The Wolf and his Princess

A/N: This is the absolute only thing that dissapointed me about this series. I so wanted Merrick and Shayla to get their Happily Ever After. Anyways, enjoy!

- Miss Maddie

Disclaimer: Any dialogue you recognize is from Power Rangers

Merrick stepped forward from the line of ashen-faced Power Rangers. Now was his last chance. "It's my sworn duty to protect you, Princess," he said, taking her hands in his and interlacing their fingers. "I'm going with you."

Shayla looked down, her chocolate eyes glistening with unshed tears. She would not meet his gaze. "You're a human, Merrick," she said, her voice shaking, "and the earth is your home. Please, stay. Live in this world." She was breathless now, and the tears were falling freely. As much as it killed her to say those words, she knew she had to. Merrick's place was on Earth, and hers was in the sky, on the Animarium with the Zords.

They had always known they could never be together, but neither had imagined they day they would be forced to part forever.

With that Merrick knew he was defeated. His voice and his spirit were broken as he choked out, "I will do as you wish." He too averted his eyes, and a single word slipped out so quietly that even he could barely hear it: "Princess."

That was her title, her duty, and all she could ever be to him, regardless of what they both wanted. They knew it was time to take up the heavy mantle of obligation, Princess Shayla's to guard the Zords on the Animarium and Merrick's to search out a new life, another adventure.

"If I can't stay with you," said Merrick slowly, his pale green eyes boring steadily into hers, "then let me have one thing."

"Anything."

And then he kissed her, and it was perfect.