A/N: School work is a drag...

(King Duncan)

I shook my head, "The Ranger's no longer exist. What is another-"

He cut me off, "The only thing I want to be is a Ranger."

"I'm afraid I can not accept your request." I said.

I could see his blood begin to boil, "They are not dead. Will and Halt will manage to keep everybody alive. Also, Gilan is here with us, so there is at least one Ranger."

"Derrick, for the last time, the Ranger Corps. no longer exist." I replied with anger seeping into my words.

The boy shrugged, "Then I have no reason for staying here." He turned and walked out of the room, leaving everybody in an uncomfortable position.

(Halt)

Somebody woke me up from my half sleep and I looked at whoever done it. It was one of the enemies. I wanted to kill him, but my hands were tied behind my back and my ankles were broken. The one thing these people know how to do is take hostages. The man entered slowly and walked around the large room, studying every Ranger. I glared at him when he stood in front of me, but he ignored me. Instead he stood at the front of the room and spoke, "King Duncan has left you for dead, meaning we can kill you at any moment. However, we will let you live a few days longer if you give us information about your kingdom, it's defenses, and how their military strategy works. So, what will it be: life or death?"

We all stayed silent. If these people think they can interrogate us to get information, then they are absolutely wrong. The man snapped his fingers and a few guards seized Ranger Canthers; I only prayed we would see him again. Will was on pins and needles for hours after they took Canthers. "Anxiety is not going to help you in this situation, Will." I said.

He looked at me, "I know, but... I just don't want anybody to get hurt. I mean, we don't even know what is happening and we can not find out either! Not being able to move is torture enough for me."

"Calm down. You were captured once and I bet you had the same thoughts, but you escaped." I stated.

He snorted, "I may not be as lucky this time."

I sighed, "Just think about Alyss and Derrick. You have to get back to Araluen and see them again. Just look forward to that moment."

"Is that what you're doing?" He asked.

I smiled, "Yeah. Just stay calm, Will. Somehow, we will find a way out of here."

"And if we don't?"

I did not answer.

(Gilan)

I could not sleep even though I was exhausted. Nightmares plagued my mind while I tried to sleep and the memories invaded when I was awake. There is no way I can save the others... I know they say one battle, one Ranger, but I just don't know what to do in this situation. I closed my eyes, but a knock on the door made me nearly jump up. Silently, painfully, I walked over to the door and opened it. "What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I need your help." Derrick stated.

Confusion clouded my already exhausted mind, "With what?"

He took in a deep breath, "I want to be your apprentice."

I shook my head, "I'm sorry. I can not help you." I went to shut the door, but Derrick stopped it.

"Gilan, please. My father, Halt, Crowley, every Ranger is in danger. Don't tell me you're going to sit on the sidelines and wait for a message telling the king every Ranger is dead. If you are a Ranger, then be loyal to your friends."

I shook my head again, "Derrick... If you go in there, then you will die. Both of us will."

"We will never know until we try." The boy stated. "If we can come up with a great plan, then we can save them."

"Listen, Derrick-" He cut me off.

"The enemy is not going to kill them right away, so-"

"Derrick."

"We still have time to find and rescue them."

"DERRICK!" I bellowed, finally shutting him up.

He clenched his fists, "You're just like the others! Everybody is refusing to help! I thought the Ranger Corps. was your family! Now, when times are hard, you're just going to turn your back on them? What kind of person are you? If you truly care about them, then-"

Smack! It took me a second to realize what I had just done. Derrick was on the floor with blood streaming down his nose and a shocked expression shone on his face. I grabbed the front of his shirt, lifted him off the ground, and slammed him against the wall. "They are my family, but it would be a useless attempt to save them!" I slammed him against the wall again and pushed my arm against his neck, cutting off his air supply. "Do you really want to know how many times I wish I had died that day? I watched my comrades get beaten to a bloody pulp! Do you know how hard that was to watch? There was nothing I could do! We were all outnumbered! And here you come barging in here demanding I train you so you can go get yourself killed! I promised your father I would protect you if I managed to get away, so I will not train you! Do you really think your are a one man army? Are you that naive?" Rage was overpowering my mind and I felt my fist slam into Derrick's stomach multiple times. His face was growing purple and his struggles were becoming weaker. I threw him onto the floor and tried to calm down, but to no avail. "Get out of here and never ask me that again! Get out!" He was still on the ground, so I grabbed him by his shirt and threw him out the door.

He glared at me, "I... will save them... I will..." Derrick attempted to get up, but he slumped back to the floor. On his fourth attempt, he managed to get to his feet and lean against the wall. His breathing was raspy and he looked like he was going to pass out at any moment. The sheer determination in his dull eyes reminded me of Will. Immediately, my anger disappeared. It was only then that I realized how skinny the boy was.

"Derrick, how long has it been since you have ate?" I asked.

He glared at me, "Why do you care?"

"Derrick." I growled.

"If you're not going to help, then I'll save them alone." He replied and he pushed himself off the wall, stumbling down the castle hallway. Halfway down the hallway, he fell to his knees and I walked over to him. "Gilan, please. You're the only person left that can help. I won't be able to live if my father never comes back... My mom will be heartbroken and I can't stand to see her like that. I know I'm not the best son a parent can have, but I don't want to let them down... If I disappoint them... There will be not other reason for me to live... Please..." He looked up at me, and I realized he was crying. "Please... Help me save them..."

I stood there for a minute then walked away, "I'm sorry, Derrick. If I do not teach you how to be a Ranger, then you will never find them. You will not be in danger, so I can not help you." I opened the door and walked inside, leaving the sobbing teen in the hallway.

(Alyss)

Worry. The emotion will not leave. I have felt this way since the Rangers were captured by an unknown enemy. The door opened and I heard slow footsteps walk. I got to my feet, "Derrick?"

"Yeah?" A voice replied.

"We need to talk." I stated.

There was a moment of silence, "Can it wait? Really tired."

I was about to say 'yes' when I realized my son did not sound right. "Derrick, what is wrong?"

"Tired. Talk... later..." A loud thump sounded and I ran toward it. Derrick was lying on the floor, struggling to get up.

I crouched down next to him, "Derrick?" When I wrapped my arms around his stomach to help him up, my heart sank. "Oh my God, Derrick... What... You have been starving yourself."

"I'm... fine." He said and tried to get up again. I grabbed his arm and helped him to his bedroom. He fell to the floor again, "Just... leave me alone..." I put my arm around his stomach again and tried to help him to his feet. However, I noticed he was gritting his teeth painfully. When he finally fell down onto his bed, I lit the fireplace. The room glowed from the light of the fire and I looked at my son. Blood streamed from his nose, a large bruise was beginnning to form on his neck, and he was extremely skinny. I walked over and placed my hand on his stomach to try to estimate on how long he has went without eating. I could feel his ribs. He pushed my hand away from his stomach and I realized he was gritting his teeth again.

I lifted his shirt up to see what was wrong. "Derrick... what happened to you?" A large bruise covered his stomach. He just shook his head and I knew he was not going to tell me. "Derrick, please tell me what happened." He shook his head again. I used a piece of cloth to wipe away the blood that streamed from his nose. "Hold that there." He lifted his arm and held the cloth there while I went to get some water. When I returned, Derrick was either unconsious or asleep. I sat down beside his bed and wondered what was going to happen to everybody I have ever cared about.

When I woke up the next morning, I realized I had dozed off. Derrick was still asleep, but he was tossing and tuning. A nightmare. "Derrick, wake up, you're having a nightmare." I shook his arm, but he did not wake up. "Wake up, Derrick!" His breathing became irregular. Not knowing what else to do, I slapped him across the face. His eyes shot open and he looked around with a wild look in his eyes. I hugged him and he finally calmed down. "Derrick, do you want to talk about it?"

"It... it was about dad..." His voice broke off.

I sighed, "I have to go talk to King Duncan. I will be back shortly, okay?"

He nodded and I left the room before heading toward the castle.