Act 2 - Opposites Attract
Shadow pulled back a branch to get a better look at the entrance to the royal gardens. He had been hiding in the bushes that lined the wall since late last night.
After a restless and uncomfortable sleep, his back was killing him. Shadow rolled his shoulders, hoping his victim would come by soon. He couldn't wait to get out of the shrubs and stretch his legs.
Almost as if someone read his mind, one of the workers walked up to the gate and began punching in his employee identification number. Shadow checked to make sure the coast was clear, then he shot out of the bushes, quick as lightning, and grabbed the man, holding a knife to his neck. The poor guy didn't know what hit him.
"Who are you?" the man asked, his voice trembling in fear. "What do you want from me?"
"Take off your coveralls and give me your ID card," Shadow ordered. "The tools, too."
"You can have whatever you want, just don't hurt me!"
Shadow released the man and pushed him toward the bushes to undress. "Be quick about it. I don't have all day."
The man took off his official blue coveralls and handed them, along with his card and a set of heirloom gardening tools that had been in his family for years, to Shadow, who quickly pulled the coveralls over his clothes.
Once the man had served his purpose, Shadow let him go since he was feeling generous today. Grateful that his life was spared, the man quickly sped away before he changed his mind.
After he left, a couple of other workers arrived. Shadow finished punching in the man's number as they walked up to the gates.
"Are you new here?" one of the workers asked, checking in.
"Yeah, this is my first day."
The other man pushed a button, hidden behind one of the bushes, which opened the gate. The men walked in together.
"My name is Botan, by the way," the first man said, offering his hand. "And this is my brother, Joji."
"I'm Shadow."
As the two brothers began sharpening their tools, an elderly man who appeared to be in charge walked toward them.
"Botan-kun and Joji-kun, those roses in the north corner need to be pruned," the man said in a distinctive English accent. "And after that, I need you to begin planting that new shipment of daffodils."
"We'll get right on it, Poppy-san," Joji replied.
Poppy contemplated Shadow, who immediately felt suspicious of the old geezer. Something in Poppy's gaze told him that he should be careful around him. "Who is he?" the man asked, referring to Shadow.
"His name is Shadow. Today is his first day."
"Funny, I don't remember asking the agency to send me another worker," Poppy said, scratching his head.
"I'm filling in for Tamura Noburo for a couple of weeks," Shadow explained, showing Poppy the stolen identification card. "He has a bad case of the flu."
Poppy didn't seem convinced, but he shook off the bad vibes he was getting from his new employee. The Crystal Ball was coming up, and they couldn't afford to be one man short if they wanted the gardens to be ready in time. "Well, I suppose Botan-kun and Joji-kun can show you the ropes. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask."
After school let out, Yumeko hurried to her locker, grabbed the books she needed to do her homework, then ran out of the building, not even bothering to wait for Tokemi and Elysia. She needed to be alone for a while.
Why was she such an airhead when it came to her training? No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't seem to do anything right. Perhaps the fighting genes skipped a generation.
She would never be as good as her mother. It was time to face reality. She just was not cut out to be a Sailor Dream Soldier. A Dream Soldier was supposed to be brave, intelligent, and dedicated, all qualities Yumeko lacked. It would probably be best for everyone involved if she just stepped down. Ryoko would certainly be happy about that.
Yumeko wiped away a tear that managed to find a way down her cheek. Why am I so upset about this? she wondered. It wasn't like she wanted to be a Dream Soldier in the first place. She was perfectly content being just a normal teenager, going to school, hanging out with her friends, and planning her upcoming wedding to her long-time boyfriend, Phoenix.
Thinking about Phoenix brought a small smile to her sad face. They had known each other practically their entire lives, and it was always assumed that they would get married. Unfortunately, they rarely saw each other. Phoenix was the general of the army of Earth, therefore he was often away on training missions and war games. That was why she was looking forward to the Crystal Ball. Phoenix promised that he would attend.
Yumeko reached the Dream Palace, but instead of going directly inside, she took a detour through the garden. It was her favorite place to go when she was depressed, so peaceful and serene. There was something magical about the garden. She couldn't quite explain it, but whenever she was there, she felt at peace with the world.
Yumeko walked toward the north side of the garden, where the roses grew. She absolutely loved roses. They were the most beautiful and romantic flowers in the entire world.
Her father always said that when a person received a rose from their lover, it meant that they were sharing their dreams with that person. If the rose was full-bloomed, all their dreams would come true. Yumeko thought it was a lovely idea. Roses truly were dreams, ready to blossom.
She bent down and smelled one of the many blood-red roses that dotted the green bushes. The sweet perfume was euphoric, chasing away her troubles. The flowers had worked their magic. She could barely recall what she was so upset about.
Yumeko glanced over to the spot where a couple of workers were busy trimming the hedges and was surprised to find one of them staring at her. It must have been his first day because she never recalled seeing him before, and he was definitely the type of guy she would have remembered meeting. Using Suki's favorite expression, he was a "major Adonis."
Despite the fact that she was engaged, Yumeko could feel the blood rushing to her face, causing her to blush very prettily. Her heart was pounding against her chest, and she suddenly felt very self-conscious. She quickly turned away from his penetrating stare, chiding herself for acting like a boy-crazy schoolgirl. Suki was becoming a bad influence on her.
"Good afternoon, Princess," the head gardener Poppy said, walking over to where Yumeko was standing. "How do you like the preparations in the garden?"
"They're wonderful," she replied. "You are doing a beautiful job as always, Poppy-san, and I just know this will be the best ball ever."
"I appreciate the compliment, my princess. The workers have been working very hard to ensure that everything is perfect for the Crystal Ball. I just ordered another dozen rose bushes, which will hopefully arrive… Princess?"
Yumeko was barely listening to what the old man was saying. She was again distracted by those two chocolate brown eyes that were following her every movement. What was it about that man that caused to feel weak in the knees? Nobody had ever made her feel this way, not even Phoenix.
"Princess? Are you okay?"
"I-I'm fine, Poppy-san," Yumeko said, coming back to her senses. "Who is that man working over there with Joji-kun and Botan-kun? Is he new?"
Poppy frowned. "Yes, today is his first day. He claims to be filling in for Noburo-kun, who apparently has a bad case of the flu, although he hasn't called in sick. There's something about that guy that doesn't strike me right. You had better stay away from him."
"What is his name?"
"He called himself Shadow-kun, but only heaven knows if that is his real name. That is a strange name to give a boy, but it suits him well."
Just then, Tokemi and Elysia arrived, relieved that Yumeko was okay. They had searched practically the entire city trying to find the absent-minded princess. "Where have you been, young lady?" Elysia asked in her best "you're in big trouble" voice which Yumeko had grown to expect and dread. "You know perfectly well that you are not to leave school without an escort. Tokemi-chan and I were worried sick!"
Yumeko rolled her eyes as Poppy quietly excused himself from the group.
"Elysia, in case you haven't noticed, I'm not a child anymore. All the other girls are free to do whatever they want."
"All the other girls don't happen to be the crown princess of Silver Millennium."
"Sometimes I wish I wasn't the princess," Yumeko said softly. "I just want to be a normal teenager…"
"But you are the princess, Yumeko," Tokemi said. "No matter what you do, you can't run away from destiny."
Yumeko sighed, knowing that what she was saying was true. It was her destiny to become Sailor Moon and to someday rule Silver Millennium as its queen, whether she liked it or not.
"But how I wish I could…"
Shadow couldn't take his eyes off of her. She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Even the moonlit night could not begin the compare to her loveliness.
Noticing Shadow's distraction, Botan ribbed him in the arm. "Are you okay, man? You better get back to work or old man Poppy will have your head."
"Yeah, I just drifted off there for a second."
He picked up the pruning shears and begin working on one of the bushes, but it was no use. He couldn't concentrate on work while the goddess was standing less than twenty feet away.
"Who is she?" he finally asked Botan.
"Who?"
"That vision of beauty talking to Poppy-san."
Botan laughed. "Have you been living under a rock for the past eighteen years? That's Dreama Aurora, the daughter of King Helios and Queen Lady Serenity and crown princess of the Silver Millennium."
"She's the princess?"
He couldn't believe it. The object of his desire was the daughter of the enemy. Shadow forced himself to forget about her golden eyes and dedicated himself to his work.
He had just finished trimming one of the bushes when Poppy came over to check their progress. The old man looked at Shadow with a suspicious eye, then turned toward the brothers.
"It's looking good here, boys," Poppy remarked, slapping Joji on the shoulder. "Don't forget about those daffodils. I want them to be in full bloom by the Crystal Ball."
"We'll start after lunch," Joji said, glancing at his watch. "Speaking of which, it's just about time for break."
Poppy said goodbye and the three gardeners sat on a nearby bench to eat. "I don't think he likes me very much," Shadow commented, taking a bite of the sandwich he found inside Noburo's tool box.
"Poppy-san's just nervous about the ball," Botan assured him. "Once that's over, he'll come around."
"What is this Crystal Ball, anyway?"
"You really aren't from around here, are you? The ball is the social event of the season. It is the one time each year when the people of Elysion are given the chance to see the beauty of the Dream Crystal, the source of our life."
"It's a huge deal," Joji added. "That's why everything has to be perfect."
Shadow smiled to himself. This was just the kind of information he was searching for. The Crystal Ball sounded like the perfect opportunity to put their plans in action. His father would be pleased.
"Yumeko, Yumeko… Yumeko!"
"What?"
It was later that evening, and Tokemi and Yumeko were supposed to be studying for their history test tomorrow, but Yumeko didn't seem to be concentrating. Tokemi sighed, then proceeded to repeat the question.
"Who led Earth's forces in a rebellion against the Silver Millennium during the reign of Queen Serenity XV?"
"Queen Jade?" Yumeko guessed.
"Actually, it was Queen Beryl," Tokemi corrected her, but she had a feeling that her words were falling on deaf ears. "Jade was Beryl's daughter who twice attacked your grandmother in an attempt to revenge… Yumeko, is something wrong?"
"I'm fine, Tokemi."
"Are you sure? You seem distracted. You're usually much more interested in your studies."
Unlike her mother and grandmother, who were not exactly known for their brains, Yumeko was a somewhat decent student, when she wanted to be. Occasionally, she even managed to get straight As on her report card, thanks to Tokemi's tutoring and Elysia's nagging to do her homework.
Yumeko slammed her book shut, tired of studying, and walked out on to her balcony, which had a picture-perfect view of the garden below. Tokemi was right. She was distracted. No matter what she did, her thoughts turned toward the handsome gardener with the haunting dark eyes.
It was crazy. She loved Phoenix with all her heart, but she was extremely attracted to Shadow. Her heart was confused. Everything she thought was true now seemed uncertain.
"Tokemi, do you believe in love at first sight?" Yumeko asked her cousin, who had joined her on the balcony.
"I suppose it's possible, but highly unlikely," she answered. "Why do you ask? Did you fall in love with Phoenix-san the first time you met him?"
Yumeko looked down at the quiet garden, unsure if she should reveal her true feelings, that she was beginning to think that marrying Phoenix would be a mistake. If she kept silent, she could just pretend it was pre-wedding jitters, but confessing her attraction to Shadow would mean that she would be admitting to her feelings.
"I met a guy this afternoon," Yumeko finally admitted. "His name is Shadow, and he is a worker in the gardens. The problem is, I can't get him off my mind. Though we never even spoke, I feel like we're connected somehow. Do you think I crazy for feeling this way?"
"No, of course not, Yumeko," Tokemi comforted her. "Even though you are the princess, you are also a teenager with the same emotions and desires as everyone else. I'm sure this attraction is nothing more than hormones. It'll probably fade away after a couple of weeks. You and Phoenix-san are in love, and nothing will ever change that, right?"
"I just don't know, Tokemi. Maybe this is a sign that Phoenix and I shouldn't get married."
Just then, Elysia entered Yumeko's room and was annoyed to see that they were not studying for their test like they were supposed to be doing. She joined the girls on the balcony, interrupting their conversation.
"What are you two doing?" she demanded. "Why aren't you doing your homework?"
"We were just taking a little study break, Elysia," Tokemi replied. "I was just coming back in. Yumeko, are you coming?"
"I will, in a couple of minutes. You go on."
Finally alone with her thoughts, Yumeko dwelled on what Tokemi told her. Despite her assurance that her attraction to Shadow was purely physical, she couldn't help feeling that it was more than that. She had never felt this way about a guy before.
Phoenix, on the other hand, was more like a brother than a lover. Ever since she could remember, her parents had steered her toward the handsome Earth general, feeling that he would make her a good husband. It was always assumed that they would get married. Nobody ever asked her how she felt about it.
Not that she didn't love Phoenix, because she did. But it was a different kind of love. When she looked into his eyes, Yumeko only felt tender affection, not the passion and romance she had always dreamed of finding. Phoenix was one of her best friends, but she knew in her heart that she would never be able to reciprocate the love he had for her, no matter how hard she tried.
"Yumeko?"
She let out one final sigh, then turned to go back inside where Tokemi and Elysia were waiting patiently.
What was she going to do?
Shadow entered his father's throne room, feeling a small shiver travel up his spine. The room still had that effect on him, even now at the age of twenty. He always felt like a scared little boy when he was in the presence of King Scorpio, for his father was a truly fearsome character.
The king was sitting on his throne, his arms crossed and eyes burning with anger. His lovely queen Nyx sat beside him, staring blankly ahead. As Shadow kneeled before his parents, Nyx gave him a small smile, which disappeared as quickly as it appeared.
"Shadow, I am growing impatient," King Scorpio growled. "Where is the Dream Crystal? I must have the source of Silver Millennium's power!"
"You shall, Your Majesty," Shadow replied. "Though I have not been able to discover the location of the crystal, I have learned that King Helios and Queen Lady Serenity will present it at the annual Crystal Ball. It is the perfect opportunity. I've already begun working on a plan to capture the Dream Crystal."
Scorpio seemed doubtful, but decided to give his son another chance to prove his loyalty. "Fine, I give you permission to continue, but on one condition. I want your sister to assist you."
"Did you call me, Your Majesty?"
Midnight orbed into the room with a smug look on her face. She was always trying to outshine her older brother, who she was immensely jealous of. If she was to team up with Shadow, he had no doubt in his mind that Midnight would try to sabotage his plans, as she always did.
"You know I work better alone," Shadow said, glaring at Midnight. "I beg you to reconsider. I know I can capture the crystal without Midnight's help, if you can even call it that."
The king stood up and walked toward the door to his room with the queen following quietly behind, fear in her violet eyes. "I've make my decision, Shadow," he declared. "You two had better learn to get along, or else!"
With those ominous words, Scorpio and Nyx exited the room, slamming the door behind them. The sound echoed throughout the cold, cement chamber.
Midnight took a seat in her father's throne, obviously happy with herself. She was finally going to be able to prove to their father that she was just as good of a warrior as Shadow.
"Well, partner, what's this fabulous plan of yours?" she asked, filing her long red nails.
Shadow rolled his eyes. "As if I would tell you anything, Midnight. Despite what our father said, I have no intention of working with a back-stabber like you, so why don't you just go shopping or call one of your boyfriends and leave this mission to me."
"Shadow, you misjudge me. For once, we both want the same thing. With both our powers, we should have no problem stealing the Dream Crystal, and then we will finally get everything we've always wanted. The world will be ours!"
He didn't trust her, but he had to admit her mind controlling powers could be useful. Shadow decided to give Midnight another chance and hope for the best.
"Okay, let's get to work."
