Episode 37-"The Last Temptation of Kunio Mikimoto"

The emergency alarm sounds throughout Mt. Columbia, and Sarita makes the call. "Scanrangers! Emergency! MAYHEM cybercreature attacking in the industrial Leewood Park area!" The team scrambles to check out the screen. This time a giant cybercreature roamed through the center of town.

Vin nods at the others,leading the transformation. "Ready, guys? Then let's do this!" The five shout, "LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION! SCANRANGER!" Now in full battle mode, they swiftly call out the Hollywood Vehicles!

The already enlarged monster, this time called KuroSkunk, went on its way to wreak havoc on the storage tanks, with its aim to blow up the entire city!

KuroSkunk sniffs out the area. "Hmmm..Petro..Not far from here." The cybercreature raises his giant tail aiming for the tank. "This should take three seconds.." Suddenly, the monster was blasted by Thunder Dolby THX!

The Scanrangers were inside the cockpit. Dolby's Gatling Reel Gunner made sure KuroSkunk didn't get far with his plan. "You haven't got three seconds!" said GreenScanner.

"Couldn't wait for us to defeat you tiny size, huh? It's all right, because we're taking you down, right now!" said RedScanner.

"Au contraire, Scanrangers..I'm taking you down! In fact, take a whiff!" KuroSkunk's armor releases an absolute putrid smell that even made the local flowers wilt in seconds!

"Bleahh! Is this guy un skunk le pew or what?" said BlueScanner.

"Well, here's our answer to that! HEAVY EDITOR SWORD!" Red activated their best weapon. KuroSkunk retaliates with his tail, spraying his stink juice onto Dolby's sword, disintergrating half of it.

"What the..?" said Red.

"And now..STINK BOMBARDIERS!" KuroSkunk unleashed a cluster of smelly bombs, making impact on Thunder Dolby and falling the robot!"Now, taste my sweet smell of defeat!" The cybercreature makes its move to throw out more bombs, however, the monster's tail was cut off by WideScreener's sword!

"Hey! Silver! Great timing!"

"Hey yourself! Not a problem..Let's go with the 'gattai' again, shall we?"

"You know it!" Once more, Dolby then unites with WideScreener, with WS becoming the armor. "PRESENTATION! DOLBY SCREENER!"

"You think that's gonna stop me?" said the defiant KuroSkunk, shooting his Stink Bombardiers at Dolby Screener, but no effect on the heroic gestalt. Dolby Screener grabs KuroSkunk and gives it a helicopter spin, bodyslaming it down to the ground!

"We've wasted enough time with Pepe le Pew here..Let's finish this!" said Red.

"Yoshi!" replied Silver. The team kicked KuroSkunk up in the air, and began the final attack. "DOLBY SCREENER CYCLONE!" With the cybercreature dangling helplessly, the Scanranger robot runs through the monster, slicing it in two.

"This stinks.." With KuroSkunk's last words, the monster was destroyed. The team celebrated another victory. Blue thought to himself, "Who writes his dialogue, Bill Shatner?"

Meanwhile, back in space, the satelitte stronghold Nebultopia cruises along above the Earth, right above the roof the world-the North Pole.

Anark Key, thrown across the floor, was punished for the previous failure, for KuroSkunk was his specially made monster.

"Idiot! You have tested my anger long enough as it was! All of you! Leave me, now!" shouted TriloByte, still firm substituting Lord Blackorg's command as the overlord recharges his energy for the past few months.

Speaking of Blackorg, the would-be conqueror was in his throne room, battling with the voice that continued to haunt him. "This fool continues to fight me..But I am Lord Blackorg! No one that lives can resist my dark power!"

The voice shouts again..Ree me!..Yo..an't! FREE ME!!"

"I shall free you indeed..BACK INTO THE ABYSS!" With a concurrent blast of energy, the unforeseen suspect is blasted away back into his mind..

"As I recover,it seems to get stronger as I am..Somehow, after that human..(referring to Peter Emmanuel)destroyed my battle shell, that prison released some of its remaining life force..However..it will not get far, not while Lord Blackorg lives!!"

Outside Central Jersey University, Mikey was in the middle of his rehabiliation at the Union Institute. He had at least one more session before he would be released, after his injury months ago. He was being taken in charge by a woman named Annie London, a physical therapist, who helped him in being able to walk again.

"You're doing great, Kunio..Just a few more steps.."

Mikey struggled a bit. "I don't get it..My scars have completely healed, but it seems like there's something else that's not holding my knee together.. Come on.." Mikey thought to himself. "You can do it.."

"That's excellent,Kunio! You have improved so much since our last session." She smiled, slowly turning into a grin that hinted as she was to plot a very special surprise.

Back at Mt. Columbia Catacombs, the team returns to relax and unwind. They kick back, discussing the battle. Vin was obviously tired. He wondered when he and the crew could get back to a normal life after the threat of MAYHEM would end. Ditto for Toni, who wanted nothing more to get back to studying.

"Rangers! Report to the IMAX briefing room..I have a very important meeting for all of you.."

The five meet with Alex, not knowing what to expect. "All right, so what's the deal, Profess? You going to reward us for our great city saving episode?" said Carmen.

"What the blazes are you talking about? I'm here to let you know how poor your city saving episode came out to be!" The team looked bewildered. "Professor Alex..I don't understand.." said Nick.

"For the past few months, I've seen you all in action..and even after all of you had gotten your upgraded powers, your fighting skills are..how can I put it..dated.."

"Dated?" said B.C.

"Just what I said..Those FilmBraces you have there, in my opinion, seem to be part of the problem...I asked Dr. Markby here today to help examine them..If you could hand over those Film Braces.." They do so, placing them in the middle of the table.

"They are, as you said, dated indeed..."said the good doctor, examining them, then pulling out a small remote control. Markby presses the button, and..

SLAM! goes the FilmBraces, flattened by a concrete block released from the top of the briefing room, smashed beyond repair. Vin had a questionable look on his face, Nick just stood there, Toni and B.C. were in a state of shock, Carmen cupped her hand to her mouth.

Dr.Markby pressed another button, which lowered the half ton concrete block, and there descended a briefcase, which Alex unlocks and opens, revealing a set of five new FilmBraces!

"As much as it pains me say so, those videocassettes are very three years ago, as you would say today..Thus, Dr. Markby, myself, and Takeshi have decided to bring you to the new look of today.." Alex brings the new transformation braces to the rangers, and each one snaps it on their right hand wrist.

"I know how much you all loved your mini-cassettes; load, press, and play..I've decided to eliminate the step, which all that's required is to press and play. The DVD is already programmed inside the FilmBrace, so you won't have to fumble with pulling it out. It's the same setup, your Pause button to freeze the enemy, your Fast Forward button to teleport to your mecha or anywhere else, and Play-you know what to do.."

"This was well thought of, Professor..Very nice.." said Vin.

"They're okay..but if that's the case, why didn't Takeshi get an upgrade for his transforming bracelet and belt buckle?" asked Nick.

"Because they both fit well as vintage henshin devices, not unlike my Film Energy sources.." replied Takeshi. "True, I could use the current up and coming sentai and metal hero shows, but why change a thing? I'm pretty sure when I retire, someone could go with the new order of things.."

"Well, let us know if you need some more city-saving.." said Toni. "I'm going back to campus..At least I could catch some Z's back in my dorm room.."

"Me too.." said Nick. The intrepid five leave the room.

Vin stuck his head outside the briefing room. "By the way, doc, Thanks for the upgrade!"

"Well, Alex..did they like the new bracelets or not?" said Dr. Markby.

"Yes, they did.." Takeshi nodded, but then was stumped at Alex's reply.

Later, Annie and Mikey left the Union Institute, walking together. "You know, it's really hard for me to..to say this, but I do really appreciate how much you've helped me through the past months in my therapy." Mikey was coy, but being that Annie was a couple of years older than him, he wanted to somehow make the friendship even more...

Annie was surprised at that response. "Well, thank you..I..I don't know what to say.."

Suddenly, two men walked to Kunio and Annie. "I know what to say..Hand over your wallet and no one will be hurt!" he said.

"Get behind me, Annie!" said Mikey."This won't take long!" He prepared to defend himself against the two robbers.

Act two

Mikey prepared to fight. One man, dressed in a hooded sweatshirt, lunged at Kunio with a knife, but he grabbed his arm, twisting it, releasing the blade. The other hooded man swiftly ran off with Annie!

"KUNIO! HELP ME!" Annie cried.

"Annie! I'm coming!" Mikey leaped over the other thug's back, pushing him down. He rebounded and then gave him a kick in the head, releasing Annie, and rendering the crook unconscious! The two thugs revealed themselves as Kinks!

"Kinks?!? What would they want with her?"

Annie was shaken, then Mikey held her, consoling his therapist now that she was out of danger. "It's okay..It's all right..You're safe now..I assure you you're in good hands.."

"Thank you..I knew that I could trust you.." At that point, she pulled out a small dagger. At the last second, Mikey responded, only slashing his shirt from his chest! In the process, he grabbed her shirt sleeve, revealing a robotic arm!

"Nanda?!? Annie! W-Why?" said Mikey.

"It was easy..Just like you..And my mistress thought the same for you.." At that point Lady Vixen made her appearance.

"What have you done with the real Annie?!?" demanded Mikey.

"I've actually followed your rehab for almost a year, my sweet..We studied your therapist's steps from beginning to end..Her end of course..I took the liberty of creating an android in her likeness to spy on you..and to strike at the right moment! A pity that your friend couldn't take the strain after I got through with her..The pain lingered for a few moments until my android ended it mercifully.."

Mikey was devastated. Not only that he found out that Annie was a robot,and that his favorite therapist was murdered, but he also had to deal with part of the duo responsible for disabling him!

"Blast you! I knew you were low, but taking advantage of someone as he recovers really takes the cake!"

"KINKS! GET HIM!" With swiftness, the two MAYHEM grunts recover and attack Kunio. Even with his injury, he still utilized his martial arts. He took a fist swinging Kink's arm, breaking it, and flipped him over. He grabbed another, and gave it a head crunching punch, rearranging its face.

"HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO SUCH AN INNOCENT VICTIM? WHAT HAS SHE DONE TO YOU?" Mikey enraged, defended himself at his best, yet was easily no match for the fiendish MAYHEM temptress. He threw a punch, but she grabbed his arm! With a punch to the gut, and a kick that backflipped him, Vixen brought Kunio to the ground!

Vixen then put her boot on Mikey's face. Beaten by his own Film Energy, he was extremely humbled as she continued to haunt him! "This time, your girlfriend can't save you! After I drain you permanently, I will insure you will be beyond help! Ha ha ha ha!" After that response, a stray laser blast separated Lady Vixen from Kunio!

The Scanrangers appear in front of her. "Let him go, Vixen!" said Red. He and the other five, Pink, Silver, Green, Blue, and Yellow were alongside him.

"The Scanrangers! No matter, I've already toyed with your insufficent ex-partner long enough! For now, you're of no concern to me! Your fallen teammate has served his purpose!" With that, Vixen and her now revealed robot sidekick teleported!

"Kunio-san! Dai so ka?! Hang on there!" said Silver.

Mikey shoved Silver away abruptly. "Where were you guys? Why didn't you guys come sooner?"

"Calm down, Mikey! You're with friends now..Catch your breath..We'll take it from here.." said Red. Kunio relaxed himself for but a moment.

"Yeah, Kunio-san..I don't know what Vixen had done to you, but she's not going to get far!" said Silver.

"Pink! Yellow! Get Mikey over to the nurse and then join us as soon as possible! That villainess has already tortured our teammate once too often!" Red gave the command as he, Blue, Green, and Silver pursued Vixen.

Back at Central Jersey University, Vixen and the Annie Android began to wreak havoc on the campus! "That's it, Annie! Take out anyone who gets in out way! Spread the panic all around the school!"

Annie used energy beams from her fingers to electrocute a few bystander students, while others tried to run for safety. The android then pointed her fingers at two women, scared and hugging each other in fear!

A whip in the shape of Green's Film Blade kept Annie's hands shackled and from carrying out her orders! The other Scanrangers aimed their guns, shouting, 'SCANLASER!' rendering Annie out cold!

"You lose, Vixen! Give it up!" said Red with the other rangers joining him!

"Surrender? Never an option!" Caught unawares, the team was blasted full strength by Vixen's Dark Film Energy! She first catches Green with tempting images of beautiful celebrities, including Denise Richards-in a seductive phantom spirit form as performed in the movie 'Wild Things'..

Blue was overwhelmed the same way, only with his favorite actress, Sayuri Uchida. He attempted to give her a warm hug and kiss, only to be electrocuted by Vixen's sword, putting him out for the count.

Pink and Yellow were not imperivous to the villainesses Dark Film Energy, for they were trapped into fighting for the adoration of one Brad Pitt. Pink knew it was an illusion, yet couldn't resist the phantom's charms.

Finally, Red fought with all his might, realizing that Vixen's power dug deep into his deepest desires, his deepest, darkest adorations, which came into the form of Tyra Banks. (Although he already got a valentine from her, he had a thing for the host of America's Next Top Model) Vin thought to himself.."Strong..Too strong..This..this can't be real..I wanted so much to get to know this person, but..but..she doesn't know me..but I..I like her.." Red hesitated for a brief second, as the apparition was about to destroy him "So does ten million other guys!" With a thrust of his Cinerama Cutlass,he was able to break through the phantom illusion, dissipating the almost real mirages!

"What? I used my full power against all of you! Impossible!" said the wicked lady.

Red was breathing heavily. "That's the problem with you bad guys..cheering your victory pre-haste..Didn't Daddy Blackorg teach you that?" replied Red.

The other rangers was spent batting Vixen's Dark Energy, all but Vin. "Naturally, I'm a guy who detests picking fights with women..but in your case I'll make an exception!"

"SHUT UP ALREADY AND DIE! LET IT BE DONE WITH!" Vixen was furious she didn't reach her goal of eliminating the Scanrangers. She blasted Red with a torrent of Beauti-Bolts, but with Vin's expert swordplay, he easily parries each energy blast! They duel, with Vixen attempting to clip him, but he bounces back with a fast back flip, then does the same bringing her to the ground!

As Red gained his composure, he then summons his Action Film Energy! Focusing his power, becoming one once again with Yoshimune, Errol Flynn, and Zorro; Vin powered up as Vixen stood in awe of his attack.

"CUTLASS CRASH!" Red's powerful swordstroke sent Vixen flying to the side of the hill.

The other rangers recover and gather around the Scanranger leader. "Red! Great save, pal!" said Green. "Yeah, Red..thanks a lot! You held up against Vixen's Film Energy! This is why you're the proven example of being our team leader!" said Yellow.

"Thanks, but save the congratulations for later, gang!" Red sees Vixen get up rather slowly, wounded, and unable to counterattack. "No one, but no one messes with our private thoughts, and exploiting them for their own privileges!And that goes quintuple for my friends, too!"

Vin points at the villainess. "VIXEN! THIS IS IT! YOU'RE FINISHED!" With a shout into the air, the Scanrangers shout, "CAMZOOKA!"

Vixen gasped, and she knew there was no escape, not even any strength for a teleportation!

"SET THE FOCUS!" The Camzooka locked on its target, Vixen in the crosshairs. "FAST FORWARD!"

"NOOOO!" At the very last moment, Annie appeared, running in the path of the shot! "FIRE!" the Scanrangers shouted.

"What? Annie!" said Vixen. The robotic android took the full blast of the Camzooka! Sparks began flying from her charred chest, then fell into Vixen's arms.

The team was briefly stunned seeing the android taking the Camzooka beam.

"I..I did it..my mistress..for you..." Annie said. She was shaking violently, about to go into self-destruct mode.

At that point, from the vortex, Anark Key and General Ug grabbed the power depleted villainess and exited their escape, leaving Annie behind. "..all f-for..you.." The countdown reached zero, as the android exploded into scrap metallic parts!

An hour later,the devilish lady returned to her guise of Professor Fox back at Central Jersey University, brushing off the hair-breathed defeat by the movie task force. At the same time, Mikey was walking towards the classroom she happened to be in.

He recognized Vixen, after she revealed herself with the android who served her. In a mad fury, Mikey ran at Professor Fox/Vixen and grabbed her by the neck

"I know you're Vixen! You're not getting away from me this time! Why can't you just go and leave me alone?" Kunio's mind was completely clouded and was simply bent on silencing the MAYHEM henchwomen once and for all!However, a student paasing by saw what was going on and called campus police!

Moments later, the campus cops attempted to separate Mikey from Vixen. He brushed away one, but the other grabbed him, and wrestled him to the floor, cuffing him face down.

As soon as the team saw the danger,they were about to help clear everything. Alex called Vin. "What? But-" A long pause. "Very well,ma'am.." He sighed, then held the others back. Vin, B.C., Nick and Toni saw what happened and turned away.

"Vin, we can't do this.." said B.C. "He needs us!"

The Scanranger leader stood stoic. "I'm sorry, guys, but this is necessary.."

"Vin! Don't go! The professor is not what she seems! She's a criminal!" Vin walks away from the crowd. The others began to follow.

"Carmen! Please! Onegai! YOU MUST BELIEVE ME! I'M INNOCENT!"

Even she walked away..Carmen wanted desperately to come to Mikey's defense, since she was the first to divulge that Professor Fox was really Lady Vixen, but doing so would somehow jeopardize the identities of the Scanrangers as well as Professor Alex's connection to the team.

The four returned to Alex's faculty office.."You wanted us to leave him to the authorities? But why? Mikey needs us, now!" said a concerned Toni.

"What's going to happen to Mikey?" asked Vin.

"I fear it's going to be the worst case scenario..He's going to have to appear before a campus disciplinary board, and they would decide to expel him from Central Jersey University..."

Mikey gets inside the car, as the vehicle disappeared over the horizon. The team in disbelief, felt pity for him. Being off the team was one thing he could handle, but being banned from Central Jersey University was more overwhelming. He stayed silent throughout the road back.

On top of one of the school buildings, Vixen watches. "Ha! Their ex-partner's about to be thrown off the campus! With him off the team for sure, this insures that he no longer can be trusted!"

"Face reality, Scanrangers! You've lost..I WON!" Her laugh echoes across the campus, leaving Mikey to an unknown fate as a college student.

To be continued..

In our next Scanranger adventure..

Toranza: BlueScanner..You have humiliated me in front of my Viram colleagues. I shall not forgive you for that, and now..you shall pay! I intend to collect that payment..WITH YOUR LIFE!

What's this? Toranza in America? The Dimensional Fleet Viram villain has jumped into the future just to destroy the Scanrangers! But our heroes will get help in the form of one of the most legendary sentai teams of all time! Three guesses, people..Here's another hint..They're not Gatchaman!

Next time on Movie Task Force Scanranger-Episode 38

"The Vengeance of Emperor Toranza-Part One

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