Chapter One: The Amazing Shocking Partnership
"So this is the half-way mark of the run of Kaleido Stage's Legend of the Phoenix," a familiar voice said as Sora closed the door to her dressing room.
"Layla-san!" Sora turned in delight to see the sparkling blue-eyed friend she held so dear.
"Layla-san?" Layla laughed. "That's something I haven't heard in a while. Hasn't the new, reborn Sora surpassed me?"
It was true. With Sora's act as the Phoenix, she had surpassed Layla. She had found her own dream in a conflict-free stage and had become the True Kaleido Star. Sora gazed at her old rival, her old partner, the old shadow she was chasing. She wasn't on the pedastal Sora held her up on anymore, but she was still radiant. Her blonde hair had grown so quickly since the time Layla asked her to be the one to cut off her trademark platinum locks. Or had it been quickly? It always seemed like an eternity between the times she and Layla could talk face to face.
Layla's eyes grew serious. "Sora, are you sure this is the right time? I know how you love the stage and how you always want to see Kaleido Stage filled with a happy audience. But is it ready?"
"Layla, you know as well as I do that we can't decide that. Only Fool."
They both laughed. It had been nearly two years since Fool bowed before Layla and took his leave. They could no longer be partners on the stage, just in life as friends. Although they couldn't soar through the sky together again like that magical night performing the Legendary Great Maneuver, the bond that they shared would keep flying high.
--
Backstage, Rosetta stared up into the starry sky. The roof of Kaleido Stage was already open since the ending of the Phoenix show revealing the magnificent night sky. Soon, she would be up there. Flying. Only minutes away. Ever since she first saw Sora and Layla perform the Legendary Great Maneuver, the desire to be up there had consumed her. Through her dedication, she lived up to her promise to Kalos to master the trapeze within three years. In fact, it had been far less than that, only half the time, much to the thanks of May who pushed her to be on the same stage as Sora in Swan Lake. She looked down at her fire red costume and yanked it a little, feeling a bit insecure as tension built in the auditorium. But she remembered Sora's words. "You can't just copy the same thing you saw that night without disappointing the audience. You need to make the Maneuver your own." So she would be a flame burning across the dark sky. A million thoughts raced through her mind. Would her eyes meet Sora's across the distance? Would she be proud of her? A shiver ran up her spine.
--
"SPIRIT SPIRAL SMASH!!" May belted out in her dressing room, making Ken jump as he was just about to knock on her dressing room door.
"Fool!" She yelled. "You are a fool if you even THINK you are helping me adjust this costume!"
"But, May! I wasn't trying to..." Fool's voice faded as he flew across the room and was slammed into a locker. The rest of his words became inaudible behind the closed locker door.
Ken laughed. "May?" He knocked. "It's time."
May emerged from her dressing room in the same costume as Rosetta, except for its striking electric blue color. If Rosetta was fire, May was ice.
"Don't tell me it's time, Ken! I know when it's time!" She houghed, plodding out of the dressing room and then smiled. Her smile didn't even fade as she passed Sora backstage, it brightened. It wasn't the same devilish grin she used to give Sora in their days of competing as Leon's partner, but one of friendship and respect.
May then stepped on to the platform that would raise her high above the roof of Kaleido Stage.
"Rosetta!" May yelled across to the opposite platform, "I still haven't found a better name for the Legendary Great Maneuver, but I'm sure I can think of one afterwards!"
And the platforms began to rise.