Music for the Lost and Dark Past

Chapter 1

It's been long time since Phantalmina got drift away from home and stuck on the real world without way out to get back or go to any other world. Nine long years, living without touch of time. Always having a look and nature of a child but an experience of an adult. Honestly, she wouldn't have handle all these changes without her fathers help. He was able to be with her only a first week. But he managed to place her to abandon Loew's Kings Theater. No one used it anymore and no one wouldn't step in there. It reminded his Opera house many ages ago. Most of the theater properties were in good condition to use. She got bed and a lot of space. And piano to play and sing songs. Even office full of books and paper. Everything for her to create her music. A big mirror to call him when there was a need.

Phantalmina also learned to move and stay awake only at night time. She slept mostly at daytime and woke up moments before or after sunset. It made things easy to her walk in the city when she could hide herself.

After that week he father was gone. And Phantalmina faced loneliness she feared so much. But it didn't last long....

***

It was now autumn 1988. On Broadway was having 'the Phantom of the Opera' on a full playing. The seats were full. But on highest box were no one could see, a young girl watched the play of her parents going on. She listened those same songs she knew. Even though those actors weren't even close to voices of her father, not any close to her mother. But the songs were. Her father told her two Halloweens back when that play was played in London. She used the big dark mirror to go watch it few times there. She never got tired to watch the story of her family's past.

They played the part 'the Point of No Return'. Phatalmina closed her eyes and listened the music and words that filled the stage. Soon her trance was broken by familiar voice.

"Phantalmina."

She turn to look back and noticed a young bat with silvery dark fur but brown wings and a brown rat in her box.

"Dusk? Justin? How did you get here?" she asked looking her friends surprisingly.

"I flew here." young bat called Dusk answered.

"And I had to ride on him." a brown rat called Justin told.

"What is it? I hope nothing serious. This will end soon." Phantalmina asked and turned back to the play.

"We need you back in the theater."

Phantalmina wished they would not say that.

"Now?" She looked at them annoyed.

"Yes. It's important."

She sighed hearing that. She stood up from her seat and moved out. She picked Justin up to carry him and Dusk landed on her shoulder. She stepped out from the seat-box and walked other end of the hallway. The hallway had a mirrors on the end. Phantalmina didn't hold her speed. She just walked into the mirror and disappeared in it with Dusk and Justin.

In next moment Phantalmina stepped out from the dark mirror in her theater and let Justin down. Dusk informed others for their arrival. The stage came to have commotion. There was many cats, rats and mice on the floor and bats flying above.

"What is it?" Phantalmina asked little annoyed to leave the play.

"Jemina went missing. Luna and Isabella went look for her and found her on the alley, but they can't get her out. She needs your help." A grey cat named Munkustrap told the situation to her.
Jemima was a young teenage cat with dark red fur, youngest of the cat tribe who stayed in the theater. Munkustrap happens to be the leader and protector of that tribe.

Just like the cats, rats and bats who stayed there became friends with Phantalmina moth after her father left. At first they came there to have cover from winter. Soon they heard they weren't alone there. Listening Phantalminas singing there, they liked it. She sounded beautiful and her voice was spellbinding. They came trust her once noticing she could understand them. Ever since then, Phantalmina wasn't all alone. She let all the night creatures who moved in the streets come to stay in her theater as long they didn't kill or hurt each other. That was the most important rule she placed to them. She promised to take care for feeding them. And of course they were allowed to hunt outside the theater as long they didn't bring bodies inside.

Phantalmina rolled her eye hearing Jemima has done it again and went hunting and now got stuck somewhere.

"Oh, fine. Next time someone surely has to accompany her. You know I sleep at daytime."

"Like we do." Dusk said smiling hoping it lights her mood.

Phantalmina turned to Isabella who has came back. She was a cute rat girl who came with Justin and few other rats. Luna stayed with Jemima waiting for Phantalmina to come. Phantalmina took a long jacket and a hat from the disguises to cover herself. She picked Isabella up and placed her on her shoulder to tell her where to go.

It was very windy outside. No doubt there was a storm little awhile ago. So it won't be a wonder if Jemima got stuck somewhere. Phantalmina followed Isabella's instructions to find them. They soon came to the alley. Phantalmina tried to find Jemima and Luna.

"Luna? Are you here?" she called.

"I'm here." Phantalmina looked up to meet a silver-fur bat girl with brown dark mane.
Actually bats called them silverwings. Luna got lost from her colony and came to live in the theater six years ago. Little after some other lost or abandoned bats came to shelter. Sometimes after that came Dusk, who was abandoned too.

Phantalmina smiled cladly and moved closer to Luna.

"Where is Jemima?" she asked.

"Down there. For some reason she can't move." Luna told and pointed the boxes near the corner.
Phantalmina moved close to the boxes and called Jemima.

"Jemima? Are you alright?"

"Yes. I'm fine." came behind the boxes.She sounded little scared.

"Why did you need me here? How come you can't get out?"

"I just simply can't move right now"

"Why not?"

"There is something in here. And it's big. I'm scared."

Phantalmina bend down to look better behind the boxes. She finally spotted Jemima who stayed down like she was little afraid. She wasn't hurt but she surely didn't dare to move. Then she saw the reason for it.

"Luna! You better come here too." Phantalmina called and the Silverwing came to her other shoulder since Isabella sat on the other. They soon also noticed it.

Front of her was something that looked like bat but it was bigger. Compare to Dusk, Luna and other bats, they all would look like children to this one.

"It's bigger then you, Luna." Isabella said it out loud surprisingly.

" No kidding." Luna answered also surprised to see the big bat.

Phantalmina moved more closer to have a better look at the bat. She wanted to make sure was it male or female. She took notice the long hair and light brown color of fur. But soon she took notice that it shivered.

"It's having cold." she told quickly.

"Well, it is fall. And a cold night."

"No. I mean, like it's shivering. It needs help." Phantalmina started to take her jacket off. Both Isabella and Luna hopped off on her shoulders.

"Luna. Look for a closest mirror or reflection to go to." She told Luna. The bat nodded and she flew to look for one.

Phantalmina placed the jacket around the bat and pick it up holding it close to her. Phantalmina had better look now at the bat. Seemed like a female. Her fur wasn't that fluffy to keep her warm through the winter but enough to survive if she had shelter in a warm place and food. Phantalmina soon took notice on Jemima.

"It's okay, Jemima. You can come out now." She said calmly. the young cat came out near her.

"Sorry about that. That thing is bigger then any other bat. I got shocked."

"It's okay. We have to take her with us."

"Wait. With us? Are you bringing it to the theater?" Jemina asked a bit confuse and scared.

"She may die, if she won't have food. And it will get more colder in a few weeks."

Isabella looked at Phantalmina and let a little smile.

"It's hard to believe when you told us you are a monster. You have so kind heart to be something like that." she said warmly.

It was true, she told everyone in the theater that she was Phantom's daughter, a monster. But still, they prefer her company then any other human's who couldn't understand them.

"I guess it comes from my mothers side." Phantalmina answered with a little smile and fold the big bat comfortably around her jacket. She could feel her heartbeat little having her close now. After that she helped Isabella back to her shoulder and picked Jemima up too.

Soon Luna came back and lead them to a closest mirror that was around the corner. Phantalmina waited for a right moment, so no one would see them. Once that moment she let Luna get on her free shoulder and run through the mirror.

In a seconds, they were back in the theater. Phantalmina let her friends down and they went to the others.

Of course, Jemima was scolded by Munkustrap and Alonzo, his second on the lead. But soon they all were nuzzling her for coming back safely. Phantalmina giggle a little for how quick they forgive her. She was able now to look after the newcomer.

She took one of her pillows and a hot-water bottle to place the bat down on them. Wrapping one of the scarfs around her, Phantalmina asked Luna and Dusk to watch over the big she-bat while she went to the office to find any information about their new friend.

Theaters office Was a place were she could study. It was very well condition. good chair and desk to read or write her songs when ever that time comes. It also had a radio, her only connection to the outside world. Mostly also she listens to the music the real world is offering. Her father wouldn't like it if he knew about this. He would expect her to write opera, but some of these new ways of music intrigued her.
The Office also had all the books Phatalmina needed. Her father brought sometimes more books in Halloween when he visited her. She past trough every book in the shelf till she found the one she was looking for, 'the Great Book of Bats'. She flipped through the pages while walking back to the stage checking others. The other animals have already put notice the size of the newcomer, but they didn't say a thing. Luna and Dusk still watched over her while Phantalmina was coming close to them. She sat down, placed the book down for a moment and placed a plate of water close to the pillow, so she-bat could at least have something to drink.

"Anything change?" Phantalmina asked both of them. They shook their heads.

"Not much. Still not awake." Luna answered and turned to look back at the newcomer.

"How about you? Do you know something about her?" Dusk then asked. Phantalmina pick up the book and examined the page she found thoughtfully.

"Well, she surely is not from here."she started and looked at the bat and turned back to the book few times. "Bats on her size are mostly found on the southern part of the world. She must have been brought by humans and escaped from them."

"No wonder she is having cold." Dusk said little sadly.

"So, what kind of bat is she? What does she needs to eat?" Isabella asked little concerned while coming closer.

"Still trying to figure that one." Phantalmina said and turned a page. "Bats like these could be a insectivores, in other words bug eaters, or mostly fruit eaters. Most rarely... Never mind. That description doesn't match on her."

"What?" Both Luna and Dusk asked curiously.

"It's nothing. She has to have more stronger claws or more muscle to be the last mention on the book. So, I guess she is no harm to any of us. She's just little bigger." Phantalmina finished and closed the book.

Luna moved close to the new bat and looked at her closer now without worry.

"She actually looks beautiful. For something that size." Phantalmina smiled to that, knowing there won't be any trouble to make new friend.

Soon Phantalmina turned to look others and realized she better go get them food. Not to mention, the newcomer will need it too when she wakes up. She stood up, took some bandage and moved behind the frames to take her mask off. In there she tied her deformed part of her face till it was covered again by bandages. Once coming out, she took the jacket, backpack on and the hat. She turned to Munkustrap and Justin before leaving.

"I'll go to get food. Can you handle things here without trouble?"

"Don't worry. Some of us cats have already ate something small. We won't harm others while you're gone." Munkustrap said confidently.

"Even 'him'?" Phantalmina wanted to make sure. By 'him' she referred Rum Tum Tugger. A cat with cool fur, black back but well combed gold mane.

"Yes. Tugger won't be causing harm, we'll keep an eye on him." Munkustrap said warmly to her so she won't be worrying to much.

"Don't worry, Mina. That cat can't be that stupid." Justin add smiling.

He trusted enough that the cats won't broke that rule, even Rum Tum Tugger. A troublesome cat you could call him. Not a bad cat, but surely hard to handle. But not that hard to Phantalmina. She has lived 80 with monsters and had to go to school with their kids. She can handle a some troublesome cat like Tugger. Phantalmina smiled for their word and left the theater again.

After little while, Luna and Isabella noticed the newcomer starting to wake up.

"Uh... Wha... Where am I?" She respond, weakly.

"It's okay. You're safe." Luna said to her.

The she-bat looked around to make sure where she was. "What is this place?"

"Abandoned human theater, No human hasn't come here in a every long time," Luna replied.

"Here," Isabella spoke, moving the plate full of water closer to her. "You must be thirsty."
The bat bend down to drink. It took awhile since she really needed some. Once finished she said. "Thank you. So, do you somehow live here?"

"Somehow? Phantalmina actually lives here, but she let's all of us stay and spend the winter here." Isabella told her. The she- bat soon look around her surrounding and noticed there were cats and more rats and even her bats like her living here.

"You don't need to worry about the cats. They won't harm us. That would break the rule that Phantalmina placed on us." Isabella continued.

"Rule? Phantalmina?" she-bat looked at her puzzled.

"No one is allowed to hurt or kill anyone in this theater. In other words, cats won't eat us and we won't bother them." Luna explained.

"Who is Phantalmina?"

"Oh, she is a kind girl. I'm sure you would like her." Isabella answered.

The female bat looked at her shock after hearing that word. "Wait. Girl?" Luna and her friend notices the bat expression as Luna tries to calm her. "Oh, don't worry. She is not what you think?"

"Yeah, she is... um..." Isabella added, helping.

"A what? A human?" The female bat asked.

"Not really. She... She is..."

"A monster." Tugger said, who was laying on the piano.

"TUGGER!!" Everyone yell at him, while some cats even hissed at him.

"What? That's how she called herself." Tugger said. to excuse himself.

"A monster?!" The female bat exclaimed, with her fur sticking out looking more scared and puzzled.

"Now, now. Don't worry. Only for humans." Luna quickly explained. "To humans she is a monster. Her father was known as a Phantom who lived in a opera-house in Paris. But some nine years ago Phantalmina got lost in this world and can't go back to others. Ever since then, she has offered us shelter and looked after us. She is a really kind and good for us. You don't need to worry. In fact she brought you here to get out from the cold."

"So.., she is a good, right?" She- bat asked making sure she heard it correctly. Both Luna and Isabella nodded at her smiling.

"Oh, yes. And more." Dusk said, who was another bat came over and landing close to them.

"Excuse me?"

"You'll see soon. Um... Sorry, we forgot to ask. What is your name?" Isabella asked.

"I'm Ashley. A foxwing." She replied. "And you are..?"

"Oh right. My name is Luna, this is Dusk. And her name is Isabella." Luna introduced

"We can introduce you to the others if you are going to stay?" Dusk said.

"Oh, well... I don't know." Ashley said unsurely.

"It would be better for you. It's getting more colder outside in a matter of weeks and you hardly survive out there. At least this winter." Luna said, trying to convince her more.

The female bat name Ashley thought for a moment as she glance around the place she will be staying at. Then couple minutes later she answered."Okay then. If you like to have me."

Luna hugged Ashley which taken a female bat by surprised while Dusk and Isabella smiled for hearing that.

" Wait what about this Phantalmina? Will she be okay with this?" Ashley questioned, while Luna let go her embrace.

"Well, as long you won't eat anyone..." Tugger spoke out from his place.

"Don't put much attention to Tugger. He is mostly annoying one." Dusk rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"Hey! I am the cute one." Tugger corrected.

"Only in your dreams." Some cat pipe up and everyone laughed a little.

Isabella turn to Ashley and smile gently. "Don't worry. I'm sure Phantalmina will be okay with you here. Trust me, you will like her."

"Even when Humans call her a monster?" Ashley smiled a little.

Isabella giggled. "Yes. Even if she is called that."