The Opera of the Nightmare Pokémon

Okay, I would like to thank Sephirotha for inspiring me with the story Nightmare of the Opera. Based off of the 2004 version of the Phantom of the Opera and with a cast of familiar faces, if you've ever played Pokémon Rangers: Shadows of Almia. Their listed below, but as a reminder, I don't own Pokémon or Phantom of the Opera.

Cast of this opera of nightmare and mystery:

Kate Hitmoi as Christine

Keith Dazzle as Raoul

Darkrai as The Phantom

Chairperson Erma as Madame Giry

Rhythmi as Meg

Lavana as Carlotta

Crawford as Richard Firmin

Isaac as Gilles Andre

Also, to clear up on the singing, listed below:

A woman singing

A man singing

A duet or more

Now, for the story to begin. If we may kindly have some entry music, Darkrai? (The Nightmare Pokémon nods simply and sits at his organ and begins to play as you begin to read.)

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

A seventy-year old man, but still sharp of eye even with his mostly grey hair, sat on a chair in a dusty and web-infested opera house as he attended an auction. An old Buizel sat on his lap, his head resting comfortably on the neck of a female Pachirisu who was just as old as he. Various other people sat around with their Pokémon as the auctioneer ordered for some men to bring out the next lot. So far, the man with the two Pokémon had not seen what he was looking for, that was until the item was brought in with a few other things.

"Lot number 664, then, ladies and gentlemen: a poster for this house's production of "Hannibal" by Chalumeau," the auctioneer said, directing everyone's gaze to the porters who wheeled it in. Keith, however, kept his eyes locked on the object he wished to purchase as a series of bids occurred.

After the poster was sold for 180 Poké, the auctioneer turned to the object Keith had been gazing at.

"665," he said aloud as he himself looked at the object with appreciation. "A wooden music box, created by the great, late inventor and musician Hastings. Attached to the top, a miniature Altaria with an Aipom playing the cymbals. This item, which we have proven is one of Hastings' creations, was discovered in the vaults below the opera, still in working order."

The porter wound the small key in its side and the Altaria took a dive while the Aipom leaped upwards, clashing its cymbals together as a tinkering melody sounded.

"May I start the biding at 400 Poké?"

"I bid 400 Poké," Keith said calmly.

"500 Poké," someone else said. A series of furious bidding continued for a little before Keith finally bought it for 3500 Poké.

"Sold, for 3500 Poké to Keith Dazzle. Thank you sir."

The music box was passed over to Keith and he stared at it carefully as all attention turned to him. Many were surprised at his bid, a working Hastings piece was an impressive item, yet he had been adamant of possessing it.

"A collector's piece indeed..." Keith muttered, half to himself and half to the box, as the two Pokémon stared at it with him. "Every detail exactly as she said…She spoke often of you, my friend…Your velvet lining and your figurines of oak…Will you still play, when most of the rest of us are dead?"

His musings when silent as he spotted a woman in her late sixties or early seventies, her eyes studying the poster she had bought a while ago, an Espeon on her lap.

"Rhythmi, surprising to see her again," he remarked to the Pokémon. "Last time we saw here was all that time ago, when it was so ago…Fifty by my count, and yet…Here we are, where it started so long ago."

The auctioneer gestured to a tarp covered object behind him.

"Lot 666, then: a chandelier in pieces. Some of you may recall, the strange affair of the Nightmare Pokémon 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 it with wiring for new electric lights, so that we may get a hint of what it may have looked like when in its splendor. Perhaps we may frighten away the ghost of so many years ago with a little illumination, gentlemen?"

The theatre seemed to become younger as it began to return to its height of grandeur. The dust vanished as the chairs became ornate again, the chandelier, immense and glittering, now burning with flames high above. Everyone who was previously there had seemed to disappear as Keith lost himself in his memories.

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

Crawford and Isaac, old friends from the academy, looked up at the grand Almia Opera House, located in Pueltown, that the two now co-owned together. A Budew stood by Crawford's side while a Leafeon stood by Isaac. The two walked up the steps to the most famous of opera houses in the land, of which they were both proud in owning. Isaac and Crawford shook hands with Lamont, the manager of the theater with his aged Manectric in the ornate lobby with its curving staircase that branched up at the top. He was very old and was going to retire to Fiore, Manectric accompanying him. Inside, the stage was crowded with dancers and singers, practicing for the coming performance of Hannibal. Dressmakers sewed in the audience as musicians practiced while the crew skittered about, setting up props and decorations as other walked among the catwalks, adjusting lights. Pokémon rushed around too, learning their places or helping with the set. High above them all, only a single balcony was occupied, but only two people could really tell that someone was there and those people was too busy to look. The mystery figure had his eyes on the troupe of dancers that practiced, a single girl never falling from his gaze.

Lamont led the two men onstage, where a woman dressed all in pink, including her hair, stood with an Infernape in the center of the stage. She was singing, a fair bit off pitch, and it was clear several of the other performers wore ear plugs, possibly just for her singing. A man with blue hair was practicing his lines not too far away.

"Move aside gentlemen," a softly plump old woman, in either her late fifties or early sixties, said, banging her cane to the time of the music, an aged Purugly standing beside her. Crawford and Isaac moved to the edge of the stage to stand by her and Lamont.

"This is Madame Erma," Lamont said, gesturing to the woman. "She's our head of dance, especially ballet, and an old friend of mine."

"We take particular pride in our excellence of dance," Erma said, nodding to the dancers as they twirled about.

"I can see that," Crawford said, gazing at a dark haired beauty. "And she is…?"

"Luanne, started here a year ago," Erma said. "Slightly clumsy, yet a good dancer."

"Ice is the man in blue, he's the male lead with Lavana as the leading lady," Lamont said with a nod to the stage. A man in a red hat came up, a Luxury accompanying him, nodding politely to the men.

"I'm Sven," the red hated man said. "I work behind the stage mostly, but I do a little acting when the need be. Wendy, the girl with green hair," he added with a nod to the woman dancing, "Is my partner." He stared after her as his Luxury watched her Staraptor wheel about in the air. "…I hope to make it in more ways than one…"

Two dancers quickly caught Isaac's eyes. One of a pretty blonde with bright eyes who swirled about on stage. The other was lovely brunette, hair tied in Spoink tails to keep it out of her eyes, dancing about on stage as though she walked on clouds. A pair of Pokémon offstage watched them, an Eevee and a Pachirisu.

"I say, who are those girls that dance so well?" Isaac asked as the pair twirled together in harmony.

"Oh?" Sven said. "That's Rhythmi and Katrina Hitmoni, her stage name's Kate. Rhythmi there is the blonde and Erma's granddaughter. Katrina is the brunette. Her parents died years ago, little after her birth, and she was raised by her godfather, the late Hastings."

"The old inventor and musician?" Crawford asked.

"The very same. Hastings worked here until his death several years ago. Kate arrived here when she was seven, always wanted to preform," Lamont stated.

"She's not bad," Crawford noted as he watched the young girl do a magnificent leap before pirouetting.

"Not bad?" Sven questioned. "She's the second top dancer, after Rhythmi and that's only because she's been dancing her whole life! Kate's only been dancing since she came here."

"Humph," Erma said, still pounding her cane to the rhythm of the music, "The girl's got talent, but I think she wants a different role. Watch as her eyes shift, ever so slightly toward Lavana." Indeed, Kate gave a glance at Lavana, the girl in pink, but it was really the spot where she stood that Kate stared at: center stage. "The girl wants to sing her heart out to the audience, not just dance." Erma gave a glance to the balcony, the one occupying it still yet unseen. She strained her eyes before shaking her head. "Never misses her, whether dancing or singing..." she muttered slightly.

"I'm sorry?" Isaac asked, confused by her words. Lamont gave a glance up too, frowning.

"Nothing," Erma said with a wave of her cane. "Bettina, pick up the pace. You're too slow!"

The offending girl quickly caught up as the rest of the chorus sang the harmony.

"Bid welcome to Hannibal's guests- the elephants of Carthage!

As guides on our conquering quests, Dido send Hannibal's friends!"

The girl in pink, Lavana the prima dona of the theatre, began to sing the solo, much to the pain of everyone's ears, for the woman sang at a pitch too high.

"Once more to my welcoming arms

My love returns in splendor!"

As Lavana's voice rose higher and higher, a massive metal Mamoswine was rolled in and Ice was lifted up by the wondrous mechanics inside it. He sat perched on top and began to sing.

"Once more to those sweetest charms

My heart and soul surrender!"

The chorus began again.

"The trumpeting elephants sound-hear, Romans, now and tremble!

Hark to their step on the ground-

Hear the drums! Hannibal drums!"

No one paid Crawford and Isaac any attention until Lamont clapped his hands loudly. The actors came to a halt and one dancer almost tripped. High above, the figure scowled at the interruption, as the dancers too had paused. The elephant was led off, two people, a girl with brown hair and a man with red-brown hair, Elaine and Ollie, exited with their partners, a Dragonair and a Serperior, sweating a bit from being encase in all that metal.

"Ladies and gentlemen-Madame Erma, thank you…May I have everyone's attention please" Lamont called. Silence fell down as everyone gathered to see what he had to say. Even the figure leaned forward slightly, curious. "As you know, there have been many rumors going about that I am retiring. I'm here to put those rumors to rest…They are true."

Whispering soon followed as the figure above leaned backwards, it did not concern him, only that the dancers continued to remain still.

"Have no fear, though, for it is my honor to introduce the two gentlemen who now own the opera house, Monsieur Crawford and Monsieur Isaac," he said with a wave to his companions.

A polite applause sounded as the two men bowed, Budew grinning while Leafeon nodded politely. Many of the performers were impressed at the new owners, but the single figure above rolled his eyes in the darkness. Touching scene really, but he wanted the practice to continue.

"Bravo work though," Lamont shouted. "Can we run through Lavana's song again?"

Groans came everywhere as everyone pulled out earplugs. The figure high above grimaced, he never cared for her voice, and, since it appeared that the dancers were stopping for a while, rose from his seat, a plan in his mind. Only Erma was aware of his leaving and grunted slightly. Lavana went up to center stage and turned to the pianist.

"Two bars please," she said as he started to play. She coughed before beginning to sing in a high pitch, causing both Pokémon and person to grimace in pain or wince.

"Think of me, think of me fondly, when we've said goodbye…

Remember me, every so often

Please promise me you'll try…

On that day, that not so distant day

When you are far away and free

If you ever find a moment, spare a thought of me….

Think of me...

Think of me…"

Suddenly, there was a sudden snapping sound and a backdrop plummeted from above. Girls screamed in shock and fear and men stumbled back as the heavy backdrop landed on back of Lavana's dress, ripping a huge chuck on it out, and knocking her to the ground, Infernape stumbling to the floor as well. Ice ran to her side immediately while his Pokémon an Empoleon began to assist Infernape.

"Lavana!"

"He's here," Rhythmi whispered, hugging Kate close as the girls trembled in fear, their Pokémon wailing as they clung to their mistresses' legs. "The Nightmare Pokémon of the Opera…"

"Kapalan!" Lamont shouted as a man and his Pikachu appeared on the catwalk, a worn rope in his hand, shaped like a noose. "For Arceus' sake, what is going on up there!"

"Don't look at me sir, I was not at my post and no one is up there," the man shouted, raising the brim of his hat.

Erma walked onto the stage, just above the rafters, and Purugly meowed as she spotted a falling envelope. Erma caught it and examined the seal, a red Giratina with menacing eyes.

"But if there is…" Kapalan said with a smirk. "Must be a ghost," he said in a creepy voice.

"Pika…" his companion said with a grin of his own. His wife, Claire who worked with the dancers, appeared on stage and gave him a glare, causing him to gulp and fiddle with his tools while Pikachu looked away as his mate, a Bidoof, narrowed her eyes at him. The two of them raised the backdrop back up by using the backup rope, as the first had somehow frayed and snapped.

Erma shook her head and hobbled over to Crawford and Isaac, who were currently assisting Lavana. They didn't notice her, so she opened the letter and began to read it, before raising it to the light. She raised an eyebrow before lowering the paper and shared a look with Purugly.

"Senora," Crawford said, helping Lavana rise up on week knees, "These things do happen."

Lavana's anger exploded, like a volcano. "For the past three years I have worked here, "these things do happen"! And if you stop them from happening I'd me more than happy to sing here again! Infernape, we're leaving!"

With that, the young woman waltzed out of the theatre with her partner Pokémon, fuming while everyone else stared in either exasperation or shock (mainly Crawford and Isaac, Lavana tended to do that once a week). A soft chuckle escaped a darkened figure's lip as he watched the scene, a trio-clawed hand in front of his cloak.

"Gentleman," Lamont said, "Good luck, or, as we say on stage, break a leg. If you need me, I'll only be in Fiore."

He nodded and said a goodbye to Erma before he left the theatre with Manetric in tow.

"She will be returning, right?" Isaac asked. True, Lavana wasn't the best, but she was the only one who knew the part so well, and opening night was tonight.

"You think so?" Erma asked, holding the letter grimly. The two men looked at her in surprise. "I have a message…From the Nightmare Pokémon of the Opera."

A flurry of whispers and soft cries, (Rhythmi almost fainting), were heard as Crawford and Isaac shared a look of confusion.

"And, pray tell, what does this Nightmare Pokémon say?" Crawford asked.

"It says that he'd like to welcome you to his opera house…"

"HIS opera house?" Isaac asked in confusion.

"And he commands that you keep leaving Box 5 empty for his use," Erma added with a wave to the closest balcony. "Also, his salary is due."

"His salary?" Crawford asked.

"Yes, you'd be surprised the work that he does around here. Monsieur Lamont used to pay him 20,000 Poké a month."

"20,000 Poké!" Crawford exclaimed as he took the letter. Listed below were also several comments about the various tunes and pitches of the instruments. "It also says that the third cello's D string is about to snap while the first violin's pitch needs adjusting."

The cellist checked and the string snapped as he tested it. The violinist played a note and winced at the tune.

"How does he know?" Isaac asked, surprised.

Erma shrugged. "It's his gift I suppose, perfect pitch."

"But what are we to do without Lavana?" Isaac asked.

"Surly there is an understudy," Crawford said. Erma shook her head.

"This show's too new, she doesn't have an understudy," Rhythmi whispered to Kate, who nodded.

"Guess we're going with Plan B," Erma muttered sadly, a look at the balcony. "Kate," she said, turning to the young woman, "Could you sing in Lavana's place?"

Kate's eyes widened in surprise as everyone looked at her.

"She's been taking lessons from a great teacher," Erma said with a nod, walking over to her.

"Who?" Crawford asked, interested.

Kate looked sheepishly at her feet. "He's…Never mentioned his name to me…"

"Pachi…" Pachirisu said, shrugging.

"Let her sing for you all, then," Erma stated, gently pushing Kate forward to center stage. "She's well taught."

Crawford and Isaac looked at each other, then nodded. What did they have to lose?

"Alright, don't be shy," Crawford said.

The pianist began to play as Kate took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She opened her mouth to let out a heavenly sonata.

"Think of me. Think fondly of me when we've said goodbye

Remember me every so often

Please promise me you'll try

On that day, that not so distant day

When you are far away and free

If you ever find a moment, spare a thought for me."

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

Later that night, at the grand opening of Hannibal, Kate found herself at center stage once more, facing a full house in her costume, a graceful white dress with a white diamond flower tucked in her shoulder length brown hair. People from different families, from aristocrat to common folk, watched in wonder as the girl sang to them all in a melodious voice. The backdrop behind her was of a night sky and a crescent moon. One of the crew's Dittos, transformed into a Cresselia, flew across it as Kate sung.

"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 things

Which might have been…

Think of me. Think of me waking, silent, and resigned

Imagine me, trying too hard to put you from my mind

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."

Rhythmi and Erma watched Kate from the wings, smiling as the girl sang. The Pokémon listened contently to the soothing voice. Crawford grinned while Isaac smiled, admiring Kate's voice from their box, as did their Pokémon. High above, in the closest balcony, a single figure sat, staring at Kate, smiling behind his cloak. Back in the managers' box, Keith Dazzle, a young man with red spiky hair and an old friend of both of the new managers, and his Buizel stared in shock from their seats.

Keith's eyes widened. "Can it be?" he asked his partner. "Can it be Kate?" Buizel caught sight of Pachirisu peeking from behind the curtain.

"Bui bui!" was the reply. Keith raised his opera glasses to look at her again in wonder as he recalled the last time he had seen her, when she and Hastings moved away to the opera house where the old man worked. He realized, on reflection, it must have been this very same one.

"What a change," he muttered, remembering Kate as a young girl with dirty, skinned knees from numerous tree climbs, messily tied Spoink tails, and an eager, bright smile. Well, that one hadn't changed. "She's really changed from the young girl she once was…"

"Bui…" Buizel agreed, remembering the young, bouncing Pachirisu he had often teased and enjoyed numerous hours of play.

Keith and Buizel shared a look before the two quickly got up and headed from their box.

"Long ago…" Keith muttered. "It seems so long ago, how young and innocent the two of us were…She may not remember me, but I remember her!"

"Buizel!" Buizel agreed.

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

Still on stage, her song almost done, Kate took in a final deep breath to finish off strong.

"Flowers fade, the fruit of summer fade

They have season, so do we

But please promise me that sometimes you will think

Of…

Me!"

After the music stopped, Kate gasped after her final, long note as the crowd leaped to its feet, applauding wildly as the Pokémon shouted and pounded the floor. Flowers and confetti rained down, and a single red rose, tied in black ribbon, landed at Kate's feet. She looked at it with surprise, but smiled and curtsied for the audience.

"Pachi!" Pachirisu cried, running onstage to leap into Kate's arms. The audience cooed and applauded more as Kate smiled and bowed again. She gave a glance backstage, to see her best friend Rhythmi and Erma clapping like crazy, as Eevee waved her tail happily and Purugly nodded respectfully. She left the stage as it went dark and the music changed, the next scene approaching.

Author's Note:

And so, Kate takes the center stage and wows the crowd, including Keith, a man who recalls her. But who was that one rose from? And what will happen next? To be continued…

"Now, feel free to continue your practice," Lamont said as the performers took up their places once again. The figure above sighed and let his eyes be filled by dancing people, a single girl never falling from his gaze.