Disclaimer: I do not own the franchise, but I do own this team.

*Italic indicates thought

' ' indicates Zach using sign language

Episode IX: God of the Sun

Chapter One: Meet Apollo

A/N: Hello world! I'm back! I apologize for the week long gap in episodes. I'm really going to try and stay on top of it this week. So, please read and review!

"Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun; the moon; and the truth." -Buddha

Zach ducked as an object flew past his head. He gave Kyle a look. "Sorry," the red ranger said. Zach shook his head. Thank goodness he's just using tennis balls. It had been two weeks since the three of them had discovered they had demigod powers. Only a week ago, Kyle had started creating gusts of wind.

Now he was in the secret dojo, blowing tennis balls around trying not to bean people in the head. "This is hard," he said for the tenth time that day.

"Well it's not supposed to be," Sensei said. "Besides, Zach doesn't complain when he practices his powers."

"That's because he already has a good beginning grip on them."

"Just be thankful you have them," Miley said.

'Don't worry Miley. You'll discover your powers soon.'

"I hope so, though I'm not sure what powers I could possibly inherit."

"I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised," Kyle said.

"I hope so. I mean, heat can my mom do besides stand around and look pretty?"

"Well, Aphrodite has always been good at starting trouble, but then again the rest of us do too." They turned around, Zach a little behind. Standing in front of one of the statues was a young man. He had sun-gold hair, a laurel wreath crown, sky blue eyes, and a friendly looking grin. He was wearing a white tunic, that nicely showed off his muscles, and leather sandals and shin guards. The stranger thing was he had a bow in one hand, and a harp with a leather strap and a quiver of golden arrows strapped to his back.

"Who are you?" Kyle asked.

"Take a guess," the man said. He nodded at Chiron. "Good to see you again Chiron."

Chiron bowed his head briefly. "Like wise, Apollo."

"Apollo. You're him?"

"The very same. God of the sun, music, and poetry."

Each of the rangers bowed form the waist down. "It's an honor to meet you," Kyle said. "Why are you here?"

Apollo grinned. "Very direct. Just like Zeus. You're definitely his kid. Well, now that you mention it, I could use a hand."

"With what?" Miley asked.

"A monster. Word on Olympus was you three take care of monsters and I have a little quest for you."

'A quest?' Zach asked. 'What is it?'

"Ah yes. You must be Poseidon's boy. I'm afraid I don't speak sign language though."

"He's asking what the quest is," Miley said.

"Ah I see. Well, the monster Python has been found in the oracle Delphi's garden. That monster is a serious amount of trouble and I would like it you three to get rid of it."

"No disrespect Apollo, but couldn't you use your power to do it?" Kyle asked.

"I could, but see, Delphi and I don't really get along, so it's best if you three do it instead."

"Of course they will," Chiron said before they ranger could protest more. "It would be an honor for them to perform a quest for you."

"Brilliant!" Apollo exclaimed clapping his hands together. "There's one more thing, to give you a hand...catch!" He reached into his pocket, pulling something put and throwing it to the rangers. They all went it catch it, but Zach was the one who felt it in his hand. "That should definitely help you. Good luck, oh, and one more thing. Be wary of Delphi. She might look innocent, but her words can be tricky."

"We will," Kyle said. "You can count on us, Apollo."

"I knew I could." With that a flash of light appeared and the rangers had to look away. When they were able to look back, he was gone.

Zach looked at the gift. It was a bronze coin, like Miley's. It had a picture of a lizard in one side, and a bow and quiver of arrows on the other side. Both of them were outlined in gold. He showed it to the others. "Cool," Kyle said.

They showed the coin to Sensei. He nodded. "That's Apollo's power coin alright."

"So we're supposed to go to Delphi's garden," Kyle said. "How do we get there?"

"The coin will help you, but make sure you're on the edge of the city first."

"Ok, got it," Miley said. The rangers left the dojo. Miley sent her dad a quick text saying she was going out with Jack, then sent Jack a text saying she was at her Aunt's house.

Kyle texted his parents and said he was at Zach's house for dinner. "So they want worry if we aren't back in a few hours."

"How long do you think this will take?" Miley asked.

Kyle shrugged. "Better safe than sorry."

"True." The rangers arrived on the edge if the city. "So...what do we do?"

Kyle shrugged and looked at Zach. Zach gave him a look. 'Why do you look at me?'

"You're the one with the coin."

'Oh. Right. Um...' He decided taking a wild shout would be better than nothing. "Power Apollo, god of the sun!" He flipped it in the air. It spun in midair, then fell to the ground. Zach shrugged. 'It was worth a try.'

"Hey, what's that?" Miley asked shading her eyes and pointing. The boys looked where she pointed.

"It's...it's something flying..." Kyle said. Indeed it was. They jumped back as a chariot pulled by two white winged horses landed on the ground. The chariot was beautiful. It was golden with clean leather straps attacked the the harnessed horses.

'Cool!' Zach signed. 'Shotgun!'

"There's no back seat," Kyle muttered.

Zach jumped in to the chariot. He grinned like a maniac. 'This is so cool!'

He gavel Miley his hand. Pulling her up into the chariot. "You coming or what?" Miley asked.

Kyle hesitated. "Isn't there any other way to get there?"

"Not unless you think we should walk to a legendary garden."

"Just a thought," Kyle muttered stepping into the chariot. There was room enough for all three of them to stand comfortably. Kyle shifted uncomfortably on his feet, his stomach stared to knot.

"How do we start this thing?" Miley asked.

Zach shrugged. 'I dunno.' He picked up the reigns, wrapping them in his fists. He flicked them. The horses neighed and tossed their heads. The started running, gaining speed. They opened their wings and flapped them. They started to take off. The chariot pulled off the ground and soon they were in the air.

Wind whipped at Miley's hair, knocking it in her face. She smiled. "This is so cool!" she shouted. She looked over at the other two. Zach looked like he was having the time of him life driving the chariot. Kyle on the other hand, looked like he was going to be sick. He clenched the side of the chariot so hard his knuckles were turning white.

He closed his eyes and imagined he was back on the ground safe and sound.

After about ten minutes Zach noticed the horses were leading them downwards. We must be getting close, he thought. He jumped as the chariot hit the ground. Miley and Kyle held on to avoid being thrown off. Zach pulled on the reigns to stop the horses. The two animals stopped and pawed at the ground.

Kyle wasted no time getting out. Miley hopped out next, then Zach. The blue ranger went to the first of the chariot to pet the horses. Miley smiled. She turned and saw Kyle doubled over, vomiting. "Kyle are you ok?" she asked going over to him. She put her hand on his back. He was shaking and his breath was uneven.

The red ranger took a deep breath. "Fine," he said. He stood up. He was pale and shaky.

"Are you sure?" Miley asked.

He nodded. "Yeah. I'm fine. I just...don't like flying."

"Ok," she said. "We should probably get Zach and get to work finding the monster."

"Yeah," he said nodding. They walked over to the blue ranger who stood in front of the horses, a hand on each of their noses. "Lets go Zach," Kyle said grabbing his arm. "We're here to catch a monster."

'Wasn't that fun?' Zach asked excitedly.

"No it was not," Kyle replied.

'Aw. Why...'

"Guys," Miley said. "Look." The rangers stopped in their tracks. Before them was without a doubt the most beautiful garden they'd ever seen.

Everywhere they looked there was luscious greenery. Trees of all sorts grew on the sides of the path they walked. Kyle looked down. The path itself was made of smooth white stones. They followed it until it came to an open area. In the middle of it was a pavilion. They approached cautiously. A woman sat in the pavilion on a stool, humming to herself.

"Um,..excuse me," Kyle said. The woman acted as if she hadn't heard him. "Excuse me."

She looked at them, setting down her weaving. She had dark gar the flowed to her waist. Her olive green eyes and pale completion added a sense of mystery to her beauty. "Yes, who are you?"

"We're..."

"No, don't tell me. Your the demigods. The ones Apollo sent."

"How did you..."

"How did I know? I saw you coming."

"You saw us..." Miley whispered. "Are you Delphi?"

She nodded. "Indeed I am."

'So you can see the future?' Zach asked.

"That is correct, Zachary. I fore tell of things at have yet to come true."

"Well, we're here to take care of Python," Kyle said.

"I won't stop you," Delphi replied. "Only know that he is a tricky creature. Quite the nasty land dragon."

"Dragon?" Miley asked thinking back to the hellish time they'd had against the Kampe.

"Don't worry," Kyle said. "I think we've got that covered." He gave Zach a look.

"I wouldn't be so sure," Delphi replied picked up her weaving again. "You see your demigod powers won't work here."

"What?!"

"Only the power of the gods will work."

"Well, we'll still be able to take care of it," Miley said.

"I'm sure you will," Delphi said, feigning interest.

"Come on," Kyle said. "Lets go find this monster." He decided that he didn't like the oracle very much.

"If you survive," Delphi called after them. "Do come and see me before you leave. We have much to discuss!"

"As if," Kyle snorted. He led his teammates down a path.

"You don't trust her?" the pink ranger inquired.

"About as far as I can throw her," Kyle replied. "You heard what Apollo said. She's just trying to get in our heads."

"She seems so nice though," Miley mused.

"So is a skunk. Come on. Forget about her. Let's just go after this monster."