Now that Yuno is a part of the team, Asta has a good friend to turn to when they were home. He also has someone to spar with to help him get stronger. Yuno and Asta sparred against each other, doing their best to improve their movements. Asta swung his leg at him, but Yuno ducked down and kicked the leg he was standing on. Asta fell to the ground and Yuno had him pinned.
"Looks like I win." Yuno said.
"This time." Asta said as he got back up.
"Nothing personal, but you just can't beat me, Asta." Yuno said.
"Oh yeah?" Asta said he was starting to get a little competitive. Yuno and Asta started turning everything into a little competition. Who could do the most laundry, who could run the farthest, and who their biggest one is who could be the better ranger.
...
Timeless Meals
The two of them even had a race to see who could make it first. The both of them kept on running until they both reached the door and tried to get in first with both of them getting inside.
"I'm first!" Asta said.
"No you weren't. I was." Yuno said.
"You were not! Guys, you saw who got in first! Who was it?!" Asta said, but their friends just stood there and weren't sure what to think. In fact, none of them even wanted to be a part of this.
"Isn't this like your fifth competition...today! Aren't you two getting tired of competing with each other?" Noelle questioned.
"I'm sure you both are great, and it does get a little amusing to watch, but don't you two think you're overdoing it?" Mimosa asked as she was being polite.
"He's the one who always wants to compete." Yuno said.
"That's because I'm proving I'm just as good as you!" Asta claimed. The other rangers were getting annoyed with them always competing with each other. Surely there has to be a way this can end and they can stop acting like children.
"I'm afraid you're little competition is going to have to be put on hold." Julius said as he came down. "Vanica and evil forces have been spotted."
"Sweet. I'm bet I'm the one who can take down more enemies." Asta said as he was challenging Yuno again. Asta ran out with Yuno following. The other rangers just know this isn't going to go well.
...
Clover Meadows
Vanica was attacking the city again, continuing to spread chaos and terror to others. Something she enjoyed doing a lot. The one thing she enjoy more was to terrorize rangers. She soon got the chance for that when the six rangers ran out of Finral's portal.
"Rangers! It's always nice to see you!" Vanica said.
"Sorry, but we're never happy to see you." Noelle said.
"What are you up to this time?" Vanessa questioned.
"I just wanted to have some with you rangers, especially your new gold boy." Vanica said. All of them were keeping their guard up as they sensed something strange.
"Whatever it is you're planning, it ends now!" Asta said.
"Let's do it." Yuno said as he was taking charge, but Asta tried keeping him back.
"Mana Morpher! Magic Calling!"
"Heaven's Morpher! Magic Calling!" All six of the rangers morphed and were ready for a fight. However, they all witnessed a shadow over them. When they all turned around, they were all shocked to see that there was a giant snake over them. The snake tried to take a bite out of all of them, but they all jumped out of the way.
"Where did that thing come from?!" Finral said.
"Don't know, but I know where it's going." Luck said as he shot some lightning at the snake and gave it a good shock. It was enough for the snake to revert into it's original form. It was another female devil. She had green scales over her body with the face of a snake on her chest. She also had blonde hair that was tied back into a tail to give her a little charm with two horns curving out of her forehead.
"Nice shot, but you won't catch this snake in the grass so easily." The monster said.
"And you would be?" Yuno questioned.
"I'm Lameeree, a lamia that loves the taste of rangers."
"I would love to see what she does to you rangers." Vanica said as she was getting all giddy.
"Too bad it won't happen. Attack!" Asta ordered. The rangers went on the attack and faced the enemy. While some of them were fighting spades or Lameeree, Noelle went directly to Vanica. She jumped towards her and came at her with her sword, but Vanica formed her armor and used her claw and blocked her attack.
"I was hoping I get to play with you, little Noelle." Vanica teased.
"And I'm hoping to shut you up for good!" Noelle said as those two kept fighting each other. Meanwhile, Asta tried fighting Lameeree. He swung his sword at her, but she jumped back and avoided the attack.
"Too slow!" Lameeree called as she fired a couple energy blasts at him, but Asta was able to deflect each attacks with his saber. However, Lameeree jumped at him and kicked him down. "Fried ranger, anyone?" She fired more attacks at him while he was down, but Yuno jumped in the way and blocked each attacks.
"Am I always going to have to save you, Asta?" Yuno said.
"Save me? I don't need to be saved!" Asta said as he got back up. "Don't forget that I helped you out last time."
"Sorry, Asta. If you can't keep up, you're going to be left behind." Yuno said as he took the charge and tried attacking. No way Asta was just going to sit this one out. The two of them tried fighting Lameeree, but they weren't doing so well. They kept cancelling each other's attacks. They weren't really fighting together because they were trying to outdo the other instead.
"Take a seat, rangers!" Lameeree said as she swung her leg around and knocked both of them down.
"Asta! Yuno!" Finral called as the rangers regrouped.
"What's going on with you two? Fight the monster, not each other." Vanessa said.
"Yeah. We can fight each other after we're done here." Luck said.
"Not now!" Vanessa reprimanded. They expected Lameeree to attack, but what she did was jump right over their heads. Noelle and Vanica were still fighting each other, but Lameeree landed down and separated them. When that happened, Vanica slashed her claw against Noelle and knocked her down.
"What are you doing? Why won't you finish them?" Vanica questioned.
"I like to play with my food." Lameeree said. "Besides, the best way to finish them off is to lure them to a place where I have the advantage. Come and follow me, rangers. I do love a good chase and hunt." She dared them to come after her as she made a retreat.
"Get back here and fight!" Vancia ordered as she chased after her.
"Come on! We need to go after them!" Asta said.
"Just as long as you don't screw up again." Yuno insulted.
"Me?! You were the one getting in my way!" Asta said. "Let's just get going."
"Wait!" Julius called and stopped them from doing anything. "Asta and Yuno, both of you are to come back here. Let the other rangers go after them."
"Now?" Yuno questioned.
"Now!" Julius said with quite the authority. A little unusual for him. Asta and Yuno just did what he said and went on back. That left the other four rangers to go after Vanica and Lameeree. Hopefully, they aren't walking into a trap.
...
Timeless Meals
"Why did you pull us out?" Asta said as he and Yuno were able to make it back. They went up to the base to talk with Julius and Mimosa just stood off to the side. "We should be out there and help the others get that snake."
"Is there a problem?" Yuno asked.
"I'm afraid there is, and it's with the two of you." Julius said. "I was watching what happened and I did not see what looked like decent teamwork. What was going on back there?"
"I had to save Asta." Yuno said.
"I didn't need saving. I could have handled it." Asta said.
"It looked more like you two were trying to outdo the other." Julius said as he didn't approve what they were doing.
"Um... I get you guys are a little competitive, but that might not have been the best time for something like." Mimosa said as she threw in her two cents.
"Mimosa is right. Good thing I noticed this now." Julius said. "If you two continue on like this, I fear it might cause problems for the team. A little rivalry and competition is fine as long as you keep things in perspective." Asta and Yuno did feel competitive with each other, but neither of them wants to cause trouble for the team. "There's only one question now. Can you two keep it under control?" There lies the problem with some, they don't know how to control it.
...
The Woods
Meanwhile, the other rangers tracked down Lameeree and Vanica into the woods. No sign of either of them, and the path was starting to split in two directions.
"Which way?" Noelle said. Luck took a closer look at the ground to try and track them.
"I can't tell." Luck said.
"I guess we'll have to split in pairs and each take a path." Vanessa said. "Be careful, everyone. We don't know where they could attack from." Bravely deciding to split into pairs, they each went in a different direction. Finral and Noelle took one path while Vanessa and Luck went down a different. What none of them saw was that their enemies were right over their heads.
"You better know what you're doing." Vanica said.
"Trust me. I know how you think, and the wait will be worth it." Lameeree said as she was looking forward to this.
...
Noelle and Finral
"I don't like the looks of this." Noelle said as she and Finral moved carefully through the woods.
"Don't worry, Noelle. I'll hold your hand if you want." Finral offered.
"Touch me with that thing and you'll be swimming through a tidal wave." Noelle threatened and that caused Finral to back off. The two of them kept going, but Noelle got spooked by a sound. "What was that?" She looked around, but didn't see a thing. When she turned back around, Finral was gone. "Finral? Finral? Not funny." She thought Finral was pranking her, but she didn't notice that something was coming at her until it was too late.
...
Luck and Vanessa
Luck and Vanessa searched around for their enemies themselves. The two of them kept walking until they heard the sound of Noelle screaming.
"That was Noelle!" Luck said. He hurried off to help her.
"Luck, wait!" Vanessa called, but Luck kept going until he was no longer in sigh. "Luck!" She called and hurried after him. Vanessa tried to follow after him, but she didn't like that she heard and saw flashes of lightning. "Luck!" Thinking he was in trouble, Vanessa hurried. She found him, but it was too late. When she found Luck, she saw him ended up getting swallowed by Lameeree in her giant snake form. "No! Luck!"
"What a tasty meal." Lameeree said. "You rangers surely have a great taste to you."
"You monster! You'll pay for this!" Vanessa said.
"I don't think so once you're all in my stomach!" Lameeree claimed as she had another trick. She had her tail came up from behind Vanessa and coiled around her. Vanessa tried to get free, but the hold was too strong with her being lifted off the ground. "It's all over. Not even your friend with the teleporting powers can get you out of my stomach."
"It's not over! The others will stop you!" Vanessa said.
"Not when I swallow them." Lameeree claimed. She threw Vanessa in her mouth and ended up swallowing her. She changed back to her regular form and was quite satisfied with her meal.
"You were right!" Vanica said as she came out and was laughing. "That was worth the wait."
"And my meal isn't finished yet. I got room for two more." Lameeree said as she can't wait to have two more rangers.
...
Asta and Yuno
After Julius gave them a piece of advice and trying to get their heads on straight, Asta and Yuno tried to think about what they done and tried to get their little rivalry in perspective.
"Yuno, do you think we have been taking things a little too far?" Asta said.
"Not too far. Maybe a little out of control." Yuno said. The two of them are thinking that maybe they have acted like children and need to try and fix this. They were about to get their chance when they saw Lameeree appear right in front of them.
"Hello, boys." Lameeree said. "Thinking things have gotten out of control between you? You can settle it out once you're in my belly with the others."
"The others? You mean you..." Yuno said as he couldn't believe it.
"Yes. I swallowed them and they won't be able to get out." Lameeree claimed.
"No way. Let our friends go!" Asta demanded.
"Don't worry. You two will be joining them soon enough." Lameeree claimed. No way either of them would let that happen. They both charged right at Lameeree and hoped to save their friends. Not wasting any time, they both morphed and went right at her. They both swung their swords at her, but Lameeree was able to avoid both of them and blasted them with energy.
"I'm going to turn this snake into one heck of a belt." Asta said.
"That makes two of us." Yuno said as they both got up. They were going to attack her again, but they both were attacked in the back. Both of them had a look and saw Vanica came at them in her armored form.
"The rangers are done for. Lameeree, time to finish your meal." Vanica said. The two rangers stood back-to-back and readied themselves.
"Which one do you want?" Yuno said.
"It doesn't matter." Asta said as they were both starting to get their heads in the game. "Yuno, we have let things get a little out of hand. It doesn't matter which one of is the better ranger or whatever, not as much as taking these guys down. The only way out is to work together."
"You read my mind." Yuno said as they were in full agreement.
"Enough talk!" Vanica said as both enemies were ready to attack.
"Yuno, jump!" Asta said. They both jumped out of the way and the timing was perfect. They avoided the attacks with Vanica and Lameeree blasting each other. "Saint Power: Saint Magic!" Asta quickly entered Saint Mode and slashed his sword against Vanica.
"I got him!" Lameeree claimed as she tried attacking him, but Yuno stepped in the way. He used his wind magic and shielded Asta with it. He then fired light rays and blasted Lameeree multiple times.
"Go, Asta!" Yuno said as he crossed his swords in front. Asta jumped over him and Yuno used his swords like a springboard for Asta to use.
"Great Divider!" Asta came straight down at Lameeree and slashed his sword right against Lameeree and did some real damage on her.
"You're mine!" Vanica tried attacking Asta from behind, but he jumped up and flipped right over her.
"Now Yuno!" Asta called.
"Celestial Wind!" Yuno used his best attack and unleashed it on both enemies. Vanica and Lameeree took some great damage from those attacks, but Lameeree was the one that exploded with Vanica being blown back from the attack. When Lameeree was destroyed, the other rangers were free from her.
"Are you guys okay?!" Asta said as Yuno helped them up.
"I think so. It looks like you two were able to work together." Noelle said as all of them appeared to be unharmed.
"You might be okay, but you won't be for long." Vanica claimed as she wasn't done yet. "Urae Methros Cataros!" She cast the spell and brought Lameeree back as a giant.
"Yuno, I think it's time we brought in the big guns and work together." Asta said with Yuno agreeing. The rangers changed into Saint Mode for this.
"Creation Magic!" All six of the rangers formed their megazords, Bahamut Megazord and Brightstar Megazord, with the six rangers able to finally fight together.
"I'll swallow you all up!" Lameeree said as she still tried to get the best of them. She tried attacking both of them, but they were able to endure whatever attacks she throws at them.
"Let's take her for a ride." Asta suggested. Their megazord grabbed a hold of her and flew up in the air. When they were high enough, they dropped her down with her crashing against the ground.
"Is that all you got?" Lameeree said as she was able to brush it off and get back up to fight, but Yuno stepped in. He came in from behind and used the spear to hold her down.
"I have her, Asta! Take her out!" Yuno said. All of them trusted Yuno one what he was doing.
"Eternal Flame!" The other five rangers unleashed the finishing move. Yuno was able to move out of the way just in time with the blast hitting Lameeree and finished the job.
"This is tough to swallow." Lameeree claimed before she exploded and was destroyed. This marked another win and another point for teamwork.
...
The Underground Castle
"Argh! I can't take it anymore!" Vanica said as she was getting frustrated with all the losses. "The rangers were swallowed up, but they still managed to escape. Why is it the most fun things can also be so frustrating?"
"It is getting rather annoying." Zenon agreed with that much.
"No worries. I already have something in mind for them." Dante said as he already had his next plan in motion, but what could it be?
...
Timeless Meals
The day was going a lot smoother now that Yuno and Asta weren't competing with each other as much. They were even able to work together in Timeless Meals as they got customers' orders together and was able to serve them.
"That's more like it." Vanessa said as the others all liked what they saw.
"Well, we were acting like children." Asta said.
"Not unusual for Asta." Yuno teased, but Asta was just going to let that one go.
"Yuno, I'm sorry for how I did act." Asta said. "It's just... Everyone thinks you're so great at everything, but I want to be able to shine too. Seeing you excel at so much makes me want to try harder."
"That's a little ironic." Yuno said. "The reason I try my best is because of you. Seeing you try so hard at everything is what makes me do the best I can. Either way, you and I seem to be good for each other." He held out his fist and Asta bumped his against Yuno's, a tight relationship that can only be found in one type: brothers.
"You're both great, but the one thing you both lack is ways with the ladies. I'm the one that's best at that." Finral claimed as he tried being charming.
"Way to ruin the moment." Noelle said.
"Get him!" Luck claimed as they all worked together again to give Finral a hard time this time.