Title: Against All Odds
Author: Lisa
Chapter: 1
Rating: G
Author's Notes:
Well, I'm back! *grins* And here's chapter 1. This chapter is longer, but shorter than some of my other chapters. Hope you will enjoy, and please tell me what you think, okay? Sorry it's very poorly written. This particular chapter is in Serenity's p.o.v. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to review my stories, or sent me an e-mail concerning it. You guys are the best! Enjoy!
Disclaimers: Sailor Moon and the others don't belong to me, but this story does.
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I looked over at Endymion, a frightened look on her face. "Prince...I'm..." I trailed off, tears sliding off my pale cheeks. I was so afraid...afraid that Endymion was siding with his guards. "I..." Unable to continue, I sighed. "Prince Endymion..." I whisper to him.

Endymion looked at his guard suspiciously. "And just how did you know she's from the moon?" He beseeched.
The guard pointed to the crescent moon on my forehead. "That symbol." He gave me a very dirty look. Without another word, the guard charged towards me, preparing to slash me into two. I closed my eyes tightly, tears flowing steadily from my closed eyes. "Mother...my friends..." I thought sadly. At that moment, I knew death was inevitable.

A soft groan was heard. I couldn't feel any pain, there wasn't any pain. Maybe dying didn't hurt as much as people said it would. I prepared for death and darkness to take me...to swallow my entire being. But it didn't happen. What did happen then? I slowly open my eyes. I gasped loudly. "Prince Endymion...I'm..." I shook my head. No, this isn't happening. I'm dreaming right? I'm really safe and sound back in bed. This is an nightmare. It wasn't though. This was reality.

Silently praying that the prince would be okay, I gently knelt down beside him. I could see him struggling to get up. Oh, how loyal a prince he is, and how kind and generous to protect someone whom he didn't even know. "Serenity..." He managed to say, smiling faintly at me. "Are you okay?" My eyes went wide.

"Prince Endymion...you're the one who is hurt, not me sir. Why though? Why would you do that...for me?" I gently picked up his hand, wrapping mine over his. Giving it a reassuring squeeze, I smile back. "You are going to survive. I know you are."
He nodded slightly. "Don't worry. I will be fine. I have been through worse before." He chuckled, and I laughed along with him. It wasn't all that funny, but laughter was better than tears I suppose.

I could feel his body getting limper, how tired and weak he looked. Unconsciousness was slowly pulling at him...and winning. "Prince Endymion...just hang on for me...please?"

"Serenity..." I heard him whisper before letting unconsciousness consume him completely.
I could feel a sob rising in my throat. "Endymion..." This is too much for me. It's all my fault, isn't it? If I did not come here in the first place, this could have been averted. Now...I look at Prince Endymion, the blood from his wound pooling around him. I can't take it any more. What happens if he does not make it? Then I would not be able to live with myself. This is too much for me...I can't take it anymore...

The whole started to spin as I ran. In my heart, I could feel the expanding pain. Do I feel something for Prince Endymion? And if I do, what? My mind replays back to when we first met. The intenseness of his eyes. What is this that I feel? Why did I feel comfortable being around him? Why did my world shatter when I saw him laying there? Is he..the one? It's probably too early to tell. Maybe I can stay here though. My mother has to understand what I feel. That pat of my soul is here on Earth, with my love...whoever he is. And I will find him...no matter how long and hard I have to search.

I was in a forest, all alone. I tried to forget all about what was happening, but my mind would always be focused on Prince Endymion. "I need to see him." I whispered finally.
The forest was dark as I walked around trying to find my way out. However I did.

I could see the mighty palace. "Prince Endymion is in there." I mumble to myself.
The palace was busy tonight. A guard rushed by me swiftly. Another nurse bumped into me. What was going on? "Endymion...that's why. They are here because of Endymion." Endymion. I feel better calling him that.

I go up to a guard quietly. He gave me a small simper. He seemed friendly. "Hi Miss. May I help you find something?" He asked generously, the way you would talk to a child. Well, maybe I seem young to him or something.
"Um..yes. I want to see the prince." I said meekly. My eyes searched around the palace. It was a magnificent palace, I'll have to agree to that.
His eyes widened. "The prince...you mean Prince Endymion?" He looked a little uncomfortable. "I'm sorry Miss. The prince is not well enough to see anyone at this point." He put a hand on my shoulder. "Unless the prince himself requests it. Perhaps another time would do."

I nodded. Maybe it would be best to let him rest. "Yes sir. Can I stay here for a few days?" My eyes held a pleading look to them. I missed my mother, but then I felt guilty. Prince Endymion is hurting because of me...and to know if he is okay or not before I take my leave. I probably will be staying on Earth for a few weeks..
Once again, the guard looked unsure. "I...Miss...the prince makes these decisions...I'll see if I can talk to him...wait." He left.
I walk around the palace. One particular painting caught my eye. The painting of a young woman, and her prince. The prince resembled Prince Endymion. The young woman...if I wasn't mistaken, it sort of resembled me...but that wasn't possible...or was it?
"Beautiful..." I whisper. The painting was very exquisite. Very vivid, detailed.

"Miss?" The guard's voice snapped me out of my tranced state.
"Yes?" I turn around, facing him. "What did Prince Endymion say?" I inquired. What happens if he doesn't want me to stay? What happens if he hates me?
"He says it is okay...your room is next to his..." He trailed off, seemingly unable to proceed. "He is just so weak..."
I sigh. "It is all because of me..." I murmur quietly. "Thank you. I will go now." I left the guard. I wonder what his name is...

That night, as I lay in bed, I could hear the doctors talking silently in the next room. Prince Endymion's room. "Mother...what do I do?" I ask her? I tossed and turned around in the soft bed. Everything here is so...different than back on the moon. My home...I miss it. I'm homesick, I realize.

I open the window partially, letting the crisp breeze flow in steadily. The moon was full tonight. I never realized how beautiful the moon was until now. Funny how life is...you never realize something is important or beautiful until you actually see it. I bet the people of Earth would react the same as I did. Earth is so beautiful when I see it from my kingdom...but here I am now...and I feel Earth is just another planet...with a great prince though.

"Serenity..." I gasped, and turned around. Did the wind just call out my name? Or was I just imagining it? "Serenity..." There it is again. What is going on?
I look out my window and saw...my friends. How did they manage to find me here?

I dressed quickly, throwing a skirt and a blouse on record speed. I mentally noted my hair was messed up, but now was not the time to be picky about my appearance.
I met my friends outside the palace, all four of them.

"Uh...hi minna." I said nervously, letting out a small giggle. They simply stared at me. Yes, any moment now...one of them is going to blow it...
"What were you thinking? Coming to Earth? Serenity, how many times do we have to remind you that you could be killed?" Rei yelled at me fiercely. I winced. "Uh...sorry. But I had to come...is was necessary."
"Princess...you are in great danger. Come back with us." Ami replied smoothly. She was always the calm one, no matter what happened.
Now I had to draw the line at that. I was homesick, but I was not about to go home yet. I had to fulfill my mission. I believe I came to Earth guided by fate. My mission is to help Prince Endymion, and to find my soul mate. The one who completes my soul, and filles up the emptiness and loneliness in my heart. "No, I can't Rei." I replied firmly to show that I meant what I said.
"Why Sere?" Makoto asked. "Don't you want to?"
I nodded. "Yes, I do, but I have to fulfill my mission here. I will not leave until I have either. Please understand." I pleaded with them.
"Serenity...we understand." Minako said slowly, a small smile forming. "It has something to do with Prince Endymion, doesn't it?" Her eyes sparkled with mischief. I guess they don't call her the senshi of love and beauty for nothing, huh?

Ami gave Minako a look. "Serenity...be careful." She took out a small mini computer, and handed it to me. "Take it. This way we can talk with you on this, and come quickly in case of an emergency."
I took it willingly. "Arigato minna. Sayonara." I turned my back to them, and headed back inside the palace.

Once I reached my room, the tears couldn't stop. I would be by myself for about a month. I guess I have always depended on others until now. My mother, my friends...how I miss them already.
I collapsed on my bed as sobs racked my body. I cried myself asleep that night.
*The Next Morning*
I woke up to hear the murmurs outside my accommodate. Who could it be? A chorus of voices were hearkened. I sat up straight in my bed, my eyes foraging around for my clothes. I grabbed at my dress frantically, and threw it on.

The doorknob turned. In sauntered...the guard from last night. He smiled weakly. "Your name is Serenity?" He interrogated me.
I wavered a bit. "Yes sir. Is there anything wrong?" He shook his head.
"No, just that Prince Endymion insists to see you. He says that it is imperative. I trust you know nothing of this, right?" He questioned, searching me for answers.
"I..." I tried to think of something to say. "Well, sir...I'm..." The words just didn't come to me.
"Okay, it is okay. Go see the prince then." He turned around, and after a few rapid paces to the door, left the room.
"Endymion wants to see...me?" I thought to myself.

"His quarters are huge!" I contemplated as I walked in. Several doctors and nurses were standing by the bed. "Miss...are you Serenity?" One of the doctors inquired.
"Uh...yes...I am." I ambled towards the bed. "You said that he wanted to see me. I'm here."
The doctor nodded. "Yes." He gesticulated for everyone to leave. "I'm his personal doctor. I'll be taking care of him." He took my hand in his. "Prince Endymion is in a bad condition. I hope that you'll can help him in any way possible." Without another word, he too left the room. Now, it was just me...and the prince...alone together in his room.

I pulled a chair from a nearby desk, and sat down besides him. "Prince Endymion, you wished to see me, Your Highness."
He looked me straight in the eye. "Yes." He replied. "I wanted to talk with you..." He trailed off as a wave of pain hit. He groaned, but managed to smiled at me nonetheless. "...about where you are from." He finished.
I looked away. "Prince Endymion...I can't..." I could feel tears stinging in my eyes, blurring my vision.
He took my hand in his. "You said your name was Serenity. Not many people from Earth are called that. You are from the moon...right?" He sure guessed. Maybe I should have changed my name.
"Yes." I reply to his question.
"Serenity...isn't that the name of the royal family of the moon? You can't be the queen...perhaps you are the...princess, Princess Serenity."
I gasped sharply. "Prince Endymion..." I didn't know what to say.
"Are you or are you not Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom?"
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Well, there's chapter 1! A little cliff-hanger there. I love doing cliff-hangers! Don't know why though... See, I told you it would be longer, but I'm sure some of my other chapters are longer than this. Hope you've enjoyed, and sorry again if it's poorly written. Um...chapter 2 will be out in about another week, or maybe even sooner than that, depending on how much time I have. Please send ll comments and suggestions to LisaZUMstories@aol.com, or review my story. Thanks for reading!
This story written and posted January, 2001.