Zack’s Self Help

Disclaimer: I do not own the Power Rangers. They are property of Saban Entertainment. This is a fan work. No profit is being made from it.

Zack Taylor sat slouched in the chair, his backpack resting on the floor beside him. The guidance counselor's office at Angel Grove High was small but welcoming, with posters of inspirational quotes pinned to the walls and a stack of motivational pamphlets on the desk. Mr. Daniels, the school's guidance counselor, sat across from Zack, leaning forward slightly with his hands clasped together.

"So, Zack," Mr. Daniels began, his voice calm but probing, "how are things going?"

Zack shifted uncomfortably, his gaze darting to the window. "Things are fine," he said quickly, avoiding eye contact. "Just, y'know… school stuff."

Mr. Daniels nodded, unfazed by the vague response. "Fine is a word people use when they don't want to talk about what's really going on. I've noticed your grades have slipped in the past few weeks. That's not like you."

Zack's jaw tightened. "I'll catch up. It's just a rough patch."

"And your extracurricular activities?" Mr. Daniels pressed gently. "You haven't been at basketball practice in over a week. You used to talk about how much you loved playing. Did something happen to change that?"

Zack exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I've been busy, that's all. Other stuff came up."

Mr. Daniels studied him for a moment, his gaze steady but kind. "Zack, I know things in Angel Grove have been… unusual lately. A lot of students have been distracted with the monster attacks. It's understandable. We're all human, after all."

At the mention of monsters, Zack's thoughts began to drift. He tried to stay in the present, but the memories came flooding back—visions of battles fought and the toll they had taken.

The first flashback was a swirl of chaos. The Shade Serpent slithered across the battlefield, its sleek, oil-slick body reflecting the flashing lights of the Rangers' weapons. Its yellow eyes gleamed with malice as it hissed, splitting into three identical copies.

"Which one's the real one?" Kimberly shouted, drawing her bow and taking aim.

"They're all coming at me!" Zack called out, swinging his Power Axe in a wide arc as the serpents encircled him. His movements slowed as he struggled to track each one.

"Hold on!" Jason shouted, trying to direct the team. "Kimberly, Trini, back him up!"

But there wasn't time. One of the serpents lunged, its fangs grazing Zack's shoulder before he managed to roll out of the way. The blow wasn't critical, but the memory of Jason's hesitation and his own panic stuck with him. They had ultimately defeated the Shade Serpent by luring the real one into a trap, but the fight had left Zack shaken.

Zack blinked, snapping back to the present as Mr. Daniels' voice cut through the memory. "Zack?"

"Sorry," Zack said quickly. "I was just… thinking."

Mr. Daniels tilted his head slightly, his expression encouraging. "What were you thinking about?"

"Nothing important," Zack muttered, though his voice lacked conviction. He knew the guidance counselor wasn't buying it, but Mr. Daniels didn't press. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, giving Zack the space to continue on his own terms.

The next memory came unbidden. Zack was pinned against the wall of a burning building, Emberhowl's molten claws leaving scorch marks on the ground. The wolf-like monster's growl rumbled through the air, flames flickering along its obsidian-black fur.

"You can't win, little human," Emberhowl growled, its glowing eyes narrowing. "You'll burn with the rest of this pathetic city."

"Not happening!" Zack had shouted, though the heat was suffocating, and the smoke stung his eyes.

"Zack, get out of there!" Jason's voice had echoed over the comms, but there was no clear escape route. Flames surrounded him on all sides.

"You're not alone, Zack!" Kimberly's voice rang out as an arrow whizzed through the smoke, striking Emberhowl in the shoulder. The creature snarled and staggered back, giving Zack just enough room to leap to safety.

Together, the team had brought Emberhowl down, but Zack remembered the fear that had gripped him in that moment. The heat, the smoke, the pressure—it all lingered, even now.

"Zack," Mr. Daniels said again, pulling him out of the memory. "It seems like you've had a lot on your mind lately."

"Yeah," Zack admitted quietly. He ran a hand through his hair, his usual energy subdued. "Things have just been… a lot, you know? I'm trying to keep up with everything, but it feels like there's always something else to deal with."

Mr. Daniels nodded, his tone gentle. "That's completely understandable. Balancing school, activities, and everything else life throws at you can feel overwhelming, especially with everything going on in the city. It's okay to admit when things are tough."

Another memory surfaced, unbidden but vivid. The Chronovore loomed in the park, its skeletal wings casting jagged shadows across the grass. The hourglass embedded in its chest glowed ominously as it screeched, sending waves of disorienting energy through the air.

"Everyone, stay together!" Jason had called out, but the monster's time-manipulating abilities had thrown them into chaos.

Zack remembered the frustration of being slowed down, his movements lagging while the others fought at full speed. His attacks felt clumsy and ineffective, and the Chronovore's taunts only made it worse.

"You're falling behind, little Ranger," the creature had crooned, its voice dripping with malice. "What good are you to your friends when you can't even keep up?"

Billy had been the one to spot the weak point in the monster's hourglass core, but Zack's own self-doubt lingered long after the creature was destroyed.

Zack sighed, meeting Mr. Daniels' gaze. "It's just… everything feels like it's piling up, you know? School, life, all this crazy stuff happening in Angel Grove. It's hard to keep up. But I'm trying. I really am."

Mr. Daniels smiled warmly, his demeanor reassuring. "That's all anyone can ask, Zack. Trying is important, and it's clear you care about getting back on track. But remember, you don't have to do it all alone. If you need help, whether it's with school or anything else, there are people you can talk to. Teachers, friends, even me."

Zack hesitated, the words sinking in. He appreciated the sentiment, but he couldn't exactly explain that the people who had helped him most were also the ones who fought alongside him on the battlefield. Still, he nodded. "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."

Mr. Daniels leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "You're not the only student feeling this way, Zack. A lot of people are struggling right now, especially with everything happening in the city. And I'd bet your friends feel the same way. Sometimes, just talking about it can make a difference."

Walking through the halls of Angel Grove High, Zack reflected on everything his guidance counselor had said. He thought about the battles, the close calls, and the moments when he'd felt like giving up. But he also thought about the times his friends had been there to pick him up—Jason's unshakable support, Kimberly's encouragement, Trini's quiet strength, and Billy's resourceful problem-solving.

They had faced monsters, exhaustion, and doubts together. And they'd won, time after time.

Zack glanced out the window, watching as a group of students laughed and talked in the courtyard. A small smile tugged at his lips. He'd get through this. He wasn't alone. His friends had his back, just like he had theirs.

As he headed toward his next class, Zack made a quiet promise to himself. "I'll get through it. One step at a time."

And deep down, he knew he would.

End