Kaleido Star: Legendary Rose

by starcade

The challenge doesn't simply come from the performance. From Rosetta meeting the Fool to her fulfilling her challenge from three years before the story of a Legendary Rose taking her place alongside the Kaleido Star. All 26 chapters now posted.

3. 3 An Amazing Goodbye

"Kaleido Star: Legendary Rose"

Part 3: "An Amazing Goodbye"

One Week After Kalos' Challenge -- Five Days Before Sora's Departure

Kaleido Stage Grounds

The entire complex was still in shock. It was as if Kalos was demanding a house-cleaning, and appeared only to have faith in Leon and May to be on the stage in the Era of Light with Sora. Even after repeated discussions with Kalos, no one seemed to understand where this was going and why these decisions were made. Sora began to pack for Japan, but decided to take time off to walk.

She, too, was disturbed. Though happy to see her adoptive parents, her sister Yume, and a whole bunch of protégés, she was also bothered by Kalos.

"But why would Kalos go and force Rosetta's hand like that? Rosetta basically HAD to slap him.", Sora said to herself as she walked down the concourse. She walked past the main complex, where Rosetta had been given free reign to practice, and she did like a mad-woman. Alain had even called Kalos to tell him how angry he was, and to tell Kalos not to judge Rosetta by her cover.

Just then, she walked by Ken, who flagged her down. Ken was extremely unhappy. He was not only losing Sora for three months, but he also had been charged with transferring his role with Sora to Rosetta.

Ken confessed something immediately: "I think I'm going to be the one to quit."

Sora: "You can't say that. Rosetta's counting on you."

Ken: "I know, but this is just eating at me. Mostly, it's that I don't want you to go. I mean, Rosetta is a special girl, but I can't understand what Kalos is doing here. It's almost as if he wants her to fail."

Sora: "I wouldn't think that the Boss would want her to…"

Which then was interrupted by Kalos…

"I do. I do want her to fail. I don't want to have to go through the pain of going to the Grand Canyon, putting up all the apparatuses, only to watch you fail and then we lose you, Sora."

Ken was almost the one to slap Kalos at that, and Sora decided it was time for The Riot Act.

"HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT, KALOS? HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT, KNOWING THE CHANCE YOU GAVE ME AFTER I RAN AWAY FROM KALEIDO STAGE???"

"HOW CAN YOU CRUSH THAT GIRL'S DREAM SO EASILY???"

She was beginning to sob, much similarly to the day that Leon derided Layla's achievements.

"I WILL NOT LET YOU CRUSH HER DREAM WITHOUT A FIGHT!! AND IF I HAVE TO FIGHT WITH HER…"

Just then, Kalos stopped Sora with a glare and an upraised hand.

"The whole point, Sora, is that I don't want you to fight for her. I need to know what she has, and I don't think she has enough."

"Besides, if you go ahead and try The Legendary Great Maneuver with Rosetta, you will die in the attempt."

Sora then screamed: "HOW DO YOU KNOW??? YOU AREN'T THE FOOL!!! YOU AREN'T THE SPIRIT OF THE STAGE!!"

By now Sora was getting to the point of throwing a fit.

Kalos then shocked Sora with the next words: "You don't think I know of the Fool and what he demands? How do you think I knew back then what to do with Arlon? What to do with you and Layla?? How to prepare all of you??"

Ken: "So you can see The Spirit of the Stage too??"

Kalos: "No. Not necessarily. But I do believe I know what he demands."

Sora, now quieter but resolute with anger: "You have no clue."

Kalos, offended: "What????"

Sora, again: "You have no clue. Do you remember how close we were to the day of the performance when the Fool finally told us about the Maneuver?? Do you realize that it was only when we told him that we were not afraid of failing nor death that he told us the Maneuver?"

Ken: "We were all there, except for Yuri…"

Sora: "I am sorry for the disrespect, but I will say this again: I will not be an accessory to crushing people's dreams. I learned how bad that was in Paris in the competition. And I won't do it."

Kalos: "It won't be yours to do."

Sora: "You asked me if I wanted a party before I left, and I said to you that I wanted to keep things quiet. I changed my mind. I want that party; the night before I leave. And there, I will have words for Rosetta, words for the cast, and words for you."

Kalos: "What, you quitting on us??"

Sora: "No, though if I come back and you're this unreasonable... You'll find out what I have to say when the time comes."

Kalos, leaving and rather disgusted with the entire situation: "Do what you want."

Sora then slumped. "Why is he doing this?", she asked.

"I have no idea.", Ken responded. "If he cared for you so much, he would understand that you know better than anyone else here what Rosetta means to you, and about her capabilities."

Sora: "It's not that. I think he doesn't think Rosetta can do it. And that's why I want to say what I am going to say at that party. I'm just going to need a few days to get it down."

Ken: "And one more thing: Are you going to write me every week?"

Sora: "You bet. See you, Ken…"

With that, the two waved at each other and walked off.

Last Night Before Sora's Departure and Three Days Before the Show Announcement -- Kaleido Stage Practice Room

Sora's Going-Away Party

The room had been decked out in angels and light. The tech crew, with nothing to do until Mia unveiled the show next Monday, spent the last 12 hours decorating the room in honor of Sora, The Angel's Maneuver, and the Era of Light.

Many of the understudies and trainees were already there as night was falling. Word had gotten out that Sora would say something to everybody before she left, and everyone looked for her for the better part of the evening.

Rosetta, who had finally been "convinced" (more like "not given a choice" by Ken nor Kate, the troupe's main doctor) to relinquish the room and take a deserved break, was late, as she was sleeping for the better part of that Friday. Marathon training sessions, with Kate watching like a hawk for any sign of injury or over-strain, were the norm. People were waiting to see what Mia and Kalos had planned for her, but this was not the night for that.

Anna was already in rare form. She basically had suckered Ken into being the straight man for her comedy routine again, much to Ken's disgust. Marion and Jonathan, Anna's two biggest fans, laughed the hardest of all.

Sarah was singing at the piano, being played by a series of trainees.

May was separated from the main group -- Yuri and Leon were with her. They were talking about something, but no one really wanted to get in their way.

But the whole room stopped when Sora came in…

It was truly as if a new light had entered the room. Given a white sundress for the occasion by Mia (who entered with her, but said nothing of the show -- Kalos' orders), she looked radiant. Ken almost fell over into the punch bowl. A rousing round of applause came up from the group.

Sora thanked the crowd and scanned for Rosetta. When she didn't find her, she asked Mia to find her, who, rather surprisingly, refused. Kalos had given her instructions that she was not to have any contact with Rosetta before announcing the show and what Rosetta (and the rest of the cast) was going to be doing. She made it clear that it was fortunate that Kalos even allowed her here -- and that was as a favor to Sora.

So, Sora quickly excused herself and left.

Fifteen Minutes Later -- Heading to Rosetta's Dorm Room

Once Sora got out of eye-shot of the party, she could let go of the façade and began sprinting back to the dorms. Once she got there, she caught her breath for a moment and knocked on Rosetta's door.

Nothing.

She tried again, calling out to her this time.

Still nothing. Sora feared the worst -- that Kalos had forced her to quit and flee to Paris in all the commotion over her party and the new show.

Then, she heard something. Someone was coming toward the door softly -- someone who then opened the door.

An exhausted Rosetta Passel was waiting for Sora.

Rosetta, weakly: "Sora, you look beautiful… Is this a dream??"

Rosetta rubbed her eyes.

Sora: "No. We have the party right now, remember??"

With that, Rosetta's eyes flew open with a start. "Oh my God!", she said. "How long have I been asleep??"

Sora: "I don't know. But I need you at that party. I have some things I have to say to you, but they have to be at the party with everyone present. I'll see you in about an hour."

And, with a hug, the two parted, and Sora headed back to the party.

Forty Minutes After That -- Back at the Practice Facility

Front Door

Sora took her time getting back -- she was not only collecting her thoughts, but her emotions as well.

Of course, most of that went straight out the window when she saw Kalos standing alone at the front door. He was just about to go in, but seeing Sora stopped him. Moreover, he knew exactly where the Guest of Honor had gone, and had only one question for Sora.

Kalos: "So she quit, right??"

Sora shot him an angry glance and said nothing. An eerie nothingness fell between them, and quickly spread over the entire facility.

The music stopped.

The comedy routines stopped.

Even Marion and Jonathan's laughing stopped.

Sora quickly strode off to the restroom to collect her thoughts, stopping only to tell Anna to notify her when Rosetta showed up.

Ten minutes later, she got the word: Rosetta was here.

With that, she quietly strode to the front of the room. Although the room was made for a very "warm" reception, the chilly nature of the entire situation had fallen over the group, the party, and, it seemed, all of Kaleido Stage.

And with that, Sora stood up and said the following:

"To my friends, to the people who perform with me, and to all the people at Kaleido Stage, I thank you for this party."

"I know this has been a very difficult two weeks for us all here at Kaleido Stage. A new production is being mounted, and all of us are on pins and needles as to what it will be."

"… Even those of us who will not be here to perform it nor see it."

"I told Kalos that I had something to say to you, to him, and to Rosetta."

"I'll start with you. My time at Kaleido Stage has been a blessed time. Performing with you all is a dream that I never could've envisioned, even in my wildest dreams, as a child, of performing at Kaleido Stage."

"Anna, your jokes make me laugh."

"Mia, your ideas give me inspiration."

"Marion, your smile gives me hope for the future."

"Sarah, your songs soothe our hearts."

"May, your passion drives us to new heights." (With that, May blushed.)

"Leon, I am honored to fulfill your lifelong wish."

"Yuri, I am also honored to have brought you peace on Kaleido Stage."

"Kate, your expertise has saved more than one performance, and now you will be called on to save many more."

"Layla couldn't be here tonight, but she knows how I feel about her and her help, on so many levels."

"And to all the rest of you, your love and dedication mean so much to me, and to Kaleido Stage."

"Arigato. Thank you so very, very much!"

With that, the place erupted in applause. It was almost the type of applause that Layla would envision: it made even those giving it tremble. After a moment, Sora silenced the crowd with a hand.

"So now I want to say something to our Boss, Kalos."

At that, it got quiet -- except for a murmur that expected an explosion.

"You asked me if I was going to quit Kaleido Stage in protest of how you are approaching this next production. I, well, might…"

A gasp came up over the crowd as they thought that the Kaleido Star might be announcing her retirement.

"As I told you, if you continue to be this unreasonable…"

At that, Kalos stood up and stopped her.

Kalos: "Unreasonable?? You are calling me unreasonable? Honestly, I'm beginning to think I am going to lose you one way or the other. I'm either going to lose you to you quitting -- again -- or you and Rosetta are going to get yourselves killed on this half-brained idea of doing The Legendary Great Maneuver which Rosetta has."

It was the second time that the entire cast had, now, known of Rosetta's desire to perform the LGM with Sora. The reaction was as the first time -- predictable shock -- but Sora then stood tall and continued.

Or, at least she would've, if an eerie calm hadn't taken over the room. Distant singing could be heard again, and the Fool made himself apparent.

To everyone!!

The Fool sighed an exasperated sigh and spoke to the entire group.

"I usually don't do this. I usually only make myself known to those chosen by the Stage. I am taking a huge chance for doing what I am about to do. By revealing myself to all of you, I run the risk of grave danger and might be rendered unable to do the work for which I am here."

"But the present circumstances require it. First, to introduce. I am The Spirit of the Stage. There are those who call me The Fool. I have been guiding Sora's career as a mentor and a friend…"

Sora whispered to herself: "And a pervert…"

The Fool continued: "And now the stage has chosen Rosetta Passel as the next to pursue her dream of being a Kaleido Star next to Sora."

"Things had been going slowly, but smoothly, over the last several months, but now there is a source of undue interference."

With that, the Fool turned to Kalos…

"You can see me now, so that there is no mistake. The only reason you could know of what to build for Arlon's failed attempt and Sora and Layla's successful attempt was because I had qualified Arlon too soon and he told you what it would take. And remember, it was the doubt that you, Kalos, put into his mind for which the attempt failed."

"Don't fall into the same trap that Yuri had, and lose what Kaleido Stage has meant to all of these people. Not all have been chosen, but all are capable. Including Rosetta. I am the one who will eventually decide whether Rosetta and Sora will perform the Maneuver, and not you."

"If the day comes that Sora and Rosetta wish to try to be qualified for the Manuever, I will see to it that they are tested. You will do as before."

With that stiff rebuke, Kalos left angrily.

"Well, he has made his feelings known. With that, Sora, continue with Rosetta…"

Sora then smiled.

"Thank you. Rosetta, come here…"

To which Rosetta did and put her arm around Sora, who reciprocated.

The tears then flowed freely as Sora said:

"Rosetta, I love you as a partner, a trusted friend, and a great ally. It would be my honor to see you succeed if given the opportunity to do so. I look forward to positive results.

"To the rest of you: I have faith in Rosetta, and I ask that you do the same. She will need all of us to get through this test, and what will lie beyond it. Rosetta has been a great friend and a great inspiration to us all -- and I will NOT let Kalos just stomp all over that, nor her dreams. I ask all of you to do the same."

To which the one set of dry eyes in the place walked up.

Leon: "You can be sure of it. It's the least I can do for you fulfilling my lifelong promise."

Sora thanked Leon sincerely.

Leon continued: "Rosetta, you will be sternly tested, and I will hold you to that as Kalos will. But the moment he crosses the line -- and I suspect he will for his reasons -- we will be there for you."

Rosetta: "Thank you, Leon…"

With that, the entire group came forward to offer Sora their best wishes and Rosetta their regards.

The next day, only Ken and Rosetta joined Sora at the airport to see her off. The practice room was locked, as Rosetta was ordered to rest. The next couple of months were going to be Hell on Earth for the Diabolo Prodigy.