And now...the moment you've all been waiting for...the official full on release! This will include the optimized title changes, plus it will be all the chapters pushed into one!
The Adventures of ArmorGames book 1: The Search
Chapter 1: Moat Has Spoken
Nico and Rion Fangblade walked silently through the forest. Both were quiet and solemn, for they had a solemn duty. To hunt down and kill evil creatures that plagued Aegisl. Nico tapped Rion on the shoulder and pointed. There was their target: a Frost Wyvern. It had been assaulting the peaceful northern town of Caline for a while, and the famous duo had been brought in. Rion hefted his huge Broad Sword and approached the creature. The Frost Wyvern sent a column of freezing ice his way, but he deflected it easily with his Broad Sword. Using his temporary sword, a thin rapier, Nico ran up to the terrifying creature, and while it was distracted by Rion, jabbed it hard in a gap in its frost armor. It roared in pain and reared up, giving Nico the chance to slash at its unprotected belly. Then, Rion ran up and, while it was disoriented, stabbed it in the throat. Finally, the Frost Wyvern keeled over and died. But Rion and Nico did not celebrate. They were both quiet, serious young men, and had done this hundreds of times before. Literally. But suddenly, the two saw a glowing light descending from the sky. They both fell to their knees bowing to the lord, Moat.
"Oh, come on you two. Must we really go through this every time I have to talk to you?" Moat said exasperatedly, the young god's armor glinting in the sunlight. The two heroes got to their feet.
"So...what do you want?" asked Nico.
"A few weeks ago, I lent you my Spam Hammer to hunt an ArmorGamian Dragon, did I not?" Moat said
"You did," Rion said, wondering where this was going.
"Well, it seems you did your job incorrectly. Not only was my Spam Hammer swallowed, the Dragon is still running amok," said Moat
"There was a civilian in the way-" Nico started to explain, but Moat shook his head.
"I don't care what excuses you're going to give me," he said. This was so unfair that Nico and Rion wanted to talk back: but Moat was known for his fiery temper and was liable to burn them to a crisp if they angered him. Just ask the poor citizens of Atlantis. "Just go back to ArmorGames, kill the dragon, and get my Spam Hammer. Do we understand each other?" said Moat. The two men nodded.
"Good. I've gotten you both passes to ArmorGames, but other than that, I have no power there. The gods there are Moderators, and Admins," Moat said, handing them both a platinum-plated card. Then, Moat disappeared in a cloud of dust.
"Well," said Nico, glancing at Rion "Looks like we're going to ArmorGames."
Chapter 2: A Slaying
Nico sighed. He hated chariot travel. The ride was bumpy, and every turn made it feel like he would fall right out. They gripped their stamped AG passcards. They had arrived in ArmorGames land about an hour ago, and had since been riding from town to town searching for the creature. Because, you see, ArmorGamian Dragons aren't always dragons: that's just what the citizens of ArmorGames call them. This particular one had been made entirely of metal, very thin, and had spikes on the top of his head. It was named Wiliex. But once they located Wiliex they had to get a Slayer's License from a Moderator to attack it. Rion tried to start a friendly conversation with the chariot driver, but the elderly man craned his neck and gave Rion such a look he clamped his mouth shut.
"I can't wait until we reach civilization," said Rion. He used his red bandanna to wipe the sweat off his forehead: it was really hot in ArmorGames.
" No joke," muttered Nico, grimacing as they went over a particularly jolting bump. The young hero, who definitely had his mettle, felt sick. He'd almost prefer riding a bucking rhino; and he'd had experience in that field. Finally, they reached the capital of ArmorGames: Help Forum. The driver stopped the chariot abruptly and the daring duo got out. As they walked by, they admired the beautiful stickied thread buildings. But they went straight to the Contact thread building, the largest in town. There they were greeted by Hammy, a slightly tanned Moderator with a guitar slung over his back.
"Hi. I'm Rion Fangblade, that's Nico, and we'd like to get a Slayer's License," said Rion, extending his hand to shake and offering a friendly smile. It was ignored by Hammy, who walked them briskly over to a wooden bench and indicated for them to sit.
"We'll need to have you go through an evaluation for the Slayer's License. That'll probably last about a day or two, so you'll be getting a tavern room with other would-be heroes. Until then, sit here and I'll tell the other Mods," Hammy instructed, then walked away, strumming lightly on his guitar.
A few hours later, Nico and Rion were sitting in a crusty room with three wannabe heroes. Nico shook his head impatiently.
"I'm going out to stretch my legs," he said to the group, and added to Rion in an undertone "And get away from the noobs." Rion got up to join him, grabbing his broadsword on the way, and they walked out of the tavern. Suddenly, they saw a young child lying on the ground. Several large sword slashes were present on his chest. Rion shouted for help and ran over to the chariot driver, who was covered in scarlet pools of blood. He put on hand on his neck to check his pulse. Nico looked at him anxiously. Rion bowed his head.
"Nothing," he said. Suddenly, a member of the Moderators: Papi, the youngest and lightest on his feet, came running over. Papi got in a combat stance.
"What did you do to that child?" he demanded.
"Nothing!" said Nico "We went out for a while to stretch our legs and we found him!"
" A likely story," Papi said sarcastically "So why is there blood on your hands?"
"How would you know? You're blind," said Rion, getting angry. He and Nico had done nothing!
" I can see more than you know. Now, why do you have blood on your hands?!" exclaimed Papi.
"Rion checked his pulse," Nico explained.
"Of course he did," snapped Papi sarcastically. "You're both murderers and liars and you're going to come with me. You're in trouble." Rion and Nico glanced at each other nervously. Should they fight him? Or should they allow themselves to be taken? What had happened here?
Chapter 3: A Dark Revelation
Shank crept quietly up on the child. His dark gray pelt blended well with the cobblestones, and the child never knew what hit him. Shank pounced and bit him hard on the back of the neck. This put the child into unconsciousness. Shank used his sharp, long, deadly claws, slashing at the boy's chest. Soon, blood was welling out of the wounds and Shank could not hear the steady rise and fall of human breathing. He shook the blood off his pelt, splattering scarlet droplets everywhere. He then sped into the shadows and left to report to his master.
"So, Shank...the mission was successful," said his master, his face concealed by his long black hood and the dark shadows.
"Yes, master," growled Shank, licking his paws.
"And the heroes. Did you see them?" the master demanded
"No, master. But I scented them," Shank said, feeling uncomfortable, as if he'd failed his master.
"It matters not. I will be at that trial. And they will be found guilty," said Shank's master.
"Yes, master. And what shall I do now?" Shank asked
"Take the beast. It must be protected at all costs," said his master.
"Yes, master," said Shank, leaving, his gunmetal gray pelt blending into the shadows as if he was never there.
Chapter 4: Guilty
Nico and Rion allowed themselves to be shackled and chained. They were taken to the A.G. Courthouse soon afterwards. They sat respectfully at the defendant's seats. The judges: Papi, the youngest, sitting on the right, Hammy, as the medium judge, sat on the left, and Graham, as the oldest and wisest judge, sat in the middle. In ArmorGames land, the Mods act as officers of the law, defendants of the people against creatures, spammers, and flamers, and as judges and jury. The bailiff walked coolly up to Graham.
"This is case #97B in the matter of the land of ArmorGames v.s. Nico and Fangblade," said the bailiff, sounding bored.
"Very well," said Graham, dismissing the bailiff. "Would the prosecution proceed?" After an hour of legal court juju-magumbo which Rion and Nico understood nothing of, it was time for the jury to give their verdict.
"Would my fellow members of the jury please give their verdict?" said Graham. Papi stood first.
"Guilty," he said, his voice clear, but filled with hatred. He sat down, his knuckles white. Hammy stood next.
"Guilty," he said. He then sat back down, humming Metallica. Graham stood last.
"Guilty," he said. His voice was calm and collected. It showed no emotion.
"The jury has made their unanimous decision that the defendants Nico and Rion are guilty of the murder of a young user. Therefore, I, Graham, supreme Mod, declare their punishment execution by hanging. Case dismissed," and with that, Graham banged his Ban Hammer, and Rion and Nico were escorted out of the courtroom. They were to be hung...tomorrow.
Chapter 5: Escape
Nico and Rion were led to a prison cell deep underneath the Help thread building. Their chains and shackles were undone, then they were barred in. The bailiff left, and a guard, dressed in a khaki uniform with red stripes, and armed with a sabre, walked in.
"Hi," he said cheerfully. His face looked young and friendly: he must've been around 20. "My name's Ping."
"Hi," said Rion. "I'm Rion." Nico just sat in the corner.
"I don't want the other guys to hear this; but I believe you," said Ping.
"Really?" said Rion
"Yeah," said Ping "And I want to help you escape."
"Truly?" Nico said, standing up hopefully.
"Really," said Ping. "Here's the plan." and he whispered it to them.
A few hours later, it was time for the changing of the guards. J.J, the replacement guard, walked in. See, guards are mods in training.
"Ping!" he yelled "Where are you?" Then, suddenly, he was hit on the back of the head and knocked out.
"Go!" cried Ping to Rion and Nico, who bolted out of their unlocked cell. Ping ran with them. A few minutes afterward, a groggy J.J. got up and sounded the alarm. Shouts and cries of battle were heard as the entire city and all its Moderator guards went into turmoil looking for the so-called murderers.
Chapter 6: The Power of Blood
Shank crept quietly behind the Metallica. His claws were out: even though his orders had been to protect the creature, it gave off such a scent of power it made him uneasy. He felt that it would be much easier simply to kill it and have done with the threat, but master said to protect it, so that's what Shank was doing. Suddenly, he got a telepathic link(Shank is a familiar, so he and his master can communicate telepathically)
Shank said his master. Do you see the Metallica?
Yes, master. I've been following it for hours said Shank
Good. I want you to capture it and bring it to me, said his master
Capture it? But you said the mods would be watching for it and that it wouldn't survive in the city! said Shank
No questions! Just capture it and bring it to me as quickly as you can! The Moderators are distracted right now! And don't spill a single drop of its blood! said the master sharply. Then, the link was broken. Shank crept closer. Then, being careful to sheathe his claws, he pounced on Wiliex.
Chapter 7: Battle; A Message
Papi patrolled the streets of ArmorGames vigilantly, searching for the escaped murderers. Suddenly, he spotted them! He drew his sword and ran towards them, shouting a battle cry. His entire regiment of 24 mods-to-be charged with him, brandishing their various weapons. He fell on the murderers with an unquenchable fury. His sword flashed around him, becoming not a weapon, but an arc of destruction. Rion and Nico together were a match for him, however, and he found his fury couldn't do anything. His men had suddenly fallen under an attack from several other people: probably the murderers' cronies. Papi easily defended himself from them. For some reason, Rion and Nico did not make any aggressive moves. Papi ignored this strange thing, and kept fighting. He spotted a messenger, identifiable by their blue silk costumes. Flicking his sword in a final blow at the murderers, Papi made his way over to the messenger.
"What is it!?" he said, annoyed
"Sir, Hammy sent me," said the messenger, looking nervous as the battle raged around them.
"Well, what does Hammy have to say?" snapped Papi, the adrenaline of battle still coursing through him
"Hammy's regards, sir. Hammy said that Demon Hunter is good music for battle, and..." said the messenger
"That's what he had to say?" said Papi in disgust. He turned around and was about to walk away.
"Wait!" exclaimed the messenger, "He said something else. Ping is missing."
"The young guard?" said Papi, feeling annoyed again.
"Yes. He also said something else-" said the messenger
"What?" snapped Papi, feeling ready to lop the messenger's head off.
"Graham is missing as well."
Chapter 8: True Colors
Ping called his soldiers to arms. It was time to reveal their true colors. Now that all of the Moderators were in turmoil searching for the so-called murderers, his men would strike, and the Moderators would be destroyed. He called to Graham.
"Graham!" he shouted "I think I see them!" Graham fought his way over to the young Moderator in training, unaware of the danger.
"Found the murderers?" he said, wiping the blood off his forehead. Wise as he was, Graham couldn't fight like he used to. He had several cuts, although none of them serious.
"Yeah," lied Ping.
"So, where are they?" Graham said, looking around.
"They ran down there! We've got to follow them!" exclaimed Ping. Meanwhile, he established a telepathic link to Shank.
Shank, he said. Do you have the creature?
Yes, master, responded Shank. I'm bringing it to you now.
Right. Take it to the derelict building on the far east side. I'll be there soon, Ping said, breathing heavily as Graham started to run, and he struggled to keep up.
"Where are they?" said Graham. Suddenly, he became suspicious. He whirled around on Ping, but by then it was too late.
Chapter 9: A New Direction
Nicho and Rion could barely defend themselves from the hordes of Moderators in training who assaulted them. They got several cuts and bruises, and became quite miserable. That was, of course, before a real Mod came along. When Papi found them, things went from worse, to awful.They could barely keep up with his flurries of blows and found themselves being injured and pushed back. Finally, Papi left them for some reason, and they managed to escape the battle. Using his bandanna to wipe the blood off his forehead, Rion grimaced.
"I hate being a fugitive," he muttered. Suddenly, there was a faint light, and Moat appeared...or something like Moat. His image was the same, but it flickered and seemed faint and weak, like some sort of mirage.
"Rion! Nicho!" exclaimed Moat, his voice not at all the same. It seemed patchy, like a bad transmission, and some syllables were simply cut off.
"Moat?" said Nicho. Moat spoke, but it was almost impossible to tell what he was saying, his words were so often left with gaps.
"That's ri-. Now, listen to-. It's a div-. You've got to g-. And stop -. He's going to-." Moat said. He was severely weakened: he didn't belong in ArmorGames.
"A what?" said Rion, confused. But Moat disappeared. A piece of paper fluttered down to the ground. Nicho picked it up and read it. Warehouse on far east side. -Moat, it said. Nicho frowned.
"What's that supposed to mean?" he said.
"I think Moat wants us to go to the old warehouse on far east," said Rion.
Chapter 10: The Battle For Blood
Shank grunted as he heaved the mat through the outskirts of town. Lying dormant on the mat was Wiliex. After knocking him out carefully, Shank had stolen a mat of twigs from a civilian and used it to carry the unconscious Metallica to the warehouse. He had been very careful not to spill any blood, as per his master's instructions. Finally, he let go of the mat, his jaws sore. He had reached his destination. His master emerged from the warehouse.
"Well done, Shank," said Ping smoothly. "Bring him in, and do it efficiently. We have a visitor." Shank bowed his head to show he understood, then took the mat in his mouth again. He dragged it inside. The gray wolf saw Graham, the lead Moderator, tied securely to the stone wall, but didn't give him a second glance. Graham coughed, an awful, wheezing, rasping sound.
"Ping...what are you doing?" he moaned. Ping laughed.
"Can't you tell? I thought you were wise," he said sarcastically. "The blood of a Metallica holds an amazing power. Anyone who drinks the blood becomes the holder of the power:immortality. I would be stronger than all the Moderators put together! Can't you see?" Ping said, a fiery glow consuming his eyes. Graham gasped.
"No..." he said. But suddenly, the warehouse shook.
"Attack!" bellowed a Turned Guard; a mod in training who chose to take Ping's side.
"It's Rion Fangblade and Nicho," reported another.
"Shank," hissed Ping. "See to it that the fools do not make it in. We need to remain uninterrupted during this ceremony."
"Yes, master," said Shank, flicking his bushy tail. He bolted out of the main room, a mere gray shadow. He saw Nicho and Rion. Shank stalked behind them,keeping hidden. On the other end of the warehouse, he could smell a war party of Moderators who had apparently tracked Nicho and Rion. Consisting of Papi, Hammy, JJ, and 3 elite guards. Shank chose to take on the Moderators. He ignored Nicho and Rion for the moment, and raced to where the mods were. Shank slowly drew out his claws. He bared his sharp teeth. Then, without a second thought, he pounced. Taken unprepared, the Mod war party immediately fell to the power of Shank. Shank easily savaged one elite guard, raking his claws against his chest and legs and biting at his neck. The guard fell to the ground, gasping for breath and clenching his wounds. Shank managed to slash another one on the leg, almost severing the limb. The guard fell to the ground, groaning. But by then the Mod war party had recovered from the surprise. Papi and JJ approached Shank, swinging their swords. Hammy strummed quickly on his guitar, creating a magical tune which grew louder and louder until the whole warehouse thrummed. Dodging Papi and JJ, whose swordsmanship together would likely be a match for Shank, Shank leaped onto the other elite guard. He practically ripped his face off. Then, he ran his claws along Hammy's guitar, snapping the strings and giving Hammy a few trivial scratches. By then, with most of the guards dead or incapacitated, and with the remaining Mods trying to tend to their fellows, Shank returned to the main room, prepared to bar the way from Rion and Nicho with his life.
Meanwhile, Ping had retrieved Moat's Spam Hammer. He transformed it into Moat's Sword of Justice: the only thing that could cut through a Metallica's skin. He swung it menacingly, and drew it back, preparing to slit the unconscious Metallica's throat and drink its blood, becoming more powerful than any being.
Chapter 11: The Beginning Of The End
Nicho and Rion finally made it to the main room. They saw Ping slice the poor Metallica's chest open with Moat's sword. He was surrounded by an army of Turned Guards. They bowed their heads. They couldn't win this battle.
"Nicho..." Rion said. "What's that?" Nicho turned around. A lengthy scroll had just appeared behind him. He snatched it up carefully, since it seemed very fragile. But then, on the other side of the room appeared the group of loyal Mods...who were unaware of the coup and still after Rion and Nicho. Nicho gulped, but he had to stop whatever Ping was doing! It made no sense to him...Ping had freed them. But Graham was tied up to the wall and Nicho's battle instincts told him Ping was up to something bad. Nicho and Rion came to a silent agreement, and leapt into the fray. At the same time, the Loyal Moderators and Turned Moderators spotted them, and ran for the charge.
"Wait!" bellowed Graham. "Don't attack them! They haven't done anything! Ping is the true mastermind here!" After hearing these words, the Loyal Guards, plus Hammy and Papi, turned slowly away from Nicho and Rion and toward Ping. Ping didn't take any notice. He was busy drinking Wiliex's blood(sorry TSL =/). Nicho, Rion, Hammy, and Papi charged him, while the other Loyal Mods held off the Turned Mods. Then, the scales tipped. A gunmetal gray flash could be seen, then Shank descended upon the already hard-pressed Moderators. He easily ripped apart two Loyal Mods and was retaking the gigantic room. The scroll fell out of Nicho's pocket. Graham's eyes widened.
"That scroll!" he shouted "Pick it up!" Nicho fumbled and snatched it up. He examined it.
"I can't read any of it," he said. It was nothing but gibberish.
"We've kind of got other things going on right now, Nicho," said Rion, sounding strained as he defended his friend from the Turned Guards. Shank approaching, leaving a path of carnage in his wake. Suddenly, Nicho and Rion combined finally made it back to Ping. They slashed at his back, and he turned around. His eyes were bright yellow, his mouth covered with silvery blood. He roared-an inhuman roar-and attacked Nicho and Rion, his stolen sword flashing to and fro. Since it could cut through anything, Nicho and Rion found their blades sliced easily in half. After a long while of dodging, they managed to disarm Ping. And then, Nicho used Moat's Sword to cut off Graham's chains. After that, the tables began to turn. Many of the Turned Guards were killed or retreated. But no one could kill Shank or Ping.
"Listen to me!" said Graham, his voice hoarse. "Ping didn't drink every drop! That means he's not immortal! You can still kill him!"
"Easy for you to say!" replied Papi, who was locked in a duel with Ping. Ping had retrieved a sword off the body of a fallen Mod. Bloodstained blades flashed, and a grunt of pain could be heard. Papi was losing.
"He's just super strong and super fast," continued Graham.
"You got that right!" said Papi, as Ping broke his sword in half. The junior Moderator picked up a new weapon.
"That scroll! Give me the scroll, Nicho!" said Graham. Nicho, who'd been drawn away from Ping, fought his way over to Graham and handed him the scroll.
"We've got to go," said Graham. "That scroll could be our only hope of defeating Ping."
Chapter 12: The Return of the Power
Nicho, Papi, Hammy, and Rion managed to get Graham out of the room and led him to a safe corridor.
"What's this about?" said Nicho, confused.
"Listen to me and I will explain," said Graham calmly. The two heroes couldn't help but admire his cool collection during the heat of battle.
"We don't really have time for storytelling," said Hammy nervously.
"Listen to me anyway. We have no choice. When I read that scroll a powerful and awe-inspiring being will be set free after thousands of years of imprisonment. If you are not prepared for his arrival, you will likely be killed," said Graham. Nicho, Hammy, Rion, and Papi leaned closer without realizing they were.
"Long ago, the land of ArmorGames was hardly plagued by Spammers, Trollers, Flamers, Perma-Noobs, or invading forces from the lands of Kongregate or Newgrounds. That was because we had a mighty force on our side, which drove out all the evil when it'd hardly begun. This force was Strop, the ninja horse. He was the True Moderator: a force to be reckoned with, at least ten times more powerful than anyone on the current Mod Council. And all was well and good under his protection, until one fateful Halloween party. Everyone with influence in ArmorGames was there. And Strop was the crowning jewel in that prize party. But when he arrived, several people started screaming in fright. The great Ninja Horse, the one True Mod, the one they entrusted their livelihood to...had shown up in a dress. Many dropped dead of fright on the spot. The rest ran screaming from the scene. They ran straight to the Wizards of Search Engine, who agreed to help them with their plight. They were convinced that Strop was wielding too much power, and they would end it. All the members of the Wizards of Search Engine's guild, the most powerful wizards in all the Internet, used their powers to create a spell. And that spell, they placed in a scroll. Strop couldn't be killed; so the spell would bind him in Google for eternity. It was successful, and Strop was imprisoned. Not long after, Spammers, Flamers, and the like returned to ArmorGames. But with no Mod there to protect them, the members of AG fell. Many tried to find the scroll and reverse the spell, but it was lost forever. And soon, the entire world of AG fell into darkness. This was the case for three thousand years. We tried to rebuild the power of the Mods, but it was no use. So we simply created the Moderator's Council, and they tried their best to protect the land. The scroll which could release Strop, the scroll which could save us all, remained lost. Until...apparently...now," Graham said, his voice echoing across the corridor.
"You mean to tell me that I just stumbled upon a scroll that's been sought after for three thousand years?" Nicho said incredulously.
"Yes," Graham said. It was convincing.
"But...how?" Papi asked.
"Well, I don't think you just stumbled upon it," Graham said.
"What do you mean?" Hammy queried
"I, being the Supreme Mod, can read this scroll. And there seems to be an addition at the bottom," Graham answered.
"Well? What's it say?" Rion asked
"Hope you know how to handle this thing -Moat," said Graham. Then, suddenly, an entire regiment of Turned Mods spotted them and charged. Graham began to read the scroll, while Nicho, Rion, Papi, and Hammy defended him against the horde of evil guards. Graham's voice echoed across the corridor, reverberating and getting louder and faster. Until the words were indecipherable. A blue mist began to envelop Graham. Suddenly, there was a BOOM!, a flash of bright white light, which stunned everyone. Then, while everyone was recovering, they saw an amazing sight. Graham was being helped up...by a horse dressed fully in ninja-gear. Strop, the once fallen Mod.
Alerted by the noises, the rest of the Loyal Mods, Turned Mods, Shank, and Ping, came running to the corridor. Strop seemed to know just what was happening, and appeared unshaken by the masses of evil Moderators bearing down on him and his allies. He whipped out his amazing ninja skills. He easily took down hordes of Turned Moderators with his cool roundhouse kicks and improvised moves. Suddenly, there came a change in the battle. Ping was casting a spell. It must've been a short spell, because by the time Strop kicked his way over to Ping, both Ping and Shank had disappeared. Never to be found again.
It was a few hours later the heroes and Mod returned to Wiliex. The poor creature was still alive.
"We must kill it," said Graham decisively "It poses a major threat. If someone becomes immortal, not even Strop will be able to stop them."
"No," said Strop, equally decisive. "It hasn't done anything wrong. We can't kill it. We simply must guard it. It is difficult to get a single drop of blood out of it."
"Very well," said Graham, unaccustomed to taking orders. And then, Moat appeared, although still flickering.
"Hmph! You never would've defeated them if I hadn't retrieved that scroll for you!" said the young god. "And you didn't even bring me back my Spam Hammer. Heck, now that I think about it, you haven't done anything I sent you here to do. The creature is still alive, my weapon is still missing, and now I think about that, you even let the guys you were after escape. Now what?" Moat said, folding his translucent arms. Nicho and Rion sighed.
