A/N: I wonder if anyone is into Wild Force anymore. But whatever, I love it and I love Princess Shayla/Merrick. This is a fanfiction written simply because I love that pairing so much. AU.
Disclaimer: Of course, I don't own Power Rangers. If I did Princess Shayla wouldn't have (stupidly) let Merrick go!
Princess Shayla woke up to the sun shining brightly at her through the window. She smiled and got off her bed walking over to her wardrobe. Today was the day her father, King Animus, would choose a full-time protector for her. Of course, she already had an idea of who she wanted. Him. Her childhood friend and the one who held her heart. He was one of the six most trusted warriors, so he had a chance. Or rather she had a chance. There was a knock on the door.
Her ladies-in-waiting, Dame Taylor and Dame Alyssandra walked in. They had been her friends for a long time and she trusted them with her life. As well as being her ladies-in-waiting, they were also Merrick's female teammates; the only two female warriors of the Kingdom of Animaria. Taylor was wearing a golden gown whilst Alyssandra, or Alyssa as her friends called her, wore a white and pink gown. A few seconds later, Lady Delgado, another one of the Princess' ladies in waiting, strolled in wearing a purple gown. The princess loved Lady Delgado, a.k.a Kendall; she was just so sweet.
"Oh! Princess, you are not yet ready?" Taylor asked.
"Ah, that would be my fault. My apologies, Princess, I got distracted on the way here!" Kendall exclaimed, blushing. Alyssa sent her a knowing look and Taylor smirked.
"Do not worry Ken, in any case, I have just woken up now..." Princess Shayla replied.
"Well, you had better hurry up, Princess. King Animus won't be happy if you're late!" Alyssa stated.
"So, Princess what do you want to wear?" Taylor asked.
"Taylor... you don't have to. You and Alyssa should be at the hall now, I don't want you to be late—" Shayla started.
"Oh do not be ridiculous! You are King Animus' daughter: the heiress to the throne of Animaria. And we are your ladies-in-waiting so let us do our job," Alyssa answered, cutting the Princess off.
"Okay..." Princess Shayla agreed, defeated.
"Let us see..." Kendall started, looking into the Princess' wardrobe. The four women spent almost half an hour looking around for a suitable dress. Finally, they decided on one that had been hiding at the back of the wardrobe.
The princess threw on one of her more glamorous, ceremonial dresses. It was navy blue, long and despite its thick, tight corset, it was comfortable.
"There..." Taylor said. "Perfect!" she complimented.
"Now for your hair," Alyssa said. She did Shayla's hair so that some of it was up and the other half was down which the princess liked. Having all her hair up made her feel too formal.
"Done," the three women finished. Princess Shayla looked at herself in the mirror. There was only one word to describe how she looked. Gorgeous. And there was only one thing she wished to achieve. Stun Merrick Baliton.
King Animus stood before his people on the top of the staircase, waiting for Princess Shayla. He looked at the six warriors, hoping he had picked the right person to protect his precious daughter. Speaking of the princess, she arrived beside him within minutes. Dame Taylor and Dame Alyssandra ran down the stairs to join the other warriors. Lady Delgado followed behind timidly, blushing at the sight of Sir Daniel, one of the warriors and her earlier distraction.
"My darling, you look wonderful," he commented upon seeing the princess looking so beautiful. She reminded him of her mother. If only she could be here to see their daughter. Tears brimmed his eyes with pride.
"Thank you," Princess Shayla replied, linking her arm with her father's.
"And now, presenting our ruler King Animus and his daughter Princess Shayla!" a scroll named Trip announced. They walked down the stairs and stopped at the thrones. When King Animus sat, everyone else did. The six warriors sat at two tables on either side of the royals. Sir Coleton Evans, Dame Taylor Earhardt and Sir Maxwell Cooper on the one to the right. And Sir Daniel Delgado, Dame Alyssandra Enrile and Sir Merrick Baliton on the other side next to Princess Shayla. Merrick's jaw had hit the floor when he saw her and he blushed insanely as he was sitting closest to her. Princess Shayla was glowing with happiness, eagerly waiting for the moment when Merrick would be chosen as her protector.
"Now, we all know why we are gathered here today: to select a warrior to be Princess Shayla's protector."
A/N: WDYT?