Missing Sister

"Anything?" asked Truman over the comms as he, Zhōng, and Tony were flying around the city late at night.

"Nothing," sighed Zhōng as he passed over the buildings, glancing in alleys and hoping to find his sister.

"Zhōng, I'm sorry, I should have been more on my toes." apologized Tony on the comms.

"We all should have been, we were just thirsty for action that they attacked us under our nose." said Zhōng.

"Still, they can't have gotten far, we constantly searching over the ports. If they left the city, it would have been by road." said Truman on the comms.

The boys soon met up in the air as their mechs hover. They were discussing their next move when Lord Tyron came on the comms. "All three of you get back here, we should talk." he said.

"He sounds happy," commented Tony.

"You think he would be after losing his niece?" asked Truman, Tony nodded his head slightly, this wasn't a joking matter.

"Let's head back, I don't want to make him more pissed." suggested Zhōng as he led them back.

Princess Zhen was staring out of a balcony at the palace of the spartans. She was drinking wine which was imported from her home as she pondered on the discussions earlier in the day. Her thoughts were like a train, one stop was an event and the train was the topic going forward to another stop. She turned her head to see Captain Howin standing guard while Lord Zào was enjoying the company of spartan girls. She felt jealous that her betrothed was enjoying the presence of others more than her, but she told him she won't do it till they were married.

A door knocked and the negotiator entered, he walked over to her and bowed before saying, "Princess Zhen, after discussing with the council, they approved your proposal. If our king doesn't, we'll have to take note of his problems and revote again to approve it."

"Thank you for informing me, I'll let my mother know when we'll return." said Princess Zhen, she gave a bow toward him before looking back out of the balcony. The negotiator soon left the way he came leaving her with her thoughts again. She then saw three silhouettes of mechs hovering above the city. She wondered what could cause the stir but she figured it was probably Zhōng, Truman, and Tony. It would make sense if it was those three as they left together, coming back down into the city.

"This may not be my place, your majesty, but if Zhōng becomes a threat, will you let him request the Spartan Empire to join him?" asked Captain Howin, he followed her gaze and saw the three mechs as well.

"He'll have to try very hard to convince them. If this alliance works, it would be impossible for him to request for them to fight us." said Princess Zhen, she turned around and went back inside as the captain follow him.

"Ow," groaned Tony as Lord Tyron stitched him. He was badly cut due to the surprise attack from earlier. Though in pain, he wanted to help them find their sister since he was supposed to protect her.

"You shouldn't have gone out like this." said Lord Tyron as he worked and analyzed Tony's wounds.

"I've had, worst!" grunted Tony as the needle stabbed him again.

"Looks like you need more lidocaine." commented Truman, he turned to prepare for another dose.

"No, no, no! I don't need more, I can handle this." said Tony as he watched his friend come over with the needle again.

"Clearly you can't considering you're squirming and groaning every single time." said Lord Tyron struggling to hold Tony's arm down so he can finish.

"Truman, put the needle back." ordered Zhōng, he was staring out the window of the room. The room went silent as they looked at him, since returning, he stared out of the window hoping to go back out to look for her.

"There's nothing you can do right now, they're gone." said Lord Tyron, calmly.

"What do you mean?" growled Zhōng, still staring out of the window.

"While you three were causing a commotion up in the air, I decided to take the streets. I went to the harbor and asked if there were any slaves being exported or people in cages. They were a few today and one was ten hooded men and a girl." explained Lord Tyron.

"Xing," the three boys said together.

"How? We patrol over the harbor millions of times." stated Tony.

"Well, you passed out and I was trying to wake you up. It took me thirty minutes to get you back on your feet so we can help with the chase." replied Truman.

"While you were doing that, I was running through the streets, hoping to catch a glimpse of them. When you caught up, that's when we took to the skies." continued Zhōng.

"So they must've had a ship ready to sail immediately after they boarded." concluded Lord Tyron, he rub his beard after taking in the information.

"This is entirely my fault." stated Zhōng, he turned away from the window, walked towards a bed, and laid down on it.

"So what should we do now?" asked Truman.

"Well, we must continue on our mission, though we might suffer a penalty for not having the minimum contenders on the first day." stated Lord Tyron.

"And have us forget her?" questioned Zhōng as he sat up.

"If the rumors are true, then we'll have the advantage of where each one is. She might be closer and this will give us the victory." reasoned Lord Tyron.

"So you're using this situation as a way to benefit our chances of winning these games?" questioned Truman.

"So what if he is? Shouldn't your focus be on the games?" said Tony before a whimper came out as Lord Tyron finished.

"His thoughts are in the right place, Tony, I won't fault him for that. However, it took you both to take one, what happens if go against many?" asked Lord Tyron. They all turned their heads to look at the gauntlet on the dresser. After waking up Tony earlier, they went where he left the assassin. He lay lifeless as Truman took the gauntlet off of him and returned it to their rooms before helping Zhōng search.

"At least I didn't get cut, I'm sure we'll be ready for it." stated Zhōng.

"Either way, we have no idea what we're up against, I'm going to ask the leader of the Assassin Black Market if he knows more about them." said Lord Tyron.

"Perhaps we should focus on making sure we can compete without risking a penalty first." suggested Tony.

"And you know a way to get a new member over here quickly?" asked Truman. Tony smiled at him and Zhōng, all three of them knew what he was thinking.

Zhōng was escorted through the palace of the Spartan Empire the next day. His was up and he had Truman's black Valtryek to keep unwavering eyes from getting suspicious. He soon arrived in front of a door where Captain Howin was standing guard. "He states he has news for your majesty." stated the guard. Howin looked at him, but all he could see was his hood covering almost half of his face. Captain Howin then turned and banged on the door.

"Yes?" called Princess Zhen from the inside.

"It's the Shadow, your majesty. He said he has something to speak to you." stated Captain.

There was a long pause before Princess Zhen replied, "One moment."

Howin then turned to the spartan guard and said, "You can leave now, I'll keep an eye on him till she is ready." The guard nodded and marched away leaving Zhōng and the captain alone.

"It's good to see you again, I'm sorry that I didn't say hello sooner." said Zhōng.

"I have to admit, it's great to see you alive and well as well. I apologize for changing sides." replied Captain Howin.

"Captain, I heard what she did to most of the guards at the old palace. Just be thankful we didn't know." replied Zhōng.

"May I ask where is the sword?" said Captain Howin, noticing the black blade wasn't the Ninja Sword.

"It's in safe hands till I get back." replied Zhōng.

"Shouldn't you carry it at all times?" asked Captain Howin.

"If I carried it here, one of the guards might recognize it and report it. We don't want that to happen after the princess score a massive victory." explained Zhōng.

"You can let him in now, captain." called Princess Zhen from the inside. Captain Howin obeyed her command, he open the door to let Zhōng in and closed it behind him.

"Your majesty, congratulations on your negotiations, I trust that you were successful." greeted Zhōng, though he didn't bow his body down.

"As much as it could be, I'll have to wait for a final answer from the king." replied Princess Zhen, she was busy analyzing her clothes while a few slaves were helping her pack when he entered.

"Your request should be approved, I heard if any demands are satisfying in the eyes of the negotiator, then there's no reason for the king to decline." stated Zhōng.

"Leave us," ordered Princess Zhen to the slaves. When they all left, she continued, "I believe you're not here for small talk. If you were, you would see me off before I go."

"I assume you don't want to gloat about your victory in my face as Truman would have thought before I left." said Zhōng, trying to stay on the topic of her negotiations.

"Why are you here?" asked Princess Zhen, gritting her teeth as she was enunciating each word.

"You know why I am, I'm traveling north to compete in a series of games that I should absolutely dominate." began Zhōng. Princess Zhen sighed, she turned around to hide her anger, he was pulling her strings and she knew it. "The reason why I request to speak with you is because my sister was taken." finished Zhōng.

Princess Zhen said nothing, she paused what she was doing as she took the news. During the trip to the Spartan Empire, when Zhōng and Truman went out on watch, Xing would ask her to spar. Though she was hesitant at first, Princess Zhen accepted the request and taught Xing some things while Tony criticized her while watching. "When and how was she taken?" asked Princess Zhen, she felt a little concern as she turned back around to face.

"Yesterday afternoon, I and Truman went on a chase when they attacked her and Tony. They cast off before we knew they did and perhaps on their way back to their home." said Zhōng, his cowl was still up but there was a fire of anger dancing in his eyes while his fist shake with frustration.

"So why did you come to me?" asked Princess Zhen, she was still confused about why he came.

"I'll be honest, me and Truman didn't want to do this, but we want you to be our replacement for her." answered Zhōng.

"What do you mean replacement?" asked Princess Zhen, hoping it wasn't what she was thinking.

"They want you to pretend to be my little sister." said Zhōng, confirming her fears.

"Why pretend to be her? Can't I just be myself, my mother made me a member a while back." asked Princess Zhen.

"You were made a member only to take over the black market. If it wasn't for Truman's determination to stay have the market stay free, you would take over if my uncle retires. But the reason why we need you to pretend to be her is so we can find the traitor." explained Zhōng.

"A traitor?" asked Truman last night after they agreed to ask the princess.

"It's the only logical solution." explained Tony.

"No one knew we were here, other than the empress, princess, captain, and that girl-drooling lord. They could tell someone we were here and do the job." stated Truman. He turned to face Lord Tyron who was packing the first-aid kit. Though he was good at acting normal, Truman and Zhōng knew he was hiding something.

"If I guess it's probably the lord since he hates both of you." commented Tony.

"He has no guts to do it, he despises us but he'll never be manly enough to execute such a plan." defended Zhōng.

"So that leaves us with those who came with us." concluded Truman.

"They were the only ones who knew we were in the city and also knew we went on our own." said Zhōng.

"Maybe we should interrogate each of them to see which one did it." suggested Tony.

"A foolish one will squeal while a deceitful one will cut his tongue. They all could say the same thing, it would be hard to find out who." advised Lord Tyron.

"So are we still okay with having the princess come with us? What if the same thing happens to her?" asked Truman.

"The traitor probably has received word they got her. If we board our ship with her disguised as Xing, the traitor might reveal himself. We can then keep our eyes on him till we no longer need him." strategize Lord Tyron.

"And it's another reason for her to come, a confused man will show his colors sooner or later." commented Tony.

"Then if anything happens to her, you do understand it will be on all our heads." stated Zhōng.

"I understand that," agreed Lord Tyron.

"I would like to redeem myself." declared Tony.

"I'm with you whether you decide to do this or not." stated Truman to Zhōng.

"Then I guess I go speak with the princess tomorrow." sighed Zhōng.

"So that's the reason, you want to find this traitor." concluded Princess Zhen after Zhōng explained.

"I want to find my sister, if we do have a traitor, I want him dead after he tells us where they took her." declared Zhōng.

"So you want me to be used as bait for the wolf in sheep's clothing? Do you do this to your sister as well?" questioned Princess Zhen.

"Well you may not like that reason but another for coming is because we can protect you better. There's a rumor that the final event will be capturing a princess from the Ninja Empire. You and my sister are the only ones, if the rumor is true you'll be hunted." said Zhōng.

"So not only I'll be bait but you think you can protect me while there's a traitor in our midst?" said Princess Zhen, the more reasons Zhōng give, the more she didn't trust him.

"Between us three and your twenty to two hundred guards, we can protect you from any including those among us." stated Zhōng.

"And why should I believe you or trust you?" snapped Princess Zhen.

Zhōng said nothing but stared at her silently, his eyes dancing like Truman's as the blue glow became brighter and brighter. He pulled down his cowl to reveal his hair, it was uncut yet looked like it was recently cleaned. His face carried no scars but was more intimidating than a man with one. His mouth never smiled nor did it frown as it stayed sterned. He looked deep into her eyes as she trembled by the power he revealed. "You don't and that's your decision, we'll be waiting under a bridge near the port. We cast off before sunset if you changed your mind." he said. Zhōng then put his cowl up and left through the door before Captain Howin could open it from outside.

Princess Zhen sighed as she turned to look out the window. The news of Xing being taken did touch her but she couldn't the former prince for she believed he still knew what happened to her. "If I may speak, your majesty," began Captain Howin, interrupting Princess Zhen's thoughts.

"I'm not changing my mind." she declared as she stormed to another room.

"If what Former Prince Zhōng said is true, then there's no way we can protect you from the other black markets. Truman broke into the palace by himself, I can only imagine what six other black markets can do at once and if they have one or two people who can do it." said Captain Howin, he was staying calm and voiced with reason.

"You fortified the palace after that, didn't you?" asked Princess Zhen as she analyzed her sword.

"Even with fortification and emergency procedures, our people will hear about it, thus warning those coming for you. If you go with them and followed their plan, it sounds like they can keep you safe till the games are over." replied Captain Howin.

"But I don't trust him, why should I go with them?" said Princess Zhen as she put her sword away.

"We've seen what Truman and Zhōng can do, I'm sure their friend can fight and scheme as well. I'm sure they won't let anything happen to you." assured Captain Howin.

"You were with Zhōng when he was a prince, is that the reason why you trust him?" asked Princess Zhen.

"Quit the opposite, I only know what he was as a prince, even what I thought was his darkest times. But this bandit, homeless, dark, mysterious one I don't know. He was never good in combat and yet he defeated you and claims to beat the Dual Bladed Ninja as well. I barely recognize him, it's hard for me to accept the always smiling, loving prince turned into a never smiling, hating criminal. But the one thing I still recognized is his determination and care about others. I'm sure if it wasn't for his friends, your majesty, the former prince would die by being alone." said Captain Howin. Princess Zhen had her back towards the captain, he couldn't see her confused face as she took in the information.

Tony and Truman were waiting under the bridge nearest to the port when Zhōng returned to them. "She's not coming," stated Truman as they saw him with no one else.

"Did I say that? We knew it was going to be a challenge to get her to come." said Zhōng.

"I honestly was hoping it will go better than this." commented Tony.

"It went as well as I imagined it to be." added Zhōng, Truman nodded his head in agreement. Though being a clone, they both had the same thoughts on the matter.

"So what now? Do go tell your uncle to cast off?" asked Tony.

"This was your idea, we'll wait till almost sunset, we have about six more hours." said Truman.

"I highly doubt she'll come on my plead, she'll perhaps come cause she knows I'm right about this and she trusts my other self." stated Zhōng.

"I hope you're right, I got everything to create a disguise and to make it look authentic." declared Tony.

Princess Zhen was walking through the gardens of the Spartan Palace. She had just a few hours to change her mind yet she was determined to refuse. However, she couldn't shake off the feeling she had when Captain Howin told her about Zhōng. She herself remembered before the war playing with him, even after the war broke out, she still didn't consider Zhōng an enemy. It wasn't till she was captured and watched him play outside from beyond the bars of prison she began to hate him. She recalled him smiling while playing with his sister, climbing trees to jump over the wall, or sometimes he was leaning on one of the trees to write something. She hated every minute of seeing him happy while she suffered but now he no longer smile, even to his sister, he would just grin. He was gloomy and mysterious, if he entered a room, everyone will go quiet. His presence was terrifying, to believe he used to be so kind was unrecognizable.

"Enjoy walking through our gardens, your grace?" asked the negotiator, he was reading a scroll while sitting on a bench when he noticed.

"I do, we have one in the palace as well. I enjoy walking through after it snowed and the trees are beginning to blossom." said Princess Zhen.

"Cherry blossoms if I recall correctly, they used to grow in your old palace as well. I remember seeing them once or twice. This of course was long ago when Emperor Huo and his wife rule your lands. I think they had one child and were expecting another if my memory serves me correctly." said the negotiator, looking back on his years.

"How long have you done this for?" asked Princess Zhen marveling at his experience.

"Let's see, I was nineteen when I was taken as an apprentice. I learned a lot from my master, a few tips and tricks that I can pass down when I get an apprentice in about five to six years. I've done this for forty years and even with my experience, this old sharp sword still needs to be sharpened from time to time." said the negotiator. He chuckled then went back to reading his scroll.

Princess Zhen smiled at his comments, he was someone that has wisdom and yet knows when to be friendly. The breeze picked up as she turned to face the wind. She saw the ship Zhōng, Truman, Tony, and the black market members were supposed to board and it made her go back into her deep thoughts. "You don't and that's your decision," the voice of Zhōng rang through her head as if it reminded her of him.

"Is something troubling you, your grace?" asked the negotiator, noticing she was staring out to the harbor.

"A Ninja Empire problem only," replied Princess Zhen, she turned and began to continue on the path she was taking.

"I've seen that look before, your grace. Whatever is at that harbor, you don't like it." stated the negotiator, stopping Princess Zhen in her tracks.

"Why do you care? It isn't your problem." stated Princess Zhen.

"It isn't our problem yet," repeated the negotiator adding and accenting the last word. "Do you think we won't know that the former prince was walking through our streets?"

"How do you know he was here?" asked Princess Zhen, she was shocked that they knew he was here. It was taking years to find him yet when he arrives in the Spartan Capital, he was recognized.

"Thirteen people from the Ninja Empire arrived into our lands. Finding who each of them are can help me take an advantage. That's why I asked about him, it's because one of the guards on patrol in the city noticed a black sword. This won't be massive proof that he is here, but the company with him, tend to follow him as if he was a king and his sister as the princess. I don't know why he is keeping quiet though since he can prevent your proposal right now." stated the negotiator.

"He has sworn to remain quiet till the end of the games he's participating in the north." said Princess Zhen.

"So why does he trouble you?" asked the negotiator.

"He would like me to come with them." replied Princess Zhen.

"But not as yourself otherwise there will be trouble for your empire." said the negotiator.

"I prefer not to talk about the details." declared Princess Zhen, she was beginning to feel uncomfortable.

"You don't have to, your body speaks for yourself." stated the negotiator. Princess Zhen said nothing, she stared out to the harbor again. She felt lost and confused, and though she hated Zhōng, she enjoyed Truman's and Xing's company and was able to withstand Tony in certain amounts. However, all of them were Zhōng's friends or family and his friends were going to rescue his sister. She felt betrayed and the pain of being in prison flooded her memory. "I don't your relation with the former prince, but I do know you care about the others continuing north." continued the negotiator. "Wouldn't you agree with me captain that if she goes with them, she might be able to do more than what the former prince ever did for her?"

Princess Zhen turned around and saw Captain Howin had joined them, he was wearing armor and armed with his spear. "The former prince and I never knew you were in prison. If Zhōng did know, it would be one of the few secrets that I wasn't aware of. I promise you, your majesty, the fact that the former prince is going to chase after those people should tell a lot about who he is now than back then." he stated.

The bells from a tower charmed five times to indicate five o'clock as Tony looked out to see the sun was almost going to set. He sighed with defeat as he and his friends knew what it means. "Well, I tried," stated Zhōng, he didn't want Princess Zhen to risk her life anyway.

"There's still time, you and I know her well enough." said Truman.

"If she does come, there might not be enough time to disguise her." said Tony, while they were waiting, he was calculating how long it would take him to transform Princess Zhen into Xing.

"Might as well go to my uncle and prepare to sail sooner rather than later." declared Zhōng, he stood up and begin walking towards the harbor when suddenly stopped. Truman and Tony looked at him puzzled before turning their heads the other way to see someone standing there.

"You know captain did defend you and said you were different, but you almost proved him wrong." said Princess Zhen, her hair was cut to the length of Xing's hairstyle. She wore no royal clothing while having a cloak similar to Xing and Zhōng's pattern wrapped around her.

Zhōng turned around and frowned that she showed up. "I took you to be smart even after I pleaded." he said.

"Well considering you're here, your majesty, may I ask are you're sure about this?" asked Tony, he was beginning to break out the gear he needed.

Princess Zhen looked at Zhōng who stared coldly back, they both didn't her to come, but if he hated it, then she might as well enjoy this torment. "Absolutely," she replied.

"Very well, strip." ordered Tony, holding a brush with a needle tip.

"What?!" asked Princess Zhen, Truman, and Zhōng altogether.

"Are you insane?" added Truman.

"Why do I have to strip?" asked Princess Zhen, she suddenly started to rethink her decision.

"To show you got beaten up before we 'found' you." replied Tony.

"So why does she need to take off her clothes if you're going to cover her arms and legs?" asked Truman.

"So I can do her back as well." replied Tony, he felt smart. Whatever question Zhōng and Truman could muster, he had a reason. He also planned while they waited.

"How long would it take to change her eyes and hair colors?" asked Zhōng.

"Her eyes would be quick, she just needs to where these dye contact lenses. Her hair meanwhile won't take as long as turning Xing's hair to blond." replied Tony.

"Truman, take that brush from Tony and made marks that look like bruises on the princess's arms and legs. Tony you're going to help me find the right amount of dye to change her hair color." ordered Zhōng.

"Just her arms and legs," repeated Truman after Tony handed him the brush.

"Anywhere else and I won't protect you from the empress's wrath. Just the arms and legs of the princess." stated Zhōng.

"Don't you mean 'sister'," said Tony, he was disappointed that he couldn't do the details of the bruises and was trying to tease Zhōng.

"When we're alone, I call her the princess or her majesty. When we're with others, I call her sister." stated Zhōng as they begin to work.

Truman carefully cut with his knife pieces of clothing around the arms and legs of Princess Zhen to make them look more real. With the brush he carefully painted on her, the cold paint made Princess Zhen blush and uncomfortable as the paint hit her skin. "Forgive me, princess," whispered Truman as he worked. Princess Zhen looked up and caught Zhōng glaring at his friend before going back to work. Even his closest friend, he made sure she wasn't harmed.

The ship was ready to set sail as Lord Tyron looked out at the harbor. He knew where they were at and hoped that they weren't still waiting. "We're about ready to set sail, do you have everyone sir?" asked the captain of the ship.

Lord Tyron looked out at the harbor again and saw three boys walking with one of them carrying a girl. "I do as soon as they board." he stated. The boys boarded the ship and it cast off, once underway, Zhōng set down Princess Zhen disguised as Xing.

"You found her!" exclaimed Catch recognizing her as Xing. Lord Tyron told all of them last night that Xing was missing and Zhōng, Truman, and Tony were going to go find her the next day.

"We did," confirmed Zhōng turning around as he stood up. His cowl was up over his face as his eyes dance from each member to the next. He was looking for the traitor to reveal himself, but like last night they all show the same expression of surprise.

"Set sail to the Egyptian Empire!" shouted the captain to his crew. This broke the building tension as the other black market members separated.

"Not one looked out of the ordinary." whispered Truman, confirming Zhōng's search.

"Then we better get my sister patched up. Truman, since you have the most experience, could you help her if she needs it?" asked Zhōng though it was an order more than a request.

"Very well, I'll help her." agreed Truman. He helped Princess Zhen to her feet, though she can walk just fine, they told her to fake it for now. They went down below deck leaving Zhōng and Truman to watch the sun begin to disappear.