It was a busy day at the Ringmasters Training Academy. For today, students were preparing for the upcoming circus show in honor of Colors Day. While this holiday originated in India, many cities and countries over the world have started celebrating this holiday over the past couple of year. It is the one day where anyone could get covered in every color of the rainbow.
In order to prepare, regular classes were cancelled so that students could focus on getting their acts ready for the big event. While many students were busy setting up the arena for the show, other students were rehearsing acts for the event. And it was in the gymnasium where Sana, Rey, Krystal, Prince, Neil, and Heer were all practicing.
“Why do you keep doing this to me, Prince?!” Krystal cried.
“Now what?” Prince asked in an annoyed tone as he chewed on a blueberry-flavored candy cane.
“I told you to wear the rainbow ensemble so we can match!” Krystal exclaimed.
“How many times do I have to say that I’m not wearing that?” Prince asked.
“You are getting on my last nerve, Prince,” Krystal said.
“Calm down, Krystal,” Sana said.
“What calm down?!” Krystal exclaimed. “I deal with this douchebag attitude every day with all the goodness in my heart and this is how I am treated?!”
“To hell with the drama,” Prince said.
“What’s up with Krystal?” Heer asked Neil. “She’s getting angrier than usual.”
“It’s a special occasion,” Neil replied.
“Would you quit whining over stupid colors? It’s annoying,” Rey told Krystal.
“Oh, shut up! I don’t give a damn about what you have to say, Rey!” Krystal shouted back at Rey.
“Rey, let’s just focus on the act,” Sana said, rolling her eyes.
Rey and Sana went to the side and Sana drew out her wand. Rey transformed into his tiger form, while Sana then tossed one of the hoops towards Rey. Rey immediately blew a blast of fire at the hoop, making it turn into a wheel of fire.
Once Sana was getting ready to toss the next wheel, she dropped it, putting her hand to her head as she began to feel dizzy. Rey then transformed back into his human form upon seeing Sana looking unsteady. “What’s wrong, Sana?” he asked. But before Sana could even answer, she passed out to the floor. The others saw her fall in shock and rushed to her along with Rey. Rey grabbed hold of Sana and called out, “Sana! Can you hear me?! Sana!”
“We should take her to the nurse immediately,” Heer told the others.
***
Later on, at the academy’s health center, Sana was taken to a room and remained unconscious while the nurse tucked her in bed with a soft, fuzzy blanket. She slowly woke up to see Rey, Krystal, Prince, Neil, and Heer surrounding her. As she tried to sit up, Rey said, “Sana, don’t get up. Just relax.”
“But I’m fine,” Sana said. “We need to rehearse.”
“Sana, you’re not feeling well,” said Neil. “Get rest.”
“Neil’s right,” Krystal agreed. “You look exhausted.”
“You’re probably still weak from that night,” Heer told Sana.
“It makes sense,” Neil agreed with Heer. “That attack really took up a lot of your energy. You should take time to recharge.”
“Are you guys sure?” Sana asked. “What about our circus show?”
“Don’t worry about it. You shouldn’t take part in the show when you’re not feeling good,” Rey told Sana. “Get some rest.”
Sana’s eyes looked down at the ground, almost as if she seemed disappointed.
“Anyways, you should stay here till tomorrow,” Krystal told Sana. “Get better,” Heer patted Sana on her shoulder and the group left, leaving Sana in the health center, who went back to bed, looking disheartened.
***
Outside of the health center, while the others had made their way down the hall, Aiden was with Headmaster Devil in a corner where the others couldn’t see them. “I see,” Headmaster Devil said. “So, you mean to say Sana used the Ring of Fire attack with Rey?”
“Yes. She managed to perfect it in one shot, which is quite impressive for using it the first time itself. But it seems the power was far too much for her.”
“I see. That’s why she’s been feeling quite tired since then.”
“I believe you know why I brought this up to you.”
“Yes. You see potential in her and Rey.”
“A lot. And it has to be utilized properly.”
“I do agree. We’ll have to discuss it after the Colors Day festivities.”
***
At rehearsals, Krystal was helping the others with their acts for the show. As she was assisting them, she noticed Rey was sitting idle near the window of the gymnasium.
“Rey! Would you get over here?” Krystal called Rey. “You’re the one who’s supposed to open tomorrow’s show anyway.”
“I don’t know,” Rey said.
“What do you not know?” Neil asked.
“I don’t know if I want to do the show tomorrow,” Rey replied.
“What?!” Krystal shouted. “I planned everything! You can’t bail out now!”
“Would you chill out for once in your life?” Prince asked Krystal, annoyed.
“I don’t need to hear anything from you, Prince,” Krystal talked back.
“Come on, guys. Calm down,” Heer said. “Rey, is something wrong?”
“I don’t know,” Rey responded. “Now that Sana can’t do the show anymore, it feels weird doing it without her. So, why should I perform?”
The others remained silent.
“I see,” Heer sighed. “It’s for the best though. Sana needs to rest up after what happened yesterday.”
“I bet there is more to it that you’re not telling us,” Krystal smirked.
“Hey, what are you talking about over there?!” Rey asked.
“Nothing, nothing. Its fine, Rey. You don’t need to do the show,” Krystal told Rey.
“Then how’s the opening for the act going to work tomorrow?” Neil asked.
“Hello! I’m a creative genius. I’ll handle it!” Krystal exclaimed. “Tomorrow’s show will be amazing when everything is in my hands!”
***
The next day, things were getting busy at the academy. All the students were getting ready for the Colors Day Circus Show. Many guests had arrived at the arena for the big event. While the students were making sure things were all set up for the show, the performers were getting ready backstage. Especially Krystal, who was getting as much makeup done as possible.
“What the hell?!” Krystal shouted at her makeup artist. “You put more orange on this eyelid than the other!”
“You said orange is your favorite color,” the makeup artist said.
“Yeah! But in order to match my rainbow outfit, my eyeshadow has to be an even rainbow on both eyes. When will you people understand anything about coordination of colors?!” Krystal cried. “Fix it now!”
“Okay, okay. Sorry,” the makeup artist apologized as she continued to do Krystal’s eyeshadow.
Prince, Neil, and Heer watched Krystal’s drama as they got themselves ready.
“Wow is the only word I can say,” said Neil.
“Now you know what I have to deal with every day,” Prince rolled his eyes as he put on his gold-colored shoes.
“I think it’s kinda cute, guys,” Heer said as she brushed her curly brown hair that now had a pink streak on it. “She’s just having her diva moment.”
“Does anyone know where Rey is?” Neil asked.
“I think he went to go see Sana,” Prince replied.
***
Inside the academy, Sana was still resting in the health center. As she tried to sit up, she was startled to see Rey enter the room.
“Rey?” Sana said as Rey came up to her, sitting by her side on the bed.
“Hey.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Seeing you. What else does it look like?”
“But you’re supposed to be getting ready for the show!”
“I decided not to do it.”
“What?!”
“You heard me. I’m not doing it.”
“But why?! You were supposed to open the show today. And you were so excited for this one.”
“True. But it’s not the same without my partner around. So, why bother?”
Sana kept silent, feeling touched. “You really didn’t have to,” Sana told Rey.
“I know. But I can be a nice guy when I want to be,” Rey said. “Speaking of which, I have something for you.”
Sana looked at Rey, confused. Rey then took out a small bowl of red holi power and he took some of it, applying it on Sana’s right cheek.
“Happy Colors Day!” Rey exclaimed.
Sana looked at Rey as Rey’s hand brushed against her cheek, coloring it with the beautiful red color. The simple gesture made her happy because she realized he cared enough to stay with her.
Rey looked back at her and said, “Are you going to say something or keep looking at me with those big eyes of yours?”
Sana then took some of the red powder from the bowl and put it on Rey’s left cheek.
“Thanks,” Sana said.
***
Outside at the arena, the guests were all seated before the arena. The show was about to begin. And so, it commenced with Krystal and Neil entering into the arena by the use of aerial silks, hanging onto them as they flew along the silk cloths and at the same time, throwing colorful powders of various colors to the audience. The audience clapped as they made their entrance, landing onto the center stage.
“Ladies and gentlemen…welcome to our Colors Day circus show,” Krystal greeted the audience. “I am Krystal D’Cruz.”
“And I am Neil Galloway,” Neil introduced.
“And we are your ringmasters for the show,” Krystal and Neil said in unison. “Enjoy.”
And the show began. As Krystal and Neil made their way off the stage, five baton twirlers along with five jugglers entered the arena in circular motion. And as they continued their respective acts, they threw their batons and balls into the air, catching them as they jumped upward in perfect sync to get them. The audience watched in amazement as they then transitioned off the stage.
As the baton twirlers and jugglers made their way off the stage, six performers entered by hand walking forward. Once they came in, Krystal came down on the trapeze, positioning her legs in the shape of a V as she came down onto the stage. Once she came down, two performers brought in a large red and white striped box. Krystal drew out her wand and tapped onto the box which opened, revealing Prince and Heer inside. Once Krystal closed the box, she tapped on it again, and that’s when it opened, revealing Prince and Heer in their beast forms, stunning the audience.
Prince and Heer then stepped out of the box, led by Krystal. And at that moment, Neil came back on the stage. Krystal and Neil then directed Prince and Heer with their wands to the center of the stage, making them sit separately. As they sat, Krystal and Neil then directed the hand walkers forward to Prince and Heer.
Next, a hand walker got on top of Prince, easily being able to maintain the balanced position on top of him as did another one did on top of Heer, which put the audience in awe. It wasn’t until the other hand walkers cartwheeled to the top and perfectly formed alignment that the audience stood and clapped as three hand walkers were lined on top of one another, each on Prince and Heer who were sitting at ease.
Once the hand walkers cartwheeled off of Prince and Heer, Krystal directed Prince forward on the stage to a series of hoops that were set up. She then took a tray of mixed holi powder and threw it in the air to which Prince let out his mighty Sonic Roar. The force of the roar sent the multi-colored powder through the hoops, creating a beautiful array of color blowing through them. The audience clapped at the beautiful sight.
And so, the other performers then came back on stage with everyone bowing down before the audience as they stood and gave a standing ovation.
“Thank you for enjoying the show,” Krystal called to the audience. “And happy Colors Day!”
As the guests started to leave, the students headed backstage to get changed. Prince and Heer had transformed back into their human forms and went to meet up with Krystal and Neil.
“Great show, guys!” Heer told the others.
“I know!” Krystal exclaimed. “Everyone loved my act! Though things would have been better if Prince had worn a matching outfit with mine.”
“Just because you’re my partner, doesn’t mean I have to match with you all the time like a lovesick married couple,” Prince said. “And that ugly orange color is never coming near me.”
“Oh, really?” Krystal said.
At that moment, Krystal went right up to Prince and then drew out orange-colored holi powder, which she splattered all over his face.
“Ha! Now I got it all over you!” Krystal exclaimed. “In your face! Hear me?! In your face!” At that moment, Krystal left victoriously, going back to remove her makeup while Prince shook his head.
“Wow, Prince,” Neil chuckled. “That’s quite a drama queen you got there.”
“To hell with the drama,” Prince said as he looked in the mirror to see his now orange-colored face.
Heer made her way out of the circus tent. As she walked out, she was startled as she saw something dark slither into the lower level of the academy. Heer rushed back inside to the others and said, “Guys!”
“What’s wrong, Heer?” Neil asked.
“I saw something get into the school,” Heer replied.
“Saw what?” Prince asked.
“If it’s a rat, the janitor will take care of it!” Krystal exclaimed.
“I think it’s a dark beast,” Heer said.
Looking at the others, Heer could tell they were more alarmed now.
“Are you sure?” Prince asked.
“Well, we will only know if we go after it,” Heer replied.
“What?! We just finished a show! There’s no way I’m risking broken nails for this!” Krystal protested.
“Oh, screw that,” Neil retorted. “I’m ready for some action.”
***
Inside the health center, Sana tried to get up from the bed, while Rey helped her stand up, holding her by her shoulders. “Take it easy, Sana,” Rey told Sana.
“I’m fine, Rey. I can manage.”
“You said that last time. You need to take care of yourself, all right?!”
“Excuse me,” a voice said. Rey and Sana were startled to see a young man arrive inside the health center. The man had a goatee, long black hair tied in a small ponytail, and wore glasses. He was dressed up in a white lab coat, blue sweater, khaki pants, and brown dress shoes.
“Uh…who are you?” Rey asked.
“My apologies. I’m Dr. Droh,” the man replied. “I’m here for your checkup.”
“Oh, okay. I guess I’ll leave then,” Rey said.
“Hold it,” Sana paused with suspicion. “I know all the doctors that work in the academy and I’ve never seen you.”
Dr. Droh stalled in sudden shock while Sana and Rey looked on. Dr. Droh then grinned and said, “Well…you’re smarter than I thought.”
Sana and Rey looked at Dr. Droh, confused. And at that moment, Dr. Droh had transformed into the form of a dark-colored crocodile with bright red eyes. The sight shocked both Rey and Sana. “What the hell?!” Rey exclaimed.
“He just turned into a dark beast!” Sana said. “But since when do dark beasts have human forms?!”
At that moment, the dark crocodile made its way toward Sana, ready to attack.
“Sana!” Rey called out as he pushed Sana out of the way, pushing her into the wall while Rey was hit by the dark crocodile’s tale. As Sana tried to get up, Rey put his arm before her, “Sana, stay down! I’ll handle it!”
“Rey! You can’t take on it without me!” Sana exclaimed.
“I’ll be fine,” Rey assured.
And so, Rey went ahead and transformed into his tiger form. The dark crocodile went ahead and attacked Rey directly, hitting him against the wall again. Outside in the hall, Krystal, Prince, Neil, and Heer were running down the halls when they heard noises from the health center.
“Prince, Heer…transform now!” Neil ordered. Prince and Heer nodded as they then transformed into their beast forms. As the four approached the door of the health center, the door was then thrown off with Rey thrown along with it down the hall.
“Rey!” Neil called out. That was when the dark crocodile emerged from the room into the hall.
“That’s a dark beast?!” Krystal asked.
“I’ve never seen one like that before!” Neil exclaimed. “Heer, hit it with an icicle attack!”
Heer immediately launched a series of icicles that formed when she emitted an ice energy beam attack from her mouth. The dark crocodile then countered with a dark energy beam attack from its mouth back at Heer.
“Quick! Move out of the way!” Neil ordered Heer. Heer jumped out of the way as the dark energy beam hit into the wall.
Inside the health center, Sana stood up, trying to make her way to Rey. The dark crocodile then saw Sana and launched another dark energy beam attack.
“Sana! Watch out!” Krystal shouted. Sana was just about to get hit until Heer pushed her out of the way in time.
“Heer, transform back and take care of Sana,” Neil ordered. Heer nodded as she transformed back into her human form and helped Sana get up, taking her into the health center.
“This is why I hate crocodiles! I guess we have to turn things up a notch!” Krystal smirked as she then drew out her wand, tapping it to transform it into her sonic bell.
“I hear you!” Neil agreed as he drew out his wand, tapping it to transform it into his bow and arrow.
Neil drew the arrow onto his bow and aimed it at the dark crocodile. Once he launched, it was ready to hit the crocodile. But before it could, the crocodile slammed the arrow with its tail, sending it back. Neil, Krystal, and Prince got out of the way as the arrow hit the wall, turning part of it into ice.
“I think it’s time you started hearing bells!” Krystal exclaimed. “Prince, use your Sonic Roar!” Prince immediately led out his roar, which launched a mighty sound wave aiming towards the dark crocodile. The dark crocodile bundled itself as it couldn’t bear the intensity of the sound. Krystal added more power by throwing her sonic bell into the ground, which intensified the sound waves further. Suddenly, the dark crocodile drew its tail in front and slammed it, sending an intense vibration that hit both Krystal and Prince. Neil went to check on them, and while doing so, the crocodile slithered its way down the railings of the stairs, disappearing.
Rey transformed back into human form, feeling a little exhausted from the attack. As he slowly got up, Neil turned to him as Krystal and Prince got up.
“You okay, Rey?” Neil asked.
“I’m fine,” Rey replied. “Where’s Sana?”
“In the health center with Heer,” Neil pointed out to which Rey rushed to the health center.
“Where did that ugly croc go?!” Krystal asked, infuriated as she looked around.
“It got away,” Prince said as he transformed back into human form. “It must’ve escaped while we were down.”
“That bastard!” Neil exclaimed.
“Good riddance! It almost ruined my outfit!” Krystal cried.
“We got beaten by some ugly crocodile and all you’re worried about is your outfit?” Prince asked.
“Yes! This costs a fortune you know!” Krystal exclaimed.
“To hell with the drama,” Prince said.
“How’s Sana?” Neil asked as he entered the health center along with Krystal and Prince.
“She’s a bit out cold,” Rey replied as he held onto Sana, trying to help her stand.
“We need to call the nurse,” Heer said.
***
After a while, the nurse came and took care of Sana in the health center. And at the same time, Headmaster Devil came along with some staff to clean up the damage in the halls from the attack.
“Headmaster Devil, we’re sorry we couldn’t take out the beast,” Heer apologized.
“Don’t be. Clearly it was more dangerous than expected,” Headmaster Devil replied.
“So what do we do about it?” Rey asked.
“I’ll look into the matter. We’ll have to investigate this a bit,” Headmaster Devil answered. “In the meantime, don’t worry. It’s Colors Day. You kids should go ahead and celebrate the festivities. All right?”
“Yes, Headmaster Devil,” Rey, Krystal, Prince, Neil, and Heer agreed in unison.
With that, Headmaster Devil walked away from the others down the hall. Something is definitely off. I’ll need to speak to Aiden about this, Headmaster Devil thought.
The nurse then stepped out of the health center and Rey was the first of the others to come up to her. “How’s Sana?” Rey asked.
“She’s fine now. I just gave her some medicine so she’ll be all right. You kids can go see her and take her out for the celebrations later,” the nurse replied.
“Thank you,” Heer nodded.
And so, Rey, Krystal, Prince, Neil, and Heer went inside the health center where Sana was sitting up in bed. “How do you feel?” Krystal asked Sana.
“A lot better. Thanks,” Sana said.
“That’s good to hear,” Heer smiled.
“What about that dark beast?” Sana asked.
“Headmaster Devil said he’ll look into what happened,” Prince replied.
“So, don’t worry about it now,” Neil told Sana. “It’s Colors Day. We should go and celebrate now.”
“Yeah, you guys are right,” Sana agreed.
“Speaking of Colors Day, when did you get color on your cheek?” Krystal inquired, referring to the red powder on Sana’s cheek.
Sana remained unusually quiet as she eyed Rey. The others then turned to Rey, astonished to see he had red powder on his cheek as well.
“What?! I just put some on for her,” Rey said. “No big deal right?”
Prince shook his head, seeing the grins on Neil, Heer, and Krystal’s faces.
“So I see…I should’ve known!” Krystal exclaimed.
“What the hell are you talking about, stupid?!” Rey shouted.
“Who are you calling stupid?!” Krystal yelled.
“Easy, Rey. Don’t get her mad,” Heer told Rey.
“Or she can do worse things to you,” Neil said.
“Too late for that! Here! Have some orange juice!” Krystal exclaimed as she grabbed a glass of orange juice from the nightstand beside Sana and shoved it in Rey’s face.
“Get that crap away from me!” Rey screamed.
“What’s the matter?!” Krystal taunted. “Afraid of some Vitamin C?!”
“Shut up! Take it away!” Rey shouted.
“Can we just go outside now?” Sana asked, rolling her eyes.
“Oh yeah we can!” Krystal exclaimed. “Let me just dump this orange juice on Rey and that’s Colors Day for you.”
“I told you to take it away!” Rey shouted.
“To hell with the drama,” Prince said.
Copyright © 2021 Meryl T
All rights reserved. All illustrations created by Meryl T.
The Ringmasters Society 