Disclaimer: I do not own Jackie Chan Adventures.

Queen of Shadows

A Jackie Chan Adventures Fanfiction

Written by Eduard Kassel

Created by Nocturne no Kitsune

Betaed by Zim'smostloyalservant

Adopted to Finish what a Friend Began

Summary: Recuperation, on both sides.

Summary: Recuperation, on both sides.

Jade awakens from her recovery to find her wounds have left her with the need for a cane. And the Circle of Generals scrambling to establish stability in her empire.

Meanwhile, the Sage of Honshu has occupied Tobe, not only gathering his own forces but gathering what he can of the former Shogunate in the Shadows. And if that wasn't enough, a final member of this Alliance, Lo Pei of the Sacred Warriors of China has begun a bold offensive to liberate Kyushu!

And to add to the Shadowkhan's worries, Shendu has shown himself in the waters of Nihon, plotting who knows what against who can guess?!

Recuperation(Part 2)

The Queen listened to the Circle's reports stoically.

She had confirmed Ikazuki's appointment as Yojimbo but denied any proper ceremony for the occasion. Necessary though it had been, such actions forfeited the right to any of the ceremonial honors a proper Yojimbo elevation had the right to. The only one she not given ceremonial reprimand for and then pardoned was Ozeki, claiming his vote while still uncouth had been vital to ensuring swift action. But even he was not exempt from the Queen making it clear there was to be no boldness against propriety born from the grim necessity they had endured.

All things considered, he expected all the Generals would agree they had gotten off lightly. The Queen had mercy by her nature; harsh experiences had not robbed her of that, for good or ill. Though he felt it had been tempered.

She'd agreed to take a palanquin after leaving the royal plateau, thankfully. Her will to push against her crippling injury was admirable, but if she insisted on injuring herself, he would have to intervene.

The news was bad, to say the least.

Ikazuki made sure to keep his face impassive when it was Jirobo's turn to make a proposal. These disasters may have made Jirobo less outspoken, but his ambition was clearly as great as ever.

"My Queen, to reverse this dreadful state of affairs, we need do more than defend, however effectively. What is called for is a sortie to put the Sage's forces on the back-foot, and ideally end this offensive before it begins. Thereby letting us focus on eliminating Lo Pei and his forces on Kyushu."

The Queen raised an eyebrow and gestured for him to continue.

"I do not require the aid of the other tribes to do this; indeed, they can proceed with preparations for other proposals if you so wish, whilst we of Komomori tribe take the battle to the enemy. Control of the sky is a power unrivaled for raiding. While it's true, attacking key targets such as castles and towns would be ill-advised, as even in victory we must be mindful of any losses now. But Honshu is covered in villages, ferries, and other virtually unguarded infrastructure. This is sensible to the humans, as the loss of a few peasant villages is inconsequential to even a modest daimyo domain. But my forces will make it consequential through scale and terror. A squad of my Komomori could easily reduce peasant villages to nothing but corpses and burned-out buildings in less than half an hour. And move on to the next. We would sweep over southern Honshu like a plague carried on the wind, gone before the samurai or other defenders could respond.

"Humans care little for the lives of their own kind, particularly those of lower rank, but the daimyo are not so stupid as to fail to realize the annihilation of their peasants will hobble them. And the more honorable humans will feel compelled to oppose the massacre. And when word does get around, how long until the peasants abandon their fields and mines in terror, to the same results or economic destruction? Put together with my troops destroying ferries and bridges, and poisoning wells, the Sage's army will be destroyed by its members greedily departing to save their fortunes, or to save lives. The Sage will be left to come alone to his doom with what few follow him, or abandon his moment of opportunity."

The Queen stared at him evenly. Whatever Jirobo hoped to see in her, he clearly didn't find, judging by his expression before he bowed again, ending his proposal.

"I apologize to the Circle, but I feel we must delay further business while I respond to the honored General of the Komomori's proposal," the Queen said, icy but composed.

"Apology is unneeded, great Queen," Ikazuki told her on behalf of the Circle.

"…Your plan will not be implemented, General Jirobo. I deem it unworthy of consideration, and bid you to either craft another proposal or place yourself at the service of your peers in supporting another plan."

"Joo Heike," Jirobo said, stunned. Ikazuki didn't have to struggle to keep the smile from his face; it was an undignified look of surprise he had to subdue. He had not cared for such a craven plan that also divided their forces after a recent history of being picked off, but for the Queen to denounce it so before the Circle… Even if one could attribute such to her being out of sorts still from her captivity and crippling, it would be no small miracle for Jirobo to ever rise from being viewed as least favored of Generals so long as he lived after such disgrace.

"You deserve well to know why I will not consider it. I will indulge you, oh foremost shadow cutting across the heavens," the Queen began, "These times call for consolidating our forces; scattering them as would be needed for your raids goes against that. Secondly, your tribe's mastery in the skies is a vital asset, and it must be preserved for truly important engagements, not risked in petty acts of aggression. Thirdly, we doubt your assumption the daimyo would abandon the prospect of glorious conquest for the peasants their class holds in such contempt. Even if they did have such desires, the Sage is leading them, not some mere human prince or warlord; if anyone could hold this human army together in the face of highborn deserters, it would be he. At best, it seems to me all you would accomplish is instilling fresh fury in the humans for the coming campaign, while wasting our Empire's reduced manpower on petty slaughter.

"Does anyone have words to speak in defense of Geberal Jirobo?" The Queen asked.

None did. She nodded regally, the light catching elegantly on her hairpins.

"The Circle may proceed; General Kamisori, you are the next in order, unless there is anything else to be added first," the Queen stated.

Kamisori was clearly nervous for his own proposal. A modification of Ozeki's proposal, mainly deviating by an increased flexibility to sortie. They covered normal business after that, with the Queen ordering a new meeting in two days' time at the same hour as this one commenced.

The Generals left a bit shakily, save Jirobo who did not bother to hide his shock after the Queen was out of sight. Still Ikazuki smiled, watching them all go off to their business. That was an intensity befitting a Queen! The humans had not broken her at all; he wanted to laugh, as it seemed they had forged her into a steel to rival her revered grandmother!

Hmm, two days he felt was too short for her to properly read through the paperwork she requested for the proposals. Most likely she had already made her pick and simply wanted to spare everyone who was not Jirobo the shame of flat rejection.

Yes, making his way to his offices, he resolved to open some fine sake to share with his favored officers. He had not felt this well since before the Queen was abducted.

X X X

They had given him the name Moriyama; that he would receive it so soon was a sign of the ill times the Race lived in. Normally, a Shadowkhan would not receive a name until his first birthday. Barring extreme exceptions like General Hishu the Disgraced.

He was aware his name was something of a joke, like many of his brood brothers had received. In his case, being smaller than expected for Buke of his age and his thin hair that would make a pathetic topknot when he earned the right to wear one.

The Race needed warriors swiftly to fill the gaps left by sealings and battles alike, but the instructors were loath to bend their standards. So, that spite for training being streamlined was vented on their students, the names they felt unearned being only a more benign example.

Still, sheathing his bokken in his belt, Moriyama knew he would have it no other way. While others rested, he trained more. How much his body cried out for rest didn't matter. He was certain if he laid down on the stones of the practice yard for even a moment, sleep would take him, but he had to bathe himself and then perform a calligraphy exercise before sleeping.

Oh, food too, he supposed, the smell of rice reaching him as he left the yard.

The humans had managed to abduct his mother, the mother of his whole brood. They had robbed her of tribes and harmed her person. Held her captive. He would die before allowing a tenth of the indignities she had suffered be repeated. But it wasn't enough to die. He had to have the strength and skill to both make her enemies pay a high price for his death, and do so in such a way she would be safer for it. Otherwise, it would not be a sacrifice, it would be simple idiocy.

The samurai disciple nodded to himself, entering the barrack that was his home for the time being. The activities of his brothers were varied from admirable to shameful, but each acknowledged his presence in some way. One of his favorite brothers even handed him a bowl of white with pieces of grilled fish and a few slices of pickled vegetables in it. Cold now, of course, but it saved him time quite well.

"My thanks," he bowed to Sanada's back.

His relief at saved time vanished after taking a seat by his small desk. He realized he had misplaced his chopsticks. He'd have to fashion new ones. So much for time saved. After all, if he ate with his fingers like some barbarian, he'd bring shame upon not only the barracks but the mother who birthed them!

No one said the life of a Shadowkhan, particularly a son of Buke Tribe, was easy.

He'd almost reached the door, a piece of spare wood in hand, when it was flung open by an officer. Not an instructor, but proper Hatamoato! He kowtowed, smacking the wood against the boards on the floor. He winced at the attention-grabbing racket. The Hatamoato did not seem to notice.

"Ill news, young ones, the so-called Pirate King lives, and has joined his remaining fleet to the Sage's allies. It is likely others will now flock to the enemy banner on the waves."

The next day, Moriyama was not alone in his extra training.

X X X

Ikazuki approached the mediation chamber of the Queen, exchanging a look with the guards. His samurai lacked the Shinobi tribe's skill in guarding while being unseen, but he hoped their visible presence served as an assurance to her safety.

The Queen had requested no meeting today, with tomorrow bringing her official ruling on the grand strategy they would pursue in the ongoing conflict. She had taken a break from her reviews of a document she had been drafting to look over the indexes the Kamikiri had completed of the library's contents, the sentries reported to him.

Something in there had taken her keen interest, with her almost falling in her haste, even letting her cane fall to the ground as she sat on the floor after a samurai obtained the relevant books she commanded. She had read them and then withdrawn to the meditation chamber seemingly dazed.

It was tempting to examine the books; if she had left markers, he would know exactly what had brought such a reaction from her.

But he would not. He would violate the Queen's privacy only to ensure her safety, and even that was a dangerous line to cross. He had learned from the Cave of the Yojimbos many disturbing truths of his office, and his predecessors. While it made him respect Hiruzen more, it made him mindful that it was a heavy legacy, in all senses, he had inherited as Yojimbo. Bushido could not hope to guide him through this tangled skein; instead, he must make devotion to his queen the lodestone to guide him onward.

So even as he respected her secrets, he knocked now to see if she wished to discuss whatever had been revealed in the old books.

X X X

Jade wasn't trying to meditate.

Slumped uncomfortably on the mat, she'd pulled out her hairpins, feeling some relief to her pounding head from the act. Gently raking her scalp with her claws, she stroked her hair, the sensation actually easing her head and rolling stomach some.

She missed Koeri brushing her hair. The thought of the kitsune made her frown and threatened to send her spiraling back. After what the traitor had done to her, Jade wanted her punished, but learning the fate of Koeri's clan had been nauseating. No one seemed to find her lack of cackling over it or whatever odd; maybe the obvious exhaustion she'd been under was seen as a valid excuse.

There was a nagging thought that Koeri had been a slave, and did Jade really think a slave owed any loyalty to a master? But she brushed that thought aside with hardly any notice; after all, her regrets as they were fell to Koeri's kin, not the fox herself, or any motives.

Of course, it wasn't such thoughts she'd been avoiding that had sent her here, jarring the wretched routine she'd been having. She was being a good little evil overlady, trying to regain her strength. The paperwork and meetings hadn't been so bad, as they distracted her mind from wandering. She'd taken up the tsuchibue again, even written some poetry on how much she hated spiders to try and get away from that creeping spot of helplessness.

She'd escaped, she'd not been some damsel. So why did it still feel like she was going to be attacked any moment? This room was one of the worst, because the Shadowkhan she was certain didn't watch her here now.

What was wrong with her that she actually felt reassured by the looming presence of the Shadowkhan who still thought she was their queen? If they knew the truth, they'd likely do worse to her than the humans had to find out where their queen had gone.

Jade took a deep breath, held it until it started to hurt, and let it out.

'Focus, Jade. Don't let the spiral take you away from what you found. You finally have a solid lead on the Book of Ages.'

Sanshobo had left quite a gift post-sealing, it turned out. Among the indexes his subordinates had composed was her idle request taken seriously, of the most epic magic items and mentions of them. And listed there, as tidy as you could believe, was the book that started this all.

Not much, but the entries gathered together had told quite the story. Apparently, it all started with Sun Wukong, aka the Monkey King.

Apparently, at some point the character from "Journey to the West" had achieved enlightenment, but a flawed one. The term there escaped her, and it wasn't really important, she supposed. But long story short, the Monkey King proper ascended, but his evil base desires or whatever, thanks to his primal magic, essentially grew legs and started walking.

This evil Monkey King was a spirit of pure chaos and madness, and caused even more trouble than his predecessor, having his skills and knowledge but even less restraint and conscience than the former at his worst. Eventually, he set his sights on the Temple of Ages, wherein the Books of Ages was guarded in ancient times. Yeah, ancient even relative to here and apparently when these books were written, Jade mused.

The Monkey King sought the book, to make himself the main character of all existence, and partially succeeded, gaining power that transcended the orders of reason and magic alike. But he went completely insane as a result, and came close to destroying all of creation. Such was his threat that when he returned to see to destroying the Book of Ages, the forces of Light, Darkness, and the Elements sent forth three empowered champions to oppose the Champion of Chaos. Lu Dongbin for the Light, Tso Lan for the Darkness, and Daigoro for the Elements.

The battle apparently destroyed the Earth, but the champions emerged triumphant, sealing away the bulk of the Monkey King's power, and imprisoning him in the very stone egg his predecessor had hatched from. Using the book, they returned the world to its former state, and then collaborated, representing the three powers to put the Book of Ages out of reach of all three of their forces, the books and the ruins of the temple removed from reality to the Realm of Null, the place that is not a place, which has no end for it lacks a beginning. Afterwards, the three lost their power-up, and the world resumed its course, most unaware anything more had even happened.

Cool stuff, and made this dark Monkey King worth a shiver, if he was both bad news and badass enough that three Forces called a truce just to hold him in check. But the book being out of reach didn't do her case any good.

And there was the final piece that had fallen in her lap, courtesy of the 96th Queen of the Shadowkhan's own writing. She had apparently considered the book as a way to avert her fear of a human-dominated Earth, but concluded from her research that the only way a portal could be opened to Null would be when the balance of Light and Dark was dramatically unbalanced in an end of an age way, and a powerful elemental force at ground zero to actually make the tear.

96th had a lot on her plate, so had concluded such an endeavor was not in her deck of cards.

But Jade knew at once what could fit the bill – Shendu's defeat by Lo Pei. His sealing, which had signaled the decline of magic in China, and possibly the wider world, with the sealing of the last of the Great Demon Sorcerers. And it so happened she had not only a large army of powerful elementals, but the descendants of Daigoro himself, which would probably help.

This was it. She finally, finally had found her thread.

But how in all the hecks on Monday, was she supposed to get to China, much less make that once in 800 years deadline?!

And who was knocking on her mediation chamber door?

"Who disturbs my meditations?" she snapped, sneering to make sure the tone was right.

"It is your Yojimbo. I apologize for the intrusion, but your studies have perked my interest," Ikazuki said through the door. It had been opened slightly just enough to talk now without interference. Still, Jade assumed the position just in case. Well, as best as she could with a bum leg.

"My studies? You have far greater matters to concern yourself with, my Yojimbo."

"There is no greater priority than yourself, and it is clear your studies have led you to something you find significant. What concerns you concerns us all, myself most of all. It is my duty to assist you however I can."

"…Yojimbo, I pardoned you and the others for overstepping your bounds in a time of crisis. Do not mistake that as permission to bend the boundaries idly now. When I require or desire your assistance with my research, I will request it. I will expect your obedient assistance then. Not a moment before, or sooner. Remember, Hiruzen earned his influence with long deviated service, proven time and again to many Queens. You have held your post for little more than a breath by comparison. In light of your inexperience and the trying times I will forgive your impropriety, this time. Continue to go beyond you place and you will face reprimand. Do you understand?" Jade asked the dark samurai. She heard his forehead hit the floor. No Tatami mats out there. Would they need to fix the floor from too extreme an abasement, she wondered, idly amused at the thought.

"I am grateful for your mercy. I withdraw with contrition," he said. Jade listened to him go and the door be shut by the guard, then grinned and ran a hand over her pinned up hair. There were times this job did have perks, she could admit.

X X X

Shendu was not alone in the room lit by massive braziers, but the slaves were little more than furniture to him. They glistened, sweating in the heat but not swaying in the slightest; any sign of weakness the dread emperor spotted was grounds to be killed, devoured, or worse. The sole benefit to their posting was this room was never idly used by Shendu, so he did not typically watch for an excuse to murder the slaves attending him here.

For Shendu was not fond of the map painted on the table in his personal cartography chamber. Unlike most such things, it lacked adornment to make his holdings more impressive to look on it, fitting a spectator of land and sea more than a ruler such as himself. But the time had not yet come where he could casually ignore the true shape of the world as he molded it to his image. So, the map still proclaimed the vastness of the lands where his writ did not rule, where his demonic rule by might had yet to claim dominance.

Stepping around the table with measured dignity, he reached out and tapped that backwater island chain whose only notable export was second rate pirates and could not even properly adopt the culture of even human-ruled China.

The map had been updated to show the recent expansion of the Shadowkhan's empire, but not yet reflecting the collapse of their rule on Kyushu.

"The Sacred Warrior's gone abroad; it's almost enough to make me jealous," he remarked, dully tapping the island of Kyushu.

This Lo Pei who leading this expedition was not one of their mightiest, but if he survived may indeed climb to great heights in the ranks of those who served the rebel human court. If the Shadowkhan eliminated him, that would be beneficial. Still, if Lo Pei prevailed, a potential rival would be annihilated.

On the other hand, hope spread quickly among fools, swifter than plague. Shendu, as a son of Shenron and thus rightful ruler and devastator of all under the Heavens, was far above a mere elemental and her spawn. But fools would not know the difference between a bonfire and an inferno.

Perhaps he should sweep in? To where? Attack the rebel strongholds securing the border? Make them regret sending any of their strength abroad?

No, he felt ill at ease altering his plans for reducing those who opposed him on the continent, even to take advantage of foolishness.

He could strike at the Shadowkan. If he secured the Queen in his power, he could make a vassal out of all her armies. Rather, they would be his armies, and she merely a brood hen to replenish them. He could also demand back the coins he'd parted with to return to their proper place in his personal hoard.

But then, they would be prepared for such a move. And the sacred warriors not sent abroad may strike quickly if he became involved in a drawn-out conflict with the Circle of Generals.

And there was this business of sealings. Too much remained unknown there. Mighty generals and entire armies sealed away. A potent power; if he could harness it, it might mean something far better than holding the so-called Queen of Shadows' feet to the fire.

For now, he would observe. His was the strongest hand, and the deepest resilience. The luxuries of power were many, and among the greatest was being able to patiently wait for knowledge and opportunity so each blow yielded the greatest rewards.

X X X

It was odd how you can look for something and only find it when you aren't looking, Jade admitted, eating her lunch in the creation room. Seafood took place of place today, and it tasted quite good, with her progress complimenting it.

Ever since she had found her thread, the obstacle of following it was how to get to China. Going out alone was too dangerous, lesson learned there. Not to mention it was old Firebreath's turf. But it wasn't like she could just order the Shadowkhan to escort her to China.

Then, during the last war meeting, the discussion on abandoning Kyushu entirely had seen Kamisori lament their weakness necessitating the retreat.

That was it. So simple. The Shadowkhan would escort her out of this fortress and clear to China if they saw it as a military necessity! A pressing matter of their Queen's safety even!

Obviously, they'd need to lose big in the coming campaign to abandon this fortress and their empire, though not too much. As cool as Lo Pei was, that guy had been quick to assume Jackie freaking Chan was an agent of darkness and tore through Section 13 without even asking nicely for the Talismans first. So, odds were, given the chance he'd blast her to ash before she could offer any reason not to.

So, lose just enough. And then find a reason China would be appealing to retreat to. After all, it wouldn't do if she got out of this fortress just to end up becoming the Demon Empress of Australia.

Still, smiling to herself, she decided to give painting another try. With this set of good fortune, she felt like trying her luck at a little abstract expressionism. Maybe a deer getting its head cut off? That would disquiet Ikazuki for sure.

And there was her man for the job. Who better to squander resources and Shadowkhan but still manage to win than her resident hidebound samurai warrior? Keeping Kuro alive and free would also be needed for crossing the seas. Ozeki would be needed likely to either restore or build a base that could stand against whatever awaited in China til Jade's moment came. And Kamisori, she probably could afford to lose, but she'd rather not, she admitted. While Ikazuki had charged to her rescue, it had been him who had ensured the escape was sealed, and he was more pleasant company than the others.

'Still a bad guy, Jade. The endgame is having them all safely sealed. Yeah, but until then…' she mused to herself, only to find herself feeling rather uninspired when faced with the blank paper.

X X X

Jade had kept the Generals waiting longer than usual for the awaited meeting. Not simply to make them squirm or to buy more time for herself before making her move, as it were. She was genuinely absorbed in reading through a record of the Shadowkhan's previous time in China. And a bit irritated she had yet to learn if the fortress that was apparently so badass back then still existed as a potential base if she somehow got the Shadowkhan to migrate. If it was in Flame Breath's turf these days, that would be trouble.

But she had things to do, so putting the meeting off any longer was shelved with a final sip of tea and clap of her hands.

After the pleasantries, she summoned the samurai who had accompanied her from the tower, each bearing a tray with a scroll of her own ruling on the matter of the war. They did not step forward to present the scrolls to the circle, awaiting her pleasure to do so.

"Yojimbo Ikazuki, your proposal most closely aligns with our will and desire for the prosecution of the war. For the sake of brevity, recount your proposal in brief here and now," she commanded.

His plan suited her needs so well, most of it hardly diverged with her changes mostly just being there for the sake of tweaking to seem engaged. After all, even if Ikazuki was an old-fashioned general, he still knew more about war than her, after all.

The paths diverged over the matter of the human slaves.

"With the roads lined with their crucified kin, their spirits will be broken long before they come in sight of our walls," Ikazuki concluded his presentation. Ozeki looked rather displeased at the mass murder being proposed, along with the rest of the Circle. They may not value human lives much, but the slaves were assets, she supposed, and this amounted to beggaring their empire to save it. Ikazuki, for his part, was stoic on the matter; she supposed it was not exactly glorious.

"No," Jade said.

Ikazuki bowed his head, offering no objection. Jade used a fan to hide a small smile. He took it better than Jirobo had her rejections. Was it because she gathered he'd not been popular with the real Queen and so was accustomed to being told no, or maybe he just had a stiffer lip than the bat? Or was he that cowed by her little dressing down yesterday?

It was tempting to just leave it at a word, but no, that would not do. For her plans to get them to China, she'd need to reinforce that obedience, that loyalty to and belief in their Queen of Shadows. So, when she had to bluff with withheld information, they would not question it.

"Humans can be easily terrified, that is true my Yojimbo, but terror too easily can turn to reckless rage. And this is not some mere assembly of peasants or samurai that hold their rank by only birth rather than bloodshed. This army is formed around the core of the Sage, veterans of Tobe, and other mighty warriors and mystics the Sage has recruited. With such a force to stiffen their courage, rather than breaking them it could all too easily forge a motivation in them. Perhaps even a fanatical desire to avenge their kin and slay us all to prevent further displays. And as General Ozeki no doubt considers, it would make forming a new slave population vastly more difficult. Slavery is dependent on the enslaved believing it is better to live under the yoke than die attempting escape and rebellion, is it not?" Jade asked the Sumo General. He bowed before answering.

"Indeed, though there is more to it. Executing the innocent who have served us well also goes against sound principles, I might add."

"So, in conclusion, it is my judgement that this great killing would be an expensive venture to not only dubious gain but possibly our detriment. We shall not dare such a course, even on the small scale such as the evacuation of Kyushu."

"We hear your wisdom, our great Queen. We praise the heavens for your guidance," General Jirobo said from his own spot.

'Trying to channel a little Sanshobo there?' Jade wondered. Looking back, the big priest had been a bit amusing in his devotion; Jirobo though wasn't even that, perhaps because basket head she could admit was not fake, but really was that much of a crazy Queen fanboy?

'It's better for the world for him being sealed though, remember that always. Granted, having another chi wizard or scholar of Shadowkhan lore around would be pretty useful right about now. Tsume would probably be objecting to the plan based on wanting to eat the slaves rather than wasting good meat,' Jade noted.

"Rather instead when the invasion has landed, our best course may be to release the slaves."

Jade cursed her impulsiveness, keeping her face schooled as she snapped her fan closed. You could hear a pin drop; she was sure even any low-ranked Shadowkhan who could hear were done talking. The Circle raised their heads in befuddlement.

It was a moment of inspiration, and now she had to make it look good or possibly be fingered as an impostor and saboteur.

"As I said, mass executions and grotesque displays could harden the enemy's resolve. Inspire them to great deeds, even. But a mass of refugees? All of our human slaves dumped in their path with no supplies? What will they do then, faced with those desperate masses? Ignoring them would be wise, but that will certainly sap their morale. In fact, there might even be fighting between the groups. Who knows, after the invasion is defeated, the despairing slaves spurned by their kin might even run back to their pens for bowls of millet," Jade allowed herself a small evil smile.

Would they buy it?

They didn't say anything; Jade hoped she wasn't sweating.

Ikazuki spoke next.

"And if the Sage's army did try and help the slaves, it would sap their supplies immensely. A siege would be impossible."

Ozeki nodded before adding his own words, "Even with the strictest rationing, the force we estimate with the amount of supplies to offer any meaningful aid would be reduced to nearly nothing on reaching the Fortress. Even if the Sage has powers to improve the situation, it would only turn their situation from untenable to dire."

Kamisori grinned.

"They will have to storm this fortress. Rest the minimum from their march, then assault us here in our strongest defenses. They may be the attackers, but we will be in control of the battlefield."

"And as our Queen said, the Armada can be used to destroy their fleet to trap them here on Shikoku. Even if Lo Pei and the Sage were to escape, the total destruction of their army would undo any increase in morale among the humans of Nihon. It would be decades before they considered attacking us again."

Jirobo stroked his chin.

"Yes, and the political fallout – it would validate the cowardly who stayed behind from this campaign. And perhaps even persuade the Sacred Warriors of China to resume their non-interference in our affairs, seeing the situation as hopeless."

"My Queen, you humble us with your insight," Ikazuki said, bowing to her.

Jade didn't know what to say, then realized she was blushing and was thankful yet again for the veil she wore, and used her fan to distract herself for a thoughtless moment, cooling off perceived heating in her face.

"Very good. I leave the details to your capable hands. If there is nothing else demanding my attention, I will withdraw to the bathhouse and my afternoon activities of creation," she informed them, invoking her royal tone.

She held the sigh of relief until she was sliding carefully into the bathing position. Let it be mistaken for part of the relief at the awesome bathing pleasure.

Losing herself in the luxurious experience, Jade smiled sincerely.

'I just averted a massacre and raised my evil overlord credentials in the same little speech. Jade my girl, you might be getting the hang of this,' Jade congratulated herself, leaning her chin on her crossed arms at the basin's edge, watching painted birds fly through a mountain forest on the magic screen set up today.

X X X

The Substance wasn't heavy, but the layers of it piled into Jade pressed down anyway. She was standing in a cleared section of the creation room, practicing shadow magic. In particular, trying to develop the carapace technique that was so vital to Queens in the distant past. Queens were never seen as warriors, as she had been reminded; when they warred directly, it was as sorceresses. But slinging magic on the battlefield or atop the tower required protection, and so this technique was needed, to first protect themselves with layer upon layer of liquid shadow.

Jade took a breath, and was greeted with air. She'd have already used up the pocket sealed with her, so that meant the venting pores were working. First step, doing this without suffocating and needing the watching Shadowkhan to chop her out before dying, a success. Thankfully, that was not a giveaway, since apparently most every Queen who tried this technique needed at least one rescue from it.

"I could stop here, but why not go further?" Jade said to herself. Her voice dropped to a whisper, coming back to her in this cramped space. Good, enough air to talk, confirmed.

So the next was to extend her senses, despite being wrapped up like this. Slinging spells out of her wouldn't matter much if she couldn't tell where to aim, after all.

So, she seized the outer layer of the Substance, letting it pool around the base, opening a small mouse hole of a gap for her shadow infused with chi to touch. The Substance spread, not as a puddle but dividing like a spider web.

And Jade listened through the seemingly delicate threads of shadow. Nothing moved, but she felt something. Five somethings, obstructed threads. One she felt around, finding a square shape.

A pillar.

The other four were round. Jars.

The threads rose and struck at the jars. Jade didn't hear anything with her ears, but the clattering of the porcelain carried to her through the impacts around the threads.

"Xing," she breathed. The Substance carapace melted away around her, flowing over her like living oil, leaving not a drop on her hair or clothes as they returned to their proper shadows, and her own shadow slid back into place.

Touching her pinned hair lightly to make sure it was in place, Jade took some deep breaths. The air in there was good enough, but not desirable. And the floor needed fixing now, she frowned.

The Substance threads had torn apart the jars and the mats and even boards below. Jade had been worried about not putting enough power into it, but this had been meant as a surgical strike. She didn't want to tear someone apart, she wanted them stopped but not killed.

"This may take too long," Jade concluded, making her way to a table where a scroll sat, awaiting further notes. There was nothing here that compromised her secrets, and dealing with magic she found a journal was useful to organize her thoughts.

This carapace, it would require a lot of training to use right, and she was skeptical of how it anchored her in place. Aside from shadow teleporting, it left her bolted to the ground. And even teleporting would cost her the carapace in the process, it just couldn't hold together through that process.

If she was in fight, this only worked as a last resort to hold out for help, she decided. To fight, it would be better to rely on the shadow armor – less protection, but proper awareness of her surroundings and mobility made up for that.

"Perhaps a shield?" Jade wondered. Chanting, she formed more Substance coating her left arm, with a triangular shield forming under the elbow.

"Hmm, it could work, wow!" Jade muttered, adding more layers until the weight made her stumble. Determining the weight she could handle without trouble, Jade released the Substance and clapped her hands to summon the samurai.

"Set out more targets, I will be attempting the shadow arrow again," she ordered. Throwing the Substance like the spell called for had not worked yet. But she would get it to work!

X X X

The scrawny woman scrubbed the floor with a brush that had seen itself well used. Her clothes were low class but well-washed and not the least bit frayed. Her skin, while pale, was reminiscent of a noblewoman's and marred by nasty-looking scars visible along her arm and neck. And her bowed head showed a scalp bare of anything but stubble.

The Sage nodded, walking by. Glancing to her bucket, he noted its low level.

"Rest, I will refill this," he ordered. The former Demon Queller groaned and pulled herself into a sitting position, setting the brush aside. Her face was unsettling, not the nightmare of scars and exposed teeth and nasal slits it could have been, but the flesh had an uneven, artificial quality to it. One of his disciples' work, who had seen her fate as a bridge too far and applied his old art to grant her what he could.

Still, she preferred the mask of cloth and leather the Sage provided, he noted.

"When I heard you were saving her life, I thought you soft," a man called as the Sage emerged from the hall into the daylight. Gurando awaited him. Now clad in armor and seen reclaiming his famed bead necklace, the massive samurai's past defeat seemed nonexistent. The contrast to his former comrade within was not lost on the Sage. And it did not please the man.

"Killing her would have been sweet, but crippling her and reducing her to washing floors. Heh, it's a fine punishment, you have the right hardness in you," the siegemaster remarked.

"Did you have a purpose seeking me out?" The Sage asked.

"Yes, you need to be more assertive with the alliance. This indulgence with that woman is amusing, and as I said I appreciate it, but the daimyo and their chosen representatives are a skittish backsliding lot. If you don't want this force to melt away, you need the right combination of inspiration and fear to keep them in line."

"I am well aware. It will not be long now, soon the fighting and death will resume in earnest," the Sage stated.

"Very good, be sure to tell them, and a concrete plan will help. I for one look forward to sealing Ozeki, that will be well worth a barrel of fine sake," the siegemaster smiled, before making his exit.

"Truly it is a fallen world of humanity when the vilest men thrive so," the Sage sighed. But even the wicked can speak wisdom. He had removed himself from the humble role of teacher or redeemer of the lost. For good or ill, he was war leader against the dark forces.

The only thing worse than entering a war was to make it pointless through selfish neglect.

X X X

"Ah, how quickly things change," Nonki thought, watching the military drills through the foliage. There were still Shirogeta banners present, but they were a sideshow now, in the shadow of their own castle.

While Nonki was not one to care much for politics and histories he did love stories, and clan drama could be interesting. The Sage had brought together quite the group; many of these daimyo represented here had been on Rokutaro's list of hopeful allies, or rivals he would have felt the need to crush and replace with more pliable leaders.

And yet the Sage, with allegedly not a drop of noble blood, had brought them together.

"Hmm, this would not do for a real battle though, would it? The bushi or the conscripts are not inclined to trust one another, particularly under pressure. Does he think rivalries and hatred are so easily quelled in the hearts of proud men? No, I don't think he does. It's a miniature! Yes, he wants them to be accustomed to these units mixing, so the greater force of like with like will be better understood. A reasonable goal, that of a man of ideas who still has his feet planted in the material world. At least I think so, I might be completely misjudging him," Nonki admitted, flopping onto his back amongst the roots and tufts of grass.

What would be his next move, he pondered? The obvious seemed to be following Gurando and Kyouka's example and joining the new alliance for the same goals. But would the Sage agree with letting him have access to the library of the Shadowkhan? Sages were not necessarily friends of Nirvana seekers, and his inclusion could disrupt the relationship between the Sage and the daimyos.

And to be honest, he had little reason to join now didn't he, Nonki mused, picking up a sake gourd.

The war would move forward without him, the stalemate was broken. His only true goal was to gain what he needed to obtain unending peace from the Shadowkhan, so whether the Sage and his allies liberated Shikoku from the Shadowkhan to once more be under the geta of the daimyo mattered little to him.

Hmm, were the Shadowkhan perhaps desperate enough to bargain with him?

No, bad idea. Aside from the honor deal being a complication with the yokuai of the shadows, the little Queen… Yeah, that face and tone sill made him shiver a bit here.

So then, why commit to anything now? With Himitsu stone and Ken-chan and Murakami dead, he had no one he particularly cared about in the human side.

So, he might aid them subtly, but he would bide his time and strike at the moment best serving his cause. The road to peace, maybe it was finally reaching its end, he wondered, drifting off into a nap.

X X X

'It really is lonely at the top,' Jade remarked with a sigh, cleaning her ink brush before returning it to its proper place in the sumi-e. Her latest poem, a masterpiece in her opinion on the joy of killing a spider under a geta. But it seemed to have little point when the only people she could share it with would compliment her even if it was terrible.

She wondered yet again about everyone she'd been torn from. She could be assured her parents were in their proper time and place, but what about everyone else? She imagined Jackie and Uncle, adventuring across ancient China, Uncle likely enjoying himself being ahead of the times for once, while Jackie would be torn between joy at seeing history come to life and lamenting how terrible the whole situation was. And she didn't know enough about Mexico's history to guess what Paco was up to with El Toro. And would Viper pop up where she was born or where her ancestors had been at the time?

All assuming they had traveled and weren't worried sick for her back home.

'Well, wherever or whenever they are, they'd never guess I'm passing the time writing poetry and learning to play ceramic flutes like a champ. Jackie would be so proud and disturbed,' Jade thought, smiling before finishing, closing everything up on the writing desk.

Bed was calling, and tomorrow would bring more of the same if she was lucky. With her luck lately, it would bring a new crisis. Well, at least breakfast would be great, the unsung perk of being a dark overlord was a gift that kept on giving.

Author's Note:

And so we did it. Two updates in two weeks. But that's it for buffer; bummer.

So, no guarantee when the next will come, but I hope this momentum lets me keep putting them out at a better pace than in the past.

And a moment to thank the lovely reviewers. It warms my heart to know after all this time there are still people that like this story.

Long days and pleasant nights to you all.