Dynasty Warriors Dream: A Land Under Shu

Chapter 1: Turning Point at Wu Zhang

It was the year 234 AD. Two major powers were about to engage in all-out battle that will change the fate of the victor and spell the end of the loser. These powers were the forces of Shu, formerly lead by Liu Bei and lead by his son Liu Chan, and Wei, lead by the 2nd Emperor of Wei Cao Pi. Commanded by both of their strategist, and bitter rivals, an epic battle took place. At this point Zhuge Liang, strategist of Shu, faced a fatal illness and wouldn't be able to see the end of the battle. Something Sima Yi, strategist of Wei, counted on. The time of Zhuge Liang was slowly coming to an end......or so it seemed. Regardless, the Wei Forces had great momentum pushing through the Shu frontlines.

Shu's main camp....

"No, this can't be the end...", Zhuge Liang said filled with remorse and sickness. Zhuge Liang growing weaker and weaker, fell to his kness holding himself up with his arms to keep him off the ground. His end was drawing near. Zhuge Liang lost his strength to hold himself up and fell to the ground. His vision begun to blur and darken with his thoughts fading into the dark...

Wei's Main Camp...

The stars above the battlefield stood brightly illuminated, except for one that seemed to flicker dimly as if to struggle to stay alive.

"Yes, Zhuge Liang's star is finally at its end. Struggle all you want. This day will be your last.", Sima Yi said confidently borderlining arrogantly. "All that's left to do is to keep the pressure up and attain absolute victory wish I have so rightfully deserved." Sima Yi pointed to a group messenger. "You lot, send word that I want a full charge!" The messengers saluted and exited the main camp. Sima Yi let out his trademark laugh for the end.

Shu's Main Camp...

"The end....", Zhuge Liang said weakly. Zhuge Liang rolled on his back and looked up to the stars. "People of Shu who have given their lives for Shu I'm sorry for letting you down. Especially you Lord Liu Bei. If only the Heavens....", Zhuge Liang said as his voice slowly died and his eyes slowly closed.

Wei's Main Camp...

The star that Sima Yi watched so closely had finally dimmed and blended with the night sky so that it was hard to see. "Alas, Zhuge Liang. Your end has finally come. Now there's nothing between me and my dream.", Sima Yi said confidently. Sima Yi mounted his horse. "Perhaps I can see Zhuge Liang before he completely dies." Sima Yi took off and head towards Shu's Main Camp.

Zhuge Liang's mind...

Zhuge Liang awoke in a place filled with darkness. "Where am I?", Zhuge Liang asked weakly.

"The border.", a voice echoed. Zhuge Liang turned his head about to find the speaker.

"Who said that?"

"I did.", Zuo Ci said appearing behind Zhuge Liang. "I am Zuo Ci. A pleasure to meet you Zhuge Liang.", he said.

"How do you know my name? And what do you mean by the "the border"?", Zhuge Liang said as he turned to Zuo Ci.

"How I know your name is of no importance, but "the border" is the border of life and death Zhuge Liang."

"That's right..... I'm dead now aren't I?", Zhuge Liang said somberly.

"No you're not. Here is where you choose life or death. Zhuge Liang you are the only one who can bring Liu Bei's dream to fruition."

"How?"

"You can start by waking up and finishing this battle. You do remember you're in the midst of a fight?", Zuo Ci said humorously.

"But how do I wake from this?"

"Zhuge Liang, your resolve is the answer to your fate. Now go forth and bring your lord's dream a reality.", Zuo Ci said as he vanished into the darkness. "Remember your resolve.", Zuo Ci's voice echoed one last time. The darkness sooned turned to light blinding Zhuge Liang.

Shu's Main Camp...

Zhuge Liang's eyes shot open as if in sudden realization. "I'm alive!?", Zhuge Liang said confused yet joyfully. Zhuge Liang suddenly remembered the battle that was taking place. No sooner he remembered, a messenger came in tired.

"Lord Prime Minister *pant* the frontlines *pant* are being pushed back *pant* the troops *pant* fleeing.", he said as he fell to the ground.

"So Wei has come this far....", Zhuge Liang said in deep thought as he picked himself up. then suddenly, an idea appeared in his mind. A plan that will route the Wei forces. Zhuge Liang summoned three messengers. "You tell the men on the front to feign a retreat to our main camp.", he said to the first, "You tell the reserve troops to prepare for ambush preparations", he said to the second, "And you tell Yue Ying to get her Juggernaut Unit ready to advance. Now go!" And with that, the messengers stormed off to carry out their orders. "And as for me.....", Zhuge Liang said slyly. His star newly restored gleamed brighter than ever.

The Frontlines...

The battlefield was in Wei's favor. Some men of Shu even withdrew to avoid being killed. Others stood valiantly such as Wei Yan. Despite valiant efforts Shu being pushed back was eminent. Far behind the battle line Jiang Wei stood serving as a some-what field commander to hold the Wei forces off. "No matter what we do they keep breaking through...." Jiang Wei said sadly. A messenger came to Jiang Wei.

"My lord, more men have fled from the front.", he said. Another messenger appeared.

"My lord, Lord Zhang Bao is struggling." Nothing but bad news. Something not to be pleased with.

"Argh, is there any bit of good news!?", Jiang Wei said angerily to no one in particular. Another messenger appeared. "Ugh, what news have you to bring?", he said trying to calm down.

"Lord Prime Minister has ordered the frontlines feign retreat back to the main camp.", he said.

"What!? Did you say Lord Prime Minister!?", Jiang said shocked. Some soldiers around began whispering in disbelief. "This is excellent news then. You men spread word to the other officers. Now go!", Jiang Wei said as a few men left. 'How is lord Prime Minister alive? No, I mustn't worry about that at this time. But still.....'

Eastern Wu Zhang Plains...

Here stood one of two units that would serve as the last lines of defense against the Wei onslaught. The unit was led by Yue Ying. "To think things have taken such a turn for the worst.", Yue Ying said thoughtfully. A messenger appeared panting. "Hm? What business do have here?", she said after being disrupted from here thoughts.

"Orders *pant* from Lord Prime Minister himself. *pant*"

"What!?", she said shocked. "What does he need of me?"

"He wants you to be ready to advance your Juggernaut Unit." Yue Ying went into deep thought of what Zhuge Liang was planning. She came up with nothing, but was prepared to follow his orders.

"Ok then.", was all she said. She turned her back to the messenger as a single tear escaped her eyes. "Thank Heavens.", she whispered quietly. New hope soon filled the weakened Shu army and the time would soon be ripe for their counter-attack...

The Frontlines...

Even against a wave of Wei soldiers there lied amongst the battlefield a warriors unstirred by this. His battle cry was enough to show how serious he was about this. Fighting with a style one may call savage, but effective. He slices through the ranks if Wei seemingly endless army.

"It's a monster!", a Wei soldier cried as he turned and ran from battle. The warrior Wei Yan stood undaunted as he was surrounded with the bodies of Wei soldiers. Several soldiers fled seeing such a site.

"Ahhh!!", Wei Yan cried ready to charge into the Wei army. Before he was able, a messenger came before him also out of breath. Wei Yan turned to face the messenger.

"What...you...want...?", he said agressively and impatient.

"Lord Prime Minister *pant* has ordered *pant* a retreat for a time.", the messenger said as quickly as he could.

Wei Yan let out an aggravated grown.

"Why...we....can....win!"

The messenger, knowing the importance of the plan and the fact that his life was on the line, was forced to persuade the stubborn officer to go along with it.

"But my lord Wei outnumbers us vastly. Not even you can take them all. ", he said. Wei Yan saw the logic in the messenger's words and decided to go along with the plan even though he really was against the idea of running away. But even he also knew that not even he could not defeat Wei by himself.

".....Fine....", Wei said defiantly. Wei ordered his troops to fall back. All the pieces were falling into place and Wei none the wiser...

Meanwhile Wei continued its charge on the fleeing Shu forces. Wei's momentum growing with every step.

"They're nothing without that Zhuge Liang!", an officer said arrogantly as he cut down six more Shu soldiers with his spear atop his steed . This officer is the renowned Zhong Hui. Zhong stopped for a bit and was followed by another officer who wields a pike as his weapon if choice.

"All the easier for me to claim more glory over you.", he said. This officer is the renowned Deng Ai. Between these two officers you can say there is a bit of bitter rivalry.

"Ha, as if you could he said.", Zhong commented, "Follow me to victory!", he yelled as he ordered his steed to go. No sooner he left, he was followed by several soldiers mounted on horses. Deng sarcastically amused.

"I won't let you get ahead of me.", Deng said to himself. "Follow me to glory!", he yelled as he went after Zhong followed by an equal number of Wei soldiers on mounts as Zhong.

The battlefield was painted blue and green with green slowly falling off of it. Sima Yi was holding all the cards in his hands and Zhuge Liang left with one last card. The battle is now near its final push.

Shu's main camp...

"Lord Prime Minister all preparations are done.", a messenger said.

"Good. The time is almost at hand to strike back.", Zhuge Liang said. Only one thing was left to complete his plan.

The Frontlines...

Sima Yi led pretty much led the charge on Shu on his right Deng Ai, his left Zhong Hui. All that was left was to take the dead man's head. The mass of Wei followed behind the three generals. Shu's men fell back to the center of the battlefield when they suddenly heard the sound of beating drums being banged really loudly; the order for the counter was given. Before Wei had a chance to process this, a roar was heard.

"What's that!?", a soldier yelled as he pointed into the night sky. All looked to see a horse mounted by a Wei Yan coming down towards them.

Wei Yan leaped from atop his mount and landed, quite gracefully, between a unit of men about two units behind Sima Yi's. There was an intimidating pause as Wei Yan got into his fighting stance. No sooner he was set, he attacked. Wei's whole charge came too a stop because of Wei Yan. Panic and confusion envelped the whole Wei army. Soon, more mounted soldiers came from the plateau to attack.

"Wh-where did they come from!?", Sima Yi said exclaimed. No sooner that happened, actually the moment he said that wave of Shu soldiers attacked from their left led by Jiang Wei. From there right a unit of Juggernauts led by Yue Ying.

Wei now attacked from three sides was now being taken down like flies. Wei soldiers attempted to fight back, but could do so ineffectively.

"Fear not my lord!", Deng Ai said. "I'll fix this by taking down that savage of a man!" Deng Ai turned his horse into the chaos of the battlefield.

"I'll take out Jiang Wei my lord!", Zhong Hui said as he also turned into the chaos of the battlefield. Sima Yi was now alone... or so he thought. Within seconds Wu Zhang became a giant battlefield once again. Sima knew of the trap he was played into.

"Curse you Zhuge Laing...", Sima Yi said to himself. Now that the trap was sprung, defeat was soon to follow at this point. Sima turned to find an escape only to see his hated rival. He looked angrily into his eyes only to see a cool, collected look on his face. Sima Yi and Zhuge Liang both unmounted their steeds and walked to face one another. Nothing around these two existed. The swords clashing, the soldiers screaming, the air stiffening didn't exist to these two, but each other. They paced towards each other, their fans at hand.

"Zhuge Liang....", Sima Yi said breaking the silence.

"Sima Yi....", Zhuge Liang responded.

The two stopped less than a foot from one another's face. Today was to be the last time they pit their minds against one another. Today only one will be left standing, the other to fall before the other. All the strife, victories, defeats, everything these two mean cared about was put to the final test. What seemed like slow motion both swung their fans and clashed, crossing their weapons.

"This is the end!", both men yelled.

So this my first fanfic in a long time and my first DW fan fic. Probably out of it a bit, so give me some reviews so I can get back into it. Any questions I'll answer in a another chapter. So....shoot for it. 5/8/10