The Victor of the Games

The Egyptian Empire soon came into view after days of being out at sea. Onboard of the White Pearl, Truman looked through a spyglass to see if their appearance raised any alarms. While he scanned, Zhōng and Tony were talking to Xing. "If you recognize anyone that you ran into in the Spartan Empire, let us know immediately." told Zhōng.

"That was so long ago, I don't think I could remember. It happened so quickly that I couldn't react." stated Xing as she tried to remember her kidnapped.

"Terrifying things people tend to remember clear as day." said Tony.

"How else do you think people would remember my codename? I had to do something terrible and they'll never forget it." stated Truman as he put down the spyglass. Princess Zhen, Yuzuki, and Mr. Wàng Jì soon approached them while the crew prepared to dock.

"Captain Edwards, ensure that the ships badly injured get patched up before any other ship with barely any scars." ordered Zhōng.

"Aye, aye, lord captain." acknowledge Captain Edwards, he went to his messengers and gave them the order.

"Well would you look at this, we have a welcome party." stated Tony. He picked up a spyglass and spotted something out of the ordinary.

"Well we better not keep them waiting for much longer." stated Zhōng.

As the White Pearl and a couple of the severely injured ships pulled into port, guards were rushing towards the port. They grabbed and armed themselves with spears from nearby as the White Pearl was docked. When Zhōng, Truman, Tony, Princess Zhen, and Xing walked off the ship and touch land for the first time since fleeing from the Pirate Island, ten guards from the Ninja Empire pointed their spears at them. They were mostly pointed them at Zhōng who had his cowl up as behind them was Empress Wēi.

"Mother," exclaimed Princess Zhen when she realized this.

"Arrest all of them except my daughter." ordered Empress Wēi. The guards went stiffer, but Truman and Tony prepared to arm themselves with weapons and stepped in front of Xing.

"Did you honestly think this will go easily?" mocked Zhōng.

"We got a couple hundred of pirates who will protect their lord captain." stated Tony, he caught a glimpse of Truman's cold glare staring at him.

"Then you'll declare war on the Ninja and Egyptian empires if one of them attacks." stated Empress Wēi.

"That may be, or I can simply declare war on the Ninja Empire and all I need to do is to shout a few simple words." threatened Zhōng as a sinister grin appeared on his face. Empress Wēi turned around to see their actions had caught the eyes of a few Egyptian guards nearby. "Are you sure you want to do this?" questioned Zhōng.

"Stand down," sighed Empress Wēi, she knew if she did anything in a foreign empire, her actions will be questioned. The guards lifted their spears away, after they had done that, Truman and Tony stepped away to let Princess Zhen through. She passed through and went to hug her mother for it was a long time. "Don't think you're getting out of trouble," warned Empress Wēi.

"I know what I did and I'm sorry," apologized Princess Zhen but she knew she'll be punished when they returned home.

"We still going to need her for one more thing, if you don't mind, your majesty." informed Truman, they had one more thing to do to end the games.

The doors swung open as Truman led Tony, Zhōng, Princess Zhen, Xing, Yuzuki, Mr. Wàng Jì, Empress Wēi, Captain Howin, Captain Edwards, and the Ninja guards in that order. They entered the throne room where the leaders of each black market for their respectable empire were waiting. A table stretched across all of them as they stared at the group that entered in awe. "Hail, Pharaoh Ay, and greetings leaders of the black market. The Ninja Black Market party has returned." greeted Truman as he bow to the pharaoh.

"I see that you lost members yet gained some, Dual Bladed Ninja." stated the leader of the Medieval Black Market.

"Our losses were high, most of them didn't need to die." stated Truman, he turned to look at Lord Tyron. With a nod of his head, he saw his uncle sigh with relief.

"You said 'most' didn't need to die, what do you mean?" pointed out the leader of the Indian Black Market.

"There was one who we discovered wasn't on our side." explained Truman.

"Who was it? If you don't mind telling." asked Pharoah Ay.

"What does it matter? Their traitor is dead and they have captured the princess. They won the games," stated the leader of the Assassin Black Market.

"Actually, we had the princess the entire time, sir, our's target was someone who was already taken." stated Truman.

"But how? I can tell you have Princess Zhen with you. There's no way you had her in your group." stated the leader of the Viking Black Market.

"Unless someone leaked the rumor that was amongst us." suggested the leader of the Spartan Black Market. They turned to look at Lord Tyron who sat quietly when they entered.

"You knew, didn't you?" accused the leader of the Medieval Black Market.

"I heard them, all I did was prepared if they were true." confess Lord Tyron.

"You made all of us fools as we sent our men into your empire to die." erupted the leader of the Viking Black Market.

"Well then you shouldn't have trusted everything that was reported to us." defended Lord Tyron with a calm voice.

"Shouldn't have?!" burst the leader of the Indian Black Market.

"Brother," whispered Xing to Zhōng while the leaders argued. "It's them, I remember seeing their faces." she stated.

"Tony," growled Zhōng.

"I see," acknowledged Tony. Without warning, he fired his flintlock at the leader of the Spartan Black Market. Just before anyone could act, Zhōng pounced on the leader of the Assassin Black Marker and killed him.

"What are you doing?" shouted the leader of the Medieval Black Market as he sat between both.

"Killing the pawns that helped kidnapped The Princess." stated Zhōng as he stood up over his kill. He turned his head towards the leader and all who could see, saw the dark void and terror that could be unleashed.

"What do you mean pawns?" asked Pharaoh Ay.

"There was no Assassin Black Market, oh pharaoh." began Truman as Zhōng turned around to face him. "We took The Princess, otherwise known as Xing, with us for protection against the Black Assassins. She was sadly captured in the Spartan Empire because our traitor ratted us out. Fortunately, we were aware that The Phoenix, otherwise known as Princess Zhen, was in the Spartan Empire. We requested her help and she accepted with the condition we don't expose her identity."

"Is this true?" whispered Empress Wēi to her daughter.

"In some ways, yes." replied Princess Zhen.

"So what do you mean there's no Assassin Black Market?" asked the leader of the Viking Black Market.

"Captain Howin, how many tried to break into the palace over the last couple of months that weren't from the Ninja Empire?" asked Truman as he continued to look at the remaining black market leaders.

"Forty, ten each from four different empires." answered Captain Howin.

"The Egyptian Black Market followed us and were killed by us just outside the capital of the Assassin Empire. I believe that Hangman took us on a detour to have his brothers catch up to us. While we were in the city, we notice there wasn't any crime and we stood out of place except for Hangman who took the shortest path without being spotted. The ten members from the Assassin Black Market met him there and they picked us off at the harbor. Even they fear of being killed by their own kind. All the empires have some level of respect for their black market, it's the deal done behind closed doors. But in the Assassin Empire, they would pounce on anyone that seems suspicious. I believe the Assassin Empire hasn't had a black market in a while now." said Truman.

"So you killed him because he has a connection with the Black Assassins." summarized the leader of the Viking Black Market, indicating the dead leader of the Assassin Black Market. "But why him again?" he asked indicating the dead leader of the Spartan Black Market.

"His territory, his responsibility. It's hard for anyone of us to enter in different empires without any of you knowing. He knew we were in the empire and the Black Assassins, yet when they took her, he did nothing nor made the effort in telling Mr. Tyron." stated Zhōng as he turned around again.

"I'm glad you know my proper title, Shadow." commented Lord Tyron, he saw his nephew nod his head before leaping over the table and going back to his party.

"Well, now we are done with killing and presenting proof for why. Shall we announce the winner of the games?" suggested Pharaoh Ay.

"Hold it pharaoh, you're not innocent either." stated Zhōng when he returned.

"And the games are not over, there's still two teams remaining." added Truman.

"What are you talking about?" asked Pharaoh Ay.

"And what do you mean this isn't over? You have the two princesses, you are the ones who returned, who else still is remaining?" exclaimed Empress Wēi.

"His majesty, your majesty, had made a deal with the devils." stated Truman as they all turned to look at Empress Wēi.

"Though the Assassin Black Market doesn't exist, the Black Assassins aren't going to give up. We have taken their prize and they'll want her back." stated Zhōng.

"Also, we have three princesses from the Ninja Empire." stated Tony. Truman and Zhōng looked at him with cold stares. "What? You said that if something happened to you all, she'll be the heir."

"I thought that it was you, cousin. I see that you're still alive after all these years." stated Lord Tyron.

"Likewise, I thought you would die with Huo." greeted Mr. Wàng Jì.

"Well, I'm close. I cheat and flirt with death most of the time. Especially this time where I had the princess join our team." explained Lord Tyron.

"If he flirts with death mostly, then what does that make you two?" whispered Tony to Zhōng and Truman.

"Jumping into the depths of death while he hovers over it." answered Truman.

"More like if he sees it, that's good for him." roasted Zhōng.

"Well that's putting it kindly. I didn't know you were this nice." whispered Truman.

"Are you two done?" stated Lord Tyron, he noticed they were discussing something and he had a good idea what it was about.

"Of course, sir." responded Zhōng.

"Yes, my lord," mocked Truman.

"I'm definitely putting you on intensive training when we get back." sighed Lord Tyron.

"If we're done with getting reacquainted, I'll like to ask, Dual Bladed Ninja, what makes you think I'm involved with these Black Assassins?" said Pharaoh Ay.

"The Black Island is a small island, while there are trees and resources to create ships. There won't be enough to build a fleet much less a sturdy ship. There's only one way to create a fleet without completely draining the resources. Buying ships and sailors to sail them." explained Truman.

"The Spartan Empire has always taken care of their own ships and doesn't lease them to other empires. The Viking Empire are too proud and stubborn to negotiate for their ships. That only leaves the Medieval Empire and yours to provide them with a fleet. And I don't think the Medieval Empire is willing to say all the way around to the other side." stated Zhōng.

"What about your new pirate friends?" asked Empress Wēi.

"We tend not to work with any assassin without them giving up why they're sailing with us." stated Captain Edwards.

"How many ships did you supply them, oh pharaoh?" demanded Zhōng when all possibilities were eliminated.

"Enough for them to take the Assassin Empire, there's also some extra to take some land from the Indian Empire." answered Pharaoh Ay with a sigh.

"Not only did you supply them with that many ships, but you also gave Dolion a fleet to take other empires, including yours." growled Zhōng.

"Dolion said to me in person he wouldn't." stated Pharaoh Ay.

"You should never trust a devil, they'll never tell you their entire plans." stated Zhōng. He turned around and walked back outside with Captain Edwards and Xing following him.

"A little advise, brother-in-law, when you shake hands with a devil, keep an eye out for a blade." advised Lord Tyron.

"And be prepared for it to strike," warned Truman.

"Are you saying I should be concerned about you?" said Empress Wēi concerned for her daughter.

"There's a difference between Dolion and Shadow and I. While Dolion is a devil, we are demons and monsters." assured Truman, He walked out with Tony as they left the remaining leaders, Empress Wēi and Princess Zhen alone.

"Lord Captain!" cried out Tony a few hours later. They were at the pier while ships were being repaired and the good ones loaded with cargo for the next voyage.

"Report," requested Zhōng as he was looking at a map. He sent Truman and Tony to find out if anyone was going to stand with them.

"Pharaoh Ay has ordered all of his ships that were heading to Black Island to stay back and don't go." reported Truman.

"Well, I guess that's some good news." stated Zhōng, he looked up to see his sister was looking at him with concern. "And the empress?"

"She refused to join us, she doesn't understand why we must fight them in the Ninja Empire. Although, she did promise to lock down Port Dake for any Egyptian ship." answered Truman.

"To be honest, I don't know why either. Why not fight them back at Black Island?" asked Tony.

"Let me ask you two things, one, do you think Dolion doesn't know we're coming?" questioned Zhōng.

"No, I'm sure he has spies just like we do." replied Tony.

"Exactly, even if Pharaoh Ay had pulled back his ships, Dolion perhaps still has enough to invade. Now, why am I picking the Ninja Empire to stand against him?" said Zhōng.

"Well is because we are citizens of the Ninja Empire," guessed Tony.

"You're half right, but the second half is to be ahead of Dolion. Throughout the games, Dolion has made his moves carefully and strategically. We've been one step behind but now, we must be ahead." explained Zhōng.

"The only question is where, we don't have the numbers." stated Truman as he analyzed the same map Zhōng was looking at.

"If Dolion is going to attack the Ninja Empire, wouldn't he need to defeat the Assassin and the Spartan empires first?" asked Xing.

"Dolion has ships and men, if he needs to land somewhere outside the Ninja Empire to penetrate, he'll for somewhere nearby. Or he could simply enter before word reaches the empire." replied Truman.

"He'll also kill anyone that isn't them, he'll slaughter the entire Ninja Empire to find you." said Zhōng as Tony joined to analyze the map.

"So we need some sort of terrain that should give us the advantage while also preventing too many innocent casualties." summarized Truman.

"Here, it's the only place that makes sense." stated Tony as he pointed at a place on the southeastern border.

"I thought about that, but he still going to need more men or power." said Zhōng.

"Can you describe the land towards and at the place you pointed Mr. Poisoner?" asked Captain Edwards, he was returning from inspecting the progress of the damaged pirate ships.

"Should be flat most of the time, the forest could be a problem but nothing severe, and the place is an open field. Why do you ask?" said Tony as plotted the trail.

Captain Edwards brought the four of them down below decks of the White Pearl. There he opened a scuttle and reveal something to them. "Wheels?" questioned Truman.

"Aye, when we do raids on an impenetrable place, we would bring canons to shore to provide cover fire. Our enemy would focus their attention on them which gives us cover and time to raid and pillage." explained Captain Edwards.

"And with them on wheels, you can change the direction of where you want to fire." said Tony as he went down to inspect the heavy framed wheels.

"How many do we have on each ship?" asked Zhōng as Truman joined Tony below.

"Enough for all the canons on this ship. There are more on most of the others. But lord captain, we would rather not use them all. While they provide cover fire for pillaging, they also provide fire for escaping. That's the reason they'll be on wheels so he can fire while pulling back." said Captain Edwards.

"How many can you lose?" asked Truman looking up from his work.

"To maintain high battle alertness at sea, two for this ship." stated Captain Edwards.

"Tony, Truman, go to the damaged ships and see if they have any wheels and canons they can afford to lose. Captain Edwards, asked the other captains as well. We set sail for the Ninja Emire immediately." ordered Zhōng.

"Aye, aye, lord captain." stated Truman, Tony, and Captain Edwards. They hurried away to do what they were told.

As the crews from the various ships got to work of resupplying and reorganizing to sail, Lord Tyron came to speak with Zhōng, Truman, Tony, and Xing. "I assume you're setting off as soon as possible." he greeted.

"We have no time to lose," stated Tony.

"Dolion should already be in the Ninja Empire, we can't waste time if he goes on a rampage." theorized Truman.

"Aren't you coming with us, uncle?" asked Xing, she noticed that Lord Tyron excluded him from them.

"You've picked up a trick I've seen Zhōng uses often." applauded Lord Tyron.

"It didn't help that you taught games with real-life scenarios that might happen." grumbled Truman who also noticed.

Lord Tyron smiled and then said, "I must stay behind to plead my case, our little stunt has gotten me into trouble."

"Well then if you're in trouble for bending the rules in our favor, what about his majesty for the upcoming calamity?" questioned Zhōng.

"Pharaoh Ay is not a king of just the black market of this empire, he's king of this empire. The Egyptians believe that their leader has to be the leader of both the light and the dark markets. If he couldn't lead both, then he's not worthy to be the pharaoh. He also wields the Eqyptian Khopesh, if he's unworthy, it will leave him." explained Lord Tyron.

"Then I guess we'll see you when this is over." accepted Truman.

"I'll come back to the Ninja Empire with my cousin and his daughter. I also want to catch up with him and asked how he got on the Black Island." promised Lord Tyron.

"What about the empress and the princess?" asked Zhōng.

"They should be leaving at the earliest tomorrow." answered Lord Tyron.

"Will she come to see us off?" asked Xing.

Lord Tyron shook his head and bowed it. "It's for the best," said Zhōng, reaching his hand out to grab Xing's. Xing nodded and grabbed Zhōng's hand, he had been her protector ever since the end of the Eight Year War.

"Lord captain," stated Captain Edwards approaching them. "We're ready to sail."

"Very good," replied Zhōng and he turned around to head towards the ship.

"You guys be careful," warned Lord Tyron as they watch Zhōng lead Xing back towards the ship.

"You know we can't promise that," stated Tony.

"Even if we tried, someone else gets injured." added Truman.

"Then good luck in protecting her," wished Lord Tyron. Truman and Tony nodded, then hurried away to catch up with Zhōng.

"What's the fastest way to reach the southern border of the Ninja Empire?" Zhōng asked Captain Edwards.

"Travelling south from here, but we will have to go through the Viking Empire." stated Captain Edwards.

"Will that be a problem?" asked Zhōng.

"Only if we run into them, when they patrol out in sea, there's a massive distance between their ships. If we hit their gaps just right, we should sail by with no problems." explained Captain Edwards.

"Do you know when and where they should be on their patrols?" asked Truman after he and Tony caught up.

"No, but we have the advantage. Since our ships are larger and higher than theirs, we can spot them and take more of a beating than they can." answered Captain Edwards.

"Then make sure we don't suffer any causalities on the way through. Let's set sail!" ordered Zhōng.

"Aye! Aye! Lord captain!" roared the crew and captains that were close to them.

The journey to the southern border of the Ninja Empire while it was dangerous, they had no problems as they landed in two months from departing the Egyptian Empire. They took ten cannons with them to shore, four carts of supplies, and three hundred men to shore. When all was accounted for, they travel north where Zhōng, Truman, and Tony were going to make their last stand.

"We'll place six cannons facing north with the outer two able to spin around if needed to help the other four which will face south." explained Zhōng as he pointed on a map of where he'll like them.

"That shouldn't be hard to do, I assume you want to mow down the trees when they're close." guessed Captain Edwards.

"Their advantage is close combat while ours is range combat. The longer we keep them at bay, the better our chances of victory become." analyzed Truman.

"Are you sure no one is using this barn?" asked Xing as she looked at her brother.

"The barn is old and worn from hundreds of years ago battles. It once stood as a peaceful place to live with the idea of growing a town here. However, it became a bunker as we clashed with the Viking Empire for the land. Since then, no one has ever used it, there was a home nearby but fell down due to decay. The reason the barn hasn't fallen is probably due to the modifications done to be a bunker." explained Zhōng.

"That's another reason why chose it, if it gets attacked, it will stand as long even after collapsing." said Truman.

"I'm back, what were you discussing?" announced Tony with a confused expression on his face.

"Something bothering you?" asked Truman.

"Well, I counted the barrels before we left the ship, even when we landed on shore and just now. It appears we somehow gained another one from the ship to the shore." reported Tony.

Zhōng chuckled then said, "It took you this long to notice?"

"Did you have something to do with it?" asked Xing.

"I think you should know that Tony is the prankster while Zhōng and I are not." defended Truman.

"Then how did we gain an extra barrel?" asked Captain Edwards.

"All the barrels are labeled, correct Tony?" questioned Zhōng.

"I label them myself, I looked inside each one of them when I did." stated Tony.

"What about the one that isn't marked?" asked Zhōng.

"I don't know, do you know something?" asked Tony.

"It's been a week since we landed, you're asking me what's inside even though you should already know expect what it is inside." stated Zhōng. He walked over to where they stored the barrels with the unlabeled one off to the side. "Have you picked it up?" he asked when he notice.

"Well yeah, I figure it couldn't be food since it was heavy like cannon balls." replied Tony.

"But we're not carrying them in barrels." pointed Truman since he and Xing came with them.

"So what's inside?" asked Xing.

"Xing this what pirates call a stowaway." said Zhōng. With a foot on the barrel, he pushed it down and the lid popped off. What was inside was a girl with blonde hair and red eyes who was starving.

"Princess Zhen!" realized Tony as she got up on her feet. She turned around to see the black void of the hood looking at her furiously.

"Truman, Tony, a word," it growled as he began to storm away.

"This is still my fight." shouted Princess Zhen at him.

"It never was to begin with." declared Zhōng, turning back at her.

"But you got me involved." said Princess Zhen.

"And I got you out of it, you're here to arrest me when this is over." stated Zhōng.

"You can't throw me away like this." said Princess Zhen. Suddenly her stomach growled and her face turned red from embarrassment.

"Captain Edwards, make sure she gets something to eat." ordered Zhōng.

"Aye, aye, lord captain." acknowledge Captain Edwards.

"Tony, Truman," repeated Zhōng.

"We heard the first time." replied Tony as the three boys went away while Xing joined Princess Zhen for dinner.

"How close is the nearest from us?" asked Zhōng when they were away from everyone.

"I figure you'll say that," stated Truman.

"Zhōng, you can't be serious." said Tony in disbelief.

"I am, so tell me, how far is the nearest town?" repeated Zhōng.

"The closest town to us is also near the barn." sighed Tony.

"Then Truman, I leave you to make sure she makes it home by going south then west." ordered Zhōng.

"I thought you need me here? We can't take on by ourselves." argued Truman.

"We know the minute her majesty discovers her daughter is gone, she will take the fastest ship possible, rally her men, and march here to kill all of us. We can't hold off both the Black Assassins and her." stated Zhōng.

"So you're sending me with her because she trusts me the most. What happens if I disappear in front of her?" questioned Truman.

"Disappear?" asked Tony.

"We know we are identical, but which one will survive when this is over?" said Truman as he stared at Zhōng.

"Then what do you think I should do? I don't want her involved anymore, she's done her deal and beyond. I won't risk her getting in harm's way when I can't be there to save her and our sister." fired back Zhōng.

"No matter how you look at it, she'll always chase you to keep an eye on you." stated Tony, snapping the glaring contest. "Since you taught her some of your skills, she's been chasing you done, it makes sense that she'll come with us now. She's after you, she wants to make sure you hold your end of the bargain."

"Does my word by the sword have no meaning anymore?" questioned Zhōng.

"We're criminals, Zhōng, since when do our words carry any weight?" asked Tony.

"Then what do you think we should do about this?" asked Truman.

"I personally like to see her struggle to join but I understand your opinions and wishes." stated Tony.

"Can I trust you with this then?" asked Zhōng.

"If I fail, you can kill me." replied Tony.

The group carried on for another week and a half till they came to a field with a barn in the middle of it. Inside were collapsed floors, expired goods, and a few rusty tools. There was no light coming through the ceiling or the walls as the only light was from the doors swung open by Truman.

"This place is holding up well." analyzed Truman.

"Start getting the cannons ready." ordered Zhōng. A few pirates acknowledge and got to work in setting up the defense. Zhōng turned around and held his hand out to Xing, who took and they went inside.

"Princess, may you come with me?" asked Truman to Princess Zhen.

Princess Zhen turned to see Zhōng and Xing going into the barn, she wanted to follow but knew Truman wouldn't allow her. "Very then," she acknowledged. She walked with Truman around the barn as he explained the reasons for the defense. He told her where they expect the assassins to come and why they picked this spot. "Why are you telling me this?" she asked after he showed her.

"Your aware your mother is coming here quickly." said Truman.

"Yes, but why tell me all of this?" repeated Princess Zhen.

"Your mother will be charging into a trap, after Dolion gets Xing, he'll take on your mother who will be exhausted from travel if we failed to stop him." explained Truman.

"I thought I said, 'I won't leave till this is over'?" pouted Princess Zhen.

"You did but you have no choice and Zhōng ordered us to do this." stated Truman. Suddenly a cloth was placed on Princess Zhen's mouth and she inhaled it. Her world soon started to spin and then went black as the thing she saw was Truman standing over her.