The Moon's Outlaw

Chapter 1

Fog. That's the first thing that I remember. It clouded over my eyes and pulled me into a swirling pit of darkness, blocking my sight from anything above. Panic started to spread throughout my body as I tried opening my eyes at a rapid pace, desperate to blink the smoke away. I gasped for breath and clawed at the cold ground below me, feeling the blades of grass pierce my desperate hands. I squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head side to side, still hoping for any sort of release from my dark chain. I forced my eyes to open wide and all of the smoke cleared, showing me the Moon.

My whole body went still and lathered in a sense of calm. It was so bright and tranquil and enticing and… Beautiful. It ate away all of the darkness and replaced it with peace. I looked at the stars that swirled amongst it, then at the tips of the tall trees. They all seemed so close, close enough to touch. The Moon's light wrapped me in a warm hug of comfort, as if it were a blanket keeping me safe.

I closed my eyes and smiled. This was safe, this was home.

Finally, I stood up and took in my surroundings. I was in a clearing surrounded by thick, winding trees that raced toward the sky. On the ground laid a long bow, flawlessly curved and smooth, accompanied by a quiver full of arrows and a sword studded with blue jewels and an iron cross on the hilt. They all seemed so familiar. I studied them closely, trying to put a place to where I've seen them before but a piece of my mind was still clouded by fog. I strapped the quiver and the bow on my back and sheathed the sword into the scabbard on my hip.

So familiar.

Scenes flashed before my eyes within a quick second but all I could get was a light. The moon maybe? No, this was a different kind of light. It was orange, hungry, and danced in the breeze, clawing its way through the air to get more life…

I gulped down a lump in my throat and looked back at the ground. There, almost swallowed by the shadows but illuminated by the moon's brilliant light, was a hat. A knitted green hat, nestled in the green grass almost becoming camouflaged. Picking it up, I noticed there was a word stitched on the outside rim.

Robin.

The fog suddenly lifted and my head suddenly erupted in pain as my very last memory took over. I collapsed on the ground and clutched my head tightly, squeezing my head between my hands. Tears streamed down my face as I heard the screaming. Fire was everywhere and I was helpless, bound by an unknown force making me to watch the fire kill everyone that I had ever cared about, any hope that was left within my soul soon vanished and darkness had taken over.

I released my head and looked up at the moon with a glare.

"Why?! Why did they have to die?" I screamed at him and let out another cry of anger and sorrow.

"Why couldn't I be strong enough?!"

"Why didn't you help me?" All the faces flashed before my eyes and I realized that I would never see them again.

He didn't answer me and I let out another sob, realizing just how truly alone I really was.


I scratched at my beanie covered forehead out of irritation and shifted my sore legs.

This is getting on my nerves.

Why do women have take so freaking long to get ready? This woman has been fixing her clown face and Medusa like hair for over an hour. Didn't she realize her husband is ready? And most importantly, that I may legs were tired from standing here waiting for them to leave? Even though adults, or anyone for that matter, can't see me, I don't think they'll be very calm to seeing their most valuable possessions floating out of their attic and down the street to the orphanage.

That was the worst part about being invisible to everyone: still having to be discrete.

Finally the woman smiled happily at herself in the mirror and fled downstairs to her awaiting husband.

Off into the night they went, while up their drainpipe I went.

Their attic was full of boxes labeled 'Bradley toy cars' or 'Lucy dresses'. So many boxes full of stuff that was just building up dust and being of no use to anyone.

But now they will be.

I pulled out a large bag that I conveniently had on me and started putting clothes and toys and stuff into it. Some things I kept there, like the things that looked like they were there for a reason. Pictures, clothing for infants, etc. Things that were meant to remember the past, the smiling faces of those you once knew and shared unforgettable memories with...

Don't go there.

I shook my head and swung the bag behind my back with a grunt and started to head back down the drainpipe. The bag was constantly slipping from my grasp causing me to struggle on my trek to the ground.

How does North do this?

He isn't an idiot and uses the chimney instead.

I landed with a small huff and smiled at the thought of it being harder then I had realized, grateful that there was at least some challenge to the task.

Or you're just losing your touch.

And the gratitude is gone.

Getting to the orphanage took little to no time at all and all the kids were already asleep. I roamed around the different rooms and cringed at the smells that were protruding from the air. This place was absolutely ridiculous. The "care takers" don't give two craps about the kids. It's cold, depressing and probably makes the kids feel as if there is no safe haven, no hope.

I looked at a little sleeping girl whose face was scrunched up in pain and small whimpers escaped through frowned lips as she clutched a ripped up, discolored bunny missing an eye.

I opened up the bag of "borrowed" items and rummaged through until I found a soft brown bear. I gently removed the torn up bunny from the sleeping girl's grasp and replaced it with the new animal. She squeezed the animal closer to her and I couldn't help but smile in acceptance.

I'm going to give them a reason to be brave, a reason to never forget that there is always someone looking after them.

And I am not going to fail this time.

I walked out of the orphanage, leaving the bag at the front door and walked into the forest. I found my normal tree by the lake and climbed it. Resting on the thick branch, I looked at my smooth bow and shining sword and wondered if I'll ever truly need them again.

Then sleep overtook me.


"What are you planning, Pitch?!"

"Why would I tell you that?"

Why is there yelling? Don't people understand that my sleep is important?

Great, I sound like an old man waving his cane at kids.

I looked down from my branch and saw two figures whom I recognized almost immediately. One figure was tall, lanky and dark while the other looked like a teenager with snow white hair.

Pitch Black and Jack Frost.

"Let's just say that you and your fellow Guardians," Pitch's British voice spat out the word like it was poison, "should be prepared for what I have in store for you this time!"

"We defeated you, Pitch! Don't think we can't do it again!" Jack lifted his staff defensively which made Pitch fume and off with fighting they went.

There is way too much testosterone going on in one place.

I sheathed my sword, put on my quiver and grabbed my bow. They were striking one another with vengeance, nether party backing down.

Cold and dark were thrown everywhere like they were dancing the freaking tango and the music kept going.

Until Pitch hit Jack.

Hard.

And the saucy tango music stopped.

The Winter spirit flew back and hit a tree and groaned before standing back up, leaning on his staff a bit. Pitch advanced on him slowly like a sloth to a leaf.

Did I just compare Pitch Black to a sloth?

Why yes, yes I did.

I jumped down from my tree, rolled (like a ninja) and stood behind Pitch.

"Get out of my forest, Black," I said and knocked back an arrow, aiming at his head. He turned slowly, sloth like, to me.

"Why isn't it little Robin," his golden eyes were full of hatred and amusement, "Go along and let the adults talk. You don't want to get caught up in all this business now do you?" He was mocking me.

I don't like being mocked.

"Get your loser, eyebrow missing ass out of my forest now or I will-"

"Did you just call me a loser? And what is wrong with my eyebrows?!" His face twisted into a shocked anger.

Well I'm not trying to make him happy so I guess this is a good thing.

"Nothing is wrong with your eyebrows because you don't have any." I said nonchalantly and shrugged, bow still armed. I heard a snicker behind Pitch and saw Jack laughing silently. Pitch must've heard it too because he became more angry. Like if he was one of those cartoons, his face would go all red and his ears would puff out smoke while there was a train honking in the background.

I wonder what color he'd turn considering he's gray…

"Pitch, just get out of my forest before I force you out myself. And you know I will," I threatened and rose my eyebrow.

Yeah, that's how they work buddy.

He glared at me dangerously, which wasn't that much of a threat considering I'm the one holding the weapon.

"This isn't over." And like his brows, he's gone.

Sorry, had to throw in another one.

I put my arrow back in the quiver and made my way over to Jack.

"You okay?" I asked him even though judging by the smile on his face he's fine.

"Yeah! That was great!" He started laughing, showing off his snowflake teeth. I couldn't help but laugh with him. It's like his laughing is contagious. "My name is Jack and you must be," he looked at my beanie where my name was knitted. "Robin." he smiled again.

"The 'o' is silent." I teased. He suddenly looked confused.

"Errbin?" He tried but failed tragically. I laughed again.

"It's Robin."

"Well, Robin, thank you for getting Pitch out of here. That was funny." He laughed again.

"Yeah well… You gotta go too." I shrugged at him and clicked my tongue.

"What?" He gaped at me, mouth hanging open like a fishy.

"Sorry dude, but you woke me up too. So bye! Nice meeting you!" I practically dismissed him as I turned and climbed back up my sleeping tree, watching him fly away.


So... I have LOTS of excuses but you know... I'm just happy that all of my Iron Man stuff is intact.

But anyway, in this chapter I tried to make it more descriptive and stuff then the first time around. When I meant "redo everything" I meant it as dramatic. This is still going to be the same story and stuff from before but edited. Also I felt as though my Robin seemed a lot like Jack so I wanted to fix that immediately.

Please tell me if my editing made the story better or worse.

Thanks!

OwlNebula