More than six thousand miles away, a quintet of young men await in the dark. It looked like the backstage of an arena hall or theater.

"It's getting closer to game time, guys.." said one of the men.

"You sound kind of nervous, dude.." said another. "What's the matter, got butterflies in your stomach?"

"I think they're moths.."

"Or maybe it was that Mega Burg meal you ate a couple of hours ago?" said a third.

"Come on! We've did enough playing around for one world tour! Let's end this monster concert!" said a fourth member.

"WITH A BANG!" said a fifth.

A guy who seemed to be a stage manager, were getting the five in position. Each stood alongside each other, and got on a platform about to be lowered down.

The time-8:30 Tokyo time. The place-Tokyo Dome-A sold-out concert! As the opening act concluded, the M.C. barked in Japanese, "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! THE FINAL NIGHT IS HERE! PLEASE WELCOME-THE MAIN STREET MEN!" The five members of the boy band were lowered from the dark stage, and onto the light of the concert hall!

Episode 27-"Main Street Men"

The five male singers ascended, like they were beaming down a spaceship. The first guy started off with dialogue, then the second, and so on. They sung acappella, and the light beamed on the MSM. Uncannily enough, they all resembled Vin, Nick, B.C. Kunio, and Takeshi! The music began, they began to dance, and the mostly female crowd went wild, jumping, dancing and bouncing to the Main Street Men's favorite tunes!

Six thousand plus miles to the east, Central NJ University, deserted because of the summer session, and our heroes whom are off campus, do some housework for Rosewood, who gave them rooms to stay for the summer. Kunio was the only one back in summer session to make up for class to bring his grades up as he was on his way to the study lounge.

"Hey..It's Carmen.." thought Mikey to himself. He had been somewhat pursuing his classmate since the Art History class they had taken together. He wanted so much to get to know her, but Carmen continusly ignored him. "How's it going, Carmen? Como esta?"

"Wow.." she said. Carmen was in awe, reading info about the 'Main Street Men' coming to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in two weeks. "Oh, wow..It'll be a dream to see Jason Jefferson sing! He's so hot!"

Mikey realized Jason strikingly resembled him, like he was seeing double, with Jason having a goatee, while Kunio was clean shaven. "Big deal...however, but doesn't he look like someone very familiar?"

Carmen was somewhat annoyed by Mikey trying to get her attention. "You know, he does.." Mikey was hoping that she'll finally listen.."Like one of those..Backroad guys or something.." Mikey felt somewhat frustrated. "What will it take to get her to notice me? What? What?!" he said to himself.

At that moment, Kunio's FilmBrace started to ring, and he covered it, going around the corner to answer it.

"What's up, Vin?"

"Meet me at the train station..I just wanted to remind you that we need to meet Professor Alex at Newark Airport this afternoon.."

"But..but..I was trying to set up..uh a date with Carmen.."

"Your love life has to wait, sketch boy.. The rest of the crew will see you at 2:30.."

Meanwhile, a plane flight took off back to the states, with the Main Street Men and their crew. Sitting in business class, they all looked tired.

"Here it is, Jason.." said Garry, their agents. "After the last tour, keep in mind that all of you have that music video shoot the next day..and-"

"Just a second! What video?!? You said that we were gonna lay down low for a month!"

"I know, but E.T.(Entertainment Tonight) wanted to get that exclusive interview and check out those behind the scene shots, too-"

"What press conference?" said T.J. The MSM member looked like Vin with a beard and bald. "I want to chill myself and see my girlfriend!"

"Which one?" replied Doug amusingly. He resembled Nick, but with a ponytail and goatee.

Joe, who resembled Takeshi with a pencil thin mustache, got into the fray. "You know, it's a shame that there aren't anybody who can take our place while we recover..."

"There's our excuse, Garry!" said Joseph. "The MSM are suffering from jet lag, thus the video shoot must be cancelled.."

"Oh no, you don't.." he said. "You're not gonna try the Madonna illness bit..Your fans are no fools.." While Joe listened to the rest of the gang, he clenched on a small crystal. He held on to it like a good luck charm, since a British fan gave it to him a month ago. It glowed while it was under his shirt.

However, it attracted little attention, except outer space. The wicked Lady Vixen felt the presence of the crystal. "Power..Oh yes, and in the hands of a musician.."

"Indeed..my lovely Vixen.." replied the sinister Blackorg. "In addition to the now dead humans I asked Anark Key to retrieve months ago, I can use that crystal as a key to my next plan for domination of this planet.. Take Ug along to ensure the crystal's capture!"

"Yes, my Lord.." Vixen replied with Ug appearing and bowing to him.

And not far away, in a meeting hall, the stranger who assisted the Scanrangers in the previous episode completed a spiritual conversation with one of his friends. "I would encourage you, brother to just stay focused. In Chapter Six, he said, 'Do not worry..'" He pauses. "I've got to go..Someone actually needs my help.."

"Thanks for the input, Peter.." I'll see you at the Bible discussion group tomorrow.."

"I sense great danger, and the Scanrangers seem to need my help again...I pray with the Almighty One's strength that I can make this happen.."

Later, at the airport, Vin, Takeshi, B.C., and Nick await Professor Alex, who was just stepping off the plane at Gate 23. "Where's Mikey? I thought that he was supposed to be with us.." said B.C.

"I don't know, but it seems he missed the shuttle minutes after we left.." said Vin. I told him we won't leave him until he gets to the arrival waiting area.."

Speaking of Mikey, he was running to catch up with the rest of the guys. "Now, was it Gate 32 or 23? Why did I had to be the one in school for the summer? I could've been off like the rest of the gang.." At the same time.. around Gate 25, the Main Street Men was coming off their plane. Professor Alex and Toni was coming down to meet the team.

While Mikey was running, a couple of women saw him running down the terminal. "Look, Kate! Was that who I thought it was?"

Kate did a double take. "My gosh, Kelly! That was Jason Jefferson! We've got to go see him! I want his autograph!" The giddy teenage girls ran after him.

"There they are!" said Vin, shaking Alex's hand and gives Toni a hug. "Professor! Toni! How was Chicago?"

"My kind of town, but you wouldn't want to live there..." said Alex.

"It's kinda cool..dear teacher had shown me around the fun parts of the Windy City..seeing 'Slammin' Sammy hit two, and then went down to the Field Museum right after that.."

Poor Mikey was still trying to elude the autograph seekers..Nick saw him coming down the gate. "Hey, Mikey! We're over-" Kunio runs past the crew.He was unaware that he was about to crash into Jason, which he does! They both fall down.Fortunately, the MSM's bodyguards blocked the two girls from coming any closer.

"Yo, Man! Why don't you flipping look where you're going?" Jason then stares at Mikey, as he does the same. "I'm sorry, sir..I-" Seeing the similarity, they just stood there.

Toni said.."Guys..Is it me or am I seeing double?"

"No no no.." said B.C. "I do believe that we've ran into some celebrities..It'd be so cool just to switch places with them..even for a week.."

"Who are these guys?" asked Alex. "These are the Main Street Men..one of the most popular boy bands that's ever performed..not that I listen to these guys.." said Vin.

Garry overheard B.C's comment and thought about his idea. He divined that Alex supervised the Scanranger crew. "Excuse me, miss..Are you responsible for these fun kids?"

"Yes, what about them?"

"I have a proposition for you.." Garry brought Alex over to the side. "If you don't mind, I would like to 'borrow' your students.."

"Borrow them? What for? My students are about to prepare themselves for school in about two weeks...That may be difficult at such short notice..."

"I can arrange it where your pupils can register on time, as well as a vacation getaway of their choosing during your next holiday break.."

"You can talk to them..provided they get an appearance in your next video, and a backstage pass for one of the next concert.." said Alex.

"Agreed.." said Garry. He walks over to the MSM, introducing them to the rangers. "Your problem's solved..Meet your understudies.."

The Scanranger crew looked puzzled and looked at each other. "What's he talking about?" asked Nick.

"Sorry that I was rude earlier..My name's Jason Jefferson." he said to Mikey.

"Mikey Mikimoto.."

"Doug..."

"Nick Simonds.."

"T.J. Johnson..." introducing himself to Vin.

"Vin Harlock.." The rest introduced themselves formally:Joe Wong to Takeshi, and Joseph to B.C.

"Listen..guys..I've got a proposition for you, and if you desire to be rewarded handsomely, I can have you all in the next MSM video..."

"It's been sort of a boring summer, anyway.." said B.C. I'm game.."

"How much..handsomely, may I ask?" asked Vin.

"About this much.." said Garry, writing out a check and showing it to the male rangers. Nick and Vin look at it and both respond, "CH-CHING!"

"I take that as a yes.." said Alex.

"That much, Mr. Garry?" said B.C. "Who do we gotta murder?"

"Meet me at this location in the city, there we'll get started.." Garry and the MSM give the guys their business cards, including Toni. "Don't worry, Toni..You won't be left out..I plan to make you the co-director of the new video..You look like a dancing person..

"Wow..in fact, I am! Hey, guys! Let's go for it!"

Mikey thought about Carmen in the midst of this meeting. "This will definitely be advantageous for yours truly.." He thought about Carmen's comment..'It'll be a dream to see Jason Jefferson sing! He's so hot!' "This will give me an opportunity to prove myself to her, to have her to like me..but she won't know that it'll be me, but Jason Jefferson!" As Mikey daydreamed, Vin interrupts him. "C'mon, Mikey, let's go! We're really gonna go Hollywood later this week!"

A few days later, the rangers show up at the MSM's studio. They look around and check out a trophy case of their platinum records, plus some pictures of them with Jennifer Lopez, one shot with the President, and one with the group Destiny's Child. Garry appeared before the crew. "Well, Main Street Men II, are you ready?"

"Ready, Will Smith, and Abel Ferrara.." said Mikey. "What do we start with first?"

Moments later, Toni was instructing the five rangers in their dance steps for the Main Street Men's music video. They grunted and pushed themselves, trying to keep in step with her. "B.C., You're supposed to move with the left, not the right foot! Again!! Vin, you need to speed up some more after that leap!"

Vin thought to himself, "What happened to the compassionate, easy going Toni I knew? She's like a first sergegant when it comes to choreographing!"

"NO TALKING! KEEP MOVING! ONE, TWO, THREE, SPIN! FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, SPIN!" barked Toni. "I'm actually having a lot of fun pushing these guys to the limit..I'm enjoying this.." she thought with a slight sinister smile.

Two days later, they go to the recording studio where Mikey listens to Jason sing. Mikey was impressed as he got his turn to sing. He unintentionally hits a high note, yet was out of breath. "You have to use your diaphragm, Kunio.." said Jason. "A lot of people make the mistake of using their throat to sing..it has to come out of here.." Jason points to his chest cavity area.

"Right.." Kunio felt exhausted after seven or eight takes on the song "I Need Your Love." Then with sudden confidence, Mikey then sang as he had never sang before. Vin and Nick was blown away. "This is the quiet Mikey we knew?" said Vin. "Wow.." said Nick in response.

Vin, Nick, B.C. and Takeshi each got their turn at singing, with Vin, not surprisingly, did a hip-hop tune. B.C. took a shot and did a drum solo, like his counterpart, Joseph. Takeshi, reserved as he was, even did a love ballad, a slow version of Simon & Garfunkel's 60's hit, 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'. Nick got a chance to play the sax, and sounded good!

As the Scanrangers got to play celebrities, the next day, the real Main Street Men take advantage of their free time and relax at a private undisclosed swimming pool. "This is very unheard of.." said T.J. "We're the only group I know who ever had understudies to go on tour for us..I kind of envy them.."

"Why should you, T.J.?" said Joe. "We still at least get paid..these guys chose to volunteer for free..interesting that they didn't ask for much.."

"Well, let's enjoy this while we-" Jason's comment was interrupted by a bubbling waterspout coming out their pool, Commander Vixen, General Ug, and a new cybercreature!

"Wh-who the blazes are you?" demanded Jason.

"That's not important!" said Vixen. "What's important is that you have something that we need! KuroToad! Get that crystal!" The crystal that Joe had was MAYHEM's object of desire. It began to glow. "Yes!" said Vixen. "Grab him!"

"It's no use, human! I've got the jump on you!" said KuroToad. The cybercreature grabbed the necklace and Joe with it. The other Main Street Men went after the monster to stop him, but Ug gets in their way! "Meddling humans!" he replied, using his battle axe to blast them, flying in the air, a couple into the pool.

"I see that these musicians are very popular." thought Vixen. "If I were to put them up for ransom, the fans would be in panic..." We'll take them all..Oh, yes!" Vixen then leviates the half conscious group and teleports them, along with Ug and KuroToad.

Moments later, the mysterious stranger who assisted the Scanrangers, arrived at the MSM's pool. "Blast! I'm too late..Got to get help!" The one named Peter ran to find the movie task force.

Act two

Back at Cape Paramount Base, the team seemed exhausted. Everyone, except Toni, of course, felt like they were in pain. Vin, on the other hand, was asleep from said exhaustion, snoring in the process. Alex walked over and noticed B.C. waking up.

"How are you feeling, superstar?" she asked.

"This is all your fault! What happens if MAYHEM attacks while we're sore? We can't fight like this!" said B.C. sarcasticly.

"Don't blame me, Mr. wanna-be celebrity..It was your idea to agree with doing this mission.." At the same time, Nick replied, "If this our 15 minutes of fame, it's taking a lot longer.."

At once, the emergency signal went off, waking up the team. Sarita picked up the signal. "Professor Alex! Listen to this! It's a video that MAYHEM sent to the MSM's record company!" The Scanrangers responded and watched the screen, seeing Vixen and KuroToad keeping watch of the kidnapped Main Street Men!

"Attention, chief holders of StarLight Records! I represent MAYHEM, and we shall have your undivided attention! We have your popular money-making singers on ice! These handsome men whom you call-the Main Street Men! Our negotiations are quite simple..Your company for your superstars, and it would be such a shame to waste these lovely males, especially for those female fans of the earth? You have 24 hours to decide..Do choose wisely..the fate of this ..'boy band' is in your hands!" Vixen then signs off.

"That's all?" joked Vin. "I thought it was something important.."

"Get serious, Vin!" said Mikey. "These guys are in trouble! Indirectly, we owe them..After all, who do you know was willing to help these guys to have a normal life, instead of being pestered by autograph hounds..Besides, you've always wanted to be on TV, at least once..Don't try to deny it, leader man!"

Vin hesitated, and then agrees. "You're right, Mikey..Although I felt forced to do this, this is for helping out the world..This is our responsiblity.."

"At last! Action! Come on, guys!" said Takeshi. "Mate..Wait, Takeshi.." said Mikey. "Since Vixen's expecting us to save the group, what say we put our new skills into practice?"

"Yeah, we can confuse the villainess into thinking she has the wrong guys!" said Vin.

"All we have to do is to convince the fan club members that the concert will go on tonight as planned.."

"Brillant idea, Kunio.." said Alex. "I can make my usual arragements with the concert promoters..to have the concert outside the Pefrorming Arts Center..I'll call Garry and let him know there's no cause for alarm.."

"Thanks, Professor..Well, guys, as they say, 'The show must go on!' Let's not disappoint our fans!

"Right!" Let's go, rangers!" As they run towards the exit, B.C. replies, Go Rangers? Isn't that the first sentai in-" Nick grabs B.C.

A few hours later, the crew rehearse for the show. They go over the moves as Garry finalizes the plans for the outdoor concert. It was six o'clock, and the fans started to enter, some hoping to see their favorite singers. Even Carmen had the privilege to get a front row seat about a couple of feet near the stage. Backstage, Vin and the others prepare themselves. "I'm certain that this will confuse Vixen, thinking that she has the wrong guys..Let's hope the plan works.." Vin had shaven what hair was left on his head and a fake beard, Nick with a ponytail and goatee, Takeshi, with a mustache also, and B.C., with glasses.

After the opening act was completed, the guys got into position to begin the concert. One of the local news reporters was talking about the concert that was to start. And not far away, Vixen, Ug, and KuroToad was watching the news report.

"The poor humans shall panic since we kidnapped these 'Main Street Men..' We shall then use-" Wait..what is this?" Vixen saw the Scanrangers, who was posing as the MSM, and then did a double take, seeing the real captured MSM. Ug, of course, was confused. "Lady Vixen..if that's the singing men we captured, who did we catch?"

"It can't be! We have them! And we have already captured the object Lord Blackorg wanted..the crystal! But the one singing has it too! Unless these men are phonies themselves! One way to find out!" The villainess releases the MSM from their static prison. They land with a thud.

"Prove to us you are the real so-called Main Street Men.." demanded Vixen.

A mistake on Vixen's part, since all the real MSM had to do was to sing badly, which Jason did, and T.J. and Joe followed. "I don't know how I got you confused, but whomever did this switch, shall pay dearly!" She teleports the group, back to where they originated, at the pool side.

Soon after that, PinkScanner made her appearance.

Joe was amazed. "Who are you, Power Ranger Special Forces?"

"I'm here to rescue you..You want me to send you back to your kidnappers?" The MSM shook their heads. "All right then..Follow me!"

The three MAYHEM members then went on to confront the MSM aka the Scanranger men. The five men were stunning the sold-out crowd, mostly women who screamed, hollered, and cried out to their favorite group member. Kunio, as Jason, did a ballad, the song 'I Need Your Love' as he sang near the edge of the stage. His dream was about to be fulfilled. Carmen was in his sights. He approached Carmen and brought her on the stage. She was stunned, yet she was unaware that she was in Mikey's arms. He gave Carmen a soft kiss on the cheek, and escorted her back to her seat. The rest of the night, she stood still starry eyed, like her eyes changed into hearts.

After the song, before they were about to make a costume change. Vin, aka T.J. shouted to the crowd. "THANK YOU, NEW JERSEY! YOU'VE BEEN A GREAT CROWD! WE'RE JUST GETTING WARMED UP! AS YOU KNOW, OUR NEW ALBUM IS COMING OUT IN TWO WEEKS! WE JUST WANTED TO GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO-"

"YOU WILL GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE DESTROYED!" interrupted Vixen, speaking from top of the stage. As that was going on, the mysterious stranger was hidden in the crowd. "It's them! I'll bide my time before she makes a move to attack.."

"Who are you?" asked Mikey, feigning ignorance. Vixen, Ug, and KuroToad approach the stage.

"Don't insult my intelligence! My patience is about up now! I've spared your lives long enough, Now, in front of these hopeless humans, now it is time to end your miserable lives in front of this crowd!"

The one named Peter was about to make his move, until he recognized Vin's voice. "NOT ON OUR WATCH, VIXEN! OUR PATIENCE IS ABOUT UP NOW! SURRENDER NOW, OR ELSE!"

"How dare you speak in that tone to me, human!" said Vixen.

"Or else what, human?" said Ug.

"OR ELSE THIS!" replied Nick, posing as Doug. He, Vin, Mikey, and B.C. shouted, "LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION! SCANRANGER!" Takeshi shouted, "HENSHIN! EIGACHANGER!" and transformed. The crowd was in shock, but then cheered, thinking this was part of the show. One girl asked, "This is wicked cool..The MSM transformed into superheroes.." Another said. "Wow..Awesome effects!"

"The real Main Street Men are safe, where you won't find them!" said PinkScanner, making her appearance. "Surrender, MAYHEM!"

"Oh, yes! I'll surrender indeed..The moment you're all destroyed! Ug! KuroToad! Get them!" KuroToad leaped into action, but was distracted by a horde of locusts, courtesy of the mysterious stranger. The cybercreature lashed out at the insects, eating them with its tongue. The Scanrangers then attacked! Red and Green hit KuroToad with a double kick! Silver went after Ug as the general blasted Silver with his battle axe, yet Silver's SabreMagnum deflected the blast right at Ug, taking him out! Yellow dueled with Vixen, with the warrior woman about to slash him, but he leaps out of the way. He pulls out his Valkyrie Vancer, and blasts a missile, sending Vixen flying.

"And now for the next act-" replied Yellow, but was suddenly snagged by KuroToad's sticky tongue. The monster then sent an electric current, zapping Mikey, and then tossing him around. "A shock to your system, Scanranger? Good! Now I can get a few more licks in! Prepare yourselves!" The cybercreature's tongue went to attack Yellow, but Pink intercepts the tongue, grabs it, and cuts it with her FilmBlade. KuroToad falls back. "Uh uh! Bite your tongue!" she replied.

The Scanrangers then call their finishing weapon. "CAMZOOKA!" The machine sets the focus as usual. "SET THE FOCUS! FAST FORWARD! FIRE!" The plasma beam incinerates KuroToad.

Of course, it wasn't over yet, since the new cybercreature had an implanted KillerByte in their robotic nervous system. It activates and grows into a giant! The defeated Vixen and Ug escape.

In sentai fashion, Red makes the call. "THUNDER DOLBY!" Silver calls up WideScreener. The crowd, unusually stay to see the battle, thinking it was still part of the concert. Dolby, WideScreener and KuroToad battle, and seem to be evenly matched. KuroToad leaped as Dolby tried to punch him, but missed. WideScreener tried to kick the monster, but KuroToad leaped all over the robots, kicking them, and knocking them down.

"Scanrangers! Listen to me!" said Peter. "The only way to defeat that monster is for the two of you to combine your strength!"

"This creature is tougher than the others we battled.." said Yellow. "Why should we trust you?"

"I give you my word.." Peter appeared in Dolby's cockpit with the other Scanrangers. He touches the console, then teleports to WideScreener's cockpit and does the same. At once, the two robots blast off into the air. WideScrrener separates, similar to the separation when Silver becomes SuperScreener. This time, WS separates to become the armor of Thunder Dolby!

"Behold, holy warriors of Hollywood.. Dolby Screener!" said Peter. The robot was slightly taller, ready for battle!

KuroToad was not impressed. The cybercreature leaped to attack again, but DolbyScreener caught it in midair, slamming the amphibian to the ground.

With the six Scanrangers in the cockpit, Red in the middle, Yellow to the left of him, Pink far left, Blue to the right of Red, and Green far right. Silver was behind Red. "Ready to try an old move, Silver?" said Red.

"Yoshi! Right! Are we talking about the Cyclone?"

"I'm talking cyclone, dude! Let's do this!"

The movie task force jumped into the air, and began to spin towards KuroToad. Using an old but now updated techinque, they targeted the cybercreature. They shout, "DOLBY SCREENER CYCLONE!" and ran through the monster, KuroToad was destroyed by the impact! At the same time, the MSM crowd went wild! They thought the rangers and the stage show was part of the concert!

Peter blended into the crowd once more. "Excellent cover, Scanrangers...We will meet again soon.." Moments later, the rangers were back in their civilian forms, and continued with the rest of the concert.

The next day, the team, Alex, and the real Main Street Men met in an undisclosed area. "On behalf of the MSM and their fans, I want to thank you all for saving their lives..and for that, I assure you your secret will be safe..Professor Alex had confirmed that.." said Garry.

"I must admit..that was a good coverup for us..You really had the crowd believing we were the superheroes out there.." said T.J.

"Do you have any idea what you did to our group?!?" said Joe. "Now we're more popular than ever, and that stage show you pulled gave us more promotions to cover.." Joe showed the rangers a copy of The Nation's Requirer, a tabloid paper. The headline read, "REVEALED! MAIN STREET MEN ARE REALLY SCANRANGERS". Joseph shows them a copy of a future comic book where the MSM performed action poses and the Scanrangers leaping into action themselves! "Ahhh, I could've done a better job drawing you guys!" Mikey said jokingly.

"But seriously...rangers..we feel we owe you more than just a backstage pass and a video.. We'll find a way to repay you all soon.."

"Oh, in other words, 'Don't worry, you'll get what's coming to you...'" said B.C. Doug then smacks B.C. on the back of his head...

"Thanks, Doug.." said Nick.

The two groups, including Alex, all laugh and joke around as the Scanrangers were about to complete their 15 minutes of fame, which lasted for two weeks before going to school. In the process, they gained two allies in the form of the MSM, and the mysterious 'Peter'..

To be continued...

In our next Scanranger adventure, another semester starts, and our heroes are under a deadly spell. Unable to transform into the movie task force, they lie helpless at the hands of MAYHEM's deadliest cybercreature yet-KuroHoungan! Only the mysterious 'Peter' can stop this newest threat! What is his techinque to defeat this voodoo-based monster?

Next time on Movie Task Force Scanranger-Episode 28

"And Voodoo To You Too"

Roll That Film!

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