A/N: First RotG fanfic, I own nothing, bla, bla, bla, yak, yak, yak, disclaimer, disclaimer, disclaimer.

Read, Review and above all, enjoy!

-The Baron

Rise of the Guardians:

The Tempest

Prologue

Venice, Italy, 1515

I awoke face down in a field that stretched far off into the horizon. I tried to push myself up, but my wiry arms were too weak, and I fell on my face. I tried again; same result. And again, and again, and… well, you get the point. Finally, I managed to get on my knees at least. I tried to remember what I was doing there, but couldn't. Scratch that, I couldn't remember anything. I looked around and saw that there wasn't anything for miles around, nothing I recognized anyways…. There where clouds looming overhead, dark and ominous, yet, I wasn't afraid, even though they seemed to be circling around me, like vultures circling their prey.

I managed to stand, although barely, and looked around once more, but the dark field held no answers for me. I then noticed something that should've been obvious to me; a tree right behind me. I had a sudden urge to climb it, and without even realizing it, I did! I could barely stand up, and yet I climbed a tree without even thinking about it? The clouds above me broke apart, releasing a massive storm! Wind howled, rain poured down like a waterfall, thunder screamed and lightning flashed, and for no apparent reason, I enjoyed every moment of it!

When the wind howled, so did I! When the rain poured down, I drank it! I screamed louder than the thunder and yelled at the lightning, challenging its might! The storm must've heard me, because a bolt of lightning struck me square in the chest. The sheer force alone knocked out two teeth! I fell onto the ground, but somehow, was perfectly fine! I touched my chest to see if it was still there. I noticed his teeth lying on the ground and went to pick them up, but a flash of pink and green beat him to it, leaving behind a…coin?

I was immensely confused about everything going on; I didn't even realize I was glowing until I disappeared in a flash of lightning. I then reappeared a mile north of the lone tree in the field. I didn't have time to think on this until I disappeared and reappeared an extra mile from the tree, but due south of it. This kept happening for 3 minutes without stopping! By the end of it, I was so tired I fell on his knees again. My head hung limp facing my stomach, and I noticed I had stopped by a small pond.

My throat was parched, so I bent down for a drink. I stuck my hand into the water, but when I pulled my hand to my face, it was gone! I yelled in surprise, and looked into the water to try and find it. I stuck my other hand in the pond to try and fish it out, but only managed to bring out a handful of pond water. Strangely enough, the water flowed up my arm, across my back and onto my other wrist, forming a water-y hand, which then took the color and shape of my hand before it fell off!

I felt it to see if it was solid, and not only was it solid; it looked identical in every way to my old hand! I decided to drink directly from the pond (Although what I would do if my mouth fell off is a mystery to me). I took a huge gulp of the cold, clear water, and felt instantly revived! I wanted to drink more, but a voice that I almost recognized told me otherwise:

'Drink too much, and you'll get sick' the voice said. I looked around for whoever said that but there was no one around. I looked at the pond again, and saw my reflection; it was a kind face, a gentle smile, eyes as blue as the sky. From the minor facial hair, I assumed I was slightly post-pubescent, but a proper age? That memory was still as clouded as the sky above him. I looked down at my clothes, and saw that they were torn, my shirt especially, they were more like rags than clothes. My pants were a light shade of brown, the shirt's color faded, probably from too much use.

My limbs were slim and wiry, like the rest of my physique. I was rather skinny, with not much fat or flab. Only when I was looking at my stomach, did I realize my skin had a faint glow to it, which was rather strange. The glow gradually grew brighter, and I was afraid I would disappear again, but this glow felt nice and warm, like a hug. I turned around to see where it was coming from, but it seemed the light was coming from everywhere! Then I looked up, and the light was even more intense than before!

I tried to back away from it, but I couldn't move! I tried forcing my feet with my hands, but only then did I realize I was floating! I panicked, and flung my arms around, but it was no use! Then, a voice from above spoke to me; "Your name is Raymond. People will know you as The Rain-man. Go forth now spirit of storms." I looked at the source of the voice, but I only saw the moon. The light faded, and I was placed gently on the ground.

I noticed there was a mask, a tweed jacket, and a pair of gloves without their fingers lying in front of me. I got the feeling I needed to wear them. So I stretched my arms into the jacket, put on the gloves, and donned the mask. I didn't know what exactly I was meant to do, why that voice was coming from the moon, or even who I was, but I had to start somewhere. Almost on instinct, I lifted my head to the sky, felt that the wind was coming from the north, and started running south. After hours of running and running, I finally made it to a small settlement.

I looked out of place with my tweed jacket, leather gloves, and masquerade-styled mask. I had hoped this town would have some connection with my past, that something or someone would jog my memory, but alas my hopes were in vain, for no one in the town knew me. No children ran to me, no worried mother came over to hug me; in fact no one seemed to even notice me! I waved his hands in front of people but they took no notice. I got so frustrated, I walked in front of someone, but they just walked right trough me!

Of all the strange things I had seen, this took the prize for strangest. I was scared out of my mind! I walked in front of someone else, same result! I grew so fearful; I fell on my knees and started crying. Curiously enough, as I started crying, the town became covered in clouds, and a downpour started! Everyone went inside for shelter. 'Good' I thought 'it's not like anyone cared about me anyways'. Thunder crashed and a scream came from my right. I ran to the house and saw there was a little boy crying, in the arms of his mother.

"Shh…"said the mother. "It's okay, it's just thunder"

"But it's scary!" the boy protested.

"Shh…you need to be strong! Your father would want you to be strong!" the boy cried even more after hearing this. I didn't know what I was doing but I found myself patting the boy's back, comforting him.

"Where is daddy mommy?" asked the boy. His mother put her finger to the boy's chest.

"He's right here" said the mother "when you love someone, even if their gone, they'll stay in your heart forever." I put my arm around the boy's shoulders, though I didn't know why. I just felt a strange connection with the boy. Even when the mother left, I stayed with him for the rest of the night. When morning finally arrived, I left the house.

I am The Rain-Man. How do I know this? The moon told me. But that's all he ever did tell me.

End of Prologue