Power Rangers: Beasts of Myth

Five Versus Five: Third Time's A Love Charm

BERMUDA BAY BEACH

"Go long!" Tobias yelled, his feet sinking into the white sand as he ran back, football in hand.

Skyler grinned at his buddy and ran arms, outstretched. As if on cue, Tobias hurled the pigskin, the ball going into a perfect spiral. Skyler ran across the lukewarm sand, arms outstretched. However, the football went nowhere near Skyler. Tobias gritted his teeth as the ball hit Sean, who was on duty as a lifeguard, in the back of the head.

"Ow!" the Irish boy yelled.

Some passing girls laughed.

"Sorry, Sean!" Tobias called out with a sheepish smile, then added to himself, "Yeesh."

Skyler snickered into his hand. Clarice, who was sunbathing, looked at Skyler and shook her head. Xue looked over from her position on the volleyball court and shook her head as well.

"Why do you guys insist on playing catch near me?" Sean asked, not looking at the two.

"Because Xue is playing volleyball and Clarice insists we don't play near her," Skyler replied.

The green ranger waved to Clarice, who waved back with a forced smile.

"I sense that she still doesn't like you," Tobias told him.

"I know. You spend time in a person you hate's body and make nice, but then they turn around and hate you again," Skyler replied.

There was a pause.

"Do you still hate her?" Tobias inquired.

"Hey, Tobias, here's your football," Sean said before Skyler could respond.

The Irish boy tossed the ball to the Spaniard, who caught it and nodded. Skyler shot Sean an angry look, but he had already returned his attention back to the waves.

"You were saying?" Tobias prompted.

"I try not to be as annoying. But, knowing her, who knows what I've done to set her off," Skyler expounded.

Tobias shrugged. "At least we'll never have any fights."

"I heard that!" Skyler replied happily, offering his buddy a fist pound.

Tobias replied by putting his fist to Skyler's. Suddenly, Sean blew his whistle and grabbed his lifeguard board as he ran to the water. Xue stopped in mid-serve and ran over to Sean's lifeguard station. Clarice got up from her chair and walked over as well.

"What's going on?" Xue asked, eyes on the waves.

"A girl went out too far," Clarice replied, looking out to the ocean.

Sean ditched his lifeguard board and drove underwater. Using his elemental gifts, the blue ranger rocketed through the water towards the drowning girl, breathing the water around him like it was air. The Irish boy quickly brought the young woman to the surface and began his superfast swim to the shore.

"Here he comes!" Clarice said.

At this point, a crowd had gathered to watch as the lifeguard brought the girl onto the sand.

"Give him room!" Tobias roared at the crowd.

Clarice used her elemental powers to shift the sand and disperse the crowd. Sean laid the girl on the ground and put his ear onto her chest.

"Her breathing is shallow and her heartbeat is faint," Sean reported, "I'm going to have to give her mouth-to-mouth."

Clarice made a face that said, "Excuse me?" and told her boyfriend, "No, you're not."

Sean stared at her, hysterical. "But I'm a lifeguard. It's my job."

Skyler sighed and said, "I'll do it. I got my CPR certification two years ago."

Clarice smiled at the Portugeuse teen, a geniune one, and said, "Thanks."

Without hestitation, Skyler put his ear to the girl's chest. He pinched her nose and blew air into her lungs, her diaphragm expanding underneath her brazen skin. The green ranger then brought his hands together and pressed on her chest three times. He was rewarded with a coughing fit from the girl, her stunning blue eyes fluttering open. She propped herself up and looked at Skyler.

"You saved me," she said thoughtfully, "Thank you."

"Get her a towel!" Tobias yelled to the crowd as Skyler continued to stare at her, dumbstruck.

Without any hesitation, a man from the crowd gave his towel to the girl, who draped it around her shoulders. She flipped her clumped-together hair.

"I'm Skyler," Skyler finally said.

The girl smiled at him. "Carmilla, nice to meet you, Skyler."

Skyler smiled and let out a nervous. "So... you have a boyfriend?"

Clarice bit her lip, but a weird voice in the back of her head said, "Skyler may be a jerk sometimes, but he deserves someone nice."

With that, Clarice shrugged and went back to sunbathing. Sean looked at the two and smiled.

Suddenly, that same strange voice came to the Irish boy. "Skyler deserves this. He hasn't had a girlfriend in a long time."

Sean smirked at the two and climbed back into his lifeguard chair. Xue walked away with the same voice whispering together the same message. Tobias, however, heard no voice in his head. Despite this, the Spaniard got a gut feeling not to trust this girl. Tobias packed up his things and began to leave.

"Hey, Tobias, where you going?" Clarice asked the red ranger, curious why he was so eager to leave.

"Ella es malo. ¡Muy malo!" Tobias replied, determination in his voice, "I'm going to get to the bottom of this, or my name isn't Tobias Carlitos Manuel Guillermo Smithers!"

Clarice looked at Tobias with eyes wide and said, "Okay?"

With that, the red ranger stormed off.

CAVE OPS

Tobias typed feverishly on the computer.

"There's something about that girl that I don't like," Tobias said to himself.

Sasquatch paced behind him.

"I agree," the ape replied, "Something about her seems a little too... perfect."

"Right," Tobias said, not taking his eyes off the screen. "What I'm surprised by is that Xue, Clarice and Sean aren't suspicious."

The ranger's mentor shrugged and said, "She seems normal. Nope! I've decided! We are not going to pursue this anymore."

Tobias looked at Sasquatch, bewildered. "What do you mean, 'not going to pursue this anymore'? I'll pursue this or I am not the red ranger!"

Sasquatch shrugged again and said, "Fine. I'm going to the beach to get some sun. See you later."

As he turned to go, a book dropped out of Sasquatch's robe and opened to a page, but the bigfoot didn't seem to notice. Tobias looked at it and went to pick it up.

"Hey, Sasquatch! You forgot your book!" he called.

But the hairy creature ignored him. Tobias looked left, then looked right. Cautiously, the red ranger picked up the book, which was on a page that reads:

When five versus five begins,

Five mysteries will shortly end.

Earth shall fall to fire,

And wind shall be ceased by earthen wall.

A siren's song, a poet's lyre

Shall break the curse and water shall fall

To one whose wings are in the wind

Shall do this deed with his own hand

With remorse, remorse, and

Remorse; revenge is a dish best served cold

But water shall surely break the mold

When fire falls, the beasts will have won

Armor of great power to don.

Tobias read the poem over and over.

"I know what to do," the red ranger said solemnly to himself. "And Skyler's not going to like it."

With that, Tobias took the compass rose part of his morpher and spun it.

DARK ALLEY

Carmilla walked down the alley, all alone. She looked scared, but it was only a facade. Suddenly, IcePhoenox came out of his hiding place.

"Well, hello there," the Vampiric Beast said ominously.

Carmilla turned, an angry look on her face. Shockingly, the young woman transformed into Vampiren. The siren-vampire walked up to her fellow Elemental.

"Why do you come to interfere with my plans?" she asked, shoving him against the wall.

"I-I'm not here to interfere," IcePhoenox replied, "Vampiren, I have... erm, feelings for you."

Vampiren softened her grip and said, "IcePhoenox... I have feelings for you, too."

Suddenly, Vampiren saw Skyler walking down the alley.

"But now isn't the time," she said, transforming hastily into Carmilla.

She kissed him on his beak. "Now go, while the green ranger is still in the dark."

IcePhoenox nodded solemnly, and disappeared.

"Carmilla!" Skyler yelled, running over to his now girlfriend.

"Skyler!" the girl said, running over to him.

The two embraced and shared a kiss.

"Why are you in the alley?" Skyler asked.

Carmilla's eyes turned a dark brown and she said, "Wouldn't you rather walk me home?"

Skyler's eyes became wide and then his eyelids drooped, making him look as if under a spell.

"Yeah," the green ranger said, "I'd like that."

"I knew you would," Carmilla replied a bit ominously.

Skyler paid it no mind. He wrapped his arm around her waist and the two walked home.

GREECE

Tobias looked at the lyre inside the glass.

"There it is," the red ranger said to himself, "The Lyre of Orpheus."

The ancient instrument was gold and the strings looked sturdy for an ancient instrument.

"Now the only problem is how to get it," Tobias said to himself.

"Oh, you're not getting this," the guard beside the lyre said as he shook his head vigorously.

Tobias looked at the guard. "I'll bring it right back."

The guard looked at the Spaniard, looked at the lyre, and then looked back in Tobias.

"I must be crazy," the Greek said, "But I believe you."

He lifted the glass, took the lyre and gave it to the red ranger.

Tobias smiled. "Thanks, uh..."

The teen squinted at the guard's name tag, but couldn't make it out.

"Looks like Greek to me," Tobias said to himself.

With that, Tobias took the compass rose part of his morpher and spun it. The guard replaced the class.

"Take care of my ancestor's lyre," the guard said, "It's better off with you, Red Ranger."

BERMUDA BAY

"You did what?" Sasquatch asked.

"I borrowed the Lyre of Orpheus," Tobias said.

He plucked two of the strings, making a beautiful sound. Sasquatch suddenly relaxed and looked at Tobias.

"She really is a problem, isn't she?" Sasquatch said a bit sadly.

"She's what making everything go all weird," Tobias replied, "Skyler has never fell in love with a girl that fast. And the fact that Sean, Xue, and Clarice refuse to investigate is confirmation."

Suddenly, Sasquatch clutched his head and yelled in pain.

"¿Tienes dolor de cabeza?" Tobias asked.

Sasquatch gritted his teeth. "What?"

"Sorry. Do you have a headache?"

Sasquatch let out an "Ah" and said, "Yeah."

Tobias grabbed the Lyre of Orpheus and strummed it several times. Slowly, but surely, Sasquatch's pain let up and the bigfoot rubbed his head.

"She was trying to regain control," Sasquatch informed the red ranger. "And she's not a girl named Carmilla. It's Vampiren."

Tobias's jaw dropped and said, "My best friend is on a date with a Vampiric Beast? Ese es malo."

Sasquatch looked at Tobias, confused.

"I have no idea why I'm talking in Spanish," Tobias explained, "Anyway, I was saying that this is bad."

Sasquatch nodded. "Free the others from this illogical thinking. Tell Sean, Clarice and Xue to return here. Skyler must slay Vampiren. You are to assist him."

Tobias nodded and teleported to Bermuda Bay.

BERMUDA BAY, WEST TIDE RESTAURANT

Clarice and Sean looked at each other lovingly.

"Isn't great that we can be on this date and Skyler not interupt us?" Clarice asked.

Sean thought, but before he could respond, Tobias walked over.

"Tobias, what are you doing here?" Clarice asked, a bit miffed.

"This," the red ranger answered.

He strummed the lyre and the two blinked.

"Okay, what just happened?" Sean asked.

Tobias set the lyre down and said, "Clarice, you have to promise not to laugh."

Clarice held up two fingers and put them together. "Scout's honor."

Tobias looked at the yellow ranger strangely.

"She was in Boy Scouts," Sean said in a hushed tone.

Clarice turned red and punched Sean in the shoulder.

"My neighborhood didn't have a Girl Scout troop and you know it!" she hissed.

"The nearest Girl Scout troop was an hour away," Sean added.

Tobias smirked and let out a chuckle.

"You were saying?" Clarice said, her cheeks still a little pink.

The red ranger cleared his throat to get rid of the chuckles.

"Skyler is on a date with Vampiren," Tobias said.

Clarice and Sean exchanged a glance.

"Why would I laugh at that?" Clarice asked.

Tobias shrugged and said, "I dunno."

"We've got to go help him," Sean said.

Tobias shook his head. "No, you two get back to base. Everything's going crazy. I'm talking in Spanish for no reason, for Pete's sake!"

The two nodded and teleported out. Tobias put a few bills on the table and left.

BERMUDA BAY

Xue was relaxing when Tobias showed.

"Hi, Toby!" the Chinese girl said, running up to him.

Before the red ranger could do anything, Xue kissed him. Tobias stopped, stunned.

"Whoa," the Spaniard said.

Xue bit her lip and dragged the tip of her right footed Converse across the ground.

"So... was it okay?" she asked timidly.

Tobias turned as red as his shirt. "Erm... yeah."

Xue smiled.

"But that's beside the point," Tobias replied.

He quickly brought out the Lyre of Orpheus and strummed it.

Xue blinked twice. Suddenly, she turned bright red. "Tobias, I'm so sorry! I have no idea what came over..."

Before she could finish, Tobias kissed her. When they broke away, Tobias smiled at her.

"I like you, Xue, regardless of any spell," the red ranger told her softly, "Go back to Cave Ops. I have to go help Skyler."

Xue nodded, cleared her throat and teleported. The red ranger smirked to himself and left.

BERMUDA BAY

Carmilla looked at her "boyfriend" lovingly. "You know, I've been waiting for someone like you, Skyler."

Skyler, still dazed, asked, "Really?"

Carmilla opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything, Tobias ran up.

"Skyler!" Tobias yelled, readying the lyre.

Carmilla's eyes grew wide and she said, "Skyler, I think your friend loves me."

Skyler looked at her with a lovesick look. "Well, who wouldn't love you? You're pretty, and... and nice... and pretty. So, so pretty."

Carmilla looked at the green ranger, a bit weirded out. Okay, she thought to herself, Maybe the seduction went a little too well.

"Maybe I'll go out with him instead of you," she mused with an evil smile, but Skyler only saw a smile.

Just as Tobias was about to strum, an enraged Skyler ran up and tackled him the ground, knocking the lyre out of his hand.

"Who are you to miss with my love life?" Skyler shouted angrily as Tobias got up, throwing a punch at the red ranger's face.

Tobias dodged and said, "I'm not messing with your love life. You're under a spell!"

Skyler threw another punch, but Tobias dodged again.

"Yeah," Skyler said, panting, "I'm under a spell. Love's spell! Carmilla is the best thing that ever happened to me and you know it!"

Skyler went for a leg sweep which Tobias jumped over.

"Carmilla is not even human! She's a Vampiric Beast!" Tobias shouted.

"Lies!" Skyler roared.

Tobias stepped back and heard the Lyre of Orpheus strum. Skyler blinked his eyes twice and calmed down.

"Sorry, buddy," Skyler said.

Tobias turned around and picked up the lyre. "It's not a problem."

Carmilla clapped slowly. "Well, well, Red Ranger, I'm impressed."

The girl let down her disguise, becoming Vampiren.

"So, it was you all along," Skyler said.

Vampiren nodded. "I can still be your girlfriend, Green Ranger. Become a Vampiric Beast. Join us."

Tobias strummed the lyre again, causing Vampiren to spark and Skyler to smirk.

"Ready?" Tobias asked.

The green ranger smiled. "You know it!"

"Mythic Beasts, Awaken!" the two said in unison.

Tobias is in a volcano. Suddenly, a Dragon flies up and forms a ball of fire around Tobias. His ranger suit is burned onto him. The Dragon's takes his head, which becomes a helmet, and presents it to Tobias. He puts the helmet, then breaks out of the fire and strikes a pose.

Skyler is flying in a green sky. Suddenly, a giant eagle flies up. It is a Tolroc. Skyler gets on the Tolroc's back, and the Tolroc flares its massive wings. The wings meld with Skyler's arms, the talons meld with his legs, and the Tolroc's body becomes Skyler's ranger suit. The Tolroc's head forms around Skyler's head, making the helmet. Skyler lands on the ground and strikes a pose.

"Lord of Fire, Red Dragon!" Tobias yelled.

"Lord of the Sky, Green Tolroc!" Skyler yelled.

Vampiren growled and charged. The two rangers drew their weapons and charged as well. Skyler jabbed Vampiren's abdomen, causing her to clutch her stomach. Then, Tobias moved in close and swung his lance across Vampiren's chest. Sparks flew from the Vampiric Beast's chest and she stumbled back. Skyler charged again, bringing his staff around. Vampiren blocked two of the green ranger's strikes at her sides, but a devastating blow to her jaw dropped her defenses and Skyler jabbed her again in the stomach. The two combatants fell back.

"That was for tricking me!" Skyler roared.

Tobias sat back as the two charged again. Vampiren blocked another strike, but Skyler quickly powered through and struck again and again.

"Wrap it up!" Tobias yelled.

Skyler looked down, but his suit began to glow green anyway.

Skyler kicks the monster into the air. Then, jumps up, twirling his staff. He strikes the monster in various spots before crying out "Aerial Facesmash!" With that, Skyler brings the butt of the staff into the monster's face, which hurtles the monster into the ground. Skyler lands, and the monster is reduced to ash

"And to be honest, I loved you," Skyler said, voice full of regret.

BLOODWING'S CASTLE

"NO!" IcePhoenox yelled.

The Vampiric Beast dropped to his knees, bawling his eyes out. Bloodwing, Lillith, Koibat, and Inferpire looked at him.

"What is his problem?" Bloodwing asked Inferpire.

"IcePhoenox has had a crush on Vampiren ever since she joined," Inferpire replied.

"So... should I activate the steam pellets?" Lillith asked, fingers on her keyboard.

Bloodwing stroked his chin and replied, "No. He won't want to fight if he sees his love destroyed again."

Koibat nodded. "Th-th-then let's f-f-f-figure out o-our n-next p-p-p-p-plan." The koi fish vampire then waddled off.

CAVE OPS

Sasquatch scanned over Skyler with what looked like a metal detecting wand. "The last traces of Vampiren's song is gone, thanks to the Lyre of Orpheus."

The rangers laughed in relief and Skyler let out a victorious "Yes!"

"You guys should be back to normal now," Sasquatch said.

"Well, normal for us," Skyler said.

Everyone shared a laugh. Sean, Skyler, and Clarice started up a conversation with Sasquatch about their experiences while under Vampiren's influence while Xue and Tobias snuck onto the beach.

"Listen, Tobias. About that kiss... I'm sorry. I didn't..."

Suddenly, Tobias pressed his lips against hers and the two began kissing. Inside, Sasquatch and the other rangers watched via camera feed as the two kiss.

"Human affection never ceases to amaze me," Sasquatch said.

Clarice "aw"ed and Sean said, "It's about time."

Skyler nodded and said, "Well, you two have each other and Tobias has Xue. I hope that, somewhere, there's someone for me."

Sean smirked sadly and said, "You'll just have to keep looking."

Skyler smirked and looked at his friend. "Kudos, buddy." He looked at the screen. "And kudos to you, too, Tobias."

Sasquatch made a face that said, "Ick" and said, "Okay, enough of this lovey-dovey stuff, where's my pizza?"

Trivia: Vampiren's human form's name, Carmilla, is the name of a famous vampire.