Race to a Princess

"You knew this would happen somehow," accused Truman, he was following Lord Tyron to the stables where the final round would begin.

"I did tell him about her, he told me that he'll have his men go to the Ninja Empire in hopes of inspiring others to follow." explained Lord Tyron.

"I thought you wanted this to be between us and you?" questioned Truman.

"The plan was originally to have her here, in case we did go to the final round we'll win right in the stadium." stated Lord Tyron.

"Yes and that was before we had to play bodyguards and that whole mess." complained Truman.

Lord Tyron stopped since they'd arrived at the stables, he turned around to look at his nephew's clone who was still filled with anger and rage. He then looked around to see his members readying their provided horses. Though Zhōng's back was facing him, he could still feel the anger and rage from him as well. Princess Zhen was still struggling with her saddle before Zhōng came over and quickly helped before going back to his.

"You got to be more friendly to her, even though we won't catch the traitor, we still going have to act the part." critic Lord Tryon.

"I'll be more friendly if you tell me anything else I shouldn't be concerned of." stated Truman.

"If I told you everything I know, you'll act and play a completely different and complicated game." said Lord Tyron.

"Even if I know some of it?" asked Truman. Lord Tyron turned and looked at him with one of his eyebrows raised. "Perhaps you shouldn't be a sound sleeper and make agreements with a devil like I have." he threatened. He went to his horse and checked it over since Zhōng and Tony had it prepared already.

"Members! Gather around for the rules of the final event!" announced Pharaoh Ay. All the black market competitors who were life stopped and surrounded the pharaoh as he continued. "This is the event, whoever wins this, wins the games as promised. The final event is to capture and bring back a princess of the Ninja Empire. There is no time limit as long as it doesn't take till the next games. Of course, capturing her and getting her out of the empire won't be easy for ten members. Which is why you should be creative of how to do it, according to the latest reports, Princess Zhen is in the palace at the capital."

"Where do you get this report from?" demanded Princess Zhen. Zhōng, Truman, and Tony immediately stared at her coldly while others looked at her confused. "We saw the princess in the Spartan Capital before coming here." she explained.

"This report came from a scout I sent not too long ago as well, Princess." explained Pharaoh Ay. He looked at Lord Tyron who nodded with approval, no one else noticed it except those who were trained to see something unusual like Truman and Zhōng. "Moving forward since it will take ten to complete this, you must start with ten. That means only the Ninja Black Market and the Egyptian Black Market can begin when they're ready. The rest will have to wait till their backups arrived." he finished. The Egyptians needed not a second invitation, they sprinted to the horses as soon as he finished. Seeing this, Truman grabbed Princess Zhen and Catch and dragged them to their horses while the others follow. They quickly got on their horses and it was a chaotic dash out of the stables as they were off.

Zhōng splashed water on his face, they traveled for two days on horses following the coastline. He took a sigh feeling the cold salt droplets falling from his face as he looked out to the ocean horizon. "You know we can boil some so you'll have fresh water." stated Hangman, interrupting Zhōng's thoughts.

"We don't have time, by now, another market is on its way. We need to quicken our pace." replied Zhōng, he stood up and returned to the others.

"We should be fine, even if it's not directly." assured Tony, he was inspecting his blade when Zhōng returned.

"You forget Tony, we are on the direct route to our target." declared Truman, he was helping Princess Zhen with her horse and his.

"What do you mean? If we were on the direct route, we should have gone deeper into the Egyptian Empire and crossed the Indian Empire." questioned one of the Assassin Twins.

"If we crossed the Indian Empire, we have a good chance to be questioned about why we are in their lands." stated Zhōng.

"And since we go that deep into an unknown empire and we won't stare or die of thirst, we then have to go the Medieval Empire to try to walk on the borders." explained Truman.

"So the Assassin Empire is the safest and most dangerous option we have." summarized Tony. The others looked at him confused as he continued, "One wrong move and we could be dead. If they discover who Zhōng is, they might kill him for revenge and blame it on us to have us executed."

"Thank you for reminding me," growled Zhōng.

"Then I guess this is the most direct route for us." admitted Run.

"No matter what target we do, this is the only way." said Truman.

"What do you mean no matter what target?" asked the other Assassin Twin.

"Did you notice that the pharaoh said a princess of the Ninja Empire?" began Truman. The Assassin Twins nodded and so did Zhōng and Tony. "There's more than one princess from our empire."

"According to my father's will, if all of his children died, my second cousin was supposed to ascend the throne and be entitled to the Ninja Sword." stated Zhōng.

"I didn't know you had a second cousin." stated Catch.

"We do, though she disappeared when the war was over." explained Zhōng.

"However, I stumbled on information that hinted a family from the Ninja Empire moving to the Assassin Empire, then the Black Island." stated Truman.

"How do you know she'll be there?" asked Owl.

"She'll be there, I can bet you everything I own that she's there." declared Tony.

"Tony did a lot of digging into it, he knows where to look for her." backed Truman.

"So if it doesn't matter if it's the current princess or the past one, how come we didn't win the games with Xing?" asked Hangman. The others turned to Princess Zhen, they were curious about what the answer was going to be.

"Wouldn't be as fun as this." explained Princess Zhen, she shrugged her shoulders and went back to her horse.

"Besides, once we're passed through the Assassin Empire, it should be easy to find her. Then comes the problem of getting back through the Assassin Empire." said Truman.

"Easy to get, harder to get out." summarized Tony.

"I have a feeling you three were planning this from the start." accused Run.

"Well they should have tightened their lips better to keep the rumor a secret till it was time." stated Zhōng.

"Come on, break is over, we need to move." ordered Truman. The others went to work on packing the remaining supplies and they took off to the Assassin Empire.

They continued their travels till they crossed the border between Assassin Empire and Egyptian Empire. They were now fifty miles away from the capital which meant they were getting close. Hangman and Owl were busy setting up while Truman, Zhōng, Tony, Run, and the Assassin Twins were scouting the spot to ensure it was safe. Princess Zhen and Catch were the only ones not doing anything important so they decided to practice their fencing. Though Princess Zhen was really good, she had to discipline herself not to show off her own style, and eventually, she won.

"You're stronger, Xing." complimented Catch.

"You think so?" asked Princess Zhen innocently.

"I can tell you want to impress your brother due to you practicing every day with Truman." stated Catch

"More like I want to be better than him so I can defeat him." thought Princess Zhen. "Well, I should let my brother teach me if I want to get stronger." she stated aloud.

"Then she still has a long way to go considering they left you back here while they scouted for any enemies." stated Hangman, he and Owl just finish camp and were sitting by the fire while they watched.

"Even if I become as strong as 'my brother', he'll still leave me here instead of going with him out there." said Princess Zhen.

"Why do you think that?" asked Owl.

Princess Zhen hesitated, she didn't know the exact reason either. When they were traveling to the Spartan Capital a couple of months ago, she found out this was xing's first journey with her brother and Truman. She understood that she wasn't a good fighter like them, but they were trained by Lord Tyron. She was about to speak when Zhōng, Truman, and Tony returned.

"Because I care about her safety." stated Zhōng, they happened to hear Owl's question. "During our lows, I was the one that took the blows to protect her. I made sacrifices to help her be safe. The things I did and we all did, is protect what we care for." he said while implying Truman and Tony.

"It's on our heads if something happens to her and our responsibility to fix it." stated Truman.

"Trust us, while this may be dangerous, we have a plan to her safe." declared Tony. Princess Zhen stared into the abyss of Zhōng's cowl, she couldn't see anything but a small nod was all he assured.

"Guys! Company!" shouted one of the Assassin Twins. The group turned around and saw the twins struggling against members of the Egyptian Black Market.

"Well isn't this a surprise." stated their leader.

"What are you guys doing following this route?" asked Tony.

"We asked you that as well." stated one of them.

"It's the safer route for us to follow. Your reason?" said Truman.

"Same as well," said their leader, though it didn't sound convincing. "We were going to cut through the Indian Empire but we realized that we lose a lot of time. So we double back to head to a harbor and the closest one that isn't in our empire is the one in the Assassin Capital."

"Did your pharaoh tell you not to take any harbors in your empire?" mocked Tony, he too recognized the bluff.

"What our pharaoh told us is none of your business." stated another one.

"We all have the same goal, let's act civil till we get to the Ninja Empire." reasoned Truman.

"You're right Dual Bladed Ninja, we have the same goal but different targets, don't we?" exposed their leader, the members of the Ninja Black Market became tense after hearing him say it. "The goal is a princess from the Ninja Empire, it doesn't matter if they're royal or not. If I had to guess, there's one closer and easier to get, am I correct?"

Truman said nothing, he stared at them who still had the Assassin Twins. Zhōng knew exactly what was going on in his head as he tried to think of something as well. "We're going back to our empire, relax." stated Tony. "We don't know where the other ones are and it'll be easy for us to get her. After all, we have two members in our group that broke into the palace."

Princess Zhen turned to look at Zhōng, she knew Truman broke into the palace once and wondered if he did as well. The mysterious person covered a former prince that she used to know, not only his body change but his mentality and emotions as well. Once someone who had never seen a bad day was now all he sees. "Did you-" began Princess Zhen.

"Since you want to do this the hard way, you have till the count of three to tell us." declared the leader.

"Next time, Poisoner, let me handle the negotiations." said Truman.

"One,"

"Yeah sure, were you going to do better?" asked Tony.

"Two,"

"If we going to discuss that, I was better than any of you." said Zhōng.

"Three,"

"Wait! Wait! Wait!" screamed one of the Assassin Twins.

"We have one in our group and we're going after another one." spoiled the other one.

The Egyptian Black Market leader turned his attention towards Princess Zhen and smiled. "Well it looks like we weren't in competition with you since the start." he said.

"Tony," began Truman.

"Yep," said Tony, he knew what was going to happen. "Duck," he said and he and Truman dropped to the ground. Behind them with a mech arm activated, Zhōng fired off rounds at the Egyptians. They stood no chance as they kept pouring just missing the Assassin Twins when it was over.

"You could have killed us," accused one of the Assassin Twins.

"I should have," stated Zhōng as he deactivated his mech arm.

"Put out the fire, we have to make it there now." ordered Truman. He tossed his black Valtyrek sword to Zhōng in return for the Ninja Sword. "If there's another group that quickly took off shortly after us, they might be close behind."

The group immediately gather their essential items and abandon their camp. They flew off to the Assassin Capital hoping to put some distance from them to their next competition. When they were a couple of miles away, they walked for the rest while discussing what they'll do next. "You want us to separate into pairs?" questioned Tony.

"The Assassin Capital is not a good place for all of us to be together." explained Truman.

"But we're going to be picked off." complained one of the Assassin Twins.

"And who's fault will that be?" asked Zhōng, he gave both the twins a cold and furious stare. "Dual Bladed Ninja is right for us to split into pairs, even three would be dangerous."

"So we'll be separated and take different routes to the harbor, then what?" asked Run.

"Get on the first ship that leaves to Black Island. Don't wait for the rest of us, we'll meet up on the island." said Truman.

"I trust you have an idea for pairs." assumed Hangman. Truman turned his neck to see them, he was leading them and gave them a grin.

"I should have guessed you'll have your clone with the princess." stated Tony, he was with Zhōng as they walked down the roads in the capital.

"She trusts him and we'll be close by if they are in trouble." stated Zhōng, his eyes darted from one to the other. He knew they were looking like outsiders and wanted to make sure no one was going to attack them. Little did he know, there was someone watching from above.

"Do you think they'll remember us?" asked one of the Assassin Twins.

"Relax, sis, it's been years since we hunted them. They probably forgot about us or what we looked like." assured her brother.

"Still I don't like this." said the sister.

The brother turned to look at his sister, they used to hunt down assassins during the Eight-Year War. Most of the discovered assassins were by them since they used to be assassins. He cupped his sister's cheek and said, "It's almost over, when it is, we won't have to worry about anyone again."

The sister felt relieved as she looked into her brother's eyes, however, it was short-lived. "Brother! Up above!" she screamed but it was too late as the Assassin impaled both of them with his dual hidden blades.

"Never thought we'll see you two traitors again, I should give you peace but what you've done to them and my family, you shall receive tenfold." said the assassin as he pulled his blades out of their dead and bloody throats.

Truman and Princess Zhen were walking in an alley not far from Zhōng and Tony. Every gap, Truman would quickly look for Zhōng and so would he. If anything bad would happen to the other, they can quickly react. "Is my 'brother' still with us?" asked Princess Zhen, she noticed they were quickening their pace.

"I don't think the Assassin Empire cares if we pretend or not." stated Truman, he stop and glanced down an alley and then continue to walk.

"Do you think they care that we're in their city?" asked Princess Zhen.

"Why else would there be eyes watching us?" asked Truman. Princess Zhen turned around quickly but saw no one was there. They were alone walking with tall buildings surrounding them. "This is their empire we're treading on, if we do something wrong, they could kill us."

"How many do you think are watching us?" asked Princess Zhen as she drew closer to Truman while still looking back.

Truman stopped and pondered, he was trying to figure out how many as well. "One," he said before suddenly pushing Princess Zhen away. A hooded figure came from above and almost had Truman if he didn't leap away as well. He drew his katanas and prepared to fight the assassin.

"Impressive, you knew where was I coming from. Who taught you to move and watch like that?" asked the assassin.

"Someone I know," stated Truman, he lunge at the assassin and begin to send strokes at him. The assassin saw it coming and had his hidden blades deflecting them.

"Your speed and instincts are remarkable," stated the assassin as they fight. He was soon able to find spots where he can shortly stab at. The wounds weren't deep but they made Truman uncomfortable.

"I've faced those from the Black Assassins, I know how to beat you." stated Truman.

"You may face them but don't compare us to them." stated the assassin. Truman wasn't able to land any hits while the assassin was wearing him out. However, just as he found an opening, the assassin backflipped away from him and grabbed Princess Zhen holding her at the mercy of his blade. "For example, I could pick you guys off one by one but instead I want all of you here." he said.

Princess Zhen struggled free from the assassin and drew her blade. "You'll find out this would be difficult." she threatened.

"You ninjas are nothing compared to us, we are strong and silent. We won't fight unless we must unlike you who fought for a different king. Tell me, who taught you to move amongst us?" asked the assassin. He suddenly felt another presence and ducked as a cloaked person almost sliced him down with his black blade.

"That would be I, I was taught long ago by someone like you." stated Zhōng.

"Shadow," exclaimed Princess Zhen and Truman.

"What took you?" asked Truman.

"Trying to find the best way to ambush." stated Zhōng.

"Well he saw it coming." stated Princess Zhen, the assassin soon ready his hidden blades.

"Did he?" asked Zhōng.

The assassin turned around and evaded incoming darts from Tony. He soon turned around and found himself taking on Zhōng, Truman, and Princess Zhen as they took turns. He soon locked blades with Zhōng's and discovered something about his blade. He soon pushed them back and threw a smoke bomb, when the gas disappeared, he was gone. "Till our next meeting, he should ketchup." he said as the echoes of the building made it hard for the group to pinpoint.

"I think he's gone." stated Truman.

"How's your arms?" asked Zhōng.

"Don't underestimate them," warned Truman.

"Sorry I missed, Shadow," apologized Tony when he approached them.

"We were no match for him, we got him to fall back." assured Truman.

"Should we get going before he comes back with more?" asked Princess Zhen.

"Yes, we need to get to Black Island." said Zhōng and he led them forward.

"Good luck, my old friend, good luck." said the assassin watching from a vantage point. He retreated back into the shadows for the time wasn't right.

"Shadow, Dual Bladed Ninja, this way," called out Owl when they returned to a busier street.

"Where's Hangman?" asked Zhōng as they followed him.

"At the harbor with Catch and Run." replied Owl.

"I thought I said don't wait for anyone?" said Truman.

"The first boat to Black Island doesn't leave an hour from now." said Owl.

"What about the Assassin Twins, are they there?" asked Tony, based on the routes they took, they should be there first than anyone else.

"Me and Hangman were the first and there's been no other ship to Black Island other than this one." replied Owl.

"Do you think something happened to them?" asked Princess Zhen.

"That's most likely, princess, although I heard they were in a forbidden relationship." said Truman.

"I'm surprised you know that, I would have never guessed considering how well they behaved." said Tony.

"I'm sure you didn't know that they used to be members of the assassins." stated Zhōng.

"Is that why they're called the Assassin Twins?" asked Owl.

"I'm good, but I've only taught two people." stated Zhōng.

"Ouch, I can guess which two they be." said Tony.

They walked around a corner and saw Catch, Run, and Hangman standing in front of them. Suddenly, Catch and Run fell down dead and black assassins surrounded the group. "Oops," said Hangman.

"What's the meaning of this?" asked Owl.

"Forgive me, but I was never on your side." said Hangman.

"So you're the traitor," growled Zhōng.

"Oh, hold your temper, you still get to see your sister. My mentor made it clear to me to let a few live so how about you five?" suggested Hangman.

"And if we don't?" asked Truman, he reached for his sword though he was injured and sore.

"Then we'll kill half of you guys and take the rest by force." threatened Hangman.

"Give the word Truman, we won't go down easily." said Tony.

"He's right, let's do this." said Owl.

Truman looked at his friends but the hand of Zhōng told him to don't do it. If they do fight, they won't know who will live and who will die. He was also worn and injured and they were outnumbered. "Okay, we surrender." said Truman, letting go of his swords. Tony and Owl were surprised and relieved by his order.

"Splendid, now let's get on board before it leaves without us." said Hangman and he led them to the ship. In the middle of the night, in a prison cell on Black Island, Xing looked up to see the moon. It was dull and lonely in the night sky just like her and her brother.