You sat outside under an umbrella for lunch, joined by Frankie, Draculaura, Venus, Lagoona, Clawdeen, and Cleo. Deuce would be here, but he had gotten lunch detetion for getting caught sneaking out of the girl's dorms by Mr. D'eath. You would think you'd hear a skeleton walking towards you in the silence of the night.
Still, you had joined the group in helping with their latest plans.
Y/N: What about this one?
You hit play on your phone to show them a song.
Frankie: Voltagious. Let's add it to the list.
Frankie got to work with writing down the song while Venus scrolled through her own playlist.
Venus: I can't thank you ghouls enough for helping me and Frankie with our Mad Science Project.
Frankie: Me and Venus will finally discover once and for all if monstrous plants respond to music.
You and Clawdeen both shared a look. Why did they explain that a second time? Why else would you all be here? You could be using this time to look for more monsters. Of course you're helping them.
Cleo: And I'm going to finally discover if my good side is my left or my right.
Lagoona immediately jumped into Cleo's selfie with a peace sign. You and Draculaura went back to looking for music while Clawdeen was doing her own research.
Clawdeen: Huh. This is interesting.
Cleo: My selfie science?
Clawdeen: No. I mean, I was searching for some music and I found this story about some kinda musical ghost.
You all immediately snapped to attention at the mention of an unknown monster. You didn't recall having a musical ghost around school. The only ghost you had was Spectra and she was still haunting the halls.
Lagoona: "The Phantom of the Caverns". If I didn't know any better, I'd say we just found our next lost monster.
You nodded in agreement.
Y/N: Sounds like it. You two coming too?
Frankie and Venus both shook their heads. They did have a project to do after all.
Frankie: Good luck though! Me and Venus have some sciencing to do.
You gave a salute before heading off with the others. Looks like you'll be looking for monsters after all.
---------------
You all arrived in the private office of Dracula and your uncle. Since the staff was still a bit low, they were still sticking around to help in any way they could. The room itself was filled with old books and treasures that could prove to be useful in your adventures.
Y/N: Uncle Vincent? Drac? Anyone here?
Helsing: Over here, kid.
You all made your way through the bookshelves to where your uncle had set up shop. He sat at a desk with some books and maps. He had his usual hat off and was seemingly filing through some documents.
He looked up as you approached him.
Y/N: Hey. Did you get my message about this music phantom?
Helsing held up the documents he was reading with a smirk.
Helsing: Of course. And it turns out, this legend might be more than just a ghost story.
You all gathered around as he set the files down and cleared his throat.
Helsing: The story starts with some humans investigating some ancient ruins. They heard what sounded like music coming from a nearby cave system. If you follow the music, you'll find your phantom.
???: Achoo!
You all turned around to see someone you didn't recognize walk out from around the corner holding some books.
Helsing: I said to be careful with the dust, Toralei.
Clawdeen crossed her arms while the others seemed genuinely annoyed.
Clawdeen: What is she doing here?
Toralei crossed her arms in response.
Toralei: I could ask you the same question.
You looked between the two before you leaned over to Draculaura.
Y/N: You wanna fill me in here?
Draculaura: That's Toralei Stripes. Her and Clawdeen don't have the best relationship.
Oh. This was gonna be awkward.
Helsing: She's helping me and Mr. Dracula get this room organized. It's her punishment for relasing a zombie hamster in the creepateria.
Your uncle stood up and placed a hand on your shoulder. While he was busy talking to you and the others, Toralei noticed a map on his desk. It seemed to be of the Caverns mentioned in the stories.
Helsing: Be safe. And try to be back before dinner. We're doing Swedish Meatballs.
You nodded and headed out. As you did, Toralei watched. She had a dangerous glare in her eye.
-------------
Y/N: Alright, looks like it's just the five of us on this one.
Lagoona: We can handle it. Besides, a ghost can't be dangerous if they like music, right?
Clawdeen: Let's just hope you're right.
You all placed your hands on the Mapalogue and you nodded.
Y/N: Phantom of thr Caverns. Extro Monstr....
Toralei: Wait a second!
You stopped and you all looked over to see Toralei running towards you all. She finally reached you, though she was out of breath, and cleared her throat.
Toralei: Wait. I, uh, want to go on that mission thingy with you.
You all looked at each other suspiciously before Cleo spoke up.
Cleo: Okay! Toralei has completely lost it.
Lagoona: Toralei, put your arms above your head and take a deep breath.
Toralei rolled her eyes and instead decided to make her plea to the team captains. That being you and Draculaura.
Toralei: I'm being serious. I've been doing som soul searching and realized that maybe, just maybe, you all onto something with the whole helping monsters thing.
She batted her eyelashes a bit to try and seal the deal. You all stood there for a moment, then immediately huddled up.
Draculaura: I say she comes with us.
Clawdeen: Has everyone lost their minds today?
Y/N: I'm not due to lose mine for a few more chapters. But, maybe her seeing us in action could do her some good? Besides, how bad can she be?
You immediately felt Clawdeen's claws in your shoulder as a response. You winced, but the decision was already made. You all unhuddled and turned back to Toralei.
Y/N: Alright, you can come.
Draculaura: But no funny business!
Toralei: Who? Me? Why I'd never.
You just held up the Mapalogue and in a blink of an eye and some magic words, you were all gone.
And across the map in the deserts and canyons of Arizona, you all fell from another flash of light.
Y/N: AH ROCK!
Clawdeen: OW OW OW!
Lagoona: OOF AH AGH!
Draculaura: AHHHHHHH!
Toralei: ROCK ROCK ROCK!
You all landed in the dirt, hitting a few rocks along the way, and ended up in a pile on the bottom of a canyon. It was early in the morning so the sun hadn't come up yet, meaning the only light you had was the moon. Luckily, Werewolves and Werecats had great night vision. And Draculaura, being a vampire, could see as if it was day.
You all got to your feet and began to dust yourselves off before Clawdeen's ears perked up.
Clawdeen: Hey, I hear music! It's coming from there!
She pointed at a nearby cave and you smiled.
Draculaura: Follow the music and we'll find our Phantom!
You nodded and pulled your sleeve up, tapping your bracelet which made it light up like a lamp. With it, you were able to light the way for you, Cleo, and Lagoona. Once you entered the cave, you realized it was an old mining shaft. Probably abandoned because it became too dangerous.
You followed Clawdeen who kept track of the music that you could only faintly hear. Along with it was the occasional water drop and maybe a bat or two stirring. Besides that, it appeared that you were all alone down here. You suddenly came across a fork in the road and stopped.
However, you noticed that Toralei seemed fixated on one of the passages already. Odd, since none of you had any idea where anything was.
Clawdeen: I think it's coming from over there.
Toralei: Really? Cause I hear it from over here.
The two pointed to different passages which left the investigation at a standstill. You raised a brow before you smirked.
Y/N: Well, I guess we'll just need to split up.
Toralei crossed her arms with a smirk.
Toralei: I agree. You all can go the way Clawdeen said and I'll just go.....
Y/N: I'll go with you.
Toralei suddenly stopped. She then looked at you. You see, there was a little known fact about Werecats that you knew pretty well. They couldn't hear as well as Werewolves. Toralei seemed to know this as well.
She mumbled to herself before she crossed her arms and followed you all down the path Clawdeen selected. You all walked down the dark Cavern before you all came to a sudden stop.
Y/N: So, uh, where is the music coming from?
Before you was a dead end. A rock wall. Didn't look fake either.
Clawdeen: I don't get it. The music is the loudest here. Where could it...
Rumble
You all stood completely still. Then, the ground gave in below you all sending you all falling into a dark pit below. Thinking quickly, you shot out a grapple and swung yourself to Draculaura, catching her. You landed safely while Clawdeen used her claws to dig into the walls and slow her fall. Lagoona flipped and used all the athletic skills she had to land on her feet with only slight pain to her ankles.
Toralei just kinda landed on all fours with a very scared expression on her face.
Toralei: I hate it here.
Y/N: You'll learn to love it.
You set Draculaura down and you all heard more music. It was really close now. You all approached an entrance to a large opening where you found a single figure sitting on a rock, playing what looked to be a rather fancy banjo.
You all got closer before the girl recognized you.
???: Oh! Well, I'll be! Guests! Haven't had those in a while.
She stood up and walked over to you. She held her hand out with a smile.
???: My name is Operetta.
You shook her hand.
Y/N: I'm Y/N Van Helsing. These are my friends. Draculaura, Lagoona, Clawdeen, Celo, and...that one.
Toralei: Hey!
You suddenly stopped. You then looked back.
Y/N: Wait, where's Cleo?
Cleo: Up here!
You all looked up to see Cleo had gotten some of her bandages stuck on some rocks. You lifted your arm and fired a bolt that tore through one that made her fall the rest of the way. She sat up and narrowed her eyes at you.
Y/N: Anyway, Operetta, your name sounds oddly familiar.
Operetta: Well with you being a Helsing, you've probably met my father.
Y/N: Creepy dude with a mask that hides under oprea houses?
Operetta: That's the one.
Y/N: Oh, wow. Small world. Though, I see you didn't inherit the creepy part.
Operetta: Oh? Am I not creepy enough for ya?
Y/N: Not at all. As a matter of fact, I can't look away.
Operetta: Well well, aren't you just a charmer?
Draculaura stepped forward and cleared her throat. You and Operetta both suddenly remembered that there were others there. You immediately decided to start running solo operations more.
Draculaura: Anyway, the stories of the Phantom of the Cavrens turned out to be true.
Operetta laughed.
Operetta: I do believe I had a hand in those ghost stories. When I heard some humans poking around out there, I played my music extra loud to give them a frieght.
She strummed some cords before frowning and tuning her banjo.
Operetta: I had to do something to keep them out of these Caverns, on the account of all the diamonds.
Cleo: Diamonds?! What diamonds?!
Operetta looked at you all oddly. She then pointed down which made you all look down. Sure enough, the entire floor was covered with diamonds.
Lagoona: We've been walking on diamonds this whole time?
Clawdeen: How...how did we make it all the way here without looking down?
Operetta: These Caverns used to house an ancient civilization who stored all their treasures in here. The diamonds don't mean much to me, but listen to those acoustics.
She played her banjo and sure enough, the sound was unbelievable. Cleo, on the other hand, was already laying on the ground swinging her arms and legs.
Cleo: I always wanted to make a diamond angel. Dreams do come true.
Y/N: This is definitely a lot of diamonds just laying around.
Operetta: Well help yourselves. Take a few diamonds for the road if you'd like.
She suddenly got serious.
Operetta: But whatever you do, do not touch the Great Diamond!
She then pointed at a pedestal...that had nothing on it. You all immediately turned to Toralei who was trying to sneak out of the cave. She stopped when she realized you were all watching her and smiled awkwardly.
Toralei: What? I didn't take no diamond.
Suddenly a few small diamonds fall from her jacket pocket.
Toralei: I meant, I didn't take the Great Diamond.
Suddenly the Great Diamond fell from her hands and came into view. She sighed.
Toralei: Okay so I took the Great Diamond.
Cleo marched over and pointed at her.
Cleo: You knew these caves were full of diamonds.
Draculaura: That's why you wanted to come with us.
Operetta: It doesn't matter! We have to get out of here! There's consequences to messing with the Great Diamond!
Suddenly, the ground began to Shae and Rumble. You all looked up before you sighed.
Y/N: Of course. Of course this couldn't go smoothly.
You all began to run out of the clearing as massive rocks began to fall and the caverns began to collapse. You pulled out the Mapalogue but it felt cold. You must have been too far underground for it to work.
Seems kinda...counterproductive.
Everyone jumped over a small hole in one of the wooden tracks that suddenly became a large hole when a boulder crashed through it. You quickly grabbed Operetta and used your grapple to swing across, successfully landing.
Operetta: You really know how to sweep a Ghoul off her feet.
Y/N: Thanks. Learned it from my uncle.
You all reached the exit and dove to freedom right when the caves finally collapsed. Dust filled the air and you all coughed as the sun slowly began to rise over the canyon walls. You all got back to your feet and Operetta placed her hands on her hips.
Operetta: Well, guess I'll need a new place to call home.
You and Draculaura both looked at each other and smiled.
---------------
Helsing: Your punishment has now been extended to two full months. I hope you like it here, because it's the only place you'll be seeing until then.
Toralei whined after your uncle gave her her punishment for almost getting you all killed. On the other hand, Dracula was singing the appropriate papers and forms to have Operetta moved into the dorms and inserted into Monster High as a student.
Operetta: I have to say, I dig the goth vibes here.
Y/N: Then you'll love the catacombs. They have some pretty nice acoustics too.
Operetta: As long as you let me play for you sometime.
You smirked.
Y/N: It'd my honour.
Draculaura stuck out her tongue and did a fake gag nose while Lagoona giggled.
Dracula: Well, I suppose I should officially welcome you to Monster High, Ms. Operetta. I hope you enjoy it here.
Operetta: I'm sure I will.
Y/N: And so you don't get home sick...
You reaches into your pocket and pulled out a pouch. You handed it to her and she opened it, only to see that it was full of some of the diamonds from her Cavern.
Y/N: I managed to scoop some.
Operetta: You risked your life for these?
You nodded.
Y/N: As the glorified Hall Monitor, it's my job to make sure everyone feels welcomed. It just what we do at Monster High.