Dynasty Warriors: Variations

A/N- I don't own Dynasty Warriors or Three Kingdoms, or any of its characters

The moon was hanging high in the sky like it had so many nights before. This night there was a full moon in the sky that gave off an illuminating light that showed would have been the main source of light for the people on the earth down below on any normal night. This was not a normal night, or at least no where near normal in the town of Xu Chang or the area around it. In a long grassy field around 3 miles north of the great city. Here during the last 6 days the armies of General Cao Cao, and General Yuan Shao battled, from day to day with almost no end in sight. Then in the afternoon of the 6th day a small force broke though the far eastern line of the army which was being commanded by General Yu Jin. The commanding unit under the command of Zhang He then turned the tide of battle, combining it breakthrough with a new attack by Yuan Shang, and Ta Dun's Wuwan troops. These events lead to the breaking of the whole Eastern side of Cao Cao's line. It was at this point, Yuan Shao who was preparing his plans, sends his units in, and forced Cao Cao's already trooped army into fleeing back to Xu Chang with almost none of its supplies. Yuan Shao took in all the supplies, and burned the tents of Cao Cao's army. That fire was still burning into the night.

In the Capital Cao Cao was in the planning room looking over plans with Cao Zhang, Xiahou Dun, and Xiahou Yuan. Xu Zhu doing his job as a bodyguard to Lord Cao Cao watching to make sure no one enter the room with intentions of kills his lord. In the western wing of the capital, Cao Pi was thinking of the best course of action as well, though his ideas where more open minded, with idea of place to go and raise a new force if Xu Chang fell. Zhang Liao was in the eastern wing of the capital, thinking of how similar this spot he was in now was to when he was held up in Xia Pi with Lu Bu less then 10 years before. Now moving towards the gate where two officers that were looking to turn Cao Cao problems to their advantage. Yu Jin, who lost badly against Zhang He was almost killed, and after escaping death sent a letter to Yuan Shao about opening the gate. The letter was discovered by Xun You, but Jin talked You into help, and thus the two were out working on there plans. On the outside of the gate Yuan Shao sat inside his tent relaxing with his top advisor Ju Shou. Yuan Tan, Xi, and Shang were all working with the men for the attack on the city, and to be ready if the letter they got was true. Zhang He was riding with the siege forces along with Gao Gan, and Lady Zhen.

In the streets the two men intent of betrayal went causally towards the town's East gate. There were fewer guards at that gate then the others at this part of the night. Yu Jin and Xun You had made up a fake document telling the guards to open the gate, that men from the He Fei region were on their way to reinforce the city. You walked up confidently to the guard at the gate.

"Well, I bring an order from General Cao Cao; you are to open this gate this second," You said in a forward way.

"Um…sir, are you crazy, if I open this gate, this city will stand no chance," the guard replied.

"Well normally I would agree with you on that, but not today, things are different, you see troops from He Fei are outside, they are battling to get in the city and add to the defenses, and you won't open the gate for them," You replied sounding cross.

The guard stiffened up the moment the words came out of You's mouth, "Yes sir, right away."

The guard went into an almost panic like state moving about at a high speed, telling the soldiers in his small command to start opening the gate. You and Jin both smiled to them, thinking how easy it was to get the gate opened. Slowly the gate opened. Then the guards at the gate noticed it was not an army from He Fei outside the gate, rather one of Yuan Shao's. It was taken late; the guards took their last breaths before they were cut down. Xun You and Yu Jin called out to the army welcoming them. The first unit's commander, Yuan Shang, the third child of Yuan Shao rode to them. The two were now bowing as Shang got off his horse.

"We thank you for you help, now can you tell me anything else that may help," Shang said looking into the eyes of the two with his sword resting against his shoulder.

"The important generals area almost all in the castle, discussing matter, you must attack quickly if you want to get them," Yu Jin said still bowing.

Shang turned to another warrior who was ridding up, "Brother Tan will you please take Zhang He and attack the capital, I think we might be able to end the villain's reign tonight."

Inside the castle Cao Cao was still looking over his maps. Cao Cao was looking for a way to break out of the town, and past Yuan Shao's armies. He was sure if he could find it to He Fei; he could turn the tide of the war back against Yuan Shao. He was still confused to how things turned to fast. He had gotten Yuan Shao to move a way from his supplies, but then somehow Shao did something he did predict, he move reserve troops to protect the supplies at Guan Du. His unit that attacked was crushed, and then the moral drops, and when Guan Yu left, things turned to the worse, and two days later, Zhang He broke though just like he did early that day.

Cao Cao took a deep breath trying his best to avoid the though of thinks he could of done, or should of done. He knew that to begin to look into the possibilities of what could have been, was a path that lead no where, and would only waste time, something he have very little of. He looked around at his comrades who had gathered around him, he could see that they still looked determine, and ready to fight, he was as well. He then looked at the hallway as a tired soldier burst though the doors.

"Lord, Yuan Shao… has broken though…Yu Jin, Xun Yu betrayed …us….they is here," the soldier said before falling dead of wounds.

There was silence in the room for a second, everything seemed to begin to move slower then normal. He then heard the sounds of feet moving down the hall, so soon after that he did have time to say anything. Xu Zhu moved as quickly as he could to block the hall with his large frame. "Lord Cao Cao must run, I will protect."

Cao Cao knew that he was right, and he his son Zhang, Xiahou Yuan, and Dun made it out the door to the right and made it across several halls before coming to the stairwell at the end of the hall. When he turned arrows were already flying at him.

"My Lord, you destiny is to great for you to die here, let my live pay for you to live to see your destiny," Xiahuo Dun said with his normal determined tone, before running to fight the incoming soldier.

Cao Cao felt as if he was in a horrible dream, it was also so much like the night he lost Dian Wei, and Cao Ang. That night though Cao had escaped his death, but since then he had always been fearful of an attack like that happening again. As he began down the stairs, he saw that it was over. Archers fired, and the ambition of Cao Cao, as well as Cao Zhang, and Xiahou Yuan, left this world.

Cao Pi had heard the attack coming and snuck down a secret path, and out of the castle, he moved quickly town the streets looking for men to escape with him. Cao Pi was sure that his father was dead, but he knew he could turn this to his advantage. With his father dead, all he had to do was get to He Fei, and rally his father force. Then again they would be his forces now. An odd smile spread across his face has he though about that. He quickly made it to the outer sections of town, and was almost to the gate when he was spotted by a man with a fancy gold armor on, whose helmet had a falcon engraved in it. At once he knew that this man was Yuan Tan, the eldest son of Yuan Shao.

Cao Pi gave out a small laugh, at the irony of this event, the eldest living son of the two men who where at war, able to face down. Cao Pi pulled out his sword and ran right at Tan. Tan went for his sword, but it got caught on something and froze up. A second later his head was no longer on his body. As he moved closer he was sure he was going to get away. He put a large smile on his face and let down his guard. Then a rider came by and stabbed him in the back. Pain came over all of Cao Pi's body, as he fell to the ground barely able to see, he knew it was over, and cursed himself for his mistake. He looked up one more time to see a person about to take off his head. He then noticed it was a beautiful woman. Pi just broke up laughing as a sword took off his head. The woman just walked off smirking to herself, thinking how easy the kill was and how she was going to brag to her husband who she killed Cao Cao's son, when his brother Tan couldn't.

This night was not the end for all of Cao Cao's officers, Zhuge Liao who had been in the capital made his way out, but was unable to get find away to get to Cao Cao. Seeing that he had no other choice, Liao went for the south gate, along the way he was joined by Li Dian, and Cheng Yu, who battled though way passed the south gate, and out of town. Others also escaped, and slowly but surely they were all headed to He Fei. None of them knew who had died in the night and who had escaped with their lives.