Every person in the Universe has a dream, a secret longing buried deep within their souls. Prince Odysseus is no different, he dreams of the lovely Serenity. Many would say the child was much too different from him, and could never understand what joy her impetuosity brings to him. He is mesmerized at the simplicity of her innocence. Without her, his life has no satisfaction.

His eyes searched anxiously across the royal gardens.... He walked slowly along the courtyard and was greeted by the smiling Serenity.

--"Hello!", she said cheerfully. She runs across the rose rings and wraps her arms around his neck.

--"My word Serenity, how do you manage to seem more lovely each time I see you?"

--"Oh! you just like swelling my head with pretty words...Come now, mother is expecting us! She took a hold of his hand and led him towards the Queen's hall.

The Queen's Hall was filled with delegates from all the planets of the Silver Millennium. Queen Serenity presided over the audience from the High Counsel platform. To her right stood a handsome man dressed in silver war armor. His long black hair accentuated his icy gray eyes, his gaze fixated upon the new arrivals to the hall. Odysseus and Serenity found seats at the front of the room. He raised his hands and the whole room went quiet. He spoke in a calm yet commanding voice:

--"All members of the Silver Millennium Covenant are now in her majesty's presence,
I hereby call this meeting to order!"

Queen Serenity rose from her chair, she paced slowly across the platform.

--"I have received news from Earth, I am afraid that war is now inevitable...

My source states that a rebel troop has attacked and eliminated the Silver

Millennium ambassador we sent to negotiate a peace treaty. I was hoping that our differences could be solved in a peaceful manner, but it seems Queen Metallia has enlisted the help of a few humans. She has taken over their minds and attempts to conquer the Moon Kingdom and the Imperium Silver Crystal. If this happens all hope for peace in the Universe is lost, we must prepare for battle...

Silver Warrior will brief you on our strategy. But before he begins.... let me warn you that the only targets for this strategy are the ones who have willingly followed Metallia, all other humans are to be left alone."

Silver Warrior looked as if he had been showered with icy water. He stood silent for a few seconds, he then proceeded to speak to the council.

Princess Serenity looked at Odysseus while drowning out the voice of the Silver Warrior. She thought to herself that it could be easy for her to fall in love with him, he's so handsome and noble... She felt her cheeks burn as he turned to face her.

--"Why do you blush?" he whispered in her ear.

--"I.... Nothing important..." she replied shyly.

The briefing continued for another hour. Queen Serenity glanced towards her daughter and her companion, she smiled contentedly. Soon those two would be married, and the Silver Millennium, would gain yet another ally.

Destiny, however, has other plans for them..... That evening, as the kingdom sleeps peacefully, a lone silhouette makes its way to the outskirts of the palace grounds.

Princess Serenity stares down upon the blue sphere they call Earth. 'Why should a beautiful thing cause so much trouble?'. She knows it is forbidden to go down there. But what can she do? her curious nature demands to see what it is about Earth that is so bad. She descends upon the dormant world just before dawn breaks. Her dainty dress is stained by the dew on the grass. She explores the new place taking in the scent of the wild flowers and wet soil, never realizing she's being watched.

--"Awful early to be out, don't you think? said the voice behind her.

She swerved startled at being discovered, the first thing she saw was the drawn sword in her greeter's hand. Slowly, she raised her eyes until they met his. His delicate white skin seemed to glow in the pale moonlight. she saw her own face reflected in his deep blue eyes. A soft breeze gently toyed with his midnight black hair. Serenity was taken aback with his presence.

--"I have never seen you before..." he said, soon realizing his sword intimidated her. "Don't worry, I won't hurt you..." He took her hand in his, drew it towards his lips and gently kissed it.

--"I am Prince Endymion, what is your name?" he asked.

--"I am Serenity" she replied softly.

He smiled and turned to face the rising sun.

--"Well, Serenity, why are you out at this time? he asked again. He turned around to find himself alone.

Serenity had returned to the moon before he could find out who she was. She materialized in her room, hoping no one had noticed she was gone. She sat down in her bed, her pulse racing.... she looked at her hand, the one he had kissed, she remembered feeling his warm, silken lips gently brushing her skin. Her cheeks burnt bright red. She indulged herself in the strange new sensation deep within her soul. Something she had never felt before....
Even when Odysseus kissed her. That same thought snapped her back to reality... Odysseus, the sweet man she was to marry... The man who adored her more than life She tried to forget about Endymion, but the truth was that in her heart there could only be room for one... And already she knew she could never resist the desire to see him again. She closed her eyes, and his face appeared before her. Her mind wandered through the labyrinth of fantasies until sleep claimed her tired body.

In deep slumber, she whispered a name:

--"Endymion..."

Weeks passed and she had returned many times to earth. During these visits she had watched over Endymion's sleep, hoping that one of those days he should awaken to her gentle touch. And with each of these trips, her guilt grew bigger and more oppressing. Each time Odysseus asked why she was so distracted, she would get nervous, and make an excuse to leave his side.

Even if his mind struggled to convince him otherwise, his heart knew perfectly well that her feelings for him had somehow changed. And this thought scared him more than death. 'What could it be that has taken her mind away from me?' he thought.... and in the back of his mind, the truth lurked, dark and painful. Yet he wouldn't give in to believe that another man occupied her heart.

Serenity prepared to make her nightly descent to earth, unaware of the person following behind her. She reached the outer edges of the palace when she noticed that she wasn't alone.

--"Going to see the Prince again?" said a familiar voice

Serenity was scared out of her mind... who could possibly... Venus! she turned to find her friend in a scornful pose beckoning her.... The beautiful princess of Venus.... How did she know?

--"I have been following you for the past week.... what do you think you're doing?!" she continued. Her beautiful eyes narrowed as she frowned.

--"I.... why are you following me anyway?" said Serenity defensively

--"That is not the point! you are not supposed to go down to earth! are you out of your mind? don't you know these are dangerous times.... he could be an enemy spy!" said Princess Venus.

--"Nonsense! he doesn't even know who I am... After the first night, he hasn't seen me I only go down for a few hours before he awakens..." she said, her cheeks turned red.

--"By Venus! do you go into his chamber alone? Have you forgotten about Odysseus? I thought you cared for him..."

At the mention of his name.... Serenity felt the weight of her actions all fall upon her head. She stared at the floor for a few seconds before her eyes were clouded with tears. She looked up at princess Venus and tried to find comfort in her eyes. All she saw was scorn...

--"What do you know?! what can you possibly know about love!!!!" she said and turned to run away. When she reached the outside of the palace, she vanished in a shower of light.

Princess Venus followed suit. After a few seconds she found herself in a vegetation rich place. She walked along the path carefully cut into the soft grass, soon she saw the Princess running through the shrubs and gave chase after her. A couple of minutes later she caught up to her.

--"[panting] There you are! wait a second...You must come back with me.... we can't..."

She was interrupted by the two men who stepped out into the clearing. One of them looked her over and smiled, while the other stared intently at Serenity.

The man who had been looking at the princess stepped forward and bowed gently.

--"You came back.... Serenity." he said in a soft voice.

--"So this is the curious princess..." remarked the other. "I see she is not alone this time..." he said signaling towards princess Venus.

Venus had been captivated by the second man.... His flowing white hair contrasted his deeply tan skin . His casual mannerism inspired trust, and still gave way to a bit of mystery. She felt drawn to his steel blue gaze, and found herself numb to the rest of the world. She understood now what Serenity had been trying to explain... She had found love. It was also obvious that he had been affected in the same way... He fell silent as he admired her delicate features. He smiled once more as she shyly hid her deep blush.

--"Kunzite.... I believe it's time for you to return.." Said Endymion. but soon regretted saying this as he realized what had just happened to both of them.

He allowed his friend to stay a while longer, as he wished to take a walk with Serenity. She nervously looked to Venus for approval. Venus was about to say no, when Kunzite took a hold of her arm and nodded Serenity on.

Once they were out of hearing range, Endymion started telling Serenity about her other visits. He admitted to have known about it all along, he told her he pretended to be asleep just so she would stay by his side. Serenity listened silently as he confessed, feeling a bit flattered by this, but soon she grew annoyed at him for lying and was about to turn away and leave when he grabbed her arm.

--"I never meant to lie to you... I just wanted to be with you, and I was afraid you might leave if I awoke...." he whispered softly in her ear.

She looked into his eyes and saw that he was sincere. Her heart skipped a beat when she realized he felt the same about her as she did about him. And all else was forgotten as he kissed her, her mind spun rapidly as her feelings poured out into the kiss. She let her passion consume her soul. She hugged him closely, her head rested upon his chest as he gently caressed her hair. For that brief moment, their differences were tossed aside, and it was only them in the world... Only their love.

They held each other for a long time, totally oblivious to the other presence watching on Both looking on as Serenity and Endymion professed their love for each other, both wretched and agonizing in pain, both ignorant of each other. The first figure, a woman, stepped deeper into the shadows of the night and disappeared. The second kept watch over the couple, until they bid their farewells. Only then he stepped into the light of the moon. It was Odysseus. He had followed both girls down to earth and had seen the truth. His heart raged, wanting to hate her for her betrayal, but it was no use.... He loved her too much to harbor any ill feelings against her.

The next morning he waited for her in the garden... He paced nervously as he thought of the best way to confront her. He heard the sound of girls laughter approach, and spotted some of the princesses accompanying Serenity. Princesses Mercury, Jupiter, and Mars greeted him warmly, whereas princess Venus dared not look at him. Serenity felt a lump in her throat when he looked at her. Something in his eyes told her he knew or at least suspected the truth. He politely asked the girls to leave him alone with Serenity for a moment... All complied immediately except for Venus who stood by Serenity for a few seconds until she dismissed her, saying it would be OK. Reluctantly, she turned and walked along with the others.

He stood rigid with his back to her.... His silence dragged on for what seemed an eternity to her. He closed his eyes and the scene from the previous night was replayed in his mind. He finally spoke in a dry, weary voice.

--"Do you love me?" he asked her in a dull tone.

--"What?" the question was a surprise to her

--"Do you love me?" he repeated.

Serenity felt trapped..... She thought of the best way to express her feelings without hurting him.

--"I care for you... I know that you are the most wonderful person in..."

--"All I want is for you to be honest...",he interrupted, "All I need is an answer... Yes or No..." he turned to face her.... his eyes were full of pain, and even his voice trembled as he spoke.

--"Odysseus, I do... love you...." she said almost in tears.

--"Then why don't you look upon me like you do with him? Why don't you kiss me like you kissed him?!!" he grabbed her shoulders and shook her "Why can't you feel the way you feel about him!" His voice already breaking down.

--"Odysseus please...." she begged.

He realized he was hurting her and let go. He stepped away from her and held his head in his hands. She whimpered as she realized how much he was suffering. She placed her hand on his shoulder, he placed his hand over it and squeezed it. He brought it to his lips and kissed it, then held it over his cheek. Serenity felt tears roll down her cheeks, she was choked up with regret. She pulled him closer and caressed his hair. She realized how vulnerable he had become, and felt guilt tearing her apart.

--"I know now, that I have been a fool..." he finally spoke, "All this time I made myself believe you were to be mine, and I forgot that your heart is as free as the wind. Although you may love me, just a little bit, it will never come to be as deep as the love you feel for him, and I would be an even bigger fool if I believed that it could. I would much rather see you in his arms and happy, than hold you against your will by my side, not when your love belongs to another...." he said as he stroked away her tears.

--"Oh my dear Odysseus.... I never wanted to cause you such pain...." she whispered.

--"It's not your fault....you could never know what your heart would choose down the long run.... But no matter what, know that I will always be there for you, and I'd be willing to give my very life for you... I shall always look after your happiness, and for that reason it's best that I go now..." he said as he kissed her for the last time.

She was left alone in the middle of the garden. She watched him walk slowly away from her life and couldn't help to feel that part of her had gone with him. Soon he was out of sight and she gave way to her emotions as she slowly slid down onto the ground and wept for her loss.