Yagyu Clan

The Yagyu Clan (also known as the Yagyu Ninja) was a Clan of Mobian bats ninjas who were infamous for plundering and terrorizing villages in the Dragon Kingdom. For over fifty years, the Yagyu Clan attacked and pillaged goods from Leung Kar village, often stealing things from the Temple of the Golden Lotus. However, in 3236 the Yagyu were stopped from stealing goods by Monkey Khan. Khan, along with Liu Fang and Liu Chi Mei later tracked down the Yagyu to their headquarters and attacked them, though subsequently fell into a trap set up by Lord Yagyu. Khan and the others discovered the loot stolen by the clan, only to be attacked by a robot dragon controlled by them. Monkey Khan managed to reprogram the dragon to attack the clan members, forcing them to flee. A year afterward, the Clan Wars involving the Yagyu Clan were ended when the Iron Queen slew their leader, the Bride of Rich Nights, and made them her soldiers.

Terrorizing and Stealing
For generations the Yagyu Clan terrorized and robbed treasures from Leiling Kar temples. They would stash their stolen treasure in an underground lair near their Haunted Lake base. The treasure was guarded by a "dragon," a giant green robot that is attracted to gold. During one of their temple raids, two mobians, Liu Fang and Liu Chi Mei chased after two ninjas until Monkey Khan engaged the ninjas. The Yagyu members used smoke as a distraction while they escaped. Monkey Khan, Liu Fang, and Liu Chi Mei traveled to their hideout where they were ambushed by many Yagyu ninja. The leader of the group, Lord Yagyu, dropped the trio into the treasure room, where the robot dragon began to attack them. The dragon only focused on Monkey Khan because of his gold Power Ring headband, but Monkey Khan damaged the robot. The robot began chasing the Yagyu Ninja away while the trio recovered the treasure. (SSS: #8)

Servants of the Iron Queen
It is unknown what happened to Lord Yagyu but the rest of the clan followed the Bride of the Rich Nights during the Clan Wars. The Iron Queen killed the Bride of Rich Nights and took the Yagyu as her own. The remaining clans also started following the Iron Queen. The Yagyu Clan accompanied The Iron Queen, the Iron King and the Bride of Conquering Storm to New Megaopolis where Snively, Dr. Eggman's "nephew," declared the Iron Queen the new ruler of the Eggman Empire. They searched with Conquering Storm through the ruined city for anything working or of use, but found the Eggdome to be the only operational part of the city. (StH: #200, #201)

When Sonic the Hedgehog and Monkey Khan approached the city, the Yagyu Clan was ordered by the Dark Egg Legion's Kommisar, Lien-Da to fight them off while they stayed in a safer position as support. They proved to be formidable opponents against Sonic and Khan, especially when assisted by the Dark Egg Legion troops. After the Iron King joined the battle, the Yagyu helped win the battle, and the two heroes were forced to retreat. (StH: #202)

After that the Yagyu guarded the Eggdome alongside the D.E.L up until Eggman`s escape, where they ran, leaped, swung and tumbled out of the mad doctor`s path. Recovering from the escape the Yagyu went after the doctor with their mistress and much of the Dark Egg Legion in pursuit. Catching up to the former despot they found Sonic the Hedgehog and Miles "Tails" Prower. Soon the hedgehog attacked, damaging most of the saucer crafts, harassing the bats until the Iron King dealt with the hedgehog. Once more Freedom Fighters appeared the clan was pushed slightly back before their mistress rallied them for another charge. Following the heroes to the city limits where they came to a halt, unable to penetrate the shield the Yagyu along their mistress, king and allies were forced to take a humiliating retreat and walk all the way back to the Eggdome. (StH: #205, #206)

Background Information

 * Some fans theorized that Rouge the Bat could be a former member of the Yagyu Clan due to her thieving history and high level of combat skill. However, Ian Flynn has shot down this theory on his messageboard. (1)
 * The clan seems to be made up specifically of Vampire Bats as Monkey Khan referred to them as "bloodsuckers" when trying to stop them from stealing from the Temple of the Golden Lotus. Although it could have been meant as an insult.
 * All members of the clan formerly had blue eyes, but this has been changed to red-violet.
 * The Yagyu bats with the exception of Lord Yagyu formerly spoke in high pitched shrieks. Since their reintroduction all the members have been mute.