Yeahh

A New Ground's Story - Part 14.2

GreenLanturn and Moloko were walking together, hand in hand, backpacks and baggage with them. They were leaving town on the Southern Road. Forever. Hopefully Nightcrawler would survive the Moderators' wrath and would find a way out of New Ground himself.
GreenLanturn suddenly stopped. He looked over his shoulder at the Village where he grown. He looked at the Mountain in the background, the Asylum's shade barely visible in the night. Moloko pulled his hand.
-Come on dear, we have to leave.
GreenLanturn looked at his wife.
-I know sweetheart. I'm just sad. I'm going to miss the Village. Hopefully they wont find us in Macromedia city... wait what was that?
He pulled his pistol out of his jacket. Something moved behind him as he turned back to his wife.
-There's someone around here... we must not stay... MOLOKO!
Her wife was smiling at him. A fine drip of blood fell off her mouth. A bolt was stuck in her head. She fell on her knees and stood in this position. Dead.
-GOD DAMN IT NEW GROUND! WHAT DO YOU WANT? yelled GreenLanturn.
A second bolt him in the chest. He stood there a few seconds. He didn't have much time.
He dropped his backpack, and turned to his wife. The pain was running to his brain. He had to make it quick.
-I love you Moloko.
In spite of the pain the bolt anchored in his chest was creating, and the blood he was quickly losing, he opened his bag and grabbed a round object.
-RON, SHOW YOURSELF!
A shade moved in his direction. He finally got close enough to GreenLanturn so he could see the details of the Moderator.
A tall, bald, big, bad man was standing in front of him.
Bigbadron.
-The Twins wanted to kill you themselves... Oh well, I guess it's my turn to have some fun. Also, next time you want to protect your monstrous friends, don't accord confidence in some stupid junkies, would you?
Greenlanturn groaned. Bigbadron smiled and said:
-Die.
Greenlanturn fell on his knee, just like his wife. He was really pale. He lost a lot of blood. He grabbed the item hidden in his pocket with his two hands and removed the safety pin.
-No, you, replied the man on the ground.
-You little... started Ron, but the grenade exploded, instantly killing the two men.
Bigbadron the Moderator, was no more.

Two. There were two women in the Apartment. He could smell it. He could smell the hatred of one of them, and the amusement of the other. Let's see if you could catch one of them in order to regain some forces. It was going to be hard though. He was so hungry he didn't even know if he had the strength to teleport. He was walking in a corridor leading to the two staircases at the eighth floor. One of them was close. The amused one was right under him. He'd have to find a new hideout in the Apartment.
Nightcrawler started walking towards a door when he heard noise behind him and in front of him. The two girls were in the two different staircases. Quickly, he ran to the closest apartment door but it was locked. He shook the handle rudely until he understood he'd have to teleport.
But nothing happened when he tried. He was too hungry. He looked at his left, then right, no sign of anyone yet. He looked again at his left and saw a gun pointed in front of him, at less than an inch of his nose.
He smiled. He had a plan.
-Give me your gun, said the dark haired woman in front of him.
The woman's makeup was undone, like if she had cried. She was wearing a small white blouse and a schoolgirl skirt. He docilely reached for his Magnum in his pants and threw it on the floor with a lot of noise. He had a plan. He removed his hat and bowed in front of the woman.
-You got me, Sadic Schoolgirl. You've won. Now you will kill me, I presume?
Sadic grinned, her eyebrows still frowning.
-Not so fast, old man. First you'll suffer. Oh you will suffrer.
Nightcrawler coughed. He was talking a little bit louder when he said:
-I really apologize for FBIpolux. I understand the lost must have been difficult for you. Let me help you...
Before he could do anything, Sadic grabbed his wrists and locked some handcuffs on there.
-Well, well, well. What do we have here? said a voice behind Nightcrawler.
Carmilla was walking in their direction, a smile on her face.
-Oh I see you captured him for me! said the Twin. Why thank you!
Sadic Schoolgirl shook her head.
-No, no, no, said Sadic. He's mine, I found him first. I will kill him. He killed my husband, it's personal.
Nightcrawler closed his eyes. His plan was working perfectly. Now he had to rest a little bit while his jailors were deciding what would happen next.
Carmilla laughed.
-Do you think I care? Ramagi asked me to bring this man to her. So get out of my way or I'll have to kill you too.
Sadic stepped back, her rifle pointed on the Moderator.
-Kill me? I'm sorry beautiful, but I'm the one holding the gun right now. Nightcrawler is leaving with me. I don't care about your little instructions, mission, or whatever. He killed my husband and he will pay for it... by my hand. You can just leave it to me. I'll take good care of him. Tell Ramagi Charlotte took care of him. She'll understand.
Carmilla frowned.
-Are you menacing me? Bad idea cutie.
The Twin moved in between Nightcrawler and Sadic.
-I have instructions, and I never fail my missions. I will bring Nightcrawler with me, if you like it or not. Now leave this building before something bad happens to you.
A hand grabbed Sadic's shoulder. Nephthys was standing behind her, smiling.
-Hello Charlotte! What's the problem now?
Sadic jolted. She was trapped in between the Twins.
-He... he's mine. I'm taking Nightcrawler with me, said Sadic. Why don't you guys just leave?
Neph winked at her.
-Not so fast... she said. You don't seem to understand the problem here. Nightcrawler's coming with us, not you. If you're not happy we will kill you. And point this gun away from my sister in crime.
A gun was pointed in Sadic's back. She had no choice. She lowered her weapon.
Right now was the time, thought Nightcrawler.
Quickly, he sneaked behind Carmilla and took a good bite in her right shoulder.
Carmilla yelled but it was too late. Nightcrawler swallowed the flesh and teleported.
-NO! yelled Nephthys and Sadic Schoolgirl in echo.

A New Ground's Story - Part 15.1

-We're finally arrived, Lidov!
One hundred yards away from them was New Ground. DancingTurkeyGod hugged Lidov and stepped forward in direction of the Village. Lidov stood there a few minutes, nervous. They finally had made it back to the Village... but they were carrying a secret that could doom them if someone was to discover them. That's why they had to find the Security Guards before the Moderators find them.
They were right behind a house now, on the border of the forest. It was now or never.
-Are you ready? asked DTG. We need to find a member of the Security guard as soon as we can... only they can protect us.
-I still think we're not safe here... We should have gone back to the Asylum and try finding the Kharmah's leaders.
DancingTurkeyGod frowned.
-They probably think were friends of the Moderators... You and Scott were there to find the murderer of a crime THEY committed for the good of New Ground to bring him in justice. If you haven't noticed the Kharmah sent an assassin to stop us from escaping... So... we have to find someone who will listen to us before trying to slit our throats. I still sense the Assassin not too far behind us. We need to move.

-I can't believe we left DanMalo alive... what if he escapes? You know what we risk?
-Calm down Sanjay, said Sarai. It'll be fine.
Sanjay was walking in the middle of the main street along with Protège-moi and Sarai, the two newest members of the Kharmah.
-I still don't understand... started Protège-moi. What are the Moderators planning on doing? They want to incite a coup on the Administrators of New Ground? Doesn't Ramagi already have every possible power?
Sanjay looked around him and lowered his voice:
-She has the power to control people with the rules the Administrators set... but she doesn't have the power to create new rules. She and all the Moderation team wish for only one thing: The total control of New Ground. They want to supplant the Administrators in New Ground. The biggest problem about this is that the Administration is NEVER around the Village. They have their full confidence into the Moderation team. This is why the Moderators can do whatever they want here, except making new rules. They are bound to the rules the Administrators wrote for them.
The little group walked past the fountain and turned in some dark alley in between two stores.
-What's going to happen if the Moderators take full control of New Ground? asked Sarai. And how will they proceed? I mean, how could they possibly get rid of the Administration?
Sanjay stopped in the middle of the alley and faced the two women.
-I ignore it. But I believe they will simply attempt to kill them. They've already killed liljim from what I've heard. He's the original creator of the Kharmah. He made this organization to watch over the village, since he didn't trust the Moderators Wade Fulp nominated. And now something is about to happen. Ramagi announced that the Administrators were coming tonight in the Village to announce something really important.
Protège-moi lighted a cigarette and asked:
-And you believe that's when the Moderators are going to strike? Tonight?
-Yes, said Sanjay. With all the information I've gathered, I KNOW they are going to strike tonight, whenever the Administration team shows up. I'm a Moderator after all... And this is why I'm going to need you two. I've learned the Twins were going to be there... and I also heard that you guys know them well.

The Museum was completely dark. No lights were on. Night Crawler had definitely left the town. Oh well, the moderator standing next to the Museum's door, holding a briefcase, had to enter the old men's domain anyways. He'd have a perfect view of the whole village when the Administrators would be there. Poxpower grinned. He'd have a perfect shot on the true Leader of New Ground. He had been waiting for this moment for a while now. Tonight was their night.

The New Ground Tank was leading the diligence, Johnny Utah driving it. Will smiled, tonight was their night. The achievement of years of work, they will finally release it. Will Stamper was sitting in a saloon car with the four main Administrators of New Ground. Bob was driving them to New Ground. He hadn't been there forever... hopefully James had kept everything under control during their absence. He looked at his friends, Wade, Tom, Tim and Ross.
-I hope you guys know what you're doing, said Stamper.
Ross nosed up from the giant book he was reading and looked at Stamper.
-Of course, we've been working on this for quite a while now. Everything will be fine. The New Grounders will be happy.
Stamper looked away from him and whispered to himself:
-I really hope... because I have a bad feeling about this.
The car crossed a sign: Welcome to New Ground!
Tonight was their night.

-I think I just stepped on a corpse.
DancingTurkeyGod turned back to Lidov.
-Come on now, we're almost there. We're going to be back out in the surface really soon, don't worry.
They were right under the fountain.
-Maybe I forgot to tell you, but I hate sewers, said Lidov. And I'm claustrophobic.
DTG stopped in front of some ladder and started climbing it. Lidov followed her quickly and checked behind him. The shadows were taking control once again in the sewers as DTG's flashlight was going up the ladder and leaving the sewers.
-Wait for me!
He pulled himself out of the sewers and closed the sewer's drain cover slowly, trying to make the less noise possible. He rose up and considered how dirty his clothes were. He turned around to find DTG when he realized something was wrong. She was on the ground, lying down. One second later someone grabbed his arms and immobilized him on the ground just as well.
-Wait a second! said a feminine voice near DTG. I recognize him. It's Lidov... It's safe, you can let him go.
The person holding him stepped back and Lidov rose on his feet again. He looked behind him to see his aggressor and saw tall women with glasses and long brown hair. She was looking at him with a cold eye.
-So, what was your car doing in the Asylum's garage?
Lidov looked over his shoulder. Sarai was standing right next to him a katana pointed on him. He raised his hands over his head and said:
-God damn it. I knew I shouldn't have taken my GTO... now I won't be able to put my hand on my baby anymore...
Sarai poked him with her sword.
-AEOW! Why did you do that?
-Answer my question, Lidov, said the Asian girl.
-All right! All right! I went to the Asylum with Scottmale to find out who murdered his brother... then we got stuck inside and they put us in a cell with this woman over there, DancingTurkeyGod.
Sarai's eyebrows rose up.
-The girl that almost got Ramagi killed?
Lidov looked at DTG, unconscious on the ground with surprise.
-Uh, I guess. I don't know I heard she just threw something at her. Anyways, we managed to escape the Asylum, and I believe we're still getting chased by one of their Assassins. What are YOU guys doing here? Weren't you banned from New Ground Sarai? And who's this girl with you? What's happening here?
Sarai made some sign at the other girl and put her attention back on Lidov.
-So you're not with the Moderators?
-Uh? asked Lidov. What do you mean? You... know about the Moderators?
Sarai looked surprised.
-Of course we know, said Sarai. We're trying to stop them. They are going to do something tonight. We're trying to figure out what's going to happen.
-And what do YOU know about the Moderators yourself, Lidov? asked a man voice with an Indian accent somewhere in the dark alley.
-Sanjay? Is that you?
The Moderator stepped out of the shades in front of him. He had a long saber in his back and an AK-47 in his hands.
-Of course it's me. So tell me what you know. I'm not on their side, so don't worry about me being a Mod and all that.
Lidov was confused. So much stuff was happening at the same time. It was too late to turn back; he had to tell them about the book. He explained how DTG found liljim's notes in the mountain and their meeting with Shrapnel.
-We should not stay here... said Lidov. Shrapnel could have followed us, or that Assassin from the Asylum.
-Jade? asked Sanjay. She's on our side, don't worry about her. The Asylum's Queen probably thought you were spies for the Moderator. Wait...
Somewhere in the village, close to them, an engine was approaching.
-The Administration is already there. We have to move. Take your friend with you.

Johnny Utah immobilized the Tank in the middle of the Village, at the public place. Ramagi's limousine was already there, next to an empty pickup. Utah opened the Tank's top trapdoor and came out of the vehicle. Bob's car stopped right next to him.
-Aahh, New Ground, said Utah. I've missed you.

A New Ground's Story - Part 15.2

Inside the limousine, Ramagi was drinking her scotch. She hadn't had a drop of alcohol for years. Tonight was the big night. She checked her watch. 2:13 A.M.
They could be there any minute now. She grabbed her pocket mirror and made sure she was presentable for the Administrators. After putting some additional makeup, she reached for her purse lying at her feet and pulled out a revolver. The Villagers would soon see why she's known as the Blam Queen. She looked through the tainted window and saw the Tank immobilize, then Tom Fulp's personal Saloon car. She looked in her pocket mirror once more, hided the revolver in her purse and asked for her driver to open the limousine's door.

Ozcar was sweating. The moment was close, their moment of victory. The Administration team had just arrived; Ramagi had prevented them into the radio. For once his sombrero was not sitting on his head. Dobio, Nephthys, Carmilla, a bandage on her shoulder, Afro Ninja, Maus, Enoll, Zerok and Dirty Syko were there, sitting around an immense table in the Moderator's lounge, on the last floor of the New Ground hotel.
-Where the hell is Dan Malo? asked Ozcar after hitting the table with his fist, breaking the silence installed after Ramagi told them to be patient on the radio. I asked him to be there after he'd be done with his task... tontopollas... It appears we're going to do this without him. Carmilla, you think you will be good to go joust with the Admins?
Carmilla removed her bandage, where you could see where Nightcrawler took a bite. She gritted her teeth when she touched the wound. Nephthys grabbed her hand and started massaging it.
-I... I guess I can just shoot with my left arm, said the wounded Twin. Nephthys can fight for both of us. That old men's escape enraged her... She could probably take all the Admins by herself.
Enoll laughed. He had a strong beard and was patiently waiting for some action leaning next to the room's window.
-You sincerely believe the Administrator came here defenseless? First you've heard Ramagi, they have the Tank and I wouldn't be surprised if Mindchamber was with them somewhere. I guess our job will be to take down the Tank, or make him surrender? I highly doubt we can take down the New Ground Tank. I've never seen something like this engine before.
-What, you think it's MAGICAL? asked Maus with an ironic tone while making some hand gestures in the air.
Dirty Syko, who was playing with a lighter, looked up.
-There's no Tanks I can't destroy, magical or not. I've got plenty of supplies downstairs. They're going to go boom boom if they don't give up. I'd be more worried about Mindchamber than some fairy-like Tank. I'll take care of Utah.
-...and Poxpower is already in place in the Museum, continued Ozcar. He has a good view of the place. With his rifle he'll be able to take anyone who tries to fight back. Now Zerok...
He got interrupted because the radio on the table emitted a voice.
"Everyone in position, we're going soon." said Ramagi's voice.
-Let's go guys, said the Spanish Moderator. It's our night.

-Where did DancingTurkeyGod and Lidov go? asked Sanjay, visibly angered. I told them to stay with us!
Protège-moi sighed.
-Who cares, they were useless anyways, replied the women. They won't do any good against forty Moderators. Now come on, we need to get closer to the Admins. The attack could happen anytime. Now let's get in position.

DancingTomato and a few other people had been awakening with all the noise coming from the Village's place. The butcher walked out of his house to see New Ground's Tank parked next to the fountain. Something important was going on. He noticed other people were zoning out of their houses, curious to see what was happening. The Administrators were in the middle of the Village, speaking with Ramagi, the Village's leader. DancingTomato's attention suddenly got drawn by something else. Something passed over his head in the sky, a big, blue plane, or something similar. A flying aircraft was patrolling over the Village, high in the sky, too far to distinguish.

DTG was putting her clothes back on. Lidov was asleep in his bed, exhausted. They deserved that, after all the effort they given during the last day. She deserved that little threat. She hadn't had sex with anyone for years. That raunchy little trip in the exaltation calmed her body, which had been under constant tension for a while. She sat on the mechanic's bed and smiled while watching him sleep.
-I'll be back, I promise, she said, more to her than to the sleeping guy. I guess Sanjay will need my powers.
She put her boots back on her feet when the room's door opened. A lady in a long ebony robe was standing under the frame. Her black hair were messy and she had mud on her hands, which were holding long knife and a pistol, pointed on DTG. The Assassin's eyes were circled by fatigue.
-I finally find you, she said before DTG can do anything.
She looked at Lidov, naked under the covers and smiled.
-It looks like you've had a little fun before the big jump. You should've done that outside of the Village, because now there's no more escape.
DancingTurkeyGod rose on her feet and quickly said:
-Wait! We're on the same side, calm down, and let me explain... We're not spies for the Mods...
Jade's smile stood still on her face, her gun pointed on DTG.
-I know that. Who told you I do not work for them myself?
DancingTurkeyGod stepped back and sat back on the bed.
-Calm down, friend... we can work things out. There's no need to...
-I'm not your friend, buddy, interrupted Jade the Assassin of the Asylum. You have some important book in your possession. Give me that book.
DTG sighed:
-Sure...
Quickly, she reached for her backpack hidden behind the bed and extracted liljim's notebook out of it.
-Now give it to me, said Jade.
-As you wish.
DancingTurkeyGod closed her eyes. She focused all of her powers on the little book she was still holding in her right hand. Finally, she threw it at Jade; with the help of her mental powers, the book literally flew out of her hand, aimed for the Assassin's head. Before Jade could do anything, the book had already hit her head and broke her nose. She fell on her back, blood spreading everywhere on the floor. Lidov suddenly woke up and grabbed a gun under his pillow and pointed it on the wounded girl groaning on the floor.
-I see you didn't need my help to take care of that problem... said Lidov, lowering his weapon. I didn't think she'd find us here. What happened? I thought she was an ally of us.
DTG explained the whole scene to Lidov and he nodded. He put his clothes back on and walked to the Assassin. He grabbed her gun and her knife and threw them on the other side of the room.
-I'll take care of her, he said while pulling Jade in another room. You should go help Sanjay.
DTG followed Lidov and pulled his arm as he started tying Jade with some garage chain. He faced her and she kissed him on the lips.
-I love you.
And she left the house as fast as she could to rejoin Sanjay and the others.

The New Ground's Story: Conclusion

-Hello, Ramagi, said Tom Fulp while shaking her hand. It's been a while. I'm glad to see my Village is still as clean as it was the last time I came!
Ramagi smiled and greeted the other Administrators.
-So, started Ramagi, why does the whole Administration team give us tonight the great pleasure of visiting the Village?
Wade removed his shades and eyed Ramagi.
-We have an important announcement to make, said Wade Fulp. We'd need to talk to the whole Mod team first. Do you think you could wake them up and ask them to come meet us in the Lounge?
-Sure... just let me warn the other Moderators, said Ramagi while heading back to her Limousine.
Wade put his shades back on and leaned on Bob's car. Ross finally put his coding book away and zoned out of the car. Something was wrong; more people should have been there to greet them, not only Ramagi all by herself. They had warned her they would be there tonight a few weeks ago and from what he had heard Ramagi would rarely go out without protection ever since some woman attempted a murder on her person during a ceremony. He looked around him. People were getting outside of their houses to see what was causing so much noise in the middle of the village. Ross' attention finally stopped on a huge manor on top of New Ground's highest hill, the Museum, owned by Nightcrawler. Something caught his attention on top of the Museum's highest window... like a white flash, like if some light reflected on a mirror, or something similar. Or a lens. Something was wrong. Ramagi had disappeared in her Limousine and everything was quiet, too quiet. Except for Tom talking with Will Stamper and Bob, it was all-silent. Finally something happened: a woman walked towards them, apparently alone. She walked by the Tank and Ross finally recognized her: Nephthys, a Moderator of New Ground. She kept walking until she arrived next to their group. She stopped next to the car and said:
-Why hello there! What a marvelous surprise we have there tonight! All of the Administrators are here! Oh wait, but there are two people missing... Where is Mike?
Ross turned to Wade, who responded:
-Mike had important stuff to take care of. Where are the other Moderators? We'd like to converse with everyone, not just you.
Nephthys stepped back with an exaggerated drama queen expression on her face.
-How rude! I believe I'm sufficient for now.
Ross understood everything, everything James, liljim, had tried to make him understand. Something was not working as intended. The Moderators were plotting something. He pulled Tom's arm, which grabbed his attention.
-What?
-Tom... I believe something bad is about to happen. We need to get out of there, or launch the project right now.
Tom smiled:
-Ha ha, what could be happening Ross? Everything is fine. We have good protection anyways.
Ross looked at Nephthys who was still talking with Wade. He pulled Tom away from her and whispered:
-I know... but something is going to happen. James warned me about it a while ago but I never really paid attention to it, and now James disappeared without leaving any traces. Don't you see?
-Come on, Ross, said Tom. You're just nervous because what were about to do will change the face of New Ground. You know James has always been like that, distant. He's probably going to show up tonight, he knows what's happening.
Right as Tom said that, more people approached them. Dirty Syko and Enoll were already next to the tank.
-See, said Nephthys, I dislike it when people are rude with me, Wade. I HIGHLY dislike it. I don't care of who you are, what you do, but I'm not some simple peon you can use like you want. You people should have seen it coming years ago, but tonight is your end, and our beginning.
-What? simply said Wade.
-NOW! yelled Nephthys while grabbing her gun.
Ross had seen it coming, that whole time. He pushed Tom and stood in front of him. At the same time the shot came, right from the Museum's last window. Intended for Tom Fulp, the bullet pierced Ross' skull and instantly killed him. At the same time, Moderators were invading the fountain place, at least ten of them. Tom backed off to the car.
-Cease fire, pox! yelled Dobio in a walkie-talkie while marching towards Tom, a shotgun in his hands. We got this.
He grinned at Tom and arrived next to him.
-Well it's been fun, Tom, said the Canadian Moderator. But every fun things have an end!
He pointed the shotgun on Tom's face but when he put the finger on the trigger, a wide beam pierced a hole in his chest. The second later he was dead and fell on Tom. Disgusted, Tom moved away from the cadaver and saw all the Moderators look at the sky. A huge blue machine landed right on Evark as he yelled something, pointing something over him, cracking the ground around it. MindChamber, the Administrator's Robot guard finally arrived. Nephthys jumped behind the car and engaged combat with Wade as Johnny Utah started operating the Tank.
He didn't notice Dirty Syko had planted explosives in the tail of the Tank but someone else did. Sprinting quickly to reach the Moderator before it was too late; Sarai jumped on Dirty Syko and slashed his head with a quick Katana strike. She jumped on the detonator still held in his hand and threw it away. She looked over the car and saw Protège-Moi was already heading for Bob's car. Sanjay also joined the battle with his AK-47. He shot a few bullets at Maus but she dodged them and ran into SlipperyMooseCakes' bar where she started firing from. Will Stamper opened the car's door and jumped into it, while Tom opened the trunk and grabbed two Uzis. He pointed them on Enoll who was busy fighting Sarai and shot him three times in the chest. Another shot fired from the Museum missed him by an inch and he decided it was more prudent to wait into the car with Stamper.
Meanwhile DancingTurkeyGod entered the field as well. Her hair were strangely dressed all over her head, like a static afro and she was walking towards Ramagi's limousine. Ramagi was inside of it, shooting from the window with her revolver. She was aiming at Tim who was crouching behind the Tank, unarmed.
DancingTurkeyGod focused all of her powers once again. This time she was aiming for something much, much, much bigger than a book. Her concentration was completely focused on Ramagi's car, a 7200 pounds limousine. Weight didn't matter for much, but it was still harder to work with something with such a big mass than a little notebook. She tried to clean her mind, and closed her eyes. She was in the middle of the field, but she didn't have much to worry about. The Moderators probably hadn't even noticed her yet. Finally it came; she felt the power rise through her and directed it on the luxurious car. Slowly, the limousine left the ground. Ramagi, inside the car, stop firing and started panicking. She had asked her driver, Denvish, to lock the doors in case someone would try to get to her and forgot about it. Now she was trapped into her own limousine which was for some reason levitating in the sky. Johnny Utah noticed it too. He stopped the Tank and pointed the canon towards the car. Finally Ramagi saw who was responsible of this abnormal act and recognized DTG... the girl who attempted a murder on her person. She aimed her revolver at her and shot twice. The first bullet missed but the second hit her left arm, breaking her concentration. DTG's hair fell back on her head as the limousine fell back to the ground. At the same time Johnny Utah fired with the Tank but the rocket missed the Limousine attracted by the sudden gravity and flew over it... heading straight for the New Ground Museum. Poxpower saw the projectile arrive right into his Sniper rifle's scope a few second before the building exploded. Ramagi's Limousine crashed on the ground, nose first, instantly killing its passenger.
DTG smiled. Finally.
MindChamber was getting hooked to the ground by Alastor and Afro Ninja, as more Moderators arrived in the combat. Carmilla and Nephthys were now side by side, fighting Wade Fulp. Wade was dodging all of their attacks but couldn't do anything himself, overwhelmed by the hits. Protège-Moi was fighting Ozcar and Sanjay was dealing with Zerok.

Will Stamper was looking at the fight from inside Bob's car. Bob had rejoined them a few minutes ago and was very nervous.
-We need to act soon, he said. If we launch it right now it will stop the Moderators...
He watched Alastor smash MindChamber's circuits with a maul as Afro Ninja and Red Circle were trying to avoid getting hit by his laser beams. Joe and Uber Barista were on top of the Tank and were trying to get it opened with a blow torch.
-You are right, Bob, said Tom. Will, I'll let you have this honor.
Tom Fulp reached under the seat for an old laptop and handed it to Stamper.
Stamper gazed the computer.
-Are you sure? he asked.
Tom nodded:
-Of course, go ahead. We've waited long enough. I guess we're going to have to find a new Moderator team after the Re-Design is complete... unless their brains are successfully wiped out by the process.
Stamper held his breath and pressed a button.
The Re-Design got launched. New Ground was no more. Only a few remained conscious: the members of the Administration Team. They gently put Ross' corpse inside the car and left the Village. In a few days the Village would become something different, something much bigger.
In a few days no one would remember what happened on this date, and everything that happened before.
Except maybe...

Epilogue

Nightcrawler was in pain. He'd need more human flesh soon. He had a long way to go back to rejoin his kind... and he'd have to teleport a lot to make the travel easier. He was close to a town though... he could smell it. He could also smell the lady chasing him; that Sadic Schoolgirl would never stop. Not until she had his head on a trophy. He had no idea of how could she track him so easily, but she was going to have a huge surprise when she'd find him... with a few friends at his side.
He smiled and teleported in the night.

Comments from the author: Thank you for reading this... I took me a while to finish this story but it was worth it. I hope you enjoyed, and feel free to give a feedback or such. I've had a lot of fun writing this story and I hope you've had a lot of fun reading it! Once again, if you find any horrible spelling mistakes, make sure you tell me!

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<=== Previous Part

A New Ground's Story - Part 11.2

Sarai dodged the first attack. But Zen was really fast. The tall black man already attacked her with his golden knuckle and almost got her head. She kicked him in the stomach, missing him but forcing him to stay back. She immediately grabbed her katana and pointed it on the masked man. But he wasn't afraid of the sharp blade. He swung his saw really fast and hit her sword, making her lose her arm stability. He immediately re-attacked but she was ready and finally punched him in the chest. Zen was really quick, but he was too impatient. He was charging her all the time so it was easy to counterattack. Her punch had destabilized him and he made a step back. She had the advantage.
But the second she thought this, the masked man made a front flip over her and somehow hit her behind the head. He was really fast. Faster than she thought. He tried to hit her with his saw but she crouched on the floor and kicked him in the legs, making him trip, sending him to the ground. She rose on her feet back again and attemped to stomp his chest. He rolled on her right and punched her right leg in the tibia. The pain was horrible, but it wouldn't stop her. She grabbed her katana with her two hands and pointed it to the ground, onto Zen's chest. She feigned an attack, to make him roll on the side again and almost got him on the second strike. He attacked right after with his saw, forcing Sarai to step back, leaving her katana jammed in the wooden floor. In one move, Zen rose and kicked Sarai in the stomach. Not being able to dodge it this time, she choked and lost her breath. Zen laughed. He slowly walked behind her and kicked in her knees, forcing her to kneel down. Sarai was paralyzed. She had lost the fight... it wasn't possible, not with all the things she had learned with William... She sensed a metal thing in her neck. He was about to cut her head off.
-We gave you a chance, Sarai, said Zen Gaijin. Now you'll die. For the Kharmah!
She closed her eyes. A whip noise. A body falling on the door. No more metal thing in her neck. Two more whip noises. Sarai opened her eyes. A woman was standing in the door, a silenced pistol smoking. How come this woman was here, standing here, pointing a gun on Noir after having saved her life? Zen Gaijin was down on the floor behind her, dead. So were DanAbnormal and Gunter.
-Protege-moi? asked Sarai to the girl.
She smiled.
-Of course it's me, dear. Long time to see, responded the woman with a smile and a wink.

Leaving SadicSchoolgirl's house, Vertigo hurried to Indian Wrestler's. He was already waiting for him in front of his isolated house.
-Come on, we got work to do, Indian, said Vertigo. They got FBI, but if we strike quickly, I'm sure we'll be able to get Nightcrawler. He's probably hiding somewhere in the forest. The problem will be finding him.
Indian questioned him with a look.
-He can teleport, or something similar, said the old man. Ozcar and probably all the Moderators are looking for him right now. They'll probably kill him as soon they find him. You know what does this mean?
Indian shook his head.
-The Moderators will be really busy. If we can get a couple, it would be great. But...
Someone coughed behind them. Surprised, they turned in direction of the noise. It was DanMalo, his monkey on his shoulder. He was smiling.
-A couple of what, Vertigo? he asked calmly.
Vertigo shrank back and stub on Indian's house.
So they were aware of his plans. They had sent DanMalo to stop him. But he'll fight. He wont be docile.
-You'll never have me alive, DanMalo, said Vertigo. Now let us go.
DanMalo made a step forward.
-No, he said.
Indian Wrestler advanced on him.
-You get out of here, said the Amerindian. It is my house and I don't want of you scum in my garden.
DanMalo made another step.
-Or what?
-Or I'm going to crush your bones, Moderator! shouted Indian Wrestler.
DanMalo put a hand in his vest, grabbed a silenced pistol and pointed it on them.
-I have more important things to do, right now than to fight you guys, said the Moderator So I'll do it clean and clear.
Vertigo didn't have the time to move. Indian Wrestler was already dead, a bullet in his head.
-I hope everyone discover what you're doing and get you traitors what you deserve. And I hope Nightcrawler eats you and all of your seed.
The second later, Vertigo was lying on the ground. Dead.

A New Ground's Story - Part 12

She pressed on the doorbell with her leather glove. Carmilla stepped back and waited. A young boy opened the door. It was Pauls with his friend Bahamut. They both looked at each other, surprised to see two Moderators standing in front of her door. Especially the Twins.
-Ummhh, how can we help you ladies? asked Pauls shyly.
Nephthys smiled.
-We need to scour this building, sweethearts, she said. We think someone we are looking for is hiding in your building. Mind if everyone in the building gets outside while we do our researches?
Pauls looked nervous. Bahamut swallowed with difficulty.
-It's because... started Pauls.
Nephthys slammed her whip.
-We are not looking for drug, said Carmilla with a soothing voice. We are looking for a murderer. Tell everyone to get out or my sis' will have pleasure to make sure you never tell anything anymore.
Pauls sighed and Bahamut stepped back.
-Of course, my ladies, get in. We'll get everyone outside.
Bahamut faced a wall where the intercom was. He pressed a button and asked everyone in the building to get their asses outside. Slowly, the building got evacuated and the Moderators smiled. Nightcrawler didn't seem to be in the crowd. He was probably hiding somewhere in the building.
Nephthys climbed on a truck lying near the apartment and called for attention.
-Fellow New Grounders, she said loudly with her seductive voice. I require your attention.
Everyone turned to Nephthys. Rejoining the group, GreenLanturn and his wife Moloko stood attentive. They were quite nervous, just as Pauls, Bahamut and Fluffykins. The Twins were probably looking for Nightcrawler. The security guard had hidden his old friend in this building, confident the huntresses wouldn't think about looking for his old friend there, the apartment being too crowded to hide a criminal. Moloko put her hand in his while he was listening at Nephthys.
-We have called every one of you people to help us. We are looking for Nightcrawler, the Museum's director. He... mysteriously disappeared and we would require finding him. So if anyone can give us any information it would really be gentle. And trust me; if you have any information about them, you better give them to us. And if unfortunately you know where he hides, you hide him or you simply defy the authority, we'll have to use strength. I know from a trustable source that Nightcrawler is hidden in this building. And remember, I have all the rights to kill. So don't let me have to.
GreenLanturn looked at Moloko. Pauls approached him from behind.
-What do we do? he whispered to GreenLanturn's ear. You are the one who put us all in this trouble.
The officer didn't turn at him but whispered:
-You put yourself in trouble by doing all those drugs, you and your friends. You accepted to hide Nightcrawler if I don't get you guys' asses into the Asylum, remember. Now shut up and stay quiet.
Pauls threw a dark look at GreenLanturn and returned with Fluffykins and Bahamut. Of course he won't get help from this bastard security guard. Now he and his two friends were in a grave danger. They had to leave New Ground before the Twins discover the old man they had hidden in the janitor's lounge. He looked at the apartment's door anxiously. Some curious people were rejoining the crowd as the Twins were discussing.
Finally, Nephthys sat on the truck while Carmilla entered the building.
"Nephthys stays here to prevent Nightcrawler from escaping..." thought GreenLanturn. "Good luck, buddy..." And he pulled his wife's hand, leaving the place before the Twins see him.

SadicSchoolgirl, her brand new FN-P90 rifle in her bag, joined the crowd grouped near Nephthys. She had to enter this building. She was sure Nightcrawler was somewhere into it, hiding from the Moderators. But the Twins would to find him. Nobody could hide from the Twins, even a sneaky bastard like Nightcrawler. They'll find him, and Sadic would kill him.

Nightcrawler was ready for anything that could come out of the door in front of him. His pistol in his right hand, sitting on a chair and smoking a cigarette, he was waiting. Pauls had assured that he wouldn't be in danger there. Nightcrawler was hungrier than ever. He should have asked some meat to his protectors. Everyone had been evacuated so he had no hope to catch someone in this building. He would have to go outside, but there some dirty Moderator would immediately catch him. His stomach gurgled.

A New Ground's Story - Part 12.2

The sun was falling. It was time to pack everything up and leave the cave that had hidden Lidov and herself from Jade, the Asylum's assassin. Lidov was already ready, his backpack set. DancingTurkeyGod finally went outside and he followed her. The book written by liljim in her arms, she walked towards the cliff and stopped.
-Why do you stop? asked Lidov nervously. We have to hurry and get to the village...
-I sense a presence... said DTG.
Lidov nodded.
-You "sense"? he asked.
-I told you I wasn't normal, said the girl. And WATCH OUT!
She stepped back, pulling Lidov's arm.
Her hearth had barely stopped... suddenly the sky became so dark they couldn't see further than ten yards in front of them.
Then, it appeared.
A white and brilliant apparition, contrasting with the sky's darkness was standing before them. Blinded, Lidov fell on the floor. DTG, amazed stood a few seconds watching the spirit until her eyes starts itching. She immediately realized what was happening and put her sunglasses on, took a look a Lidov on the ground, his arms on his eyes, and then looked at the apparition.
With her sunglasses, it appeared like a tall and strongly built naked white men. And it appeared he wasn't immaterial.
-Shrapnel! What do you want?
"Those secrets will never leave this cave." said the voice. "You live if you stay in it. You die if you leave."
-Oooh now I'm scared, Shrapnel... said DTG with sarcasm in her voice. You know children of New Grounds are afraid of you? The parents tell stories about you being a ghost who hunts people that adventures in the forest during night...
Shrapnel stood silent.
-But, you know what mate? continued DTG, while taking something in her backpack. You know ghosts are immaterial right?
Shrapnel stepped back, surprised, but he immediately walked on her, taller and bigger than ever.
"You dare doubt my existence? Imprudent whelp... I may be material but I'm still more powerful than ever! This forest is mine! "
Then quickly, DancingTurkeyGod gave a little kick in Lidov's tibia and pulled one of his arms. Shrapnel, angered, started charging on them, but DTG stepped back, and pulled something from her bag. Just when the Moderator arrived to their height, she took a super-glue stick from her bag, opened it and threw it in the paper bag she just pulled from her bag, put the bag on Shrapnel and yelled at Lidov:
-NOW IT'S TIME TO RUN!
Taking liljim's book, Lidov and DancingTurkeyGod escaped from the cliff and arrived back in the forest while Shrapnel was wandering around, blinded, and unable to remove the bag from his head.
That's how the legend of Shrapnel's paper bag was born.

A New Ground's story - Part 13.1

When Carmilla closed the apartment's door behind her, all the noise from the crowd around Nephthys stopped. Humidity smell. Glowing light bulbs. Flaked off doors. This apartment was dark.
"I like this place." thought Carmilla. "Nightcrawler has taste to get the best hiding spots... But now I have no idea where can he be hiding in this 10 floors building... It's time to think like a crazy cannibalistic old man thing."
She kicked the first door she saw, which fell on the floor, broken in half and entered the room. It was a clean apartment, with a clean kitchen, a clean bathroom, clean closets, a clean chamber, and a clean lounge. No signs of Nightcrawler.
Next apartment maybe.
Apartment number two: same diagnostic. No beast hiding under the bed. Same for three, four and five.
Arrived at number 6, she got more difficulty to break the door. It had security lockets, and probably an alarm, and it took her four kicks to make a way through the busted door. Then she realized why the door was reinforced: Drug. Drug, everywhere. It was probably Bahamut and pals' apartment. Time to look for something more suspicious in this apartment than weed or pills... Carmilla's cat eyes were sweeping into the room's shadows. She entered the kitchen, looked in the closets, in the laundry (God it stinks), in the fridge (more drug), in their rooms (what a mess), and finally in their lounge (more drug). Nothing, except for one little detail; the answering machine in the living room was showing a flashing new message. She clicked the "Play" button and heard with satisfaction:
"You have one new message: Wednesday eight thirty-three PM.
Hey boys, it's GreenLanturn. I've just heard the Twins knew Nightcrawler was here. Either you guys hide him really well either you guys get the fuck out of the town with my friend I hope you are doing one of those two things right now... otherwise, you will have trouble with the Twins. And trust me; you kids DON'T want to have trouble with those girls. Not only are they dangerous, but they are also unpredictable. So be careful, and intelligent. I know I can trust you guys."
Carmilla laughed with excitation.
-"I know I can trust you guys."... I will tell GreenLanturn they denounced him before he dies... New hints! The investigation goes on!

Sadic Schoolgirl saw Carmilla enter the apartment while everyone was grouped around Nephthys. It was time to get in action. She circled the building and arrived at a back door, took a crowbar in her bag and forced it. The young widow entered the apartment's dark storage room and opened a flashlight. She had prepared everything to avenge her husband. Her bag was a perfect little spy kit. Now she had to sneak out, find Carmilla, and wait for her to discover Nightcrawler's hideout. Fun time in perspective.

When Nightcrawler heard the first door getting bashed out, he understood something was wrong. The Moderators knew he was hiding in this building. He had to use his powers in order to find out who was looking for him, and try to stop him. He was really tired though, and really hungry. He should have eaten FBIpolux and killed the others...
"Being old is a pain" he thought before teleporting somewhere into the Apartment.
"But the hunt is starting."

A New Ground's story - Part 13.2

Protège-moi laughed.
-Always here for you, sister, she said with a smile. Now, tell me how you have almost lost to that Zen Gaijin guy... He looked pretty pathetic with his rusty saw.
Sarai looked at her old-time friend, still exhausted and confused from the fight she just had.
-He got me by surprise... she said, rising on her feet. But... what are you doing here anyways? Weren't you supposed to be traveling around the world, hunting people?
Protège-moi nodded.
-I am doing my job sis... right now. I have to kill a murderer that's supposed to be in here. Maybe you have seen him... he has cut some guys' heads off or something. He's who I'm hunting right now... but I have no idea of how he looks.
-You just killed him, fool... said a voice from behind. He was our best eraser and you killed him... It was a big mistake you girls did by coming here... you know nothing... you... you... just ruined everything.
Protège-moi pointed her gun at him. He stopped talking but looked at them with an amused eye.
-Well, I'm happy, she started, wide-looking at Sarai. I saved one of my best friends I've ever had, completed my hunt and will even get a little bonus!
Noir's amusement faded.
-If you do this, you will just bring New Ground to its end, he said deeply.
Protège-moi laughed again.
-You seriously think I care? Who are you anyways, the Pope?
Noir looked at Sarai.
-You! You do care about the Village. You know I am right... spare my life and you will save New Ground. I... I will tell you everything. But you have to promise me you will not tell anything, at least not until the Administrators have taken the Problem in hand.
Sarai looked at him, intrigued.
-The Administrators?
-New Ground's real leaders. Ramagi is only their puppet. Or she is supposed to be, at least... Recently, one of the Administrators discovered a terrible secret with the help of one of our loyal servant: The Moderators are preparing a revolt. They want to rule over New Ground alone, without any Administrator to lead them, without anyone to stop them from breaking the rules themselves. We don't know how do they want to process yet, but we know they are preparing something. This is why we started the Karmah, which I am leading; this is why we started the New Ground's security services. We must prevent whatever the Moderators are planning to do to happen, and by any way. Luckily we have a loyal spy among them. But they are strong... stronger than us. This is why we need any help we can get.
Sarai listened at him until she realized something:
-If you are so good, and the Moderators so bad, why does your Organization keep killing innocent people amongst the New Ground's population?
Noir laughed.
-Innocent? All the people Zen Gaijin assassinated were criminals that had something to do with the Moderators... spies, assassins, etc. We have never killed any innocent person. But they do. When they feel someone is becoming a menace for them, they do their best to ban them from the Village using any option they can. For example, Dan Malo once assassinated all a men's family, accused him of the crime and banned him just because they didn't like him. Then they spread stories about him being a dangerous criminal haunting New Ground's woods to scare everyone so they don't adventure there.
-You mean Jeremy Lokken? asked Sarai...
-Yeah that's it, continued Noir. Guess why they have banned you Sarai... when we heard about this we immediately knew you could help us one day.
Protège-moi stepped back.
-Wait a second... she said. This isn't right. If your Assassin, this Zen Gaijin guy was only killing dangerous people for New Ground, why in the name of Ebaums World would the Security Commander Nev, who's supposed to be working for you... he's working for you right?
-Yes, answered Noir.
Protège-moi looked confused.
-Why the hell did he ask me to kill Zen Gaijin then?
Noir's jaw opened wide.
-WHAT?! That...
He lost his breath but regained it after coughing a bit.
-That bastard... he has the total control over every Security officers in New Ground... what have he done?
-He told every guards of the Village to look for the muderer... said Sarai. He said he sent all his mans to investigate on this...
-Which means... started Protège-moi.
Noir sighed.
-Which means New Ground is completely open for the Moderators right now, he said. Nev is a traitor. Hopefully I will maybe be able to do something about it. I need to call for help this time. And I will need your help also, girls.
Sarai nodded, then looked at Protège-moi.
-I'll do whatever you need me to. And I'm sure my friend will come also.
Protège-moi's eyes blasted Sarai.
-I guess I'll come... What do you want us to do?
Noir smiled.
-Welcome aboard. Your first mission will be to find Sanjay in New Ground. Don't let any other Moderator see you.
Sarai's eyes opened wide.

A New Ground's Story - Part 14.1

Sanjay's eyes opened wide.

Something's wrong.

It was about seven o'clock PM when he finally realized something was wrong in New Grounds. First of all, why did Nev order all the security guards to leave the town so they can investigate on the town's murderer when they already knew it was Zen Gaijin's work? Unless the Kharmah changed their plans without telling him... But why would they remove every security guards from New Ground? Now the town is wide-open for the Moderators... well the others Moderators at least. Sanjay never asked to be a Mod, or ever wanted to become one. When the Administrators offered him the job, he had no choice but to accept it. He was too scared of dying... he had no choice. Death, or being taken away from his friends, his mates and his allies. He accepted Wade's offer. He was still wondering how it concluded in the East... He accepted the offer, and left his country.

Two years ago...

Rain was falling like nails on Sanjay's back. He was now alone... His girlfriend was lost, his friend had left him. He never cried about it, since it was totally his fault, and only his fault. Regrets, but no crying. He had to leave town as soon as possible. His country was far too dangerous lately... for him at least. He, his friend and their new "group" had tried a REALLY stupid thing in a country where you CAN'T do stupid things, especially not the REALLY stupid ones. In the East, where the sun never sleeps, where the deserts were eating the agriculture a bit more every year, slowly dooming this country. Experts from the North once came down in their lost country and declared that it was a dead region, and that everyone in the East should try to find a new home, and abandon their natal country.
Those experts never came back in theirs.
At this time, the East was ruled by a tyrant, Josh Bedn. When his father the king died, probably assassinated by his son, Bedn stole the throne and started his tyranny over the East. He rallied the Army to his cause, and then the problems started for the population. Murdering, raping, robbing, the Army started to haunt the whole country. The black Raid, that's how the army was called by the citizens. Everyone was talking about rebellion, everyone was talking about leaving the country, but no one was doing anything. Enough was enough. This is how he, Sanjay, and his best friend Arab Freak decided to get in action. There was already an existing Rebel Group, called the Star Syndicate, which was pretty active in the East. Rumors said they were undercover soldiers from the North, sent by a big city to find what happened of their experts. When the SS found out what was happening in the East, they decided to try something themselves. But Bedn wasn't an easy prey. One day, the Star Syndicate decided to finally rally the population and incite a coup on their king. It could have worked... but Bedn had a lot of spies. When Arab Freak and Sanjay heard of the coup, they decided to join the population rebelling on their king. They were about ten thousand, waiting in a camp at one mile from the East's capital and throne, Retrogade. The Star Syndicate should have won this, they had twice more soldiers (including the Eastern people) than the black Raid had. But when the assault started, the problems started. Bedn had a lot of spies. Coming from behind them as they were marching on the capital stealthily, the black Raid charged them. The battle got really bloody, but Sanjay was used to it, being his village's butcher. When the Star Syndicate got stuck between Retrogade and the black Raid, people started to flee, quickly killed by Retrogade's snipers, comfortably installed in their towers. Sanjay understood that there was no escape to this battle, and that they had already lost. He was facing death as the black Raid was charging his group. Arab Freak shooting fiercely with his AK-47. This is when Wade appeared. An exit door he called himself, as a presentation. He quickly asked if Sanjay was interested in living, and Moderating a small village far, far away. Sanjay watched around him quickly, confused. Arab Freak was yelling something at him. Bullets were flying everywhere, killing his companions. When a bullet hit his shoulder, he turned to the apparition and yelled:
"Yes, take me out of there!" Wade Fulp smiled. "Welcome in the Team."
Then everything became white.
He woke up in a little bed, his instruction sheet on the top of a desk.
Welcome in the Team.

Sanjay never wanted all this to happen. All he wanted was to stay in his country, living his peaceful life with his girlfriend, his family his farm and his friends. God he missed his girlfriend, and Arab Freak; which got both killed the day Sanjay left. One raped to death, and the other shot in the head.

He put his cooking knife back on the counter after washing it. The day was over. Time to go home... if he ever considered this place as his home... He was about to leave the hotel's kitchen when he heard a noise from behind the counter. He stopped his movement, and looked behind him. Nev was there, standing near the oven. DanMalo was next to him, looking in the fridge.
-Hi Osamarama, said Nev.
Sanjay stepped back, surprised to see Nev using his ancient name, and surprised to see them there.
-What's happening? asked Sanjay. You need me for something? I'm pretty busy right now.
DanMalo turned to him.
-Why didn't you come to the meeting this morning? We asked to every Moderator to come.
Sanjay looked at the Asian Moderator.
-I never heard of any meeting... started Sanjay.
DanMalo laughed, his monkey not on his shoulder, but on the counter, eating an apple he found in the fridge.
-You know Osama, we're not all that stupid. Your treachery was easy to detect. Your close relation with Nev and the Security Guards wasn't really well-hidden to us. But well, you can thanks Nev for pointing it out and confirming out thoughts.
-You were with them all this time? yelled Sanjay at Nev. You're a traitor!
Nev pulled a gun out of his hostler and pointed it on the Moderator.
-Of course, you fool. The Kharmah doesn't offer enough. I needed more... And this is why I joined the Moderators some time ago. But anyways, you will die today, so it doesn't matters. The Kharmah will lose their only chance to win against us. The Twins are back, and we're about to finally take control of the Village once and for all. Now die, mother fucker.
Nev pressed his pistol's trigger, but no shot came.
The pistol's cannon fell on the ground.
-What the... said DanMalo.
Nev's mouth opened, but no noise came out of it. The last noise it made was the sound of his teeth hitting the ground as his head fell off his body.
A girl was standing on the counter, as if she had been hiding there that whole time... invisible.
-Hi Sanjay, said Protège-Moi. Need help?

<=== Previous Part of the Story l Next Part of the Story ===>

A New Ground's Story - Part 8.3

The thing that entered the room directly jumped on Shoujou, attacking her with a huge chainsaw. He was wearing an old-school hockey mask, hiding his traits. He was tall and brawn. His clothes were all ratty and he had large construction boots. He forced Shoujou to stay back, his chainsaw menacing to cut her in piece. Nightcrawler was about to help her when the man turned on him and said behind his hockey mask, with an horribly deformed voice:
-You don't anything do or I slice body. Gotta kill ripper.
Taking advantage of that distraction, Shoujou tried to attack the man with a kick in the back but, with incredible reflexes, he turned around and sliced her foot.
She immediately fell on the ground, screaming. It was the first time Vertigo had heard the white-haired girl make a noise from her mouth and what he heard paralyzed him. It was freezing his bones, destroying all the happiness in his brain. He fell on the ground again and tried to crawl in direction of her to make this cry stop. Faster than him, and unaffected by the shriek's effect, the man slashed her head off.
-NO! screamed Nightcrawler. Vegeton, you monster, you... you killed Shoujou...
He grabbed his gun with is valid hand and pointed it on Vegeton. The huge man didn't react.
-She stolen territory. Had to kill. Plus had to save Old man.
Nightcrawler laughed. Obviously, this monster liked laughing.
-You failed, Vegeton, he said. You failed again. You will die, and the Old man will die too. I wish you a lot of fun in Heaven.
He pointed his gun on Vegeton and a gunshot broke the night.
But it hasn't been fired by Nightcrawler. Someone was standing in the living room's opened door. His shotgun pointed to the roof, still smoking. His sombrero was hiding his face, but it was certain of who was behind it. Ozcar entered the room with a slow gait. He finally pointed his shotgun on Nightcrawler.
-Put that gun down, Nightcrawler, he said with his Spanish accent.
Vertigo managed to sit on a sofa. He was looking at the scene with apprehension.
-Nicholas Joseph Fury! Or should I say, Ozcar? said Nightcrawler. Welcome in the Museum. But it's closed tonight. Could you come back tomorrow, please?
Ozcar didn't respond, move or anything.
-Moderator, gotta kill human eater, said Vegeton.
The Moderator looked at the masked man.
-You live in the sewers don't you? he asked. We wanted to get you, but we have never been able to find you. Well, there will be two monsters out of New Ground's tonight!
-What? said Vegeton with a stupid voice.
Suddenly, surprising everyone, he pointed his shotgun on Vegeton and shot.
The deflagration threw him on the wall, painting it in red. One moment, the giant stood on his feet, but he finally fell on the floor, his head wide open by the shotgun deflagration. Ozcar smiled, put his sombrero right and looked at Nightcrawler and Vertigo.
-Well, goodbye Nightcrawler, he said. I will find someone to inherit this manor. This time I will make no mistake.
As he pointed the gun on the humanoid, Nightcrawler smiled.
-Good luck, Moderator, he said slowly.
-I hope bloody hell has still a place for you! shouted Vertigo.
-Where I'm sending him is worse than hell. Adios, amigo.
And he shot.
But Nightcrawler was faster. He was way faster than any man ever used to be. When the bullet got shot, he had disappeared, leaving gray smoke at the place he was a few milliseconds ago.
-What the... said Ozcar. He disappeared!!
And he left the house, leaving Vertigo alone in the house, shocked by all the things he had lived in the night. Finally, he remembered. FBIpolux... he approached him. But he was dead. He had lost a great quantity of blood. He had to inform Sadic Schoolgirl... and get out of the Manor.

A New Ground's Story - Part 9.1

They had finally reached the Forest. The descent had been a pretty extenuating ordeal. The second they had arrived under the coverage of the New Ground's dark trees, they took a quick pause. Scott's arm was injured, but he wasn't complaining. They were all really tired. Even DancingTurkeyGod wanted to stop for a few minutes. Lidov was trying to find out in which part of the Forest they had fallen in. When DTG accidentally put her feet in some murky water, there was no doubt: They had arrived in the marshes. Immediately, the young girl got a flash;
-Jeremy Lokken! He lives in these marshes... I'm sure he will help us. He helped me once, when Ramagi banned me.
Lidov's mouth opened widely with fear.
-Jeremy... Lokken? asked ScottMale. You mean that crazy old man who lives in the Forest?
-Crazy, crazy... said DancingTurkeyGod. I'm supposedly crazy too, aren't I? DanMalo sprayed crazy rumors about him after he got banned. He said he had murdered his family, burrowed them in the Forest and...
-And? asked Lidov.
But she wasn't listening at him. She was looking at the trees. All her senses up. Scottmale drew his handgun and questioned her.
-I've just heard something from behind us. We're not alone. Let's move! Let's go to Lokken's house... if we can find it.
Luckily, after walking five minutes in the muddy marsh, they arrived at the researched house. House wasn't the word. If they could have find a word for it, they would have called it a "shack". But it was all right for the moment. Lidov knocked on the door. No response. He knocked again, but DTG opened the door. Inside, it was pretty clean, for a small hut in the middle of a marsh.
-He's not here... she said.
She entered the house, followed by Lidov.
A gun shot. A pain noise. A corpse falling in the water.
-NO! shouted Lidov.
A woman was standing just outside of the door. ScottMale at her feet. She was holding a long dagger covered of blood.
They immediately went back inside. Closed the door and blocked it with an old table.
-We must get out of here, said DancingTurkeyGod. The Asylum wants us dead, I think.
-She got ScottMale... slowly said Lidov. She killed him...
DTG looked for an exit.
-Follow me! she said before jumping in a window without any hesitation.

After leaving Night Crawler's Manor, Ozcar immediately went back on his horse and hurried to the Mountain. After thirty minutes, when he finally reached the Asylum, he fired with his rifle.
-I need back-up! he shouted.
A couple of minutes after, the Asylum's entrance doors opened. Funk was standing in the hall, outfitted as always with his long leather coat covered of metal spikes. DanMalo was next to him, along with Ron.
-Funk, I need the twins badly, said Ozcar in a breath. Tell them to start hunting for the old Nightcrawler. They better not fail, this Nightcrawler doesn't belong to New Ground anymore. Tell them to kill him on sight when they'll find him. He was too quick for me; I hope they will be able to get him...
Funk smiled.
-They never fail.

A New Ground's Story - Part 9.2

Another car arrived in front of the huge iron doors protecting the Asylum. Again, they were just opened enough to let someone pass. Protege-moi closed her Chevy's door. She grabbed a silenced 9mm pistol, a couple of hand grenades, some night vision goggles and a long knife in the car's boot and put it all in her small backpack. She loaded the pistol and put it in her holster. She'll always love her job. She took a water draft and locked her car's doors. Protege-moi crossed the doors with feline steps. Once again, she would use every thing she had learned from her master. When she was still an adolescent, Protege-moi had joined an Auto-defense class in Macromedia City, where she used to live before. She had been attacked by a man and almost got raped when she was an adolescent. Luckily, a man arrived and kicked her aggressor's ass out. Aggressor which died a few days later at the hospital from a broken spine and internal bleeding. Protege-moi was so thankful to the man who had saved her that he proposed she join his personal and private school. She gladly accepted. At the beginning, she only went at his school for a few hours per week. The first time she went there, she had been really surprised. Her Master, called "the Mystic William", had created an underground and secret association. Only some rare and talented persons were allowed in it. The locals were located in an abandoned Gym, in the middle of the town. They were a good ten students, all young girls like her. It didn't surprise her when she saw that their training area was an old boxing arena. What surprised her was the speed at which their performances were increasing, with the help of Mystic William's teaching. Quickly, she became lethal and dangerous. After 1 year of training, she was able to knock out somewhere holding a gun pointed at her 40 meters away before he shoots. In this class she learned Kung-fu, Judo, karate, brawl fighting, street fighting, gun, sword and bow handling. Plus she learned a bit of the Ninjitsu art, katana handling and nunchaku fighting. After having trained for four years, she finally reached her 20th birthday, and decided to become a bounty huntress. Supported by her best friend Sarai, another student of Myst William, she finally started her new job, even if her parents hated her for this. Most of Myst William's students followed her path. But some others, like Sarai, preferred to live a peaceful life. Therefore some others wanted blood. Like the Twins. Everyone called them the Twins because they were always together. Carmilla and Nephthys, the two sadistic huntresses. They had lived many horrors in their lives, according to the few things Myst William said about them. They had entered the school before her, and left it when she was 19. She had totally lost their trace and wasn't really bothered about it. They had always been the best but also the most merciless of all the students. She would have liked to stay in Myst William's school for a couple more years but mysteriously, he disappeared, leading to the school's end. At the same time, she got her first contract: assassinating HilariousGenocide, a member of the NBS, a British association.
And now she was standing in front of the biggest challenge she ever faced. Entering the New Ground's Asylum, kidnapping a murderer and bringing him back to the Village. Her hardest challenge so far, definitely. She was ready. Myst William had been like the father she never had. He helped her progress all the way to what she had become today: a rich bounty huntress fearsome and famous. Nev was sure the murderer was hiding somewhere in that ancient and huge building. She would have to find out where this murderer, whoever he was, was hiding. She had no clues. No idea. Nothing. Except a little thing Nev said about a motorbike. It wouldn't help her much though. She continued on the little path leading to the Asylum's entrance. There were no guards, nobody in the yard, which was strange. She finally entered the great hall. The Greek architecture first stupefied her, but she had to concentrate on her mission. She looked for doors. There were three. One of them leading to the staircase, two others leading to some corridors. She headed to the stairs, going up. But as she entered the stairs, a big and tall man appeared from a door. His leather coat was covered of long metal spikes and he was looking at the girl with hatred, a long whip in his right hand, ready to strike.
-What are you doing here? asked the giant to Protege-moi.
She took her distances staying out of the whip's range.
-Doing my job, handsome boy. Would you let me, please?
Funk didn't smile and repeated his question.
-I'm doing my job, all right! Now let me go or I'll have to kill you.
Funk finally smiled.
-I'll have to do mine, now, he said.
And he released his whip. With agility, Protege-moi managed to dodge it and tried to grab her pistol. But the supposedly missed whip grabbed her left foot, forcing her to fall on the ground violently. Funk approached her, put a foot on her chest and laughed.
-You were doing what? he asked with a sarcastic tone. Please repeat, girl.
She tried to breath, but Funk's foot was choking her. She tried to grab her knife, but it was out of her range. Finally, she got an idea. The simplest thing and probably the first thing Myst William had taught to them. She kicked the giant in the nuts with her right foot. Immediately, he released her and she finally grabbed her silenced pistol, shot three times in the head and gave the corpse a good kick.
-I was doing my job, handsome boy.

A New Ground's Story - Part 9.3

Sarai immediately reloaded her crossbow. Now she had to get out of that room. She grabbed her katana lying on the ground and moved to the door in front of her. But as she was walking to it, a couple of people arrived in the room from a third door behind her. "The security" she thought.
-Drop your weapons! yelled someone behind her as she dropped her katana, turning to face her new opponents and hiding her crossbow in her back.
There was two mans in front of her. They were standing 20 meters away from her, pointing a pistol on her. They had some strange signs on their chests and she recognized their faces. They were both ancient residents of New Ground, just like her. The guy at her left was named Gunter. He used to be a lumberjack for the village. He had disappeared a few years ago and now it looked like he was working for the Asylum. She would have to investigate on this. The second person was DanAbnormal. He used to live in the village too, but he had been chased from it after everyone thought he had killed Olskoo, an ancient Moderator. And seeing him now working for the Asylum was strange. He also used to work for the NBS, an association reputed for their crimes. Why would they hire a weirdo and maybe a criminal to protect this secret building? There was no time for questions at the moment, though.
-I said drop your weapons! yelled Gunter again.
She dropped her crossbow and prepared herself for some action. Her body was ready. Now she had to wait for the good moment.
-Now raise your hands and come with us, slowly said Gunter.
Sarai started to move in their direction. But when she saw DanAbnormal's concentration started to dissolve, she passed to action. Quickly, she crouched behind a seat and jumped a few meters on her left. A couple of bullets got shot in direction of the seat she was standing behind a few seconds ago. She went round a seat row and sneakily arrived behind Gunter. She sent a kick directly to his head, throwing him face first to the ground. DanAbnormal turned to her but she was too fast. She had already approached him and kicked him in the stomach. He fell on the ground, unconscious and choked. She grabbed their guns, threw them in the fireplace, grabbed her katana and her crossbow and ran to the door she was heading to before those two guards arrived. For a second she got a flashback. She went back to the bodies... there was a sign on their shirts... A Ying-Yang sign... Could they be the murderers? "Probably not" she told herself. They looked more like security guards than serial killers to her. She would have to talk about this to Jeremy Lokken when she'll find him. She ran to the door again and opened it. Another long and white corridor filled of metal doors and at its end, another staircase.
-I hate stairs... she sighed before starting the ascension.

A New Ground's Story - Part 10.1

Vertigo had just left the house for the second time this night, leaving behind him a destroyed woman. When she heard the death of her husband, she totally unhooked from reality. She didn't immediately cry, but also didn't say a word. Vertigo said FBI's corpse was at X-stem's house since the Morgue was closed for the night. When Vertigo closed her house's door, she fell on an armchair and finally cried. After a couple of minutes, she finally raised on her feet. She had to do something. She was strong, she wasn't dead. She was able to do something. She'll just need a weapon. Luckily, Twilight's armory would still be open. She had to avenge her dead husband and slay the monster everyone used to know as Nightcrawler.

LostChances had just left SlipperyMooseCake's bar. He was dizzy and drunk, as always. He walked all along the principal road directly to the central fountain. The streets were calm and empty, since it was past midnight. The drunken bum sat near the fountain and began singing. After finishing I'm singing in the rain, he laughed alone and almost fell in the fountain's water. Suddenly, a cold and bitter wind raised and he shivered. He restarted humming and he clutched his ratty clothes, looking for some heat. Then he saw a shadow moving in front of him. His vision, reduced by the alcohol, wasn't able to determinate what or who was in front of him. He heard footsteps. Someone was coming near him. Something approached him, looked at him and laughed with a feminine and angelic voice.
-Leave me alone, yougchter! yelled LostChances to the person in front of him.
The women laughed again said something. LostChances realized there was two persons in front of him all dressed in black. He managed to see a smile before he gets pushed in the fountain. He felt in the glacial water of the fountain in his back and almost stifled in it. He managed to grip on the fountain's central statue, with a burst of laugher coming from the two women. The water awakened LostChances a bit and he hauled up out of the water, falling at the girls' feet. He tried to rise on his feet but one of the women kicked him in the stomach, choking him.
-Let's move, Neph, said one of the girls. We have a job to do, we'll play later.
The denominated Neph turned to the other girl and said:
-Just one second, mate. I want to get rid of this stupid drunk hobo. He's just a nuisance to the Village and to himself.
LostChances felt something really strong grabbed him by the collar. Defenseless, he got dragged all over the street until they arrive in front of the drain trap. One of the women opened it and smiled.
-Have a good night!
And they threw him in the stinky hole. Nobody ever saw him anymore.

GreenLanturn was patrolling in the Village. Since the three murders occured, security had been raised to a higher level. He arrived at New Ground's central place, where the fountain was shooting water. He sat there for a couple of minutes. There was a cold and bitter wind attacking his skin. He zipped his officer coat and waited. The night was going to be long. Finally, two voices echoed from behind him. He turned and saw a duo he had only seen once in his live. The Twins. They approached the fountain. He immediately greeted them.
-Welcome in the Village, Moderators!
Carmilla and Nephthys smiled to him.
-Hi there, security officer, said Carmilla. What are you doing here, late at night?
GreenLanturn was surprised they didn't know about the new security enforcement but didn't say a word about it.
-I'm patrolling the streets with a couple of other officers. After the three murders in the forest, security has been augmented.
Carmilla smiled.
-Yeah, murders, she said. We know about that. We have to find a crazy murderer that just killed someone. Have you seen Nightcrawler tonight, during your patrol?
GreenLanturn was surprised. Why would the search for Nightcrawler? He couldn't have killed someone this night...
-No sir, I'm afraid I haven't see him for a while. What happened?
Nephthys looked at the manor, visible from anywhere in the Village.
-Lots of stuff, she responded. Thank you for your time, officer.
And they left, quickly disappearing in the shadows. "Why the hell could the Twins be looking for Nightcrawler?" asked GreenLanturn to himself. He had to find his old friend and prevent him.

A New Ground's Story - Part 10.2

Sarai was in front of the final door. She was standing in front of the highest door and the last door of the staircase. The door was telling her to stay out and to turn back with a "No trespassing" panel. She tried to open it. Locked. She staved into it without any hesitation or difficulty and landed in another dark room. But this time, she was able to see what was in the room. The first thing she saw was the huge Ying-Yang symbol on the wall in front of her. The second thing she saw was the man standing in front of it. Then she looked at the details quickly. The room was enlightened by candles and there were armchairs lying everywhere. Sarai felt like if she had entered the main room of a sect. There were Ying-Yang symbols everywhere. The man in front of her was staring at her. He wasn't moving or attempting anything. He was just looking at her. She couldn't see his face but she knew he was probably evaluating her from his gaze.
-Welcome in the Kharmah Headquarters, Sarai! finally said the man. My name is Noir, I hope you will like your stay in the Asylum.
Sarai stood ready but she didn't understand how come this man knew her name. She wasn't moving and prepared her sword in case of a trap.
-Now tell me, said Sarai with no diplomacy, what in name of Tom is this Kharmah thing?
She couldn't see Noir's face, but she was sure he was grinning.
-The Kharmah, the Kharmah... he started. Without it you would probably be dead right now. We have a really important role into the Village's community. Let's say that we are trying to keep things calm.
-I thought it was the Moderators' job... said Sarai with suspicion.
Noir laughed.
-Of course it's their job. But they have more important things to do. So they use us to do their dirty job. Sometimes they act, when they need to ban - because we can't ban anyone from the village - to get some respect or just to make an inspection. We got many agents in the village. Most the Security officers work for us. But anyway, why are you here, Sarai? You're looking for a job?
-No, she responded. I'm looking for a murderer.
Noir stood up and started walking in her direction. He was unarmed but she had to stay alert.
-You still haven't figured out why we killed those three men? asked Noir. When we have to kill people, it's for New Ground's security. Zef, CrazyRat and HeavenDuff got decapitated because they were representing danger for you, the Administration and me. We had no choice we were doing our job. Have I responded to your questions?
Sarai wide-looked at him. Why was he telling her all those secrets? As if he had read in her mind, Noir responded to her question:
-I told you this for one reason, Sarai - he took a pause - Do you want to join the Kharmah and help us? Your talents are needed. We are near a revolution and we need weapons. Weapons like you.
Sarai didn't even think about her answer. She immediately refused.
-No! she said. I don't want to murder people for your sinister organization.
Then two people arrived from the door she had bashed. She looked at the newcomers and saw it was only DanAbnormal and Gunter, the two guards she had knocked out.
-Sir! She escaped and... started Gunter before realizing Sarai was standing between him and Noir. What's happening here?
He pointed his pistol on her and aimed the head.
-Do we...?
-No, said Noir calmly. I can take care of that. Can you guys please take a seat?
Gunter looked confused, but he and Dan said in chorus:
-Yes sir.
-Now lets come back to our discussion, Sarai, said Noir.
Sarai shook her head.
-I said no. I don't want to work for you. I want to find out who murdered those persons and...
-You didn't understand a thing! interrupted Noir, his voice had lost all its kindness. We do this to prevent New Ground from being destroyed by an incoming event. I can't say a lot more, but I can say it's coming. Join us or you will die. And I'm not trying to manipulate you or menace you. I'm being one hundred percent honest and realistic.
Sarai walked back.
-Then, I will die, she said before drawing her sword. But you'll have to try hard.
Noir sighed, his face still hidden in the shadow.
-I hoped I wouldn't have to do this, he said deeply. I would have loved to work with you, Sarai. You were one of Myst's best students. Good night.
Sarai grabbed her crossbow and pointed it on Noir, but he wasn't moving, nor were the two guards. Suddenly, coming out of nowhere, a foot kicked her in the left arm, forcing her to release the crossbow. Now standing between her and the Kharmah Master, a tall man was ready to fight her. His face was hidden by a long and shaped Ying-Yang Mask.
-Say hello to Zen Gaijin, Sarai, and hello to your death.

A New Ground's Story - Part 11.1

Jumping by a window was harder than Lidov had thought. Trying to make a front flip while doing his stunt, he fell on his back and now was trying to come back on his feet. Someone pulled him by the arm and he saw DancingTurkeyGod, frightened, telling him to "Hurry the fuck up". She grabbed his left hand and led him in the marsh. Lidov heard a door smacking coming from Lokken's shack - The girl in the black dress had probably seen them jump by the window. They started running even faster, in the muddy water, towards an unknown direction. It's only when the marsh ended and that Lidov's foot knocked a rock that he realized where they were going.
He stopped. DTG turned to him, still holding his hand.
-What are you doing? she asked quickly, out of breath. We've got to move, follow me!
But Lidov didn't move.
-Why are we going back in the Mountain??
-Because this women following us, the assassin Jade will not think we are stupid enough to return in the mountain. She'll probably head to the Village.
Lidov stood still.
-How you know her name? he asked suspiciously.
DTG sighed.
-It's not the time! I'll tell you when we'll be safe. Now run!
After running for almost fifteen minutes, they were totally exhausted. They had climbed a small cliff and they were finally on some little hidden plateau. There they found a cave where they would probably stay for the night.
After having ran all day and night, they were so tired that they immediately fell asleep when they entered the cave. In the morning, when DTG woke up, she realized she was comfortably installed into Lidov's arms, cuddling her. She felt like if she was in security in this embrace, but she had to wake up. She slowly rose on her feet, making sure Lidov was still asleep. DTG looked in her backpack. Sadly, they had only saved one of them. They had enough food for a couple of days but no weapons. They had left the gun into Scott's hostler. Luckily, she had planned to leave this cave before the next night. She looked into the cave's deeps. It was really dark and she had no flashlight, but she'll be able to see if there was something interesting in that cave, even without light. She closed her eyes and projected her mind on the rocky surfaces. She finally sensed something .There was metal crates in somewhere in the cave. She used her senses to find them. When her hands finally touched the metal, she pulled the box to the light. It wasn't too heavy, so she managed to pull it even without her powers. The metal container finally appeared in the light. She wasn't really surprised to see a tank on it, New Ground's official Village and Asylum logo. She tried to open the box but it was locked from the inside. She put her hands on the container hoping to find a way to open lock mechanic. She couldn't sense any device. It meant Shrapnel had probably locked it. Recently. Again, she tried using her mind to open the box. Shrapnel's powers were really great, but she should still be able to counter them. She concentrated on the box and five minutes later, it opened. Quickly, like a child opening a candy bag, she opened the box. It was empty. Well, almost empty.
A small brown notebook was lying in the box. The Tank logo was on it once again.
"Bingo" thought DancingTurkeyGod before opening the book.

New Ground - The Asylum

I, James, also known as liljim by the New Grounders had to write this somewhere. I knew it could be done and that it could be protected from indiscreet eyes. Someone had to be able, one day, to find something relating our story and organization if we had to fall. The theory of New Ground's decline is still possible. I've been telling the Fulps to look more closely at the job their Moderators have been doing to "protect" New Ground. But they won't listen to me. They called me a fool and gave me the worse part of the Administration to work with. If something happens, I hope they will not turn back to me and say I was right. If I'm right - and if the Moderators rebel from our Authority - the Fulps will probably have to delete everything. And god knows I don't want this to happen. This is why I had to make sure the Moderators couldn't bring New Ground's destruction. So I passed in action. I had to make sure some people could watch the Moderators for me and do their job right. This is how I have set the Kharmah. I decided this organization, under the control of Noir, a fidel and trustable villager, would work with the Moderator team... but secretly against them. I've heard the Moderators had started banning people that could interfere with their little plans. They banned a couple of "dangerous" persons like Sarai and Jeremy Lokken who had enough will or strength to fight them. I'm also sure they murdered the Mystic William I had, during my stay in Macromedia City, called to help the Kharmah. So my crew entered in action. They organized a Security team in the city, engaged undercover agent and even a Moderator to help them. The Mod team didn't see any threat in this little Security team so they didn't react and let the things go. They probably had more important things to think about, anyway.
ShameOnPretzel, the Asylum's security responsible, however understood what I was trying to do and helped me by finding anyone who could help or have helped the Moderators into their sadistic plans. She and the Kharmah started to eliminate everyone aware of and associated with the Moderators' project. So far I know we got at least five undercover agents working for the Mods. We begun a real secret and underground war and now I have to leave if we still want to achieve something. Dobio and Poxpower have been hunting me for one week now. They know my responsibility in the project, but thanks god they don't know what's exactly going on. They have no idea of what the Kharmah is and they probably believe it's a bunch of activists in the Village. They have no idea their good friends of the Security are going to backstab them soon... Shrapnel knows I'm here and since he can't do anything about it, he'll probably just kill anyone who tries to enter this cave. I hope this document will be read in time. I will now seal this document in a box, and hopefully Shrapnel won't manage to open this after I left.

Good luck, New Ground. Now I have to go. I'll be back at time.

liljim

<=== Previous Part of the Story l Next Part of the Story ===>

A New Ground Story - Part 5

It was about noon and the Security guards had finished their patrol. Everyone was now aware of what had happened in the last night except for few people. LostChances was wandering the streets, confused and dazed. He was one of the persons still not aware of the three murders, since he was never in his house, too "busy". In fact, he was in the village's Pub, drinking as usual. He had spent the first part of the night with Fluffykins and Bahamut. They went to the Pub because Pauls was with his girlfriend. Then, LostChances had fallen asleep on the bar, dispersing beer everywhere; which angered the bar's owner, SlipperyMooseCakes. He had been kicked out of the Pub and slept in the street. He had just waked up and the midday sun was burning his eyes. He walked with difficulty to a mailbox and took a pause. Two mans arrived behind him.
-Hmm, LostChances, said one of them. You drank again last night?
LostChances jolted and looked at the man talking to him. The guy had his head hidden in a hood, and all we could see of his face was his mouth and his long beard. He was with IndianWrestler, an Amerindian who was really strongly built. IndianWrestler was living at the border of the Village, in an isolated house. The first man searched for something in his pockets, smiled and took a bottle out of it.
-Whatch dis thad time? asked LostChances with difficulty, being still under the influence of alcohol.
-It will help you with your problems, simply responded the man.
LostChance took the bottle and drank it without any suspicion.
-It better work dich thime, said the drunk man. Thankch Vertigo.
Everyone in the village knew Vertigo. He was not living in the village though, and no one really knew where he lived. He was coming sometimes in the village to give elixirs and medicaments. Most of the time, he was only coming one or two times every year. The rumors were saying that he was a powerful alchemist, living somewhere in the Mountains. But every time someone was asking him where he was living, he was simply responding: "Outside of New Ground." IndianWrestler was the only person that was aware of his secrets, but as this last one was never hanging with the other folks of the village he would never share this secret. The fact that Vertigo was in the village right the day after the murders occured attired the attention of GreenLanturn, who was commanding the remaining officers while Nev and three others were in the forest, looking for Sarai. But as GreenLanturn was about to get out of the Security building, Sanjay had already approached the nomad. GreenLanturn watched them talking a few moments and then Vertigo gave a bottle and a package to Sanjay. Sanjay immediately put them in a bag and returned to the Hotel. When the cook had disappeared, GreenLanturn walked to Vertigo and greeted him. IndianWrestler looked at the security guard with a deep and disturbing look.
-Hi Vertigo, said GreenLanturn.
Vertigo bowed and saluted the officer.
-Hi sir, how can I help you? asked Vertigo with a little bit too respectful voice.
GreenLanturn sighed and responded:
-Maybe you can help me with a little investigation. You probably know that three murders occurred yesterday night in the New Ground's surrounding.
Vertigo looked at him confusedly.
-And why would I know that? I would like to remind you that I don't live in your village. So I'm not aware of everything. Sorry for my ignorance, said the man with a sarcastic tone.
-I just wanted to know... started GreenLanturn. We're looking for the murderer. If you can give any information to us it would be really helpful.
Vertigo started walking.
-I have other ways of helping, he said. Now let me do my work. I got lots of things to do this afternoon.
And he walked away, leaving the officer alone in the middle of the street.

The back-alley was dark, even at noon. But SwordMaster, the butcher's young apprentice had to cross it to give the package DancingTomato had asked him to deliver. The address he had received was somewhere in this alley full of bulky items, trashes and garbage. He breathed in and charged. He looked on the few doors and finally saw the number 6. He was about to knock when he heard a low voice behind him. He turned and saw nothing in the darkness of the alley.
"Come dear, come" said the voice, louder.
It was a girl voice.
"Knock on the door"
-Who's there? asked SwordMaster.
"Don't you see me?" asked the voice.
SwordMaster started to panic and wanted to get back to the street. But as he was trying to flee, someone grabbed him.
"Oh no, nobody never escape from LookingGlasses."

A New Ground's story - Part 5.2

DancingTurkeyGod was ready, in her corner. ScottMale was lying on the floor, in he middle of the room. Lidov was sitting near him, his eyes closed. He was calling for help, shouting loud so someone can hear him in this damned building.
-HELP US IN HERE! he shouted. MY FRIEND IS DYING! HE NEEDS HELP!
DancingTurkeyGod was not moving, hidden in the darkness. ScottMale was breathing with difficulty. Finally, someone opened the door. The person was a slim and tall man. She looked at the two mans and walked in right on them. It was a young woman, with a pale skin and a black dress. She had an intelligent look and black hairs.
-What's happening in here? she asked rudely.
Lidov looked at their visitor and responded:
-My friend is dying, he needs medication... can you please do something?
The girl looked at the body suspiciously.
-Funk usually never try to kill anyone... she finally said slowly. What tells me that...
But she never finished her phrase.
DancingTurkeyGod had risen from the shadows and punched the woman behind the head, sending her to the ground, unconscious. ScottMale rose on his feet and kicked the girl in the stomach. Lidov searched for anything useful on the girl and took some keys.
-Time to get the fuck out of here, said ScottMale while walking out of the room.
DancingTurkeyGod, Lidov and Scottmale arrived in a long and white gallery, which blinded them. After the few days they had spent in the dark room, light was a really disturbing thing. They started running in the gallery, looking for the exit. There was a door at the end of the corridor. They went directly to it and twisted the door's handle. It opened. A staircase. It was going up and down. DancingTurkeyGod immediately went down so the two guys followed her.
-Where are we going? asked Lidov while descending the stairs.
-To the exit, said DTG. Just follow me. They arrived at the lowest floor. Lidov and Scott were exhausted.
The girl pushed a door and they arrived in a big and clear room. Lidov's heart made a jump. His GTO was in the room, along with a lot of other cars and... a motorbike! He approached the engine.
-Come one, Lid, said ScottMale. We have no time for this, get in your car and let's get the hell out of here!
Lidov didn't want to leave the motorbike there, but as he didn't have the keys, he rejoined the two others waiting impatiently in his car.
-Good thing I still have my keys, said the car fanatic. Let's go!
And they left the garage, going in an alley leading them right to the Asylum's exit.
That was too easy.

A New Ground's Story - Part 6

When she realized Jeremy Lokken wouldn't be back for a while, Sarai decided to continue her investigation alone. She put on her dried clothes, took her katana and a crossbow. She also put some food and her water canteen in her backpack. She knew she would be gone for a while, so she locked her house's door. Sarai arrived at the abandoned house, where the murders had occurred, and looked for the motorbike trace. Now all she had to do was to follow it until she finds where the engine, and maybe the murderer, was. As it was heading to the mountain, and not to the Outside Road, she was sure she wouldn't walk for too long. Two hours later, when she finally arrived at a garage door hidden in the mountain. "Door" wasn't the right word. Sarai first thought that there used to be a door here. But it looked like if some explosion had destroyed it. And Sarai never saw or heard any explosions during all the time she lived in New Ground's forest, what means that this explosion must have had happened long time ago. The Motorbike path she had followed was leading to this ruined door. Without hesitation, she stepped in and started to walk in a long and dark tunnel, leading her to an unknown location. Finally, after walking for about fifteen minutes, she arrived in a big and vast room full of cars. She swept an eye on the cars and finally saw the desired vehicle: the motorbike. It was lying near an old Pontiac she had already seen somewhere... It was Lidov's! Lidov used to be a good friend of her before she gets banned from New Ground. Why was his favorite car, recognizable because of all those modifications the car addict had done on it, lying in this garage? She approached the motorbike and saw that the keys weren't there. However, she saw a gun on the seat of Lidov's GTO. She would like to break the windshield and get the pistol, but she knew it would hurt Lidov; even if she had no explanation of why his beloved car was lying alone in a hidden garage of the Mountain, she wouldn't do any damage to his car.
"Lidov is probably near..." thought Sarai.
Then she looked in the piece and saw a door. She opened it and saw it was leading to stairs going up.
-Damned, said Sarai to herself before starting to climb the stairs.

Her Queen was in the other room. But Jade just didn't want to open the door leading to her master. It was the first time of her life she couldn't give any good news to her. With a sigh, she finally twisted the handle and entered the room. It was a lovely piece, with a giant bed in the middle. Lots of dolls were lying everywhere and the walls were painted in baby blue. Sitting and asleep, her Queen was on the princess bed. Her white skin and red robe creating a blazing contrast. Jade was about to leave the room, not wanting to disturb her when she raised her head, looking at the dark lady - Jade was always dressed in black - and asked with her low voice:
-Why do you have blood on your face, Jade the Assassin?
Jade startled and wiped her mouth.
-Hi, milady, she said while bowing.
-What does this visit deserves for? asked the Queen.
Jade looked at ShameOnPretzel's red eyes.
-I have bad news for you, milady, she said slowly. Your new slaves... your new slaves have escaped.
The Queen made a grimace. She ruminated a few seconds and looked at her fingers.
-You go search for them, finally said ShameOnPretzel. Stop them before they get to the village. I don't want everyone to know what's happening in here. Your life depends of your success.
-Yes, my master, said Jade before leaving the piece.

The doorbell rang. A man looked by the window, went to the door and opened it.
-Hi, Vertigo, said the man to another person standing in front of the door.
The man took his hood off, revealing his grey hairs and his beard.
-Good night, FBIpolux, said Vertigo. You probably know why I'm here tonight.
FBIpolux signalized him to enter in his house and closed the door.
-Yes, he responded. Another person got captured... another. Want my wife to make tea or coffee?
The old man sat in FBIpolux's armchair and accepted. FBI's house was pretty small and old, in the middle of the village. His wife, Sadic Schoolgirl greeted Vertigo and gave coffee to their visitor.
FBI sighed and asked:
-Who got attacked this time?
-Sword Master, immediately responded Vertigo.
-The butcher's apprentice? asked Sadic Schoolgirl while her husband was sitting on the sofa.
-Yeah, he responded. Dancing Tomato reported the departure of his apprentice to me this afternoon. I know you wanted me to tell you every strange things happening in the village. You think someone kidnapped Sword Master?
FBIpolux exchanged a look with his wife and responded:
-I fear yes. And I also think I know who's the responsible. But it's only a theory.
-Could it be the murderer who killed the three guys yesterday? asked Vertigo?
-No. It started years ago, before all those murders in the forest. Someone is using the village as a hunting field.

A New Ground Story - Part 7

-God damned spike strip! Why someone put a spike grip here, first of all?
Lidov was mad. A few minutes after they left the tunnel leading to the garage, his GTO's tires had been destroyed by the metal spikes displaced just before the exit. Hurried to leave the Asylum, Lidov hadn't seen them.
-I think we better move now, said DancingTurkeyGod while she was searching in the car for anything useful. They'll probably try to catch us back when they'll realize we escaped their precious Asylum.
ScottMale loaded his gun and looked at the blasted entrance.
-I wonder what destroyed this gate, he asked to himself.
DancingTurkeyGod started to look nervously at the tunnel.
-We better move, she said. I sense people are coming.
Lidov looked at her.
-You "sense"? he asked with a laugh. What's that supposed to mean?
She looked deeply in his eyes and responded:
-Contrarily to you, I was in the Asylum for a reason. Now, no time for questions, let's move, she said seeing Lidov was about to say something. You can trust me, I don't bite.
She winked and left the road.
Descending the mountain was way harder than what Lidov first thought. Night had arrived so it was difficult to see all the obstacles blocking their way. The rocks composing most of the natural barrier were sharp and quickly, his hands were full of scratches. Scott's arm was bleeding and DancingTurkeyGod didn't seem to be harmed of any way. She was moving with agility between the rocks and their sharp edges. Finally, after having descending the mountain for about one hour, they finally arrived at a little plateau. The flat terrain was perfect so they can rest a few minutes. But as Scott and Lidov were sitting on the ground, DTG pulled their arms and they went back on their feet.
-No time for a pause, guys... she said with a tired voice. Wait until we get to the forest. I plan about one more hour of downhill. You guys can do it?
Scott, whose arm was harmed, accepted.
-All right then... said Lidov. Let's go!

"Blood" thought Jade, "They can't be really far".
And she continued descending the mountain, tracking the three fugitives.

FBIpolux put his coat on, kissed his wife and went outside.
-Oh... almost forgot, he said before closing his house's door.
He looked in the umbrella stand and grabbed a shotgun. Vertigo was waiting for him in the middle of the street. He had a crowbar in his hand and had a decided face.
-You sure you want to go with me? asked FBI.
-Yeah, you will need my help, replied the old man before crouching. Let's get to it now.
He inserted the bar in a sewer plate and opened it. FBIpolux lighted is flashlight and descended in the dark hole. His feet landed in some muddy water. Vertigo fell next to him. They started walking in the stinky tunnel, their only source of luminosity being FBI's flashlight. They walked for about fifteen minutes before they finally reached their desired destination. Their feet were frozen, the sewer's water being really cold. They were standing in front of an improvised barricade. FBIpolux crossed over it and waited for Vertigo to do the same thing. On the other side of the junk pile so-called a barricade was a door. FBI and Vertigo exchanged a look and the old man agreed with a head shake. FBI inspired, pointed the shotgun on the door and kicked it off. The door didn't resist and flew on the ground. The first thing they saw was all the blood, then the corpses. Well, what remained of the corpses. A few lamps were on, illuminating the small room. A bed - or mostly a nest - was in a corner, empty.
-She's not there, said Vertigo. She's probably hunting right now. Let's wait for her.
FBI walked in the room.
-That's exactly what I planned to do, my friend.

7.2

They waited for about one hour. The room's odor was horrible, but they had to stay. Finally, they heard step noises somewhere in the tunnel. Vertigo and FBIpolux stuck on the wall, on each sides of the door. FBI had his gun pointed on the ground and Vertigo had a hunting knife in his right hand. The person was really close now. They heard her climb the barricade and walk in their direction. Vertigo had managed to put the door back on its hinges so the waited person has no doubts. When the door opened and that a girl with long white hair entered, the old sage punched her in the face, sending her to the ground. FBI pointed his shotgun on her face while she was getting immobilized. The girl was pretty young. She had long white hairs and a white skin pale like snow. She had black eyes and her lips were bloody red. In fact, there was blood in her mouth - probably because of Vertigo's jab - slowly sliding on her cheeks. She wasn't fighting or anything. She was just staring at FBI.
-Hi, Looking Glasses, said Vertigo. We were looking for you.
She looked at him but didn't respond.
-Now will you please come with us gently? he continued calmly, like if he had did that thousands of times.
Still no reaction.
-Oh well, said FBI. We'll just use force then.
But as he was grabbing her arms to get her back on her feet, a voice came from nowhere.
"My Master is coming to save me. He will kill you."
Vertigo, still not surprised said:
-Who's that Master you're talking about, Looking Glasses?
"He's coming", repeated the voice.
Vertigo was about to say something when a gunshot got fired. The first thing he saw was FBIpolux down on the ground, a bullet in his chest. With agility, the girl went back on her feet and grabbed the shotgun and pointed it on him. Vertigo released his knife and raised his hands in the hairs. FBI was bleeding a lot and Vertigo was sure that he wouldn't survive if X-Stem, the village's doctor, couldn't help him. Then another person entered the door, behind him.
-Oh hi there, Vertigo, said the man voice behind him. Looking, put that gun down and let him raise on his feet please.
Slowly, the old man turned and looked at the man talking in his back. He was wearing a long black cape, a coat and a black hat. He had a pistol in his right hand and was smiling, his black and purple eyes looking at him.
- Nightcrawler! said Vertigo. What the...
- Hi, Vertigo, said the New Ground's Museum's owner. How are you doing? I didn't see you lately. Didn't know you were in town too, I would have asked you for some medications.
Vertigo was deafened. How could Nightcrawler, one of the most trusted mans of the Village, an elder and a well-known person, have killed FBIpolux and helped Looking Glasses, a serial killer?
-It may look strange, said Nightcrawler with a smile. But I'll explain all. Let's get in the Museum, it's a bit more comfortable than this nest. Looking Glasses bring FBIpolux, would you? He will not die, don't worry. I just wanted to give him some pain. Or maybe he'll die. I don't know, I'm no doctor.
He smiled again and pointed his gun on Vertigo.
-Now let's move.

7.3

Nicholas Joseph Fury, also known as Ozcar, was heading back to New Ground on his horse, his gun always in his back. Now he had his instructions, all he had to do was to finish the job. But first of all, he needed alcohol. It was about nine o'clock PM, and the sun was already hidden by New Ground's Mountain. He followed the path leading to the Town's entrance and saw Nev. The officer in charge of the village's security looked exhausted. He approached Ozcar and greeted him.
-Hi, responded the cavalier with his Mexican accent. What's going on, Nev? You look tired.
The officer looked at the ground and slowly said:
-We have no clue of who the murderer is. Plus, the only person who could help us is banned. I searched for her in the forest without any result. She wasn't at her house. However, I met Master Bunny, and he didn't see anything special in the Marshes.
Ozcar looked at Nev and asked:
-So you want me to unban her?
-No, no, no, quickly said Nev. She would just bring more trouble in the village. But I would like to know if the Authorities could help us with the investigation... Those murders have to stop.
Ozcar kicked his horse's ribs to make it move forward.
-I'll see what I can do. But don't expect the Twins to help you.
The Mexican continued his way to the Pub, where his Whisky was waiting. On the way, he saluted Sanjay, Mayhem Bedlam and Nightcrawler. It was curious that the old Museum's owner and director was running in the streets at this time of the day, especially when he was rarely going outside of his beloved manor. He followed him with his eyes until he disappeared at the corner of a building. He finally attached his horse's bridle to a panel and entered SlipperyMooseCakes' Pub.

Nev, making sure Ozcar wouldn't see him, went back in the forest. He didn't walk too long, and arrived near a car hidden behind a big tree a few yards from the path. A young woman with brown hairs was sitting at the driver's place. Nev entered the car.
-So, asked the girl to Nev like if she was talking to an old friend. What happened?
Nev sighed and said:
-The Moderators will probably not help us. Protege-Moi, you are free to do whatever you want now. Just don't hurt Sarai. And try to get the murderer alive. You understand that?
She winked at him and said:
-Trust me; they don't call me Revird's best bounty hunter for no reason.

Jeremy Lokken had finally found it. The proof was there. Finding all those documents was something extraordinary. Now he knew the verity, he was able to do something. It was time for him to stop all this mess, the Karmah and the Authority. He knew he couldn't do it alone, though. He had to inform Sarai. She was the only one person in New Ground's region that could help him. He went outside of the Cave and started to walk in direction of the forest. He had to go round a really high cliff, since the cave was in the Mountain. Sun had just fallen down; he should have brought a lamp with him. But before he could make a step in direction of the woods, a strong wind hit him. He lost his stability and fell on the ground. The wind's force increased, obliging him to stay down. Suddenly, he heard a voice coming from the wind and everything around him became dark. The sky became black, all the stars disappeared and the only thing he was able to see was a grey shape in front of him.
"Those secrets will never leave this cave." said the voice. "You live if you stay in it. You die if you leave."
Lokken struggled and manage to say:
-Shrapnel, you over-zealous guardian, leave me alone.
Curiously, the wind stopped. He was free! But when he rose on his feet, he tripped on a rock and lost his stability again.
"You have chosen death." said Shrapnel.
And then the wind hit again, pushing Jeremy Lokken over the cliff.
The old man died before touching the ground, one hundred meters down.

A New Ground's Story - Part 8

She stopped at the first door. She had already hiked at least one thousand steps without seeing anything but grey walls. All this illuminated by a few light bulbs. She was totally exhausted when she finally stood in front of a door. She took a quick pause and finally opened the door, her katana ready. She arrived in a long passageway and slowly moved forward, her back always brushing the right wall, all her senses alerted. Sarai was prepared for that kind of things. She knew what to do in such situations. Her young master, the Mystic William, had taught everything she knew about martial arts, katana handling and crossbow shooting. There were doors at each sides of the wall. Small metal doors displaced in a perfect row. She tried to open one but it was locked. She continued the long alley until she arrived at a double-gate. She cautiously opened it, her crossbow pointing in front of her, held in her left hand and her sword in the right one. The door was leading to a giant room. The roof was so high that Sarai couldn't see it, hidden in the shadows. The only light glowing in the huge room was coming from a gargantuan fireplace, placed at the middle of the room. It was diffusing on the walls, creating tall shades when hitting the objects present in the room. Even if the fire was massive, Sarai wasn't able to see any details of the room. All she was able to see was shadows of objects present in the room. She slowly moved on, looking for the room's exit. The door wasn't inspiring any confidence to her; it was too quiet, too calm. The only noise was coming from the cracking fireplace.
Clang
Sarai startled and almost dropped her katana. A metal-against-metal noise had just came out from the shadows, loudly and violently. She walked back to the double-door leading to the corridor but, when she tried to open it, it was locked. "But... it wasn't locked three seconds ago..." thought Sarai.
Clang
Sarai stood ready. She looked in front of her and prepared herself for anything that could come from the darkness. But she never expected this: All the room's lights opened, the neon lights showing a disturbing spectacle. The room, smaller than what she expected, was filled with theater chairs. They were pointed to the fireplace, like a play was taking place there. The chairs were all empty, but Sarai was sure there were at least two or three hundred seats in there.
Clang
Sarai searched for the noise's source when her eyes finally saw another door, at the other side of the room. It was opened. She walked right to it, crossing the chairs. She was almost arrived when a metal pole came from under one of the seats. She stumbled and felt on the ground covered with moldy carpet. Her katana slipped from her hands and slid under a seat, out of her range. She quickly rose on her feet and pointed her crossbow on the place she felt, where the metal object was a few seconds ago. Someone laughed. It was a men voice, and it was coming somewhere from the chairs. She asked:
-Who's there? Show yourself!
The person laughed again. She opened her mouth to talk again when a man rose from behind one of the theater seats in front of her. He was holding a long metal staff and had black clothes. His face however was red, same for the rest of his skin. His eyes were black and he was discovering his fangs with a smile. Sarai was pointing her crossbow on him, but he wasn't reacting or moving. He was looking at her deeply in the eyes.
-Welcome in the Asylum, young lady, he said with an echoed voice. I'm Dark Archon, Guardian of this great building. You are now captive. I hope you'll enjoy your st...
But before he can even finish his phrase, Sarai had shot a bolt in the men's chest. Surprised by this move, the Guardian fell back and sat in one of the seats. He looked at the bolt and removed it.
-You'll die anyway, there was poison on the bolt, said the Asian girl.
Dark Archon looked at her and took something in his pocket. He approached that thing from his mouth and said:
-My Queen? It's Dark Archon. Intruders. Send someone in the Fire Room.
The second bolt hit him in the left eye.

A New Ground Story - Part 8.2

The old man inserted the key in the lock and opened the Manor's door, Vertigo next to him and Looking Glasses behind him, FBIpolux on her shoulders. He was bleeding all over her, but she didn't seem to care about it. Vertigo looked at his friend and told Nightcrawler:
-We should call X-Stem. FBI will not survive if he doesn't see a doctor. I won't say a word.
Nightcrawler entered his museum and laughed.
-But he'll ask questions. And anyway I've planned something for him. Now come on in!
Vertigo hesitated, but the gun the old museum director was pointing at him convinced him. When everyone got inside, Nightcrawler re-locked the door and put his gun back in his coat. He removed his hat, revealing long black hairs. "But... Nightcrawler is really old, his hairs should be white or something..." thought Vertigo. As if he had heard his thoughts, Nightcrawler smiled.
-My hairs are like this because... started Nightcrawler. Let's say that age doesn't have the same effect on me. Anyway, take a seat and stay calm. I don't want to kill you for the moment. And I'm sure my lovely Loving Glasses would love to have an occasion to break your neck.
The young girl was crouched on the floor, near FBIpolux. Vertigo had to do something really quick, but first he had to make a diversion. He looked in the room. There were three sofas displaced around a little table. He was sitting in front of Nightcrawler, the young girl at his right. There was a fireplace and near it, a pick used to move the wood. They were in a large living room, illuminated by a chandelier.
-So... who are you, Nightcrawler? asked Vertigo. You're not the one you always claimed to be.
Nightcrawler grinned.
-You discovered that tonight?
-No, responded Vertigo. I knew it since the first time we met. That's why when I visit you; I usually come with Indian Wrestler to have some... protection.
Looking Glasses looked at Nightcrawler and they exchanged a look.
-You really think I would have attacked you myself? In the Museum? According to me, this sounds stupid. Especially when I've been hiding my real me all that time so the Moderators don't pay attention at me. Haven't you found strange how I acquired this Manor?
Vertigo thought about it. He remembered the story: Nightcrawler's father, an old banker, had built the New Ground's Manor twenty-four years ago. After a few weeks, the old man had mysteriously disappeared and his son, coming out of nowhere had claimed the manor.
-Yes, finally said Vertigo. He wasn't your father was he?
-You're a brilliant one, Vertigo, said Nightcrawler. Of course he wasn't. I don't know where I come from, but it's sure Sir Legionnaire X wasn't my father. I claimed this only to get the Manor. I killed his son when he was on the road to New Ground to see his new house. I killed and disposed of his body. Well, disposed isn't the right word. In fact, I feed myself with the bodies. And a great thing is the big amount of bodies I can get, with the help of Shoujou, also called Looking Glasses by the villagers.
Vertigo was horrified. Nightcrawler was a cannibal...
-You monster... slowly said Vertigo.
But Nightcrawler laughed again.
-Didn't I tell you I wasn't human? I'm no cannibal. I don't even know what I am, myself. Maybe some experience that failed and that got thrown in the sewers. But I don't really care as long as I'm going well, that I got food and that I can act and be considered like a normal person. But to continue living my peaceful life, I must now kill you. Too much knowledge is in you, now. But I can't say I didn't like you.
Shoujou raised her head with happiness. The humanoid grabbed his handgun and pointed it at Vertigo's head.
-Anything to say before you die? asked the Museum's inhuman director.
Vertigo fell on his knees and said:
-Don't eat me or FBIpolux.
At the same moment, a broken window noise and a pain interrupted the scene. Something felt on Vertigo's head, knocking him off. A knife was jabbed into Nightcrawler's wrist. Immediately, Shoujou rose on her feet and looked in direction of the window.
Then a loud motor noise came from the Manor's hall.
-Take care of that! shouted Nightcrawler to Shoujou. He got my hand... the bastard.
But the living room's door opened before the woman could do anything

<=== Previous Part of the Story l Next Part of the Story ===>

I re-worked the whole New Ground's story I started back in 2005... Story which started a wave of story threads in the BBS, leading to that kind of threads to be restricted. Before having the chance to finish this story, I quit Newgrounds for a couple of months, 6 months I believe. But now I'm back in black and I'm decided to finish this story once and for all.

First of all I corrected most of the spelling mistakes I found in the old version I had written down directly on the BBS a while back. Now I write on Word 2008 so I get a lot of help with my mistakes from the Software, being French and all.

Oh well, I hope this will help newer users discover this great story. I suggest you read the version I put in my News posts, and not the version on the BBS since the spelling on there... is quite bad. So is the syntax.

So there we are....

A New Ground story. - Part 1

The saw was there, still rusty and bloody. It had been there only fifteen minutes and the blood was already drying. The instrument was lying on an old table, covered by lots of rusty and dusty metal objects. All this was in a spooky and dark room. There was no light but the fine glowing of the moon, filtered by a dirty window. Someone entered the room. He was walking with difficulty; his steps were heavy and slow, like if he was carrying something weighty. The person took the saw and let a long breath come out of his mouth. He pulled something - who revealed to be a young boy - and looked at him.
-I'm sorry, youngster. I'm only doing my job. The balance has to be respected.
The young men opened his eyes and tried to scream, but a cloth piece was covering his mouth. He only let a low noise and faced death. The men grabbed the saw and put it at the boy's neck.
-For Kharmah... said the men with a sigh before his saw starts cutting the boy's head off.
Few minutes later, after having washed his hands, the men grabbed a cellular phone. He composed 5 numbers and waited.
-Hey sir, it's me... Yes, I killed them. The Karma is restored. What do you want me to do now? Yes mister Noir, I'll do so. For Kharmah.

The sun was rising on New Ground's forest. The birds were waking up and a few people in the village were going to the market to buy something for breakfast. Luxury Yatch, a 19 years old single mother was buying bread for her 3 years old kid. She saluted Sanjay, the hotel's cook and went back to her house. Sanjay was liked among the habitants of New Ground because of his culinary talents. He was probably the best cook in the whole region. He was about to go back in the hotel to serve the breakfast when Nev, an officer of New Ground's Security arrived to the fountain and called for attention.
-My fellow New Grounders! May I have your attention please?
Everyone turned to the 34 years old Security officer. Normally really calm and passive, he was sweating and nervous looking, what was unusual from him.
-What's happening, Nev? asked DancingTomato, the village's butcher.
-I just found the body of three decapitated persons at the entrance of the city.
A total silence fell on the villagers. Everyone was now looking at Nev nervously.
-Again? quickly asked Sword Master, DancingTomato's apprentice and helper.
Nev sighed.
-Yes, again. We need to stop the murderer. I'm going to send all my men to investigate on that.
-Sir, said Scottmale, another officer working for the village's Security. We are ready, just give us orders.
Scottmale was really pale. One of the murdered persons was his brother. It was the first time he was talking since he had seen his brother's head off from his body.
-Scott, if you don't want to go, I will not force you buddy... said Nev. You can go home. Your mother needs to be informed.
-I want to find the murderer first. I will not let that asshole walk in our streets or wherever he is. I'm going to find him and give him what he merits.
Some villagers agreed by shaking their heads.
-If you need help, I'll come with you or you can burrow my car, said Lidov, a garage mechanic and a long time friend of Scottmale.
-Yeah, good idea, accepted Scott. Let's start by looking in the forest for anything suspicious.
-All right, I'll get the GTO, said Lidov while running to the garage.
He jumped in his Pontiac GTO, started the engine and opened a door to Scottmale.
-I'll report on what I did or saw, said Scott to Nev before the car accelerate and leaves to town.
-What's happening in here? a voice with a Spanish accent asked.
The man was sitting on a horse, a gun on his shoulder. He had a Latino look and a sombrero.
-Oh nothing special, mister Ozcar. said Nev while saluting his superior. We only found three new corpses outside. I sent all our men to search for the murderer. It's the second time he strikes this month.
-How did they die? asked Ozcar.
-Decapitated.
-Oh well, you find him, we take care of his ass. The Administration will be happy if you guys catch him, trust me. Now, I have work to do, said the man while heading to the forest.

New Ground's story - Part 2

-All right, said Nev. Now everyone, get back to your houses since there's a murderer somewhere in the region. We're going to catch him this time.
-That's what you said last time, said a new voice.
Nev looked over his shoulder and saw a young Japanese woman. She had a sword in her back and was looking at Nev with a hateful eye.
-Sarai, I thought I was clear when I told you to never come back in the village.
-Maybe you will want me in, now that I have some information for you, replied the women.
Nev wide-looked her; a fight was happening inside of him, and finally asked:
-What do you want to say?
Sarai looked at the path leading to the forest and pointed there.
-You know I have to live in the forest now your Superiors banned me from the village. You'll be happy to learn that this situation allows me to see some things you couldn't see in the village.
-What you mean? asked Sanjay, the cook.
She turned her head to him and responded:
-Last night, around midnight, I've sensed something was happening in the forest. So I left my house, grabbed my Katana and I entered the darkness of the vegetation. I followed a path for like fifteen minutes when I saw a different shadow moving about one hundred yards in front of me. I decided to see what it was when a bright light blinded me. Suddenly, the noise of an engine - probably a motorbike or something - roared in the night. And it was heading right on me. I just had the time to get out of the path before it hits me. It was the first time of my life I see something like this in the forest, and that's why I wanted to report it.
She kept looking Sanjay for a second before turning her eye back on Nev. He wasn't even a bit impressed and laughed.
-You want us to trust that? Myself I've never seen a motorbike. How come would you see one in our forest? That's impossible. Now, Sarai, leave the village before a Moderator sees you.
Sarai spitted on the ground in front of Nev. Next time she'll shut up. She will never try to help those stupid and over-zealous security guards anymore. She'll do her own investigation. She threw a hateful look to Nev and fled out of the village.

Sarai was running in the forest. She followed the principal path until she sees what she was looking for: an unique and long wheel trace. It was starting in the forest and was heading right on the mountain. She left the path and followed the traces in the woods. After walking for about five minutes, she arrived in front of an abandoned house. She discovered that deserted house the day she had been banned. Sarai had slept there not knowing where to go. She didn't stay all the night though, since she had been frightened by a strange voice that came from the woods. Then she ran until she can't breathe and stopped at a glade. Then found another house near the lake and made it her current home.
She entered the empty bungalow for the second time of her life. The first thing she saw was a big wood beam that had fallen from the roof. This place was really worse looking than a few months ago. She looked on the ground and saw a lot of footprints in the dust. She followed them to a small and dark room. She wasn't able to see a thing but a dirty and opaque window. She walked right to it and opened it. A fresh wind entered the house, chasing the moldy smell. The sun entered the room for the first time since a few years and what she saw made her jump and get her hand on her Katana. On an old and dusty table were lying lots of rusty metal items. But the worse was the saw. It was covered by dry blood. On the wall, a Ying-Yang symbol was painted. She walked in something liquid and understood it was blood. She ran out from the house directly to hers and jumped in the lake. She'll never like this forest. She was about to undress so her cloths can dry when someone arrived behind her. She made a back flip and landed behind the stranger. The girl drew her sword and pointed it at the men's back.
A few seconds, nobody talked or moved. The men finally turned to Sarai. He was older than her - maybe 40 - and looked pretty savage. She had never seen that person in the village before. She evaluated him with a look and he smiled.
-What d'you want? quickly asked Sarai.
The men kept his smile and glanced at the Asian girl in the eyes. He finally responded with a deep voice:
-I want to talk.
-What tells you I want to talk to you? asked Sarai with a suspicious look.
The stranger laughed but didn't move. He didn't look afraid of the katana pointed on his chest.
-Because I can give you answers, he responded calmly.
Sarai hesitated a second but raised her sword steadily.
-Answers?
-Yes, replied the man, I can help you with your investigation. But first, can you please turn that sword away from my body please?
Sarai raised an eyebrow.
-What tells me that you will not try to cut my head with a saw?
The man laughed. It wasn't a dement laugh but a sincere one.
-He he, do I look like having a saw in my hands or my back? he asked.
Sarai looked at him. He was wearing ratty clothes and surely couldn't hide a saw, or any other weapon anywhere.
-All right, said Sarai while putting her sword back in her back. My name's Sarai.
-I am known as Jeremy Lokken, said the man before bowing to her. Happy to meet you.
She made a step back.
-Je... Jeremy Lokken? she babbled. I was sure you weren't real... I mean... I heard this name a lot of times around a campfire. The adults tell your story to frighten the children... Everyone is scared of you.
The man was still smiling.
-Yeah, I was sure people would make stories about me or something similar.
-So who are you? asked Sarai, with a lack of civility.
-I told you my name, I'll tell you my story, started the Lokken. It's pretty short so do not interrupt me. First of all, I haven't always been a crazy men living in the Mountain. I used to live in New Ground with my family. We were friend with almost everyone. Almost. Only that man... The director of New Ground's museum... I don't know why but he never looked friendly to me.
-NightCrawler? asked Sarai.
-Don't interrupt me, reminded Lokken. What was I saying...? Oh yes, as I said, I was friend with almost everyone. But one day, all my family got murdered and the Moderators accused me. Not to forget that no one never found the bodies. Dan Malo banned me from the village when he saw I couldn't give any good explanation. So I had to hide in the mountains. The Moderators don't like me. I've been chased by the Spirit the day I got banned.
-The Spirit? asked Sarai curiously.
-I'm sure you heard it also the first night you passed in the forest, whispered Lokken with a wink.
Sarai remembered the first night she spent in the old house.
-You mean that voice? she asked.
Lokken looked at her.
-You're not dumb finally, he said. Seeing Sarai was about to reply he continued: The Spirit is a fallen Moderator. Once known as Shrapnel, he now hunts the New Ground's woods.
-Could he be the murderer? asked Sarai.
-No, replied Lokken. He's not material; he couldn't grab a saw or anything else. He's like a shadow moving around the trees and guarding the forest. That's why I decided to live in the Mountains. I was sure Dan Malo would use him to spy me.
-Dan Malo? Looks like you guys are not really good friends... How come?
-Well, murmured Lokken. There are a few things you will not know for now. Now the important thing is that I can help you.
-But how? asked the Asian girl.
Jeremy Lokken turned his back to Sarai and looked at the lake. Sarai waited patiently for an answer. Suddenly, he asked:
-Have you seen anything special in the house?
-Yes, responded Sarai with difficulty. A Ying-Yang symbol painted on the walls, blood and the saw.
Reminding what she had seen in the dark room made her stomach hurt.
-And I think I'm going to be sick... she finished.
-A Ying-Yang? asked Lokken, interested.
-You know who would paint a Ying-Yang after having decapitated three persons? questioned Sarai with interest.
Lokken didn't respond immediately.
-Maybe it's the Kharmah, finally said the man.
-The Kharmah? asked Sarai. I've never heard that before.
Lokken made a few steps in direction of the forest.
-Hey where are you going! asked Sarai.
-I got to check something. If the Kharmah did this, it's probably more important than I thought. I'll be back.
And he disappeared in the forest.
-We'll meet again... whispered Sarai to herself.
Then she noticed her clothes were still humid and she coughed.

Part 3.1

The GTO was running at full speed in the forest. Scottmale was still pretty pale, but he had a determined look on his face. Lidov was pretty sad too, because he was an old friend of Zef. Zef was Scottmale's brother. He knew him since high school, where they were both good friends and were always together, playing or planning projects. When one wasn't at the other's house, he was at his house with the other. Zef and Lidov had been separated at college since they didn't choose the same study path. Lidov is a car maniac. Every time he sees a nice car, he has to whistle. Zef had chosen to become a doctor. He wanted to cure the madness that had attacked his father when he was a kid. His father was now in New Ground's Asylum, in a closed room since 19 years. Zef was sure he could help his father so he started to work in the Asylum after leaving college. He never left the hospital after starting working in it so nobody saw him or even talked to him for 8 years. Seeing his corpse, Lidov was sure they could find an explanation at the Asylum. The psychiatric hospital had been built in New Ground's Mountain, so if a patient would escape from it, he couldn't be able to reach the village. Not only that New Ground's Mountain was really dangerous because of the rock falls, but it was also impossible to hike it. And even if someone could escape from the Asylum, he would probably just die in the forest, scared to death. The only way to the Asylum was a small one-way road, only able to let one car pass. But as no cars were using that road, it wasn't really important. After twenty minutes of ascension in the Mountain, Lidov's GTO finally arrived in front of the Asylum's giant iron doors.
-Weird, said Lidov, the doors are opened...
-Yes, said Scott frowning.
There was no security officer in the little security box and the gargantuan doors were just wide enough to let a man pass. Lidov stopped the engine and Scott left the car.
-Still want to go? asked Lidov with a nervous tone in his voice.
-Yes, repeated Scott.
Lidov sighed and went out of the car. Scott crossed the door without waiting for his friend. Lidov sighed again and followed him. Everything was pretty normal. Well, normal for an Asylum. Except the fact that no guards was patrolling on the walls surrounding the Asylum, as Lidov would have expected. Everything was calm so they walked to the principal building. The Asylum was a big and white building displaced like a nest on the Mountain's summit. A long stair was leading to the entrance. There was nobody in the courtyard, which was strange, again. Scott was already hiking the stairs.
-Scott, I feel something is wrong...
He stopped his ascension and looked at Lidov.
-We will find answers in here; let's go, he replied.
And he entered the Asylum.
Lidov cursed at him and entered at his turn after looking behind. Inside of the building, everything was white, clean and really disturbing. The Greek architecture of the Hall was reminding a dead and lost time. There was still nobody in the hall. Normally a secretary or something should have been there, greeting them or asking them what they were doing there. Scottmale approached the secretariat and shook a little bell.
-Anyone's here?
-Scott, I think we should leave this place like... now, said Lidov, more nervous than ever.
-You're right, said Scott. It looks like there's no one here... oh wait!
He pointed at the blackboard behind the secretariat's counter. Zef's name was there.
-"Mr. Zef: Still Missing.", read Scott.
-So he's not here, Scott, let's get out. We'll search for clues in the forest, maybe Master Bunny saw him. He's maybe in the Marsh or somewhere. Something wrong happened in here, we must not stay, if someone...
The Hall's door violently closed making the two mans startle. Lidov ran to it and tried to open it unsuccessfully. He tried to break it out but as the door was twice his height, he just harmed his shoulder.
-We're trapped... said Lidov in a breath.
-Listen! quickly replied Scottmale.
Lidov held his breath and heard a loud step noise.
-Someone is coming... whispered Scott.
They looked at one of the doors. The noise was coming from there. Suddenly, a girl voice came out from nowhere.
-How may you help us? asked the voice.
Lidov was too scared to respond so Scott replied:
-We are looking for my brother.
-Zef? asked the voice immediately.
-Yes, he responded.
He turned back to the counter and saw that a young woman in a red robe was looking at him. The girl's skin was totally white, contrasting with her bloody red robe.
-He's not here anymore. My name's ShameOnPretzel. I'm the Asylum's Queen. And you are now my slaves.
Then the back door opened revealing a tall and big man in a leather coat covered of spikes... He was holding a whip in his hands.
-God... said Lidov.

A New Ground's story - Part 3.2

At the same time in the village, Nev and his men were questioning everyone to know if someone had seen or heard something strange during the last night. Andersson, a really helpful and liked townsfolk wanted to help the security officers so he was knocking to the doors with Koufuyo. Koufuyo was a tall and strong security guard who was most of the time affected at New Ground's entrance. They had just talked with Mayhem Bedlam, a 6"10 giant living in a small house. He was probably one of the nicest persons in the village. He was always helping when someone had hard work to do or stuff to transport. Bedlam was against the violence and always used his strength to help. Now Andersson and Koufuyo were heading to an apartment block. There was only this apartment in New Ground. As New Ground was a really small village, it didn't really need more than one. They pressed the doorbell and waited. An adolescent arrived and opened the door.
-Yesh?? asked the boy with a tired voice.
-Hi Bahamut, said Koufuyo. I see you had another party yesterday.
The boy laughed and shook his head.
-No sir, said Bahamut. It was just a normal night.
Andersson looked at him.
-You shouldn't drink so much, disapproved the 32 years old man. You guys should go back to college.
Bahamut looked at him like if he was crazy.
-And leave New Ground? he asked with a surprised voice.
-Only for a few years Bahamut... replied Andersson.
Bahamut looked outraged.
-And leave my girlfriend, my friends and my apartment? I don't think so. Now, Fluffykins, Pauls and me have things to do. Have a nice day.
And he closed the door. Bahamut was a pretty intelligent boy even if when he was with his friends, he was always playing the fool and the jackass. Fluffykins was another of his drunken friends. He was totally hyperactive when he was sober. Pauls was the most responsible guy of the gang. He would live with his girlfriend and would have gone to college if his two best friends wouldn't have pleased him to stay.
"Those kids need to go outside..." thought Koufuyo before ringing at another door.

A New Ground's Story - Part 4.1

At another place of the village, on a small hill cut apart of New Ground was residing the Museum. It had been built forty years ago. It was the oldest building in New Ground. Its owner and director since 1965, Mr. NightCrawler, was about to open its doors to the public. In the museum you could see things that you couldn't normally see in the village. A few forbidden items, exotic things and antiquities constituted the biggest part of the museum's possessions. But NightCrawler didn't really care about the fact that he had nothing new in his museum since ten years. Just the satisfaction to own the New Ground's Museum, to live in it and to have a good overlook on the whole village just by looking at the window were a total compensation to the lack of visitors. The building was in fact his Manor, transformed into a public area. NightCrawler's father had made build the house when he arrived in New Ground. When, a few weeks after he moved to New Ground, he mysteriously disappeared, his son claimed the house. So NightCrawler had been living in the manor for twenty-four years now. He looked outside, as usual. From the second floor's bay, he was able to see everything and everyone in the village. He was really hungry. He would have to find some food soon. He went to the first floor and was about to open the Museum when the old doorbell rang with difficulty.
-I'm coming, I'm coming, said the old man to himself.
Nobody really knew NightCrawler's age. He looked to be around 70, but it was hard to tell because he was always wearing a hat and a coat. He was a mysterious and always energetic person. Some people were afraid of him, and this was probably the reason why nobody was visiting his museum lately. He arrived at the door and opened it. Nev and a young security offcicer called Green Lanturn were at the door, looking at him with a serious look.
-How may I help you, gentlemen? asked NightCrawler with his low voice.
The two officers exchanged a look and Nev said:
-Hi, Mr. NightCrawler. We would like to talk to you.
-My ears are open.
Nev smiled and continued:
-Three persons have been found decapitated this morning. I found them at the entrance of the village. We would like to know if you have seen anything suspicious or anomalous from your window.
NightCrawler looked at Nev with his black eyes. NightCrawler's eyes were pretty strange in fact. Where it should have been white, it was black and the pupil was purple. When someone once asked what happened to his eyes, the old director had just responded that he had had an accident when he was young.
-I've seen agitation in the forest, he finally responded.
Nev's eyebrows rose.
-Agitation? he asked. What kind?
NightCrawler smiled.
-I saw an engine going at full-speed on the path. It looked like a motorbike, but I'm not sure. It was going really fast though, and headed to the Mountain.
Nev couldn't believe his ears. A motorbike...? And this time it wasn't from Sarai's mouth. It was from NightCrawler's; one of the most trusted persons of the Village. Maybe Sarai really had information for them...
-Damn it! he shouted before turning back and running in the opposite direction.
He had to find Sarai. She would probably not want to help him but he'll promise to get her un-banned if she can lead him to the murderer. He ordered Green Lanturn to call for reinforcements and headed to the forest.
NightCrawler followed them with his deep and dark eyes, smiled and went back inside. He was still hungry.

When Lidov woke up, he didn't immediately understand where he was. Everything was dark but he was able to see that he was in a large and closed room. The only and thin light source was coming from an old light bulb on the roof. The walls were black, almost destroying the small glowing light's efforts to diffuse its energy. He rose on his legs and saw two persons on the ground, still not awoken.
Then he remembered where he was.
"The Asylum" thought Lidov. "I remember now..."
He remembered the Queen and the giant and his whip... He looked at the two unconscious bodies.
"Two?" he asked to himself. "Who's the other person..."
He walked on ScottMale and verified if he was still alive. He was waking up.
-Scott, you hear me? asked Lidov.
Scott tried to open his eyes and let out a short groan.
-You'll be all right, said Lidov with a smile. Now let's see who our new friend there is.
He walked to the other body and saw it was a young girl. She was about 18 or 19. He shook her shoulder and asked if she could hear him.
-Mmhmyess, mumbled the young adult.
She opened her eyes and sat.
-Ooh, I see I got new companions, said the girl with a smile.
It wasn't an angry, dement or crazy smile but a pleased one. Apparently, she had not seen anyone for a while.
-Since when are you there? I remember having seen you somewhere... said the girl.
-Yeah, I think I've already seen you in the village too... murmured Lidov. Aren't you that anarchist who attacked the Village's Leader?
She smiled naughtily and nodded.
-And I think I shouldn't have done that. I've been in here for about one year now.
-One year? asked Lidov with surprise.
The girl approved.
-We just arrived... Well, I don't know how much time we have been unconscious.
-You guys probably just arrived. I would have noticed you guys if you would have been there for days, she finished with a wink.
Lidov smiled and asked:
-So, what's your name?
-I'm DancingTurkeyGod, nice to meet you! she said joyfully, presenting her hand.
Lidov shook it and presented himself.
-So you are the mechanic? asked DTG. Yeah, I remember you now. And who's your friend?
Lidov looked at Scott. He was still waking up.
-That's Scottmale, he works for the village's security.
DancingTurkeyGod looked interested. She was looking at his waist.
-Does he have a gun? she asked precipitately.
Lidov just remembered the weapon Scottmale was always supposed to have on him.
-How come didn't I think about it before? he asked in a laugh.
Scott, that had just woke up interrupted him.
-I don't have it. You understand I would have shot those guys before they catch us... ...must have forgotten it in the car.
Lidov moved to his friend.
-You're all right bud? he asked.
Scott sat up and rubbed his ribs.
-I guess so... he said slowly. Where are we now?
-In the Dark room! said DancingTurkeyGod.
Scott turned to her. He just realized that she was there.
-And do you know how to get out of there? he asked with a deep voice.
-I was thinking about that before you guys appear in this room, said DTG. I have some plans to get the fuck out of this damned building.

Next part of the story ===>