The Road to Freedom

By The Senshi of Valis

Chapter 24

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

Ranma still wasn't too sure about leaving Will home alone but he was also confident that she could take care of herself if need be. She was tired after curing Ryoga of his directional curse and wanted to take a nap and since they had called off the practice session Will had talked Ranma into getting out for a bit and stretching his legs and getting some fresh air. Ranma did have to admit, it felt great to be out in the open while able to relax and since Nabiki had called and wanted to meet later that evening Ranma was intent on taking this time to do just that. Relax.

As he walked he noticed all the different people heading to one place or another, some walking a slow, leisurely pace while others seemed to be in such a hurry they didn't even stop to apologize. The big difference than back in Nerima and deffinately something that Metamoor never had was this heavy traffic. It was actually horrible in some spots.

Feeling a presence that felt familiar for some reason Ranma looked up and noticed a guy about his age with long blonde hair tied in a ponytail, a thin wiry build and look that told very loudly that he wasn't a martial artist but his walk and movements seemed to contradict that to an extreme point. What bothered Ranma the most the was his expression, it was something Ranma was familiar with all to well. He looked so lonely and troubled as he walked slowly not paying much attention to his surroundings as he seemed to be deep in thought.

"Girl problems?" Ranma asked as he walked up to the guy with a small smile on his face.

"Wha…" the guy asks, looking up and steps back a little in shock.

"Sorry, you looked so lost there for a second." Ranma said, "I was wondering if problems with a certain girl may be causing it."

"How did you know?" the guy asked, looking at Ranma piercingly.

"Because I've had tons of them, I'm not really an expert or anything but sometimes it helps to talk about it." Ranma said with a smile, "Who knows, maybe I can even help you."

"Who knows?" the guy said with a smirk, "Maybe you can…my name is…Dreck."

"Come on, let's head over to the park and talk there." Ranma said as he motioned in that direction with his head, "A lot less people and a lot more quiet."

"Okay, lead the way." Dreck said.

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Cedric wanted to bang his head against the wall, where the hell did he come up with a name like Dreck at? And why was he going to talk with the guy who had become just a big nuisance as the guardians themselves and an even bigger nuisance than the rebel leader. Cedric followed Ranma though as they walked into the park and stopped at the picnic area and sat down across from one another at one of the picnic tables.

"So, what's up?" Ranma asked.

"Well…" Cedric began, shaking his head as he wasn't even sure what was possessing him to talk with this nuisance about this. "I like this girl but…it's almost like we are worlds apart or something…I know that I've hurt this girl before under orders to but in a way…I did it because I wanted her to stay with me."

"Hurting someone for no reason is wrong but it sounds like you realize that but…how did someone order you to do it?" Ranma asked.

"I…I swore my loyalty to serve a family and have done so faithfully for a long time until I met this girl. Since then I haven't been able to truly banish her from my thoughts. And yes I do know its wrong but…in this case the ones with the might makes up what is right and the person I was…am sworn to is very strong…very powerful." Cedric said which was very true. If Phobos knew about this Cedric had no doubts as to what would happen.

"Sounds like the idiot Kunos…" Ranma said, "It was a family I knew that used their money and contacts to do whatever they wanted and never got in any trouble. If I was you I'd leave that place, no oaths or promises should ever make you hurt or pick on those weaker than you. Those with power should defend those weaker than themselves. That doesn't mean you let people walk over you though, far from it."

"I do regret what I did to her but…I doubt she would ever forgive me." Cedric sighed. How could she forgive him? All the pain and suffereing he had caused in the name of a tyrant who usurped his power. She had no reasons to trust him much less forgive him.

"If I was you, I'd leave this person you promised to serve because no oaths or promises is worth torturing others. Then…I think I would tell this girl everything, the whole truth. Tell her how you feel and beg her for her forgiveness." Ranma said.

"If I did leave…I'd be in a lot of danger and I'd be putting her in a lot of danger too." Cedric said realizing how true it was. Phobos was very powerful and if he found out where Taranee's family lived and got soldiers here on earth then they could kill Taranee and her family while they slept.

"Maybe you should leave that up to her…Who knows, maybe she feels the same way about you and maybe she can take care of herself while at the same time help you." Ranma said.

"Maybe…" Cedric said, actually thinking seriously about what was said. He didn't really care a whole lot at the moment about the protecting part unless it was protecting Taranee and her family. What he did care about was maybe leaving Phobos and telling Taranee, at least some of it and see what happens. Either way, he didn't want to face Taranee in battle again. He didn't think his heart could take the worrying between Taranee's safety and wanting to please Phobos by killing them all at the same time. What was more important? Love to Taranee or loyalty to Phobos?

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AN: Hope everyone liked this chapter. I actually had this chapter finished yesterday but when I went to update my the story after uploading the chapter it gave me an error. I tried a couple times and it kept giving me errors so I waited awhile but when I came back and tried to add the chapter to the story it said the site was in maintenance which I thought was supposed to be tonight so sorry about that. I know I promised to have a new chapter up last night to several people but the maintenance started a lot earlier than I thought it was.

To a witchfan girl: Thanks. This story is taking a lot longer than I originally planned as I keep adding more and more stuff but I should be done with this part soon and I will start the story on the six months in Metamoor and the Phobos/Will story I'm also planning. Things are bound to get interesting soon with everything that is happening.

I haven't abandoned my Ranma stories, I really do plan on continuing them but besides A New Guardian which I will be adding more to soon, the rest of my Ranma stories will be on temporary hold. For some reason its just been so hard for me to write Ranma centered stories lately as I've gotten into W.i.t.c.h. stories which actually comes pretty easily to me. I'm really sorry about that but I'm not abandoning them...just taking a small vacation from them.

Thanks everyone for your reviews, comments and support. Happy New Year.

Until Next Time,

Ja Ne