I'm writing this in response to the challenge posted by Mia Labyrinth. In case you haven't read the challenge, this is a change of plans from episode 42 when Leon brings Sora onstage and they do the beginning of the Angel's Act. Instead of letting her get away and then falling, Leon kisses Sora and then other stuff happens.
The first part of the story is basically a recap of the episode with a few minor changes that will help set the stage for the rest of the story. The characters (May especially) have been over-dramatized from what they normally are and may seem a little ooc. After the Angel's Act and the kiss, the storyline changes considerably from the regular Kaleido Star. Also, the first chapter is written differently from my normal style, because of the episode recapping. In later chapters, the writing style will probably change into my normal style. This isn't exactly what I thought my first story for Kaleido Star would be, but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless. I'll be posted another story soon I hope.
Italics are used when the characters are thinking about something, remembering something, or when words are emphasized. I might pop in from time to time to explain something or just because I have something stupid to say. Aside from this chapter, points of view probably won't be used that often, unless I'm using another episode.
Also, I don't own Kaleido Star or any characters or themes or names so don't sue me.
Chapter I:
Sora
Sora Naegino stood at the top of the stairs overlooking the Kaleido Stage she had come to love so much. The auditorium was empty now, just hours before the show. Her arms were full of pamphlets that she was supposed to be distributing to the empty seats. As she took the first few steps down, Sora's gaze rested on the empty stage and her mind drifted through memories of her time spent on that stage: the first time she set foot on it and didn't know a thing about the performance, the first time she got to perform with Layla, the Legendary Great Maneuver; even her first performance with Leon. As she thought about it, her brow furrowed and she shook her head to clear it of the impending anger. Sighing in nostalgia, Sora started the task at hand.
Halfway through, her thoughts began to drift again, this time to the other day. "Stop screwing around, Sora!" May shouted. "You're just scared to face me!" Sora put her hand to her cheek, still feeling the sting of the slap. But even that didn't hurt as much as the way Layla looked at her. "Sora, you need to think about how you hurt May just now." She had said, her icy blue eyes piercing Sora's heart. "Not fighting can also hurt people." Sora's eyes watered. It doesn't matter what they say, she thought. I have to believe in my dream of a stage without conflict. I can't just give up. I know a stage without conflict can exist, for me, May, even Leon…
Sora was shocked to find that her thoughts drifted back to him. She thought about what had happened the night before, about the things Leon had said and done. His eyes looked so kind… that's the first time I've seen him look like that. I wonder who Sophie is. Sora smiled unexpectedly as she recalled how gentle Leon had looked. If only he could be like that all the time…
May
May Wong sat in the dressing room, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She lifted the brush to her cheek and applied the make-up. Continuing to stare at herself her thoughts drifted to the previous evening.
Sophie…Who is Sophie…? Could she be the one Emma was talking about? The one that can become Leon's partner? It has to be her. But why would he call Sora by her name? May's confusion soon led to anger and frustration.
It doesn't matter who Sophie is. It doesn't matter that he sees Sophie in Sora. I'm Leon's partner. Me. Not them.
Leon
Sora…So it was her. Leon Oswald thought as he stretched before the performance. It had been a few weeks now that he noticed he couldn't get her out of his head. Every minute they were apart he thought about her, and every second they were together he watched her, listened for the sound of her voice, waited for the brightness of her smile. It was true that when he first came to Kaleido Stage she mostly just made him angry. But it was probably because he detested her so that he watched her so closely. She reminded him so much of-
Sophie…A tender smile graced his normally hardened features as he thought of the young girl from his past. He shook his head vehemently to clear it before anyone could see his expression. Trying to concentrate on his stretching, he bent backward catching sight of Sora talking to the other cast members.
"I'm sorry you have to do this Sora." One of them said.
Sora shook her head with a dazzling smile. "Don't be. This is my job now, and I'm going to work hard to do my best at it. You should all be thinking about tonight's performance, not worrying about me."
"That's our Sora," another commented. "Always cheerful and thinking of others." Yes, Leon silently agreed. Always thinking of others and smiling that beautiful smile.
Normal
Sora noticed Leon out of the corner of her eye, stretching and looking her way. Still a little nervous about the night before, Sora left the crowd to stand in front of Leon, smiling uncertainly and surprising Leon.
"Leon, I'm going to be scattering the flowers today, and I just wanted to let you know that I'll be trying my hardest, even though that sounds kinda weird, but I want you to try your hardest too, and anyway, let's just have a good show tonight okay? I'll see you around!" Sora babbled. She gave him that gorgeous smile one last time then left him.
Leon stood and watched her walk away. Behind him, in the darkness, May hid, also watching.
I don't get it. I won the World Festival. Sora didn't even complete the maneuver. I've become the top star and Leon's partner. Sora is just an under-paid gofer. She backed down yesterday. Even though I keep winning Sora is always one step ahead. May furrowed her brow and stepped out from behind the pillar.
"Leon, I want to know who Sophie is." She demanded, coming up behind him. When he didn't answer she continued her rant. "Was Sophie your partner? Whoever this Sophie is, I know I can beat her. I'll do everything she did, and I'll do it better. I'll work harder than ever. I'm the one who can be your partner now. I won the World Festival as your partner. I'll beat both Sora and Sophie!"
"Impossible." Leon replied without turning around.
"Why!" May yelled. "Why do you say that I can't beat them?"
"Because you don't know why." Leon turned to face her. "You can't compare to Sophie or Sora. You don't understand what they have that you don't, and so long as that is true, you could never beat Sora. And if you can't beat Sora, you have no chance of even coming close to Sophie." Leaving May behind, Leon walked off into the darkness.
Performance
The performance was well underway. Up on the trapeze, May couldn't shake the sound of Leon's voice telling her she would never win. She couldn't concentrate on what she was doing.
What does Sora have that I don't? What could it possibly be? My skills match hers, I'm much more determined… what could I be missing?
It was almost time for the final act. May let go of the trapeze, reaching her arms out for Leon. He caught her easily and swung her petite body up to meet his own. May let herself sink into his strong arms and enjoy the warmth of his embrace, however forced it may have been.
Up in the rafters Sora peered down at the swinging couple, surprised to find that she was a little jealous. Scolding herself silently she picked up the flower sifter and began to scatter the flowers.
Back down on the trapeze Leon's eyes flew open. "Today I'll be scattering the flowers!" Sora's voice rang in his head. She's up there right now, he thought. She's so close… I want her to be here. Here with me.
Quite determined Leon sat up on the bar of the trapeze and let go of May. Putting one hand above the other, he used his strength to pull himself up the rope of the trapeze and eventually ended up startling Sora at the top.
"Leon what are you-?" Sora squeaked.
"Come." He said simply, cutting her off. Without waiting for an answer, he grabbed her hand and jumped off the rafter back onto the stage, much to Sora's annoyance and disbelief.
They grabbed a bar on the way down, and both began swinging back and forth. "Please don't do this Leon. You have a performance to complete." Sora pleaded quietly. Suddenly all the trapezes fell and Sora silently cursed Layla in the control room. "This is ridiculous. I'm going back now." Sora jumped to the next bar and then to the next, but was unpleasantly surprised when Leon's hands landed right next to hers at the same time. "Leon, please let me go!" She begged again.
"No." was his simple answer. He put one of his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him, reveling in the pleasure he got from having her so close.
On the other side of the stage, May stood on the trapeze, fire in her eyes. So, you've finally made it back on stage Sora, she thought, jumping down and swinging full force into the couple, driving them apart. "Today we will settle this!" she yelled.
"May stop it!" Sora yelled back, back flipping to another bar. Leon swung ahead, meeting her at every jump. Infuriated, May followed both of them. The audience doesn't know what's going on, Sora thought. I'll have to perform.
"So you're finally in the mood to fight." May smirked, flipping to another bar. "You can't compare to Sophie or Sora." Leon's voice echoed once again through her head. I'll show him. I will win against Sora. And after I beat Sora, I'll beat Sophie too.
Finally deciding to perform, Sora felt a rush of energy and excitement. She remembered how happy she had been onstage and how it felt to do what she loved. With a brilliant smile on her face, Sora flew from bar to bar, completely forgetting about May and Leon. Sora jumped one last time, aiming for a bar that could take her offstage finally. Doing a flip Sora reached out for the bar, slightly annoyed that Leon had managed to figure out where she was going again. Sora's and Leon's hands should have grabbed the bar at the same time, but somehow, Sora missed.
Fear swept through her body. I'm gonna fall, she thought. Leon held his arm out to catch her and she was afraid even more, remembering what he had done to May. Even May herself watched in horror, believing that Sora would be injured and not able to perform for months. Both were incredibly surprised when, instead of yanking, Leon gently took Sora's hand and swung her upward, successfully starting the Angel's Maneuver.
Sora flew upward gracefully. I can hear their voices, she realized, her eyes watering. The voices of the audience. That makes me so happy…
May watched her silently. That's the Angel Act from the World Festival. She's doing it here, now. Her eyes darkened and her brow furrowed. But I won't give up. I will win this battle. Pulling herself up, May stood on the bar of the trapeze.
Sora floated back down where Leon was waiting to catch her. He put an arm around her waist and held her tightly to him. All personnel watching were amazed at the tenderness of his performance. His normally rough and aloof demeanor had softened and it seemed as though he were afraid he might break Sora if he handled her too forcefully.
Leon… May thought as she watched them. You're giving such a gentle performance. Is it even an act? Or have I lost again? Her face hardened. No. I will not lose this. I will not lose him. I will beat Sora!
"Leon, I have to go back now." Sora said softly, looking up at him with her big chocolate eyes. "Please continue with May as your Juliet."
"No." He answered surprising her. "You are my Juliet." He surprised her even more when he bent his head down to hers and softly pressed his lips against hers. Unable to move, Sora stood there shocked, not only because he had kissed her, but also because she liked it.
On the other trapeze May was horrified by what she was witnessing. "No!" May screamed. "I will not lose!" Without thinking May jumped from the trapeze toward Sora and Leon, with no place to go.
Thank you for reading, please remember to review. Flames are welcomed, I really don't care. I'll try to post another chapter by next Friday, but I'm not making any promises. Also, read my other stories .