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?

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