Chapter 42 Guilt

Zelda sits in the hospital room assigned to Chet on the second floor. She sits and waits to see if he will improve. She gets up for a while and leaves the room to ask the nurse a question.

After getting an answer, Zelda decides to go back into the room and just sit and see if Chet will get better any time soon. Her friends show up after a few hours and tell her its time to go home. But Zelda doesn't want to leave. She feels she's responsible for Chet's critical condition and so she needs to stay and watch over him. Nakia says in a gentle sympathetic tone.

Nakia-Zelda. The doctors will take good care of him. You can't stay here all night. His family should be here soon.

Zelda responds.

Zelda-But his family isn't here.

Nakia-Well like I said the doctors will take care of him. You need to get some rest before you knock yourself out.

Zelda-But its my fault that he's this way. I can't leave him.

Nakia-Your fault? You saved him.

Zelda-Yes, but if it wasn't for me he wouldn't of been attacked.

Nakia-Zelda its not your fault! And you know that!

Zelda-But..

Nakia stops her from talking and says to her sternly.

Nakia-Come on, we've got to get you home.

Zelda finally agrees and leaves but promises she will be back tomorrow after school.

Sinistar has observed the way Zelda's feelings has presented her and thinks to herself.

Sinistar-Hmm, so she feels guilty about that particular human being hurt eh. How can I use this to my advantage… Hmmm..

She thinks continuously and finally comes up with an idea.

Sinistar-That's it! I'll use the shadow master. Yes, he will provide Zelda with an excess amount of guilt to finally cause her to give up being a Ranger and perish!

She chuckles deeply to herself.

The next day at school, Zelda goes to her locker. Today she's wearing a pair of blue jeans and a white t shirt with a pink strip that has been printed in a wrap around fashion, and also she's wearing tennis shoes. She puts her books away and then leaves to go to the counselor's office. When she gets there she see's Mrs. Patterson speaking with a woman she hasn't seen before, so she waits till their conversation is over.

When it is over, Zelda walks over to Mrs. Patterson who's wearing basically the same thing she wore yesterday and says.

Zelda-Did you hear about Chet?

Mrs. Patterson looks up from her computer for a second and responds.

Mrs. Patterson-Yes. It is sad.

Zelda-Where are his parents? Or anyone related to him?

Mrs. Patterson-His family is in Australia, Zelda.

Zelda gasps but faintly.

Zelda-Australia?

Mrs. Patterson nods.

Zelda-Hmm, is he from there or are they just vacationing?

Mrs. Patterson-He's from Australia. He just moved out here on a student exchange program.

Zelda-Oh I see.

Mrs. Patterson-Yes. But there seems to be no getting through to his parents right now. But everyone will keep trying.

Zelda-Okay.

Zelda leaves the office and when lunch time arrives, she goes into the cafeteria to get her meal and instead of eating inside, she leaves to go out to sit down on the grass in the front of the school with some of the other students.

When she gets outside she notices the blue sky turning dark and gray clouds appearing out of no where it seems. She looks up again and then back down and to her astonishment she see's everyone who was just outside with her, gone.

She stands up and asks herself.

Zelda-What's going on here!?

Thundering noises arise and a bit of flashing lightning. Zelda looks all around and its totally dark, she tries to leave the spot she's in but she can't. Zelda is trapped within a calm dark vortex. She hears a dark and raspy voice speaking to her.

Shadow Master-Oh my. That poor boy, in the hospital and all because of another careless human being.

Zelda exclaims.

Zelda-WHAT?!

Shadow Master-I know you heard me correctly. I don't need to repeat myself. Although if I did it would only express my concern for that poor boy.

Zelda-Who are you?!

Shadow Master-Just a concerned being with extraordinary powers.

Inside of the school, Kimberly and Nakia look all over for Zelda. They finally decide to go to lunch without her. When they get to the cafeteria they do end up asking if anyone has seen her and are told that she's outside eating and thinking. Nakia sighs as she looks at Kimberly and says.

Nakia-I hope she's not still beating herself up over what happened yesterday.

Kimberly-I don't understand it. She saved his life.

Nakia-I know. Zelda is too kind and she believes its all her fault and probably won't get over it till he's better.

The two of them leave the cafeteria and make it towards the main exit. Nakia pushes the door in an attempt to open it but it won't budge.

Nakia-What in the world?!

She tries again but it still won't move at all. Kimberly tries and gets the same results.

They then look outside of the smaller windows located at the top of the door and what they see starts worrying them.

Kimberly-I don't believe it! Its in the middle of the day and its completely dark outside. I mean you can't even see the tree's, the cars, the streets or anything!

Nakia-I know. And if Zelda is out there then I have a feeling she's in trouble. And I know who's behind it!

They both say together.

Nakia and Kimberly-Sinistar!

Outside of the school, Zelda is plagued by shadows of what happened yesterday, her spirit becomes slowly broken. The shadow master laughs in a monotone voice and then says.

Shadow Master-How could you have put another human being in such a situation? Especially when that human has no special powers whatsoever to defend himself.

Zelda breaks down even more and says in a whimpering tone.

Zelda-It wasn't my fault!

Shadow Master-Oh yes it was! Look at the shadows! They don't lie!

Zelda-I won't listen to you!

Shadow Master-You're not fit to be a Power Ranger. You should resign! What Ranger can live with him or herself after causing such harm to another human?

Zelda grunts and groans out as she falls onto her knees and starts sobbing.

Shadow Master-Do yourself and your fellow Rangers a favor, quit the team! It's the only way!

Zelda sobs some more as her feeling of guilt is multiplied a thousand fold. The Shadow Master's voice now says as it produces shadows of everyone Zelda knows. She looks up at the images with teary eyes.

First an image of Mrs. Patterson sitting at her desk and looking very angry and annoyed.

Mrs. Patterson-I can't believe it. Such an innocent boy that only needed friendship. I can't believe what Zelda caused him! Such pain he's in now and all because of Zelda's persistent nosing! She isn't fit to be anyone's friend! She's horrible! Horrible, horrible, horrible!

Now the image shows Mrs. Patterson putting her head down on her desk and sobbing.

Next, an image of her friends shaking their heads in disgust.

Michael-I never thought Zelda would be so thoughtless.

Kimberly-It is very sad.

Joshua-How could she endanger another person on purpose like that?

Nakia-I don't know but I think we need to think about taking a vote to kick her out of our team.

Zelda sobbingly says but in a whisper.

Zelda-Nakia..

Michael adds.

Michael-With her out we can be sure no one else will end up like Chet.

Next, Ryan says.

Ryan-Yeah I know. As leader of the team I'll have to ask her to give up her powers and leave, its only for the better.

They all agree and nod their heads.

Meanwhile on the moon, the evil sorceress is very pleased to see one of her monsters succeeding. She sits in her seat and watches through her viewing dome.

Sinistar-This is excellent. Zelda will be broken down in no time! Hahaha!

Nakia tells Ryan that there's trouble outside and they can't get out of the school. So they find a hiding spot to contact Myndor. When he answers he says.

Myndor-Yes I know. The vortex is impenetrable.

Nakia-Really?

Myndor-Yes, Joshua, Michael and I have been monitoring it ever since the Wizard's pool detected it and we know there is a very strong and dark power surrounding Zelda. And it appears that she is feeling guilty which is also feeding its evil power and will stay until Zelda's spirit is broken.

Nakia sighs.

Nakia-Oh man, no!

Ryan-What can we do?

Myndor-Stay put. I'll find a way to get you into the vortex before its too late.

Kimberly-Please hurry Myndor, please!

Myndor-I will.

His voice fades away. The three of them look at each other as they stand in a corner made for three. Kimberly says.

Kimberly-Why is Sinistar so evil? Why?

Nakia answers.

Nakia-She's crazy and wants power. That's why we have to stop her.

Kimberly sighs.

Back outside and within the darkened vortex, Zelda still sobs but this time uncontrollably.

The shadow Master's voice sounds again.

Shadow Master-Give up, pathetic Power Ranger! You have done no good for the team!

Zelda says in a sobbing tone.

Zelda-But..

Shadow Master-You must give up!

Minutes later, Nakia's communicator beeps and so does Kimberly's and Ryan's.. They get into the same corner and answer.

Nakia-Yes, Myndor?

Myndor answers.

Myndor-The Wizard's Pool has come up with an idea that might work.

Nakia-What is it?

Myndor-We will be able to cast a spell and teleport you outside. Once outside you must throw your daggers at a 90 degree angle to break open the vortex surrounding Zelda. Once the vortex is open she'll be all right.

Nakia-We got it.

Myndor-Be careful Rangers..

Kimberly-We will.

Myndor's voice fades and their communicators shut off. Nakia looks at Ryan and says.

Nakia-Looks like its time to morph.

Ryan-Couldn't of said it better myself.

Ryan and the two girls quickly prepare to morph. They call upon their powers and very quickly they transform into the Red, Yellow and White Star Force Rangers.

They get a message from Myndor again but telepathically. He sends them a glowing white crystal and instructs them to break it while they're inside of the school. The power fumes it releases will allow them to teleport outside and help Zelda.

Once done, the Rangers teleport outside and see that its totally dark.

Yellow Ranger-Wow this is all too weird.

Red Ranger-Can you see where to throw your daggers?

Yellow Ranger-Not really but that'll change.

The Yellow Ranger materializes her daggers and soon they glow brightly yellow. She leaps up into the sky and hurls them at a 90 degree angle just like Myndor said, and once the daggers hit that exact spot they cause a major chain reaction that makes the invisible vortex sizzle with opposing energy. The vortex instantly cracks and releases Zelda, who's now looking very bad but still in one piece. The sky returns to its normal blue with sunny lights beaming from high above.

The Rangers rush over to their friend just as the monster behind all of this appears floating up in the sky. The shadow master is basically a dark and smoky creature with a wrap around cape and two horns coming from out of its forehead.

The Rangers look up and see as Zelda comes back to her senses. The Yellow Ranger then says to the monster.

Yellow Ranger-Eww, another ugly monster!

Suddenly, the Black and Blue Rangers flip into action to help out their friends. Zelda regains her strength slowly, her friends stand on opposite sides of her as she looks up at the monster and says.

Zelda-How dare you make me feel less than human! I have realized that I have done nothing wrong, nothing at all! And my friends would never turn on me! NEVER! So I don't believe anything you have shown me!

The Yellow Ranger then adds.

Yellow Ranger-Our friendship is stronger than your illusions!

The monster says nothing. Zelda now raises her hand and calls forth the pink starlight, she yells out as it appears and shines down on her.

Zelda-PINK STARLIGHT POWER!

The beam becomes explosive upon Zelda and quickly transforms her into the Pink Star Force Ranger. And now, with all of the Rangers present they prepare to attack the shadow master.

They stand there in the front of the school and on the green grass as the monster sits afloat. Then all of a sudden the monster leaps down and rips through them very quickly. They all scream out as their bodies fall onto the ground in pain.

The monster then lands on its smoky feet and properly introduces itself as it stands on the opposite side of the Rangers.

Shadow Master-I am the shadow master! Here to make your lives, living nightmares!

The Pink Ranger stands up and says.

Pink Ranger-That won't happen!

She leaps up into the air and sticks out her leg in an attempt to give the monster a hard kick in the face, but the monster jumps up higher and kicks the Pink Ranger in the back. She lands on the ground with a tremendously hard smack.

The Power Rangers then regroup again and now they attack the monster as it lands on its feet. The Yellow Ranger takes a swing at it with her daggers but it ducks, and behind him the Red Ranger attempts to swipe it with his dragon sword, and from both of its opposite sides, the Black Ranger takes a swing and so does the Blue Ranger, the monster gets out of the way again in the air and causes both Rangers to hit themselves. Once in the air, the White Ranger takes action, she too leaps up into the air and releases a band of flaming arrows towards the monster. The monster does something she doesn't expect, it kicks the flaming arrows away from it and sends them right back to the White Ranger.

The flaming arrows hit the White Ranger and knocks her out of the sky very quickly.

The shadow master lands again and the Pink Ranger comes from behind it, delivering a high kick to its back. The monster laughs and turns around to grab the Pink Ranger's foot, it then lifts her up and over its body. She screams out as she falls onto her back.

The Rangers regroup again and this time the shadow master waves its hands all around its body and causes a huge black smog to appear over the Power Rangers. With the black smog in place it starts causing the Ranger's suits to set off small explosions. The small explosions speed up faster and they let out painful groans.

Power Rangers-UGH! UHHHH!

The heavy black smog still attacks the Rangers, but not only does it do its job well but the monster leaps up again and when it gets closer it delivers powerful punches towards the White, Black and Blue Rangers, and powerful kicks towards the Yellow, Red and Pink Rangers. The shadow master then does a back body twist and lands on the opposite side of the Rangers as they all fall onto the ground very quickly.

The monster laughs and says.

Shadow Master-And now Power Rangers, its time for my ultimate attack! Your shadows will cloud your minds and destroy your spirits in an agony of guilt!

The Blue Ranger stands up and says.

Blue Ranger-We have nothing to feel guilty about!

The Shadow master says.

Shadow Master-Oh, everyone has something to feel guilty about! Its just a matter of my power bringing it out!

The Power Rangers all stand up quickly and the Black Ranger says as he stands in the center.

Black Ranger-Come on everyone, time to bring on the Starlight Artillery Saber!

They all agree and say.

Power Rangers-RIGHT!

An essence of the Universe appears and surrounds the Power Rangers. They all hold their weapons together as they glow brightly. The glowing stops and reveals a powerful new blaster, with the dragon sword as the base and with its blade sticking straight up, the Phoenix Bow holding the daggers on both of its opposite sides and the axe in the center of it. The panther whip transformed into two pink power bars that settle on top of the opposite sides of the bow and the hammerhead shark's harpoon broken up into two pieces and put into the very ends of the bow's opposite sides. The Red Ranger takes a hold of the sword's base as the others stand behind him. He then says.

Red Ranger-All right! Artillery saber activate!

The sword starts glowing red from the bottom, then the glowing moves up to charge the other weapons attached to it. The Rangers then yell out together.

Power Rangers-ARTILLERY BLASTER!

The mighty weapons fires from all of the combined weapons at once just as the shadow master begins its final attack. The intense fiery power strikes the shadow master quickly and heavily therefore causing it to scream out in agony. The Rangers then break away as the Red Ranger starts running towards the monster slowly with the Ranger's ultimate weapon in hand. Then very quickly and with agility as the ultimate weapon glows, the Red Ranger leaps up off of the ground and while in the air, he yells out fiercely.

Red Ranger-STARLIGHT ARTILLERY SABER STRIKE!

With those words spoken, the Red Ranger delivers two very powerful slashes at the already hurt monster, and then he delivers one more slash. He then lands just as the Pink Ranger takes off in the air and sticks out her right leg, as she does this her entire body starts to glow pink. She then super kicks the shadow master triple time and knocks him off his feet. She then lands next to the Red Ranger as they both now stand in front of the monster as it falls slowly onto its back and into a huge fiery explosion that sets off three times than usual for a normal monster.

Within Sinistar's monster destroyed all hope for her glory becomes dim. She vows revenge as usual and sits and thinks once again.

Later on when everything is back to normal, Zelda visits Chet again and finds out that the people watching over him are there visiting him but taking time away to get something to eat and she also finds out that he's doing fine. She also finds out that his family has finally been contacted and are on their way. She smiles and says to herself.

Zelda-I'm so happy for him. Now when he gets better. I'll still try and be his friend.

She smiles again and leaves the hospital. Zelda no longer feels guilty. She has had time to think and she knows that what the shadow master was showing her were only illusions. So she leaves with a free conscience.