Sailor V's Big Break
"Oh look, a new Sailor V movie!" Serena cried, pointing at a poster that hung in a nearby window.
"Sailor V? Is that the same as Sailor Venus?" Jenny whispered to Lita.
The taller girl shrugged. "We don't know. Mina doesn't really talk about her life before she joined the Scouts."
The three of them kept walking towards the arcade. Andrew had been taking it easy for the past few days after waking up in the arcade feeling weak. He claimed he had no memory of that day, but the doctors had assured him he would make a full recovery. Today was his first day back and the girls had decided to check up on him, and maybe get a few free tokens.
"Hey guys!" a voice called from behind them.
They turned to see Mina running to catch up with them. Artemis was at her heels. Jenny smiled as the blond haired girl and the white cat stopped in front of them, panting from the run.
"You going to the arcade too?" Serena asked. "Andrew's back today."
Mina shook her head. "No, I have an appointment."
"An appointment where?" Jenny asked. "You're not sick, are you?"
Mina smiled brightly at Jenny and shook her head.
"I'm not sick. Do you want to come with us?" she answered. "I promise it'll be fun."
Jenny turned to Lita and Serena. "Is it okay with you guys? I can meet Andrew some other time and I don't really like video games anyway," Jenny said.
"Sure, just tell us all about it later," Lita said.
Jenny smiled and ran off with Mina and Artemis. Serena watched them go and turned to Lita.
"Come on, we're wasting time!" she cried. "I just know I can beat the high score this time."
"Not while I'm around," Lita replied.
Laughing, the two of them ran down the street.
Jenny and Mina stopped at the bus stop to catch their breath and wait for the bus to take them to Mina's mysterious appointment. Jenny sat down on a nearby bench and looked at another Sailor V poster on the wall.
"Mina," she called.
Mina came over and sat beside her friend. Artemis jumped on Jenny's lap and sat down.
"Yeah?" Mina asked.
"Are you really Sailor V? The one from the posters?" Jenny asked.
Artemis looked up sharply and Mina stared at the poster in front of her. Finally, she nodded.
"Yes, I was Sailor V the movie star before coming here," she answered.
"But why didn't you stay?" Jenny said. "Even I've heard of Sailor V back home. You were a major movie star."
"Sailor V was just a cover so I could practice my powers and search for the other scouts. I never wanted to be a star but it just happened. Now, that I found the scouts, I don't need my Sailor V cover anymore," Mina said.
"Mina wasn't even really acting. It was mostly stunt doubles and cartoons drawn in. She just supplied the voice and did some life action scenes," Artemis added.
Mina glared at her guardian. "Sure, give away all my secrets," she said.
But Jenny wasn't really listening. Instead, she was looking back at the poster.
"But if you're not acting anymore, than why is there a new Sailor V movie coming out?"
"That's where we're going. To the studio to do a final film. In this one, Sailor V dies and I'll be free of acting forever," Mina said with a smile.
The bus pulled up and Mina stood.
"This is our bus. Come on," she grabbed Jenny's hand and pulled her to the waiting doors.
"All right team. Let's break," the director ordered. "There's nothing more we can do until our star arrives."
The crew of the Sailor V movie gratefully stopped working and headed towards the coffee machine. The director moved to join them but was stopped by a tall figure.
"Hey, you're not supposed to be here," the director yelled.
"Yes I am, I'm your new actor. I'm supposed to be co-staring in the Sailor V movie," the man said.
The director peered deeply into the stranger's eyes and was completely hypnotized.
"Now I remember. You're Grant, right?" he said in a dead voice.
"That's right. Now, you should let me look at your props. I need to see them before I act," Grant said.
The director lead the way into the storage room.
"Here we are," Mina said.
They stood in front of a gated opening. Behind the gates were several large buildings. People bustled around, some walking, others driving on small carts. Everyone looked busy. A mean looking security guard was checking passes as stars entered and left the compound. Jenny looked at him in alarm.
"How are we going to get in?" Jenny whispered.
"Show time Mina," Artemis said.
Mina sighed and held up her power stick.
"Venus Power, Make-Up!" she cried.
Mina transformed but, instead of her usual Sailor Venus costume, she wore something else. The shoes, gloves and leotard were the same but she wore a navy blue skirt with orange trim and an orange choker with a crescent moon on it. She had no bow on the back of her skirt and the bow on the front was navy with an orange centre. She also wore a huge orange mask that stuck out on the sides.
"Well, how do I look?" she asked, turning full circle for Jenny.
"Great, except for the mask. That's ridiculous," Jenny replied.
"I know," Mina made a face. "It was Artemis' idea."
"It makes her look mysterious," Artemis objected.
Jenny picked the white cat up and hugged him. Artemis tried to stay grumpy, but a purr escaped his throat and he smiled at her.
"Let's go," Mina said and she walked towards the guard.
Jenny followed, still holding Artemis.
"Do you have a pass?" the guard asked without looking to see who it was. He was sitting in the doorway of a small booth, reading a newspaper.
"I don't need a pass," Mina retorted.
The guard looked up and stumbled to his feet.
"Sailor V! Nice to see you ma'am. Go right in," the guard stammered.
Mina stalked right by without thanking him.
"That wasn't nice," Jenny scolded quietly.
"I know," Mina laughed, "but it was fun!"
Jenny giggled and followed her friend into the closest studio building.
"Sailor V! Nice to see you again," the director greeted them as they walked onto the set.
"Hello, Harvey! I got the copy of your script and I read it over. I especially liked the last scene, though I thought that Sailor V could die of something a little more dramatic than a knife in the back," Mina said.
Harvey nodded thoughtfully. "I'll talk to the writers," he said. "Now, who's this young lady? A friend of yours?"
"This is Jenny. She's here to be an extra," Mina said.
"And I see you've brought your pet as well," Harvey said, barely hiding the anger in his voice. "I hope this time he'll think twice before sampling our lunch table."
Jenny looked down and saw Artemis trying to hide himself in her arms. As the director spoke, Artemis lifted his head and meowed.
"Pleased to meet you," Harvey said, turning to Jenny. She shook his hand in greeting. "Can you control that cat? He seems to like you."
Jenny nodded. "Sure, no problem. I'll keep him out of trouble."
"Great! Sailor V, you've got one hour for make-up and script revision before we start," with that, Harvey walked away.
"Sampling the lunch table?" Jenny said quietly to Artemis as the followed Mina deeper into the studio
The cat almost blushed. "Mina didn't let me eat before we came last time and I was hungry. How was I supposed to know the director would be eating lunch at the same time?"
Jenny sighed and rolled her eyes. "You'll behave this time, won't you?"
Artemis averted his eyes. "Sure, don't worry."
Jenny put the cat down on the ground and they hurried off to find Mina. She was in a dressing room with a large star on the door, reviewing her script as someone did her hair. When Jenny knocked shyly on the door, Mina motioned for the hairstylist to leave. Jenny noticed Mina never once removed the mask she wore.
"What do you think?" Mina asked.
Jenny looked around the dressing room. "It's awesome," she replied. "I can't believe I know someone famous!"
"It's not like you can tell everyone, you know," Mina said somewhat severely. "I don't want everyone to know this secret."
"Five minutes, Miss V," an attendant said from the doorway.
Mina stood and adjusted her costume.
"Does anyone here know who you really are?" Jenny asked.
"No, and let's keep it that way," Mina said as she left.
"Okay people, let's start with the death scene," the director shouted.
Jenny stood behind the director's chair with Artemis seated at her feet, and watched the actors come onto the set. One man stood out from the others. He was tall with black hair and blue eyes. Jenny gasped when she saw his face. It was Granite!
"Grant, in this scene, you take Sailor V into your arms. She struggles but soon accepts that you are stronger than she is. That's when you try to kiss her. Sailor V then slaps you across the face and you fall back. Then you summon your warriors and Sailor V destroys them all. When her back in turned, take the rubber knife and throw it at her. It'll bounce off and Sailor V will fall to the ground. We'll add in the blood and knife later. Ready everyone? Quiet on the set!" the director shouted.
Jenny watched helplessly as her friend acted through the scene. A small meow at her feet made her remember she had one ally here. Quietly, she and Artemis ducked behind an unused set and she told the cat everything.
"Are you sure?" Artemis asked when she was done.
Jenny nodded and swallowed hard. "Is Mina powerless in her Sailor V form?"
"Not completely, but this may catch her off guard. You better be ready to transform," he said.
Again Jenny nodded. She and the cat left their hideout behind the set and continued to watch the progressing scene.
"Evil monster! I'll fight you for all eternity," Sailor V said.
Granite laughed wickedly and raised his arms. Three monsters rose up from the ground.
"Where did they come from?" Harvey said.
The propsman shrugged.
"Well, Sailor V," Granite spat out the words, "looks like eternity won't be that long."
The three monsters attacked all at once. They were all female wearing leotards. One had green skin and the other two were blue. They leapt in front of the grinning Granite and surrounded the girl on all sides. Sailor V took a fighting stance, but was unsure about what to do. She knew people were watching and, although her identity was unknown by them, she hesitated using her powers.
"This isn't in the script! Grant, what are you doing?" Harvey yelled.
"You wanted Sailor V to die in this scene, well, I'm helping her get into her role," Granite said.
Sailor V screamed as the monsters drew closer. The green one shot a long, sticky rope from the palm of her hand. It wrapped around Sailor V and began to glow a brighter green.
"Jenny, are you ready?" Artemis asked.
Jenny nodded and held up her hand.
"Solar Ring Power!" she yelled.
In a flash, Sailor Sun stood in the place where Jenny had been. The sixth scout jumped from the shadows to stand between Granite and Sailor V.
"I am Sailor Sun, guardian of the eternal Star! In his name, I command you to stop, or be destroyed," Sailor Sun said.
"Not more speeches," Artemis moaned from where he hid.
"Ah, Sailor Sun, so we meet again," Granite said. "I would like to extend an invitation to you from my Master."
"Tell him no thanks," she replied through clenched teeth. "I've already experienced you're Master's hospitality."
Granite inclined his head in a kind of bow. "Then I shall leave this duel to another day. Destroy her!" he ordered as he vanished.
The yellow scout suddenly found herself facing the three monsters on her own. Sailor Sun bowed her head slightly and held up her hands in a triangle. Her jewel on her tiara shone through the center of the triangle and Sailor Sun stared at her first target.
"Day-Star Solar Ray Charge!" she called as five beams of pure light-energy shot at the ropes holding Sailor V.
They broke and the girl was free. Sailor V groaned softly and fell to the ground, drained of energy. The monsters then turned to face Sailor Sun.
"I could use some help," she called over her shoulder.
Sailor V didn't answer. She was unconscious on the floor. Artemis stood over her, hissing at the monsters.
"All right, now what?" Sailor Sun said to herself.
The monsters advanced slowly. Sailor Sun sighed. "I hate being new on the job."
"Solar Flare Sprout!" she said, holding out both hands, wrists touching and fingers outspread.
A large tongue of flame leapt from her hands and fried the closest monster. It shrieked in pain and terror and disappeared. The remaining two monsters stared at their opponent with renewed hatred.
"Solar Sun Spot," Sailor Sun cried.
Suddenly, there were three Sailor Suns. The monsters looked at them in confusion. With a roar of anger, they both struck separate images at the same time. As they shot out ropes, the ropes ignited into flame and burned all the way back to them. They screamed as the flames leapt higher. When the flames died down, all that remained was Sailor Sun.
"That was fantastic! Did we get it on tape?" Harvey cried.
He looked over and saw his camera on fire.
"Oh no! That would have been a perfect scene for a movie! Maybe she can do it again," Harvey looked back to where Sailor Sun had been. The set was empty and charred.
"She's gone!" he stammered. "And she took my star with her!"
Sailor Sun and Artemis had leapt through an open skylight and were now running along the rooftops of the studio. It was dark out, and the shadows concealed them from the guards who were searching the compound for the missing Sailor V. Sailor Sun was carrying her unconscious friend and, as she jumped from the last studio roof to that of a neighboring building, they finally stopped.
"Wow! I never realized movies can be so realistic!" Sailor Sun joked.
Artemis was checking over Sailor V. Mina hadn't woken up or moved since the monsters had attacked.
"She's very weak. Can you help?" he said with a worried voice.
Sailor Sun nodded and held up her ring.
"Solar Recharge Radiation!" she called.
A fine yellow light fell on Sailor V and she stirred.
"What happened?" she asked groggily.
Artemis purred happily as Sailor Sun helped Sailor V to her feet. Sailor V then picked up her cat and hugged him tightly.
"You promised if I came with you it would be fun," Sailor Sun said, "and you delivered. For that, I'll buy you a milkshake, if you're up to it. I can explain everything then."
"You call that fun?" Artemis said in a shocked voice.
Sailor V looked at her friend and smiled.
"Sure Jenny, let's go," she laughed. "While you're buying me that milkshake, I'll buy you one to say thanks for saving me."
Together, the two of them leapt off the rooftop and headed towards the mall.
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