The Dojicorp Monorail streaked through the night. On the horizon, the early morning lights of their destination burned like a miniature sun.

"Otosan Uchi," Washi Naizen said. He stared out the window bleakly. "We are almost there."

"And about time," Meiji laughed, kicking his feet up on the seat next to him, "I'm glad you two finally broke down and let me arrange some train tickets." The car was empty save the three monks and an old woman sleeping in the corner. In the weeks since the Senpet invasion, tourism into the Diamond City had decreased sharply.

Hoshi Kenzo glanced up from the men's fashion magazine he'd found on his seat. "Well, my order usually takes its vow of poverty a bit more seriously than yours, young Crow. My feet are usually sufficient to take me wherever I am going. In this instance I make an exception." Kenzo sighed at the magazine. "Materialistic claptrap. How can they print these things?" He continued reading.

"We are close now," Naizen said, pressing one hand against the rain-slicked glass. "Our journey is almost at an end."

Meiji glanced uncertainly at Naizen. The Eagle monk was about his age, yet he seemed much older. His eyes were full of pain and despair. In the two weeks they'd been traveling together, he hadn't quite figured out what to make of Washi Naizen. He felt sorry for him. He seemed to have so much riding upon his shoulders. He still wasn't comfortable around Naizen, that was for sure.

The door at the end of the car slid open quietly. A tall man with slicked black hair and a pristine white suit stepped in, carrying a briefcase. He looked to be of gaijin descent, and his eyes were a stormy gray.

"Good evening, Brothers," he said, bowing awkwardly.

"Blessings of Shinsei," Kenzo said with a friendly smile.

The man nodded and moved to one of the empty seats.

"So what is our next move, Master?" Meiji asked, sitting forward and turning to Kenzo. "What do we do when we get to the city?"

"Uncertain," Kenzo said. "I suppose that is up to our young friend Naizen. He seems to know where we must go."

"Yeah, I've been meaning to ask about that," Meiji said. "How is it that Naizen knows where to go? We haven't found any clues, any information. Thunders, I still don't even know what we're looking for. Where is he taking us?"

"The Washi are guardians," Kenzo said. "Each of them has a special responsibility, a special charge. They watch over artifacts and creatures of evil that cannot be destroyed, only contained. Their chi is focused to protect their charge. If their charge escapes or is stolen, they can follow the trail wherever it leads."

"No way," the young monk said. "That's amazing. With that sort of ability, why don't they become regular police or something?"

"The Washi have a more important role than mere police," Kenzo said, folding his magazine. "Besides, placing a part of one's soul into a criminal or an artifact of evil is not to be taken lightly. One who willingly does so must meditate constantly to keep their focus, or be lost forever to the corruption of that which they guard."

"And what did Naizen guard?" Meiji asked, looking toward the grim Washi.

Naizen looked at the two monks, his pale blue eyes glowing in the fluorescent light.

"The Mask is near," he said. "It will not be long."

"So," the gaijin man said, turning in his seat and smiling brightly at the monks. "I see you fellows are holy men. Are you on some sort of pilgrimage?"

"You could say that," Kenzo replied.

"That is so great," he shook his head slightly. "I tell ya. Back home, we don't take our religion so seriously as you Rokugani. Then again, we don't have our gods and kami popping up right in our face like you guys do, eh? Take a look at the Son of Storms and try to tell me there's no Osano-wo, am I right? Am I right or am I right?"

Kenzo chuckled. "Just because you cannot see your god, my friend, does not mean that he does not see you."

"Oh, I know he sees me," the man replied. "He told me you'd be here."

Kenzo arched one eyebrow. Meiji sat up straighter in his seat. Naizen narrowed his eyes, hands tightening on the haft of his bo. "What do you mean?" Kenzo asked warily.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm being rude," the man chuckled. He leaned forward and extended one hand toward Kenzo. "I'm Jared Carfax. The Oracle of the Wind." The monk shook his hand, his face showing numb shock.

"There aren't any Oracles," Meiji said, "They died in the Shadow War, and they certainly weren't gaijin."

"Of course they weren't," Carfax laughed. "Just plain silly of me to say such a thing, eh?"

"Yeah," Meiji laughed. "Silly."

"Thunder," Carfax said. Thunder roared in the sky.

"Lightning," he said. A bolt of blue lit the sky like daylight only meters from the train.

"Hail," he said. The roof of the car rattled with tiny pelts of ice.

"Now," he said. The storm was gone. The moon shown brightly in the now cloudless sky.

"What are you?" Naizen asked, his voice a hiss.

"Just a gaijin," Carfax replied, sitting back in his chair. He held up both hands, the ancient kanji of the wind glowing upon his palms. Naizen took a step back, shock and fear in his eyes.

"I'm not here to harm you, fellas," Carfax said. He stood and turned to face all three. "The time has passed when mortals seek the wisdom of the Oracles. Now the Oracles have to go where they're needed. And you guys need help."

Kenzo rose from his seat, staring in awe at the glowing symbols upon the man's palms. "It can't be true," the old monk said. "And yet, the storm..."

"If you don't believe me I understand," Carfax said. "I didn't buy it myself at first. I'd feel better if you let me help."

"What do you want from us?" Naizen asked.

"Questions," the Oracle replied. "That's all. Ask me one question."

"The traditional role of the Oracle," Kenzo nodded. "One question, and the answer shall be truth."

The car was silent for a moment, except for the snoring of the old woman in the back.

"Is that one question each?" Meiji asked, "Or one for each of us?"

"Is that your question?" Carfax asked with a wry grin.

Meiji blinked.

"I'm just kidding," Carfax laughed. "I love that bit. Yes, one question each, Karasu Meiji."

The monks looked at one another, uncertain. Kenzo was finally the one who spoke.

"Will we find what we seek in Otosan Uchi?" Kenzo asked.

Jared Carfax closed his eyes, and a cold breeze seemed to pass through the train. "It is not there," he said in a hollow voice. "Yet Otosan Uchi is where you will find it."

"Curious," Kenzo said.

Meiji stepped toward the man. "I'm next," the young monk said, "I know exactly what I want to ask."

Carfax opened his gray eyes. "Don't ask questions about death," he said. "I'll warn you that now. Nobody ever likes the answer they get."

"I don't care," Meiji said. He pointed at Naizen. "This Washi's been telling me we're going to die for the last two weeks. I want to know if it's true."

Carfax nodded sadly, and closed his eyes once more. Another cold wind swept through the train car. "You will die, Karasu Meiji," the Oracle said. Meiji swallowed hard. "But you will yet live," he added, "Until you see the face of Shinsei."

Meiji sat down, the strength draining from his legs.

"I warned you," Carfax said, "I'm sorry."

"It's all right," Meiji whispered, his eyes on the floor. "Thank you."

"And you, Washi Naizen?" Carfax asked, turning to the final monk.

Naizen smirked, the first trace of humor he'd shown since he'd first appeared to the others. "Will I succeed in my mission?" he asked.

Carfax fell into the trance once more, but the wind did not return. He opened his eyes. "I cannot read you, Washi Naizen," he said. "You have no destiny. Or perhaps your role is too important for a mere Oracle's interference." Carfax eyed the young monk speculatively.

"We shall see, Oracle," Naizen said as the train pulled into the station.

Kamiko looked at herself in the mirror. Her white hair was tied back into a ponytail. The light blue plastic armor hugged her body, showing her feminine curves while suggesting the strength and power she also possessed. The katana gleamed blue on her belt. She planned on making an impression. The doorway opened behind her.

"Here it comes," she murmured to herself.

"Kamiko!" her father exclaimed. "What do you think you are wearing?"

Kamiko turned and bowed formally. "Hello father," she said. "I'm just getting ready for the ceremony."

Meda scowled. "No daughter of mine shall traipse about in armor like some Matsu or Otaku slut," he spat. "You are to be the next Empress and you will dress appropriately."

"I am to be honored as a hero of Rokugan," she said. "I would think that this is appropriate."

Meda shook his head. "No, Kamiko. I spoke with Yoritomo at some length. We both believe that it would be unseemly for the heir's betrothed to appear on television as a military hero."

"Really," she said tonelessly. "As I remember, Kameru is to be honored as well so that cannot be the problem. Could it be because the Emperor doesn't plan on honoring you at all?"

The room was silent. Meda's eyes glazed with a cold fury.

"Where did you get that sword?" he asked, pointing at the blade upon her waist.

"Are you going to forbid me a katana as well, father?" she retorted. "As much as you think I am a china doll, I am still a samurai and a duelist. To remove my weapon would fly in the face of the tradition you claim to hold so dear." She folded her arms across her chest and rose her chin, daring him to reply.

"I am well used to your masculine affectations, daughter," he said. "But that is not your katana. Where did you get it?"

She frowned, her hand on Ambition's hilt. "At the museum," she replied.

"You stole it," he said. "You would walk into an Imperial ceremony with a stolen sword."

The blade's hilt warmed in her hand, and she was angry, then furious. "Cut him," spoke a voice at the back of her mind. "Draw the blade and end this." Her hand tightened on the sword. She saw a glint of fear in her fathers eyes. She felt the bile rise in her mouth.

Kamiko pulled her hand away from Ambition and gasped for breath. What had she just nearly done?

"Give me the sword," Meda said. "I will return it to the museum curator and we shall forget this ever happened. Now get dressed for the ceremony, daughter."

Kamiko nodded, still shaken by her shifting emotions. She unbuckled the blade's saya and handed it to her father. Meda tucked the blade under one arm and rested one hand on her shoulder. "I am sorry, Kami-chan," he said, using the name he hadn't called her in ten years. That was before he'd become the Champion, before he drifted away. His clear blue eyes were full of sadness and regret. "I never wanted to hurt you. But this is the world we live in. The Empire has to be preserved, and we're the ones who have to pay the price."

Kamiko said nothing. She looked away.

"I love you, Kami-chan," Meda said. "Do not ever doubt that."

Kamiko said nothing.

Meda sighed deeply. He pulled his hand back from his daughter and left the room. She shut the door behind him. He looked back at the door and stood there for a long time, uncertain. Why would she not understand? Why could she not understand? Kamiko was his world, his entire life. Everything he had done, all of his work, had been to create a world she could be proud to live in. It was all crumbling apart now. There didn't seem to be anything he could do. The Emperor would destroy everything and now even his daughter, the center of his world, despised him.

Kamiko's blade suddenly felt warm beneath his arm.

In a way he could not explain, Meda felt a little better.

"How long has he been like this?" Kitsune Maiko asked with a sigh.

"About an hour," Ryosei replied sadly. "He seemed to be feeling better today, but he became like this shortly after you left earlier."

Isawa Saigo huddled in the corner of the bedchamber, grasping his knees to his chest and shivering. The sheets had been torn from the bed and the small table that sat beside it had been knocked aside. A broken pitcher of water lay on the floor near him.

"It hurts," he mumbled, "Make it stop."

Ryosei kneeled beside the young prophet, her face wrought with concern. "Don't worry, Saigo," she said. She reached out with one hand and stroked his tangled hair. "You're past the worst of the withdrawal. You should be okay if you can just hold out a little longer."

"I don't want to be okay, Ryosei," he mumbled through gritted teeth. "I just want to die."

Maiko sniffed disdainfully, placing her hands on her hips. She glared at the Phoenix. "Die, then, Saigo," she said. "Ryosei and I have taken a terrible risk to hide you here for so long. Your death would make our lives a great deal simpler."

"Maiko!" Ryosei exclaimed, turning to the older woman in shock. "How can you say something like that?"

"Heh," Maiko chuckled. "As if it matters what I say. This boy doesn't even have the courage to die. If he weren't our only lead on what's happening in the Palace, I'd have thrown him to the Wasps long ago."

"Saigo needs our help, not your insults," Ryosei said, wrapping one arm around his shoulders protectively.

Maiko smiled. "You are too caring, student," she said. "I think perhaps that is your only flaw. Compassion is wasted upon this worthless D-milk addict."

Saigo looked up at the Jade Champion, his bloodshot eyes cold and hard. "Forgive me for not being born into luxury, Maiko-sama," he said. "Some of us are forced to endure pain rather than subject others to it."

Maiko's eyes narrowed. "Touche', Phoenix. So there is a mind behind your drug-addled hallucinations after all. Have you any new prophecies for us today?"

Saigo shook his head and closed his eyes again.

"Are you sure?" Maiko pressed. "Did you try?"

"Maiko, leave him alone," Ryosei begged. "You know how the dreams drain him. He needs his strength right now."

Maiko nodded. "I suppose you're right, my child. As soon as he is over his current spell, let me know." She turned to the door. "Now that he's recovered somewhat from his injury, I've half a mind to place an illusion over him and give him a tour of the Palace. It would be interesting to see who besides Kyo is bearing a tetsukansen implant."

"I'll let you know as soon as he's better, Mistress," Ryosei said obediently. The Jade Champion left the room without another word.

Saigo suddenly rose to his feet and pushed his ragged hair from his face. His dark eyes were clear and alert. He hurried to the door and jammed a chair beneath the doorknob.

"Saigo!" Ryosei exclaimed. "You're all right?"

Saigo turned and grinned. "I was an actor in high school," he laughed.

"What are you doing?" she asked, glancing from the barred door to the prophet in dismay.

"Is there another way out of here?" he asked, rushing to the opposite door and looking into the library.

"Yes, through the catacombs," she replied. "But what's going on? You're frightening me."

"I shouldn't be the one scaring you, Ryosei," he said. He moved close to her and grasped her arms firmly. "Maiko's been implanted."

Her jaw dropped open. She shook her head vehemently. "No!" she said, "That can't be!"

"I'm sorry, Ryosei," he said, closing his eyes. "I think it was recent. I didn't notice till today. But we can't stay in the Palace any longer."

"We?" Ryosei asked, smiling.

"Yeah," Saigo said, rolling his eyes and grinning a little. "You saved my life, Ryosei. You helped me kick the drugs. I'm... I'm not about to leave you behind here."

"Are you sure that's it?" she asked, her voice teasing.

Saigo looked away. "Er, we don't have time for this, Ryosei. We have to go. Will you come with me?"

"Whatever," she laughed. "Where are we going?"

"Not sure," he replied. "I've got some ideas though. Maybe we'll check with Kujimitsu and the Masters, see if they want to help. If not, I've got a friend in the Scorpion Quarter that might be able to protect us. I don't know. I can't guarantee you'll be safe. But I'll do my best to protect you."

"Actually," Ryosei said. "You seem to be the one that needs protecting."

"True," the prophet laughed. "I do seem to need a yojimbo. Still interested in the job?"

"Anytime," she said.

And they ran for the catacombs.

"I don't even know what I'm doing here," Hayato grumbled. "I didn't even do anything during the invasion. You should have to suffer through this punishment by yourself." He rested his chin on one fist as he stared out the window of the truck.

"Oh, shut up, Hiruma," Yasu said. "It's about time you stopped laying around your house all day. Anyway, the Isawa said that your cast won't do its job unless you get up and walk on it once in awhile."

Hayato glanced down at the swirling blue plastic that encased his left leg to the thigh. "This thing itches," he complained. "And it looks stupid. I hope they let me take it off soon."

"You should have it off already, you pansy," Yasu chuckled. "The oni wasn't that big." Yasu downshifted the truck and steered it into the large plaza surrounding the Diamond Palace. The Mantis guards nodded to him as he passed.

"The oni-- I ought to break your nose with my crutch," Hayato said.

"Please do," Yasu said wryly. "Then I'd look cool on television." He opened the door and hopped out of the vehicle.

Hayato pulled his crutch out of the back and stepped carefully down as well. "TV, huh?" he asked, "I had no idea this thing was going to be televised." The lot surrounding the palace swarmed with dignitaries and reporters. Everywhere, the Mantis House Guard and the Wasp Imperial Guard were watching carefully.

"Yeah, that's the point," Yasu grinned. "Yoritomo wants to tell everyone that I'm a hero."

"Who'd you have to sleep with to arrange that, Yasu?" Hayato asked.

"I'm not sure," Yasu replied. "She looked a lot like your mother."

Hayato burst out laughing. Yasu snorted loudly, drawing irritated sneers from a group of Phoenix nearby.

"Oops," Hayato snickered quietly, covering his mouth with one hand. "I feel like I'm back in school."

"You started it," Yasu replied. "Besides, I don't remember the teachers at the Seeker Academy being as cute as that." He nodded at the group of Phoenix nearby. One was a petite girl with a fiery silk dress and long hair flowing loose about her shoulders.

"That's Isawa Sumi," Hayato said, blinking in surprise. "She was the Master of Fire and now she's Phoenix Champion. It was all over the news. She's like the youngest Champion in their history."

"Oh, I know about her," Yasu said with a smile. "Believe me I know. I haven't seen her since the invasion, but I'd never forget her face. I'm going to go introduce myself."

"You can't hit on the Phoenix Champion!" Hayato said.

"Hey," Yasu retorted, "The Crab are supposed to watch over the Phoenix, right? I'm just gonna go do my job." He started to walk away.

"Hey," Hayato said a moment later.

Yasu turned around.

"Find out if she has a sister," the scout said. Yasu nodded and kept walking.

A thin yojimbo with long black hair glanced at the Crab curiously as he approached. Yasu took one look at the bright feathers sprouting from the shoulders of the yojimbo's armor and walked right past him.

"Excuse me," he said, annoyed.

"Hi," Yasu said. He looked over his shoulder and tipped his hat with one finger. "How you doin'. Nice armor."

The man's face wrinkled in irritation. He pointed a finger at Yasu. "Now you listen, Crab-" he began. Yasu's eyebrows rose and he smiled a little.

"It's okay, Mojo," Sumi said. "I know him. The last thing he needs is your encouragement." The yojimbo's mouth clicked shut. He frowned and stepped back.

"Well, we haven't been properly introduced," Yasu said to her. He removed his jingasa and bowed low.

"No, we haven't," Sumi said, smiling at him curiously. "But I assume from your armor and your mouth that you could only be Hida Yasu."

"My burden and my privilege," Yasu said with a mocking grin and another bow. "So, do you need an escort to the ceremony? And maybe after?"

Sumi fixed a calculating look upon him. "Yasu. I'm only sixteen," she said.

"I can behave myself if you can," he said, "Besides, I'm only eighteen."

She stared at the huge, bearded Crab. "You're kidding," she said.

"Two thousand years of Hida genes," Yasu grinned.

"Do you always wear full battle armor to court functions?" she asked.

"Last time it came in handy," he replied. His voice took on a mock gentility. "So will the lady be requiring my services this evening?" he asked,

"Actually, yes," she said. Yasu arched one eyebrow in surprise. "There is something I'm doing after the show tonight. Maybe you'd like to come along?"

"Shoot," Yasu said.

"I was wondering if you could get me into Downtown," she replied.

Yasu frowned, suddenly serious. "I don't know about that," he said. "Downtown is an extremely dangerous place. Nobody goes in there in a group less than twenty."

"Really." Sumi smirked. "I heard that you do."

"Er," Yasu stuttered. "That's true, but I'm a professional."

Sumi narrowed her eyes at him. "You remember I'm the Phoenix Champion, right?"

Yasu shrugged.

"And you heard that I killed Oni no Kaze, no doubt."

"I think Toshimo mentioned that to me," he said quietly.

"And you know that via the Crab's treaty with the Phoenix, the Phoenix Champion can call assign any Crab Seeker to emergency duty over a Phoenix shugenja."

Yasu sighed. "Fine. So make me your emergency yojimbo. I'm not taking you to Downtown."

"I'm not making you my yojimbo," she said. "I already have a yojimbo. I'm making you Asako Dorai's yojimbo."

"Who's that?" Yasu asked.

"You don't know him," she said. "He's a minor shugenja assigned to research of the Arctic tree-line at the northern end of the Phoenix provinces. You can pack your bags tonight."

Yasu scowled. "That's blackmail."

"Glad we understand each other," she smiled sweetly. "Now are you taking me to Downtown or not?"

"Why do you want to go there?" Yasu asked. "I can't see a girl like you taking particular joy in killing goblins."

"A friend of mine is missing," she said.

"What makes you think she's in Downtown?"

"She was taken by a tainted Naga-creature," Sumi said. "The one that summoned Oni no Kaze and killed Mifune, Ishikint, and Hashin. We've searched the city for her, but haven't turned up anything. As Phoenix Champion, I was briefed recently on the true nature of Downtown, and it sounds like the sort of place she might have been taken. Unfortunately, your friends at the gates of Downtown won't let us in without clearance."

"You still don't have clearance," Yasu said. "Even I can't get you that. Only Seekers have clearance, and it can't be transferred."

"Yeah," Sumi said, "but you're a Seeker you can let me hide in the back of your truck."

Yasu laughed out loud. "A former Elemental Master and Clan Champion hiding in the back seat?"

"And her yojimbo," Mojo said. "I'm coming too."

"Aw, cripes," Yasu said. He turned to Sumi. "Do we have to bring Feathers? Really. Three's a crowd."

"That's what I'm hoping," Sumi laughed. "This isn't a date, Hida. It's a rescue mission. Now come along, we're going to be late for the ceremony. You can be my escort if you like, and we can talk about the details later."

Yasu grumbled and held out his arm for the little Phoenix. She took it with a smug smile and led him toward the Palace. Mojo chuckled and the Crab shot him an angry look. He could see Hayato limping along in the distance, looking similarly amused. He'd been hoping for a harmless flirt, but instead had been cajoled into risking his life, his reputation and his truck. Isawa Sumi. Manipulative little...

He had a feeling he could get to like this girl.

"Inago," Sekkou said, throwing open the door to the training room. "I need to speak with you at once."

"I always have time for my friends," Inago replied. The leader of the Locusts wore a dark black bodysuit and his traditional mask and glasses. As usual, only his hair was visible. He was currently exercising, throwing punches and kicks against a large wooden dummy covered in canvas.

"I am not your friend, Inago," Sekkou said, tearing off his helmet and throwing it across the gym. Only to the Locust leader did he ever reveal his face. "Especially less so of late."

"What is the problem?" Inago asked, turning away from the dummy and facing his lieutenant.

"Our inactivity," Sekkou hissed, cracking the knuckles of his fingers with his thumbs. "Before the invasion, you promised us a great attack. It has been two weeks."

"It is coming," Inago replied. "You must be patient."

"Angry mobs are not known for their patience," Sekkou said. "That is what the Locust are swiftly becoming."

"Soon, Sekkou, soon," Inago said. "I have it on good authority that the perfect time to strike approaches."

"Good authority," Sekkou repeated. "Would this perchance be the same authority that alerted you to the Senpet Invasion a day in advance?"

Inago nodded. "The same," he said.

"Who is this authority?" Sekkou demanded.

"That is for me to know," Inago replied, turning back to his dummy. "I did not become the leader of the Locusts by volunteering information. So the men are growing frustrated. Give them something to do. Increase our activity in Little Jigoku."

"Toturi's Army is there," Sekkou said.

"Toturi's Army is nothing!" Inago laughed. "A neighborhood watch with delusions of grandeur. They are not worthy of our fear."

"I am not certain of that," Sekkou replied. "They are becoming more organized, recruiting new members."

"When they are a threat we will deal with them," Inago said. "To act hastily might reveal our true power. In the meantime, we have some recruiting of our own to do. I have a mission for you, Sekkou."

Sekkou listened. Inago always seemed to know where the best candidates for the clan were, but even Sekkou didn't believe what he heard next. He departed at once.

"Greetings, heroes of Rokugan," Yoritomo said. "You are all welcome in the Palace of the Son of Storms."

The Emperor drew his sword, rising it high in salute to the assembled men and women that filled the throne room. The assembly burst into loud cheers.

"Today," the Emperor's voice silenced the crowd, "we honor the brave men and women who risked their lives to defend the Empire and its people. We honor those that held the walls, those that sent the Senpet scurrying back into the sea, and those that merely kept hope alive. Yes, today there will be much celebration but foremost in our thoughts we must thank the gods and fortunes. To this end, and on my son's advice, I have invited the esteemed Hoshi Jack."

The wizened old monk mounted the stairs, garbed in a silk kimono of brilliant umber. The symbol of the dragon and the crow were emblazoned upon his back in jet black. He bowed deeply to the Emperor, and turned to the crowd to begin his prayer.

"We come today, as our lord the Son of Storms has said, to honor our heroes, those who found a way to conquer adversity," he intoned in his resonant voice. "This must be a lesson for us all. There is always a way if the enlightened soul merely takes the time to find it. Consider the candle..."

Oroki yawned discreetly behind his mask. It wouldn't do to have the cousin of the Bayushi daimyo looking bored, but he so hated ceremony. The word had come only that morning of the Allied Senpet Nation's final, unconditional surrender. The deadline for Yoritomo's ultimatum was still over a week away, but many neighboring countries had quickly followed suit. Their ambassadors nearly fell over themselves in their haste to swear fealty to the Diamond Throne, and now Amijdal was the only country on the continent that did not fly the flag of Yoritomo.

So now was time for the great mad Emperor to stand and congratulate himself, to pat himself on the back for the great victory he had brought the Empire. The city was shattered and hundreds were dead, injured, or homeless. All of that was the result of Yoritomo's unprovoked declaration of supremacy. But appearances, as always, were everything, and Yoritomo had to continue trying to make his ludicrous war look like a good idea.

The line of so-called heroes stood to either side of the throne. Some were officers and soldiers who had fought back the invasion, but many more were pampered officers or high-level Imperial lobbyists, included in the celebration as repayment of favors or murkier political reasons. Oroki recognized Akodo Daniri, the movie and television star. The Imperial Brat, Yoritomo Kameru, was of course being honored. The daimyos of all the Great Clans, even those who did nothing, were also present. The young Crab oaf beside Hida Tengyu could only be Yasu, his notorious son. The Seeker appeared even less amused by the ceremony than Oroki, though he was not as skilled at hiding it. The Phoenix girl's face was unknown to him, but she could be none other than the new Phoenix Champion that had been causing such a consternation among the Shiba. The shambling green Zokujin, Argcklt, was a mild surprise. He had apparently fought bravely alongside his brethren, saving the lives of several important Lions. It was widely rumored that his race would soon be granted the same rights that the Nezumi had following the Shadow War. The Scorpion gasped. There, at the far end of the line, was the Battle Maiden Otaku Sachiko, the late Kitsuki Hatsu's partner. Oh, Oroki had much to talk to her about. He wondered what a mere detective could have done to get an Imperial commendation.

Oroki leaned back against the wall and put his hands in the pockets of his fine silk jacket. They were all such fools. He could read half of them with but a glance, and the other half with less than that.

"I see you seem to be enjoying yourself, Oroki," said a feminine voice from behind him.

"Shiriko-sama," Oroki said with a start, annoyed by the fact he'd been surprised. He turned and bowed to the new Scorpion daimyo. She was younger than Oroki, but her eyes were dark and clever. She wore a fine silk kimono of midnight black, red trim showing brightly down the right side. Her beauty was fine and exotic, but Oroki did not allow himself to be pulled into it. Shiriko was far too intelligent to have that sort of relationship with. She was more interesting as an enemy. "It is good to see you," he said.

"Oh, I'm certain you're overwhelmed, Oroki," she said dryly, brushing past him to look upon the Diamond Throne.

"Shouldn't you be with the daimyos?" he asked, "The Emperor will soon begin."

"Oh, I know my place," she said, turning and fixing him with a calculating stare. "As should we all. I heard you had difficulties with the Imperial Guard."

"Nothing lingering," Oroki replied smoothly. "Kyo seems to have been implanted, a rogue agent as it were. He and his men are dead, as is the Kitsuki they were chasing, so the matter seems to be settled. Kyo's successor seems as eager to forget about the incident as we are. The details surrounding his death have not been publicly announced."

"Excellent," Shiriko replied. "But do not forget. A Scorpion never forgets." "I thought elephants never forget," Oroki said.

"Shut up, Oroki," Shiriko sighed, "I find your wit irritating." She shook her head ruefully and turned to join the other daimyos.

Oroki frowned to himself. Since Shiriko's gempukku, he'd been doing little but test her, prod her, send covert agents to disrupt or divert her schemes in an effort to provoke her into showing some sign of weakness. So far he had found none. She didn't seem a particularly cunning or effective daimyo in Oroki's opinion but the Scorpion had survived worse. This disturbed him greatly, in light of Saigo's prophecy.

"The White Scorpion shows the way to the true path and to the dark path. The White Scorpion has a heart of darkness, and may destroy them all."

Oroki had memorized the words. Every morning he went over them again, reapplied them to the current situation. He had thought Shiriko to be the White Scorpion. But if she was not, then who was? No matter. He'd worry about it later. Currently, he saw other ways to amuse himself.

He quietly, discreetly approached the line of heroes. He made his way to the end, unquestioned. He was an important Scorpion dignitary, after all. Otaku Sachiko scowled at him.

"What do you want, Oroki?" she whispered.

He smiled behind his mask. "I come to bring news."

"What is it?" she sneered. Her eyes flashed dangerously. She did not like him one bit.

"Your friend Kitsuki Hatsu," he replied. "I found him."

"What?" she said, barely remembering to lower her voice in time. "Where?"

"He's dead," Oroki replied. "Shot three times by Tsuruchi Kyo before Kyo died himself. His body was carried off by a bunch of fanatics who thought they were Dragons. If you do not believe me, ask the Phoenix over there. He saw it all."

Sachiko followed Oroki's finger, and met the gaze of Shiba Mojo. The yojimbo looked nervous and haunted as he noticed Oroki. The Scorpion melted back into the crowd, ignoring the Unicorn's pleas as she begged for more information. He would return to her in time. He had only begun to ruin the life of Otaku Sachiko.

The sun was high in the sky over the city. The streets were quiet this time of day, empty. The looters hadn't dared come out yet and the gangsters will still sleeping off the previous night's excesses. Most of the streets were still cluttered with rubble and wreckage from the invasion two weeks hence, preventing the passage of most vehicles in the area. The neighborhood was recovering from the Senpet retreat, but slowly. Too slowly, in fact. Crime was rising due to the inability of the police to adequately patrol the area.

"I hate the media," Akiyoshi snorted, kicking a soda can as she walked. "Did you know they're calling this neighborhood Little Jigoku now?" She threw her brown leather jacket over one tanned shoulder and shook back her long hair with an irritated sneer.

At her side walked a tall man with graying white hair that flowed loose about his shoulders. He also wore a brown jacket, with the mon of the wolf on his right bicep. "So be it," he said, unconcerned. "Maybe the reputation will keep away the outsiders. We don't need more of the city's criminals flocking here. We've got enough to handle already."

Akiyoshi turned to him, her eyes amused. "Well look at you," she said. "You've become quite the wolf, Ginawa."

"What do you mean by that?" he replied. He scratched the stubble on his chin with one hand.

"The way you've just come in and taken this place as your own," she replied, hopping up on the trunk of a wrecked car and seating herself. Two weeks ago you were still broken up about being tossed out by Meda. You still dressed like a Crane, walked like a Crane. Now look at you. It's like you've lived here all of your life."

Ginawa smiled, a crooked smile. "I like it here," he said. He looked around at the ruined buildings and wrecked vehicles, finally stopping to face the bullet ridden front windows of Shotai's Diner, a building relatively untouched by the invasion. "I guess that sounds pretty strange, huh?"

"Yeah," she said. "What, you wanted me to argue with you? No, I think you're crazy. Give Dojicorp up for this sty?" She laughed. "You seem to fit here, though. You don't even call yourself by your old name anymore."

"I hadn't noticed," Ginawa said. "I guess that's true, though. I guess I have gone by Ginawa since the invasion. Well, Jinwa was just an old soldier nobody had any use for. Ginawa can make a difference."

She shook her head and gazed off at the cracked street. "You've been a lot of help to the Army. I'm still amazed by what you did back at the church. Everyone is."

"That was luck," Ginawa replied. "I expected to die, to give some of you time to escape. I had no idea that the Senpet commander would actually be a reasonable man."

"Above all things, a samurai must remember that he must die," said a gruff voice from the darkness of a nearby alley. A thin man with braided hair and mirrored sunglasses nodded in greeting. "Maybe we not all of us are true samurai, but it's still something to keep in mind. Dairya wants to see you, Ginawa." Tokei gestured over his shoulder at the apartment above Shotai's, where Dairya had been resting.

"Dairya?" Ginawa asked. "How is he?"

"Better," Tokei said, "but still not good. He's acting his old self again, which isn't helping him recover any faster." Tokei sighed and took a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. He walked off down the street, slapping the butt of the pack against one hand.

"You'd better go talk to him," Akiyoshi said with a smile. "Otherwise he'll try to walk down the steps and come to you."

Ginawa nodded with a laugh and headed for the diner.

"Hey, Ginawa?" Akiyoshi said tentatively.

"Yeah?" He said, looking back.

"Hito said that he discovered a movie theater in working order a few blocks over. He and Hiroru have been tinkering with it, trying to open it back up again."

"Hiroru?" Ginawa chuckled. "Hard to see the ninja as a movie buff."

"You think so?" Akiyoshi asked. "You ask me, I think he learned most of his martial arts watching Akodo Daniri movies."

"I hardly think Hiroru would be pleased to hear someone say that," Ginawa replied, amused. "Nor would Daniri."

Akiyoshi shrugged and glanced away. She seemed nervous. "Well, anyway they're going to start showing movies tonight. I wondered if maybe you'd like to go."

"I suppose so, Akiyoshi," he said. "That sounds like a lot of fun."

Akiyoshi's eyes were suddenly bright, and she gave a wide smile. "Okay," she said, hopping off the car and snatching up her jacket. "I'll see you later then." She trotted off down the street.

Ginawa watched her go. She was over a block away before it hit him what had happened. He'd just been invited on a date by a girl one third his age. Back in Dojicorp such a thing would have scandalized the corporation to its core. Oddly, it hardly bothered him as much as he thought it would. Yes, he liked it here a lot. He walked into Shotai's Diner whistling.

The diner was crowded with Toturi's Army members and local refugees, and smelled richly of frying burgers and chicken. "You're in a mood," said Shotai with a grin. The fat cook wiped his thick hands on his apron as Ginawa entered.

"I suppose I am," Ginawa said with deliberate vagueness. He was in a great mood all of a sudden. "Dairya's upstairs?"

"I don't know where else he could be," Shotai replied.

"All right, then," Ginawa said. He walked through the diner, nodding and uttering short greetings to men and women he recognized, and ascended the steps in the rear. The top floor of the diner was silent, and very clean. This came from necessity, as since the invasion it had doubled as a hospital.

"Good morning, Ginawa," said the doctor as he emerged from Dairya's room.

"Hello, Godaigo," Ginawa replied. Godaigo was a prim, refined man who had come to join the Army after his apartment building had been demolished by a crashing Scarab. He wasn't a fighter, but he was a skilled physician, and he never seemed to sleep. His skills had quickly become indispensable.

"Don't stay long," Godaigo said, his sharp voice brooking no argument. "He still needs rest."

Ginawa nodded, and entered the room. It was a small room that had been quickly modified to accommodate its current patient. A large bed dominated, upon which Dairya lay. Most of his upper body was in a thick white cast, and he wore a tight brace around his neck. His face and arms were covered with small cuts. He turned awkwardly to look at Ginawa as well as he could with his remaining eye. He looked more annoyed than in pain.

"About time you got here," Dairya spat, "I sent Tokei looking for you an hour ago."

"I was on patrol with Akiyoshi," he replied. "City's quiet today."

"I'll bet," Dairya said. "You seem to be patrolling with Akiyoshi an awful lot."

"She's a nice girl," Ginawa replied, "and a skilled warrior. I enjoy her company."

"Hoo boy," Dairya said, rolling his eye. "You still think too much like a Crane. You'll figure it out. I have faith in you. That's not really why I called you here."

Ginawa nodded and sat on a chair near the bed.

"You saw the diner down there," Dairya said. "You saw all those people. The Army is growing, and fast."

"Well, we're needed," Ginawa replied. "The police lack mobility around here. We're usually the only ones well-equipped enough to deal with the situations that have been coming up."

"You don't know the half of what we're capable of," Dairya said. "But starting now, you're going to learn."

"Hm?" Ginawa looked bewildered. "Why the sudden emergency?"

"Well," Dairya sighed. "As much as I hate to do it, Jinwa, I'm turning the leadership of the Army over to you."

"Me?" Ginawa replied, his eyes wide. "Why?"

"In case you haven't noticed," Dairya said bitterly, "I sort of shattered my spine crashing a sportscar into a tank head-on. I'm not going to be going on any missions for a little while."

"Well, yes, obviously," Ginawa said, "but why choose me? I haven't been in the Army as long as some of the others. Why not Tokei or Hiroru?"

Dairya laughed. "Maybe you haven't been paying attention," he said. "Tokei's a drunk and Hiroru's a space cadet. They're good men, both of them, don't get me wrong. They're not leaders. You, Jinwa, you're a leader. I heard about what you did at the church and that... well that was something. Not everybody's got that in them."

"What about Daniri, then?" Ginawa asked. "He seems very supportive, and he has the charisma."

"Daniri is an ally," Dairya said, "but he isn't one of us. He doesn't live in our world. Hell, most of the Army doesn't even know he's been helping us. I think he prefers it that way, too. You, on the other hand. The Army loves you, man. They'd follow you into Jigoku now."

"We are in Jigoku now," Ginawa chuckled.

"Exactly," Dairya said. "And you're in charge. Now go report to Mikio. He's got something to show you."

"But I'm in charge," Ginawa replied mildly. "You can't order me around."

Dairya's single eye narrowed. "I'm not as crippled as I look, Crane. I can still move my leg a little. Don't make me kick the crap out of you."

Ginawa laughed. "All right, all right," he said. "I bow to your threats, mighty one." He stood and moved toward the door. "When will you be up and causing mayhem again?"

Dairya sighed. "Not for a long time," he said sadly. "There's a hell of a lot of damage. And then the therapy. Thunders, I hate waiting around like this. It's like I'm already dead."

"You'll pull through," Ginawa said. "You're the second most stubborn man I've ever known."

"Well damn," Dairya replied. "Now I'm gonna have to live. I have to kill that other guy so I can be number one."

"I wish you luck, my friend," Ginawa said with a smile, and he left. Dairya's single eye watched the door for a long time, full of sadness.

Ginawa found Godaigo waiting in the hallway.

"Can I talk to you?" the doctor asked quietly.

"Of course," the ronin replied. "How can I help you?"

The doctor sighed, looking past Ginawa at the closed door to Dairya's room. "It's Dairya," he said. "He gave you the Army, didn't he? I thought he would."

"Yes," Ginawa replied. "Just until he recovers."

Godaigo nodded, his face grave. "Ginawa, Dairya is not going to recover."

"What?" Ginawa replied. "What are you talking about? How badly is he injured."

"He won't walk for seven months," Godaigo said. "But the cancer will kill him in six."

"No," Ginawa said, looking back at the door. He felt a pinprick of fear slide into his heart. He hadn't known Dairya long, but he already considered the man a friend. "Does he know?"

"Of course he knows," Godaigo said. "He's known for over a year. He was forced into early retirement by the Imperial Guard for medical reasons. Out of anger, he forsook the Tsuruchi name and came here. I think the Army was to be his legacy."

"He never said anything," Ginawa replied hoarsely.

"He's never told anyone," Godaigo said. "I'm the only one who knows."

"What can we do?" Ginawa asked, his voice quick. "How can we save him?"

Godaigo smiled, regret apparent in his eyes. "This isn't an enemy you can fight, Ginawa. There's nothing you can do."

"Why did you tell me this?" Ginawa said bitterly. "I don't want to watch a friend wither and die."

"I'm an idealistic fool, I suppose," Godaigo said. "I just had a feeling you should know."

"What do you expect me to do?" Ginawa asked. "Produce some sort of miracle?"

"Well," Godaigo chuckled, "You seem to be the expert. Good day, Ginawa." The doctor bowed slightly and walked away, leaving the old ronin to his thoughts.

"And now," Yoritomo continued, "We must honor a hero among heroes." The Emperor rose from his throne and approached the line of honored samurai. "One who symbolizes all that Rokugan is and can be. One who fought the invasion from the moment it began until the bitter end. One who would have sacrificed everything for the empire and honor. People of Rokugan, I give you Akodo Daniri."

The room burst into excited cheers and the most surprised of them all was Daniri himself. He glanced to his left and right. Sachiko nodded encouragingly and Yasu rolled his eyes with a grimace. Daniri recovered his wits quickly and bowed to the Emperor with grace, drawing more applause. A small servant girl appeared at Yoritomo's side, holding forth a large medallion on a pillow. The Emperor took the medallion by its long golden ribbon and presented it to the lion. It was a bright bronze in color, worked in diamonds and jade. Upon it was the image of a lion crushing a snake in its paws. Daniri bowed his head silently and the Emperor placed the medallion about his neck.

Daniri turned to face the crowd once more and Yoritomo stood by his side, seizing the actor's right hand and holding it up in triumph. The crowd's cheers for them both were deafening.

"Any accusations I may have made about the Emperor's lack of political savvy now ring hollow," Asahina Munashi murmured, clapping politely. "I wonder if Yoritomo would go so far as to make a guest appearance on the Akodo War Machines. Surely then his approval rating would skyrocket."

Doji Meda stood beside the old priest, his own face grave and serious. He grunted noncommittally. "A fine choice he makes," the old Crane replied. "Daniri is young, charismatic, and beloved by the people. The Empire needs a symbol of strength to rally behind."

"And of course a shallow fool of a Lion actor is a much better choice than an accomplished warrior and Emerald Champion," Munashi said bitterly. "Meda, this is a public slight if I have ever seen one, even more so than the appointment of that Fox wench. In the final battle that Lion did little more than destroy that bizarre robotic suit of armor he wears. It was your Daidoji reinforcements that turned the tide. Everyone knows that."

"As they know my reluctance," Meda said. "I did not assist until it was almost too late. I deserve no thanks and have no time to become a symbol regardless."

"Modesty," Munashi chuckled, smoothing his eye-patch with one hand. "Such a becoming trait in a leader. Of course you may just be grumbling over bitter grapes. It is beyond my place to say."

Meda chuckled. "As if that has ever stopped you from criticizing my decisions before, old friend."

"Opinions, not criticisms," Munashi said. "You are doing a fine job, Meda. You do our Emperor greater credit than he deserves." Yoritomo had begun to move down the line, congratulating the other young heroes that had battled Oni no Taki-bi. "Look at him. Putting on such a good show for his pet Lion reporters. Our glorious Emperor with his photogenic young heroes. With the Senpet surrender, no one will stand against him now."

"I wouldn't say that," Meda replied. "Toshimo implied that the Crabs are very resentful about Yoritomo's recent ignorance toward their position. And Heichi Tetsugi suggested that the Assembly of Minor Clans also fears what may happen if a true war ensues."

"But surely you realize that war is not what Yoritomo truly brings," Munashi hissed. "One must only look on Medinaat-al-Salaam to see that. He threatens the very world with destruction."

"Yes," Meda sighed, "I know."

"What will you do, then, Doji Meda?" Munashi asked. Yoritomo had proceeded down the line, and his odd black eyes met Meda's.

"I do not know," Meda replied sadly, "I do not know."

Of the Jackals that had accompanied Massad to the city, Gekkar was among the strongest. He was a large man with ebony skin and rippling muscles. He wore only boots, camoflauge breeches, and a necklace of human and animal bones. He was the largest of the six who had escaped Shinjo Tower, and the most outspoken in his opinions.

"You are a fool, Omar Massad," Gekkar spat. "This city holds no succor for us. It is only a matter of time before we are caught."

"I've kept us safe so far," Massad replied calmly. He leaned against the alley wall and watched the streets carefully.

"So far!" Gekkar roared, kicking over a trash can. "What are you talking about? We're in a hostile foreign land! Outlaws! Criminals of war! We'd have been better off at home!"

Massad fixed his beady, close-set eyes upon Gekkar. "Our home is gone," he hissed. "Medinaat-al-salaam has been destroyed. I think Otosan Uchi will be a fine replacement; we must only await our opportunity. Everything is opportunity, Gekkar."

"Idiocy," Gekkar snarled. "The entire Empire has declared war upon anything with a gaijin face. If we are found and linked to the Senpet invasion, death will be the least of our worries. There is no opportunity to be had." The other Jackals nodded and murmured among themselves, turning their haggard eyes to Massad.

Massad laughed lightly. "You think in such specific terms," he said. "My mind has a broader scope. Opportunity is where you find it. Take this for instance." He reached into his vest and drew out a large pistol, pointing the barrel at his own face. Gekkar's eyes widened in surprise. "I found it in Shinjo Tower, on the body of a dead officer. At the time, it was of little use. One pistol would not turn the tide against the Otaku and that blasted Lion robot. Still, an opportunity."

"How so?" Gekkar asked.

"It gives me the opportunity to silence your little rebellion, Gekkar," Massad said. He aimed the pistol and shot Gekkar in the face.

"Stand back," Massad said to the remaining Jackals. They immediately complied, backing away from the corpse. Massad holstered the gun and drew an ancient glass sphere from a pouch at his belt. Grey mists swirled within. "By the Soul of the Slayer," Massad said, a dark power echoing in his voice, "I command thee to arise."

The crystal lit with a dull glow. White smoke rose from the corpse of Gekkar, hovering in place for a moment before swirling suddenly and completely into the glass with the shrieking cry of a tortured animal. Gekkar's corpse twitched, slightly. One arm slowly drew forward, pushing the body into a sitting position. Gekkar's ruined face regarded Massad with a festering hunger, undying anger, and total obedience. Massad smiled in satisfaction at his new ghul.

"Impressive."

Massad turned and pointed the pistol at the mouth of the alley. A man in a long black coat stood there, an odd insectoid mon gleaming silver on his motorcycle helmet. Gekkar shambled toward the man, hands outstretched.

"No, Gekkar," Massad commanded. "Abide a moment." The ghul nodded and stepped back, its red eyes burning in its ruined face.

"Shoot at me and kill yourself," he said. "I'm Inago Sekkou, of the Locust."

"The Locust?" Massad smirked. "The terrorist group?"

"The same," he replied. "I see you have kept up with your international criminals."

"I should hope I have," Massad replied. "Professional courtesy."

"From your appearance and your abilities you can be none other than the Jackals," Sekkou replied. He stepped slowly into the alley; Massad kept the pistol trained upon him. "I take it you are in search of greener pastures after the wrath of the Fire Dragon."

Massad nodded. "Thieves like the Jackals need an urban environment to function. The other cities of the Nation do not interest me."

"You must be discovering Rokugan xenophobic tendencies by now," Massad replied, observing their haggard faces and soiled clothing. "An unfortunate peculiarity maintained by the samurai class."

"A temporary set-back," Massad said. "We'll find a way soon. In a city as large as this, there's a place for us somewhere."

"Perhaps I have one for you," Sekkou replied. "The Locust are about to undertake a venture of colossal importance. We could use someone with the skills and experience of your staff and yourself. The simple prospect of your undead combined with our technology is most intriguing."

Massad grinned. "Perhaps," he said. "So we impress you. Why should you impress us?"

Sekkou snapped his fingers. Several dozen rasping clicks of armament echoed from above. The Jackals looked up to see three dozen Locusts aiming automatic rifles from the rooftops.

"I suggest you stop aiming that gun at me," Sekkou said. "I mean you no threat, but will brook none either. You might make my friends nervous."

Massad stared up a moment longer, then nodded and put the weapon away. He smirked again. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Inago Sekkou. You are everything that I have heard."

"As are you, I hope," he waved one hand, and the Locusts lowered their guns. "Let us go somewhere and discuss this further."

Massad turned to his Jackals. "You heard him. Let's go." They nodded and rose to their feet to follow. Massad felt an inward surge of triumph. His minions' earlier hints of rebellion were gone. He had their loyalty back.

He had found opportunity.

"I quite best liked the part where you leapt off of the speeding car onto the fleeing motorcyclist's back!" chuckled Ide Ennosuke, the Unicorn ambassador. "Quite a nice show of bravado, I say, and what a startling athleticism! Indeed."

"Thank you," Daniri said, "Thank you very much." He didn't have the heart to tell the old man that he was talking about a scene out of one of Akodo Jiko's films, not his.

"And then there was the part with the octopus!" he said, stroking his mustaches.

"Daniri!" said Kitsu Denbe, one the attendants Ayano had assigned to him. "Could you take a moment to visit with the Minister of Agriculture?"

"Daniri," said a blonde Yasuki executive, "I'm Yasuki Tsuya and I'd like a word with you first. Have you considered the possibilities of an action figure line?"

"Er... one at a time, please," Daniri said meekly.

"That was quite a big octopus, I say," the Ide ambassador chuckled, "Do you grow them so big in the Lion provinces or is that being what you'd call a special affect? Eh?"

"Um," Daniri didn't know how to explain that he'd never been to the Lion provinces in his life.

"Daniri," the Kitsu pressed, "It would be best if you could take a moment for Yoritomo Kenimiru. He's the Emperor's second cousin."

"Imagine it!" Tsuya said, flinging her hands out before her face. "Akodo Daniri with seventeen points of articulation including swivel-arm battle-grip! Six and a quarter inches of plastic Akodo glory, with six different weapons, five accessories, and fully compatible with our line of War Machines vehicles."

"I don't carry weapons in my movies," Daniri said, "And there's only one War Machine."

"Not for long, the way I hear it," chuckled Daidoji Heizo, a visiting Crane governor who'd had too much to drink. "Looksh like you won't be the only big boy on the block for long, Akodo! Whatcha shay to that?" He leered and swayed dangerously, catching himself on Daniri's lapels.

"Um, congratulations?" Daniri said tentatively.

"More War Machines?" the Ide ambassador said with excitement, "Will they be on your television show? What was the name of it again?"

"Akodo War Machines," Kitsu Denbe said, "And the new War Machines are only a rumor. Please stop tugging on Mister Akodo's lapels, he has to go talk to the Imperial cousins." Denbe wrestled with Heizo, trying to pry him free from the actor.

"Well, that name doesn't make much sense, then!" said Shiba Emon, a fat Phoenix merchant. "I mean, the name is war 'Machines,' plural, but in fact there is only one War Machine on the show itself. The very name implies expansion."

"Actually, that's sort of a play on words," Daniri tried to explain. "My character on the show is an Akodo, and he's an ex-marine, so he's also a 'war machine.' Get it?"

"I don't get it," the Phoenix said blandly, stroking his greasy beard. "That just doesn't seem to make much sense. Are you sure that's why they called it that?"

"I know all the writers personally," Daniri said, trying to see over the weaving, drunken Crane. "I'm certain."

"Posh, that sounds silly!" Ide Ennosuke chuckled. "How could you be a war machine? Is your character some sort of android or something? That's just ludicrous. Unless it was a special effect. Could that be a special effect?"

"Oh, android Daniri!" the Yasuki cooed, "What a great variant figure that would make! I'm telling you, Akodo, just sign this contract and it's money in the bank!" She produced a twenty page color booklet with a plastic cover and spiral binding from somewhere.

"I think you should make an action figure of the octopus, Daniri," Ennosuke suggested.

"Mister Akodo is not signing anything today!" Denbe said frantically. He was still trying to pry Heizo's fingers from Daniri's suit coat.

"May I call you Daniri?" Ennosuke asked.

"It will just take a moment," Tsuya said, holding out a pen.

"Goodness me!" someone said. "It's the Son of Storms!"

Everyone turned to look.

"Where?" Ennosuke said.

"What?" Tsuya replied.

"Where did he go?" asked Kitsu Denbe.

"I didn't see him at all," added Emon.

"No," Denbe said, "I mean where did Daniri go?"

Daidoji Heizo had seated himself on the floor drunkenly, still clutching Daniri's empty coat in his hands. The actor himself was nowhere to be seen.

"Thanks for the save, whoever you are," Daniri said, ducking into a small hallway.

"Hey, no problem," replied a big armored Crab.

"Yasu!" Daniri exclaimed. "It's good to see you."

"I guess we're even for Shinjo tower now," Yasu chuckled.

"That and more," Daniri replied. "I don't believe that drunk Crane grabbed my coat. I hope Denbe gets it back for me. I paid a lot for that coat. So what are you doing hiding here?"

"I grew up in Otosan Uchi," Yasu said. "Since my dad's the Champion I had to go to a lot of these sorts of things as a kid. I know all the good hiding places."

"You never told me your father was Hida Tengyu," Daniri said.

"Oh, Daniri," Yasu batted his eyelashes. "You really do care."

Daniri laughed out loud. "Hey, I noticed that Phoenix you were with earlier," Daniri said. "What are you doing hiding when you have a date like that?"

"Avoiding her," Yasu said. "Maybe if I hide long enough I won't have to get her killed." Daniri looked confused. "It's a Crab thing," Yasu added. "And why are you so popular all of a sudden? Are people actually starting to watch that awful show of yours?"

"Hell no," Daniri said with a laugh. "It's that 'hero among heroes' thing."

"What 'hero among heroes' thing?" Yasu asked.

"The Emperor proclaimed me a hero among heroes," Daniri said. "Don't you remember that?" "I think I went back to sleep after I got my medal," Yasu replied. "No offense, Daniri, but why are you so special? I mean, Kameru rallied the armies and Sachiko killed the oni. The rest of us just did our jobs."

"I agree," Daniri said. "Maybe it's because I'm famous and have a big shiny robot friend. That sort of stuff looks good to the media. Anyway, I didn't ask for it and now everybody sees me as some sort of political tool."

"Idiots!" Yasu cackled maniacally. "They shall soon learn that Akodo Daniri is merely a regular sort of tool!"

"They'll learn," he said wryly. "What's down this hallway?" He looked around curiously as he proceeded further along.

"Some display rooms with armor and weapons and stuff," Yasu replied. "There's a door at the end that leads downstairs to the Imperial Winery. I got caught there once when I was six, but they were too late." Yasu smiled broadly. "I could show you around if you like."

"Perhaps later," said a stern-faced Phoenix yojimbo, standing at the end of the hallway.

"Damn," Yasu said, "My parole officer is here. I'll talk to you later, Daniri."

"Yeah," Daniri replied as the Crab and Phoenix departed, "Thanks again, Yasu."

Daniri looked curiously at the door to the winery. He opened the door with a shrug and slipped inside. Beyond was pitch blackness, and Daniri fumbled along the wall for a moment before he found a switch. The chamber filled with a dim light, and Daniri whistled.

He stood at the top of a towering, ancient stone staircase. To his right, the stairs followed a wall of solid stone, and to his left they dropped away into a massive underground chamber full of wooden casks, stretching off into the darkness. Somewhere, he could hear the drip of falling water.

"Wow," Daniri said quietly as he descended the stairs, "The Emperor likes his wine."

"Well to be fair, there's quite a bit of sake and shochu here too. It's just called the Winery for simplicity. I thought I saw you sneaking off this way, Akodo Daniri."

Daniri whirled, facing back up the stairs. A pretty young geisha in a tight red dress worked with a black scorpion pattern stood at the door. A simple mask of red gold covered the right half of her face. Daniri recognized her instantly.

"Kochiyo!" he said. "I didn't know you were here!"

"You didn't go out of your way to call me," she said, hurt apparent in her voice.

"I thought it would be boring," he said.

"Daniri!" she said. "I'm a geisha. Our official role is to provide entertainment and companionship at otherwise tedious societal functions. I may be bored, but I'm well used to it!"

He moved close to her, wrapping one arm about her waist. "And your unofficial role?"

"Why Daniri, I'm shocked!" she said, pushing him away with a teasing smile. "That's purely a myth." She proceeded down the stairs, looking around the Imperial Winery with wide eyes. "Shosuro's Mask," she said, "I'd heard about the catacombs, but I never really imagined they'd be this big."

"Catacombs?" Daniri asked.

"The burial chamber of the Hantei Emperors," Kochiyo said, "The first Emperors of Rokugan."

"They buried the Emperors in the Winery?" Daniri asked, hoping down a few steps to catch up with her.

"It wasn't a Winery back then, silly," she said, snatching his arm in hers. "Back then they were just tombs. There've been so many Emperors since then, with so many accumulated possessions, that a lot of the older chambers have had to serve dual purpose. There aren't any Hantei anymore, so they can't really complain I suppose." They finally reached the bottom of the stairs, a slight cloud of dust rising as they passed. Something clattered through the darkness, like footsteps, and was silent.

"Is someone down here?" Daniri asked.

"No, no one ever comes down here," she said. "That was probably a bat."

"They don't even come down for the wine?" he asked.

"No, you can't drink this wine," she said. "It's Yoritomo III's wine. It belongs to Yoritomo III."

"Emperors are weird," observed Daniri. Kochiyo laughed. "How far do these caves go?" Daniri asked, gazing off into the darkness.

"Quite a ways, I imagine," she replied. "I wouldn't be surprised if you eventually found the old passage to the waterways down there."

Daniri smiled. "Well, let's go," he said. "I sure don't want to go back upstairs. Let's explore a little."

"I don't think you want to find the waterways, Daniri," Kochiyo replied. "They're a little dangerous."

"Cause they're old?" he replied.

"Cause they're dangerous," she repeated. "I think one of the Emperors was killed because a group of Scorpion assassins snuck in through the waterways. After that happened, his successor hired Rokugan's greatest engineers to fill the waterways with traps. A lot of them are probably still active."

"Okay, then," Daniri said, "I guess we'll just have to settle for whatever mischief we can get into in a room full of alcohol, then."

"I thought you didn't drink, Daniri," she said, poking him in the chest with one finger.

"I don't, part of my training regimen," he answered. "I'm hoping you do, though."

"You lout!" she said.

"You asked," he grinned. He leaned forward and kissed her. It was a long, deep, warm thing and it lasted for several moments.

"So where have you been lately?" she asked, "I haven't seen you in a week."

"I've been busy," he said vaguely.

Kochiyo's eyes became hard, and she pushed away from him. "Listen to me, Daniri," she said. "You may think you're clever, you may think you're protecting me or something, but don't try to hide something from a Scorpion. I was raised in a house of secrets and I hate my family for it. If you want what's between us to be anything more than it is, then don't try to hide anything from me, or I'll hate you too." Her voice choked a bit at the end, and her eyes were shiny from tears.

"Kochiyo," he said.

"I'm sorry," she said, turning away from him. "I had no right to do that. Whatever's going on with you, Daniri, it's your business."

"Kochiyo, my brother's in a lot of trouble," he said. "I've been spending nights, mornings, any free time I've had trying to help him."

"What kind of trouble?" she asked, facing him again. Her face was hopeful. "Daniri, I have friends, contacts. Whatever it is, maybe I can help."

"No, he's gotten himself into this," Daniri said. "All I can do is wait until he's ready for help."

"Daniri, you're still being evasive," she said. "I didn't even know you had a brother."

Daniri sighed. "All right," he said. "I'll tell you." His face was grim. He moved over to a small cask of wine and sat down upon it.

Kochiyo frowned, disturbed by his sudden seriousness.

"You know how the Akodo family works, right?" he asked. "It's not a true samurai name in the traditional sense of the word. It's bestowed to any who graduate the Actor's College. Akodos come from all the clans, but they always end up Lions. Star quality just isn't something you can inherit."

"I'd heard something like that," she said.

"Well as it turns out, I'm not a Lion at all. Probably the furthest thing from it."

"What do you mean?" she asked, sitting on a cask nearby.

"Kochiyo, I'm not even a samurai," he said. "I come from a peasant family that lives in the middle of what they're calling Little Jigoku now."

"You never told me that," she said, her eyes wide.

"I never told anybody that," he said. "Only Kitsu Ayano and my family really know. Maybe Ikimura's figured it out; I wouldn't put it past him. Kochiyo, you can't tell anyone this. This could ruin the Lion Clan's reputation. I'm certain the Emperor wouldn't be happy to hear about it either, since he seems to be pretty chummy with me now."

"Of course, Daniri," she said. "I'd never hurt you like that." She stood and walked over to him, knelt down, and kissed him. She wiped the tears from her eyes and looked away. "Thank you for telling me, finally. Thank you for trusting me that much."

"I had to tell someone, I think," Daniri said. "It was killing me to keep that inside." He reached out and embraced her.

Over his shoulder, Kochiyo smiled.

"Useless!" Kashrak screamed, knocking the assorted tools and machinery from the table with a sweep of his arm. "All of it! Useless!"

"I am sorry, Kashrak-sama," mumbled the Crane technician. "There was no way we could have known."

Zin's head throbbed with pain. Her eyes were blurred from tears. Her hair was sticky with blood. Still, she felt triumphant. The crumpled scraps of the tetsukansen implant lay on the floor before her. Her body had rejected the operation, rather violently. Two of Kashrak's goblin servants had been slain by the shrapnel.

"You could have killed her, you ham-fisted fool!" Kashrak snarled. He advanced upon the Crane. The cobras about his waist bobbed and hissed, reflecting their master's fury. Kashrak's remaining goblins had fled to the darkness, knowing better than to risk their master's presence in his anger.

"Please!" the Crane begged, backing away from the monstrous Naga. "Lord Munashi claimed that the operation was fool-proof! Even if the operation failed, there was no chance of her being harmed! We didn't know her Naga physiology would-"

"You made a miscalculation!" Kashrak roared, jabbing a clawed talon at the man. "Your incompetence threatened the life of my beloved!"

Zin swallowed hard and tried to gather what strength she could, rising up on her hands and knees. In two weeks, Kashrak had never taken his eyes off of her without posting heavy guard. Finally, he was distracted. She reached out and snatched a piece of the twisted black metal, part of the thing that had erupted from her head.

"Already she has healed, Kashrak-sama!" the Crane whimpered, trying to draw Kashrak's attention back to the prone girl. "Her weakness shall soon pass! No permanent harm done!"

Kashrak paused, settling back upon his haunches. His beady reptilian eyes held the Crane fast. "Ah," he said. "So I have just been insulted and injured, not destroyed. This is what you are saying."

"Essentially," the Crane replied. "Essentially, yes."

"Well, that's good to hear," Kashrak said. His mouth twisted in a frightening grin. "I would hate to sever my relationship with Asahina Munashi over such a little thing. He was always such a diligent student." The cobras settled about him, swaying gently.

The Crane exhaled deeply, relaxing.

Zin pulled the sharp piece back to her, drawing it back and hiding it in the folds of her kimono. She glanced up to see if anyone had noticed, but the Crane was still consumed in his fear, and Kashrak was consumed in his arrogance.

"Still," Kashrak said, cocking his head. "There must be recompense."

"Recompense?" the Crane replied, fear in his voice. A goblin cackled from somewhere.

"There must always be recompense," Kashrak nodded. "A minor harm for a minor harm. Munashi unintentionally injured my beloved. So now I must do a minor injury to him. Tell me, is Asahina Munashi the sort of person to send one of his finest technicians to the heart of Downtown?"

"Excuse me?" the Crane whispered, backing away again.

"I don't think that he is," Kashrak answered, "I think he'd have sent someone... expendable." Kashrak lunged forward with an animal roar, tearing at the Crane's chest with his jaws. The Crane screamed for a long time, and the huge Naga tortured him even longer before letting him die.

"Zin?" Kashrak's voice was surprisingly sweet as he coiled by her side. He cupped her chin in one hand. "I see you live. And the Crane was right. Your wound has healed already. You are very lucky. Perhaps I should not have been so hard on him." He gazed back at the technician's nearly liquefied remains and shrugged.

Zin grimaced as Kashrak's goblins carried her back to her cell. The pain in her skull was terrible, but so was the exultation. Not just of the hope of the escape, not just from finding a weapon at last. There was something more. When the machine crawled into her ear and extended its tentacles, there was... something. Something great, something powerful. It reached out from inside her and wiped the greasy claws of the evil thing away. It was still there, with her. The most amazing part was that it hated Kashrak more than she did.

Kujimitsu sat alone at his table, sipping his sake quietly. The ceremony was over and now the celebration had begun. Kameru was reputedly putting on some sort of drama in one of the other chambers, but the Master of Water was in no mood to be entertained.

"Kujimitsu," Sumi said, smiling as she approached. She bowed to the old man. "You mustn't sit like a bump on a log. As your Champion, I order you to enjoy yourself." She hopped into the seat beside him and poured herself a glass of water.

"Sumi-sama," he said happily. "I'm afraid I must disobey your orders. The problems of the Council weigh heavily on my mind."

"You'll find replacements, Kujimitsu," she said, "I have complete faith in you."

"Thank you, Sumi," he replied. "I'm not certain I'm worthy of your confidence, but I appreciate it."

"Sumi, I found our deserter," Shiba Mojo said, walking toward them. A big Crab followed with a grim look on his face.

"Ah," Kujimitsu said, "You must be the Hida lad that Sumi's been talking so much about."

Sumi shot Kujimitsu a dangerous look and the Crab rose one eyebrow.

"Pleased to meet you, Master of Water," he said. "I'm Hida Yasu."

Kujimitsu chuckled and nodded at the young Seeker. "You were among the Emperor's heroes. I congratulate you."

"Just doing my job," Yasu said with no humility whatsoever.

"My compliments as well, Crab," said a melifluos voice, "And my congratulations to you, Isawa Sumi, on your succession."

A tall man in robes of blue and white approached the table. A snowy circle of cotton covered his left eye.

"Thank you," Sumi said, staring at the strange old man, "I don't believe we've met."

"Asahina Munashi," Kujimitsu said, standing and bowing politely. "He is the caretaker of Dojicorp's famous Fantastic Gardens. It has been a long time, Munashi."

"Indeed, too long," he said. "But my sadness at your past absence is tempered by your current presence, friend, and my joy at such examples of young heroism." He fixed his eye upon Yasu.

Yasu's upper lip quivered a bit as he met the Crane's stare. "Thanks," he said. "C'mon, Sumi. Let's dance."

"Dance?" she asked.

"Dance," he repeated, seriously.

"Um. Okay," she said, as she stood and accepted Yasu's hand. "Mojo, why don't you go get some food or something?"

"Yes, Sumi-sama," he replied, bowing and departing.

"Ah, to be young again," Munashi said with a chuckle. He carefully watched the young couple leave. "Such life, such energy. To be young is to be immortal, I think it is said."

"If only that were true," Kujimitsu said.

"My sympathies on the current tragedies to befall your clan," Munashi answered, returning his attention to the Master of Water. "To be the last Elemental Master is not a kind fate. I envy your strength, Isawa."

"Thank you," Kujimitsu said. "Please, have a seat." He indicated the space across from him at his low table. The Crane nodded respectfully and seated himself as Kujimitsu did.

"I must confess I adore your new Champion," Munashi said, watching the dance floor with a smile. "As beautiful as she is powerful. I hear she dispatched the Oni of Air."

"I was not aware that was common knowledge," Kujimitsu replied.

"I have ears where they are needed," Munashi said. "Really, Kujimitsu. Such information threatens us all. You must not be so secretive."

"It seemed the best course of action at the time," Kujimitsu said. "Three Elemental Terrors have been destroyed. Two more may still be abroad in the world of man."

"Ill tidings indeed," Munashi said. "I had thought the darkness defeated with the end of the Shadow War."

"Perhaps not," Kujimitsu answered. His eyes were tired, red. "I have researched it. The last days of the Shadow War bore none of the signs. There was no descendant of Shinsei present, no Seven Thunders, no final test of might. Just a fiery blast that saw Akuma put paid and a climactic battle with the remaining armies."

"You suggest that the sun has yet to rise on the Third Day of Thunder," Munashi said.

"The millennium is close," the Master of Water said with a small shake of his head. "Destiny has a sense of humor about that sort of thing. I think the prophet was right. Evil times are coming."

Munashi was silent a moment, deep in thought. "Have you selected new Elemental Masters yet?" he asked.

"There are none," Kujimitsu said. "None skilled enough to hold the position. The Phoenix have more shugenja than any clan in the Empire, but our power over the kami seems oddly reduced compared to previous generations. There is Sumi, but she seems the exception rather than the rule. Sadly she has other responsibilities. I had thought Asako Nitobe to be a welcome addition. The only position he would be appropriate for is my own."

"A sad coincidence," Munashi said with a little smile. "Do you consider applicants from the other clans?"

"In rare cases," Kujimitsu replied. "Ishikint and the Master of the Void both came from outside the Phoenix, but theirs were unusual circumstances."

"And these are unusual circumstances, my friend," Munashi answered. "My history can be patchy, but I remember a similar situation after the Second Day of Thunder."

"Perhaps," Kujimitsu said. "Perhaps you are right." He stood, brushed off his kimono, and bowed. "Thank you for the advice, Asahina. I think I shall act upon it. You have taken much off of my mind. I shall send out the invitations within the week."

"And I shall see them answered," Munashi thought to himself, returning the Master of Water's bow with a smile.

"Zou? Can you hear me Zou?"

The cold metal of the cot bit into his back. He could feel the sterile white surgical sheets covering his stomach and legs. He was alive...sore, but alive.

"I... can hear you, "Zou answered. His voice sounded... wrong? There was a strange echo that wasn't there before. "Who are you?" He tried to sit up, but a hand pressed against his chest.

"Don't... get up, and don't try to open... your eyes," the man replied. His voice was shrill, giddy, and caught often in excitement. "As for my identity, you... are in the esteemed presence of the one and only master of the art of... tetsukami, Soshi Isawa. Lucky... you."

"Isawa?" Zou asked, "The daimyo of the Soshi?"

"Guilty," he chuckled. The dry hum of a generator flared to life somewhere near the source of his voice. "I named myself for the original Phoenix... shugenja, which causes my associates the Elemental Masters no end of consternation."

"If the rumors are true, your name isn't the only thing you've stolen from the Phoenix," Zou said.

"Ugly things... rumors," Isawa said with an amused tone. "Often they happen to be true. But if a man cannot keep his... ideas secure, then he does not deserve to profit from them. Wouldn't... you agree?"

"Why can't I feel my arms?" Zou asked.

"You had a nasty accident, Enforcer," Isawa said, moving closer. The clicking motor of some tool sounded close by. Zou could smell smoke. "That Void... Oni nearly did you in. Lucky for you, I was in town to lend a hand against the... Senpet. Oroki called in a few favors... and here I am."

Zou felt a tinge of electricity through his left shoulder and down into his fingers. "What are you doing to me?" he asked.

"Fixing you," Isawa replied. "It has taken some... time, and the process is quite... new. In fact it would have been... impossible just weeks ago, before I... stole the technology from the Kitsu. You can open your... eyes, Zou."

Zou opened his eyes. His eyelids were sore and his vision was blurry. He found himself on a cot in a large, dim chamber. The walls were lined with computer screens, generators, mechanical winches and claws, and medical equipment. Isawa himself stood nearby, a skinny man in a dark red coat and goggles. His greasy black hair stood out in a ragged mop, as if he had little time or use for hygiene. A large tank of blue fluid stood behind him. Zou's mouth dropped open when he saw what was inside.

"Your old... arms," Isawa said, resting a hand on the Enforcer's shoulder. "Trust me, you won't miss them... a bit. Sorry I couldn't do anything about your face, but Oroki told me to leave it... be."

Zou looked at his hands and arms, swathed in bandages. They seemed normal, but Zou could tell they were different.

"Here," Isawa said. He snatched up a metal pipe from a nearby table and handed it to Zou. "See what you can do... to that."

Zou took the pipe and folded it like warm plastic.

"Bayushi's Lies!" the Enforcer swore. A small list of green LED numbers appeared in the lower left corner of his field of vision. The metal's tensile strength, pressure exerted by his muscles, angle of the pipe's bend, and current system power levels were all displayed.

"Are the readouts working?" Isawa asked. "We had some problems with those."

Zou threw the pipe away, staring at his arms in disbelief. He clawed at the bandages, rapidly tearing them away to reveal the angular black metal skin beneath.

"The new arms are a bit... conspicuous, I grant you," Isawa said. The little scientist paced back and forth across his lab as he spoke. "Since... biomecha is often taken to be a sign of the Taint, I'd recommend wearing long... sleeves and gloves around any Crabs you may encounter. Will save you having to explain yourself... may also just save... your life."

"Is it tetsukansen?" Zou asked. "How did you do this?"

"Not tetsukansen," Isawa laughed. "Maho... bah. Just a few ideas I got from studying Akodo. I'd never have... suspected the potential uses of those ancient nemuranai."

"Akodo?" Zou asked. "The Akodo War Machine?"

"Indeed," Isawa nodded. "It's a fully functional... biomecha, according to my spies. Soon, that secret will be out and the daimyos are... falling all over themselves to build their own copies of little Akodo first. As always, it takes... a Scorpion to improve on a good idea. Those Lion fools had it all wrong. You don't need... a large nemuranai, just a... powerful one. With the proper spirit to... guide it."

"And what did you use?" Zou asked, looking at his black metal arms.

"Unimportant," Isawa chuckled. "Now come with... me. I'm going to show you the rest of your new armor."

"Armor?" Zou asked. "I don't wear armor."

"Then you'd better... start," Isawa said tersely. "We've gone through a lot of effort to make you into the Bayushi War Machine."

"And with that," Kameru shouted, holding his blade high, "Kametsuo-uo called out to his father in defiance of the villain that had slain him! He denounced those who would protect him! He held his blade high and lightning struck the gates of the gaijin fortress! The heavy wood and bars of iron shattered like glass against the storm, the door fell wide and the blackguards within cowered with fear!"

Kameru paused a moment before the assemblage. Every eye was upon him, every voice silent. The KTSU cameras watched silently from the rear of the room. He could see a slight smile on his father's face, and another on Kamiko's. He smiled behind his mempo.

"'IN THE NAME OF OSANO-WO, DIE!' the first Mantis shouted," Kameru exclaimed, charging from one end of the platform to another. "And the lightning fell in mighty streaks about him! Kametsuo-uo charged the fortress alone, with only the storms of his father and his mighty Kaiu armor for protection. The gaijin warriors fell like chaff before the harvestman. Their defenses shattered before the power of the elements. And finally the killer of Osano-wo stood before Kametsuo-uo with fear in his eyes."

Another actor, a small, foul looking man wearing a demonic cobra-mask, quailed in fear before Kameru. "Please!" he wailed, "I shall give you riches! I shall give you anything!"

"All I want is justice!" Kameru hissed. He stabbed at the man, catching the blade beneath the man's arm. The actor screamed dramatically and fell to the floor.

The audience applauded wildly. Kameru and the other actors stood in the center of the stage, bowing to the praise. Yoritomo mounted the dais again and stood by his sons side.

"As it was then, let it be so now," the Son of Storms announced. "Let us be an example of justice for the world. And let the celebration begin."

The crowd cheered once more and the music began. Kameru bowed deeply to his father.

"Get going, son," Yoritomo said quietly. The Emperor grinned a little. "She won't wait for you forever."

Kameru blinked, amazed. His father had never spoken to him like that in his life. He nodded and rushed down the steps, pulling off his actor's mask and sheathing his ceremonial sword. Kamiko was indeed waiting at the bottom of the steps.

"Well that was certainly patriotic," she said, taking his arm. "I feel like I should be waving a little Mantis flag."

"My father's idea," Kameru said, blushing. "The story of Kametsuo-uo is one of his favorites."

"Yeah, I know it too," she said with a mischievous grin. "I don't remember any gaijin in it. I thought that the killer of Osano-wo was granted shelter by the Phoenix. And I thought he was handed over and quietly executed."

"Artistic license," Kameru grinned, "It's a much better story this way. Hey, who taught you so much about Mantis history anyway?"

"It's a woman's prerogative to be unpredictable," she replied, "Now let's dance." She slipped her arm out of his, took his hand, and dragged him toward the ball room.

Within, the upper crust of Rokugan wove and swayed to the music of a Kakita symphony. The cameras of the media were still present, broadcasting the entire affair live to the Empire and the world. The crowd was filled with the faces of unfamiliar politicians, as well as a few faces they recognized.

"Good evening, Prince Kameru," Daniri said, entering the room behind them with a beautiful geisha on his arm. "This is my escort, Shosuro Kochiyo."

"Hello," Kameru said. The prince smirked a little. "Daniri, weren't you wearing a belt earlier?" Kamiko stifled a giggle.

Daniri blushed brightly. "I must have... er... lost it," he stammered.

"Come on, Daniri," Kochiyo said, grabbing his arm in both hands with a wide smile. "Let's dance." They melted away into the crowd.

"Thunder's blood," Kameru whistled. "Would you look at that?" He pointed to Isawa Sumi, dancing with Hida Yasu at one end of the floor. Kamiko covered her smile. "I can't believe he's still wearing his armor. And who'd have thought those two would end up together?" Kameru asked.

"Well, if you knew Yasu it wouldn't surprise you," she said. "He flirts with anything in a dress. Anyway, if you take a look at their faces it doesn't look like they're very together to me."

Kameru laughed. Indeed, Yasu looked distracted and Sumi was glaring at the Crab in repressed fury. "You're right," he said. "He should be careful with her. I hear she has a temper." His face suddenly went flat. "Hey, what do you mean anything in a dress. How do you know that?" He turned to Kamiko, a skeptical look on his face.

Kamiko snickered. "Personal experience," she said. "I fought my way through half of Otosan Uchi with him, remember?"

Kameru frowned and looked back at the Crab. "Why that arrogant-" he growled.

"Um, I don't know if I'd press the matter," Kamiko said, tightening her hand on Kameru. "He was well behaved, relatively. Anyway, he's a friend of mine. I don't want you to fight. You don't have anything to worry about, Kameru." She leaned toward him and kissed his cheek.

Kameru smiled instantly. "I knew that would work," he said, "For a Crane you're pretty gullible." He kissed her back.

Kamiko gasped in mock shock and pushed him. "How dare you!" she said, "You think you can get away with manipulating me just because you're the Imperial Heir?"

"No," he said, "I think I can get away with it because I'm irresistible."

She rolled her eyes. "Not half so much as you think, Mantis."

"Well," he said, taking her hand back. "Is half enough for you to dance with me?"

"Maybe," she said following him with a little smile.

"Good," he said, "Cause I can't dance. I'll probably step on your feet a lot."

Kameru and Kamiko joined the dance, a slow waltz that gradually increased its pace. Kamiko caught sight of her father, standing on the edge of the crowd, and suddenly her smile was gone.

"Kamiko?" Kameru asked, concerned. He followed her eyes. "Oh. What did he do now?"

"Nothing," she said, turning and resting her head against his chest. "Nothing at all."

Kameru looked back at the Emerald Champion, and their eyes met. He nodded respectfully at the Imperial Heir. Meda's eyes were blue and cold, but there was something behind them, something new. It was definitely something Kameru didn't like. He couldn't put his finger on it. Maybe his feelings for Kamiko were interfering with his opinion. Meda did so much to hurt her, and Meda didn't even realize it. Naturally, Kameru didn't want to like him. That must be it. He tightened his arms about Kamiko and continued the dance.

And on Meda's belt, Ambition gleamed.

The sun was setting as Toshimo pushed open the door of the abandoned hangar. "I sure hope this is half as interesting as you promise, Lion," Toshimo grumbled. "I need something to take the taste of that blasted ceremony out of my mouth." He looked up and whistled. "Ikimura, you old dog," he said. "I suspected you were up to something, but I would have never guessed anything like this."

A massive golden warrior stood in the center of the hangar. The Akodo War Machine.

"Disappointed?" asked the little old Lion, pushing the larger Crab aside as he shuffled into the hangar. He headed toward the giant suit of armor.

Five technicians in simple one-piece jumpsuits followed Toshimo and Ikimura into the hangar. There were one from each of the Great Clans, the greatest scientists Rokugan had to offer. All of them were amazed by the machine that stood before them.

"So this is what you were using all of those tetsukami specs for," said Isawa Chan. She was a short, middle aged woman with very long hair, who quickly approached Akodo and circled it, looking up into its mechanisms.

"The best of Lion, Crab, and Phoenix technology," Ikimura chuckled. "You never even knew what you were helping me build until now."

"Well the secret's out now, Ikimura-sama," replied Ranbe Kuro, an elderly Mantis engineer. He stared up at the feline armor's proud face. "Akodo Daniri sort of spilled the whole thing joy-riding this baby during the Senpet Invasion."

Ikimura shrugged. "Good for him. He saved some people. And now he's a hero and has my Akodo to thank." He stroked the metal skin of Akodo's boot like a proud father. "But that may be in the past."

"Why is that?" Toshimo asked. He'd pulled a small stepladder up to the War Machine's side. He flipped open an access panel and began looking over some of its wiring.

"Akodo is dead," Ikimura said. He ran a hand through his wispy white hair and shook his head. "Taki-bi melted most of her critical systems. The kami that inhabits the armor is still present and agreeable, but I can't get the mechanical side of Akodo on-line. I just fixed her surface damage."

"How did you get a kami with this degree of power?" asked Asahina Yasen. His young face held an expression of awe and respect. "The greatest tetsukami still have limited size. Kyuden Hida is a notable exception, but it relies on the kami of a whole mountain, with a extensive backup from mundane technology. Kyuden Hida is one of a kind."

"Thank you," Toshimo said sincerely, still gazing at Akodo's innards.

"You just have to find the right kami," Ikimura said with a chuckle. "nemuranai, items that became enchanted of their own accord, are homes to the many powerful and relatively portable kami. I used one of the Lion's most powerful to build Akodo."

"Which one?" asked Soshi Tango, a fat little man in a jumpsuit too small for his frame.

"Junsui," Ikimura said. "I melted down the Ancestral Armor of the Lion. It's in her skin." He knocked on the metal shell of the armor, and it resounded with a clear tone.

Iuchi Razul gasped, adjusting his goggles as he turned to regard the old Lion. "But Junsui is cursed!" he said. "I heard legends about it leading its wearers to their doom."

"Curses can be broken if you're determined enough," Ikimura replied with a dry chuckle. "And Akodo was a very uncertain venture at the time of her design. If I hadn't requested a nemuranai that was cursed in the first place, I doubt they'd ever have let me have a good one."

"Here's one of your problems," Toshimo said. He leaned in close and fiddled around behind Akodo's chest-plate with a small tool he'd taken from his pocket. There was a loud hum and the twin floodlights on the armor's shoulders suddenly opened and burst into light. Asahina Yasen yelped as he was blinded.

Ikimura smiled. "I knew I could count on you, Toshimo-san. My own team told me that the lights were unsalvageable. I had a feeling they were thinking too linearly."

"Well, I must admit you've done some inventive work here," Toshimo replied. "I would never have thought of combining the Phoenix tetsukami, Lion nemuranai, and Crab machinery like you've done here. I'm impressed."

"So you can fix it, then," Ikimura pressed.

"With the team we have here," Toshimo gestured to the others, "It should be a simple matter to actually improve it."

"Improve it?" Ikimura asked.

"Yes," Toshimo said. "For example, I noticed that all of Akodo's weapons are simulations. Not real."

"Yes," Ikimura said. "After all, it's just a television show."

"Not anymore," Chan said. She stood and brushed off her jumpsuit. "After the Senpet attack, Akodo's the most recognizable weapon in Rokugan. Probably more so than even Kyuden Hida."

"So what are you saying?" Ikimura asked.

"All I'm saying," Toshimo said, his eyes lit with inspiration. "Is that I have a few ideas for an upgrade."

The streets streaked past, a haze of lights and motion that mattered little to Sachiko. She wove through the traffic of the highways, high above the surface of the city. Her swift Otaku cycle moved through the rush of early morning traffic like a ghost. Danger was not a factor. Risk was not a consideration. She had too much on her mind and speed was about the only thing that was going to help clear her head.

The battle in the Labyrinth, the Imperial Guard, the oni, she could hardly believe any of it. She especially didn't wish to believe it from Bayushi Oroki. If Sumi's yojimbo hadn't confirmed the story, she might have hunted down and killed the Scorpion right then and there. And it seemed that Oroki knew that. The only reason he'd even reported Hatsu's death to her was so he could revel in her pain. Smug little self-serving weasel.

She steered her bike onto the exit ramp and cruised down into the Merchant's Quarter. The multistory residential apartment buildings of Otosan Uchi's peasants and laborers stood to either side of the street, many of them damaged by fire or explosives, now webbed in scaffolding. At least the construction companies had been profiting since the Senpet's visit. Sachiko slowed her bike to a crawl as she pulled up to Hatsu's building.

She pulled off her helmet and shook out her hair, gazing into the darkened windows of the storefront. The sign read "Hisojo's Herbs and Curiosities." A smaller sign in the door said that the shop was closed. She parked her bike and walked up to the door, testing the handle to find it locked. Sachiko looked up and down the street. In the distance, a blue glass-topped Dojicorp school bus was picking up children on the corner. No one else was out this early, yet she felt exposed. She cupped her hands on the front window and peered into the store, but saw no signs of movement.

"Hisojo?" she called out. "Are you there?" The old man had to be here somewhere. He'd been obstinate about not leaving the store when Sachiko had found him before. She circled around into the alley to try the side door.

Sachiko froze at the entrance of the alley, her instincts flaring a warning. She flattened herself against the wall and crouched, peeking quickly back around the corner with her Ot-nag baton in hand. She looked in time to see a tail of green cloth disappear into the alley across the street, the alley where she'd first met Hida Yasu. Sachiko grinned and dropped back into the shadows.

Across the street, the man waited patiently, watching an image of the shop through the pale green crystal in his hand. The Unicorn had been in the alley for several minutes. She had probably gone inside looking for Hisojo or other clues. He would just wait here for her to return. The shop was safe enough and no self respecting Battle Maiden would abandon her bike.

He felt a sharp poke between his shoulder blades.

"Please raise your hands slowly and turn around," Sachiko said.

"By the Fortunes!" the man exclaimed, glancing back over his shoulder with wide eyes. "How did you sneak up on me?"

"Just shut up, raise your hands, and turn around," she said pertly. She kept the fully extended naginata trained on him.

He sighed and complied. He was a tall man in a long, dark coat. His black hair was tied back into an old-fashioned topknot. He wore a pair of swords at his belt, like Hatsu's, but far more ornate. She snatched the green crystal away from him and removed his the swords, tossing them to the side of the alley. He winced as they hit the ground.

"What are you wearing under this coat?" she asked, tapping his chest with the blade of her naginata. The coat gave a metal clink. The man narrowed his eyes and threw back the coat, revealing an ancient lacquered green samurai do. Twin dragons of gold enamel twined across the chest plate.

"Okay," she said flatly. "Who in Jigoku are you and why are you dressed like a Dragon?"

The man smirked. "Are you sure you want to know?" he asked. "The answer I give might change things."

She nodded, her green eyes flat and cold.

"I am Mirumoto Rojo, daimyo of the Mirumoto family. I am indeed a member of the Hidden Dragon. My clan has been waiting one hundred years for the return of the Seven Thunders. We believe your partner, Hatsu, to be the Dragon Thunder."

"That's ridiculous," Sachiko said. "The second Day of Thunder came at the end of the Shadow Wars and the Dragons are all dead. The Shadowlands are defeated." This man only seemed to confirm the Phoenix and Scorpion's story. A Dragon fanatic. She didn't want to believe it.

"Well, I am not dead," Rojo said, his voice amused as he laced his fingers across the back of his head. "And perhaps we can discuss the destruction of the Shadowlands with Oni no Taki-bi. The two of you have met, or so I hear. I am sorry to disappoint you, girl, but the Day of Thunder has not yet come."

Sachiko felt a cold fear in the pit of her stomach. The Dragon's words sounded impossible, but after all that had happened, they had a ring of truth to them. "What do you want from me?" she asked.

"I was with Hatsu when he died," Rojo said soberly. "His last wish was for me to keep watch over you."

"Bull," she replied. "Hatsu wouldn't have said something like that. He knows I can take care of myself."

"True," he said. "Perhaps I'm paraphrasing. The point is I mean you no harm. May I have my ekishou and daisho back?"

Sachiko weighed the Dragon's words, watched his eyes carefully, and finally nodded. There was a certain honesty to his mystery. He reminded her much of an older Hatsu. She retracted her naginata and handed him his crystal. He picked up his daisho and sheathed them at his belt.

"Okay," she said. "Now why are you really following me?"

"You haven't guessed yet?" the Dragon chuckled, picking up his coat.

Behind them, a high pitched giggle came from the shadows. Sachiko glanced to one side, and saw a cute little boy with white hair, dressed in pale blue robes. He looked like a Crane. He smiled, waved clumsily, and giggled.

"Are you lost, little boy?" Sachiko asked, still keeping the naginata trained upon Rojo. "Do you need help?"

The boy nodded, and giggled. In the distance, the growl of the school bus echoed in the street. "Are you supposed to be on that bus?" Sachiko asked. She walked close to the boy and leaned down to talk to him. "Are you supposed to be going to school?" Rojo stood a step behind her, arms folded.

The boy shrugged and giggled again.

"You're shy," she smiled. "What's your name?"

"Pekkle," the child said with another giggle.

"An odd name," Rojo said. The child stuck out his tongue at him.

"Let's get you to that bus, okay, Pekkle?" Sachiko said, mussing his hair with one hand.

Pekkle smiled and stretched out his arms.

"Oh, no," Sachiko said with a smile. "You look big enough to walk on your own. I'm not carrying you."

Pekkle pouted.

"A fine mother you'd make," Rojo said wryly.

"Not one of my greater ambitions," Sachiko replied. She took Pekkle by the hand and led him to the mouth of the alley. The crystal blue school bus was pulling up just as they got to the sidewalk. Sachiko waved the vehicle down.

"Good morning, officer!" the bus driver said, opening the door and shifting the vehicle into park. "Found a lost little one, I see? Hello there." He waved at Pekkle. "Well, you're a cute little guy, aren't you?"

Pekkle giggled and waved at the bus driver.

"You go to school now, Pekkle," Sachiko said to him. "Don't wander off again." Pekkle nodded, giggled, and disappeared into the bus. It shifted into gear with a hiss of steam and rumbled off down the street.

"Back to the matter at hand," she said to Rojo. "Do you know an old man named Hisojo?"

Rojo snapped his attention back to the Battle Maiden. He'd been watching the bus with a curious, uneasy expression. "Hisojo?" he asked. "Yes, of course. Agasha Hisojo is one of us. He has been Hatsu's caretaker for some time. Hatsu is a very important person to us."

"Is?" Sachiko asked, arching an eyebrow.

Down the street, the shriek of squealing tires and twisting metal shattered the silence. Rojo and Sachiko both turned to see the Dojicorp school bus fishtailing in the street. It demolished several parked cars as it turned a full one hundred and eighty degrees, screeching to a halt. Smoke rose from the tires.

"Shinjo's Breath!" Sachiko exclaimed. "What happened?"

The bus' engine revved loudly, and the vehicle suddenly accelerated down the street toward them. It's large tires hissed and spat rubber on the pavement. The bus weaved and veered, smashing the bumpers and panels of parked cars as it lurched toward them.

"We have to get to your bike," Rojo said calmly. "Now."

"Good idea," Sachiko said, throwing her helmet on and jumping into the seat. She nodded behind her and Rojo quickly boarded the vehicle. She kicked the engine to life and sped off, whipping around in the street and heading directly toward the bus.

"What are you doing, Unicorn?" Rojo shouted above the engine. "Get out of here! Just outrun the damned thing!"

Sachiko said nothing, but cranked the handles of the bike and sped toward the bus even faster. The bus continued on its collision course, and soon they were close enough to see the driver. A small, pale, familiar face looked down at them from the windshield. Its eyes glowed a fiery red. The bus blared its horn and extended the small blinking "Stop" sign from the driver's side. Sachiko swerved at the last moment, bouncing up onto the sidewalk and back onto the street as the bus blasted past. She pulled the bike to a halt, spinning to face the rear of the receding vehicle.

"That child was driving!" Rojo exclaimed, drawing his katana in one hand. "It must be some sort of demon."

"What is it doing here?" Sachiko asked.

"Perhaps I'm leaping to conclusions," Rojo said, "but I think someone has sent it to kill you."

The bus continued down the street, sideswiping several parked cars and smashing a newsstand.

"If it's trying to kill me, then where is it going?" Sachiko cursed, turning to the Dragon.

"It knows you have to follow," the Dragon replied, "There are still other children in there."

Sachiko's head snapped back toward the bus. It had begun accelerating again, headed toward the exit ramp of the highway, against oncoming traffic. "No!" she swore, kicking the bike back into life and cruising down the street in pursuit. She unholstered her naginata in baton mode and fired with one hand, aiming several shots at the rear tires. The left tire blistered and exploded, but the bus continued with little loss of speed. The bus continued to swerve from side to side before her, and the oncoming cars bleated their horns and veered away randomly to try to escape the juggernaut's path. She whipped around the side of the bus and quickly pulled alongside the driver's window, but Pekkle caught a glimpse of her in the mirror and slammed the bus toward the barrier. She dropped back to a full stop just as the bus shattered the barrier, fragments of fractured concrete bouncing off her helmet. A twenty foot section of the highway's wall fell away as the bus roared off up the highway. Sachiko and Rojo glanced over the side of the open railing. Below was only swimming darkness.

"What's down there?" Rojo asked.

Sachiko caught her breath. "The ruins of Downtown," she said. "Not that we'd have made it that far. It's a twenty story drop."

Rojo whistled. Ahead of them, cars were piling up as Pekkle rammed its way through morning traffic. Sachiko kicked her bike into motion again and chased after, calling for backup on her helmet radio. This time she didn't dare pass the rear bumper for risk of being crushed or thrown over the railing.

"Get us closer, Sachiko," Rojo shouted, "I have an idea."

Sachiko nodded, speeding up the pursuit and easily keeping pace with the larger vehicle. Rojo suddenly hopped up in the seat behind her, crouching on the seat with his sword in both hands. Sachiko glanced back over her shoulder, surprised at the Dragon's agility and daring.

"Just drive!" he said. "Closer!"

She nodded and sped closer to the bus. She could see the children in the back of the bus pressed against the glass, wailing in terror. The bike was roughly four feet from the rear of the bus now, dangerously close if Pekkle decided to brake. Suddenly Rojo sprang, standing straight up on the seat and swinging his katana outward in both hands. The blade lit at the climax of the sword's arc, blazing into an arc of energy that flared out from the katana and continued into the bus, severing the top hinge of the rear emergency door. The door toppled and twisted outward on one hinge. Rojo threw a large knife from his belt as he dropped back into his seat. The blade flew true and pinned the opposite side of the door to the bus' hull as it fell outward. The door hung outward like a large metal tongue, hovering a foot above the street.

In the front of the bus, Pekkle turned and smiled at its pursuers. The oni reached out with a tiny hand and pulled the emergency brake hard. Sachiko threw her weight back and pulled the bike up on its rear wheel, catching the end of the emergency door and leaping from the street as the bus ground to a halt with a scream of grinding brake pads. The children shrieked as they flew forward in their seats. Sachiko's bike shot down the aisle of the bus and skidded roughly to a halt mere feet from the front of the bus. Pekkle turned in its seat, face and robes red from the blood of the bus driver, whose mangled body was wedged onto the gas pedal. Horns blared as traffic all but stopped on the road before them.

"Pekkle!" it said with a laugh.

"Die," Sachiko said and fired the Ot-nag into its face.

The creature flew backward from the force of the blow, crashing through the blue crystal windshield of the bus and into the street. It rolled back to its feet and stood.

"Just like I thought," Rojo said. "It's an oni."

Pekkle giggled, turned to the light-post nearby and pushed it over with one hand, toppling it onto the bus. Sachiko and Rojo threw themselves to the floor as it crashed through the crystal ceiling, crushing the Otaku motorcycle as it came to rest in the center aisle. The children in the back of the bus screamed in fear as they scrambled to escape.

"Rojo!" Sachiko shouted. "Get those kids out of here! I'll deal with Pekkle!"

"No!" the Dragon replied, "It's an oni! You can't kill it!" "Really?" Sachiko retorted her green eyes fixing on him, "And how many oni have you killed, Dragon?"

Rojo frowned. In the street, Pekkle was attempting to lift a compact car as the owner scrambled out of the rear passenger door and ran away. "There is no time to argue, Unicorn," Rojo said, "I shall do as you say for now. But if you die you will have much to answer for."

"Agreed," she said with a smirk. The Dragon nodded and ran for the back of the bus as she climbed out onto the hood and hopped down into the street.

Pekkle stopped trying to lift the car and looked at Sachiko. A look of childish delight crossed its face and it clapped lightly. "Pekkle!" it cheered, dancing from foot to foot with its hands on its hips.

"What sort of beast would create a creature like you?" Sachiko asked in disgust.

Pekkle frowned. It tore the bumper from the car and threw it at Sachiko.

"Ye gods!" she shouted, throwing herself aside barely in time. The ragged metal tore across her left thigh as she fell and the bumper lodged itself in the surface of the Kaiu highway. "How strong is this thing?" she asked herself.

"Pekkle!" it exclaimed again, skipping around the car toward Sachiko.

She pressed the button on the hilt of her naginata, extending it to full spear length. The blade caught the oni full in its chest, tangling in its kimono and wedging under its arm. Pekkle glanced down curiously, then smiled at Sachiko. Sachiko heaved the weapon up into the air with Pekkle still attached, clubbing the little demon headfirst into the highway. It lay still. Sachiko brought it up again, landing the demon on its head once more. She brought it down five more times, bludgeoning the street with Pekkle until the asphalt was cracked. The demon finally stopped struggling and hung limp from the weapon. Sachiko heaved a weary sigh.

"Pekkle!" it said suddenly, whipping around just as Sachiko relaxed and yanking the naginata from her hand blade first. It spun the long spear around and hurled it at her. Sachiko reacted too late, the Ot-Nag striking her full in the abdomen.

She crumpled to the street in pain, clutching the weapon. The spear's tetsukami enchantment had folded it back into a baton at Pekkle's touch, but being struck in the stomach by a creature as strong as the tiny oni was not painless. Pekkle giggled, digging its fingers into the surface of the street and pulling up a large manhole cover. It advanced on Sachiko, holding the lid up with both hands and preparing to bring it down upon her skull.

"Bye-bye," Pekkle whispered to the Battle Maiden.

A flash of light lit the street, and the manhole cover flew from Pekkle's hands, bouncing noisily off the hood of a stalled car. The oni looked up angrily as Rojo leaped over the wreckage of a station wagon, daisho flaring brightly in his hands. Sachiko seized upon the oni's distraction. She grabbed the creature by the ankle and lunged to her feet.

"Pekkle!" the little demon shrieked as she swung it in the air with one hand.

"Bye-bye, Pekkle," Sachiko snarled, and hurled the little monster over the side of the highway. Pekkle plummeted to the bowels of the city. Its bloodstained kimono flapped gently in the wind. It giggled the whole way down.

Sachiko slumped against a nearby van, breathing hoarsely as she pulled off her helmet and tossed it away from her. Rojo walked over to her side, sheathing his weapons.

"Are you hurt?" he asked.

She glared up at him, clutching her stomach and her bleeding leg.

"Sorry, stupid question," he said with a laugh. "I am glad you triumphed Unicorn. Your strength bodes well for the future."

"Why?" she said. "Why am I so important? What is it with you?"

Rojo chuckled. "Strength, yes," he said. "Unfortunate that intelligence is not also your strong suit. Oh well. There's always the Crane and the Phoenix for that." Sirens sounded in the distance, the arrival of Sachiko's back-up. Rojo looked off in their direction.

"You don't have to disappear," Sachiko said. "I'll vouch for you. You can stick around, tell me whatever it is you need to tell me." "Ah, but there will be questions, Sachiko-chan," Rojo replied. "There are always questions. And the Dragon is not prepared to give answers, at least not yet. Too many of the wrong sort know our secret already. For now, take this. When you need us, we will be there." He drew a small sphere from his pocket and handed it to her. It was pure and clear crystal, with a beautiful jade dragon coiled in its depths.

"What does it do?" she asked.

The Dragon was already gone.

"I can't believe she would do something like this!" Kameru cursed, charging down the steps into the bowels of the palace. A few Mantis guards were walking the other way, and they quickly parted to let the heir proceed.

"It was one of her first orders," Ishihn explained, nearly running to keep up with the enraged prince. "After Kyo disappeared and Maiko took over, well that was about the time the nations started surrendering and-"

"You don't have to explain to me, Ishihn," Kameru replied. "You're like one of three people in the world I'm not angry at right now. My father's the one behind this."

"I thought things were starting to work out between you two," Ishihn said.

"Yeah, me too," Kameru spat. "Then this happened."

They reached the bottom of the stairs, the entrance to the Palace's ancient dungeons. A small man at a rather modern desk sat before the doors.

"Pr-pr-prince Kameru!" he stuttered. He rose to his feet immediately and bowed to the prince.

"I am here to see Orin Wake," he replied. "I am told he is in the dungeons."

The man quickly turned to a small log-book on his desk. He flipped through the pages. His eyes widened in terror. "I'm-I'm sorry, Prince Kameru," he said nervously, "But Mister Wake is on level Zeta. That is reserved for traitors and enemies of the state. I can't allow any visitors."

"Okay, you listen to me right now," Kameru said. He his large fists on the desk with a thump, leaning very close to the man. "I. Am. The. State. Now let us see Orin Wake or my friend here will remove you forcibly from your position."

Behind him, Ishihn clasped his hands together, and a slight crackle of electricity crossed his eyes. The blood of Osano-wo ran very strong in Ranbe Ishihn.

"Right away, my lord," he said quickly. He scrabbled fretfully on his belt for the pass-card to the door behind him. He quickly swiped the card and the massive wooden doors rolled slowly open, revealing their titanium steel cores.

Kameru and Ishihn pushed past the clerk and into the dungeon. Lines of metal cell doors stood on either wall, leading to an elevator at the end. They approached the guards at the elevator door, who bowed quickly.

"Take me to level Zeta," the prince said.

The guards glanced at each other.

"Now," he added.

They quickly complied, opening the elevator and whisking the prince and his friend to the lowest levels of the palace. The ride took several minutes, as the elevator plunged through hundreds of feet of sub-basements and tunnels. Finally, they arrived. A wall of red beams blocked entrance to the final level of the Palace's dungeon, and single large Mantis bushi with an automatic rifle and heavy armor barred his path.

"I need to see Orin Wake," Kameru said. "Where is his cell?"

"Sixth door on the left, Prince Kameru," answered the guard. He punched a code into a keypad on the wall, turning off the wall of lasers.

Kameru and Ishihn proceeded down the hallway. "That was odd," Kameru said. "Wonder why he didn't give us as much trouble as everyone else did. This is supposed to be the most secure level of the prison."

"Precisely because this is the most secure level of the prison," Ishihn said with a laugh. "Anybody who makes it this far has obviously got a damn good reason to be here."

"Odd logic," Kameru replied. Ishihn just shrugged.

The cells on this level of the prison were simple. Each was a metallic room with three walls, the fourth wall apparently open to the hallway. In reality, the fourth wall was a powerful tetsukami enchantment. The wrong person attempting to pass through would be violently shredded by spirits of air and void; the cell's inmate was always the wrong person. None of the cells on this level held any prisoners except the sixth cell on the left. In that one, a large blond man lay huddled on the floor.

"Orin," Kameru said, standing just outside the cell. Only the guards and the Champions themselves were correctly attuned to enter.

The man looked up. His bearded face was bruised badly. "Kameru," he said, "Ishihn."

"What have they done to you?" Kameru asked.

"I'm a traitor," he said. "Like you care. It was Yoritomo's goons that killed my father and threw me in here."

Kameru glanced at Ishihn, and back at Orin. "Your father?" he asked, "What happened to your father?"

"Maiko's goons killed him!" Orin snarled, "They said we were a security risk, being Amijdali and all. They started tearing our house apart looking for surveillance devices. When he tried to stop them, they shot him and beat me unconscious."

"That doesn't sound like Maiko," Kameru said.

Ishihn shook his head. "No, she's been acting really strange lately," Ishihn said. "Ever since Yoritomo appointed her as interim Captain of the Guard instead of Meda. I think she's overcompensating or something?"

"Overcompensating?" Orin shouted, struggling to his feet. "She killed my freaking family! She branded me a traitor! Blood of Kharsis, she's insane!"

"Calm down," Kameru said. "Anger will accomplish nothing. Only the calm mind prevails in time of crisis."

"Don't go throwing any of that 'consider-the-egg' crap at me, Kameru!" Orin snapped, jabbing one finger at the prince. "I don't know whether it's that monk show or that girl, but you've been a flake lately. You sure took your time deciding to come check up on me."

"I didn't know until today, Orin," Kameru said tersely, barely keeping his anger in check. "I came here to help."

"Oh?" Orin said. He paced back and forth across the cell, scowling at his friends. "Well you know what? I don't think I need your damn help after all. Why don't you go ahead and send your dad's goons in here to kill me so my country can have a nice, good reason to take this blasted city off the map permanently? Get out of my face!"

Kameru sneered and walked away. Ishihn followed quickly. The prince was darkly silent through their entire elevator ride and all the way up the stairs. Finally, they entered a large palace garden, where Kameru screamed and kicked a large potted bonsai on its side.

"Kameru, calm down," Ishihn said. "Orin's been through hell. You know he doesn't mean what he said."

"Yeah, I guess so," he replied. His hands were balled into fists and his face was red. "Still, I don't appreciate it. I've got enough problems to worry about without my best friend threatening to destroy my country."

"Well, to be quite practical he really can't do much," Ishihn said. "He's just the son of an ambassador."

Kameru turned to Ishihn. "He's our friend," he said angrily.

"I know, I know, you don't think I know that?" Ishihn asked, holding out his hands in defense. "I'm just trying to be reasonable here. What do you expect to do, anyway? Your dad would never let you release an enemy of the state."

Kameru thought for a moment, stroking his goatee with one hand. "Not unless we proved him innocent," he said finally. "There is always a way if the enlightened soul merely takes the time to find it."

"More 'consider-the-egg garbage.'" Ishihn sighed.

"Exactly 'consider-the-egg' garbage," Kameru said. "The smallest pressure, the smallest strife, can crack the egg. You said that it was Kitsune Maiko who ordered Orin's arrest? And that she was acting strange."

"Yeah," Ishihn said.

"Well, keep an eye on her," Kameru answered. "Next time she does something odd, something bizarre, report to me. I'll tell my father. We'll get her discredited and Orin will be home free."

"That could take awhile," Ishihn said.

"Orin isn't going anywhere," Kameru replied. "In the meantime, I'll try to talk to my father. If I can." Kameru glanced at his watch. "Which reminds me, I have to meet him. Ryosei's been missing a lot lately and he wants to talk to me about it, as if I'd know anything. I'll catch you later, Ishihn."

"Later, Kameru," Ishihn replied.

Kameru hurriedly exited the garden. Ishihn moved to one of the benches and sat down, staring into a small koi pond. "What am I supposed to do against the Jade Champion?" he said to himself.

"Nothing," came the reply.

Ishihn turned quickly to see a man standing at the edge of the garden. He wore a black sweater, trousers, and sunglasses. A pair of large black pistols were openly holstered at his waist.

"Kyo!" Ishihn gasped. "You're-"

"Dead?" he finished with a smile. He put his hands in his pockets and strolled toward the Mantis shugenja. "Or maybe just missing. I'm not sure how much the Scorpion has been spreading around. What's the current story on me?"

"You've been gone for two weeks," Ishihn said, rising to his feet and watching the Wasp warily. "The Emperor wants to see you immediately when you return."

"I thought as much," Kyo chuckled. "Still, I couldn't trust the Scorpion not to expose me. The Stormbreaker's plan is far too important. I suppose I'll have to remain dead for now."

"The Stormbreaker?" Ishihn asked. He began to concentrate, to summon up the power of the lightning within him.

"Yes, the man who will bring Rokugan to its knees," Kyo smiled and removed his sunglasses. Behind them, his eyes were twin pits of inky black. "He is the one to whom Fu Leng, Iuchiban, Ishak, Junzo, and Akuma would all bow and pay homage to. And he would discard them as useless fools. He is the man who has already destroyed Yoritomo the VI and will see Yoritomo VII destroyed as well. He is my master."

"Too bad he couldn't find better henchmen!" Ishihn shouted, throwing one hand forward and unleashing a bolt of electricity upon the wasp.

The light of the bolt faded, and Kyo stood unharmed. "Tsk," he said, "The guards will have heard that. Now I'll have to conclude this before I share the part where we destroy Kameru's life."

Kyo drew both pistols and fired six times before Ishihn even knew what was happening.

"That includes destroying his friends, by the way," Kyo said, kneeling over the body. He stepped back into the shadows and became void.

TO BE CONTINUED