Author Notes: This fic is not historically accurate. It is just a fan fiction so it doesn't need to be. There are no important pairings in it so you don't need to worry about that. This fic is rated Teen for violence and there are character deaths. No yaoi, adult language or anything, so you don't need to worry about that. So yeah, enjoy.

Chapter 1: Bloodshed

In the fourth month of 213 A.D. Ma Chao and Cao Cao's forces met in a vicious battle, in which both sides had many loses. The biggest loss during the battle, however, was the loss of Wei's lord Cao Cao. During one of Ma Chao's attacks, the Warlord, Cao Cao was struck by a stray arrow by one of Ma Chao's archers that was stationed in an ambush party to the rear of Wei's camp. The arrow pierced Cao Cao's right side, cracking one of his ribs. He was rushed off to get medical attention.

While Cao Cao's wound and rib would end up being able to heal, he suffered the ill fate of a pierced lung and massive internal bleeding during the removal of the arrow. The doctor was unable to see the problems with his lung and Cao Cao passed away a few days after his injury took place. With the death of Cao Cao, Wei was thrown into confusion. Cao Pi, Cao Cao's son, jumped up to take charge of Wei. He immediately sent out his officers to kill Ma Chao. During Wei's offensive attack Ma Dai and Pang De took a defensive position against the oncoming Zhang Liao, Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan. During the battle Pang De and Xiahou Yuan lost their lives, Pang De to a duel against Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan to an ambush attack by Ma Dai.

Xiahou Dun, enraged by the loss of his brother, charged into Ma Chao's camp in a rage, slaying many of Ma Chao's soldiers. He was met by Han Sui, Cheng Yi and Cheng Yin. Both of the Chengs charged straight for Xiahou Dun to cut him off before he could make it far into the camp. Both men were met with a forceful attack by Dun; however his attacks were just barely deflected by the two men. After many bouts between the men, Xiahou Dun finally struck Cheng Yi's sword out of his hand and killed him. Cheng Yin, seeing his friend's death, threw many attacks at Xiahou Dun in response. Xiahou Dun was sent back a few yards before regaining control of the battle. It only took a few more bouts after when Xiahou Dun finally cut down his enemy.

Seeing two of his officers slain, Han Sui quickly made his retreat, telling his soldiers to delay Xiahou Dun as long as possible. With that said the soldiers made several attempts to delay Dun, which only bought Han Sui a few minutes of time as he rode as fast as he could to the camp farther south of Ma Chao's original camp. In the camp Ma Chao sat with Zhang Lu as they discussed plans for future plans to rid the world of Wei's evil doings. Han Sui rushed into the camp. He hopped off his horse and ran into the tent where the two men jumped up in surprise. Han Sui fell to one knee to bow.

"My Lord, Pang De, Cheng Yi and Cheng Yin have fallen to a furious Xiahou Dun. He attacked out of rage when Ma Dai killed his brother! It won't be long until Xiahou Dun charges into this camp as well," Han Sui told the two men. Ma Chao grabbed his spear in a move of instinct, but Zhang Lu spoke up before Ma Chao could.

"I'm sure there is something we could do to stop Xiahou Dun, maybe even capture him for our own army…" Zhang Lu began but was quickly stopped by Han Sui.

"This man is out of control and will not be reduced to a captor! He will not just lay down his sword to the army that had his brother slain before him. The only way to rid us of him is to either kill him or make him retreat. There is no other choice! You need to understand the urgency of this matter! It will be a matter of minutes before Xiahou Dun comes through the camp for your and my heads! We need a strong defensive plan and we need it now!" Ma Chao nodded and went to speak but did not get a chance to as Zhang Lu hit his fist into the table in front of them and spoke again.

"It pains me to not be able to end this without a battle, but if it is a battle we must have then so be it. Send my brother, Zhang Wei out to the front of the camp to defend against Xiahou Dun, send 1,000 men as well to back him up. With him there, there is no way--." Before he had a chance to finish Han Sui yelled in anger at Zhang Lu.

"Are you mad?! I just told you that he cut down both Cheng Yi and Cheng Yin! Both men have been killed by this maniac and you think that your brother could stop him? Him and a group of only 1,000 soldiers?! That is insane! He would die before he got more than 3 bouts in! There is no way that a general like your brother could defeat a man like Xiahou Dun, not in the state of mind that he is in now. We need someone honorable that could actually face against Dun with the strength that could put him in his place." With that comment said Ma Chao hit the blunt end of his spear into the ground with a force that gained both men's attention.

"There is only one person that can stop Xiahou Dun's enraged attack and that is I. Zhang Lu, do not bother your brother with such a task, it will only end with his death as Han Sui said." Zhang Lu looked down in shame. "Zhang Lu, call up a force of 3,000 soldiers to meet me at the gate. Han Sui, call my horse over while I put on my armor. This battle will be here soon so hurry up and do as I say, time is of the essence."

Ma Chao got up and left the tent to put on his armor. After a few moments he returned to see his horse ready with Han Sui next to it. Han Sui bowed to Ma Chao and he nodded his head a bit in return. Ma Chao then made his way to the outside of the camp. He saw a cloud of dust coming toward him as he heard the sound of the soldiers coming up behind him. Ma Chao prepared himself as Xiahou got closer. It was a mere minute until the man arrived just ten meters in front of Ma Chao. Xiahou Dun pointed his sword at Ma Chao and glared at him with hatred in his eyes.

"My brother died because of you! My cousin's ambition was crushed because of you! The kingdom of Wei has been thrown in confusion and my family's blood as been shed because of a whiny brat like you! Your father was a pathetic lord and deserved to be killed like he was! I just wish you were there too so that my brother and cousin would not have had to perish due to your attack. But it is too late for petty discussions of the past. I will slay you right here and now for my family's honor and for the kingdom of Wei! Die!"

Xiahou Dun charged right at Ma Chao and swung with an incredible amount of power that even Ma Chao was amazed to see. Ma Chao however, blocked the attack and the next several forceful swings by Xiahou Dun. After Dun's beginning offensive bouts, Ma Chao went off into his own offensive blows against Dun. Both men attacked and defended for many bouts without either showing any sign of weakness or fatigue. It was only after the one hundred bouts that Xiahou finally lost his bearings. The defending Ma Chao saw this and went in for a fury of attacks against the now weaker Xiahou Dun. After fifty more bouts Xiahou Dun missed one of Ma Chao's slashes and took a hard cut across his left arm causing a deep gash. Xiahou Dun yelled in pain but somewhat blocked the next few bouts while he tried to forget about the injury he just got. Xiahou Dun, thinking of his current options, quickly spat in the face of Ma Chao, blinding him temporarily. Xiahou Dun took full advantage of this and tugged on his horse, causing it to take a 180 degree spin and retreat.

"One day you will pay Ma Chao… Remember that!" Ma Chao wiped the spit off his face and out of his eyes as he watched the wounded attacker gallop off into the distance. Han Sui quickly ran up to Ma Chao's side.

"My Lord, why don't you follow him? He is wounded and an easy prey to go after! Let's quickly follow and take out him so he can't come back…" Ma Chao raised a hand for silence from his ally. Ma Chao looked down at Han Sui with calm eyes.

"There is no need to pursue; we will meet him again in battle when the time is right. And only then will be the time for his death. For now all we need to do is prepare for that time. We will need to train our men for a war and if possible, gain an ally or two. Then will we be fully ready to battle once again. I am sure our next battle against Xiahou Dun and the kingdom of Wei will not be any weaker than the one we have just had." Ma Chao slowly turned around with his horse and looked back at the camp. "Let us prepare for the battle for our lives…"