Phantom of the Gala

The next morning, Celestia walked into the Canterlot Opera House one morning. She was holding a paper and laughing out loud as she read the paper. She walked in and quoted from the top, “'Mystery of the Gala Night',” she laughs. “Great title. 'Mystery of Soprano's Flight', the subtitle is even better. They are mystified and suspect foul play!” she chuckled.

She then walked up the stairs to go to Luna's office. “Too bad we lost Fluttershy a few nights ago after her disappearance,” she said to herself. “Oh, at least Lyrica Lilac has a... somewhat good voice.”

“This is terrible!” Luna yells as she runs into Celestia.

“What is?” Celestia asked.

“Everyone is going to refund when they find out that Fluttershy won't be preforming,” Luna told her sister.

Celestia sighed. “Luna, it's publicity,” she told her sister. “It will be fine.”

“Ugh, but we have no cast,” Luna said.

“But have you seen how many people have reserved a ticket?” Celestia asked.

Luna shook her head.

Celestia looked down and noticed a note in Luna's hand. “You got a note also?” Celestia asked.

Luna nodded and opened the envelope. She cleared her throat, “It says:

Dear Luna,

The was perfect, and Fluttershy was the cherry on top. No one even cared that Rarity wasn't there, we are all in prayers praying that Rarity will never come back. Anywho, everything else was good, except for the dancers... YUCK!

O.G.”

Celestia then pulled a note she had received herself from her pocket. She opened it. “Mine says,

Dear Celestia,

Just a small reminder, you have not paid me my 20,000 bits. Send it with care for me. And no one likes to be in debt, so I suggest that you pay promptly by tomorrow.

O.G.”

Celestia looked up from her note. Luna looked at Celestia and sighed. “Who would be so brave to send this?” she asked Celestia.

Celestia shrugged. “I don't know,” she answered. She then took a look at Luna's note and noticed the sender. “They're both signed O.G.,” Celestia told Luna.

“Who the hell is he?” Luna asked.

Luna and Celestia then looked at each other in sudden realization. “Opera Ghost!” they exclaimed together.

“He is not very nice if you ask me,” Luna told her sister.

Celestia nodded in agreement. “Indeed,” she said. “He's taking advantage of us.”

“He's actually quite insane,” Luna declared.

Then the doors opened and a tall green haired man walked through. It was Spike. “Where is she?” he asked.

“Who?” Luna asked. “Rarity?”

Spike shook his head. “No, I mean Fluttershy,” he told them.

“No, I'm sorry,” Celestia said.

Spike then pulled a note out of his coat. “I think that you sent me this note,” he told them giving them the envelope.

“What do you mean?” Celestia asked.

“We never sent you a note,” Luna told Spike.

Spike looked at each of them. “You mean she's not with you?” he asked.

They both shook their heads. “So did you not send this?” he asked reminding them of the note in Luna's hand.

Luna looks at the note. “This note is from the same person,” she tells Celestia. She then looks back at Spike. “Okay, it says:

Dear de Dragonne,

Do not fret for Fluttershy. She is safe with the Angel of Music. Do not think that you will see her again, because you most likely won't.

O.G.”

“Where is he?!” Rarity yells as she bursts into the opera house followed by her husband, Fancy Pants.

“Welcome back,” Celestia and Luna greet her.

Rarity ignores them and walks up to Spike. She then pulls a note out of her little handbag. “I have your letter,” she tells him.

“My letter?” Spike asked. “I didn't...”

“No you sent it,” Rarity told him.

Spike shook his head. “No I didn't,” he said. He then took the note from Rarity and opened it. He didn't feel like reading it aloud, but it said:

Dear Rarity,

I hope you understand that you can not be apart of the Canterlot Opera House anymore. Fluttershy will be singing in your place tonight, if you attempt to take her place, something awful will happen.

O.G.

Spike looked up from the note. “You think I sent this?” he asked.

“Well, who else?” Rarity asked.

Spike shrugged. Celestia and Luna looked at each other and sighed. “Way too many notes for me,” Celestia told Luna.

“And most of them about Fluttershy,” Luna added.

Celestia rolled her eyes. “That is the name I've heard on end since I've arrived,” Celestia said.

Twilight and Sweetie Belle then came from behind the corner. “Fluttershy is back,” she announced.

Celestia, Luna, Spike, Rarity, and Fancy Pants looked at Twilight. “Where is she?” Spike asked coming closer to Twilight.

“I sent her up to her dormitory, I think she needs to be alone,” Twilight told them.

“She needed rest,” Sweetie Belle piped up.

Spike got even closer. “Can I see her?” he asked.

Twilight shook her head. “No, she needs to be alone, like I said,” she repeated. “She's been through a lot lately.”

“Will she sing?” Rarity and Fancy Pants asked.

Twilight looked up and handed them a note. “Here is a note,” she said giving it to Celestia.

Celestia cleared her throat. “Oh this is a long one,” she said. The note said:

Gentlemen,

I have sent you numerous notes on how to run my theater. So far, you have NOT followed my instructions, and I'll give you one last chance. Fluttershy has returned to you, and I think that she will become more and more well known for her voice.

In the new production of Il Mutto, you will be putting Rarity as the Pageboy, and Fluttershy as Countess. Fluttershy is casted because of her charm and appeal, Rarity is cast because her role is silent, your welcome.

I will watch the performances in Box 5, which will be kept empty for me. If any of these demands rejected, a fate beyond imagination shall occur. I remain your obedient servant,

O.G.

“What on Earth?” Celestia asked.

“WHAT?!” Rarity screamed. “I can NOT play a silent role! That is... it's just... UGH!!!”

Celestia and Luna try to come to her side to calm her down. But she pushes them away and walks into her dressing room to get packed up and leave.

“Please, Rarity,” Celestia tried to reason.

“Shush!” Rarity snapped at her.

Luna sighed. “Madame,” Luna tried to but...

“I said SHUSH!” Rarity demanded. As she packed up and left her dressing room. She handed all her stuff to Fancy Pants, who struggled to carry it.

Celestia caught up to Rarity. “Please,” she pleaded.

“You're public needs you,” Luna told her.

Rarity stopped at the door. “What was that?” she asked.

Celestia smiled at Luna and then looked at Rarity. “We need you too,” she told her.

Rarity turned back to them and smiled. “Alright, I;ll do it,” she told them. “On ONE condition.”

“What?” Celestia and Luna asked.

Rarity smiled. “I will play the lead,” she said.

Celestia nodded and sighed.

“Prima Donna,” Luna whispered to her sister.