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 ===>