🌙 Chapter 3: Moon Walk
The Bridge of Freedom – Night
Sirens echoed behind her as city lights reflected across the river below.
Lady Moon walked calmly, a heavy money bag slung over her shoulder, a moon-white pistol glowing softly in her hand. Each step was slow. Confident.
She moved like she belonged to the night.
Her skin was a warm, light brown, catching the moonlight beautifully as it shimmered against the darkness. She was tall and powerfully built from the legs up—the kind of strength forged by survival, not vanity.
A wide white fashion hat rested low over her face, covering nearly a third of it and casting sharp shadows across her features. Beneath it, an elegant white domino mask hid her eyes—except for the glow.
Her eyes shone pure lunar white, cold and distant, like the moon watching from far away.
Long, thick black curls spilled freely from beneath her hat, flowing down her back and shoulders like liquid shadow. A moon-shearling coat draped over her frame—long, heavy, white as fresh snow. Its fur lining softened her silhouette, making her look regal and dangerous at the same time. The edges of the coat faded into glowing mist, as if moonlight itself clung to her.
Beneath it was a sleek black combat suit, secured by a clean white belt. A glowing half-moon symbol rested over her chest.
White, fur-lined boots touched the ground without sound.
She didn't rush.
She didn't need to.
Lady Moon didn't look like someone running from the law.
She looked like someone the law hadn't caught up to yet.
Above her—
🔥 WHOOSH
Fire tore through the night.
A man of flame landed on a light pole ahead of her, crouched like a predator. The fire faded, revealing a black-and-orange suit with an Ace of Spades symbol on his chest.
Ace flicked a card between his fingers.
"Funny," he said casually.
"I usually charge for meet-and-greets."
She raised an eyebrow beneath her wide white hat.
He threw the card.
Lady Moon caught it effortlessly between two fingers.
Ace smiled.
"That's my business card. If you're free sometime, I make a great first impression."
She laughed softly, amused.
"Lady Moon," she said.
"And sorry, hero… I don't date men who arrive uninvited."
Moonlight shattered behind her.
A glowing white horse formed from pure lunar energy, its hooves striking the pavement like glass.
She mounted in one smooth motion.
Ace sighed.
"Figures."
The horse bolted forward, leaping between cars.
🚗🔥 Chase Begins
Ace ignited and shot forward, flying low, weaving between headlights and panicked drivers.
Gunfire cracked through the air.
Moon-white bullets screamed past Ace's head, exploding into bursts of light when they missed.
"Careful!" Ace shouted.
"Someone could get hurt!"
Lady Moon glanced back.
"Then stop chasing."
She swung her arm—
A moon-forged spear formed mid-air and hurled toward him.
Ace snapped a card forward.
đź’Ą FREEZE CARD
The spear froze mid-flight and shattered.
Ace grinned.
"Okay… that's cool."
They reached the Bridge of Freedom, the ocean stretching endlessly below.
Ace slowed.
"Can't use fire," he muttered.
"Too many people."
Lady Moon smirked.
"Smart boy."
She kicked the horse.
It leapt off the bridge—running on moonlight itself.
Ace didn't hesitate.
🔥 He launched after her.
🌕 Sky Combat
Ace landed behind her on the horse, grabbing her arm.
"End of the ride, miss."
She twisted, driving her elbow into his ribs.
Moonlight burst from her back—thin, glowing blades forming instantly.
One sliced his arm.
Drip.
Drip.
Ace looked down.
"…Yeah. That's new."
His grip weakened.
Lady Moon shoved him off.
Ace fell.
Wind screamed past his ears—
🔥 BOOM
Fire exploded from his body, stopping his fall. He rocketed back up, breathing hard.
They clashed midair—
Fire cards.
Moon-forged weapons.
Explosions of orange and white lighting the sky.
Both slowed.
Both were tired.
Lady Moon pulled out a glowing sphere.
"A bomb," she said calmly.
"One drop. Hundreds die."
Ace froze.
"Don't."
Her hand trembled. She looked away.
"My son needs this money."
She dropped it.
Ace dove.
Flames roared as he caught the bomb. He hurled it skyward—
đź’Ą BOOM
The explosion swallowed him.
His body fell.
Into the ocean.
🌊 Aftermath
Ace surfaced, coughing, dragging himself onto shore.
"…Worth it."
He looked at his bleeding arm.
"She got away."
Above the city, Lady Moon rode into the night.
Night – A Cheap Flat on the Edge of the City
Lady Moon slipped through a cracked hallway door and locked it behind her.
The moment it clicked—
The glow faded.
Her white domino mask dissolved into mist.
The moonlight suit melted away like ash.
Now she was just a woman.
Mandy.
Her shoulders sagged.
She kicked off her boots and dropped the heavy money bag to the floor. The room was small and cluttered—clothes on the couch, dishes in the sink, the TV humming with static.
A real home.
A tired one.
She ran a hand through her curls and walked into the bedroom. Moonlight spilled across scattered school papers and toys.
She shoved the bag under the bed.
Then she changed—soft shorts and an oversized T-shirt hanging loose off one shoulder.
Comfort.
In the kitchen, she opened the fridge, grabbing leftovers—
And froze.
A framed photo sat on the counter.
Her.
And a boy.
"Mommy!"
Footsteps rushed down the hall.
A small dark-skinned boy burst out, hair messy, eyes wide.
"Mommy!"
Mandy dropped everything and knelt as he crashed into her arms.
"Hey, hey… I'm here. I'm here."
"You were gone too long."
"I know," she whispered, kissing his hair.
"I'm sorry, Mitch."
He pulled back, studying her face.
"Did you get hurt?"
She smiled—a real one.
"Not today."
Satisfied, he grabbed her hand and dragged her to the couch.
"I got something from school."
He handed her a folded envelope before running off to grab his game controller.
Mandy opened it.
Her smile faded.
FINAL NOTICE
Outstanding school fees – 4 months unpaid.
Failure to pay will result in removal.
Her fingers tightened.
Steam filled the bathroom as she turned on the shower. She undressed slowly, exhaustion heavy in every movement.
She stared at herself in the mirror.
Not Lady Moon.
Just Mandy.
A letter was taped to the mirror.
She pulled it down.
New Job. High Priority.
Target: Emma.
Alive. Untouched.
Reward: 80,000.
She flipped the paper.
A photo.
Emma.
Mandy bit her finger, smiling slowly.
"Eighty thousand…"
She exhaled.
"For you, Mitch."
Sunrise
The city glowed gold.
A detective car rolled through quiet streets.
Roman drove. Calm. Focused.
Don yawned.
"If criminals respected office hours, my life would be perfect."
Roman smirked.
"Crime doesn't sleep. You barely do."
"Rude."
Don stretched.
"Still can't believe that Moon woman escaped Ace. Did you see that fight? He almost had her."
Roman kept his eyes on the road.
"She didn't escape. She chose when to leave."
Don blinked.
"…That's unsettling."
Roman nodded.
"Confident people make mistakes. We'll find her."
Don squinted ahead.
"Wait—hold up."
Roman slowed.
"There."
A girl in a lab coat walked unsteadily ahead.
"Emma," Roman said.
They were out of the car in seconds.
🏥 Hospital – Later
Emma lay in bed, pale but smiling.
Roman stood nearby.
"Good acting," he said quietly.
Emma grinned.
"Thanks."
"It would've looked suspicious if Dr. Morning-Star kept you overnight without telling your family," Roman added.
"And… we needed time to confirm it."
He paused.
"You're a mutation. I'm sorry."
"We'll keep the device on your wrist for now," he continued.
"Until you can control it."
She nodded.
"You don't have to tell anyone where you're going," he said.
"That choice is yours."
Don entered.
"Emma—your grandparents are here."
Her eyes filled with tears as she smiled.
"They found you," Don said gently.
"You're safe."
Outside the room—
Don nudged Roman.
"Didn't expect you to get emotional."
"I'm not."
Don laughed.
"Yeah. Sure."
They walked down the hall.
"So," Don said. "We track Lady Moon next."
Roman's gaze hardened—just slightly.
"…Yeah," he said.
"We do."
🌙 Final Panel
The bathroom light flicked on.
The mask faded first.
Then the glow left her eyes.
Mandy stood in front of the mirror, suddenly smaller without the moon watching through her.
Tired. Real.
She hung the coat on the door and turned on the bath. Steam filled the room.
Not Lady Moon.
Just Mandy.
A mother.
A woman doing what she has to do.
Her phone buzzed.
"Yeah," she said quietly.
"I'll take the job."
She glanced at Emma's photo.
"…Her name is Emma."
End of Chapter 3