The Rise of the Old Empire

"For five years, I let my little brother play his game. For five years I let him chase us to show where he stands. And while he chased us, I rebuilt the armies to retrieve him and take down the empress only to have been tripped up by a childish promise." a voice growled in the dark in an underground place.

"Please forgive us," pleaded Commander Gomun.

"We just wanted to relieve our king's troubles." stated Doduk.

"Silence, I don't want to hear excuses." demanded the voice in the shadows as his blue eyes glowed hotter. "If we want to help our emperor feel relieved, then we need him to be somewhere where wanting eyes can't see."

"Ready positions!" cried Principal Jiào. Lady Mona got ready to activate her sword. Her opponent was Zhōng as he reached down to activate his Valtryek, his blue eyes moving like a blur in a circle. "Fight," ordered Principal Jiào as a second later the fight was over. When they activated, Zhōng was quicker than Lady Mona, who was expecting him to run at her as he did in the fight against the princess. "Winner, that's it." stated Principal Jiào.

"You cheated." accused Lady Mona.

"How? The fact I was quicker to activate and launch a rocket or the fact you were expecting me to charge again like before?" defended Zhōng. Although the pain from his left leg was gone, Zhōng didn't show the same moves twice to someone. Anyone who challenged him to a dual would lose. Whether it was by swords or by mechs, he didn't even use the Ninja Sword at all as it stayed on his back.

"Way to go brother!" cheered Xing, the girls were watching him fight even though he was a couple of years ahead of them.

"I thought you had to be quiet when you watched." stated Zhōng as he deactivated his mech.

"Well I'm making up the time we lost as you wouldn't let me come." replied Xing, she smiled at him and he only grinned. Since returning to school, his schedule has completely changed. He was now barely working in the black market and took only fighting and strategy classes.

Princess Zhen noticed the exchange, she felt bad that her decree was the only two options for him. To join the front lines or serve years as a bodyguard of a loyal noble family. What he said just a month back made it hard for her to talk to him. Soon her mother might order him to leave and join the lines. "Zhōng, Lord Tyron would want you to help him with one final thing," said Principal Jiào.

"It's Former Lord Tyron, you out of all people should know that, principal." corrected Zhōng. He turned away, heading back to his room to change out of his clothes.

"Your majesty, your mother, the empress, has come to visit you." said Principal Jiào.

"Very well then," sighed Princess Zhen, her fears had finally come true.

Lord Tyron was having a discussion with some people when Zhōng came by. "Nice of you to request for me," he said.

"I figure you need a break and enjoy a hobby of yours." greeted Uncle Tyron.

"I don't remember having hobbies, only talents." stated Zhōng.

"Well then teaching them how to do it shouldn't be a problem." said Uncle Tyron implying to the men he was speaking with.

"Oh, when I'm done with them, I could perhaps enjoy the fighting a little more." claimed Zhōng as a devilish smile came across his face. There was something he wasn't known for until he finished teaching them.

Empress Wēi and Princess Zhen were enjoying some tea in a quiet place. "How's our business with other empires, mother?" asked Princess Zhen trying to break the tension.

"Difficult no thanks to the previous emperors of this empire." stated Empress Wēi.

"If you like, I could go for another diplomatic run for you." offer Princess Zhen.

"Don't you think so, you've skipped school too much already this year." stated Empress Wēi, she knew her daughter left the school for a month and a half already.

"I had a reason."

"Him disappearing shouldn't be your problem to begin with."

"It's my duty to make sure he's doing his end of the bargain."

"And I heard he has promised to go to the front lines," said Empress Wēi. Princess Zhen looked away from her mother, her saying the words made her feel uncomfortable. "Something bothering you?"

Princess Zhen sighed and said, "I want to change my decision on him."

"What?"

"Time and time again, he showed us where he stands. Why should we send perhaps the best warrior to the front lines to die where he can protect us from anything."

"Cause he's from the Old." snapped Empress Wēi. "What they did to our people is unacceptable, thus having him protect us would be foolish. Also, how do we know which side he's truly on? He could play us like a fool like he had done to us in the past." she stated, knocking down Princess Zhen's hopes. "There'll be no more discussion of this, he should have died sooner and finally he will."

Zhōng waited for the men to return, he ordered them to run a specific route that had them jump and climb throughout the city. The training reminded him of when he started. The memories of him made a single tear fall down his cheek. "We're back," called one of the men. They were panting heavily from the run with the little time they had.

"Well you guys are fifteen seconds late according to this." stated Zhōng pointing at his watch.

"We ran as hard as he could." complained another.

"Can we avoid people's businesses? They weren't happy with us." stated a third.

"Good," stated Zhōng. "Guards!" he cried and ten guards looked where he called. "You better get running again," he suggested.

"But what if they come after you instead of us?" asked the first.

"Cause they were waiting for you since you made your first incident, good luck." stated Zhōng as the guards drew closer. Fearing he was right, the men took off and the guards ran after them just like Zhōng said. "Too easy," Zhōng said to himself.

Princess Zhen was wandering throughout the hallways of the dorms. Since her meeting with her mother, she was confused about Zhōng. She couldn't decide if it was out of sympathy, her feelings for him or something else. "You have someone in the black market as well." stated a familiar voice from a crack-open door as girls giggled before the comment.

"How did you figure that out?" asked Cortana inside.

"Like my brother, I have my ways to find out." stated Xing. The girls were trying to find each other's darkest secrets.

"Okay Xing, you have a keepsake box." stated Kotori.

"I used to, but I bet it was taken," said Xing.

The door opened and Princess Zhen appeared from it. "Your majesty," stated all the girls standing up and giving her a bow.

"What are you guys doing?" asked Princess Zhen.

"Trying to find out a secret without giving a clue." explained Pina.

"A game that Zhōng suggested?" asked Princess Zhen.

"I don't think I've seen him play." stated Silica.

"When I was with him, we typically played four truths, one lie." stated Xing.

"I see," said Princess Zhen, but deep down she knew Zhōng had heard of the game they were playing. "Xing if I can borrow your time today, I'd like to go out with you." she requested.

"Of course, give me thirty minutes and I can meet you by the main gate, will that work?" asked Xing.

"Yes, that works perfectly." stated Princess Zhen, she left the room and closed the door behind her.

Later, Princess Zhen waited for Xing. She had a cloak and cowl over her school attire but no weapons on her. "Your majesty," greeted Xing. She too wore a cloak and cowl over her school attire but carried her Fafnir on her hip like her brother.

"Thank you for coming with me." said Princess Zhen as they began to walk.

"It's my duty to come when called on, your majesty," replied Xing.

"Please, call me Zhen or princess." said Princess Zhen.

"As you wish, princess." They walked further down before she asked, "So what do you want to know about my brother, your majesty?"

Princess Zhen was going to brush it off before seeing Xing's eyes of innocence yet experienced seeing right through her. "Well, I wonder if there was anything he regrets doing." she replied.

Xing pondered as they walked before answering, "I think he does but he doesn't have them bother him."

"How?"

"Maybe he forgot why he did those things or to make sure they don't happen again."

"Your brother doesn't seem like a person to forget." commented Princess Zhen.

"Before your mother took over, Zhōng was face to sentence his best friend he met during the war. He doesn't like to talk about it, but losing him was perhaps the start of him being who is now."

"Is that the reason why he doesn't trust anyone?"

"Well that's for a different reason, Zhōng I think hates losing people he cares for. He's done it too many times." explained Xing.

"He lost more?"

"Him, a girl he met after the war, and you." stated Xing, Princess Zhen stopped walking and looked at her. "Not a day went by where he wrote to you during the war and he waited for you to reply. Our father went to great lengths to make sure Zhōng didn't know."

"So it's true then," muttered Princess Zhen, making her feel more regret. "Do you think he'll ever get closure for good?"

"Maybe when he saves someone close to him" suggested Xing. Suddenly, an explosion happened close to them. Smoke rises as men in black clothes rush out of it, they activate their mechs and kill any guards who were on patrol. They turned to the girls, Xing ready her sword to protect the princess. They charged at them and she held off one but the other went after the princess. "Run, your majesty!" she cried before being knocked out.

Zhōng looked up in the direction of the explosion, it was blocks away from where he was. As he looked he saw the princess being taken away from the retreating black men. "It's time to go, your majesty." said one of the men, he waited in the shadows for the right moment to show himself. Zhōng didn't give him a response and threw his knife at his head.

Three days passed and no news on where the princess was at. Empress Wēi was sitting in the principal's office with a letter tapping her lips. Lord Tyron, Principal Jiào, and Xing were there too, sitting on her right side, they were silent except for a couple of huffs from Xing. Captain Howin entered the room after knocking, he bowed his head after he entered. Empress Wēi looked at the family, more importantly at Xing who still had tears of failure on her face. There was no way of comforting her, for she felt solely responsible. She sighed then said, "Let him in."

"Yes, your majesty." replied Captain Howin, reopening the door. Zhōng walked in, his hands were cuffed and weapons still on him. His hair was a mess and his tattoo showed more wear but his eyes were still lit with determination.

"Did you have anything to do with this?" asked Empress Wēi, holding the letter.

"If anything, I'd like to know what it saids before I answer, your majesty." answered Zhōng.

Empress Wēi stared hard at him, hoping to see a sign from him but saw nothing. "I have your daughter. If you want her back, I proposed you trade our true emperor for her. If you don't consider not seeing your daughter again. Signed, Zhēngfú, advisor to the emperor." she said, reading the letter.

"Brother," exclaimed Xing, hearing the name.

"Well it's great to hear from him." stated Zhōng.

Empress Wēi shot a glare at him and said, "If he thinks he can do whatever he wants to her, I'll make sure you receive it tenfold."

"Then you gave him a battle cry." responded Zhōng. "My brother would like to make you angry, you'll fall for what he wants."

"And you're suggesting I agree to his terms? I won't make the same mistake of letting you go." stated Empress Wēi.

"So you're going to shorten my leash as your daughter gets tortured to no end."

Empress Wēi didn't want to let him go since she didn't trust him. She doesn't understand why her daughter does since he is the enemy. She sighed and said, "How do I know this won't be a trap?"

"It's my brother, there always is." stated Zhōng.

A day passed as the empress, Zhōng, Captain Howin, Commander Zhèngyì, and two other guards arrived at the entrance to the Old Capital Palace. Lightning struck as the mysterious place became gloomy. The two guards pushed open the doors as they peer into the darkness. "Wait here as I and the Fallen Prince go in." ordered Empress Wēi. The men nodded and she looked at Zhōng who was still cuffed. "Release him." she ordered and Captain Howin obeyed.

"You're sure you want to do that?" asked Zhōng as he rubbed his wrist.

"If you want to prove you're on my side, then you'll do no harm." replied Empress Wēi. They walked through the dark empty halls as lightning struck outside. Zhōng had his Valtryek sword drawn while Empress Wēi had her Spriggan sword drawn as they advanced carefully. The throne room was up ahead as Zhōng carefully opened the doors to it and they entered. Flashes of the last time he was in here flooded his memories, an orange glow room behind the throne where his father waited for him was now dark and the dull throne was in the spotlight due to a hole in the ceiling. "This is where it ended." stated Empress Wēi, looking around for signs of life.

"No, this is where it started." stated Zhōng, scanning the room as well. "Am I not wrong, brother?" he called out.

A slow clap echoed throughout the room, a boy who was clapping appeared from the shadows. His hair was black with blue eyes like Zhōng's, his face was fearful and was always scheming for something. He carried a Wyvern on his left hip as he wore high commoner clothes. "I see you picked up some more talents, my emperor." said Zhēngfú, he approached the empty throne and had his hand glided over a part.

"I knew you were watching ever since you asked, what makes me think I was on my own." stated Zhōng, remembering the first time they met since the end of the war.

"Where's my daughter?" demanded Empress Wēi, breaking the reunion.

"Wow Lady Wēi, a crown goes on your head and you demand everything." stated Zhēngfú, causing her anger to rise.

"The deal is her for me, the way I see it, I'm here but she isn't." said Zhōng, sliding his sword back in knowing there was no outside threat.

"Of course, my emperor." replied Zhēngfú, with a wave of his hands, two guards dragged Princess Zhen into the room and put her in front of Zhēngfú before leaving.

"Zhen!" cried Empress Wēi seeing her daughter jerk from hearing her name called. Tears began to roll down the empress's face as she saw her daughter was wearing nothing but a white shirt. She wanted to run to her, but Zhōng stood in front of her. He felt something was wrong as his right hand was still on his Valtryek.

"Now that we all are here, shall we trade?" asked Zhēngfú.

Empress Wēi looked at Zhōng who had an unsettling look on his face. She turned to her daughter who had her head covered by her hair as she looked at the ground. "What did you do to her?" she asked.

Zhēngfú smiled and said, "They say white is pure and clean, but for it to be, it covers up all the darkest deeds." he said as he walked forward to Princess Zhen. Zhōng's face got darker with every step and tense more when he was over her. He grabbed almost all of Princess Zhen's hair and pulled her up as she clawed his hands to have him let go. She was standing but was like jelly, if he let go, she would fall. Tears were on her face from the pain she felt. "Well almost all," he stated before grabbing the bottom of the shirt and ripping it.

Empress Wēi gasped at what she saw, right under Princess Zhen's belly there was a symbol. The symbol meant loyalty to whoever was named the master, a symbol that was a sworn vow. "What have you done?" she accused.

"Now, now, if you have eyes to see, you'll see my brother's and my father's names are listed." said Zhēngfú as he watched the empress's shock crumple her ego. She turned to look at Zhōng whose face became darker. "Does this bother you? You have a sworn servant at your side as well as me."

"Let her go," growled Zhōng.

"You already knew, didn't you? Or were you too scared to accept the truth? The Old stayed alive through you and her." stated Zhēngfú.

Zhōng had enough, he activated Valtryek and fired missiles forcing his brother to let go and run. "Get her out of here, I'm going after him." he ordered before blasting off after his brother in his mech.

Empress Wēi ran immediately after he left to her daughter. She picked her up and hugged her tightly as tears fell from their faces. "I'm sorry, mother." whimpered Princess Zhen.

"You have nothing to apologize for, I'm sorry." said Empress Wēi, hugging her more as her daughter struggled to stay awake. She threw the cloak she wore around her daughter as they cried. "Guards! Captain! Come quickly!" she called out with her daughter clinging to her more.

"Your majesty!" said Captain Howin moments later as he, Commander Zhèngyì, and the two guards rushed into the room.

"We need to get out of here." said Empress Wēi holding her daughter up as they begin to stand back up. The cloak around the princess hid the mark, but by their faces, Captain Howin knew as well.

"Yes, your majesty." replied Captain Howin as the two guards led in front while he and the commander were in the back.

"Your majesty, may I ask where the Fallen Prince is?" asked Commander Zhèngyì. The thought of him going after his brother suddenly changed her attention. She looked down the way they fled, there was nothing to be seen as the dark black hole on the other side engulfed any sounds or movements.

Zhōng chased after his brother as fast as he could through the narrow hard-turn halls. Though he was gaining, his brother activated his mech as well making the chase last longer than it should. There was a hole that went into the sewers, they went in to continue the chase. The sewers open up to a big underground arena. Zhōng finally had room to move and charged ahead before charging at his brother. His strike was deflected, though his sword was no longer a Longus, after his pass he turned quickly around and landed a hit. Zhēngfú tumbled forward as he wasn't expecting Zhōng to fire back so quickly. "I see your Longus evolved." said Zhēngfú, impressed by it.

"And you're still using a Wyvern," said Zhōng.

"For the time," began Zhēngfú as he stood back up. "I'll have a new sword in time."

"Well I hope that it won't be one you'll use to overthrow me, not that you have already." claimed Zhōng.

"Already? No, no, no, I have rebuilt what you lost, what father lost. I have an army that's ready to fight back." stated Zhēngfú. Suddenly, torches lit the room as thousands of men made themselves known. Some carried a black flag with the sigil of the Old Empire in red. They roared as their emperor had come, the chase was meant to last this long for Zhōng to come to their secret base, the place he was looking for. "Well, what say you, your majesty?" asked Zhēngfú.

Zhōng closed his eyes and pondered, for the first time in a while, revenge sank back into his mind. He wanted the throne back, it was his by right. But then he remembered his journey, how he enjoyed his new life, as a criminal, an ally, a friend. He remembered those who betray him, those who help him, and those who die because of him. Then he remembered the scar, the scar that he hid behind his tattoo. What it meant to him, was the death of Truman the Dual Bladed Ninja. A reminder that he has responsibilities that he couldn't ignore. "Run," he said.

"What?" asked Zhēngfú who didn't hear him.

Zhōng's eyes glowed in a furious state as his face became cold. "Run while you still can, return to your fiefdoms, and follow the empress as if it was I. If I hear anything of rebellion, I'll come back here and end it."

"But your majesty, we swore to follow you, a vow we must not break." cried a lord from the dark. Zhōng remembered the promise, but he knew it was wrong.

A day passed and Zhōng was sitting on a stool by Princess Zhen's recovery bed. She was asleep but her bruises made her feel uncomfortable. "How many you say?" asked Empress Wēi who was with them.

"It was hard to say which, but I saw fifteen lord bannermen." replied Zhōng.

"If they strike, the capital won't survive." analyzed Empress Wēi.

"Especially since the majority of them were loyal to me and my father during the war." stated Zhōng. Princess Zhen groaned from the pain, a worried look came over Zhōng's face.

"You knew before,"

"She never showed me but I had a feeling."

"You could have joined them and reclaimed back the empire."

"Years ago, that was my plan, but someone told me to enjoy the change and I did for a while." began Zhōng. "If I knew I was going to be in this spot, I would never have done what I did."

Empress Wēi looked at her daughter who whispered Zhōng's name. She looked back at Zhōng who brought his head down with anger and regret. "This has once already to my family line, I can't believe it has happened again." stated Empress Wēi.

"I can't believe it happen to her after I promised to protect her from harm." stated Zhōng, he put his hand on top of Princess Zhen's hand as she groaned from her dream.

"I'm disbanding your punishment if you answer just one question, what was she going to be?" she said.

"It doesn't matter anymore to my life, I'm dying soon." began Zhōng.

"Zhōng, don't leave me." whimpered Princess Zhen as she slept.

Zhōng sighed and continued, "Perhaps I'll have her as one of my guards. The ones that guard me during the day and allow marriages. It's the painless and lively order I can offer to her. I wouldn't have treated her the way my brother and father did, and my brother will regret doing this."

"Zhōng, behind you." whispered Princess Zhen as her nightmare continued. A nightmare that had yet to happen.