Backstage the air was thick with perfume, nerves, and the clatter of high heels on tile. Stylists buzzed like bees, tugging at fabric, fixing curls, whispering last minute reminders. The curtain trembled with the bass of the arena beyond. The roar of thousands was muffled but still shook the bones of the girls waiting in line.
The announcer's voice exploded across the stadium, rolling like thunder.
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, lovers of beauty and seekers of glory, welcome! Tonight you are about to witness not just a fashion show, not just a contest, but a revelation of goddesses! And to begin this sacred chaos, I present to you the one who is gentle, who is radiant, who will melt your hearts with her very blush… Lika!"
Lika's breath caught in her throat. She trembled, feet frozen to the floor. Behind her, Molly stepped forward quickly and hugged her from behind, arms wrapping around her waist in a protective grip.
"Devour that runway, sweetheart. I am right here with you. I will not let you fall," Molly whispered, lips close to her ear.
Lika's cheeks burned pink. "Molly… do I really look beautiful to you?"
Molly chuckled, squeezing her tighter. "Beautiful? No, Lika, you are stunning. You are breathtaking. You are mine to cheer for. Now go out there and devour that runway."
Lika turned her head slightly, gave a timid smile. "Yes. Thank you, Molly. Thank you so much."
The announcer's words boomed again, louder now. "Ladies and gentlemen, let the screams rise! Lika, our angel of light!"
The curtain drew aside. The crowd gasped as if heaven had opened.
Lika stepped out carefully, her posture stiff, her eyes straight ahead. She was blushing hard but forced herself to keep moving. Every step made the audience lean forward.
From her throne above, Ortus tilted her head, curiosity lighting her cold features. "Not bad at all. Cute and graceful," she murmured, her lips curving in the faintest smile.
The crowd roared and chanted. "Oooooh, little angel! Angel! Angel!"
At the end of the runway Lika turned back timidly. Her knees almost gave out, but then her eyes caught movement at the curtain. Molly peeked out, winked at her with a mischievous smile.
Without thinking, Lika blew her a kiss.
The arena erupted. Screams rose to a fever pitch. "Sexy! Wow! Kiss her again!"
Ortus herself blinked in surprise, then laughed softly. "Adorable."
The announcer was red in the face, his voice cracking with excitement. "Ladies and gentlemen, that was Lika! What a woman, what sweetness, what grace! A kiss for the ages! Who knew shy angels could be this deadly? Now, prepare yourselves for our second darling of the night… the wild and unstoppable Molly!"
Backstage, Lika grabbed Molly's hands with trembling fingers. "Molly, give it everything, princess."
She leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
Molly's heart thumped. She blushed, grinning wide. "What a boost. Thank you, Liku."
She rolled her shoulders, adjusted her purple dress, and strode out with confidence blazing. One hand on her hip, head tilted like she owned the world.
The crowd gasped at her sudden speed. In a blink she was at the end of the runway.
"What just happened?!" someone screamed.
The announcer dropped his jaw. "I… I… what the hell?"
Molly smirked at the stunned faces. "I am not a model. I just want to finish this fast."
And then she leapt. Three perfect backflips, heels flashing in the lights, hair spinning like a ribbon. She landed with the grace of a gymnast.
The arena went insane. "What?! Who does that on a runway?!"
Before anyone recovered she teleported back behind the curtain, standing tall with a grin.
The announcer threw his arms in the air. "Well, my friends, I am not sure if that was fashion or the Olympics, but it was unforgettable! Molly, you are a storm! Judges, good luck with that! Next up, prepare yourselves for something truly magical. Clara is almost ready!"
Backstage, Clara sat calmly with lipstick in hand. She was still naked, her skin glowing under the lights. Piper walked up, folding her arms.
"Clara, you are still not dressed. What will you do, walk out there like a queen in nothing?"
Clara's lips curled in a calm smile. "I will weave my own dress. I cannot wear ordinary clothes. My fabric is magic."
She smoothed on glittering pink lipstick and then glanced at Piper.
"Piper, your blue look is perfect. Blue dress, blue hair, blue eyes. You are a water princess."
Piper rolled her eyes, tugging at the bodice of her dress. "That was the card I was given. But see this? The lipstick is still black. I cannot stand anything else. And this thing crushes my chest. I am a D cup, Clara. Sometimes I envy you. You do not have to deal with this."
Clara laughed softly and stood. Golden sparks gathered around her body. In a flash they formed a radiant yellow gown, revealing yet elegant, glowing like sunlight.
Piper's mouth fell open. "Wow. Clara… why are you not like this all the time?"
"Because it drains me. I cannot hold it every day." Clara leaned close, touching her cheek. "Wish me luck. And for the record, I adore your black lipstick."
She pressed her lips gently to Piper's.
Piper's eyes widened, then closed as she kissed back, pulling her tight.
Clara pulled away with a playful grin. "Sweet. But after the show, more kisses. Right now I must go."
Piper licked her lips, dazed. "That was… sweet."
The announcer's voice thundered. "Clara! Golden light on two legs! Give her your love!"
Clara strode onto the stage, bathed in yellow energy. The crowd lost their minds. "Who is she? She is the sun!"
Ortus leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "I never liked her. But damn… she knows how to be sexy."
Clara met her gaze boldly and winked. Ortus stiffened.
"What is she doing?"
Clara turned gracefully, kissed both her hands, and sent the kiss to the crowd. The audience roared. Some threw flowers, some fainted.
She reached the announcer, leaned down, and kissed his cheek. He turned red as a tomato.
The announcer stammered. "Clara just gave us a show to remember! Ladies and gentlemen, this stage is burning hotter than the sun itself!"
Backstage Clara returned as her magic gown dissolved, leaving her bare. She spotted Kuina in pink glitter and green hair.
"Kuina… is that you? You look beautiful."
Kuina sighed. "Thank you. But I only want to finish this nonsense."
Clara kissed her cheek softly. "You will manage, darling."
Kuina turned and found Yasmin standing nearby, dark skin glowing, blonde curls bouncing, gray dress hugging her shoulders, red lipstick shining.
"You look good, Yasmin. I just wanted to wish you luck."
Yasmin smiled shyly. "Thank you. I know it is strange that I am here instead of Kylie. She did not want to."
Kuina gave her a half smile. "It is fine. It is not your fault."
The announcer's voice hit a fever pitch. "And now… the one and only goddess, the woman of destiny, the storm in human form… Kuina Tyorkin!"
Kuina rolled her eyes. "Here we go."
The curtain opened.
The stadium went silent.
Then came the roar. People screamed, fainted, held their heads.
Kylie, watching from a high window, pressed her hand to her chest. "Kuina… I will faint. You are radiant."
Kuina walked with one hand on her waist, chin high. She looked to the side, caught Kylie's wink. She smiled with the corner of her mouth.
"The crowd wants a show. Fine. Let us break routine."
She blew a kiss. The crowd lost control. She turned, blew another. Medics rushed to aid fans who had collapsed.
Ortus flushed red. "She… she… I did not expect this. Incredible."
Kuina looked again for Kylie, but the window was empty. Her smile faded. Behind the curtain she finally found her peeking. Relief softened her face.
The announcer nearly shouted himself hoarse. "That was Kuina Tyorkin, the goddess of the night! My friends, she is not walking a runway. She is rewriting the law of beauty itself!"
Backstage Kuina stormed up to Kylie. "You were at the window. How are you here now?"
Kylie's eyes shimmered with sorrow. "Kuina, I cannot wait any longer. Come with me. Somewhere quiet. We need to talk."
"Why now, Kylie? Why leave the show? What is wrong?"
"I will explain everything. Please trust me. Just come with me."
Kuina frowned, confused but resigned. "You better have an explanation."
Together they slipped through a side window and took flight, vanishing into the night.
In the stands, Mortis the unicorn stamped his hooves. "Where is Piper? Get out there, you minx! And Kuina, goddess, but calm down with those poses before I fall for you myself!"
A splash of water soaked his mane. Piper leaned from the curtain, smirking. "Relax, sweetheart."
He grumbled. "Where are my cupcakes?"
Molly waved from the other curtain with her mouth full. "Thanks, Mortis!"
"Hey! Barbie! Bring them back!"
Backstage, Mira spun in her scarlet dress, her lips blazing, curls shining brighter than fire. Molly gawked. "Mira, what word is it, Lika?"
"Beautiful?" Lika offered.
"No! Bombshell! Mira, you are my winner."
Mira laughed, kissing both their cheeks with fire. "Mwah, darlings."
The announcer cut in. "Yasmin is on stage!"
While Yasmin walked gracefully, Kuina and Kylie landed by the dungeon ruins. They sat together, silent.
"Kylie, start talking. You are scaring me."
Kylie held the tape player. "This is from ten years ago. Swear to me, Kuina. Swear you will not rage. Let me explain after."
"You have my word. Show me," Kuina said firmly.
Back in the arena Yasmin finished her turn. The announcer shouted. "And now, the princess of water, the storm in heels, Piper!"
Piper stepped out, black lipstick shining. She glanced up at the crowd and froze.
High above, in the shadows above Ortus, sat a woman draped in flowers. She smiled gently, half hidden in dim light.
Piper whispered, "What the hell… Lysia? Grandma?"
The crowd gasped. Confusion rippled through the seats.
Ortus looked up sharply, her face pale.
The woman of flowers did not move. She sat in the shadows, smiling, her presence soft yet suffocating.
The show went on.
To be continued…