War in the Garden

Crystal

(Crystal is seen training in hand-to-hand combat with a dummy. All of a sudden, she heard rustling in the bushes.)

Roman: Boo!

(Looks around)

Roman: Huh? Where'd she go?

(Just then, he slowly turns around to see a manticore.)

Roman: AAAHHH! (starts laughing) Dang it! How'd you know?

(The manticore turns into Crystal.)

Crystal: I'd be a little more quiet in the bushes next time.

Roman: Noted. So how's it going?

Crystal: Eh, it's been alright.(annoyed) We got another fancy present from the rose kingdom thanking them for the engagement.

Roman: Hey! You'll find the courage to tell your parents eventually. But, for now, I say you enjoy the gifts! Free stuff is free stuff.

Crystal: But it doesn't feel right. They don't know that I don't actually wanna go through with it.

Roman: He doesn't either. So, maybe, you could tell them together.

Crystal: (gasp) That's it! I'll invite Zander over and we'll both tell my parents!

(She hugs him)

Crystal: You're a genius Roman!

(Runs off)

Roman: Yes!

(Cut to Crystal running through the halls to get to her room.)

King Tulip: Crystal!

(She suddenly stops in her tracks.)

Crystal: Yes, dad?

King Tulip: Come here, please!

Crystal: Ok!

(She walks into the room where her mom is sitting, drinking tea. Her dad starts pacing around the room.)

Queen Tulip: Oh! Hello, sweetie.

Crystal: What's going on?

Queen Tulip: Oh, your father received a letter from the Rose Kingdom and wouldn't tell me the contents until you arrived.

King Tulip: You must go to our meet up spot in the woods with 5 other kids to discuss some important business.

Crystal: What kind of business?

King Tulip: Boring country business, the others will explain when you get there.

Crystal: Ok?

Queen Tulip: Aw, wonderful! You'll get to see Prince Zander and spend time together!

Crystal: (unenthusiastic) Oh... yay...!

King Tulip: I have a backpack with the things you need.

Crystal: Ok, thank you. When do I leave?

King Tulip: Well, the other kids should be on their way now. So it's best to leave as soon as possible.

Crystal: What?!

King Tulip: Yes, I'm sorry. It was a very sudden order.

Crystal: I need to get going. (internally) Guess I won't get to write that letter. Well, better now in a rush than never.

(They walk her to the front door and say their goodbyes.)

Queen Tulip: Be safe and be careful.

Crystal: I will, mom.

Queen Tulip: Ok, sweetheart. Bye!

Crystal: Love you! Bye! (quickly) I don't wanna Marry Prince Zander! Anyway, I'll see you soon!

(She sprints away)

King Tulip: (In shock) Wow...

(The mood then turn serious)

Queen Tulip: We need to talk.

King Tulip: I know.

Queen Tulip: Why did you lie to our daughter, Benjamin?

(Back to Crystal)

Crystal: Roman!

Roman: Hey, Crystal.

Crystal: I have to leave for some business stuff, but I wanted to say bye first.

Roman: Oh, man. How long will you be gone?

Crystal: I'm not sure...it's somewhere out in the woods that only the royal families know about.

Roman: Interesting...well I'll be waiting for you. Don't forget that i'll get you back the next time we see each other!

(She give him a kiss on the cheek)

Crystal: I know, I can't wait.

(And walks away)

Roman: YEAH! WOOO! FINALLY!

(Crystal makes it halfway through the woods until she sees a girl being approached by a deadly snake.)

Crystal: Shoot!

(She drops her stuff and turns into a bear, and goes to help the distressed girl.)

Terra: Uh... ok! Nice snakey! Please don't hurt me...

(Then the snake stops, looks behind the girl, and runs away in fear.)

Terra: Phew, that was a close one!

(The distressed girl then hears heavy breathing behind her. She slowly turns, and...)

Terra: AAAAAAHHHHH! BEAR!

(She falls to the ground, covers her face, and Crystal chuckles.)

Crystal: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I just saw that you were in trouble and thought I could help.

Terra: What? Wait but where did the bear...and where did you...ooooooh.

Crystal: Yes. Hi, I'm Crystal from the Kingdom of Tulips.

Terra: Hi, I'm Terra from the Kingdom of Sunflowers. I guess we were supposed to meet later.

Crystal: I guess so. Would you like to walk the rest of the way together?

Terra: Sure.

(Time skip)

Crystal: So, yeah! My dad can tell if someone's lying or telling the truth.

Terra: Cool! My dad has a gift too. He can teleport, which is very useful when you have a very energetic two year old!

(Both laugh)

Crystal: That's awesome! (Internally) Terra's a really amazing person. Usually when people realize you can turn into animals, they freak out. I didn't ask about what we were going to talk about once we got there. I just assumed she didn't know and I guess I didn't really wanna know either.