Ashtar (Ninja Gaiden)
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Ashtar is the one of the two main antagonists in the video game Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos. He is also the self-proclaimed "Emperor of Darkness."
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[edit] Appearance
Ashtar is well over six feet tall, and dressed in bulky body armor. A cape is draped over his shoulders. His face is concealed by his helmet (which has three spikes protruding from the top and both sides, as well we two more on either side of his face). The mask itself is crying tears of blood.
His primary weapon is the Chaosium Sword, or the Dark Sword of Chaos, which according to U.S. operative Robert T. Sturgeon, was grown from the bone of the Demon, thus making it the diametric opposite of Ryu's Dragon Sword, which was grown from the fang of the Dragon.
Ashtar's name fittingly translates as "one who crosses the sky in flames." It also could be a corruption of the name of the sumerian goddess of war, Ishtar.
[edit] Pre-Ninja Gaiden
Thousands of years ago, Ashtar was present during the creation of the Dragon Sword. He was also there when the Dark Sword of Chaos was created as well
Ashtar was also present, but was hiding in the shadows during the climatic battle between Ryu Hayabusa, son of Ken Hayabusa and against the former head of the Demon Clan, Guardia de Mieux (the Jaquio) in the first Ninja Gaiden. However, Ashtar retreats, and bides his time.
During this time, he amasses an army that will help him in his quest to open the Gate of Darkness, which will basically unleash hell on the world. Among his lieutenants within the Tribe of Chaos, are Dando the Cursed, a undead monster which Ashtar created by taking the souls of dead Viking warriors and giving him a body through his black magic; Baron Spider, a former Xabil Laboratory researcher who was bitten by a new breed of spider, transforming him to a mutant with the ability to control giant tarantulas at will; Funky Dynamite, a mechanized aerial cyborg created through Ashtar's experiments with bionic cyborg technology, and Naga Sotuva, the giant underwater dragon.
[edit] Ninja Gaiden II
Shortly after the Jaquio's defeat, a foot solder arrives and reports to Ashtar of the Jaquio's demise. Ashtar is not that surprised and asks about Ryu. When the henchman replies that Ryu "knows nothing," Ashtar orders him to "continue the plan," and that for the time being, Ryu is to be left alone.
He then goes on that once the Gate of Dakness is opened, all men will kneel before him, and claim Ashtar as their new master. He kidnaps Ryu's girlfriend, the C.I.A. operative Irene Lew, forcing Ryu into action. It is after Ryu defeats Funky Dynamite inside the Tower of Lahja that Ashtar makes his appearance, with Irene as his hostage.
The Dark Emperor stuns the Ninja Dragon with an energy blast from his sword. After a moment taunting the downed Ryu, rhetorically doubting that Ryu could have defeated his predecessor, the Jaquio, Ashtar raises his sword to deliver the deathblow, but Robert steps in, firing at Ashtar, causing him to stay his hand.
Ignoring Robert's demands to lower his weapon, Ashtar retreats with Irene, saying that "if you want the Sword, you'll have to follow me...into the Maze of Darkness." Ryu gives chase.
After Ryu defeats the underground water dragon, Naga Sotuva, Ashtar appears to Ryu, taunting him, telling him to either fight him or Irene dies. While Ryu makes his way though the icefields, Ashtar recites the legend to himself: "To the one who releases Darkness with the immortal blood, he shall receive the Power of the Almighty Evil. The legend shall come true. This earth shall fall into shadow and the demons of evil shall rule forever."
Ryu then encounters Ashtar, who hands Irene over to him without a fight. This move is a distraction, as Ashtar stabs Irene in the back severely wounding her. He also gets the drop on Robert, firing another energy beam, this one hitting its mark. Ryu orders Robert to look after the injured Irene as he faces off against Ashtar, who tells him that his sword can't harm him, now that it is filled with hatred.
Regardless, The Ninja Dragon and the Dark Emperor fight, with Ryu managing to defeat his nemesis, having apparently overcome his rage in the battle. With his dying breath, Ashtar sends the sword away before succumbing to his injuries.
[edit] Similarities to Xbox Ninja Gaiden
Although the Xbox Ninja Gaiden game does not have ties to the past games in the series, nor does it mention Ashtar, several similarities exist. Ashtar and one of the main villains of the new game, The Vigoor Emperor, are both dark emperors that seek out swords that are "evil twins" of Ryu Hayabusa's Dragon Sword. Also, one of Ryu's alternate costumes in the game features some Ashtar-like elements, in particular, the tears of blood
