Hey Everyone! This is my first fanfic, so give me a little slack! Criticism is welcome! Thanks! -DODV

Chapter 1

Another Outlaw

The Sheriff of Nottingham watched idly as yet another execution was carried out. His taxes were there for a reason, for him to get richer. Eventually the daft fools would realize that if they just paid them there would be far less death. Not that he cared about the death of a few poor peasants, it kept the others in line. There was the expense of the accumulating bodies to think about though. Something that he had grown to annoy greatly. He'd come to the decision long ago that hangings were far too messy to deal with, and hangings were far faster and could have multiple recipients at once. He also loved the way the hanged men's feet twitched right after their short drop and sudden stop.

"My lord," came the deep voice the Sheriff knew all too well. He turned his head a fraction in the direction of the man who now stood next to him. Guy of Gisborne, the replacement master of Locksley now that Robin Hood was an outlaw.

"The coaches are ready for departure with the taxes," Guy informed the Sheriff.

"Really Gisborne?" the Sheriff replied, mock enthusiasm taking hold over his voice and features. "Then why are you standing here? Are you waiting for a treat?" Guy's face hardened, and he stood straighter as rage threatened to boil over his composure.

"I was coming-"

"Do you really think that I'm interested in why you came?" the Sheriff interrupted. "A clue: No!" The Sheriff faced Gisborne completely now, having to glare up at the taller of the two men.

"Go and make sure the taxes actually get here this time!" the Sheriff hissed, and Guy stalked off to give orders to his men.

Robin Hood was crouched among the thick foliage of Sherwood forest, his band spread out along the road. His bow was strung, and the arrow was held loosely in its place. He could see Little John across the road, ready to jump out at his signal. Much was not far away from him, shifting from foot to foot nervously. Allan was on Robin's side, further along the road in case anyone slipped past them, along with Will. Everyone was in place for the ambush that was about to take place. The coach caring the tax money would be arriving any minute, and Robin planned on taking full advantage of it.

The sound of horses and hoof beats announced the coaches arrival far before they came into view. Robin grinned when he did see it, the same mischievous grin that signaled the outlaw was ready to spring into action. He drew his bow string carefully, and aimed for one of the men driving the coach. The arrow hit its target with perfect accuracy, and the Sheriff's soldier fell out of his seat into the mud. Little John came out of hiding, brandishing his thick tree limb. Robin continued his reign of arrows, picking off the soldiers that attempted to sneak up on John and Much. Will and Allan were fighting further ahead, but seemed to be doing fine. Robin finally exposed himself, his grin still showing as he called down to the last of the few soldiers guarding the coach.

"Does the Sheriff really think that he can stop us with so little as five men?" he asked, and walked down to join his now gathered band. Much looked at Robin, his eyes filled with a paranoid worry.

"Don't you think that was a little easy?" he asked. "I mean, the Sheriff always makes sure his taxes are a bit harder to take!"

"I do not like this," Little John agreed in his deep rumbling voice, glancing back at the coach. Robin nodded, and proceeded to the back of the coach. He put hung his bow over his shoulders and placed both hands on the latch that opened the doors.

"We can't have a little luck once in awhile?" Robin asked, grin returning.

"I'd say we have more than our fair share of luck," Allan said, and Will nodded.

"Then what's the worst that could happen?" Robin replied cheerily, and opened the door to the coach. Ten of the Sheriff's soldiers glared back at Robin with weapons already drawn. The outlaw looked at them, and Much didn't seem to see them at first.

"No ambush for once?" he asked, earning looks from the other four men. "I'm surprised, maybe we have had a little luck and the old Sheriff has gotten off his rocker!" Much said as he strolled up to Robin's side, and laid eyes on what was truly the cargo of the coach.

"Oh," was all he had time to say before the soldiers charged forwards out of the coach. Robin leapt back to gain room between him and the ten angry men charging him, going for his sword. Little John recovered first, and came to his aide. Swinging his massive staff, John knocked down three soldiers at once.

"No ambush, eh Much?" John said as he cracked his staff down on the helmeted head of another soldier. At that point Will and Allan recovered as well, and leapt into battle. Together they put down three more soldiers, while Robin took down two. Much got the last one, finally realizing what was going on and defending himself at last. He looked around, ready for more, but found a heap unconscious bodies around him in said.

"Oh," he repeated, and Robin laughed at his companion causing him to bristle. Before Much could say anything that would embarrass himself further, Will piped up.

"If the taxes aren't here," he said to Robin, "where are they?"

Deep in Sherwood forest another coach was headed towards Nottingham. This coach had at least five men riding around it on horse back, and two at the front of the coach. Guy of Gisborne also rode with the coach, the Sheriff having wanted him to ride with the tax money instead of the trap set for Robin Hood. Everything had gone according to plan so far, as Guy had seen no trace of the outlaws since their departure. He imagined that Hood was being stalled from their real target as he rode. The thought brought a smirk to his face.

It quickly dropped when he heard a cry of shock from the front of the coach. The unmistakable sound of a body hitting the ground made him dismount quickly, ordering the group to stop. He went to the soldier that now lay on the ground, an arrow sticking out of his chest. Guy cursed under his breath, Hood hadn't taken the bait after all. Then he stopped, realizing two things instantaneously as he paid closer attention to the soldier. The man was dead, Hood didn't kill anyone when it could be helped. There was also the fact that the arrow sticking out the dead soldiers chest was completely black. From the wood down to the feathers at the end. This attack was definitely not Hood and his band of outlaws.

"Protect the coach," Gisborne commanded while drawing his sword, "prepare for anything." At his words another body fell directly on his right, an arrow protruding out of his chest. Neither men had even heard the arrow come out of the forest. Guy held his sword before him in an attempt to stop any arrow that was shot at him. Another thud as another soldier fell on his left. Whoever was killing his men, they were toying with him.

"Show yourself coward!" Guy commanded, "Fight like a real man!" It was then that shouts came from the opposite side of the coach, and Gisborne dared to turn his back from the direction of the shots to hurry to the other side. He came upon the seen of a lone fighter against what was left of the original seven men that had been meant to protect the coach. Only four men and Gisborne were left, and the sight of the fighter made the latter pause.

He was shorter than the men he fought, and had a much smaller frame. He was dressed completely in black, his armor made of black leather as well as his boots and gloves. The hood of a lightweight clock covered the man's face, but he could tell that there was a mask over his face. In the hands of the mysterious fighter, Gisborne saw not a sword but long wicked looking dagger in each hand. A beautifully crafted bow was slung over the fighters back, an quiver full of black arrows filling it. Guy snapped out of his daze and charged forward with rage. The man was being occupied by the four men, as Guy noticed with a slight amount of awe, he was fighting at once. When Gut drew closer and was ready to kill the mystery man he subject of his attention kicked him swiftly.

The breath was forcefully expelled from his body as the fighter's boot connected with Guy's stomach. He staggered back as the fighter quickly continued their brawl. The man in black feinted to the left, a move that all the soldiers fell for to Guy's disbelief. The man then stabbed the nearest soldier with his right dagger, going right into the soldier's stomach. Blood seeped from between his lips, and the strange fighter gave him no second glance of remorse or pity. The other three soon met similar fates as they stood no chance without the fourth participant to box him in. Gisborne controlled his breathing long enough to lunge for the man. Abandoning all martial training in a savage attempt to knock the man down. The smaller man was taken to the ground easily by Guy's strength and weight aiding him. The man tried to throw Gisborne off, but with no avail. Finally the struggling stopped, and Guy loosed his hold on the fighter wearing nothing but black.

"Giving up already," Guy challenged, but he found himself being hurled over the smaller man's head as he bucked him off. Furious Guy turned, only to find no sign of the fighter. He hadn't even heard him retreat. Then, realizing exactly what it was he was guarding, Gisborne ran to the coach. He found that the taxes were still there, much to his relief and extreme confusion. Only a note now lay among the bags of gold, which Guy quickly recovered. The script on the note was elegant, and it was addressed to someone he knew would be thrilled to read it.

Robin and his band arrived back at their hideout empty handed. Tuck met them, his face ashen. Robin went to the Friar, about to tell him the news about the trap laid for them, but was beaten to it.

"There is interesting talk in Nottingham," the Friar said, and Robin looked at him in confusion. "While you've been gone, assumingly looking for the real tax money, Guy of Gisborne has taken it to Nottingham castle."

"How did you-" Robin was cut off Tuck, and looked around at the other men.

"It seems Guy was the only survivor of an attack on the coach carrying the taxes," Tuck explained. "The others were killed quickly, cleanly, and no money was taken from the coach."

Robin looked at his men, and back to Tuck. This was not a good sign, and he knew that it was going to get worse quicker than it would get better.

"So did an army attack them?" Much asked, but Tuck shook his head.

"From what I've heard," he said, "it was a lone man. One extremely good with a bow," the Friar added looking at Robin.

"Maybe you two can try to shoot the other, see who wins." Allan said dryly, and the others shifted uneasily.

"Your saying that a single man killed seven of my soldiers, and beat you all on his own!" the Sheriff demanded, furious that his taxes were in the hands of Hood and his ilk.

"Yes, but-" Guy didn't have the chance to speak as the Sheriff talked over him.

"But, but, but!" the Sheriff mocked, eyes narrowing. "Once again you have failed to best Robin Hood, Gisborne! Once again you have failed me!"

"It was not Robin Hood." Guy stated. The Sheriff stopped his rant, facing Gisborne now in confusion.

"In fact, it wasn't even one of Hood's men." Guy continued, now lazily regarding the Sheriff. "I watched as three men were killed deliberately, and perfectly with one of these." Guy said as he produced one of the black arrows of the man. The Sheriff took it, and studied it carefully.

"He also did not take your taxes," at this the Sheriff looked up, "and the money is now in your vault."

"Believe me Gisborne, I no longer feel any threat to some peasant man who gets a thrill off killing soldiers. In fact, I might have to insist on having him catch Hood." the Sheriff said, ready to drop the matter at the knowledge that his taxes were safe.

"He left something for you," Guy said, catching the Sheriff's attention once more. "A note," Guy took out the note left behind by the fighter, and unfolded it carefully.

"To the dear Sheriff-" Guy read aloud only to be interrupted by the Sheriff.

"What is this Gisborne? A love letter?" he mocked, laughing at his own joke. Guy decided to ignore him.

"To the dear Sheriff of Nottingham. I believe that I have gotten your attention now that your men lay dead. Do not take me for a fool, we both know that their lives mean nothing to you." Guy read.

"Well he's got that right," the Sheriff added.

"However, a word of warning, stay out of the shadows of Nottingham. That is where I lurk, and the next time I kill your men, it will be on your doorstep.' There is no signature, or mark of identification on this parchment." Guy explained after finishing the note, but the Sheriff had already taken the note and was reading it for himself.

"Well, well, well," the Sheriff said, "it seems we have another friend lurking about our business."

"This man was of great skill, and he moved with little sound." Guy told the Sheriff. Gisborne had a settle to score with the black clad fighter, he would not let him slip away again.

"So, it seems that we have a shadowy outlaw in Nottingham." the Sheriff mused. "One that isn't afraid of doing what is necessary. Come, come Gisborne, you must tell me all about him."

Hey everyone! So I hope you like the first chapter, I know it leaves a few unanswered questions, but those answers will come eventually. I would love some reviews! Whether they be constructive criticism of praise. However, if it is just not nice, keep it to yourself! Alright, I'll try getting the next chapter up ASAP. -DODV