Episode seventeen-"There's Something About Toni"

Special Guest Star-Danger Woman!

Our story opens in Modern Dance class at Central NJ University, where our super heroine Toni, is rehearsing a few new dance steps with her classmates. Under the tutelage of Professor Lydia Allen, a professional dancer on Broadway, the students practice for the upcoming recital at the end of the semester.

"Back two three four! Side two three four! One two, one two, left right, hip hip! Professor Allen choreographs the steps. Toni consistently keeps up with the other dancers.

"That's it, people! See you next week!" said the dance professor.

"I'm glad that's over with.." said one of Toni's classmates. "The drill sergeant shows no mercy..."

"Well, this is what you're going to expect when you audition on Broadway or for the next Janet Jackson music video.." replies Toni, wiping her face with a towel. "This isn't exactly the School of Performing Arts, but she expects excellence from everyone, including the novice dancer who never set foot out on the dance floor.." Toni then notices one of the students in the Modern Dance class, near the corner of the room. His name was Dean Rayborn, a Dance Arts major himself. Dean was a very quiet guy. To most people on the outside, he looked like a typical Gen X 'slacker'..doesn't get involved, watch a lot of TV and Extreme mountain sports. On the inside, Dean was opposite those things. He was a well to do, very sharp guy, but very, very shy. He admired Toni and her hard work and dedication to her major. Now, if only he had the nerve to talk to her....

Toni and another student walk by Dean and says, "Hi.." Dean nods.

"Geez, Toni's so cool..I really would like to get to know her better..but how?" questioned Dean as he walks through the hallway. At least if I talked to her, she'll know that I do exist.."

Not far away, was a dark haired lass with sunglasses on. She was another student who heard his thoughts. The female goes over to follow him, slowly showing a sly smile on lips.

A little later, Dean then reads a poster on the bulletin board at the CNJU Student Center:

"Yes! That's it!" said an excited Dean. "I know who will accompany me! I'll ask Toni out! But..I'm too scared to try.."

The woman with dark sunglasses approaches Dean. "Mmmmm...How about letting me assist you in getting what you want, fanboy?"

"Huh?"

"Toni is a very lovely lady.." the woman continued. "I know her very well, and all you have to do is to ask her.." She puts her arm around the guy, and then pinches his shoulder firmly like a vise!

"AAGGHH! What are you doing?! DON'T! STOP! HELP! YEARRGHHHH!"

Dean collapses, and the woman shouts, "Andy! Floyd! To me!" The dark haired woman removes her glasses, revealing herself to be none other than Vixen! "Help me get this boy back to this room!"

The two cyberguards reply, as they were dressed like college students themselves to cover their disguise. "I thank you, Mr. Rayburn..for revealing to me your lovely notion.." said Vixen. "You want this classmate for yourself...And you shall get your wish, but on my terms..Ohhh, yes!"

The cyberguards load the unconscious Dean onto a table. "All I want from you, my sweet, is your hormones..." said the evil woman. "My machine shall drain them into my newest cybercreature..Then, I shall transfer those hormones back into your feeble body, and I shall increase your adrenaline system to its maximum peak..Once that's done, you will burn out, and so shall your life force once you've served your purpose!! Andy! Turn on the machine!"

"Yes,Lady Vixen..Dean's hormones are drained into another chamber. The chamber churns and glows, and another cybercreature is formed from the robotic skeleton it was stored within the machine. The monster rises from the chamber. This time, Vixen had created KuroCupid, her deadliest monster yet!

"According to the humans customs here, Lady Vixen, I understand that they indulge in a ritual called Valentine's Day, and they utilize that day to show their appreciation for their loved one by giving flowers, candy, and the like.." said Andy Roy.

"It was also on that date where most humans are in a depressed state because they have been spurned by someone they loved as well..." said P.B. Floyd.

"And I can use that day to spread another epidemic, not like what that foolish teammate Key, tried to do..But this time, I shall use KuroCupid to spread not love, but all-consuming hatred in this city! Ha ha ha ha ha!" laughed Vixen.

The next day, at Professor Alex's faculty office, the rangers all gather together for an important announcement. "A date for the Valentine's dance?" responded Toni surprisingly. "Professor! I know that you're concerned about me, but do I have to pick between these four guys here?"

"What's wrong with that, Toni? Personally, I think it's beautiful..Four handsome guys to be your escort, and one of them will be your date for that night.."

"HEY!" said Takeshi. "What am I, chopped tofu?"

"Don't worry, Takeshi.." said Alex. "I've already got someone in mind for you already..

"And now you're playing matchmaker for one night? Who gave you permission to be the host of 'Love Connection'? I'm outta here! I'll find my own date for that night!" Takeshi leaves.

"Hey, Takeshi-san!" shouted Kunio. The other four rangers were waiting outside the door. Alex goes after him. "Don't worry, Mikey.. Let him go..I think to an extent that I may have pressured him, and he's older tha the four of you..

"One question, Profess!" asked Nick. "Since you're playing matchmaker,suppose Toni picks one of us, what's to happen to the other three that doesn't have a date?"

"Good question..That's a really good question.." Alex pretends to be clueless about the whole thing, but she did have a surprise for all of them.

B.C. sings a catchy tune from 'Fiddler on the Roof'. "Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match! Find me a find! Catch me a catch-" Nick smacks B.C. in the back of his head once again. And once more B.C. responds, "What?"

The rangers get an alert from their communicators. It was Rosewood on the computer video screen. "Scanrangers! MAYHEM's on the attack again! They're in the Crosby Hall area!"

Vin responded for the others. "Right! Let's get going!"

"Right!" said the other four. The five campus heroes then teleport to the Crosby Hall area per Rosewood's instructions. As they arrive, they are greeted by a band of Kinks.

"So, the cannon fodder's come to greet us, huh?" said Nick.

"Take care, Nick.." said Toni. "They're not as easy to beat as before...

"Enough, guys!" said Vin. "Let's bend a couple of kinks into these Kinks!" Vin goes ahead and twists a couple of Kink arms, while Kunio throws one over and smashes his chest. Toni throws a smashing kick into a Kink's face, KO'ing it, and B.C. throws a punch in a Kink's stomach, and applies a roundhouse kick to two others. Nick twists a robot's arm, then elbows it in the neck area, taking one down. After the last Kink went down, an energy blast came in the way of the rangers.

"What the-?" said Vin.

"Hello, Scanrangers.." Vixen and her two cyberguards make their appearance. "I've come back to your part of town to spread a message of hate and hate!"

"What?"

"I believe my plan is somewhat too much for you children to comprehend. KuroCupid! Spread your message of hate!"

"As you command, Lady Vixen!" the cybercreature responded as it was about to terrorize the students.

"It's that time, right, Vin?" said Toni.

"You know it! Come on, guys! LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION! SCANRANGER!" The Scanrangers transform into their power suits. They prepare to attack with their FilmBlades. Vixen sends her cyberguards to battle. "Floyd! Andy! Stop them!" shouted Vixen.

The three villains attack the Scanrangers, with the goal to allow KuroCupid to carry out his sinister plan. Vixen slashes through Red, Green and Pink, stopping them temporarily, while the cyberguards take out Green and Blue.

Kurocupid witnesses a campus couple walking from class. "So, Joe, what do you think we shall do for tomorrow?" said the girl. "I don't know, Karen.. Maybe we should check out that new movie over at the Leewood Multiplex..They've got this flick with Ben Aff-" The cybercreature shot one of his arrows at the guy. He falls over, with the arrow grafting on his arm, and transforming into a MAYHEM mark, with a broken heart shape.

"Joe! Joe! Are you all right?" said Karen.

"Yeah, I'm all right..But you won't be!" Without warning, he shoots an energy arrow from his hand, and the arrow also grafts onto her skin. Karen rises and also shoots an arrow towards another campus couple holding hands. Suddenly, they began to argue.."So, just because I'm an A student and you yourself are a C- student, what am I doing hanging out with the likes of you? I don't need to be going out with your kind!" said the girl.

"Jenny! What are you talking about? We've been together for a few months!" said the other guy.

"You mean we were together! This relationship is over!!" The girl slaps the guy and walks away. KuroCupid then shoots another special energy arrow at the male. He then runs after the girl.

No, you don't! That's how the way you're gonna treat me? I don't think so!!" said the guy as he slaps his girlfriend.

"Heh ha ha ha ha!" laughed KuroCupid. "I'm in the mood for hate..Simply because you're not near me!!" The various arrows he shot brainwashed the victim, and enabled them to turn against each other. Instead of the legend where the arrows represented love, the cybercreature's arrows were filled with bias and hate!

Meanwhile, the battle continues where Vixen and her cyberguards had succeeded in distracting the Scanrangers. "My creature has just began the first phase of our plan! As you see, KuroCupid has spread the message of bias and hate!Soon enough, your special love festival will be just a memory! Your friends will eventually begin a riot all over the city! You have a choice, rangers! Stop us now, or save those helpless humans!" said Vixen.

"Shoot! We have a chance to take them out now! We must-"

"Don't do it, Red!" interrupted Blue. "First priority needs to be the students! There's gotta be a way to stop them fighting each other!"

"Hurry, Scanrangers.." continued the warrior woman. "The school is in chaos and you're running out of time..Ha ha ha ha ha!" Vixen, Andy, and Floyd teleport.

"Not so fast, Scanrangers!" said KuroCupid. "Before I continue, I want you to meet your fan club!" He gives instructions to the victims to stop fighting. "Now, these heroes have caused enough trouble in your school! They are not welcome here! Attack them! Get them out of here!"

The six students then attack the rangers as they chant, "Smash the rangers! Smash the rangers!" Green was about to retaliate, but RedScanner stops him. "No, Green! BlueScanner's right! Don't attack them! You'll provoke them even more!" The students then began to beat on them, although they were no match for them. Suddenly, the team were about to be mobbed by them.

"Wait! Stop!" cried Pink as she holds one of the students. "Stop it! Don't!" For a brief moment, the guy named Joe stops and hestiates, stopping his attack. The others continue to grab on to them.

"Rangers!" shouted Alex back at her office. "Pull back! Pull back for now!" They teleported back out of harms way.

Meanwhile, Dean woke up after being held captive. "W-What happened? What's going on?" He stumbles, feeling very weak. Dean sees the cybercreature from a distance, attacking the CJU students. "That monster..it came from my imagination? I-I must do something..but I..I must rest..rest a bit.." He stumbles back to his dorm room.

Later, back at Cape Paramount base after classes were done, the worn out movie task force plan a counterattack in the IMAX briefing room. "We have a serious problem on our hands, everyone.." said Alex. "After the battle where those students attacked you against their will, I've heard a report that some students almost started a riot at the cafeteria.." She then activates the video monitor where a news report began.

"We have a breaking news report on the CJU campus.." began the NewsCenter 4 anchorwoman. "Scores of students nearly trashed the campus cafeteria soon after the mysterious Scanranger team failed to stop a monster wreaking havoc at the school. Windows and doors have been smashed for no clear motive as of yet... So far, no injuries have been reported, but Newscenter 4 will update you for further details..."

"Blast it!" shouted Nick, slamming his fist on the table. "What can we do? It's my fault that I didn't stop that cybercreature when I had the chance!"

"Don't blame yourself, Nick.." said Alex. "Vixen had put all of you in a serious position, and with B.C.'s help, you made the right choice..now we've got to find a way to stop those kids from even much further damage..

"Wait!" said Toni. "Something did happen when I tried to stop one of those possessed students. He stopped fighting after I unintentionally embraced him for just a second..I think the answer is obvious..That KuroCupid character was speaking in riddles, talking about spreading the message of hate..And how does one combat hate?"

"Oh no!!" cried all four guys. "Another no-brainer..Love!!"

"The young kids would've gotten the answer even before you thought about it..He-Man used it on one episode, and even I dare say, the Smurfs even used that as a weapon.." said Alex.

"So how are we to cure all of those riot-induced campus people?" asked Nick.

"That's where you come in, Nick..Your Holo-clones should be enough to bring them back to their state of mind.."

"We'll do it, Profess, When do we start?"

"Immediately, without them causing enough further damage as it is..Go!"

The civilian Scanrangers, except Nick in his GreenScanner uniform, go around parts of the campus where Kurocupid's victims were smashing windows and throwing trash cans all over. B.C. saw a girl about to attack another student. He leaps on her unawares. "Stop it, please!" The hug suddenly shakes the girl out of the cybercreature's hypnotic possession. The MAYHEM mark had also disappeared from her arm.

"What happened? What am I doing?" said the female student.

"I'd love to explain..Don't worry..I won't hurt you..You've just had a bad mid-term day or something..

Vin and Toni teamed up to stop the second couple from attacking another love pair. "Wait! Don't do this!" said Vin. "You'll wreck the school!" They embraced the couple with a group hug. The girl named Jenny and her boyfriend ceased to wreck more serious damage. "What happened?" said Jenny's boyfriend.

"It's all right.." said Toni. "You and your partner just had a brief quarrel..Things should be back to normal..

"Billy, I'm so sorry..I didn't mean to hurt you..Please forgive me.." said Jenny. "I accept your apology.." Billy replied. Toni and Vin nod, seeing that her 'love potion' had worked.

Not far away, Dean saw Toni from a distance. "There she is!" he said. "This may be a great opportunity to talk to her about the dance!" As Dean walked on his way to chat with Toni, Vin then put her arm on her shoulder. Dean was under the impression that Vin was her boyfriend. Feeling that he didn't want to interfere, he turns back.

Actually, Vin was about to let Toni know about the status of GreenScanner's HoloClones. "How's thing's topside, Nick?"

"So far, so good, Toni..I've got a group of my clones about to stop a few more students from trashing the cafeteria.. Mikey's giving them a hand, embracing them also..." Nick then listens on his headphones, noticing the hypnosis has worn off on the CJU students. Kunio signals to Nick. "That's it! Everyone's back to normal!"

As Vin gets the message from Kunio, Toni sees Dean from a distance, walking away dejected. "That's the guy from my Modern Dance class..I hope he's okay.."

Act two

Meanwhile, back in Nebultopia, Vixen, Ug, and Anark Key witness the Scanrangers curing the college students. "It can't be!" said the warrior woman. "My plan was foolproof! How could've they figured out the antidote?"

"You forget, lady, that these people are the future leaders of the world.." said Key. "The humans figured out that even a crazy little thing called love can conquer all. I even remember a time where I had a little girlfriend, until she turned me down because of my views of how the government was corrupt..

"Quit babbling, you idiot! The fact that those blasted Scumrangers stopped the ongoing riot means that I have to step up in the next phase of my plan, where that wimpy human male will be celebrating at that school dance later this week. As he and those humans dance the night away, we shall cause absolute mayhem and terror to that town! Andy! Explain to Key about our operation, the 'Central Jersey Culling!'" The cyberguard shows Key a history book, which had a section on infamous gangsters of the 1920's. Key looks at the article, and slowly smiles, which turns in a chuckle, then a hearty diabolical laugh. Vixen and Ug look over his shoulder and laugh as well.

"This is your assignment, KuroCupid.." said Vixen. "The message shall be delivered at this place on February 14th.." She shows the cybercreature the Valentine's dance flier. "You will be rewared well when you succeed in this mission.."

The next day, back on campus, Alex approaches Toni. "Well, did you make a pick just yet?"

"Well, uh..I..uh..You know what, Professor? I..I've decided to surprise you..You know, wait until the first dance got started..." Toni was unaware that as Vin, Kunio, B.C., and Nick was on their way over to see them, Dean was coming from around the building. Toni, without looking, was about to point to one of the guys, but inadvertently pointed to..

"In fact.." Toni continued. "I choose...you!?" She pointed to Dean, who beat the other four to the punch. The four male Scanrangers was trying to figure out what was going on..

"T-Toni?!" stammered Dean.

"Hey! I know you! You're the guy in my dance class!" Toni then whisks Dean away from Alex and the others.

"Listen..." whispered Toni. "I need your help..My instructor was trying to play matchmaker with me for that Valentine's dance tomorrow..and I don't want to go out with those guys.." Dean was very tense and almost couldn't speak."Could you be my date for the dance?"

Dean was in shock as his dream came true. "I-I-I.." He then suddenly faints. Toni catches him. "I take that as a yes?" she continued. Dean nods.

"Disappointed, Profess?" said Vin.

"What do you think? You four ain't out of the woods yet..I still want all of you to go..Make sure that she has a good time...

Nick sighs. "But I wanted to date her!!" He acts like he was going through a temper tantrum. "I'll probably never get married! Whaahh!!"

The night of the dance, and the ball on Stephen J.Cannell Hall goes in full swing. Scores of students and instructors dress their best for the semi-formal affair. Even our heroes dresses for the part. Vin and Kunio each dressed in a tuxedo, Nick with a brown two-piece suit, and B.C. with a double breasted pin-striped suit. Toni and Dean entered in, with the lady stunning the males, including the male rangers, with a lovely strapless pink dress, something similar to the gown Marilyn Monroe wore in the movie 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.' Dean himself had a regular gray three piece suit on.

"Whoa! Hey, B.C.," said Vin, stunned at Toni's appearance. "How do you say, 'Helloooo, Nurse' in Japanese?" B.C. couldn't answer as he was going ga-ga over how beautiful Toni looked.

"Chikyu(Earth) calling B.C.." said Kunio. Are you there? Are you there?" He waved his hand in front of his face, All he could say was, "Utsukushi.." Beautiful..."

The MC came up to the stage. "May I have your attention, please? Welcome to the 3rd annual Valentine's Day dance at CJU! This year, the theme of this dance will be dedicated to the 'Big 80's!' It's a privilege to bring everyone together for one special night in the name of love!" As the MC continues, Vixen, the two cyberguards, and KuroCupid watch from the roof.

Vixen giggles with glee. "Yes! Those fools shall enjoy their special night..For them, however, it shall be their last!" Floyd! Did you take care of security?"

"Yes, I have, Lady Vixen..In fact, their 'replacements' are about to change shifts right now!" The cyberguards had earlier knocked out, then bound and gagged the private security firm who were to oversee the ball for safety reasons. The real guards were locked up or unconscious outside the campus.

"Good! Take your places, everyone! We're going to crash a party! Ohhh, yes! In about 5 minutes! Wait for my signal!"

Down on the floor, the MC introduces the musical guests. "Ladies and Gentlemen, in keeping with the theme of the dance tonight, I would like to introduce to you our entertainment for the night...Danger Woman!"

"CENTRAL JERSEY U!! ARE YOU READY TO ROCK THE HOUSE TONIGHT?" DW shouts.

The crowd responds, YEAAHHH!"

"ARE YOU READY TO PARTY LIKE IT'S Y2K?"

"YEAHH!"

"ALL RIGHT! LET'S KICK IT!" she said. DW and her band start off with a rousing version of Janet Jackson's hit, 'Control'.

Takeshi and his date enter the room and meet up with the rest of the Scanranger crew. "Hey, guys!"

"What's up, Takeshi?" said Vin. "I see that you didn't have a problem with finding that special someone tonight.."

"Nope..In fact, she's also an Asian Studies professor like myself. Professor Lin, these are my friends.." Takeshi introduces her to the gang. "And not only that, I've got some other friends to introduce to you too, guys. Takeshi introduces the male rangers dates as they come through the door. "This is Angel, Terry, Lisa, and B.C., I believe you know this woman..Kimiko.."

"Kimmy-san!" said B.C. "It is so good to see you..You look beautiful!"

"Thank you, B.C.. I've been thinking about you since we last met.."

The others began to get better acquainted with their dates. Dean, nervous as he was, got up. "Excuse me, Toni..Do you want something to drink?"

"Sure..."

"I'll be right back..Before I do do that, I need to fix my tie.." Dean goes to the men's room to straighten up. However, crashing from the top of the glass roof came Vixen and KuroCupid.

"What the-?" said DW.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!" shouted Vixen. "I come to give greetings and salutations from the MAYHEM Corps! We're here to make your Valentine's dance a very bloody valentine tonight!"

"Is this this part of the show? I don't remember rehearsing for this!" said the MC, running for the door. The rest of the party-goers attempt to leave the building, but was stopped by security. Or was they really security? "Please remain calm..It's all right.." said Andy Roy, posing as a security captain. Meanwhile, while the patrons panicked, the six rangers remain behind.

"Only you can spoil a special night like this in order to achieve you goals for world domination! This time, Vixen, we're ready for you! Right, guys?" said Toni.

"Right!" the five male rangers respond.

Toni shouts, "Let's do this! LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION! SCANRANGER!" The movie task force was back in action once again, as was..

"HENSHIN! EIGACHANGER!" Takeshi transforms himself into SilverScanner.

"You can't stop us this time, Scanrangers! KuroCupid! Attack!" shouted Vixen.

"Let's go!" shouted Red. The five male rangers go after the cybercreature.

"I've got something in store for all of you! I shot an arrow in the air, where it will land I don't know where! Ha ha ha ha!" KuroCupid shoots one of his special arrows in front of the five. It was a smoke arrow with a chemical which altered everyone's minds, forcing the guys to gag and cough, then was compelled to fight each other.

"What's wrong with me?" said Yellow. "I..I feel compelled to attack SilverScanner.

"It seems that I can't resist, either.." said Silver. "I don't want to..to fight you, but my limbs say otherwise!"