There are some quick facts about this story:

Summary: By some bizarre chance, a young woman finds herself in the past and in the clutches of the feared Opera Ghost. Finding her way home is the least of her worries...

Canon Characters: Most of them, if not all of them are based off the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber; because that is the version I was introduced to first. The Joel Schumacher movie, to be exact. For example, Erik's physical appearance mainly based off of Gerard Butler (Maybe a little Richard Armitage thrown in for good measure. Check out the 2004 BBC mini-series North & South.) but has the eyes from the novel because amber-gold eyes are somehow far more threatening. Christine tends to lean more towards the novel version in personality. Things like that.

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Phantom universe. That all belongs to Andrew Lloyd Webber and his company. I also lay no claim to any of the song lyrics used either.

Chapter 1

- Every act of creation is first an act of destruction. ~ Pablo Picasso -

Paris, France – Early 1870's

Smoke seemed to still lazily rise from the charred remains of Opera l'Populaire. Deep wounds inflicted during the horrendous tragedy healed slowly. Around the City of Light, people had learned of the fatal Don Juan Triumphant performance and the strange affair that had occurred before the chandelier came crashing down on the stage. The story itself spread faster than the actual fire had. Every single Parisian citizen knew the woes of the two opera managers dealing with the results of the disaster that nearly destroyed the entire opera house. Several rumors floated about saying Richard Firmin and Gilles André had big plans to sell the place off to some foreign businessmen. The cost of repairs being far too great for even successful 'strap metal' men of their caliber. The first bit of gossip was utter rubbish, yet the second little bit was completely true. Their only saving grace was the building did not burn down to its foundations. The two men were received quite the sum of money from the damage insurance to fix the once beautiful building. Some Parisians saw this as a very smart choice on their part to take out a policy on the grand building. Others believed the fire to be a complex conspiracy to get the money in the first place. People liked to think whatever they wanted, even if it had no evidence. Money for repairs came pouring in from faithful, wealthy opera patrons who would rather go bankrupt than to see their beloved Opera L'Populaire disappear forever. A good deal of the funds, however, came straight from the Comte de Chagny and his loving young bride, the Comtesse de Chagny (formerly known as Christine Daaè).

The de Chagny money came with requirements that were to be fulfilled with the repairs of the Opera House. The Comte had simply stated financial affairs were to be dealt with more carefully than before. He did not want the two men spending any more than absolutely necessary, meaning the Opera Ghost's salary was to be cut entirely from the budget. No problems there, seeing how that man was dead. The Comtesse though had made an extremely odd request of the workers. Christine had demanded that O.G's cavernous lair be completely sealed up, but nothing was to ever be taken from the beautiful place. Not a single candle stick and if there had been anything removed, it was to be replaced with an exact replica. Their fairly simple requests were followed without a single question. It was better to go along with the hand that feeds instead of biting it. Two long years after its demise, the Opera l'Populaire was ready to once again open its doors.

Casting calls were made in haste for some new opera. Ballerinas, singers and musicians came flocking in a massive horde to the auditions while all manner of servants lined up down the street for job interviews. The Opera l'Populaire was looking to hire a new staff and cast, seeing how the damningly evil Opera Ghost had scared them all away. There was the offer for any previous workers to return to their jobs with an incentive of a pay raise. None returned, save two. Madame Giry and her pretty little daughter, Meg Giry came to the interviews just like everyone else. They stood in line, waiting patiently to see the managers. The opera house was their home; where else would they go besides this place? Madame Giry was hired on as head of the ballet department, just as before, on the spot. Little Meg however was now second-in-command underneath her. She would be overseeing the teaching of the younger girls in the ballet school while her mother supervised the senior dancers. Firmin asked Madame Giry to sit in on auditions in order to help the men pick out the stars from the mob. Still, money that could have been used to promote the stupid opera was now being wasted on getting people to play the parts and help run the theatre. Neither the mangers nor Raoul were entirely excited about that little fact. Yet, the show must go on. Let the Comte's family deal with the price tag since his little wife was so invested in the place, said both of the managers to themselves as advertisements went up for jobs.

The auditions themselves were pure hell. It was a week after the first day of endless crowds of people that it was finally time to hear the singers. All of the dancers, musicians, stage hands and other servants were hired. Now it was time for the main part of the opera. Each singer was to come on stage to sing a piece for the mangers, their patron, and Madame Giry. They were then to be subjected to the criticism of the crowd. It was at that moment they would find out if they made it or not. Harsh, perhaps but it kept the penny-pinching managers from having to hold call backs. The prima singers would be announced just before rehearsals started.

First day of singing auditions were a complete disaster. A young woman fainted after merely walking on and Monsieur Firmin addressed her. Another singer, a young man this time, found the contents of his stomach on the stage just as he opened his mouth to sing. More cases of nerves and stage fright posed a serious issue. How were they ever to find a cast now? One girl, a raven-haired Italian by the name of Claire Tulio, stood out the most. Her voice was lovely, reminiscent of a much younger La Carlotta. She was one of twenty that actually made the cut. Madame Giry looked at the managers with a slightly disapproving expression as the girl just smirked, carrying herself off stage with the same air about her as the previous prima donna. All André was able to say was "She can sing."

The Girys were not the only ones to return to their restored home, despite what everyone else thought. Hidden among the dark shadows, high above the stage, watched a pair of cool amber eyes. Their owner huffed impatiently. What a tragic sight this was. That Claire girl had been the only girl remotely good. She however reminded him too much of a snotty old hag that once cursed this place. God, he prayed that the witch would stay in Italy for his health as well as her own. Although, this girl was going to be a miniature version of La Carlotta. Hm… That was unfortunate. His long, dramatic cape swooshed behind him as the shadow briskly turned to leave this mess of an audition. There was no reason to stay, but where would he go? Everywhere else just held memories of his past and his place, so why not remain here? He get past all their meek attempts to shut him out of his own home. A thought wandered into his tormented mind, Down I plunge… into the mouth of hell and the domain of my insanity.