Based on the universe created by Naoko Takeuchi. Title: Training Camp Author: Daine Artillo E-mail: atia@crosswinds.net Rating: G Chapter 1: Fighting the Prince In the palace on the Moon, Queen Serenity regarded her daughter carefully. Princess Serenity-called Serena for short-was going to Earth to train as a soldier. The prophecies of an upcoming war were quite frightening, and they wanted to be prepared. Because of the prophecies, the Queen decided that it was best to have her daughter trained and ready as a soldier. She had been trained slightly with her guardians, the four Sailor Senshi. Although the Princess could fight as well as her guardians, she was not meant to fight alongside them in real battles. The new ideas of war quickly changed the minds of the Queen as it was decided that the Princess would be sent to Earth to train as a soldier of the battle field. Earth was known well for its military background. Dressed in her disguise, Serena looked like anyone but the Moon Princess. Her hair was cut to shoulder length and put into a tight braid to keep it out of her face. She was dressed in breeches and a cotton shirt. Her fourteen-year- old blue eyes looked at her mother sadly. She would be gone for four years. The longer she thought about it, the more heartbroken she became. Slowly her eyes filled with tears. Queen Serenity did her best to hold back her own tears. Putting a smile on her face, she patted her daughter's shoulder comfortingly. "Be sure to write me, and to send it to your servant, so no one can trace where you are from." "Yes, Mother." "Do you very best, you can endure the training if you put your mind to it. To help, don't forget that you always have my love and support." "I won't fail you." Serena gave her mother one last farewell hug, wishing she could somehow stay. When the moment was broken, both had tears running down their cheeks. "Good-bye." "Good-bye, Serena." Serena then boarded the plane heading to where she would remain for the next four years-Earth. *~*~*~*~* Watching the star cruiser leave, some of the crowd talked amongst themselves. "Where's she headed?" "I heard she is visiting all of the Senshi's planets." A little boy in the crowd exclaimed, "But the Senshi are training in the palace! I saw them yesterday!" "Tommy!" The boy's mother scolded. "You must have seen someone else." She turned to watch the spaceship with the others in the crowd, then spoke to the man whom her son had interrupted. "How long is Princess Serenity to be away?" "I think four years." the man replied, watching the vessel lifting off the ground with tremedious force. "Wow, what a trip." The ship's engines blasted out as it left the atmosphere and headed toward the planet Mercury. Since all attention was focused on the "Princess'" plane, no one saw the other ship penetrate the atmosphere toward Earth. *~*~*~*~* Landing near the training camp, Serena carried her bag off the ship and went to check in. The main post was at the front of the quarters where the trainees lived. She approached a young man with blond hair. It was pulled back by a leather thong to keep it out of his face. "Excuse me..." Serena said quietly. He turned around, his green eyes watching her. "Where do I sign in?" "With me," he replied. "Are you one of the new trainees?" "Yes." Taking a few more minutes, Serena finished filling out the rest of the forms before going to her assigned room. "Where should I go put my things?" Serena asked before turning toward the rest of the buildings. "Um," the nineteen year old turned again toward Serena and pointed to a building toward the end of the row. "that building down there is empty, I believe. You can bunk there." "Thanks." Serena headed toward her new quarters with the key for the door in her hand. Opening the cabin, she ploped her bag down on the neatly made bed. She closed the door with a sigh and plopped next to her bag. Her hands started to unpack her belongings. A knock on the door interrupted her activity a few minutes later. Serena opened the door to find the young man she had just finished talking to. "Yes?" Serena asked. "I came to tell you training begins in five minutes." "Five minutes! That doesn't give me any time to get ready!" She shut the door in his face as she headed inside to get ready. Zoicite stared at the door in shock. "You're welcome!" *~*~*~*~* Serena thought looking at her sword. She walked quickly out of her room and jogged down toward the training fields. When there, she saw four young men, one of which the young man she had checked in with. They were surrounded by other young men and a few women. Joining the crowd, Serena looked at the many faces around her. Most of them blended together, but one in particular stood out. The young man that had caught Serena's attention had raven-black hair which seemed to perfectly suit his deep blue eyes. His nineteen-year-old frame was dressed in a loose fitting ivory-colored shirt while his breeches were sported with hunting boots. He stood impatiently before the trainers waiting to be allowed to fight. A voice then broke into Serena's train of thought. "For today, we will be testing everyone's skill level. We will place you with those we think will match your skill that you filled out on your applications." As they called out names, the trainees went to the platform to get a wooden sword. When the last four people were remaining, the generals paired Serena with... "...Endymion." *~*~*~*~* thought an outraged Endymion. Serena on the other hand was having different thoughts. Seeing a look of disgust cross his face, a new thought came to mind. a smile on her face appeared. Getting their practice swords, they prepared to fight. "Before I fight," Serena thought. "could you tell me your name?" "Certainly. I'm surprised you didn't hear my generals say it. My name's Prince Endymion." "Well then, *Prince,* I would curtsy, but as you can see," Serena said, motioning toward her clothes, "I'm not wearing a dress. Now, why don't we get to fighting?" "Of course. It probably won't be a long fight. After all, how long could a delicate wallflower like you last?" "WALLFLOWER?! DELICATE?! I'll show you delicate!" They continued to argue and throw insults until one of the trainers, the one with short blond hair, came over and said, "Okay you two, start fighting." "Gladly!" Serena replied. Attacking at once, she caught the Prince off guard. Duking it out for a few minutes, Endymion said, "Surprising. You have a lot of skill. Since you know my name, how 'bout you tell me yours?" "Serena," she said, ducking a blow the Prince delivered. "Serena? Ha! Then if you are like your name, you surely won't be hard to beat!" Jedeite sighed at the Prince's arrogance. It would get him in real trouble one day. Walking away from the fight he could hear. "What! Find then, *Endy*! Try to beat me!" "*Endy!* Why you..." Grinning, Jedite almost wished the girl named Serena would beat the esteemed Prince. It would certainly put Endymion in his place. Battling more fiercely than before, the two struggled to beat the other. Serena took the offensive, trying to hit *Endy* in the chest or sides. However, Endymion had different ideas. He started to attack quicker than before. But, Serena managed to block him. And so, the battle raged on. *~*~*~*~* Meanwhile the four generals walked around the training grounds watching their future students fight. Many were good and already proved to be excellent fighters, but some would need practice and work...*a lot* of work. Jedeite walked back over to where the Prince and Serena to watch the rest of the fight, if it was still going on. Seeing her at the training camps, was unusual. Although girls were welcomed to train, few chose to. If they did come, they usually left when the training got too hard. Jedeite watched the two. They were still fighting. Watching Serena deal an expert blow, he thought He saw Serena strike Endymion in the side. The Prince winced and made an unusually fast recovery. Completely caught up in the battle, he didn't notice another man come up behind him. "Hey!" Zoicite said, laying a hand on Jedeite's shoulder. Jedite nearly jumped three feet in the air. Zoicite was startled to see his usually calm companion so nervous. "What's wrong?" "Nothing. You just surprised me. I was watching His Majesty fighting with his companion." Zoicite turning to watch the couple fight. After observing the two for a minute, his green eyes widened in surprise. "Who is she?" "From what I know, her name's Serena." Jedite said, his eyes never leaving the two. Zoicite thought warily. he smiled ruefully. Soon, however, Zoicite too grew enthralled in the fight. Zoicite thought, noting her fatigue. "Hey, guys. What's wrong?" Nephlite said, walking toward the other two generals. His auburn hair rustled slightly in the wind. "Look for yourself," retorted Zoicite, glancing at him, then back to the dueling pair. Nephlite watched Endymion and Serena fight. Surprised at the girl's skills, he stammered, "H-how old is this girl?" "Judging from her looks, I'd say she's thirteen or fourteen." a cool and dignified voice said behind them. "Hi, Kunzite," Zoicite said a non-responsive voice. Kunzite frowned slightly at the three gaping generals; they usually were almost as dignified as he was. "What's wrong?" When none of them responded, he looked to see what they were looking at. Soon, even he got caught up in the "battle" between the young girl and Prince Endymion. Kunzite thought, all of his dignity thrown out the window. *~*~*~*~* Seeing their soon-to-be trainers (the generals) watching two other trainees, the others, who had finished, went over to see what all the commotion was about. All the generals were gaping at them, even the most powerful head commander. *~*~*~*~* Even though a growing crowd began to surround them, Serena and Endymion concentrated only on their fight. thought Jedeite. A similar thought occurred to Zoicite. *~*~*~*~* Serena started to breath heavily, but so was Endymion. Her fighting arm held what felt like a thirty-pound sword. Ducking a blow Endymion dealt, Serena saw an unguarded opening at Endymion's chest. Smiling sweetly at him, Serena kicked Endymion in the chest. Endymion's eyes opened wide as he fell to the ground. His chest hurt, and he gasped for the breath that had been knocked out of him. he thought ruefully. Pointing the sword at his throat, Serena said with a slightly smug tone, "What was that you were saying about me being a 'delicate wallflower'?" Surprising them both, the crowd of trainees and generals started cheering and applauding. Serena blushed heavily at the unspoken praise. She extended a hand to help the Prince up. His astonished face was all the reward she needed from his snide remarks. "You have *got* to teach me some of those moves!" He said in an awed voice. "Sure, Endy!" Serena giggled, as she dodged Endymion's hand. Serena laughed as she ran toward her room in the training headquarters, Endymion close behind. The crowd watched them go, then also dissipated toward their own quarters until only the generals still remained in the training fields. "You know," Nephlite commented, "I think those two will become good friends." "Let me go, Endymion! Unless you want to be humiliated in battle again!" "That was just a lucky shot, Wallflower!" "I'm gonna get you for that!" All four of the generals sighed. Maybe not. But still, things would be different from now on. End of Chapter One. **** More revisions to Chapter 1! Let's see how many times I've revised it now. *grin* The story will hopefully progress soon! Stay posted! -Daine