Runaway Star

What if Sora completed the Angel's Act during the International Circus Festival? What would have happened? Would Sora ever be the same? Would May ever accept her, or learn about the spirit of the stage? Or would Sora be crushed under the pressures, put upon her this time?

*---* Any words between these stars, indicate self speech.

Also Fool may has a limited appearance in this fan-fic.

This story begins during her competition performance. Let's see what happens…
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Sora and Yuri are starting to perform the Angel's Act. When Sora feels the energy of the stage; it is jeering, blood thirsty, and hungers for violence. In short it is painful for her and thus tears begin to fall from her face as she flies up into the air.

"I can't do it, Yuri." Sora yells out as he catches her.

"You have to Sora! Think of why you came here." He replies, as she is tossed back up into the air.

Tears fall continue to well up in hers eyes. As they fall, the light reflects off them creating a sadly beautiful sparkle around her. It calms some of the audience, making the stage less painful.

"Sora, are you going to continue?" He asks her forcefully. It gets through to her, a little and she nods yes.

While performing, *I can do this *sob* but it is not my stage. Layla, how could you perform here? *snivel* This is the stage that hates.* *sob* She continued to perform, but there was no joy to her movements. Every leap and pose expressed a deep sadness. It was a beautiful performance; the complete opposite of the Devil's Act and far superior to it as well.

When they finished the act, the audience had calmed down. There was no applause, just shocked silence.

As Yuri took a bow he whispered to Sora, "that was a shameful performance. If you were going to that, then why did we waste our time?"

Sora thought about that. She thought about why she came to France, entering into this competition. About why it was so important to prove her worth to Layla, also to show Leon and May that it is not power which makes a performance come alive. *All I've really proven is that I put on a show, a meaningless show for any stage. This is not a true stage, it is not a stage where I want to be ever again.*

"Yuri, you are right. We need to drop out before they announce the winners."

As he walked away to tell the judges, Sora decided to tell Layla in person. Though as went to go find her, May came up, and slapped Sora right in the face. In shock she held a hand up to protect herself as she stepped away, from May.

"How could you!!! That performance was perfect! You CAN'T forfeit now! I need to know who is better!!!" May said this vehemently, while making her signature wild gestures.

All the while Leon watched with his signature sullen smirk, leaning indolently against the wall. "Come, May. It is almost time to get our award." That shook May our of her anger and she immediately followed him to the stage, like an obedient puppy.

Sora watched them in shock, as they left. Then she went to find her mentor Layla. Of course she got there, Layla was just as mad at her as Yuri was, if not more. "Layla try to forgive me, I'm sorry, sorry, sorry!"

"Nei, Sora. Not after that performance. It was a sham of a performance. The pair who went before you, they bested you."

Shame faced Sora answered. "Yes, Layla. Demo, but the stage was false."

"That is not an excuse! You wasted everyone's time, and you showed that a worthless imitation of a performance can win!" She replied, as she turned around to face Sora directly in the eye.

"Gasp."

"That's right, Sora. If you had not given up and forfeited, you would have won." Turing back to look out the window Layla quietly continued, "I don't return to Kaliedo Stage, you are not ready."

At that pronouncement, Sora ran out. Tears streaming furiously down her face.

It was then that Layla whispered to herself. "Not until you are ready to become my dream once more…"

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Mean while on Stage…

Announcer person, "alright, ladies and gentlemen. The moment you've all been waiting for; the results of the trapeze competition. And they are… Sora an- oh wait I'm sorry this pair has suddenly dropped out." "So ladies and gentlemen let's give a great round of applause for our runners up Leon and May!!!!!"

"Whaaat!?!" May shrieked, fortunately no one could hear her over the applause. "But our act was far superior to hers. She is a worthless performer not fit to share the stage with anyone!!" She furiously yelled at Leon.

He calmly replied, "Quiet May." Then accepted his award and bowed to the audience. May, for her part did the same still, seething and growling about how Sora managed to beat her.

At another location somewhere in Paris, Sora is taking on a payphone.

"Hai, manager-san. I have failed Kaleido Stage. I'm sorry to have bothered you."

Slowly returning the phone to its receiver, Sora paused to hang her head and think about what to do. She left the hotel, she had very little money left over, and her Stage was even farther away from her than before. "I love the stage, but it is May's now. I tried my best to reclaim it and restore Layla's dream. But what is my path, I can't take hers. Rosetta found her path to her dream. So why can't I find mine?"

"Sora, if you are truly ready to give up the stage. Then I will disappear." Fool solemnly told her.

Alice yelled out, "Sora, congratulations we heard you almost won."

As she looked up to see who was calling out to her, Sora asked, "huh? But I didn't win. I was a false Angel on the stage."

"What do you mean? You won, and Kaleido Stage took the award." Guy walked up to her and gave her a big hug and more congratulations. The other members from their troupe also offered their own felicitations.

Sora accepted it still wondering about their comments, didn't they understand. Or had they simply missed most of her act on stage. "Thanks everyone but it was the other pair, Leon and May, whom won. I did not give a true performance, so I had to forfeit."

They looked at her, as if she was speaking Japanese instead of English. Then one the troupe spoke up. "We only have one member who 'might' understand, Mute. We can take you to see him in the hospital."

But Sora, would please consider joining our troupe? We can really use great performers to make more money and notoriety, so we can set up a stage. Especially since we failed at the competition and Mute is going to be injured for awhile."

So, Sora agreed to talk to Mute. This could be her new path, path, path. But how would she be able to perform on stage again, without remembering this day? There had to be a method…

*Layla would know. Layla! That's it!*

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A few weeks later; back in California.

In the dormitory for Kaleido Stage.

"I can't believe she left Kaleido Stage!!"

"Yeah, like, this was her dream. She worked so hard to prove to everyone that she belongs here, and now to suddenly quit."

"It doesn't make sense."

"I guess now Leon will finally get the children's stage shut down."

"Some of our investors might back out now that Sora quit."

"But what about Jonathon? Is he going to have to go too, I mean after all it was because of Sora that he became our mascot. With Leon and May in control, all of Sora's hard work will disappear."

"You think the stage will become like it was before? When Layla was still a cold hearted diva."

"I miss Sora."

"May can't reach Sora's ability on stage. So why does she do this?"

"Leon likes her, it's the only reason May got on stage and why she continues to steal Sora's parts."

"This stage just isn't the same without Sora."

These whispers and comments were heard all over the place. Once Leon and May came back, victorious and with the first place trophy from the Circus Festival.

The longer Sora's absence the more everyone, but May heard those types of remarks.

May was not able to understand was why everyone was so indifferent, of her and her needs. The plans for the next show were underway, and her acrobatics were more than perfect. Much better than Sora's ever were, so why was everyone avoiding her? More importantly why was she being compared to Sora? *Grrrr, why won't everyone stop talking about that incredibly mean person? I won at the festival, and I AM the next Layla. Sora, the coward, needs to come back so everyone can see it.*

"May." Ken called out, as he spotted her.

"What do you want Ken?" She snapped at him.

He turned away from her and replied. "May, Boss is looking for you. He wants to see you in his office right away."

With a smug smile on her face, she headed to his office. *hmph! At least there is someone here who values my skill.*

"I'm here Boss, May your top Kaliedo Star."

Karlos turned to look at her and Leon from his desk, "May. You and Leon, are going to perform your Devil's Act in the New Year's Stage. I expect you to honor this stage and prove why you won, to our audience."

As he began to work on his computer, May interrupted him. "When is Sora returning?"

"She isn't. Sora cannot return here as she is now."

"But when is she coming back?"

Karlos glared at Leon so grabbing May's shoulder, they walked steadily out of the office. Karlos, Ken and Mia went back to working out more details of the show.

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I'm sure everyone is confused, about me reposting this. sorry bout that I'm still learning how to post here. And I messed up while trying to add the next chapter.
Please remeber to let me know, casue even though I don't own Kaleido Stage. I'm still trying to keep everyone with the same Personalities.