The Road to Freedom

By The Senshi of Valis

Chapter 14

I don't own W.I.T.C.H. or Ranma 1/2

Will looked around her as Ranma and her stepped through the portal, everything seemed to be a mess as guards rushed back and forth as if searching for something or someone. She knew that there would be trouble if they were caught because of this but she had no doubt they could handle this. It may have been a little easier if the others were there but it could have also just made it more difficult. That's the reason they came so earlier, hopefully by the time school was out and the other girls found out about this trip Ranma and herself would be heading back to earth.

"Halt!" A guard snarled, brandishing a large axe as he walked closer to the two. "We are looking for a young man dressed in pants, a yellow tunic with a spotted cloth tied around his head as well as a large pack on his back. He wears clothes not of Metamoor like…you…two. Oh crap…"

One thing Will had to give to the guards, there stupidity knew no bounds. She watched as Ranma blurred to motion and rendered the guard unconscious in mere seconds before lifting Will up and pulling them both into the Umi Sen Ken. Relaxing in Ranma's arms as she snuggled into his chest she enjoyed the rush of sailing through the air as Ranma roof hopped across the city until they quickly reached the hidden entrance to the Infinite City. It still surprised Will that there was a city underground that was…well, huge. It literally went on for miles not to mention the maze like tunnels that you could get lost in for weeks if you didn't know what you were doing.

"We're here." Ranma said, sitting Will down as he dropped the cloak. "That description…I have a bad feeling of who it is…"

"Someone from your past?" Will asked worriedly, she didn't want to deal with any of them right now. Too much was riding on the next few weeks to have to put on hold to deal with a bunch of spoiled brats.

"Unfortunately." Ranma said, his face grim.

"Ranma, Will!" Altair called happily as he hurried to join them.

"I'm so happy your okay!" Velspa said as she joined them as well, hugging Will tightly.

"I'm glad your okay too, anything new happening?" Will asked.

"We have a strange man here, he was being chased by Cedric and the guards before he threw this huge ball of power at them and knocked them all out. It was great!" Altair said, sounding excited.

"The only thing is that he hasn't woken up yet." Velspa said.

"Where is he?" Ranma asked quietely which gained curious glances from both Altair and Velspa.

"This way." Altair leading the way to a small room where Ranma saw a boy about their age laying unconscious on a small bed. Will took Ranma's hand and squeezed it at his reaction, his face contorting into pain and grief. Will knew that he didn't want to deal with anyone from his past, and if this was the boy she thought it was, he was one of the worst.

"We're not to sure what's wrong with him." Velspa said, "We tried everything we could think of to wake him."

"It's his chi…it looks like he used far too much but he should be okay with rest." Ranma said walking closer as Will held onto his hand going with him.

"R-Ranma…is that you?" the boy asked, cracking his eyes open a little and smiling, "Hate to admit this but I'm glad you're still alive."

"What did you do that used up so much power, Ryoga?" Ranma asked.

"Been keeping from using chi until I balance myself…promised the doctor…depression chi is killing me slowly…if I keep using it… it will kill me. Make depression go so high I'll s-snap." Ryoga said weakly, "Why I always blamed you…sorry for that, Ranma."

"Look, get some rest for now Ryoga." Ranma said, "We can talk later."

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Even though she wanted to stay with Ranma while he waited for Ryoga to wake back up and even though he insisted he come with her Will agreed to go with Velspa to pick up a few things from the market and see about getting some information from any of the underground smugglers like a map of the castle. She was sure she could handle anything and as long as she kept the cloak pulled tight hopefully she wouldn't have to.

Stopping to look at some fruit as a few guards walked by she noticed someone else wearing a cloak next to her doing the same thing and it wasn't Velspa. They were about the same size as Will actually, which made her wonder if one of the other girls did follow her here.

"Thank god they didn't spot me." A very familiar voice said while sighing softly.

"Elyon?" Will asked in surprise before covering her mouth with her hands and looking horrified at the other cloaked figure.

"Will?" Elyon asked, her voice sounding surprised.