Gwen's Stronghold

Disclaimer- I own not one piece.

A/N- sorry I have yet to update my other stories chapters for they are being typed and revised currently. This story was created on a whim, inspired by the lack of Will/ Gwen stories I've seen.

Chapter 4- Free Will

He had to do something. Soon. While he was here, in this fiendish illusion of a paradise, the world was stumbling to regain control. After the devastating blow Gwen had cocked back and fired with, it would be a miracle if the heroes of this world would ever find courage again. Will was still young, yet he was sure that damaged pride could destroy even the greatest of super-beings.

Even now as he watched the monitor from the blackness of this isolated room, watching those he knew and loved changed back to normal, he could feel his stomach turning. So sick was he now from his actions he could hardly see straight. Could he really make a difference? After all Gwen's plan had backfired, what more could she possibly be hiding up her sleeves?

It was all so painstakingly challenging. Family had to come first, as did the justice and freedom for all people. This was an inevitable factor he had to take into account. Melting into Gwen's palm like ice was the other factor that needed to be seen after. If he was to keep an eye on her he would have to establish himself as a dominating presence, he would have to enforce himself.

But that, he knew would not be as easily accomplished as it was said. Gwen had many tactics to making him follow her.

As if she knew he was thinking about her she entered the room. When she saw the look on his face she laughed.

"I thought we were past this Will." She said wrapping her arms around him. "I thought you had renounced that part of your life."

"Gwen," he spoke while pushing her away. "I can't do this. It's not who I am."

"It is now." She whispered while he paced.

"I can't pretend like this all some perfect dream. I mean it has been and that's the problem. There's people out there suffering and I can't turn my back on them. Don't you understand? I'm a hero, it's in my nature to help people." He took her hands in his. "Help me. I know you have goodness inside of you. We all do."

"Will, in case you haven't noticed, I'm not like you." She smirked, taking a seat. "I'm the villain."

"But it doesn't have to be that way, don't you see?" he practically yelled. "You make the choice. Not them."

She stood and walked over to him, smiling when she gripped him by the throat.

"I told you Will, I need you, but I can't have you doubting what we're going to do." She released him. "Now are you in or out."

He thought her words over a moment before speaking.

"No, Gwen. I can't help you."

She turned her back on him. "Then leave Will. Go."

The pain in her words took his breath.

"What?" he asked confused.

She spun and backhanded him. Hard.

"You heard me!" she screamed in his face. 'Leave, Go!"

"Gwen," he started but she hit him again.

"Now!"

Only seconds had passed since she left before the room began filling with as strange odor. He knew it to be gas of some sort and he welcomed the numbness that took the pain of losing the woman he loved. Soon he was smiling and drifting asleep.

He grabbed his head in an attempt to stop the pounding he felt but it was no use. The pain was too much and he sat up with a struggle trying to figure out where he was. Through gritted teeth he begged the pain to stop.

Taking in glimpses of people walking past him he became even more confused, certain these people shouldn't be in his room. Standing up was no easy task and he failed the first attempt. Luckily someone gave him a hand the second time.

He offered quick thanks and with his head in his hands stumbled down the street.

He was uncertain how he had arrived at such a strange place and feeling so horrible. As he tried to bring forth any recollection of what had happened he almost fell to his knees. He had to place his weight on a brick building and slump to the sidewalk to avoid falling. He made a mental note to avoid worrying about how he arrived in such a strange place and concentrate on getting home.

He stood up and tilted his head skyward. Perhaps it might work. He had to try.

Throwing his hands up, he gave a strong push off the ground and only gained maybe fifteen feet of height. People on the street had stepped back and were not moving around him to give space. He tried again and a third time, each a failure. He sighed and dug into his pocket looking for some money so he might at least buy a bus fare.

There was none.

He cursed under his breath and began walking again, lost. He had no idea where he was or how he was going to get home. He didn't even know how long he had been gone.

Damn he thought. He shook his head hoping that it might alleviate the anguish running through his brain. It didn't and he felt like crying. He blinked trying to remember Layla's number then dropped to the ground when he remembered she was mad at him. He felt like puking when he remembered she had gone to the dance with Warren Peace.

The last thing he remembered was trying to figure out a way to get his parents to let him go to the dance. He recalled that they had let him go. To get their award he remembered and at this he became heated. That was why they had let him go. He sat scratching his head in an attempt to figure out why he had wanted to go at all, but he couldn't for the life of him bring the reason to surface.

He stood again and wiped his mouth moving silently down the street. Perhaps he just needed time to think.

As people moved past him he became unsettled by the feeling of animosity he was getting by these people. Strange thoughts began to run wild in his mind and he imagined what it would be like to unload his temper on a passerby. He grew more disturbed as he imagined hitting a man who passed him. He felt a pang of ache in his head as his mind fought to tell him something he couldn't make out. There was something he was supposed to do for these people, something that tied him to them. Thinking of his strength he felt as though these people perhaps worshipped him. He shook it off when he remembered his enrollment in Sky High. No, he was not a ruler; he was a freshman in high school.

Fighting to make sense of his thoughts, he snapped to attention as the ground rumbled and people began to rush past him. He reached out and grabbed the next person who came closest to him, a little boy.

"What's' happening?" he asked urgently.

"I don't know!" the child screamed. Will was surprised when the boys' mother tried snatching him from Will's grasp.

"Let go of my son!" she screamed in his face and he complied, not wanting to hear her high pitched squeal again.

"What's the problem?!" he yelled loud enough that a few people stopped around him before once again running. He grabbed a young woman, maybe his age as she passed.

"What's going on?" he asked her calmly. When she didn't say anything he smiled. "My name's Will, I'm a good guy… I think?" he said receiving a questioning look.

"Royal Pain." She spoke nervously. "Just leveled an entire block. Like nothing. Now please let me go."

He released his grip and sank to his knees as the memories flooded into his conscious thoughts. The night of the dance and the time he had spent with Gwen. She had done this. Angrily he punched the ground, before realizing he was lucky to be alive.

"Why didn't she kill me?" he whispered aloud. As he looked up, he could see the explosions happening in the distance. "She should have."

With that thought he jumped as high as he could, feeling the concrete shatter beneath his feet.

He hovered in the air for a few seconds before speeding toward where he knew she would be. He could see Gwen in the distance although she was unrecognizable with her armor on. Flying to halt above he folded his arms looking down at her as he floated down to meet her face to face.

"Gwen, stop this."

"Leave Will, I already let you go once after this you'll not be so lucky."

"Gwen please." he spoke as he offered her his hand. "Come with me. You can change this, I'll help you."

She laughed as she fired a rocket into a bank. "There is no help for me Stronghold. Don't you get that?"

"She's right Will, her kind only care about one thing." Spoke his father as his parents arrived.

"I don't believe that." he spoke angrily.

She smirked and he wasn't so certain.

"Then I'll just have to show you how naive you really are."