The Legend Will Never Die: Part Eight "Yoshimitsu the Mechanized Ninja"
By: Anita
Yoshimitsu the Mechanized Ninja
In a flash of alacrity, the katana sliced through the sky. The air stirred as the powerful weapon grazed it. Yoshimitsu brought his beloved sword closer and sheathed it within its scabbard.
Yoshimitsu was the last living member of the Manji Ninja clan. His companions had been destroyed by the lord Oda Nobunaga. Yoshimitsu's arm had been chopped off in the battle, but he had escaped, and replaced his arm with a mechanical replacement. Now, Yoshimitsu and his self-named katana were all that was left of the Manji clan.
His life had been with the Manji clan, and the evil Nobunaga would pay for his sin. Armed with the sword and memories of his comrades, Yoshimitsu vowed to take revenge and kill the one who had killed those he cared about. There was only one way to achieve this task.
The sword of all power, Soul Edge.
The all-knowing, all-seeing power of the Soul Edge detected a powerful warrior approaching...seeking its power. The Soul Edge could almost taste his need for revenge, and it wanted to grant this powerful warrior his wish.
"REVENGE FILLS HIS EVERY THOUGHT. BRING HIM TO ME" Soul Edge ordered.
In a flash of deep azure, the warrior was off, set to do his master's bidding.
The day's light recoiled into the night as the predator neared his victim.
Yoshimitsu continued asking townspeople about Soul Edge's whereabouts even as the day began to fade. The citizens were very wary of any seekers of the sword, but reluctantly gave Yoshimitsu what information they could.
Yoshimitsu heard stories of destruction caused by an menacing figure suited in azure armor. The knight had left behind a trail of terror in each town he visited, and the reckless murder had been caused by Soul Edge itself. The sword held incredible power, and this criminal was using this power to its full extent.
As the night fell, Yoshimitsu thoughts still dwelled on Soul Edge.
'The amount of power this sword can give to its user is unbeatable, but the pain it causes in the hands of evil is will destroy this world. Is my revenge not just like this terrible evil? Are the memories of my friends going to be tarnished by my need for Nobunaga's head?' Yoshimitsu pondered as he walked along a darkened path.
"If you wish to exact your revenge, come to the City of Water at sunrise tomorrow. You will get what you wish. Come alone, warrior." A quiet, direct voice beckoned.
"Who are you?" Yoshimitsu asked the darkness. His only reply was the restless wind.
Yoshimitsu arrived at the City of Water just before sunrise. The city was a magnificent site.
The whole city was overflowing with water, and there were bridges connecting areas together. In the midst of it all was a lone platform. This platform had been used for battling by the young Siegfried. The young warrior had formidable skill, but had recently set off on a journey to find Soul Edge. The platform was said to be abandoned.
"So, you came, Yoshimitsu." a voice called. Yoshimitsu turned to see a man cloaked in azure armor, holding the infamous Soul Edge.
"You! You are the one who has caused these people pain. Why must you wield that sword with hate?" Yoshimitsu asked.
"FOR THE SAME REASON YOU WISH TO TAKE THE LIFE OF LORD ODA NOBUNAGA. BLOODSHED IS THE WAY OF A WARRIOR'S LIFE." a strong voice boomed.
"Soul Edge... it can speak?" Yoshimitsu realized.
"HAH! YOU ARE SMARTER THAN I EXPECTED. I WILL GRANT YOU GREAT POWER TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOAL. DESTROY YOUR ENEMY, AND EMBRACE YOUR HATRED!" Soul Edge offered.
"What do you want with me? Why do you wish to feed my hatred?"
"ODA NOBUNAGA AND HIS FOLLOWERS ARE A THREAT TO ME. IF YOU DEFEAT HIM, NOTHING WILL STAND IN MY WAY!"
"No, now I see my error. My need for revenge is as wrong as your evil designs. I will not help you in your endeavour. Revenge is futile, it will not bring my friends back to life." Yoshimitsu declared, taking out his katana.
"Fool, you will now pay the price for declin ing our generous offer." the azure knight roared, and attacked with the large Soul Edge.
Yoshimitsu quickly teleported away from the attack. The teleportation caused him a bit of pain, but Yoshimitsu was now behind the azure-clad knight, and struck with his katana.
"NIGHTMARE, HE IS POWERFUL. BE WARY" Soul Edge warned.
Nightmare blocked Yoshimitsu's katana with the sword. As soon as the two swords touched, a flash of light coursed into the Yoshimitsu katana.
"LEAVE HIM, NIGHTMARE. HE IS OF NO USE TO US NOW." Soul Edge ordered.
"Are you sure? He could be a powerful soul to own." Nightmare replied.
"NO, OUR DESIGNS GO MUCH FURTHER THAN HIM. WE ALREADY HAVE THE GIRL, SHE IS ALL WE NEED...FOR NOW." Soul Edge ascertained.
Without another word, Nightmare and Soul Edge were gone. Yoshimitsu was left standing in the middle of the water-filled city.
Yoshimitsu's katana never stopped glowing. The flash of light that had been transferred during the battle had remained on the sword.
'I am not sure what impurity of evil my katana is carrying, but it will always remind me that I, too, have felt hate, a feeling I never wish to feel again. I will only use this katana for good, no evil purpose will ever occupy my thoughts ever again!' Yoshimitsu thought, as he walked along a path to a new destination, his home, where he would take the lessons he learned and put the past behind himself.
As he walked, Yoshimitsu was thankful that the sword had let him live, instead of claiming his soul, but part of him was not sure if this was the better outcome. If the sword succeeded in its plan to take over the world, life would be a fate much worse than death.
Through Soul Edge, the young Xianghua watched the fear in Yoshimitsu's eyes.
'A fate worse than death... it must be stopped.'
THE END?