Chapter 4: Guilt

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A/N: The chapter four I originally posted I removed. I really did not like that one-shot. To anyone who was reading my story, Search for Identity, I'm sorry to tell you that I removed it. I didn't like the story and couldn't figure out where it was going. I will write another Leo/Karone story but I will not be continuing or bringing back Search for Identity.

A/N2: Guilt takes place after the Ancient Warrior.

Merrick POV

I woke to find Shayla looking over me. I woke for the first time in three thousand years free of the creature that had possessed me. I was free of the org but not of my guilt.

I had hurt innocent people. Had the eclipse not happened I would've killed the red ranger. I could've killed them all.

I had remembered the wolf pup that had befriended me. That was the first time in three thousand years I had let my human side out. I had bandaged the white ranger as well.

Even possessed I had felt pity for her in that state. I had helped her but I had also hurt her. I had sent her flying through the air. I had kicked the wolf pup. I had kidnapped Shayla.

I had betrayed everything. I had become a monster. I was no longer the same man who I had once been. My guilt fed off my memories and consumed what was left of me. I wasn't worthy to stand in the presence of such people. They had risked everything to save me from my possession. They had risked everything for a stranger.

I heard the footsteps approach but I ignored them. It was probably Shayla coming to comfort me.

"Go away Shayla. I want to be alone," I said not turning to look behind me.

The footsteps kept coming closer.

"Shayla, please leave me alone. I don't want to talk."

The footsteps again did not listen to me.

"Shayla leave me alone," I yelled.

"I'm not Princess Shayla," said a female voice.

I whipped my head around to face her. I recognized the white ranger immediately.

"My name is Alyssa," the white ranger said.

"Merrick," I replied curtly.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

I glanced at her. I saw no judgment in her face just a willingness to help me.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Is it alright if I just sit with you?"

I stared at her expecting to see some dishonesty but I could find none.

"Whatever you want."

She sat next to me for the next hour. She didn't say a word as I continued to mentally remind myself of my sins. Her silence was comforting and soothing.

I felt her eyes upon me several times. Every time I looked up she looked away.

It was obvious that she wanted to me my friend. I wasn't worthy of a friend like her. I wasn't worthy of being a ranger. I wasn't worthy to be Shayla's protector. I wasn't worthy of Shayla's love or Alyssa's kindness.

For three thousand years I had been bound to a monster. For three thousand years I had been a monster. There was no forgiveness. There was no way that I could ever atone for all of my crimes.

"I wanted to thank you," Alyssa said breaking my guilt.

"For what?" I asked utterly bewildered.

"For bandaging me when I was injured."

I stared at her as she walked away.

"Don't feel too guilty," she said before she left the clearing. "You're a good man, Merrick."

To be continued…..