Episode 5-"With Maliss Towards All"

Recap: After Blackorg single-handedly defeated Scanranger, the team had to overcome a major obstacle in order to regain their fighting spirit: their self-doubts. Alex was able to help the rangers snap out of their doldrums as they race to battle Ug and KuroKhan.

"This is too easy.." said General Ug.."The city is mine!" Even the national guard couldn't faze the heavy armor of MAYHEM's metallic steeds. Cannon shells bounce off them as if it was nothing. One of the robosteeds fires a grenade at the tanks. It explodes, and as the dust clears, five angry and determined college students walk towards the troops. The Riders of the Storm fire consecutive blasts at the rangers. The five don't even blink.

"Ready to ride, team?" said Vin. "Let's do it!" "LIGHTS !CAMERA! ACTION! SCANRANGER!" The five transform as they attack Ug's army. YellowScanner transforms into his Super-Mecha as he tears through some of the Riders, while PinkScanner leaps onto one of the robosteeds and kicks the Rider off. "Ready to do a Triple Feature, guys?" said Vin. RedScanner, GreenScanner, and Yellow call up their individual film energies, and then become one with the epic movie,"Braveheart". Green adds an army of his Holo-clones with swords and spears to even the odds. "Blackorg may have taken away our confidence for a moment, but he'll never take away our freedom!" said Yellow.

Seeing the battle lost, the remaining Riders of the Storm make a hasty retreat, leaving just Ug and KuroKhan.

"That's it, Scanranger! That's all I can stand, because I can't stand no more!" said Ug. "Awww, so what're gonna do, eat your spinach?" said Blue. Blackorg calls to Ug, "Now, Ug! The can I told you about! Open it and eat it!" As Ug crushes open the can, which was indeed MAYHEM spinach,he gulps it down, giving him enhanced strength. Then, he merges with KuroKhan to form a two-headed 10-foot giant. Ug/KuroKhan's fist comes down hard, shaking the ground. Then they swat Blue and Yellow aside. "Sometimes, Blue, you need to keep your big mouth shut!" said Yellow. "Geez, sorry!" said Blue.

Green tries to shoot the combined creature with his ScanLaser, but is punched in the stomach. Pink calls up her film energies, as Yellow inspires her with music(Heavy metal music, of course) "Not bad, but are you ready to feel the Earth move under your feet?" she said. Toni goes back to her "Flashdance Maniac Stomp"(last used back in Episode 2)She dances in place, shaking Ug/KuroKhan off balance. Red moves in next, summoning his Swashbuckler sword and engages them in battle. However, the combined might gains the upper hand as they knock Red's weapon out of his hand. They charge towards Red, screaming, "Fall! Fall before us! You cannot win!" Remembering the judo move that Alex applied to him earlier, Vin falls back, grabbing Ug/KuroKhan's hand, and throws him over. Swiftly, he gets his Swashbuckler back, and goes into his final attack.

"ABARENBO ATTACK!" Red cried as like the samurai hero Yoshimune, he twists his sword blade, then the blade gets charged up with his film energy. As they battle, the Swashbuckler shatters Ug's sword blade. The other rangers shout, "Punish them!" as Red slashed the creature in two down the middle, separating their into their normal forms. The other four rangers charge up their ScanLasers, hitting KuroKhan, and destroying him. Ug makes his escape.

Scanranger gives the thumbs up sign again. "Cut! That's a wrap!"

Back at Nebutopia, Ug begs his forgiveness, to his master. "Please, please forgive me, my Lord." "Congratulations, Ug!" said Blackorg. "Huh? What for?" said the befuddled general. " For once, you did something right! Not only that you and Anark Key gave me the opportunity to distract Scanranger, for I knew that the Riders were going to fail me anyway. The fact remains that you got me the metal which is installed within this robot spider. This will be the key to finish off Scanranger once and for all! This will be the beginning, which will lead to MAYHEM domination forevermore!" As Blackorg laughs, sinister cackles comes from the robotic spider, somewhat like an annoying evil Steve Urkel laugh.

Back at the IMAX briefing room at Cape Paramount Base, our five intrepid campus students use the weekend to practice on their "HV Project."

"You know how the astronauts have to be solely trained for space flight, and the same applies for pilots in the military." said Alex. "You'll be doing the same as you take this test.. This test will show you how you can handle flying, unless you've never been at Six Flags amusement park..Also, Nick..I want to congratulate you on getting your driver's license. This is important because I need you to ride this machine to pass the test." Each Scanranger goes into the room as they each ride the gravity machine. The G-forces are strong as they take the test.

Toni: "YAAA-HOOOO!"

B.C.: "Nyahh-haahh!!" like Curly from the Stooges.

Vin calmly goes around.

Kunio doesn't say anything, but covers his eyes.

Nick: "Like, wheeee..." he says nonchantly.

"Even though the tests were lower than I expected, you've all passed! Congratulations!" said Alex. Alex then bring the five to the hangar area. "Vin, this is your Hollywood Vehicle..TS Pegasus-based on the symbol of Tri-Star Pictures. B.C., yours is TP Seahorse, coming from your homeland, representing Tatsunoko Productions. Kunio, HP Sphinx will be at your command, the Hollywood Pictures symbol. Nick, the brave man that you are, will ride MGUA Lion, the symbol of MGM-United Artists Studios. Toni, you will command NS Peacock.. Swift, beautiful, and proud as the NBC studio. There is extra credit, and it is a take home test for later.

Cut again to Nebutopia, where Blackorg and his henchmen begin the next phase of their sinister plan.

"It's done, my Lord.." said Key. "I just have to go over a few more tests and it will be ready. It should take approximately two days to square everything away." "Good, Key.. but not good enough.. I'll give you until tomorrow!" said Blackorg. "As you say, my Lord.." said Key.

Vin, Kunio, and B.C. are back on campus when they notice a group of people gather around hearing some off-campus student speaking. It wasn't good for he was speaking on the condition of the school.

"Already it's been the first month of classes, and already this school is in bad shape!" said the speaker. "Look around you! Central Jersey University is supposed to be one of the safest scholls in this country! But this is not the case! Since this group called Scanranger has come to town, they've been destroying untold thousands of dollars in school property! What's the board of trustees doing about all this? Nothing! What's the adminstration doing about all this? Nothing! What about us? We're the ones who are paying for all this! Since these so-called heroes have been here, they are responsible for sending at least 100 people to the hospital! No consideration for those who came to get a great education! I say, we deal with these interlopers at once!"

"What's he talking about?" said B.C. "The professor got everyone to safety.. And even if they were at the hospital, no one was seriously injured.." "I don't know what's going on, but I'm getting to the bottom of this!"

"Wait a minute, man!" said Vin. "You've got these Scanrangers all wrong! Have you forgotten about how they saved the town from those rampaging horsemen? Or how they saved the college president after he was kidnapped?(Note: The story he mentioned will be told for another time) I think you should look at the good stuff instead of focusing on the problem!"

"Wait a minute.." said the speaker. "I know you.." "So do I, Malcolm Lord." said Vin. "Vin Henderson.. I heard you changed your name.." said Malcolm. "Still savoring the defeat I gave you at the fencing tournament three years ago?" "I.. don't recall.." Vin said coldly. "I didn't come here to open old wounds, man.. What have you got against these vigilante type heroes?"

"What's up? You're a fan of these "heroes", or you yourself happen to be one of them in the flesh?" said the activist. "I didn't say that, Malcolm." Vin continued. "Who's paying you to say all this?" "It's my job for the Crusader Chronicle. It's my duty to write the facts..said Malcolm. "Yeah, like the National Enquirer.." whispered Kunio to B.C. "Besides," Malcolm continued. "the campus has enabled to share my freedom of speech.. Now, if you will excuse me, Vin Man..I'm due to get my next deadline to the paper.."

"Don't woory about him, Vin.." said B.C. "You did what you could in stopping him in spreading negativity against us.." "Yeah," said Vin. "but that's not the Malcolm I knew..To this day I'm trying to prove that he cheated me at the sabre match. An underhanded move cost me the state title."

Later that afternoon, heading back to Professor Alex's office, the three noticed campus police outside her office as they go in. It looked like a struggle had taken place. "What happened? Where's the professor?" "That's what we're trying to find out.." said one of the cops. "About two hours ago, there was a band of students marching through Professor Alexandria's office. They said that the teacher were Ranger-lovers.. some group called Scanranger.. Witnesses said there was a struggle, and before I could get backup, the leader escaped with the professor, while the other protesters scattered. In short, Professor Alexandria has been kidnapped!" The three are all shocked at this turn of events.

Act two

"In fact, one of the suspects fit your description, young man.." the caampus policeman continued. "I'm sorry, but all of you have to come down to the station with me for questioning.."

First, an anti-Scanranger rally begins, then we're called in for questioning? What's going on here? the three thought. "What's going on here?" said a chair bounded Alex. "The last thing I remembered was that I was grading my papers for Film class, the Vin and Toni ran into the office, saying one of the rangers were in trouble. Then someone knocked me out. I saw Toni's face, then it transformed into Vin's face.."

Rise and shine, Commander Alexandria!" said an authorative type voice. "Who are you? What's going on here?" Alex demanded. "Who am I? The name is Malcolm Lord..but you can call me Lord Maliss! What's going on? I am plotting the downfall of your precious Scanranger group!"

"Who sent you, Blackorg? And how did you know about the project? It was supposed to be top secret!" "Some Darth Vader like character came up to me and offered me a full amount of cash, and 'power beyond imagination..' I was able to mimic one of your friends and had one of my Kinks knock you out for awhile.. Blackorg gave me the ability to morph into any face at will.. That's why I was able to witness your defeat at the hands of my master.. Cool, isn't it? It should take some time to get them all here, after they realize that you're gone."

At the police station, the five all gather together, as the three suspects explain to Toni and Nick what happened. "I have no idea who kidnapped the professor, but priority number one right is to find her!" said Vin. "Toni, Nick, and B.C., Search for any clues and let me know if you find anything..Kunio and I have to wait here.." "Right!" said the three.

The three Scanrangers run back to the scene of the crime, until they hear laughter in the next classroom. And sure enough, Malcolm(Lord Maliss) and Professor Alex were there. "Malcolm! I figured you were behind all this!" shouted B.C.. "Well, I figured that it'll be good to return to the scene of the crime. I see just three of you, but no matter, I'll eventually deal with them.." said Maliss.

"How did you know about us?" said Toni.

"I know everything! I used your commander as bait to get you all here.. Now that the trap's been set, you are as good as dead!"

"What's your plan, Maliss? Release her now!!" said B.C.

"You, boy, are not in the position to demand anything! I hold the cards now.. Surrender your FilmBraces to me, and I will be merciful.. I'll even let your commander go free.."

"Never!"

"It's her funeral, then.."

"Wait! All right!" said a reluctant B.C. Toni, Nick, B.C. talk it over for a minute, and decide to throw over the FilmBraces to Maliss near his feet. Maliss cuts Alex's bonds as she then walks towards the three rangers. But without warning.. Maliss shoots her twice in the back!

"NOOOO!" Toni screamed as Alex collapses in front of them. "YOU BASTION! YOU SAID YOU'LL LET HER GO FREE!!"

"I lied..." said said Maliss calmly. "Professor! Professor! She's been hit point blank! Got to get her out of here!" Toni presses the FF coordinates to teleport Alex to Cape Paramount Base infirmary, signaling an emergency to Dr. Markby. The three angry rangers run towards Maliss, transfrorming in the process. The FilmBraces they surrendered earlier were decoys. They get thrown back as Maliss throws up a force field. The MAYHEM spy then transforms into a blended image of Blue, Pink, and GreenScanner as he uses their weapons against them. He uses Green's Disc Launcher against Blue, the Film Splicer to knock down Green, and the Speed-Bo Staff to bush back Pink. Maliss the uses a fire attack to counter their ScanLasers."Fools! I've studied all of your skills! And my power is one you cannot defeat!" Maliss cried.

"Blue! He's too powerful!" said Pink. "It seems as if he's actually mimicking our powers by watching us in action!"

"Then," said Green. ".. if he has to be in sight of his target a hasty retreat is in order.. Let's scramble out of here!" The quick thinking GreenScanner encouraged the two to escape and run away, but as the three went around the corner, with Maliss in pursuit, they disappear..

"HA! These Scanrangers are sissies! I made them run away like the cowards they are..with the irresistable power of Maliss!" Suddenly, Maliss is hit from behind, but he sees no one. The three rangers are attacking the spy while invisible, thanks again to GreenScanner's special effect energies.. They commmunicate via their helmets, not hinting to what they're doing to Maliss. Blue hits Maliss in the stomach with his staff, while Green follows through with his Disc launchers, hitting him at every angle, and Pink follows with her shield, smashing his face.

"Like a taste of your own medicine, villain? You can't mimic what you can't see!" said Green. "Your move, Deep Blue!"

Blue sets up his final move by focusing his Film energies once again to set up the Hyper-Moe-Attack! As in custom, he slaps his face, runs into place, slaps and double slaps Maliss with a deep, vented anger, then finishes him off with the energy hammer punch, saying, "SEE THIS?" Blue comes down smashing Maliss on his head as he falls. "You're through, Maliss! This is nothing compared to what we're about to do to you for murdering the professor!"

"That's what you think, fools!!!" said a beaten and bruised Maliss. "BYTE!" Coming out of a portal, the former science project of Kunio's appear before Maliss. It was the robot-spider that Ug and Key stole from the lab. The spider proceeded to grasp on Maliss' arm, piercing him with its metallic legs. "Hi-de-ho, Mr. Maliss! Having problems, big guy?" Byte speaks in an annoying Steve Urkel type voice.

Maliss screams as Byte fills him with energy.. Suddenly, he is transformed as a giant Cyber-creature. Exit Lord Maliss, Enter.. the giant KuroDragon!!

"NOW! WHO'S THE ONE WHO'S THROUGH, SCANRANGER? PREPARE FOR YOUR DOOM! cried the now transformed KuroDragon. He then breathes fire at the three rangers as they dodge out of the way. They couldn't teleport to safety because Toni loaned her VCP to Alex, and Green and Blue can't leave her behind.

"We have a serious crisis on our hands, guys.." said Green. " Somehow we've got to fight back.. The big question is, could it get any worse than this?"

And not far away, while Vin and Kunio wait, the campus police captain checked out the abducted Alex case, as he is on the phone with someone. "What's this? Are you sure? I'll look into it right away.." He hangs up the phone.."What's the matter, officer?" said a worried Vin. "Mr. Harlock..Mr. Mikimoto, as of right now I have no choice but to detain you.." "Detain us? For what?" said Kunio. "You two are under arrest.." said the captain ..for the murder of Professor Alexandria.."

To be continued!

In our next Scanranger adventure, Professor Alex is dead.. Vin and Kunio are arrested for her murder.. The other rangers are held at bay against MAYHEM'S giant cyber-creature.. How can the movie task force overcome these obstacles? Their only hope lies in their secret weapons-The Hollywood Vehicles! Can these super machines turn the tide for our heroes un time?

Next-Movie Task Force Scanranger-Episode 6

Hooray for Hollywood Vehicles! Enter:THUNDER DOLBY THX!

Roll that film!