It was a beautiful evening in Daredevil City. And right on this evening, many guests had gathered for the latest circus show at the arena of the Ringmasters Training Academy. And in the tent backstage, where all the performers were getting ready, Sana, Rey, Krystal, Prince, Neil, and Heer were all getting ready to perform.
“I can’t believe they put my Bollywood circus show on hold,” Krystal said. “And instead, they decided to let Aster Rhodes do his ‘Angel Meets Devil’ concept. And how is it he makes Rey and Sana the leads?!”
“First off, your show got postponed since you got detention,” Sana told Krystal.
“Second, Aster’s concept for his show is actually very unique,” Prince added.
“And third, obviously I’m cool enough to be the lead with my good looks and charming personality!” Rey exclaimed as he looked in the mirror, fixing his hair.
“Rey, don’t act so high and mighty just because I made you the lead of my show,” Aster told Rey as he came by, dressed in his white and black ringmaster outfit.
“Oh…hello, Aster,” Heer greeted.
“Hello, Heer,” Aster returned the greeting. “Now is everyone ready?”
“We’re all ready,” Neil replied.
“I need to ask. Why did you make Sana the lead for your show when Tina is your partner?” Krystal asked.
“I know you’re envious, Krystal…but jealousy is not a healthy thing,” Aster said. “Tina is out sick, so I picked the second prettiest girl in the school to be the angel of my show.”
Aster came up to Sana, who was all dressed up in an angelic white dress with sparkles all over it. “You look lovely, Sana,” Aster said.
“Are you saying I’m not pretty enough to play the lead?!” Krystal exclaimed.
“There’s no use of conversing with you, Krystal,” Aster shook his head. “Now everyone, get ready! The show is going to begin soon!”
With that, Aster left while the performers got ready to take the stage. “What’s with you?” Neil asked Rey, seeing that Rey had an unpleasant expression on his face.
“Did you see that?! He was flirting with Sana! What a chump!” Rey exclaimed.
“And why do you care?” Prince asked.
“Forget it! Let’s just do the show!” Rey said as he walked off while Prince and Neil shook their heads and followed.
***
Once all the guests were seated, the lights in the arena went out. And then, a small spotlight came on, which shined upon Aster, who came forth onto the stage. “Ladies and gentlemen…welcome to the Ringmasters Training Academy’s circus show,” Aster greeted the audience. “I am Aster Rhodes, your ringmaster for the evening. Please enjoy the show!”
The audience clapped as Aster then drew out his wand and waved before the stage with melodious music playing as ten performers came onto the stage, all dressed in white costumes that resembled angels. Among the group included Sana, Krystal, and Heer. Sana, Krystal, and Heer entered onto the stage with two other performers by flowing white-colored aerial silks, while the other five performers had cartwheeled their way onto the stage. Once all ten had come together, long white fabrics came down upon them which they used as scarves to spin around while dancing in sync.
As they all danced, Aster came onto the stage, looking at all of them and then drawing his wand to the right of the stage, where ten other performers entered, dressed in black cloaks with hoods that had red devil horns to make them resemble devils. Rey, Prince, Neil, and two other performers entered through the use of a trapeze while the other five rushed onto the stage in running motion. The angel performers looked on in terror and made their way away from the devil performers, using the aerial silks. Seeing them run off in fear, the devil performers cackled as they made their way out. Only Rey was left. But he turned, seeing Sana on the ground, turned away from Rey. Rey slowly walked towards Sana, while Sana showed fear. Rey kneeled, trying to get closer to Sana while she was too scared to turn. Rey then touched her shoulder, turning her towards him, while he looked at her innocent face.
The two of them stood, looking into each other’s eyes before the audience. Sana then moved away in fear, but Rey held her hand and brought her towards him. The two of them then grabbed hold of an aerial hoop, which came down before them. As the hoop spun around, Sana and Rey held each other’s hands as they let their legs hold onto the hoop, forming a perfect aerial shape which made the audience clap. Once the hoop came down, the two cartwheeled off of the hoop and looked at each other, acting like lovers as part of the act.
That was when the angel and devil performers came in on a trapeze and surrounded Sana and Rey in anger. The angel performers grabbed hold of Sana, taking her away on the aerial silk, while Rey spun on another aerial silk, fighting off the devil performers. Sana, who was still being held by the angel performers, freed herself, coming down onto the stage by the aerial silk. Seeing her come down, the angel performers followed her towards the stage, while Rey stopped fighting off the devil performers once he saw Sana come towards him. She stepped towards him and upon seeing her, he removed his hood with the devil horns. And then, the two embraced while the other performers watched on in silence. The guests stood up in applause while the performers got together on stage as Aster came. They all bowed before the audience.
“Thank you for enjoying the show! Good night!” Aster told the audience and then exited with the performers off stage.
Once they all went backstage in the tent, Aster said, “Good job everyone. The show was fantastic.”
As the performers went to change, Sana sat down at her chair and started taking off her jewelry. Just then, Krystal and Heer came towards her.
“Even though I wanted to be the lead, you were looking beautiful out there,” Krystal told Sana.
“Thanks, Krystal,” Sana said.
“She’s right. You and Rey stole the show,” Heer said. “Everything seemed so real.”
“Real?” Sana said, confused.
“Real as in real looking chemistry,” Krystal said.
“We were acting. Aster’s concept made everything seem real,” Sana said.
“Really? So, that’s all?” Krystal asked, smirking. “Just acting?”
“Krystal, you’re crazy,” Sana said. “I’m going to go change.”
Sana got up and headed to the dressing room while Krystal and Heer both chuckled. And on the other hand, Rey was taking off his gloves along with Prince and Neil. He looked in the mirror and said, “Now that’s what you call a star! I rocked it man! If it wasn’t for the academy, I’d be heading for the movies by now.”
“Yeah, yeah. We get it, superstar,” Neil said. “Sana was pretty good too. In fact, you both looked great together up there.”
“That’s what great acting is all about!” Rey exclaimed. “Hollywood is going to want me at some point!”
“You sure it was all just acting?” Neil asked.
“Shut up, Neil! I’m gonna go change!” Rey said as he headed off to the dressing room.
“You know what I mean, right?” Neil asked Prince.
“I do,” Prince replied. “Not sure why you have to care though.”
***
The next day, early in the morning at Ringmasters Training Academy, Aiden was walking in the halls of the academy, heading towards Headmaster Devil’s office. Once he got to the office, he opened the door and entered inside. Before he could say anything, he stalled, seeing Headmaster Devil with a lady standing by, who had long curly black hair and wore a short, white mini dress. While the two were obviously paying attention to each other, Aiden cleared his throat to get their attention. Headmaster Devil and the lady turned to Aiden.
“Oh, it’s you! Must kids always come in at the wrong time!” Headmaster Devil exclaimed. “Angel, I’ll see you tonight for the party.”
“No problem, Devil,” Angel smiled. “Bye.”
With that, the lady, Angel, left the office. Aiden came towards Headmaster Devil and said, “Angel?”
“It’s been a rough time for me. Every devil needs an angel in their life.”
“It still makes me wonder how you’re the headmaster of this school.”
“Come to the point, Aiden! What do you want?”
“My detention went pretty well.”
“Ah yes. It seems you were able to test them in a smooth fashion.”
“Yes. However, I believe some special training needs to be done with them.”
“Special training? For all of them?”
“As of now, I want to try it out with two of them…Sana and Rey.”
“Oh yes. You have discussed this with me before. But are you sure you want to take the next step with them?”
“Absolutely. Especially because those two may be in great danger.”
“What do you mean?”
“I have examined all the documents that the group found at Droh’s house. And there are a couple which appeared to be DNA reports related to a tiger. Now I may not know how Droh got these reports, but I have a strong feeling he is after Rey.”
“Rey? What could he want with that boy?”
“I really don’t know at this point. But in such cases, I feel those two are going to need to enhance their abilities at some point if they want to efficiently protect themselves from any such threat.”
“I see. So, I guess now is the time.”
“Yes, sir. Its time they learn the art of the equilibrium.”
***
In Energy Enhancement class, Sana, Rey, Krystal, Prince, Neil, and Heer were sitting in class among other students while Professor Luna was teaching. “Okay, class. As we have discussed earlier, the enhancement of energy can only be done when full potential of the ringmaster and the human-beast are in balance,” Professor Luna said as she pointed to the board and started writing. “In order for that to happen, energy levels between the ringmaster and the human-beast must be at the same level, also known as the equilibrium.”
While Professor Luna continued her lecture, the gang were doing the following: Sana was taking down notes vigorously in her notebook, Rey was recording the lecture on his phone, Krystal was painting her nails, Prince was chewing on a candy cane, Neil was sleeping, and Heer was listening to every word of the lecture with as much attention as possible. Sana turned to her right side, seeing Rey’s phone recording the whole lecture as an audio tape.
“Are you that lazy that you can’t take proper notes?” Sana asked Rey, whispering.
“Please. That’s so old school,” Rey smirked. “Listening to this old lady in the morning is enough of a pain.”
“I actually agree with him for once,” Krystal said as she took a look at her tangerine-colored nails.
“Says the girl who’s acting like she’s in a nail salon,” Prince rolled his eyes.
“Do I hear talking?!” Professor Luna exclaimed. “Talk all you want now! When exam time comes, don’t cry to me when you get low scores!”
“Trust me. No one will,” Rey said.
“Did you say something, Rey Murgatroyd?!” Professor Luna questioned Rey.
“Nothing, ma’am! Rey didn’t say anything!” Sana exclaimed.
“Yeah I did. I said no one’s gonna cry over stupid test scores,” Rey said.
Sana could see the burning red color rise in Professor Luna’s face. She put her hand to her head. What a moron, Sana thought.
***
And with that, Professor Luna made Sana and Rey sit out of the classroom in the hall. And right there, Sana smacked Rey straight in the face and yelled, “You moron!” Rey fell to the ground with a thud.
“What the hell was that for?!”
“Because of your big fat mouth, I got kicked out of class. Me! I never get kicked out of class!”
“Oh, quit whining. I’m used to this.”
“Yeah. Because you don’t know how to follow simple rules.”
“Who cares about rules? Only teacher’s pets follow rules.”
“So being a rebel makes you some kind of hot shot?”
“Well, duh! It’s what makes me so cool! That’s why I was able to make yesterday’s show so awesome!”
“Hey, I was with you the whole time. I deserve credit as well.”
“Please! I was so good that people were asking me if it really was only acting!”
Strange, Krystal and Heer were asking me the same question, Sana thought. Why would Rey and I be asked the same thing?
“Of course, it was only acting!” Sana exclaimed.
“Yeah. I know it was,” said Rey, surprised. “Why are you overreacting?”
He’s right? Why am I overreacting? Sana wondered as she shook her head.
“Attention students of the academy,” Headmaster Devil announced over the intercom. “I hope you all remember that today is my birthday. Hence, I am welcoming all the students and faculty to a grand party tonight at the school. All must attend.”
“It’s Headmaster Devil’s birthday?” Rey asked.
“That’s right. I was going to skip the party and study, but I guess I have to go.”
“Man, you do nothing but study half the time! No wonder you’re such a bore sometimes.”
In annoyance, Sana smacked Rey in the head again, making him fall to the floor. “Unless you want a facelift, I suggest you shut up,” Sana said.
***
In the evening after classes, students were all getting ready in their dorms for the party, which was soon going to start. Especially Krystal, who was styling her hair into beautiful curls and putting on makeup at the same time. After she was done, she looked in the mirror at her long, tangerine-colored dress, which had a side strap that was tied in the back with a bow attached. She put on a pair of dangling orange bead earrings and a gold cuff bracelet. After slipping into her tangerine-colored pumps, she took a final look in the mirror, winking at herself.
“Perfect! Just perfect! I’m all matching! Everything is coordinating!” Krystal exclaimed. “I am so ready for this party!”
At that moment, there was a knock on Krystal’s door. “It’s Heer,” Heer said from outside.
“Come in!” Krystal replied. Heer opened the door and entered inside Krystal’s room. She was dressed in a floor-length off-the-shoulder dress in baby blue, a white pearl necklace around her neck, pearl earrings on her ears, a pearl bracelet on her wrist, and silver heels.
“Wow, Heer. You look pretty as ever!” Krystal exclaimed upon seeing Heer.
“Thanks. You look lovely yourself, Krystal.”
“I know. My father sent me this dress a few days ago. It’s custom made. Very expensive.”
“Have you seen Sana around?”
“No. She’s probably still getting ready in her room. Let’s go see her. We can go together to the party.”
Krystal and Heer walked down the hall to Sana’s room, knocking on the door. “Come in,” Sana said from inside.
Krystal and Heer entered the room and looked at Sana with shocked faces. Sana was dressed in a long-sleeved black dress that had a turtle neck and she tied her hair up in a bun. She turned around to both Krystal and Heer and Krystal said, “What the hell are you wearing?!”
“Sana, I usually like to be supportive, but even I have to agree with Krystal,” Heer said.
“What?” Sana asked. “Is it weird?”
“You’re going to a party. Not a funeral!” Krystal exclaimed. “What were you thinking?!”
“Well, I don’t have any dresses. Most of my formal clothes are at home,” Sana said.
“It’s always that long black trench-coat with the red collars that you hog around all the time! I’m surprised it’s not dirty yet,” Krystal said.
“Hey!” Sana exclaimed.
“Whatever,” said Krystal. “There’s no way you’re going out like that! Heer, get her into her closet!”
“No! Wait! Come on! This is not needed!” Sana pleaded as Heer got Sana inside of her closet. “Come on, guys!”
“Heer, wait over here! I’m going to go get some things from my EFA!” Krystal told Heer.
“What’s an EFA?” Heer asked.
“Emergency Fashion Aid kit!” Krystal replied.
***
Later on, at the ballroom of the academy, students and faculty had arrived for the celebrations. Already in attendance were Rey, Prince, and Neil who were all dressed in nice looking suits. Rey wore a black suit, gray dress shirt, red tie, and black oxfords. Prince wore a navy blue suit, white dress shirt, midnight blue bowtie, and navy blue dress shoes. And Neil wore a tuxedo with matching black dress shoes.
“Really? A tux?” Rey said to Neil.
“What?! A tux can be worn practically anywhere!” Neil exclaimed.
“This party is so pointless,” Prince said as he took a sip from a glass of fruit punch.
“At least we get good food,” Rey said as he took a chicken appetizer from a waiter’s tray and popped it in his mouth.
“Look, Rey! Have some orange juice!” Neil chuckled as he held a glass of orange juice before Rey.
“Get that disgusting crap out of my face!” Rey shouted.
“To hell with the drama,” Prince said.
“Oh look! Heer’s here with the others,” Neil pointed out.
Rey, Prince, and Neil looked ahead to see Sana, Krystal, and Heer had arrived along with other girls from the girls’ dorm. As the guys saw the three girls, Rey’s eyes were on Sana. Sana was no longer wearing the long black gown that Krystal had bashed earlier. She wore a sparkly red floor-length gown with a black sash wrapped around the waist that had diamond embroidery on it, along with black pumps. Her hair was tied back in a bun with a rose pin in place to hold it up. Is that really Sana? Rey wondered, unable to believe his eyes.
Sana, Krystal, and Heer came up to Rey, Prince, and Neil. Krystal looked at Prince and said, “Prince! What the hell are you wearing?!”
“A suit,” Prince replied. “What else?”
“What happened to that tangerine-colored suit I gave you to wear?” Krystal asked.
“You really think I’d be caught dead wearing that ugly thing?” Prince said.
“How dare you?! That was custom made in Belgium!” Krystal exclaimed. “Just look! Your navy blue suit is clashing with my tangerine dress! How many times do I have to explain to you to coordinate with the colors that I tell you to wear! No one will know we’re partners unless we wear matching colors!”
“To hell with the drama,” Prince said.
“Sana, I’m surprised to see you in the dressy look,” Neil told Sana.
“That was all Krystal’s idea,” Heer said.
“I had to save her from that atrocity of a gown she was going to wear!” Krystal exclaimed. “So, I found the only thing in my Emergency Fashion Aid kit that would suit her.”
“You have an Emergency Fashion Aid kit?” Neil asked Krystal.
“Of course,” Krystal answered. “I have to save fashion victims when necessary.”
“That doesn’t surprise me,” Prince said as he took another sip from his glass of fruit punch.
“Um…I’m gonna go out to the balcony. I’ll see you guys later,” Sana said as she headed off.
“That’s weird. What’s wrong with Sana?” Heer asked.
“She didn’t even talk to you,” Neil said to Rey.
Without saying a word, Rey headed off, following Sana as she made her way towards the balcony.
***
On the other hand, outside of the academy, trouble was brewing. On top of the academy building roof, Droh, Runa, and Madame Naga had appeared in a puff of gray smoke.
“Do you sense anything?” Madame Naga asked Droh.
“It’s quite a party in there,” Droh said.
“Exhilarating,” Madame Naga said. “Then it looks like we’ll have to spice up the entertainment a bit.”
“What are we doing?” Runa asked Droh and Madame Naga.
“Oh little Runa,” Madame Naga exclaimed as she grabbed hold of Runa’s face. “We’re just going to pay the headmaster a visit. It is his birthday after all.”
Madame Naga looked down, seeing Headmaster Devil’s current girlfriend, Angel walking with another man into the school. She was ready to commence with her plan.
***
Outside at the balcony, Sana was standing by, looking at the night sky as she took a deep breath. “That breeze feels nice,” Sana said. “It’s good to get away for a little bit to take things off my mind.”
“Take what off your mind?” a voice asked. Sana was startled as she turned to see Rey had come by.
“Rey! What are you doing here?”
“I just came to check on you.”
“Check on me? Why?”
“What’s up with you? You’ve been acting up since this morning.”
“Nothing! It’s nothing!”
“Anyways…I gotta say…you look nice tonight.”
“I do?”
“Yeah. At least a notch better than usual.”
“I wish I could be flattered, but thanks anyway.”
“But something is really off.”
“What?”
“You don’t look like Sana.”
“What are you talking about?!”
“The dress is fine. But there’s something that isn’t you.”
“I don’t have time for this! I’m going back inside!”
As Sana turned to leave, Rey grabbed hold of her hand, stopping her from leaving. She turned around, looking at him. He moved his hand before her hair and removed the rose pin, allowing the bun to come loose, letting her hair down against her shoulders.
“What are you-“
Before Sana could even finish talking, Rey moved strands of her hair out of her face, moving a lock of hair over her shoulder. “There,” Rey said. “Now you look like Sana. Don’t wear your hair tied up. It makes you look like a seventy-year old granny.”
Sana was both surprised and annoyed. But she had to admit she much preferred her hair loose than tied up.
“Are you gonna stand here or do you plan to come in?” he asked.
Sana nodded, following Rey back inside the ballroom. Once they came back in the ballroom, they caught up with the rest of the gang, who were all eating snacks from the snack table. Just then, Angel came along with the man she was escorted with, and went up to Headmaster Devil, giving him a hug.
“You look lovely as usual,” Headmaster Devil told Angel.
“Oh, Devil! You never fail to flatter me,” Angel said. “This is Ben Stallion, an acquaintance of mine.”
Headmaster Devil turned to Angel’s friend. He was a sharp looking fellow with short, smooth blond hair and was dressed in a black suit ensemble.
“Oh please, just call me Stallion,” The man greeted Headmaster Devil. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“The pleasure is mine,” Headmaster Devil responded. “Glad you were able to join us.”
“Oh trust me…we’re very glad,” Stallion smirked.
Stallion kicked Headmaster Devil in the abdomen, making him fall to the ground. The students and faculty turned around, seeing their headmaster had been assaulted.
“What is the meaning of this?!” Professor Luna questioned Stallion.
Angel grinned as she came up to Headmaster Devil, looking down upon him. “I’m sorry, Devil. I’m not the angel you were expecting. It was fun while it lasted though,” Angel told Devil. “Stallion!”
Stallion then drew out a wand and tapped it to transform it into a semi-automatic pistol. He held the pistol directly at Headmaster Devil. “Now, Devil…tell us where the key is!” Stallion ordered.
“Ha! You think that just because you got me down on the ground that I’m vulnerable now?” Headmaster Devil said. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Very well,” Stallion said as he fired the pistol, releasing energy beams that turned into straps trapping Headmaster Devil to the ground.
Angel went ahead and went through the pockets of Headmaster Devil’s suit. She then found another pocket right in the back of his suit, and drew out a golden key.
“Thanks, Devil,” Angel said as she handed the key to Stallion.
“Sorry to crash the party everyone. But we have a job to do,” Stallion spoke to everyone in the ballroom. “Now!” Angel transformed into the form of a dark beast. She took upon the form of a dark horse. Stallion then mounted on Angel’s back and Angel took off with great speed out of the ballroom.
“They’re getting away!” Sana shouted.
“We can’t just stand here! We have to do something!” Neil exclaimed.
“Question is where are they going?” Heer asked.
“I have a good idea,” a voice said.
The gang turned around to see Aiden come to them. “Professor Galloway,” Sana said.
“Don’t call him that! He’s literally the same age as us!” Neil told Sana.
“What do you know about them?” Rey asked Aiden.
“I know where they’re heading. We don’t have time to talk. We’ll do it on the way. I want all of you to come with me right now!” Aiden ordered.
“You’re kidding?” Prince said.
“And just when I was enjoying the party!” Krystal exclaimed.
“We’re coming,” Sana said.
“Follow me!” Aiden told the gang. “Professor Luna, you know what to do. This is a school emergency. Seal off the ballroom so no one can get in.”
“Will do,” Professor Luna agreed.
Aiden led the gang out of the ballroom while Professor Luna pressed a button on the wall near the ballroom entrance, which activated a force field that protected the ballroom from anyone coming inside.
“They got the key,” Droh told Madame Naga as the trio remained on the rooftop outside.
“Excellent,” Madame Naga said. “Now we can have some fun.”
Copyright © 2021 Meryl T
All rights reserved. All illustrations created by Meryl T.
The Ringmasters Society 