna," Strong Wood told her. They were in Luna's office. "I'm sorry but he's dangerous. Not mention a murderer." Luna sighed.

"How?" Luna questioned.

"We'll have constables stationed at every wing for the production of Cœurs brisés. Since Fluttershy will be singing, he will be attending," Strong Wood explained. "We will arrest him then." Luna turned away from him. "I'm sorry that it had to come to this."

Three Weeks Later

The opening night for Cœurs brisés had arrived. Constables were stationed at every wing as the aisle filled. Everypony was on guard tonight for the phantom. Fluttershy was in her room crying to herself on her bed. Twilight knocked on her door.

"Come in," Fluttershy called. Twilight came in.

"Fluttershy, it's time," Twilight told her. Twilight put her hoof on Fluttershy's shoulder. "Hey, don't worry. We're all going to make sure that creep doesn't touch you."

"Thank you, Twilight," Fluttershy responded.

The opera had begun and it going very smoothly. The story started with Angel Heart (Fluttershy) being friends with two gentle stallions named Theo (Blueblood) and Griffin (Fancy Pants). What happened is that both stallions fell in love with her but Griffin kept to himself while Theo was trying to win her heart. Griffin was a bit of weirdo but was very kind and funny while Theo was very needy of Angel Heart and liked to be around her 24/7. Eventually Angel Heart confessed to having feelings for Griffin and they started dating. That was where the first act ended and intermission began.

Fluttershy entered backstage with a sigh of relief. Pinkie and Twilight hugged her.

"You're doing great, Flutters," Pinkie told her. They released her.

"Thank you," Fluttershy responded. "Have they found..."

"No," Twilight answered. "The phantom has not been seen all evening."

"Isn't that a good thing?" Pinkie said when she noticing the seriousness of that statement.

"Maybe, maybe not," Twilight responded. "It could mean he's up to something or he's fled."

Discord had not fled. He was wearing a dark cloak and was hiding in the rafters. He then saw Fancy Pants head off into an isolated area. Discord grinned wickedly.

"Perfect," Discord muttered.

The opera resumed for the second act. It opened with Angel Heart and Griffin walking. Fluttershy though felt a bit uneasy walking with who she thought was Fancy Pants. How is it that his demeanor had changed?

"Angel Heart, my love, my life," Griffin sang. "You know I love you right?" Angel Heart giggled.

"How could I not?" Angel Heart sang. "You only say it at least twenty times a day." They both laughed at that. "I will see you tomorrow." Griffin kissed her cheek.

"Until then, goodbye," Griffin sang. He then left her house. Griffin felt so happy he could fly and Discord did not have to fake that. He felt joy rush through him. It had been too long since he had been that close. Then he saw a figure in a dark cloak fly across the stage with a bag of stolen money. "Stop right there!" He ran after the pony had trapped him in an alleyway. "What do you think you're doing?" He then heard whistles. "The police." The mystery pony threw a cloak over Griffin and teleported away. The police then arrived in the alleyway and Griffin pulled off the cloak exposing himself to the police. Griffin also saw that the money bag was right next to him.

"Griffin, you are under arrest," the policemen sang. Griffin quickly teleported away and the scene changed to Angel Heart at her house talking with Theo. She then gasped at the headline.

"Theo! Griffin has been accused of grand theft and is now a wanted criminal," Angel Heart sang. Theo walked over to her.

"I'm sorry, my dear," Theo sang. "I'm sorry." He hugged her as she cried.

"This is SO SAD," Pinkie said quietly to Twilight on the brink of tears. "He didn't do anything wrong."

"It is rather sad," Twilight admitted. "You said the phantom wrote it?"

"Yeah," Pinkie responded. "He gave it to Luna and then left."

"Odd," Twilight said. "He didn't try anything when he delivered it?" Pinkie shook her head.

"Nope," Pinkie replied. "He actually hasn't done anything to make his presence known in months. Weird right?" Twilight nodded.

"Definitely weird," Twilight agreed.

"Angel Heart please," Griffin begged. "I didn't do it. What reason would I have to steal? Please don't do this!"

"I'm sorry but I can't love a criminal," Angel Heart sang. She then walked off and left Griffin on his knees crying, which was real. The tears shed were real.

"My heart is shattered," Griffin sang through sniffles. "With no hope of repair. Why does every pony leave me all alone?" He continued to cry.

Fluttershy then saw that one of "Fancy Pants"'s hooves briefly changed into a paw. She then knew what she had suspected was true. She knew that voice and it wasn't Fancy Pants. She then felt her heartache as she realized that this opera was his way of telling her his account of what had happened that night months ago. She then realized what she had to do.

Griffin continued crying.

"Griffin, my love, please forgive me. Forgive my blindness." Griffin turned to see Angel Heart walking back towards him. Griffin was surprised.

"What is she doing?" Strong Wood questioned. "This wasn't in the script." He then realized something. "Oh no." He then ran out of his private box.

"You mean you..." Griffin started. Angel Heart nodded.

"I do not blame you," Angel Heart sang. Griffin smiled as she hugged her. "I love you."

"I love you too," Griffin sang. "And whatever happens next we'll figure out together." Angel Heart nodded. They then kissed on lips on stage. They stopped and then they heard a loud and terrifying booming voice.

"This was not supposed to happen." Fluttershy and Discord, disguised as Fancy Pants, turned to see a figure in a dark cloak walk on stage. Before any pony could move, however; the figure lit his horn and casted a spell in dark magic causing every pony in the auditorium to stay still. He walked dangerously close to Fluttershy.

"You, my dear, are coming with me," the pony said. He then levitated Fluttershy towards himself. Discord, still disguised as Fancy Pants, grunted as he tried to break free from the spell. His body then bursted into a red flame of magic as he broke free from the spell but he was forced to reveal his true form as well. The audience gasped in surprise at the draconequus in front of them even the cloaked figure froze. Discord fell to the floor since he used up most of his magic breaking free.

"I won't...let you...take her," Discord told him. The figure laughed as approached him.

"I would like to see you try," he said. Discord grabbed a piece of the pony's cloak and with all of his strength ripped it off him. Discord's eyes widen as he saw who the pony was. "Strong Wood?"

Almost done!