First, I'm not the author, but this brings back nostalgia I had forgotten existed And yes it's brutally long, but those who saw this time period pass should enjoy [quote][b][i]This is the new story, as voted on by you guys. Hope you enjoy it![/b][/i] The world of Zanzibar was never quiet. People were always milling about, shouting, playing, or insulting each other. Very few entered, and even fewer left. None survived the attack of New Mombasa. ------------------------------- Achronos watched as the armada surrounded Zanzibar. He didn't like it, but he knew it had to be done. Zanzibar had gone to shambles and it was only a matter of time before it tore itself apart. Still, he felt wrong in destroying something he had worked so hard to create. After the first bomb hit, Achronos turned away, confident that New Mombasa would do its job. ------------------------------- "You mean to tell me that you think a bunch of people yelling out profanity to a beat is music?" Mabon yelled. "It's poetry!" Another responded. A crowd had gathered around Mabon and now all of them were yelling at each other, some for and others against rap. Suddenly, everything stopped. The crowd, as one, looked up at the bright light that filled the sky. "It looks like a supernova." Echo said dismissively. "At least it shut you idiots up." "That's no supernova." The entire crowd turned to face the newcomer. Echo smiled, "Halifax. Coming to spread news of the end of the world again?" Halifax shook his head, "Not this time Echo. Although if you fools don't stop soon, your fate will soon be the same as Zanzibar's." That comment brought about a slew of questions and insults, but Echo's rose above the rest, "What makes you think it's Zanzibar?" Halifax smiled, "Even if you don't trust me, the Mods do. They've known for weeks this would happen. Achronos is cleaning up that mess he made." "He's right." This time there was no question as to who it was. Echo turned slowly, "Hello Yoozel." Yoozel shook his head sadly as he looked up at the bright light, "Zanzibar went beyond our control. So Achronos had it destroyed." Halifax nodded, "You see? Our destruction doesn't seem so unrealistic now, does it?" Yoozel scoffed. "Don't be a fool, Halifax. Everyone knew that Zanzibar had gone down the tubes." Halifax pointed at the crowd as he spoke, "Look at these people! Are they much different from Zanzibar? Bickering over such pointless things?" Del Beano stepped out of the crowd, "He's right guys. I mean, some of us were about to start hitting each other over a stupid music preference." "Please," Code Zero said waving his hand nonchalantly, "We were having an intelligent discussion." Halifax just laughed and walked away. Echo stood there, staring up at the explosion, "But why did he have to kill them? They weren't hurting anyone else." He didn't think anyone had heard him, but Del Beano responded quietly, "Sometimes the easiest way to deal with a problem is to get rid of it." Echo shook his head, "That doesn't make it right." ----------------------------- Halifax rounded the corner and let out a long sigh. Suddenly he felt himself pressed against the wall and a hand around his throat. "Listen," Toast said in a harsh whisper, "I don't know who told you about that, but you better learn to keep your mouth shut, or--" Halifax had a knife he kept hidden up his sleeve pressed against Toast's neck before the Mod could say another word. "Don't ever touch me again." Suddenly another Mod appeared from the nearby alley. He pointed his gun at Halifax's head and said coldly, "I think you've been in the Flood long enough. Drop the knife." Halifax stared at him for a moment and then dropped his weapon. "I thought you were gone, Maka." Maka smiled, "Few people know the truth. Now you can choose to be blacklisted, or move to another Forum and never return." An hour later, Halifax packed his bags and got into his space ship. He set a course for New Mombasa and waved a final goodbye to the Flood, wondering if he would have been better off accepting the blacklist. [/quote]