Monster of the Week
Synopsis: An alternative universe in which the Shitennou are smarter. All nine Sailor Senshi have awakened. In addition, Mamoru has access to his powers as Endymion.
Everything happens during the 2010s for technological convenience.
MotW: Get on Screen
Minako Aino was happy. Scratch that, she was absolutely ecstatic. As she was skipping towards the sidewalk, she was practically radiating joy. Her cat, Artemis, couldn't help but smile at the Senshi.
On the sidewalk, she looked around her to make sure nobody was near. Confirming that she was alone, she flipped the cover of the emergency communication device on her wrist. Turning it on, she waited for everyone else to pick theirs up.
Luna was the first to show up on the screen. "What's wrong?" she asked.
The black cat was followed by the other Inner Senshi.
"Where are you?" questioned Ami.
"How many of them are there?" inquired Makoto.
"What are their abilities?" Rei followed.
"Wh-"
"Guys, there's nothing wrong!" Minako shouted. The other Senshi quieted down.
"Then what are you calling us for?" Usagi asked. Her eyes widened. "Are you hurt?"
"No, nothing like that!"
"Then what?" Rei demanded to know.
"Oh, nothing," Minako replied. "It's just that I got the lead role of a summer romance movie!"
To Aino's surprise, only Usagi congratulated her. Everyone else remained silent.
"Come on, aren't you happy for me?" Minako wanted to know.
"We are," Ami nervously answered. "But-"
"Minako, this communicator is for emergencies only," Rei lectured. "If you're not going to take at least this part of your responsibility seriously-"
"But this is an emergency!" the straight-haired blonde argued. "Not just anyone can get into a movie directed by Ayumu Nakano! Don't you agree, Makoto?"
"Well…." Kino didn't know how to answer. On one hand, Nakano's movies were extremely popular. Being in his upcoming movie was a guaranteed boost to Minako's road to fame. On the other hand, not taking their Senshi responsibilities seriously was the main reason for losing against the Shitennou early on.
"Let's not argue about this right now," Ami tried to calm them down. "While it's a good thing that Minako got the role that she wanted, it would've been better just to call us or tell us at the meeting."
"Right," Makoto agreed. "Speaking of which, we should have a small party to celebrate this occasion. I can cook something up for tonight."
"So, are you ladies done arguing yet?" Haruka asked with amusement in her voice. Around her were Michiru, Setsuna, and Hotaru. They had been listening to the conversation the whole time.
OOOOOOOOOO
In an unknown area of the arctic, Nephrite was sitting at his desk. Above the desk was a star chart. As he watched the constellations move, he noticed something. The Lyra constellation was prime for use. He smiled and leaned back into his chair. Closing his eyes, he looked for a suitable host.
In his mind, he saw a young woman fuming at her failed movie audition. He grabbed the star's power and infused it into a ball of energy. The small orb was pinched in between his thumb and index finger. With a snap of his fingers, he teleported into Juuban.
Takako Kawaguchi was not a happy woman. In fact, she was downright furious. She wanted the main role of Nakano's upcoming movie, but she had lost to Minako Aino.
I worked hard for that role, she thought while gritting her teeth. She was in the same dancing class as Minako.
She has no sense of grace, is informal, and don't even know the most basic of manners. And yet she gets to have such a role? She stomped through the sidewalk, only stopping when a man cleared his throat. She looked at him.
The man was wearing an outfit that looked completely out of place - white clothing which seemed to signify importance. He had wavy brown hair that reached his back.
"What's gotten you so angry?" he asked nonchalantly.
"That's none of your business," she growled. She walked a few steps forwards.
He shrugged. "I suppose you're right. But then again, you'd be refusing help to get that role you want."
Takako stopped walking. Turning towards the man, she harrumphed. "I have no idea what you're talking about. I always get the roles that I want."
"Of course you do," the man replied in a neutral tone. Takako waiting for the man to mock her, but that never came. "Let's go to something else then: having that Aino girl pay."
Kawaguchi raised an eyebrow and turned back towards the route to her home. "And why would I stoop to something this low?"
"It's obvious that she cheated," the man responded. "After all, she can't be better than you. You can convince the producer to change his mind, that much is true. But what about less fortunate girls, those who do not have the fame and money that you do? Who will help them against the cheater?"
Takako raised an eyebrow. "So why don't you go help them instead? And why have me do it?"
The man stretched a bit. "Because Aino hasn't cheated against anybody else. It is much better to pull out a weed earlier than later. Besides, Aino can just claim jealously against any girl that is less known. You, on the other hand, can get the role with legitimate strategies and then attack her."
"And how do you suppose I do that?"
The man produced an orb and pinched it. It produced a small amount of light.
"I can give you some abilities to help you along the way," he smirked.
"Uh huh…. What's the catch?" Takako questioned.
"If you accept my proposal, the Sailor Senshi will come after you." At Takako's questioning look, he continued, "They believe that my powers are 'evil' and a 'threat to the world.' But that's a good thing for me. You see, the Sailor Senshi have been a thorn in my side. I help you and you can help me with your followers and intelligence."
"What type of powers?" she asked skeptically.
"When you record yourself, anyone who watches you will believe anything that you say."
Takako's skepticism turned into a small smile. "Is that so?"
The man nodded. "Yes, but it only works if people watch and listen at the same time. So there will be some people who don't fully believe you. But that shouldn't be too big of a problem, right?"
"I guess I'll accept your offer," Takako said with a nonchalant shrug.
"Put out your hand," the man ordered.
Kawaguchi put out her hand palms up. The man released the orb and it dropped into the hand. It touched her skin and disappeared, as if dissolving as it touched her hand.
"What's your name anyways?" she asked.
"Nephrite."
"Nice doing business with you, Nephrite. I'm Takako Kawaguchi, future superstar of the world."
OOOOOOOOOO
Minako woke up with a yawn as she smashed her alarm clock silent. She stretched and regretted staying up so late last night. Her friends and parents threw her a small congratulatory party.
She went through her daily morning routine and walked down the stairs. In the kitchen, her mother was putting down breakfast. There was a television screen off to a corner broadcasting the morning news.
Aino sat down at the table in the middle and waited for her mother to be finished with her tasks. It was considered impolite to begin eating without everyone already seated and ready.
"This morning in the film industry, the actors for 's upcoming movie, A Pair of Scissors, has been announced," the newsman said. "Mr. Ren Nakahara will be playing the role of Ryo Katou, Ms. Minako Aino will be playing the role of Shinju Matsumoto, Ms. Yuko Itou will be playing the role of…."
Minako couldn't help but smile when her name was said on T.V.
Sooner or later, I'll become famous! she thought. Then everyone will know my name!
"Wow, so soon and your name is already being spread around," her father laughed.
When her mother sat down, the three began to eat.
The T.V. screen changed to an ad. On the screen was a woman.
"My name is Takako Kawaguchi," she said. "I'm sure all of you have heard about Minako Aino getting the role a main role in Mr. Nakano's upcoming movie. But, to my surprise, I have found out that she cheated!"
Minako coughed out some food that went down the wrong pipe.
"What?!" she yelled.
"Yes, it's true!" Takako continued. The screen switched to a clip of Minako stumbling during a dance class session. "How at how unrefined and ungraceful she is! Can someone like that truly be the star of a movie? No, I tell you! The only way that she got that role is by cheating! More evidence of her wrongdoing will be uncovered later. I, Takako Kawaguchi, will make sure she doesn't cheat her way into fame."
The 'ad' then showed a several websites leading to Takako's social media networks. Another ad began to play.
Minako was seething in her seat. Her mind was trying to process what just happened.
"What a rude girl," her mother commented.
"Eh," her father grunted. "Hasn't even been a day and already there's someone jealous." He shook his head. "I will never understand why people want to become famous."
Unknowingly, Minako's magic as Sailor Venus reached out to her parents and protected them. The dark magic infused into the video had no effect. Similarly, anyone near any of the Senshi while viewing the video remained unaffected.
OOOOOOOOOO
At lunch time, Minako was ranting to her friends. Usagi, Makoto, and Ami sat under a tree, eating their bentos and the long-haired blonde paced back and forth.
"I can't believe that she would do such a thing!" Aino yelled. 'Her' referred to Takako, the girl responsible for Minako's fury. As if wasn't enough that Kawaguchi put up an ad calling her out, but people actually believed that Minako had cheated.
"Uh, Minako," Ami tried to get her attention.
"And why are people believing her over me?" the blonde stomped in frustration.
"Minako," Ami repeated.
"There's no evidence of me cheating at all! That stupid video only showed me tripping over a misplaced shoe!"
"Minako!" Makoto shouted.
"What?!"
The brown haired girl pointed towards Ami. "She's got something to say."
Mizuno cleared her throat. "We've got dark energy signatures all over Tokyo."
"What?" everyone said in surprise.
"And I can't locate the source as well."
"How can that be?" asked Usagi. "We haven't seen or heard about any youma attacks. Not even Luna and Artemis called us about this."
Ami breathed in. "I don't know how, but it can't be coming from a youma. It's too even and spread out. Besides, if there were any youma, Luna would've warned us by now."
"What can it be?" Makoto questioned.
"Not even the Mercury Computer knows. It's never been seen before."
"So, those Shitennou have gotten even more crafty, huh?" Minako bitterly asked.
The first of the generals they encountered was Jadeite. After a few losses, the general used more and more underhanded tactics. Sometimes, who was attacking the Senshi switched. Nephrite was the other one they encountered. The other two remained unknown for the time being.
OOOOOOOOOO
After school, an announcement from Takako Kawaguchi came out in the form of a video.
"Tonight, at eight p.m., I will be doing a live Q&A for all of my fans! Ask me about anything! My life, my career, or even about how I realised that Minako Aino cheated on her audition! Remember, eight p.m. on my Facebook page! Takako Kawaguchi, over and out!" The girl did the V-sign with her fingers and the video ended.
Minako bitterly muttered profanities as she closed the Youtube app on her phone. As she was about to put the phone in her pocket, it rang. She was getting a call from Ayumu Nakano.
"Hello?" she answered.
"Hello, Minako," the producer replied. "This is Ayumu Nakano."
"Oh, hey, Mister Nakano. Why are you calling me?"
"I'm calling because of Takako's evidence of you cheating in the auditions. In light of your crimes, I'm afraid I need to take the role of Shinju Matsumoto away from you."
"Wait, I can prove I'm innocent!" Minako cried.
"Maybe you can," Nakano responded without emotion. "But until then, you're fired." The call ended. Minako screamed as she pulled on her hair. Tears threatened to break as she walked home, her face showing defeat.
The door to the Aino house opened with a chime.
"Oh, Minako, how was your day?" her mother greeted. Ms. Aino face turned to shock as she saw her daughter. "What happened?"
Without a word, Minako embraced her mother and sobbed.
OOOOOOOOOO
At eight o'clock on the dot, Takako's livestream went live. Thousands of viewers joined the event.
"Hello and welcome!" Kawaguchi shouted with joy. "I'm so happy all of you could make it here tonight. Now, let's start off this livestream with an important announcement! Producer Nakano has been shown the evidence of Minako Aino's wrongdoing. And he has graciously given the role of Shinju Matsumoto to me!"
The chat began to fill with words congratulating her. She smiled at the camera. "Thank all of you for your support."
Soon, I'll become the world's greatest superstar! She thought with glee.
Remember your part of the deal, Nephrite communicated with her via thoughts.
Of course I do, she mentally snorted.
Good, because they're going to be at your location any moment now.
Don't worry, I'm prepared.
OOOOOOOOOO
Ami Mizuno was doing her math homework that wasn't due until two weeks later when her Mercury Computer beeped and flashed red. She opened the portable computer and her eyes widened in shock.
The magic signature was coming straight from a house. A house of a certain person….
She flipped the cover of the emergency communicator and called everyone.
"What is it?" Rei asked with annoyance in her tone. "This had better not be a false alarm."
"No," Ami shook her head. "The Mercury Computer found out the location of the dark energy signature. It's at the house of Takako Kawaguchi."
Minako, who was exhausted from crying, was suddenly wide awake. "What did you say?" she asked. "The energy signature is coming from Takako's house?"
The blue haired Senshi nodded. "Yes, it's definitely coming from her location."
"That… that… that bitch!" Minako roared. "I can't believe it! I knew there was something off about everyone believing her over me! Where is she?! I'm going to make her pay!"
Everyone sighed. While it was good thing that Minako wasn't sad anymore, this wasn't exactly better.
OOOOOOOOOO
Takako spun around in her chair, talking to her loyal viewers from across the world.
I wonder when those Senshi will be here, she thought. It's getting boring waiting for them.
Right as she finished that thought, the Sailor Senshi barged into her room unannounced and then announced themselves.
"We, the fighters of justice in sailor suits, will stop your evil broadcast!"
Takako turned her webcam to face the Senshi.
"Do you see this?" she said into the microphone. "These little girls just entered into my home without permission. Then, they have the audacity to talk about justice? And wearing those tacky outfits as well, tsk, tsk."
One, two, three, four, … five? Where are the others?
Outside, the Outers were on the roof of Takako's house, waiting for any orders to intervene.
"There's nothing wrong with our outfits!" Venus declared.
"Oh, please," Kawaguchi scoffed. "Anyone can see how outdated your sense of fashion is. If you can't even beat the latest fashion trends, how can you hope to beat the Shitennou?"
"Why you-"
"Venus, you're getting off topic!" Mars chided. She turned to Takako. "Stop your evil broadcast now or we'll be forced to use force!"
Takako laughed. "Go ahead, destroy my room. But just so you know, I have cameras all over the place, inside and outside the house. I've already got proof of you breaking and entering. Burning my room will just give me more stuff to use against you in my upcoming lawsuit."
"I, the Senshi of love and justice, won't allow it!" Sailor Moon declared.
Takako rolled her eyes. "It doesn't matter what you allow or not. I have evidence of you breaking into my home without permission and can take you to court for it. And I will take you to court for this. You didn't just break into my home either, you also came into my room and threatened me. I wonder what the police will say about this?"
"You're committing a crime right now!" Venus pointed at her. "Fooling people with your dark magic!"
"I didn't know that telling the truth was such a crime," Takako said and shrugged. "And besides, you don't have any proof of it, none whatsoever."
"Well, nobody will believe you once we shut you down!" Moon shouted. "Mercury, do it!"
The blue haired Senshi nodded and used her Mercury Computer to shut everything down.
"Oh no, how horrible," Takako rolled her eyes.
"Moon Healing Escalation!" Sailor Moon used her spell. All over the world, people felt a small tingle. Not knowing what it was, they merely shrugged it off and went back to whatever they were doing.
Kawaguchi slowly clapped. "What a light show. Was that supposed to do anything?"
"Ha!" Venus said with a triumphant face. "You've got no more power anymore!"
"Sure, whatever you say," Kawaguchi shrugged. "You've won, yadda yadda. I'll still sue you for breaking and entering. Look forward to that lawsuit."
"As if!" Venus scoffed. "We'll win against anything you can throw at us."
And with that, the Senshi left Takako's room. Jupiter grumbled that she didn't get to fight.
The lone girl remaining in the room removed a SD card from the camera on her desk. She put the card into a USB adapter and plugged it into her computer. She muttered curses at the blue haired Senshi.
I swear, if she did anything to my computer….
OOOOOOOOOO
The next morning, Minako was waiting for Ayumu Nakano to call her and put her back into the movie. However, the call never came.
In the afternoon, Luna asked all of the Senshi to meet in the secret room under the arcade.
The nine Senshi walked towards the black and white cats.
"What's up, Luna?" Usagi asked.
"We've got some bad news," Luna replied. "Those videos of Takako are still affecting people."
"What?!" Minako screeched and the other Inners yelled in surprise.
"But how?" Usagi questioned. "I used my Moon Healing Escalation and everything! Everyone should've been back to normal!"
"They were turned back to normal when you used that spell," Artemis confirmed. "But then they got re-affected when they rewatched Takako's video. Dark spells put onto physical objects can only be gotten rid of by destroying said physical object. But this dark spell is put onto multiple videos. And any copy of the video has the spell attached to it; the spell is part of the code."
"So we can't get rid of every copy?" Ami asked.
Artemis shook his head. "It's nearly impossible to completely get rid of every copy out there, especially since Takako told her fans to make download her videos just in case hers gets taken down."
"Ugh!" Makoto yelled. "Why can't our enemies just be people we can beat up?"
"In any case, Takako doesn't have any more powers," Luna said "The danger of the Lyra constellation has passed, so we've got time to figure this out. It'll be some time before Nephrite can use any more constellations."
"How much time will it take?" Minako asked.
"We don't know," Luna replied. "This is the first time we've encountered something like this."
Minako's expression became downfallen.
"Don't worry, Minako," Artemis tried to cheer her up. "We'll figure this out and before you know it, you'll have your role back."
The guardian of love smiled. "Thank you, Artemis."
OOOOOOOOOO
The Shitennou and Beryl sat around a small circular table.
"It'll be a while the Sailor Senshi can figure this one out," Nephrite smirked. "Even without any powers, Takako is able to rile people up for her cause. Once the time is right, we can use her to convince people to donate their energies to us."
"Jadeite, what about you?" Beryl questioned.
"Even if Nephrite has temporarily distracted the Inners, the Outers remain a huge threat," Jadeite replied. "Any large energy gathering operations are too big of a risk with those powerhouses around."
"And we don't have enough resources to fight them," Zoisite added.
Beryl nodded. "Jadeite, continue to do what you're doing. Sooner or later, they'll let their guard down. When that happens, we'll strike."
"Of course, my queen."
AN: Inspired by "Get on Screen" by De Staat.