Blade: Phantom of the Sands of Time

Part 1: Master Samurai, it Begins

Chapter Four: The Last Battle, The Last Stand

Date: December 20, 1604

Commander Alexandras Nicholaus lost the battle of Sekigahara as well as Mount Fiji, North Pass, Cannon Hill, and Nagisagate Valley. His forces were driven southward where they now are surrounded in Wu Castle. The forces of Togukawa Kyoto, Honda Ukita, Yi Hishomori, Otani Eukawa, Heiachi Yosomatsu, Sami Gomei, Eto Tekiso, Gamboseki Tsumato, Fushimitsu Gamei, and forces from Emperor Toyotomi Hidosai surround the castle and are ready to lay siege. The order to do so lies with Togukawa Kyoto.

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Date: December 20

Time: 17: 42

Honda Ukita looked at the castle ahead. It was a strong fort that had never fallen in times of war. It was about time it did. Commander Nicholaus himself was in there. Ukita had his spear in hand as he was ready to lead his troops into battle.

Horns sounded and Ukita knew their meaning. "Charge!" He yelled out at the top of his voice. The horses about him spurred forth as he spurred his forth. Arrows rained down from the walls of the castle as the enemy hoped to hold them off before they reached the units positioned outside of the castle. No use. The alliance of Emperor Toyotomi Hidosai was too vast and plowed through with ease. Ladders began to rise against the walls and troops began to climb. Grappling hooks were fired from bows and onto the wall. Batting rams pounded against the walls and front gate.

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Jin was one of the first onto the wall. He immediately began to butcher the archers. He threw some of the bodies over the way he had come and pushed other down into the castle. He then jumped from the wall and down to the castle floor. He landed on a group of lancers and took them out quickly. Guns fired from his left and he picked a dead body up and used it as a shield. He then waited for them to reload before charging forth. He took two down in one swipe then he removed the other two with two swings. He saw more and more of his allies coming down the stairs and driving the enemy back. He ran to the gate and saw it wasn't moving to the batting rams. Jin looked over his shoulder and saw a cannon that was no longer manned as its manners were dead. He walked over, loaded, and fired at the gate.

The gate blew apart from the impact and the allies flooded the castle in seconds. Commander Nicholaus's men retreated into the castle and locked it tight. The doors of the castle were made of steel so cannon fire was no longer an option.

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Date: December 21

Time: 20:14

"It's amazing how long they have lasted." Jin muttered as he kneeled next to his lord.

"It is Master Ishikawa. We have captured the exteriors of the castle and now control the inner walls. The palace is all they have now and that's surrounded."

"What is the plan Ukita-sama?"

"We wait. We wait for them to crack and someone will give us an opening."

"How long do we wait?"

"Until the twenty-fifth of this month. If they don't crack then we will crack them with cannon fire and shall scale the walls."

"I understand and obey Ukita-sama."

'I hope so Ishikawa Jin, I hope so.'

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Date: December 25

Time: 5:00

"They haven't cracked." Honda Ukita stated.

"We all agreed that if they didn't open up to us by the twenty-fifth then we would force entry." Otani Eukawa stated from behind the white cloth he wore over his mouth. He also had a white turban on and white garbs. Tucked into his sash was a flute.

"Yes Lord Otani we agreed upon that." Togukawa stated. He sat at the head of the meeting table. His blue, black, and silver battle armor was polished. "Are we all agreed that we shall fired on the north, west, and east walls of the palace?"

"HAI!"

"Are we all agreed that troops shall scale the south wall and others shall try to break open the steel gate?"

"HAI!" Togukawa Kyoto stood up.

"Daimyos! To battle we go! Ready your men. We attack when the sun rises!"

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Date: December 25

Time: Sun Rise

"Banzai!" The battle cry roared out as the thousand of samurai set to entering the palace by force. Cannons fired off on the north, west, and east walls. Inside Commander Alexandras Nicholaus sat on the throne with his head held low.

"Sir! We cannot hold out. We should surrender."

"I am the Commander of this army, colonel! I know when to surrender and when to fight!"

"Yes sir."

On the forth floor hooks latched onto the railing. Samurai scaled the side of the palace and entered. They were greeted by offense. Jin was amongst those to scale the wall.

He fought on to rid the area of troops. He then signaled to the ground level that this area was secure. More hooks flew up and latched on. Jin proceeded onward into the palace. He didn't have his cape or helmet on. He had an eye patch on.

Jin came to the third floor and met up with tons of armed troops, samurai.

"Fools! This battle is over! There is no reason you should continue to fight for that Russian bastard!" Jin yelled at them. "You bring shame upon your families by fighting for the enemy! They only use you to gain what they want! When they have collected their goods you will die by their hands!"

The samurai looked at each other and then nodded. "We shall help you to the throne room lord, ugh."

"Ishikawa."

The men gasped. "Are you?"

"Yes."

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Date: December 25

Time: 8: 56

Jin was now on the second floor and gaining more men along the way. Some didn't budge to his words so he moved them aside with his sword, the katana of the Ishikawa family.

Jin had now reached the first floor. He walked to the front door and looked at those guarding it. "Just open the damn door." He muttered stretching.

"We shall not!" A brave young child said. Jin looked at him. Red furred echidna, typical, at least thirteen of age, brown eyes.

"Open the door child or I shall send you back to your mother in pieces!"

The boy charged forth screaming. Jin side stepped and tripped him. He then stabbed the boy in the back and began to twist his katana about while it was in the boy's spine. The boy screamed out in pain. Those helping Jin watched on in horror. Jin then lifted the boy, threw him up, and then sliced him into three pieces. He looked at the others at the gate and they opened it. Jin turned about and ran for the throne room. "I shall be the one to strike the commander down." He muttered under his breath.

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Date: December 25

Time: 9: 13

Commander Alexandras Nicholaus stood ready with his rapier in hand. He could hear the enemy approaching from within. Suddenly the doors to the throne room were flung open. Jin walked in very calmly, his katana sheathed.

Alexandras watched his manner of walk, his breathing, his pupil size, and the place of his hands. Something about him was oddly familiar. As if he knew this echidna, not by meeting but by name. "I am Commander."

"Shut up." Jin said smoothly. Alexandras gritted his teeth. "I know who you are fool. You, though, don't know me. I am Ishikawa Jin, master of the Ishikawa house, loyal follower of Lord Honda Ukita. I am the man that struck down the famous Date Hotei."

Commander Alexandras now knew he was. "That is very good of you Master Ishikawa. Why not join my ranks?"

"A coward looks for ways out when he knows he is to lose the war. If you had any balls then you would accept your fate like a man."

"What?!"

"I can end this for you know. I'll allow you to go down fighting, like a samurai."

"You are a very cocky." Commander Alexandras took off his heavy coat and stepped forth, his knee high leather boots squeaking with every step.

Jin bowed slightly, but never took his eyes off Alexandras. Alexandras readied himself while Jin took an offensive stand. He placed his right foot forward and his left back. He turned his torso to the left slightly and crouched. He placed his right hand on the handle of his katana and his left on the saya. What was a minute lasted a century as the two waited for the other to move. Finally Alexandras moved first. He charged forth with his rapier ready to stab. Jin released from his stance and unsheathed his katana in a blurry move.

Alexandras fell to the ground holding his gut. Blood was dripping freely from the gash he had. Jin looked over his armored shoulder and frowned. "What a waist of my time."

"I'm not through with yet!" Alexandras grabbed his rapier and charged at Jin. Jin stepped back from the head swing, jumped the leg swing, and side stepped the stab. He elbowed the lion in the face and heard his nose crack from the blow. Jin followed up with a slice at the thigh. Alexandras swung high and was blocked. He swung low and was blocked. He stabbed forth and was parried. Jin countered and kicked the commander in the gash. Blood spilled onto Jin's white leg guard and onto the floor. Alexandras screamed out in pain.

Jin then finished it and sliced the commander's head off while he winced in pain.

Those in the throne room who had served the commander gasped. "He killed the commander." One muttered.

"Should we attack?"

"No." Commander Alexandras's second in command stepped forth. "We shall surrender. We should have early but now is the time."

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Date: December 30

Time: 10:00

"Ishikawa Jin. You honor us with your presence."

"Emperor Toyotomi Hidosai. I am honored that I should be allowed to set foot within the palace of our fair emperor." Jin said from where he bowed. Many were present as Jin was honored today for his participation in the war and for bringing down the enemy commander.

"Master Ishikawa we would like to thank you for your service to Honda Ukita in the war. We would like to recognize you for taking the head of Commander Alexandras Nicholaus. We are grateful for your service."

"Again my Emperor I am honored that you speak to a samurai from a simple village."

"Nonsense. Our grandness would like to ask of you a favor."

"And that is my Emperor?"

"That you join the ranks of the Imperial Magistrate." Everyone gasped, even Jin. He would be the first of his family to serve in the Imperial Magistrate. They were the Emperor's personal army and they were more respected then any samurai. They had many privileges in the land.

"My Emperor! I am not worthy of such an honorable task." Jin said while bowing lower if that was even possible with his head already touching the tatami mats.

"Nonsense. You are an honorable samurai."

"I am just a samurai my Emperor."

"You have earned it."

"I have earned nothing from doing my duties."

"We would greatly appreciate a samurai of your capabilities within our ranks."

"I am honored my Emperor. I shall accept this great gift. You shall not be disappointed."

"Rise Ishikawa Jin." Jin did. He looked at the Emperor but not into his eyes. To do so was punishable by death. He rather looked at his head and past it. "You bring great honor to your family. Be proud."

"I am my Emperor. I shall serve the Toyotomi family loyally."

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Ishikawa Jin road into the Shanto Mountain Village and was greeted by all. They all bowed deeply to him. "What is all of this? Rise, rise!" They did. He dismounted and walked to his mother. She saw the armor he was wearing and the katana he carried. It could only mean one thing.

"You father is dead. Is he not my son?" Tears formed in the corners of her eyes. Jin felt tears return to his eye.

"He died honorably mother."

"Then you are the head of the family." Ishikawa Kito said.

"Now where are my love and my child?" Jin asked changing the subject to a happier one.

Jin was lead to his love and child. She was at home in bed with the child in arms. Jin walked in, fully armored, with out boots on, and kneeled by her futon. "My love." She said with tears in her eyes. "You have returned.

"I have my Haika. I would not leave you with our child alone."

"It's a boy my love." She said smiling. Jin smiled and looked at the child. It was of red fur, but a lighter tint from the regular red. "He's as handsome as his father." Haika said smiling.

"My love. You sound weary. Let me return home and set my father's armor to its stand and then I shall return and lay with you."

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Date: January 1, 1605

Jin was drinking some tea while looking at the garden of his home. His wife Haika was inside with their son. His mother was outside taking care of laundry, and his grandfather had passed away shortly after he had arrived home from war. His grandfather had grown ill during Jin's absence. Jin was the oldest male of his family now.

Jin was looking about when something got his eye. It glimmered slightly so he got up and walked over to it. When he bent down he saw what it was. It was a strange looking gem. It was red and shaped like a diamond. It glowed so brightly yet so dimly. He touched it just with a finger and it flashed a blinding light. Jin covered his eye with his kimono sleeve. When the light was gone he opened his eye and gasped. He was no longer at his home but in a European village. Little did Ishikawa Jin know he had not only traveled distance but he had traveled in time by a hundred and sixty-three years. The year now was 1768.

End of Part One

Next time

Part 2: Skull and Cross Bones of the Captain

Note: I am asking for characters for Blade's years in Japan after his pirate life. Remember, it is in the past so super abilities are few. And the echidna in Japan are extinct. Thanks you