Episode 12: The Beauty Within

At a local auditorium, a major fashion show is being conducted. Crowds of people flock around
the catwalk as the music blares and lights flash while cameras capture the images of models
walking down the runway. Backstage a man directs the models to get out on the runway as fast
as they can.

Director: Okay. Go, go, go!

He looks around impatiently.

Director: Where's Tracey? She's on next!

The others around him look at him and shrug their shoulders. Suddenly, a woman screams from
a dressing room not far from where the director is standing. Everyone rushes to her aid. When
they open the door the woman is sobbing in front of the mirror with her hands covering her face.
The directors gets behind her.

Director: Tracey, are you alright?

Tracey: No! I can't go on. I'm ruined!

With those words she drops her hands to show her face which has been horribly disfigured.
Those standing around gasp in astonishment.

Director: What in God's name happened?

The next day, Kevin and the others are hanging around at Zodiac Central. Kevin is reading the
paper as the others busy themselves around the room. Maya walks in.

Kevin: Maya, have you read the paper yet?

Maya: No. Why?

Kevin: Do you know a Tracey Meyers?

Maya: Tracey? Yeah. She and I had the same agent when I first started. We did a couple of
gigs together, but I haven't talked to her in a while.

Kevin: Well, it looks like she got attacked.

Their conversation catches the attention of the others as they circle around the table.

Maya: Oh no. Is she okay?

Kevin: Says here she wasn't physically attacked, but her face was grossly disfigured when they
found her in her dressing room.

Paige: How'd that happen?

Kevin: The only thing she said was that she was attacked by a monster.

Leon: A Dimocian Beast.

Marcus: That wasn't hard to figure out.

Kevin: Apparently this isn't the first time this has happened. Two previous cases weren't
publicized because the models didn't want to talk about it. But they suffered the same attack.

Paige: So what do you think Levina is up to?

Kevin: I don't know.

Marcus: It's obvious she wants to keep this quiet. Otherwise we would have already been
confronted by whatever is doing this.

Kevin: Exactly. Maya, do you think you can be at the next fashion show to keep an eye out on
things?

Maya: Yeah, I'll see what I can do.

At Mount Havoc, Levina is at her thrown. She is approached by a Dimocian Beast who, despite
not being human, beholds an air of beauty about her. The Dimocian Beast bows before Levina.

Shauvra: I am here to serve you, my queen.

Levina: Ah, Shauvra. You’re beauty and loyalty pleases me. I see you’ve kept yourself
somewhat busy on the surface.

Shauvra: Indeed. Beauty has it’s price. Unfortunately for those humans, it was at their expense.

Levina: Ha, ha, ha! It seems they’ve been put in a rather ugly situation. Now go back to the
surface. It humors me to see how those humans suffer.

Shauvra: Yes, your heiness.

Shauvra rises and exits the cavern.

At another fashion event, Maya walks around backstage looking for anything peculiar. She
smiles as models rush past her to get on stage and she is reminded of her time as a model.
Another model walking back to the room stops Maya.

Karen: Maya? Maya Douglas?

Maya: Karen Mathers! Oh my gosh! It’s so good to see you!

The two hug.

Karen: Looking good yourself, but where’ve you been? We haven’t seen you in action in a
while.

Maya: Well, depends on what kind of action you’re talking about. I’ve been keeping a low
profile.

Karen: I understand. And it may be a good thing right now, especially with what’s been going
on lately. Did you hear about Tracey Meyers?

Maya: Yes, I did. And it’s so terrible. Have you noticed anything strange lately?

Karen: I can’t say that I have.

Suddenly a scream can be heard not too far away from the girls.

Karen: Oh no!

Maya: Go get help, Karen. I’m going to check it out.

Karen: No, Maya! Wait!

Maya takes off before Karen can stop her. Maya reaches the room where the cry came from and
busts the door open. In the room she sees a model, unconscious, with Shauvra kneeled next to
her with her hand over her face.

Maya: Get away from her!

Shauvra removes her hand from the model’s face, which is now horribly disfigured.

Maya: No!

Shauvra rushes out of the room and through the backstage as models scream out, terrified. Maya
runs after her and talks into her Z-Band.

Maya: Kevin, I’ve found the Dimocian Beast and I’m after her.

Kevin: Don’t let her get away. We’ll be right there.

Maya: Got it.

Maya continues to chase Shauvra outside.

Maya: Aiyah!

Maya flips into the air and lands in front of Shauvra and turns around. Shauvra stops and guards
herself.

Maya: You won’t get away with what you’ve done to those girls.

Shauvra: They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Now behold me: Shauvra! Argh!

Shauvra shoots energy blasts from her hands. The blasts explode at Maya’s feet as she rolls in
front of them and jumps back into the air for a flying kick. She knocks Shauvra back.

Shauvra: Argh!

Maya: And now you’ll really pay for what you’ve done. Celestial change!

Maya transforms.

Gemini: (posing) Yellow Gemini!

Shauvra: It’s seems I’ve met my match with both beauty and strength. But that’s about to
change.

Gemini: Give it your best. Kyah!

Gemini flips through the air again.

Gemini: Gemini Battle Batons!

Gemini comes down with her weapons in hand. She starts to attack Shauvra who blocks a few
of her blows. Shauvra manages to take the upper hand with a kick to Gemini’s stomach and a
chop to the back. As Gemini struggles to get up, Shauvra rolls her over and places her hand over
Gemini’s helmet. Gemini’s head starts to glow under Shauvra’s hand. The others soon arrive at
the scene.

Libra: Aries, Gemini is in trouble!

Aries: Let’s get that Dimocian away from her. Everyone!

Aries/Taurus/Pisces/Libra: Z-Magnums!

The fire a shot which hits Shauvra in the shoulder.

Shauvra: Ahh! Curse you! This isn’t over.

Shauvra gets up and disappears. The others run to Gemini’s aid. When they reach her she is no
longer transformed and she is laying face down. Aries kneels down and puts his hand on Maya’s
back.

Aries: Maya? Are you alright?

Maya slowly raises herself to look at the others and shows her disfigured face. The others are
startled at the sight.

Libra: Oh, Maya.

Maya hangs her head low as her hair falls to cover her face.

At Zodiac Central, everyone is gather around a table. Everyone is quiet as they think of
something to say to Maya. Maya keeps her head down with her hair falling to each side of her
face so that no one can see her while she is sitting. Dr. Kesler walks in and Paige immediately
walks up to him.

Dr. Kesler: Dad?

Dr. Kesler simply looks at Paige and shakes his head.

Dr. Kesler: There is nothing we can do. The change is irreversible for now. At this moment I
just do not have any answers.

Paige looks back at Maya who remains motionless. Leon walks behind Maya and puts his hands
on her shoulders.

Leon: It’s gonna be alright, Maya. Hang in there.

Kevin: Yeah. It’s not the end of the world.

Maya quickly gets up from her seat and gets defensive.

Maya: Well, maybe it’s alright and not the end of the world for you but it is for me.

Paige: Maya, don’t.

Maya: Look at me. I look like a monster. I can never go out in public again. My life is ruined.

Kevin: You’re overreacting.

Maya: How else am I supposed to react, Kevin? My entire life has been based around how I
look. And now look. I’m . . . I’m . . .

Maya starts sobbing and rushes out of the room.

Paige: Maya!

Paige starts to take off after her but Marcus stops her.

Marcus: Wait. Let me try to talk to her.

Marcus walks out after Maya.

Maya walks towards a small stream in the woods outside the Kesler Estate. She crouches down
to look at her reflection in the water. Frustrated, she picks up a rock and throws it at her
reflection. Marcus slowly walks up behind her.

Marcus: We need to talk.

Maya stands up but keeps her back to Marcus.

Maya: Go away, Marcus. I don’t want to see you and I definitely don’t want you to see me.

Marcus: What you did back there was uncalled for. They’re your friends and are just trying to
help.

Maya: I don’t want any help. No one can help me now. And nothing you could say is going to
change the way I feel. Just leave me alone.

Marcus: You’re wrong. I don’t know what’s going on inside your head, but you should know
that beauty starts from the inside and works its way out. And if you don’t know that by now,
then you’re not the person I thought you were.

Just then the distress signal goes off on their Z-Bands. Marcus looks down at his and looks back
at Maya, but Maya doesn’t move. Disappointed, Marcus turns around and runs off to help his
friends. Maya stands alone in silence. She drops down to her knees and starts crying again.

At Mount Havoc, Levina and Shauvra watch a cloud of smoke with the image of Maya crying.

Levina: Ha, ha, ha! Looks as though that precious gem, Maya, has lost her confidence. It’s
amazing how appearances can change a person. Shauvra, return to the surface and finish off
Yellow Gemini while she’s at her lowest. I’ve got the others busy with a band of Zoodos.

Shauvra: It would be my pleasure.

In another part of the city, Zoodos are terrorizing the citizens. Aries and the others drive up in
their vehicles and dismount.

Aries: Okay, guys. Let’s get rid of them.

All: Z-Sabers!

They use their swords to battle the Zoodos.

Back in the woods, Maya is kneeled by the stream tossing pebbles into the water. She starts
thinking to herself.

Maya: (to herself) What am I going to do? I know my friends are trying to help but this world
can be such a cruel place sometimes. People will look at me and turn away. How can I deal
with that?

Suddenly, she feels a hand on her shoulder and a voice.

Man: Hey, are you . . .

She immediately turns around, thinking it’s Marcus.

Maya: I said just leave me alone!

A man stands there with his two kids. He’s startled by Maya’s appearance and pulls his two kids
behind him.

Man: Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb you.

Maya: No, I’m sorry. I just thought you were . . .

The man rushes to get away from Maya.

Man: It’s okay. C’mon, kids.

The little boy and girl stare at Maya as they walk off. Maya shakes her head with disbelief at
what she just did. She looks at her reflection again and throws another rock.

At the fight scene with the others, the Zoodos are successfully defeated. Aries stops and looks
around.

Aries: That’s odd. There’s no one else around.

Libra: It must be a set-up.

Pisces: Maya. We have to get back to her.

They rush off to find Maya.

Back by the stream, Maya continues to throw tiny pebbles into the water. Suddenly, she hears a
little girl’s scream and a man yelling for help.

Maya: What’s that?

Maya gets up and follows the sound of the voices. She finds herself in a wooded area. Shauvra
has the little girl in her arms as the girl’s father and brother stand back, helplessly. Maya decides
to help out.

Maya: Let her go, Shauvra! She’s only a child.

Shauvra: Ah, but even as a child she radiates such beauty and perfection.

Shauvra starts to put her hand over the girl’s face but Maya jumps into the air.

Maya: Kyah!

Maya does a flying kick which knocks Shauvra down, causing her to release the girl. Maya grabs
the girl by the hand.

Maya: Don’t be afraid. Let’s get you back to your father.

The little girls nods and she let’s Maya lead the way. They reach the girl’s father who is
thankful to see his daughter. He looks at Maya and smiles.

Man: Thank you.

Maya smiles back and nods. The little girl tugs at Maya’s hand to get her to kneel down. Maya
kneels down next to the girl who give Maya a kiss on the cheek.

Girl: Thanks for saving me.

Maya smiles and touches the girl’s cheek.

Maya: You’re welcome, sweetheart. Now go to a safe place far from here.

The little girl nods as her father leads the two kids out of the area. Shauvra gets up and takes a
couple of steps towards Maya.

Shauvra: Well, the ugly duckling has courage after all.

Maya turns around and clenches her fist.

Maya: Yeah, well this one is about to turn into a graceful swan. You may have ruined me on the
outside, but you’ll never break my fighting spirit inside. Celestial change!

Maya transforms into Gemini.

Gemini: Let’s go! Ehh!

Shauvra: Argh!

Gemini and Shauvra run towards each other and engage in hand to hand combat. They exchange
blows, both equal in attack, but Gemini manages to take the upper hand this time and kicks
Shauvra who flies through the air. Shauvra counters by doing a back flip into the trees and
comes back down at Gemini. She grabs Gemini and throws her into a tree and she hits the
ground. Shauvra fires blasts from her hands but Gemini ducks from the attack.

Gemini: Gemini Twin Attack!

Gemini performs her special attack and doubles herself. Both Gemini attack Shauvra at the
same time, punching and kicking faster than Shauvra can handle. The Gemini punch her at the
same time and knock her back. The Gemini double disappears.

Shauvra: Why you . . . argh!

Shauvra sends a fiery blast from her mouth which causes a large explosion. Gemini flies through
the air and falls to the ground.

Gemini: Unh!

Shauvra: You weren’t expecting that one, were you? Well, here’s a little more.

But before Shauvra can do anything else, the rest of Zodiac Five flip through the air and attack
with their weapons. Libra fires a shot from her crossbow, Taurus and Pisces stab Shauvra in the
chest with their triton and axe, and Aries brings his sword across her chest. Shauvra falls as they
land on the ground and regroup around Gemini.

Aries: We got here as soon as we could when we realized you might be in trouble. Are you
alright?

Gemini: Yes, and I’m going to be fine. Thanks, guys.

Shauvra struggles to get up.

Shauvra: I’ll get you, Zodiac Five.

Gemini: Let’s finish her. Planetary Immobilizing Attack!

Each member calls on his/her planet.

Gemini: Mercury!

Aries: Mars!

Taurus: Pan Horus!

Pisces: Neptune!

Libra: Venus!

All: Planetary . . . Immobilizing . . . Attack!

Each send their energy sphere at Shauvra and destroy her in a massive explosion. Levina sees
what has happened and points her staff into the air. An energy beam hits Shauvra and makes her
grow.

Aries: Launch Z-Mecha!

The hanger opens on the side of Noble Mountain and the Z-Mecha is launched. Each member of
Zodiac Five is teleported into his/her respective mecha.

Aries: Celestial formation!

The mecha combines to form the Grand Zodiac King.

All: Grand Zodiac King, engaged!

Shauvra comes in for an attack and exchanges a few punches. The Grand Zodiac King is
knocked down. She tries to stomp on it but the Grand Zodiac King grabs her foot and twists it,
causing her to fall and roll away. She gets on her knee and fires a blast from her hands.

Aries: Vitality Shield!

The blasts are deflected by the shield.

Aries: Stellar Lance!

The Grand Zodiac King strikes at Shauvra as blasts explode from her chest. It stabs Shauvra in
the stomach and throws her over until she lands on the ground. Shauvra struggle to get up.

Gemini: Let’s finish her!

Aries: Celestial Blade!

The sword appears in the Grand Zodiac King’s hand.

All: Grand Zodiac Slash!

The Grand Zodiac King slices at Shauvra in a Z formation. Shauvra falls to the ground and
explodes. Suddenly, Gemini’s helmet starts to glow. Libra notices.

Libra: Gemini, something’s happening.

Everyone turns to look at Gemini. She nervously touches her helmet and takes it off.

Maya: Am . . . am I back to normal?

Pisces: Looking better than you did before.

Libra walks over to Maya and puts her hand on her shoulder.

Libra: You look great.

Maya starts to smile.

Maya: Thanks, guys.

At the Kesler Estate, everyone except Paige is outside.

Maya: I really want to apologize for the way I acted towards all of you.

Kevin: Hey, it’s totally understandable.

Leon: Yeah. We probably would have been the same way.

Maya: I know. I just had a hard realization that looks aren’t everything.

Marcus: Even though the outside is what we see first, it’s the inside that really counts.

Marcus takes Maya’s hand and squeezes it. Paige rushes up to them with Dr. Kesler and a
camera.

Paige: Well, now that everything is back to normal, how about a group picture?

Kevin: You bet!

Everyone gets together for the picture. Arm-in-arm they smile big for the camera, especially
Maya, as Dr. Kesler takes the photo.

The End

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