Hello one and all! Needless to say, I don't own Ranger's Apprentice or any of the other characters therein. And just because I started yet another fanfic doesn't mean I won't finish the others. They are just on hold until I get the inspiration to continue them. In addition, I have no idea where this story will go or what turns and twists it'll take. That being said, I can't guarantee any super long chapters so bear with me until I get a writing spree again. But enough said! It is without any more to say and without any further ado that I present you with the first chapter of Will the Wizard...

Prologue: Agony

"Hurry!"

The eerie silence of the November evening was shattered by the hoarse cry.

"I'm hurrying!" Horace shot back.

Halt glared at him something fierce.

"Hurry faster!" He retorted.

Halt's hands felt numb with strain as he and the huge knight struggled to carry Will across the drawbridge.

As if their luck couldn't get any better, thick raindrops fell from the sky. Thunder roared its fury and lightning flashed in retaliation.

But that didn't stop the people from pouring through once the sounds of fighting had all but stopped. Worry rippled amongst them as they stood beneath the shelter of the turrets.

Rumour had it that a Ranger was wounded, a knife was plunged between his shoulder blades they said.

Apparently, the said Ranger had been mowing down row upon row of enemy soldiers with the massive longbow of his. He was so good that some even believe he could shoot in the dark.

But none of his prowess in archery and the ability to move largely unseen could prevent the treacherous throw of a knife as it slashed into his back.

Will's mind was hazy with red.

All he could feel was being moved somewhere. He had long-since surrendered feeling pain to a welcome oblivion. Between a dim veil of tears and mud, he could see snatches of vision.

Many a head passed him by as he was transported wherever he was being transported.

"Halt!" Someone cried out.

Was that Baron Arald? No. It couldn't be. Wait... Who was Baron Arald?

His train of thought was interrupted as he felt himself being tilted upwards and pain lanced up his back. He felt his body being moved around in slow steady circles.

"No, please," He begged.

But all that came out was a dry rasping sound. What was he doing here? Where was he going? And who was Baron-what's-his-name? In fact, who was he?

Will forgot this and more as pain began to overwhelm him. Then, gradually, a soft and warm light filtered through his shroud of darkness and agony.

It floated down serenely to him. A thousand glorious sparkles danced his way and a small, delicate being twirled and whirled within each of them. After wracking his brain, he remembered that they were called fairies.

He had heard of them in stories told while he was a Ward, whatever that was. Yet now it didn't matter to him anymore. All he cared about was the soft, enticing light that surrounded him.

It soothed him and calmed his fraying nerves, providing comforts against the stab of pain that jolted through him as he was carried up the steps to the sick-bay.

Time slowed.

Eventually, one such fairy drifted towards his chest. It sat on top of him and grew larger than the others. The fairy smiled warmly at him and whispered something that he couldn't hear.

The fairy reached out a slim hand and touched his heart. All of a sudden, hurt flared in his chest as raw power flooded through his veins.

He screamed.