Disclaimer: I don't own the Power Rangers or the evil empire of.. :coughs and clears throat: Sorry. I don't own the Power Rangers or Disney.
Author's Note: Hey for once I'm not writing an AU:) This is just a look inside Merrick's head while Cole was having dirty looks and Watching Him Bathe Naked in the Lakeā„¢.

A Change is Gon' Come

I was born by the river in a little tent
and just like the river, I've been runnin' ever since
it's been a long, a long time coming,
but I know a change gon' come, oh yes it will.

Merrick looked down at his dirty white garments, I sold my soul to save my friends, he raised his eyes to the emptiness of the black moon. And now all of my friends and loved ones are gone. It is only I that remain; trapped by the evil I unleashed. The lost Ranger shook his thoughts away and waded into the cool lake. He cleansed his body in the dark night as his mind drifted back to the time he left behind; and the bitter disappointment that his friends could not kill him as he deserved.

It's been too hard living, but i'm afraid to die
'cause I don't know what's out there beyond the sky
it's been a long, a long time coming
but I know a change gon' come, oh yes it will

His inner musing paused for a moment as he looked at the puppy following him into the water. That little orphan was the only thing both Zen-Aku and he shared a true bonding to. He felt as if the wolf-dog had become the outer manifestation of the innocence neither no longer possessed. This night, his mind and body were free to roam about in the real world while Zen-Aku was pushed aside.

He knew this new freedom would not last past the new moon. He doubted even Zen-Aku would begrudge him the chance to bathe after a 10,000 year slumber. These moments of freedom gave him hope that one day he would be separated from Zen-Aku. If that day ever came though, he would feel a slight regret. For all of the Evil that Zen-Aku had wrought, he still sensed a great deal of honor from him. Sometimes it was hard to imagine a being so evil, could possess honor the same as a Ranger.

Why do you persist with this pretense of freedom, human? Zen-Aku's words echoed in his mind.

Because I'm still alive. Merrick replied. He sensed that if he ever completely relinquished his will to the accursed soul, Zen-Aku would mourn him as well.

I go to the movies, and I go downtown
Somebody keep telling me, don't hang around
It's been a long, long time coming
But I know a change gon' come, oh yes it will

These new Rangers knew nothing about him. Would they scorn him once they knew discovered his sin? Would they pity him? He didn't want the answer to either question. His soul was tainted and if he were ever free of Zen-Aku, the cursed soul would still be his own. If he could be free he would spend his life atoning; that was his hope.

You will never be free of me. Zen-Aku sneered. You freed me from my prison, and now I am your jailer. We are forever locked young cub for I am a Duke Org and none can resist me indefinitely. All things will come to an end. And so will the pitiful humans.

Zen-Aku's words to him felt empty and wooden as if he too wished for atonement. He realized that Zen-Aku's name held the key. In order for him to exist there had to be balance. Merrick was Zen, and the other soul was Aku. If the two of them could come to an understanding, then maybe they could find their atonement together. This feeling gave him a new purpose. This existence had to end. Either they would both live, or they would both die. The later was a long path he was not sure he could take, however, the latter, would give them both peace. Which path he took would entirely depend on what these new Rangers were made of.

There's been times that I thought, I wouldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long, long time coming
But I know a change is gon' come, oh, yes it will