When a disaster occur, everything in life jsut topples.
Happy new year to you all, and please review ^^
A week later. Chase and Shadowsan ended the first part of their training.
" Very well. You made good progress. But now, you'll have to train with another opponent than me." announced the man.
He went to the door and called.
" Yes ?"
" Carmen, I'd like to involve you in Chase's training. He must fight other people to improve." announced Shadowsan.
" Me ?" made Sandiego.
" Her ?" said Chase at the same time.
" Of course. You're the only one here who possess aptitudes in combat, apart from me." said the Japanese.
" Hm okay."
Carmen walked toward Devineaux, who went back two steps, with a worried face.
" Don't worry, I won't hurt you." said Carmen with a soft voice.
" I'm not worry about that, but what if I hurt you ?"
She bit her lip. That was cute of him. Truthfully, she rather not fight him as well, but he had to learn.
" It's okay, I'll be fine. Now come on."
Chase shook his head. He knew she was more skilled than him, but as a man he possessed more physical strength, even more since he trained. An accident was so quickly arrived. Someone else was fine, but not Carmen.
" What are you waiting for ?" asked Shadowsan.
" I-I'm not sure I can." said Chase.
Shadowsan rolled eyes.
" Chase, that's just training. You know how to control yourself right ?" resumed Carmen.
" Yeeees."
" So let's do this."
Carmen got in position. Looked like he had no other choice. And maybe that was the occasion to impress her. That thought wasn't enough to win over his concern though. Sandiego attacked first, he blocked. The girl continued her offensive. For a while, Chase just dodged nor warded off. Then, he decided to attack. Now Carmen was forced to back away. The fight got more intense. Chase offered her a kick kick back she blocked.
" Ngh !"
" You alright ?"
Carmen pulled his leg and made him fall.
" Woah ouch !"
" Yes, I am. And you ?"
" I think I'll stay here, gonna think for a while." he replied.
" Hahaha ! You've became though you know." she said.
Devineaux smiled, flattered.
" Hmm, I was expecting more from you, Chase. Looked like you weren't even trying." intervened Shadowsan.
" Huh ? He went easy on me ? But …" thought Carmen, looking at him.
Chase took and innocent expression, the I-don't-know-what-you're-talking-about one.
" You ought to go for another round." Said the Japanese.
" No can do. You alone are more than enough of an adversary, sensei." decreed Devineaux, still on the back.
" You mustn't get used to one opponent, it could make you overconfident."
" That won't happen. Now, can we continue just the two of us ?" asked the French, crossing legs.
" Hmmm." mumbled Shadowsan.
He glanced at Carmen who shrugged. Apparently, Chase did this on purpose. He clearly showed he hated fighting with Carmen. He wouldn't give his all. Up until now, he did and went through everything the old man told him to do, without complaints. But the young woman seemed to be the limit.
" You really sure don't want to try again ?" he said.
" Against her ? Mark my words : NO WAY."
Sandiego could feel vexed. But she saw how reluctant he was first. Surely he feared to hurt her too much. Carmen said that was enough and decided to leave. Chase appeared relieved.
" Went for some training ?" asked Ivy when her friend came bac to the living-room
" You could say that. Shadowsan asked me to be Chase's new opponent." announced Carmen, sitting.
" What ? How could he make you two fight ? That's cruel !" exclaimed Ivy.
" Apparently Chase thinks the same : he didn't want to and went easy on me."
" Hmm, well that's a good new then, isn't it ?" smiled Ivy.
" Oh I don't know. Alright he was afraid of hurting me but that doesn't mean anything." smiled Carmen too.
" It means he cares about you, at last a little."
Sandiego's cheeks went pink.
A while later, Chase went to find Carmen.
" Listen senorita : I hope you weren't vexed because I refused to fight against you ? I just … I simply can't." he said.
" Oh, don't worry I saw perfectly well that it displeased you." she replied.
" Yes it did. I … I know it sounds stupid since you're stronger than me but … I wouldn't forgive myself if I ever happen to hurt you." he said, with embarrassment.
Carmen blushed.
" It's okay, I understand." she breathed.
" Good. I'll go prepare lunch now."
" Alright." she responded, twiddling a bang of hair.
Ivy was right : he cared about her. Carmen kept a broad smile on her face.
" Hey you ! How could you make Carmen fight against Chase ? How cruel can you be ?" heard the Argentina.
" What the hell do you mean ?" answered Shadowsan.
" CRAP !" thought Carmen.
" Are you blind or what ? Didn't you see how much she ca-mmmph !"
Carmen put her hand on Ivy's mouth.
" Haha it's nothing ! I won't interfere in the training so everyone is happy now." she cut.
Carmen pulled her friend along.
" What the hell Ivy ?!" she said, once out of ear range.
" What the hell yourself ! I was supporting both of you lovebirds."
" Ever occurred to you than no one else is aware that I love Chase ?!" reminded Carmen.
" Ooooooh finally saying it out loud, I see." smiled Ivy.
" Of course, I finally admitted it. But seriously !"
" Don't worry, Zack is aware he helped me render you jealous." revealed Ivy.
" He is ? Okay. Which makes me thinks. Did you really kissed Chase ?" wanted to know Carmen.
" Of course no. But Zack informed me you were waiting for us, and even spying. So I took the opportunity and just asked him to lean to me." explained the young girl.
" Huhuh. But wait. Does he knows that I …"
" Nope. Looks like he's as clueless as you were." sighed Ivy.
" Good. For now at last. I … still need to figure this out." said Carmen.
" You mean confessing ?"
" Hm ! Ohm … well … sort of ?" blushed the girl.
" Hope it will go fine for you."
Just after lunch, Player announced a new mission for the team in Italy.
" Without me this time : I have a videoconference with my superiors." said Chase.
" Too bad. But okay. See you later then." said Carmen.
" Take care of you, all of you." he smiled.
The Red Team got prepared and left the HQ. Devineaux went in an office and switched on a computer.
" There you are Devineaux." greeted his chief.
" Am I late ?"
" Not at all, we're still waiting for three others agents."
The conference began with recent results. Thanks to datas shared by Carmen Sandiego, several VILE's providers and partners were arrested. Operatives were harder to catch, but they did cause severe damages to the organization. They hoped to find their main HQ, especially if they caught a higher operative.
" Devineaux, since you're the closest to Sandiego, maybe you could interrogate her. She was always a step ahead of us, there's no way she doesn't know anything else of the sort." said the boss.
" Fine, I'll ask her." agreed the one.
" ACME is still trying to interfere by the way. Looks like they don't like no as an answer."
" I know. They interrogated me and I … how to put that, had to knock some sense into them. Literally." informed Chase.
" They deserved it. They were never willing to ask for our help nor share any informations, so they can get lost for all I care."
The reunion lasted twenty minutes more. Chase stretched and stood up. He wanted to contact Player to check how the Red Team was doing. When he grabbed his phone that one rang.
" Allô ?"
" Chase ! It's Zag."
" Oh ? What's up ?"
" You won't like it. It's very serious."
Chase went white when he knew. He quickly thanked his colleague and hung up. He called Carmen.
" Come on, please answer senorita."
When he was about to give up, he heard her voice.
" Chase it's not …"
" Carmen listen ! Not matter what you're doing just leave ! There's a contract on your head ! A killer has been sent, your mission is just a pretext ! Go back to your hotel, don't come close the windows and do not open to anyone, I'm coming !" he cut.
" You sure about this ?" asked Carmen.
" Yes. Zag just called me he found it on the darkweb. Now go !"
" Alright."
Chase then called Player whom he informed about the situation. The youngster immediately told him where to find Carmen and bought airplane ticket for him. The man didn't even picked any clothes nor a toothbrush, just weapons. He rushed out the HQ Player locked at a distance. When in his car, he checked his phone. His ticket was here. Now, all he have to do was to join Carmen on time.
" A killer ?" repeated Zack and Ivy.
" Yes. So we'll stay put for now." replied Carmen.
" I was wondering when VILE would resort to that kind of mean. After all, no one ever opposed to them with such success. You humiliated them, they're on the verge of bankrupting and most of all, you revealed them." said Shadowsan.
" Carmen, I found it. The proposition of eliminating you on the darkweb, just as said Chase." informed Player.
Ivy and Zack shivered. That was more serious than ever.
" Do you have any informations ?" asked Sandiego.
" Hardly, this isn't the kind of person who let his curriculum vitae on the web. Just a name, an alias : Shadowblade. However, the contract is mainly for you, but the whole team is included."
" Alright, thank you Player."
Carmen sighed. How would she able to handle a hitman ? Chase certainly had more experience on this, plus with Interpol she should be fine.
On his side, Devineaux was grumbling about the jet slowness. Of course it was faster than an ordinary plane, he could embark quickly and all but still. He was afraid of arriving too late. The Red Team was in Italy. Player indicated him where they were now, and he on his side informed the local police of this. They were already on their way. That should reassure him.
" No. I will be when I see her safe and sound." he thought, eyes closed.
Her ? Chase opened his eyes. Oh right. Now that he was thinking about this Carmen was the one he always worried about the most. The man reflected on this. His mind about her changed radically the day he understood she wasn't who he thought she was. He learnt to know Sandiego, discovered human qualities he never suspected, how brave she was. How unique. Without her everything would be pointless. He also liked a lot to be part of the Red Team. Joking with the young ones, training with a real master, improving himself. He was calmer than before. More attentive too. All thanks to Carmen. He owed her a lot in the end. Thus, he didn't want to lose the young woman, nor his friends. He had to protect them. Landing was announced. About time he thought.
At the airport, the local police was here to escort him. They drove as fast as possible to where the Red Team was supposed to be. Chase rushed on the stairs, not willing to wait for a slow elevator. He arrived before the door.
" Oh non."
It was opened, and covered with origamis. He already saw that in Mumbai. And …when he found Sandiego in Nice.
" Player ?!" he called in a panicked voice.
" I'm here, don't worry everyone is fine. They managed to escape, I'll guide you to them." responded the hacker.
" Phew. What happened there ?" he said, while returning outside.
" That was Paper Star. A VILE operative, one of the most dangerous. She can use paper to create shurikens. She was the one in charge of stealing the Magna Carta." informed the young.
" And who helped poisoning Carmen. She must be with the hitman."
Chase used a police car to find the Red Team. According to Player, the Red Team were going to an industrial zone. There, Carmen and Shadowsan were dealing with Paper Star and the hitman.
" Damn ! We can't fight properly as long as they're together. We have to separated them !" said Shadowsan.
They were hiding behind boxes.
" Let's use her own weapons to replicate." suggested Carmen.
" Good idea."
They separated. Both rolled on the floor while bullets were hissing. Catching origamis they sent them back to their owner. That worked : the enemy had to retreated. But the hitman replicated by shooting origamis sent to him. Then, he ran to his target raising his gun. That was when a car arrived, staved in the mesh before turning. Inside, Chase shot. The hitman plunged to dodged, so did Paper Star.
" Carmen ! Shadowsan get in !" he yelled.
But Paper Star sent origamis that got a flat tire. Chase laid then exited by the passenger side. Carmen and Shadowsan joined him, sheltered by the car.
" You're both okay ?" asked Devineaux.
" More or less. How are we going to get out of here now ?" said Carmen.
" I called the local authorities, they should be on their way. Where are Zack and Ivy ?"
" We separated to lure those two and defeat them. Player ? Did they call you ?" asked Carmen.
" Yes, they're fine for now."
" Okay : here's the plan. I'll make a cover shot. You two will take advantage of it to run." said Chase.
" And you ?" asked Carmen.
" I'll follow don't worry. Ready ?"
They nodded. Devineaux lifted his gun. Then he straighten and shot. Carmen and Shadowsan immediately ran for it. That allowed them to get out of the zone. Chase joined them in the streets.
" We have to find a car !" he exclaimed.
That was when one stopped before them. Inside, Zack and Ivy.
" There they are !" exclaimed Shadowsan.
Bullets hissed. Zack backed off while the others had to run elsewhere. Devineaux had another idea he didn't mention. Police sirens could be heard now. He waited for Carmen to turn in an angle. Zack and Ivy arrived at the opposite side, finding Shadowsan and Carmen.
" Come on !" exclaimed Ivy, opening a door.
" Where's Chase ?" asked Zack.
They turned. He wasn't there. Carmen's heart missed a beat. She rushed in the street she just left. She heard gunshots. Getting close to a wall, she looked. The street was desert. She continued.
" Carmen wait !" called Shadowsan.
But she was deaf to his calls. Chase visibly decided to face the hitman. What a crazy idea ! Finally, she reached the fighting scene. Devineaux was cornered against a mesh. A loud sound resonated. Carmen saw the man hitting the wire mesh … and falling. He didn't get up. Sandiego froze. It was like the whole world stopped. For the first time in her life, she felt completely unable to move nor think. A huge scream ascended her throat. Before it could exit, Shadowsan guessed she was about to yell. He grabbed her by the waist, obstructed her mouth with his hand and hid them.
" What are you doing she's over here !" called Paper Star.
Shadowblade looked in their direction. Zack and Ivy arrived in the car. Carmen looked like horrified. Shadowsan plunged with her in the car, Zack started in a tire squeal. Just when bullets were hissing again. Inside the car, Shadowsan released Carmen. She remained petrified for a while. Suddenly she straightened.
" Zack ! Turn back immediately we have to help Chase !" she yelled.
" What ?"
" Hey where is he ?" questioned Ivy, turning.
" Go back there ! Please we have to, he needs me ! Do it Zack !"
Carmen was in a total panic. Shadowsan sat.
" Carmen it's too late." he said, putting a hand on her shoulder.
" No ! No it's not we must help him ! Please return there he's wounded, he's in danger we have to do something !" freaked out Sandiego.
" Carmen … I'm sorry."
" No no no ! Please we must go ! Please !"
" What happened ?" questioned Zack.
" Devineaux got shot. He … didn't get up after that." announced Shadowsan.
Zack crashed the breaks, and his passengers.
" What did you say ?" demanded Zack.
" He … got shot. He didn't make it. I saw it."
" No ! We must go ! If you don't want to then I'll go alone !' exclaimed Carmen.
" Carmen. It's useless. There's nothing we can do for him now. You saw it like me." said Shadowsan, cupping her face.
" No … no it's not … don't say that … he … Chase is … I have to ..."
Tears cut her. Ivy and Zack exchanged looks, stunned. Carmen burst into tears. Shadowsan took her in his arms. The girl cried all she could.
" No … it must be a nightmare." said Ivy after a while.
Some tears ran on her cheeks.
" Zack, get us out of here." said Shadowsan.
The young one gulped, and he nodded. They went back to their hotel in a dreadful silence. Shadowsan let Carmen in the car. She was blank. Ivy and Zack were in charge of collecting their stuff. Shadowsan contacted Player so they could leave the country. That one agreed, pretty shocked as well. To think he was in touch with Devineaux just a moment ago. And now, he was dead. Carmen was disconnected from the world. She didn't realize they were heading the airport. Her former teacher helped her getting out, and guided her through the airport.
" Carmen ! Carmen I'm so sorry. Please say something." asked Player.
His voice brought her back on earth. Blinking, Sandiego noticed where she was.
" Wait !" she said.
They all turned to her.
" We won't leave. Not now, not that way. Player."
" Yes ?"
" I want you to track that goddamn bitch of Paper Star." hissed Carmen.
" But it's not safe, the hitman is still …"
" That's an order Player !" snapped Carmen.
Those harsh words shocked everyone. Carmen never ordered anything, let alone that way.
" Carmen, I understand you seek revenge but you need time to calm down." intervened Shadowsan.
" I don't need nor want to be calm right now. What I want is to destroy each all of them ! They will pay for what they did, and not only to me ! The whole world has suffered enough because of VILE !" replied angrily Carmen.
" We never said we wanted to give up Carm. Just … we need a break for now. Especially you." added Ivy.
" Are you deaf or what ? I won't rest until I find them. I don't care if you approve me or not as long as you're not in my way !"
She turned her back on them. Shadowsan sighed.
" Come on let's go." said Zack.
" Yes, let's support her on this. And … I have a bad feeling about this." approved Ivy.
" You're right. We won't make her change her mind, she's too much in pain, too angry to listen. But we can still prevent her from going on a path she may never return from." concluded Shadowsan.
