Sorry this took long, I had to work out Daphne's past to write this chapter.
Chapter Four: Immortal by Birth
Command Centre
Logan Scott
"Are you sure?" Matt asked very sceptical.
"That's what I heard." Ryssa called again. "What you are seeking for is with the Titans. When Father and son re-unite the tides will change. Beware of the Demon High Prince; he will present powerful gifts with a sacrifice you won't understand."
"I wonder what is it we are looking for?" Taryn asked from her seat. Ryssa had called them early that morning to meet at the Command Centre. While he didn't mind waking up earlier to get there, Matt was pissed at being woken up. Then they got there and Ryssa started spouting out about something she heard from Daphne.
"You believe this?" Logan turned around to face her.
"Of course. If Ryssa believes an oracle spoke to her then I believe her."
"The problem isn't the prophecy it's Daphne. She's known to have problems. Mental problems. She's always saying these things." Aiden explained.
"Why does saying prophecies make her mad?" Taryn asked confused. Was she serious?
"They aren't prophecies they were delusions."
"You take that back!" Ryssa screamed from her seat by the computer. "It was a prophecy and I'll prove it." She went back to clicking on the keyboard.
"And how will that happen?" Matt asked her. Ryssa ignored him and continued her search.
"What are you doing?" Taryn asked as she materialised some nail polish and started on her hands. Yellow, of course.
"Everything was really vague, there weren't any names expect a title. Demon High Prince. I'm searching him on the internet." Ryssa said not turning around.
"I doubt you'd find him on facebook." Logan joked.
"Why search the internet when we can ask Hestia. She'll know." Aiden suggested.
"I doubt that. Didn't you see how she avoided the subject last time?" Matt reminded them.
She had totally changed the subject. "We make her tell us." Logan answered.
"She's a Goddess." Taryn said, "She won't tell us a thing."
"And we have spirits of the Gods. She'll spill whatever she knows." Matt said.
"And where would she be?"
"How the hell should I know?" Matt shrugged falling onto his seat, "we just corner her."
"Yeah sure." Logan scoffed. Hestia was a goddess, they couldn't corner her. They did and she'd just vanish to somewhere else.
"Guys we have school. You know the place we go to learn." Aiden called from the seat he had pushed Ryssa off. Aiden was much more adept at computers than Ryssa, even if she didn't want to admit it.
"I have to find out about this. I know I'm right." Ryssa called, grabbing her bag and teleporting out of the command centre. Taryn's bag floated across the room and she was gone leaving the boys alone.
"She won't get anywhere with this." Matt called as he made his way to the computer, Logan followed and soon the three of them were huddled around the massive screen.
"Every time I type in 'Demon High Prince' it just shows me demons."
"Ah man, so now we have Titans and Demons to worry about. Why can't Angel Grove lose the sign saying 'Take over the world'? I'd sleep sounder." Matt complained.
Logan rolled his eyes and scanned the list of websites, "Hey check out that one," He said pointing to the only one that wasn't about demons. The page was simple, a painting of a massive statue and the caption reading 'Colossus at Rhodes – The enemy'. Translation: Dead End.
"Well that was helpful." Matt called putting his bag on his shoulder, "but we have school. Never thought I'd be the one to say that."
"Come Aiden. We're meant to be role models." Logan said pulling Aiden by the collar, the blue ranger didn't like the idea of leaving the super computer, giving out a few groans as they teleported to the school. "I'll see you at lunch."
Aiden walked away grumbling about how no one even knew it was them. Logan shook his head and walked into his maths class.
Angel Grove Community Centre
Helios
"Why are we here?" Selene complained as she looked around the centre with a disdainful face.
"I needed somewhere there were a lot of people." He said sipping his smoothie. It was mango and something; he hadn't paid much attention when he ordered it.
"Come to terrorise the little children?" Selene quipped but it was not appreciated by her brother.
"This isn't funny. The prophecy is going to ruin everything."
"So a girl spoke a few words, hardly makes it something to worry about. And you of all people have little to fuss over."
"Shut up." He narrowed his eyes at the while gripping the drink a little tighter, "We all should be afraid."
"Since when do you fear anything?"
"I'm afraid for Eos."
"Our sister can look after herself," Selene answered taking the drink from him. Helios ran a through his hair, he had thought Selene would be a little considerate about the situation their sister was in, but like always Selene cared little about their baby sister. She could never get over the fact that Eos had found love while she was alone for three thousand years.
"If the prophecy is correct then Rhodes will be back." Helios spoke after a few minutes of silence. While it would be good to see this best friend again, the last time was just over two thousand years ago, Rhodes leaving the Demon Realms would only spell trouble.
"So? Maybe he'll join Lord Kronos against the Olympians. He's declared war on them and we could damn well use the extra help."
"Rhodes is just as likely to declare war on the Titans as he is to join them. He's never been the most loyal. Then we'd be fighting the Olympians from one side and him on the other. Use that pretty head of yours and think for once." He didn't that that would mean all three teams would be fighting each other, if Rhodes stayed out the fight it would be better for him.
"One with a purpose. Take that girlfriend of his, it will secure his affiliation." Helios shook his head at the disdain coming out of this sister's mouth. She still hadn't forgiven Rhodes for what happen all those centuries ago. She should have known better than to think Rhodes would care for anyone.
"Take her from him and you will wish you hadn't been born. He will destroy every Titan and his brother will help. You don't spend three thousand years in Tartarus with the Titans without learning a few of their tricks. While the two brothers see eye to eye on little, trust me when I say sister that taking that girl will cause you your death." He lectured his twin; she needed to understand exactly what she was saying. Rhodes and Teodor will always hate each other, but they were powerful. If they joined the Power Rangers, the odds would certainly not be in the Titans favour anymore.
"The way you speak brother, it makes it seem you do not want Lord Kronos to win." Selene commented but he noticed the threat underneath her words.
"I'll deal with the Rangers; you make sure Lord Kronos does not hear of the prophecy." With that he strode out the juice bar, leaving his sister alone once again.
Angel Grove High School
Logan Scott
"Five hours and all I learnt was to not sit next to Mitchell." Matt huffed at the two of them sat on the field.
"He can't be that bad." Logan tried to reason but only got a 'your-kidding-me-right' look back. Before he could ask what Mitchell had done that was so bad his communicator went with a shrill beeping sound. When he was sure no one was around he opened the channel to Hestia's voice.
"Helios is attacking outside the public library, hurry Rangers."
"Good thing it's lunch time." He said after saying he and Matt would leave immediately.
"But food," Matt started looking down at this sandwich.
"Come on." He grabbed Matt's wrist and teleported the pair of them to where Helios and a dozen Laphies were terrorising the Book Nerds of Angel Grove.
Helios looked to be preoccupied with his thoughts when they first arrived but the moment he saw the two of them a wide smirk broke out across his face, "Hope you had a nice sleep. Attack!"
The Laphies broke into two groups forcing Matt and Logan to fight separately. "Does he have no friends? He attacks us every day." Matt called as Logan punched a Laphies into dust.
"Less talking, more dying." Helios called from the branch he was perched upon. Why did he like trees so much? "Where are the other rangers anyway? Blue, pink and yellow if I'm not mistaken. Oh well, I'll get to them after you're done for."
"Good luck with that." Logan said as he ducked, causing two Laphies to ram each other with their swords.
"Only the weak need luck, I can assure you, luck is something you will need."
"Stop talking to the guy. You aren't his friend." Matt shouted as he smashed a large boulder onto a Laphy.
"Have you met my friend? Of course not, where are my manners. Rangers, Python. Python, the Rangers. Oh and here are the other three, I think we'll all have a lovely time together."
"You really love the sound of your voice." Logan commented as smiled as the smirk dropped from Helios's face. "Ready?"
"Ready." His friends called.
"Olympic Force, Hermes... Spirit of Hermes, Red Olympic Ranger."
"Olympic Force, Poseidon... Spirit of Poseidon, Blue Olympic Ranger."
"Olympic Force, Athena... Spirit of Athena, Yellow Olympic Ranger."
"Olympic Force, Ares... Spirit of Ares, Black Olympic Rangers."
"Olympic Force, Aphrodite... Spirit of Aphrodite, Pink Olympic Ranger."
"Do you ever tire of looking like a freaking rainbow?" Helios quipped before rolling his eyes, "Alright I'm coming. Until next time rangers." With that the Sun God vanished in a golden shimmer leaving behind a very large snake on the pavement.
"What do we do, give it to the Zoo?" Matt asked looking at the snake like it would grow another head.
"Can we keep it?" Taryn gushed only to get flicked in the head by Ryssa. The snake then looked up at them, slid its tongue from its mouth and blinked. Within seconds two legs grew from the back of its body and two hands grew from the centre. It stood on its newly formed legs, its size staggering over theirs. "I don't want it anymore."
"Nice snake man, you'll let us beat you won't you." Aiden said to which the snake-thing only hissed.
How were they supposed to fight a snake? It wasn't as if they could break its bones.
"Any bright ideas?" He asked nervously.
"Rose Arrows." Ryssa called and fired at the snake. Unfortunately it was able to slide and dodge all the arrows, then whipped out it tongue at Ryssa which sent her flying back into the wall of the nearby building.
"Caduceus Sword."
"Trident Laser."
"Chariot Sword."
"Charge." Logan chanted as they three of them charged towards the snake thing. They managed to get a few good hits but the snake was too slippery for them and they would end up hitting each other more than the monster itself.
"Girl Power." Taryn giggled as she and Ryssa began to attack. Logan hung back; there wasn't much he could do with his injuries. He was sure his shoulder was bruised from where the side of Matt's spear hit it and his side was hurting like hell from where Aiden's shot went. It wasn't their fault though; he had hit them with his sword a few times. Python was just too slippery, moving at the last second so they couldn't stop themselves from the attack. Or move to defend themselves.
"I hate this thing." Taryn said as she limped then charged again at the monster.
"Stop!" Someone called running into the fight in front of the monster.
"What the- ? Daphne move!" Ryssa called but the girl held her ground.
"NO! Leave him alone." That was all the time the snake needed to burrow its way into the ground. Logan ran over to peer inside the newly made hole, the Python was long gone.
"What is wrong with you?" He asked, grabbing onto Daphne's arm and shaking her. Maybe that will get her brain in gear.
"I can't let you hurt him."
"He's going to terrorise the whole of Angel Grove now."
"You don't know him." Daphne said moving herself from his grip. He held his hands in fists by this side.
"And you're such an expert." He joked but her face didn't appreciate the joke.
"Of course I am. I've lived with him for three thousand years."
"Sure," He scoffed, "Because you're three thousand years old."
"I am."
"You're a seventeen year old girl." He pleaded, "Have your medication."
"I don't need any medication, Logan."
"How did you?"
"Know who you are? Please I knew who you were going to be the moment I saw you months ago. The Blue is Aiden, the Pink Ryssa and the Black is Matt. Not sure about the yellow though."
"How?" That was all he managed to get out before Aiden spoke, "We need to be at school. Lunch is over."
He shook his head, "Alright the four of you get to school. I've got a free so I'll make sure Daphne gets home." His teammates nodded before teleporting themselves to the command centre.
"Come on," He said once he had demorphed behind the bushes, "You have a lot to explain."
Titan Mansion
Helios
"You thought you could keep it a secret from me!" Kronos shouted at Helios while his mother sat to the side without saying a word. "The great Helios thinks he's better than me, more powerful than me."
"I haven't done anything." He stood his ground.
"Three thousand years with these humans. Do you think it has made you wiser? Older? It has certainly made you bolder." Helios tried not to cringe; he had said the exact words to Eros on his 18th Birthday Celebration.
"Maybe it would be best to punish him." Theia called from her seat next to Kronos.
"Punish me how mother?" He couldn't help but ask.
"Oh I know there is little that will affect you. Selene why don't you bring your sister here."
"Don't you dare!"
"You think you can threaten us? We are your elders, boy." Kronos shouted.
"Fine, do what you will Lord Kronos. I have Rangers to destroy."
"Yes, the only thing I have told you to do and you can't even do that right."
"They are a lot more resourceful than we thought."
"You not we. They are humans, you are a god. Surely you have the intelligence to outwit a few corporal shells."
'Oh but I can outwit you just fine' he thought gleefully, "I try harder next time." He gritted out.
"I want a ranger head on my wall or I'll have yours." Kronos threatened. Helios bowed low to Kronos, ignored his mother and sister and strode out of the Throne room. It was a lot darker than the Throne Room on Mount Olympus and a Sun God did not do well in darkness.
Scott Household
Logan Scott
"So you're telling me that you're Daphne, the same Daphne from the myth. That Apollo fell in love with you and gave you the power of prophecies as a gift. He wanted to marry you but you hated him and became a tree to escape him. He then gave your tree immortality and made the Python your protector."
"I've only said it about five times." Daphne commented very bored.
"Now you're free and so is Python, who only listen to Apollo."
"Yes, but somehow Helios has been able to control him."
"One more time please."
"No. The only way I can be free is if Apollo's powers have diminished and that can only happen if he'd weakened. I've spent months looking for him and nothing, I think he's missing."
"How can a god go missing?" He asked bringing his legs under him on the bed.
"Gods went missing all the time back home," Logan frowned; back home meant three thousand years ago, "Eros went under the radar for a whole month with my cousin."
"Your cousin?"
"Psyche, the Goddess of Souls. Expect then she was human. Anyway the point was that Gods could go missing if they wanted, you just had to know the right person."
"I fail to see how this helps with destroying Python." He commented while she rolled her eyes.
"You don't destroy him, once we find Apollo he will make Python good again."
"What if we don't find him? What if he doesn't want to be found?"
"Apollo loves me. He will find me if I ask for him."
"Three thousand years, probably got over you. And you don't even like him."
"You wouldn't understand. Just don't kill Python okay?"
"If you can find Apollo before my team find Python I'll give him to you. If not then you're out of luck. And anyway, Hestia says that all the monsters we defeat just end up in the underworld. Can't you just ask Hades for your pet back?"
Daphne shifted uncomfortably, "Me and Persephone aren't on the best of terms. I'd rather not talk about it."
Logan chose not to comment at that, whatever issues they had all those years ago probably weren't even there anymore. But Daphne seemed stuck in the past, maybe if he could get her to see she wasn't there anymore.
"Alright. I'm giving you an hour."
"You seem awfully sure you'll find Python before I do." Daphne answered raising an eyebrow.
"Well I'm very committed."
"Sure," Daphne said obviously not entirely convinced, "I'll leave now to find my guardian."
Angel Grove Park
Matthew Park
Matt leaned against the tree, under its shade as he watched everyone go about their lives without a care in the world. He'd invited the others to his 'relaxation time' but Aiden said she had a paper to write, Taryn had nodded but the moment they got there she ran off without a word. Logan didn't even reply to his text. So it was just him and Ryssa to which he wasn't even complaining. Right now though she was in the bathroom which was code for 'I'm going to the Command Centre because I don't trust public restrooms'. She'd be some time, more if Hestia found her and asked her to do something.
He knew he should probably have been trying to find Python but the snake was just a snake, when it showed up he'd show it who was boss.
Just then something fell from the branch above him to next to him. Matt frowned when he saw what it was. Something was the correct word.
"Trust me I didn't come here from my own free will." Helios muttered as he looked everyone but Matt. He wasn't wearing the freaky armour as he usually did but the golden headband was still around his head. Instead he was wearing black and gold high tops, black skinny jeans, a white shirt and long sleeved deep purple slim jacket with golden buttons. Normally Matt wouldn't care what guys wore but it felt odd to see Helios in anything other than his stupid armour. And it was odd that Helios looked so at ease in his new mortal guise.
"Let's cut the crap and get down to why your here. Asking you to leave will obviously not work." Matt answered as he took off his hoodie. Just sitting next to the Sun God was like he was closer to the sun.
"I like the way you think Black Ranger. You weren't my first choice that is true." Matt sighed, it seemed Helios wanted to tell his life story. Since he was a god this was going to take some time. "The Blue Ranger wants to separate my head from my body, while he couldn't I don't want to offer the chance. Red is even lower than you on my list of people and Taryn seems put off with me after the stunt I pulled. Fascinating little creature isn't she. It was between you and Pinky and since I can't find here, you're the last choice."
"Don't I feel loved?" He muttered sarcastically.
Helios ignored him and waved at some girls that were staring at them. "I'll take care of Python and take the prophecy girl off your hands if you do something for me."
"No deal." Matt replied looking straight ahead.
"You want to keep your problems in the air?"
"We aren't giving you Daphne."
"Why does she mean something to you?" Helios smirked.
"She's a friend."
"People have betrayed friends for less."
"Maybe yours." The words were barely out of this mouth before he was slammed up against the tree, his feet a few centimetres from the ground.
"This new act of yours, are you tired of it yet?" Apparently friends were a touchy subject.
"Let him go." Taryn said confidently, her hands crossed over her chest.
"I would be more than happy if you took his place." Helios smiled but Taryn didn't look impressed.
"I wouldn't be happy."
"I can change your mind within seconds." Helios leered letting go of Matt to move towards Taryn. Matt was about to move to stop the two of them when Taryn stopped him with a look. "Care to try?" Taryn went to slap him but Helios caught her hand and threw her around, luckily she caught her balance and didn't fall. "You know a sensual touch works better than a vicious one. But if you into that I'm more than happy to co-operate."
"Why are you here?" Taryn asked then looked around smiling, "And without your sidekicks?"
"I came to talk to Black here since you were not willing to listen."
"Oh." Was all Taryn said her face openly showing her confusion, Matt groaned when her mouth turned into a hundred watt smile. She was doing so well at lying but then she wouldn't be Taryn if she lied easily.
"He says he'll kill Python and take Daphne for a favour." Matt explained. The idea somehow sounded even worse than before.
Helios opened his mouth as if to say something then stopped himself. "What favour?" Taryn asked instead.
"I haven't decided yet."
"I've already said no deal. Once Golden boy here leaves, we can deal with the snake ourselves." Matt answered. Surely fighting a snake couldn't be that hard.
"Snake," Helios laughed now leaning against the tree. "You won't be able to destroy him, he's immortal and ageless meaning even trying to kill him will only be a waste of energy. Humans were made in god's image therefore they share some of the same weaknesses; nothing was made in Python image nor was he made to any others. No one knows his weakness except Apollo and hello, hello that god's kinda not here." Helios paused for a second, his eyes shining under the sun. "I give you my word I won't kill the snake he's a protector of Daphne, killing him would kill her too."
"Why do you care what happens to her?" Taryn asked.
"I have my reasons. Look I'll even let stupid red be there when I turn them back."
"No deal." Matt repeated.
"Your loss." Helios shrugged. "See you around."
Angel Grove Park
Logan Scott
Logan watched as Daphne tried to call Python to her but it wasn't working, "If you can see the future can't you just see where he'll be."
"It doesn't work like that." She answered as she pressed her ear to the ground.
"That's what the movie's say." He muttered as his morpher went off. Making sure there was no one around he answered.
"He's by the tire yard." Aiden's voice said which made Daphne take off running.
"I'll be right here." He said as he went behind a tree to morph. "Olympic Force, Hermes... Spirit of Hermes, Red Olympic Ranger." He then teleported in front of the running Daphne, grabbed her by the shoulders and teleported to the tire yard. Sure enough a fifty foot Python was standing, much taller than the piles.
Daphne moved forward as if to talk to him but he pulled her back when Python bared it's teeth at her. Daphne bit her lip then sat down on one of the smallest piles, cradled her palms and stared into them as if she could see something.
"Took your time." Matt called from his Boar Zord.
"We can't all be doing nothing with our lives." He responded before calling his own zord. "So what's happened so far."
"Well Aiden and Ryssa managed to hold him down long enough for me to attack but then that Moon hippie turned up and shot him making what you see before you."
"And where's Helios." Logan asked. Helios was usually behind these types of things.
"Chilling in his gothic palace, no doubt." Matt responded which set Taryn into a fit of giggles.
"I hate to break the bromance, but I'm getting creamed." Ryssa called.
"Need a man to help you out?" Matt teased.
"When you see one, send him my way." Ryssa answered to which Logan and Aiden laughed.
"Taryn stay in the air, don't land on the ground." Logan commanded. "Me and Aiden will take the left and Matt you take the right. Ryssa I want you to attack from the back, try and get him away from the entrance."
After a round of affirmatives, Taryn look of to the sky. When Python saw the move he extended his head upwards and tried to bit into the Owl Zord. Only that left the rest of his body unprotected. Ryssa used the Dolphin Zord to spray water onto Python but it slid right off. Logan fired arrows from the Rooster Zord but they only released small sparks onto the skin.
"This isn't working." Aiden called as he came back, a small piece of the Horse Zord's leg missing.
A noise caught his attention so he looked down to see Daphne trying to tell them something. He opened the hatch to his cock-pit to hear her better. "Join your Zords. You'll get more power."
"How?"
"I don't know." She replied. 'Great, now what.' He wondered before contacting Hestia. She told him he had to press the purple button on the console in front of him. Together all five of them pressed the button and they moved closer automatically. The Boar became the left leg while the Horse Zord became the right. The Dolphin Zord became the left arm and the Owl became the right arm. They connected to the Rooster Zord which became the body and head. The wings from the Owl Zord connected together to became a shield, while a sword came out of the left leg. Logan smiled into his helmet as he entered a much bigger cock-pit. He was in the middle, Aiden to his Left and Taryn to his right. Matt and Ryssa were in the row behind them, Matt behind him and Aiden and Ryssa behind him and Taryn.
"Olympic Max MegaZord."
Logan looked Python straight into the eye, now they were at the same height. They sent a kick using the left leg into Python who sent acid back at them from its mouth. They moved, much quicker than he would have thought, but it was still too slow as the acid touched the right arm.
They got pushed around a few more times, but they were able to hit back just as well. Logan sighed they couldn't go on for much longer so they made a final attempt by combining all their power. They ran at Python, sword raised, then threw the shield into the air and kicked it towards the snake. Python was obviously surprised; he tried to stop the shield from touching him which left an opening for them to strike with the sword. Python fell to the ground then shrunk back into the size of a large snake.
Daphne ran to her friend, eyes tearing up. Logan demorphed wondering why Python hadn't vanished into a shimmer like the other monsters.
"He was never in Tartarus remember," Ryssa answered after no doubt reading his mind, "And he's a good guy right."
"Oh you did well." An annoying voice called from the top of a tyre pile. Helios smiled down at them in civilian clothing. "Didn't think you could actually stop him. He must have been fighting my control, oh well."
"How?" Daphne asked looking up at Helios with more hate then Logan had ever seen.
"Oh you know how." Helios answered, his face softening for a second then reverting back to it I-couldn't-care-less face. "Sleep time now, love. You owe me Rangers." Helios called and before anyone could even blink Daphne and Python were consumed in a gold shimmer, Helios nowhere to be seen. The gold shimmer cleared to show a laurel tree with a snake image woven into his bark. Matt grabbed the trunk of the tree and without a single word Logan teleported the two of them to a secluded part of Angel Grove where they replanted her.
"How was he able to do that?" Matt asked.
"I don't know. What did he mean we owe him?" Logan answered.
"Just that I guess."
Astroship
Karone
"You're sure?" Karone asked grabbing the edge of the console nervously; she really hoped Andros was wrong.
"He's nowhere to be found. I extended search parameters to all of them. He's not in sectors 1-100."
"What about the others? The President is counting on us."
"I know that Karone, Ashley's working on the other sector but you know they'll take longer to search."
"Because there further away." She explained to which he nodded.
"Are you fine there? I could always come and meet you. I know Zhane can be a handful sometimes."
"No that's okay; you need to stay there in case something happens. With Tarek missing its only a matter of time before something happens."
"It's all fine here. How's Nassa?"
"She's fine, keeps asking when she'll see Taryn."
"You haven't told her then?"
"And tell her what? We'll see Taryn on her birthday and then I'll tell her. I'll tell them both."
"I told you to leave her with me." Andros commented but Karone shook her head.
"With the resistance I don't want to chance it. You never know what they will do. Not that I don't think you and Ashley are unable to look after her." She added quickly
"Ashley's calling me. Look after yourself sister, and wish happy birthday to my niece for me." Andros said before he cut the transmission.
Karone sighed, it wasn't easy but Andros had said it was for the best. She and Zhane would be on the ship looking for Tarek while he and Ashley stayed on KO-35, scanning for Tarek remotely and trying to keep the peace. Karone just felt like neither of them got the better end of the deal.
End of Chapter
I wasn't really pleased with the middle bits, basically anything with Daphne. Don't know why but she was just kind of annoying me.
This was kind of a filler chapter, the only important thing was the Zords combining and Karone's conversation with Andros.
Who Tarek is and why he's important will be explained later. However he is NOT the son of Andros/Ashley or Zhane/Karone.
The next chapter was going to be about Taryn but I'm going to do it about Aiden instead.
What did you think?
Any character you like or dislike?
Let me know