Disclaimer: I don't own Dynasty Warriors.

Zhao Yun and Lu Bu AD 197

Battle of Chang Shan Part 2


Taishan at dawn…

"That Lu Bu is a demon in the battlefield!" Zhang Yan hastily got off his horse and look to find some water to get the pressure off him. His men watched as he drank the water given to Bian Xi.

"We barely manage to hold off their forces until Gongsun Zan's army arrive," Sui Gu said as he crossed his arms.

"Phew, the mighty Lu Bu is no fluke. He's bad news, such stamina I can hardly keep up with. Besides I'm a faster fighter than him that's why I'm able to even him. We made a plan to stalemate his army, but I don't think we can settle a prolong war with him and Yuan Shao combined," Zhang Yan felt exhausted after he said that.

They nodded and then a scout shows up to give a report to the infamous bandit of the Han Dynasty. Good news or bad news, Zhang Yan's men are eager to know what's going to happen next. They can't lose their base of operations from Yuan Shao even if the people want them out for their brigand activities in the past.

"Gongsun Zan's forces are approaching to the east!" the scout reported.

Zhang Yan got up from resting on the stone and prepares to rally his men, "You hear that boys, the cavalry has arrived! We'll take the fight to that noble snob and plunder his fortune!"

The Black Mountain Bandits cried with renew adrenaline. They won't rest till their objective is complete.

"We still have the advantage in stalemating Lu Bu. Let's hope we don't confront Lu Bu a second time and focus breaking through Yuan Shao's ranks," Zhang Yan mounted on his horse as the two other members of the remaining Black Mountain Bandits mount on theirs.

Zhang Yan's army is heading back into the battlefield to rendezvous with Gongsun Zan's army. On their way to meet Yuan Shao, the sun is about to rise from the mountain to the east. Heaven will witness the grand outcome this morning.

At Yuan Shao's camp…

Yuan Shao ponder around outside with Wen Chou and Yan Liang. Zhang He stood the right next to his friend Gao Lan and Shen Pei on the left side standing with Gao Gan. Yuan Shao just got the word on Lu Bu returning to the main army. He thought about what to do with Lu Bu after the ambiguous stalemate with Zhang Yan. Lu Bu could have easily killed Zhang Yan in battle and follow the strategy he ordered. Is that stupid beast trying to do whatever he wants by just attacking without a plan or, is Lu Bu secretly trying to conspire with Zhang Yan in a friendly duel?

"A stalemate! That's preposterous! I gave him command of a quarter of my large army and all it felt wasted on a mere stalemate!" Yuan Shao complained.

"Maybe we're overestimating Lu Bu's capabilities, my lord," Zhang He said.

"Doesn't matter, Lu Bu have failed us," Shen Pei shook his head to disagree.

"What about his men Zhang Liao and Gao Shun?" Gao Lan asked.

"They are not the problem. But, I think they will serve me after I deal with Lu Bu," Yuan Shao sighed and sat down on his chair feeling regretful.

"Our army never loses any battles with everything we planned over against Gongsun Zan and Zhang Yan. They don't have the superior talent to overcome us and the people's support," Wen Chou crossed his arms.

"I know, how dare Lu Bu humiliate our undefeated steak!" Yan Liang nodded.

"Yuans are winners! I will not accept a stalemate so it's considered! I will discipline Lu Bu! Bring me the messenger," Yuan Shao ordered.

Zhang He went to call forth the messenger and a few minutes later the messenger arrived with Zhang He.

"At your service, my lord," the Messenger bowed.

"I'm writing this order to Lu Bu. You are to go to Lu Bu and give him this message. I don't care if you're going to lose your head to him if he's angry. I am much angrier for having to trust that idiot! Do you understand?" Yuan Shao gave him a fearsome look that made the messenger shudder.

"Y-yes my lord," the messenger nodded and took his orders.

After the messenger is gone, "This is the worst five minutes of my life." Yuan Shao felt slowly back into the chair.

"Lord Yuan Shao, if Lu Bu starts to disregard your message, what are you going to do?" Wen Chou asked.

"I have no choice, but get rid of him. He killed Dong Zhuo and turn on against Ding Yuan. Nobody would want such an inconsistent officer who won't follow my orders and does whatever he wants because of his stupid might. You and Yan Liang are here now, so Lu Bu is as good as dead to me," Yuan Shao answered.

"You mean, you're planning to assassinate Lu Bu?" Zhang He look puzzled at Yuan Shao.

"Precisely…" Yuan Shao rubs his head in stress.

"Then, I'll do it, Benchou," Shen Pei bowed.

"Send us too?" Yan Liang argued.

"Yan Liang, I need you and Wen Chou to out there to finish off Gongsun Zan's forces. They don't have any way to survive without support and Liu Bei is pretty much their only other ally probably struggling against Cao Cao at Xu zhou," Yuan Shao turns to his two favorite generals after giving their new assignments.

"Of course, I'll bring the head of Gongsun Zan soon. That nobody stopped me from killing him at Jie Qiao," Wen Chou snarled at mentioning Zhao Yun.

Yuan Shao grinned at Wen Chou's hatred for the brat who disowned his honor. There's a lot on his mind about Zhao Yun. That nobody who caused an incident at Jie Qiao and was suppose to be the corporal assigned to the frontlines at the coalition.

"Don't worry about him, Wen Chou. We'll be dealing with the brat after we're done with Gongsun Zan," Yuan Shao smiled dandy like a proud nobleman.

"….."Zhang He wondered about Zhao Yun's position. He should have just did nothing and keep following orders if he don't want to lose every opportunity for his merits and acknowledgement to the people of this land. "Zilong just don't understand…" he thought.

East of Taishan…

Zhao Yun arrives with his unit positioned 3 miles close to Lu Bu's camp south of the valley. He just got word from the messenger about Zhang Yan's accomplishment and Boqi is rendezvous with him. The soldiers sigh in relief that everything they heard about Lu Bu is exaggerating.

"It's not over yet. Yuan Shao and Lu Bu will be at odds and I'm going to head over there to call out Lu Bu on a duel," Zhao Yun said.

Shan Jing nodded and Zhao Yun gallop into the battlefield alone leavning Shan Jing in command of the unit.

In Lu Bu's encampment, just before they depart to Yuan Shao, one of the watchmen notice a rider on white awaiting them just a mile from their destination. He quickly went down from the tower on the ladder and race into Lu Bu's tent.

"Master Lu Bu, all preparations to depart is completed,' Zhang Liao informed his lord.

"I'm going to enjoy Yuan Shao's barking by the time we face each other. What if I told him, I'm just warming up," Lu Bu chuckled.

"He doesn't think of you valuably because of the appearance of Yan Liang and Wen Chou," Gao Shun said.

"Blah! Then why didn't he allow me prove I'm better than his dogs? It's not like there isn't anyone on the face of this world can kill me," Lu Bu said dissatisfied.

"But, we're only human, Fengxian," Zhang Liao glared at Lu Bu to remind his Lord they only have one life.

"My might can surpass human impossibility!" Lu Bu gloated.

Suddenly, the watchman interrupts their conversation, "Lord Lu Bu, a lone man on a white horse is waiting across the hill."

"One man?" Gao Shun raised his eyebrow uncertain of that person.

"Does he have a name?" Zhang Liao asked.

"He didn't say anything and just waited over the hill. I think he wants to meet you, my lord," the watchman explained.

"He must be brave or incredibly stupid. This shall be interesting," Lu Bu smirked and took his famous Sky Piercer with him.

Lu Bu and his men went to meet the lone rider. Whoever he is to Lu Bu, he just signed his death warrant.

"He isn't with any army. What does he want with us?" Gao Shun asked.

"Hell if I know, if it's a duel, he better make it interesting for me," Lu Bu grunted.

As the trio meet their lone challenger, Zhao Yun begins to shout, "Lord Lu Bu, the scourge of Dong Zhuo's army!"

"Heh, he knows I slain Dong Zhuo," Lu Bu smirked.

"My name is Zhao Yun! I come to you as an officer of Gongsun Zan's army! Will you accept my challenge for a duel?" Zhao Yun shouted.

"Haha! Did he just say what I think he's saying?" Lu Bu laughed.

"Lu Bu, I have a bad feeling about this man…" Zhang Liao's gaze at the white rider gets him into deep thinking.

"He's from Gongsun Zan, but where's the rest of Gongsun Zan's army?" Gao Shun checked everywhere from Zhao Yun's position. No troops in sight and the rider are yards away from them.

"I commence your bravery, White Rider! I accept your challenge!" Lu Bu then ordered his men to bring him his Red Hare.

"So he accepts it. Now all I have to do is fight into my fullest and draw another stalemate. The rift between Lu Bu and Yuan Shao should be effective by now," Zhao Yun thought. He took a deep breath and his mind begins to fill with a scene from a few months ago with a beautiful girl.

Lu Bu is heading towards his way. With his eyes still closed and thinking about that moment and then open them slowly seeing a fiery demon scattering the image of the girl.

"Little man, you wish you never call out the might of Lu Bu of Bing!" Lu Bu wrathfully warned.

Alerted by the wicked aura of Lu Bu, Zhao Yun kicked his horse and charge at Lu Bu which starts the duel. He did not notice that his army is moving closely to his location and saw the duel began.

Shan Jing halts the army's advancement and saw Zhao Yun charging after Lu Bu, the black dragon of the battlefield.

"Will he win?" the soldier asked.

"He isn't trying to win here," Shan Jing bluntly answered.

When their weapons clashed, Zhao Yun swings his spear leftward and Lu Bu parried it, then another strike increasing the speed of his movement awaiting his opponent's response.

"Fast, faster than Zhang Yan. He might be weaker than him," Lu Bu thought.

Lu Bu put more power to his strikes forcing Zhao Yun to block them and his horse moved back some inches making the men of both forces notice the latter is struggling.

"He's moving back from the formidable strength of Lu Bu!" Gao Shun cheered.

"It's like, he wanted Lu Bu to draw the first blood," Zhang Liao said.

"Huh?" Gao Shun turn to Wenyuan confused.

"I'm getting serious, scum! Are you holding back or is this your limit to my might?! Don't blame me as your about to get annihilated!" Lu Bu continues to throw several blows with red charging ki pushing Zhao Yun off his horse on to the ground.

"Lu Bu got Zhao Yun out of his horse!" a soldier of Gongsun Zan said.

Shan Jing didn't falter, he continue to watch the fight. Zhao Yun calmly stood up and prepare to intact a counterattack.

"Arrogant. He's full of arrogant. No wonder he took Zhang Yan lightly. Zhang Yan isn't the strongest in Chang Shan Lu Bu…," Zhao Yun coldly thought.

"Not done yet now that you're on ground and I have the advantage in power and stamina! Keep me interested, boy," Lu Bu resumed the fight charging after Zhao Yun. This could have ended permanently, but as witness analyze the fight, Lu Bu is underestimating Zhao Yun because of difference in their fighting style and preferences.

"Lu Bu, that guy isn't like Zhang Yan!" Zhang Liao shouted. But, it's already too late.

"Sorry Luo, but we're going to have to wait for that 'lesson' alittle longer," Zhao Yun grinned. He raises his spear up towards the heavens and drops it down hitting the ground hard with his blue aura forming.

A large tremor and an earth scattering ground projectile darts straight towards Lu Bu attack his horse and dropping him down to the ground. The move shocked both observers awe.

Before Lu Bu can retaliate, Zhao Yun is already in the offense forcing Lu Bu to be the one playing defense! Zhao Yun set one charge dash spear thrust and reset to another quick charge and continuously increasing his speed only this time wielding power from his chi level. It has draw Lu Bu into frustration.

"What the hell is this guy's style!?" Lu Bu look in bewildered. He struggles to parry one of the thrusts, but took a mere hit from the other charge that went unpredictably to the right side of his rib, pushing him feet away from his opponent.

When Zhao Yun saw what happened, he decides to entice his opponent back, "Not done yet now that you've just met your match. Or do you think I'm really inferior to Zhang Yan?"

Lu Bu gritted his teeth. He can't believe this guy's technique to speed over power. More to the belief of this man's abilities, his chi level is ridiculous to estimate for Lu Bu.

"I think you should be grateful to have someone to satisfy with in a duel," Zhao Yun readies his stance awaiting his opponent's next move.

"I had no idea this guy exist among the fighters in Ji Zhou…" Lu Bu muttered. It's really frustrating him now. This guy is so calm and in control unlike Zhang Yan who is under pressure and fighting for his life.

Zhang Liao knew it, there's something special about that man. While Gao Shun couldn't believe Lu Bu is struggling like that.

Lu Bu let out a small chuckle. This is so interesting, yet frustrating at the same time. He doesn't want anyone equal to him, but this man draws closer to it, "You're good little man. I'll give you that."

"Your move," Zhao Yun is ready for anything.

"Hmph, lets get this over with because I have a nagging Lord waiting for me," Lu Bu said.

"Yuan Shao doesn't share your sentiment. If you return to him now, we won't be able to have another fight," Zhao Yun reveal Lu Bu what awaits him at Yuan Shao's.

"You think he's up to something?" Lu Bu questioned him.

"I always know what he's up to. His lies, his way of getting people to believe in him, and what he did to Lord Han Fu at Ye," Zhao Yun expression changes to a dark and gloomy one revealing his bad relationship with his former lord, the man he thought was a true hero.

"Power can change people, boy. I wanted to follow that power," Lu Bu said laying the handle of his halberd on his shoulder.

"Does it even accept you? You killed Dong Zhuo, but do you even care about restoring the Han to return that power where it belongs?" Zhao Yun grips his spear tighter.

"Wake up, kid! Nobody cares about a weak government anymore! They're calling for someone strong, like myself! My might can make this land a better place," Lu Bu urged.

"….." Zhao Yun didn't say anymore, "Come…"

Lu Bu slowly pace forward and then walk faster until he runs after his oppose. He leaps up and threw his halberd down at his foe and Zhao Yun answers it with a hard block putting them on dreadlocks. They exchange blows with their weapons, parrying after parrying each strike.

"He talks more than he fights, this Zhao Yun guy," Gao Shun said.

"Is he a warrior scholar?" Zhang Liao thought as he continues watching the fight along with Gao Shun.

Zhao Yun and Lu Bu continue attacking and neither is losing their ground in the fight. When Lu Bu summoned his dark chi, he let out a loud shout creating a shock wave surrounding him; it pushes Zhao Yun a few yards away from Lu Bu and felt.

"This is my power!" Lu Bu's aura intensified the men at Gongsun Zan's army.

"Such a wild beast amongst the battlefield…" Shan Jing uttered.

Zhao Yun did not falter, but he scanned the field surrounding Lu Bu, grasses were desolated.

"That aura is so dark and wicked. He's been practicing a style that's meant for killing and not saving lives," Zhao Yun frowned. "Lu Bu, it's a pity that this is who you really are."

"I don't need your pity. Die! Black Dragon Wave!" Lu Bu executes one of his most powerful moves. A black stream of wave blast shoots directly at Zhao Yun. Before it comes at him, Zhao Yun prepares to do his. Analyzing the move, it doesn't seem to be blockable.

"Impressive!" He charges at the red and black wave with light surrounding his body.

Just when Zhao Yun meets the violent wave, the energy has blinded the observers creating a huge explosion. Lu Bu did not see what Zhao Yun, but thought his move made a direct hit.

"He just walks right into it and meets his demise…" Lu Bu thought. Not sure what happened, but his move just hit Zhao Yun. As he's about to turn around and return to his camp, the dust and smoke engulf a crater as the men of both forces witness the destruction reveal.

"Zhao Yun…" Shan Jing scanned the destruction to find Zhao Yun's body, but there's just too much smoke and dust covering.

Lu Bu returned to his camp like a victorious warrior not before Zhang Liao called at him.

"Lord Lu Bu, look!" Zhang Liao pointed at the direction Lu Bu didn't bother to check behind him.

"It can't be!" Gao Shun gave a shock expression as are the entire men of Lu Bu's forces and it's not just Lu Bu's men.

"Oh heaven!" one of Gongsun Zan's men shouted.

"Did Heaven give us this boy just for show?" Shan Jing eyes gasped widen.

Zhao Yun is just standing there at the destruction, alive and barely a scratch. Lu Bu could not believe his eyes.

"Impossible…How…?" Lu Bu look in shock and unbelievably upset.

"What, did you see a ghost?" Zhao Yun readies his stance after the all the dust and smoke covering him disappeared.

"But, my move, no one can block it!" Lu Bu shouted.

"I didn't block, your move and my move collided. You couldn't see it because all of that light clashing with your dark energy and the explosion. My chi won," Zhao Yun said, but in his mind, "That was too much power he thrown on that move. I can't risk taking more of my chi on a second move so I'm forced to dodge now."

"What move? I saw him surrounded by blue light and the next thing that happened…could it be?" Zhang Liao gasped. Then he remembered the first two moves Zhao Yun did on his counter attack against Lu Bu.

Suddenly, Yuan Shao's messenger arrives. It's been 3 hours since Zhao Yun and Lu Bu met. Now the plan is coming into motion.

"Lord Lu Bu I have a message from Yuan Shao!" the Messenger called after Lu Bu.

"Tch, not now!" Lu Bu gritted his teeth again and became more frustrated on his situation now that one of his moves had been turned into fodder by some nobody.

"Your message," the Messenger gave the scroll to Zhang Liao and then Zhang Liao went to Lu Bu to give it to him. Lu Bu grabs it like an impatient beast. He just had someone that's pissing him off and now his meddler sending him a message.

Lu Bu reads it and it only got him more angier. He's mad, "Who does he think he is? Inconsistent!?"

"What did he say?" Zhang Liao demanded. He's a better reader, but Lu Bu just crushed the letter before Zhang Liao can get the privilege to read it.

"I think the letter states Yuan Shao thinks Lu Bu an inconsistent General," Gao Shun shrugged.

"We don't even have a strategist in our army," Zhang Liao said.

"Gao Shun, Zhang Liao, we're going to meet Yuan Shao. He's going to pay for this! I've waste enough of my time being told what to do!" Lu Bu walks fast to get his Red Hare that was recovering from the quake Zhao Yun did.

"What about that man?" Gao Shun mentioned Zhao Yun to Lu Bu and Lu Bu turns to see Zhao Yun still waiting for anything to happen. Lu Bu also notices the rest of Gongsun Zan's army showing up at the hill.

"There's his army. They had just arrived while you were fighting him," Zhang Liao pointed his axe at the direction of Zhao Yun's unit.

"Little man, I'll deal with you later! I don't know what you did to my move, but our fight isn't over yet! I'll be back with the army fighting your army next time!" Lu Bu mounted on Red Hare as his men mounted their horses and Lu Bu's army moves out to Yuan Shao's army to the west ending another stalemate.

Zhao Yun didn't fetch and he watches Lu Bu's army depart. Shan Jing went to Zhao Yun to comment on his incredible performance.

"How did you do that?" Shan Jing asked.

"Intense training, well he is what he is. The mightiest warrior this will know, but that's not my goal," Zhao Yun turns to Shan Jing with a smile.

"He's heading to Yuan Shao," Shan Jing watches the army leaving the valley with Zilong.

"Yes, the schism is about to begin. If we can take the fight to Yuan Shao, we need Lu Bu to solicit with us also, I hope we can convince the people of Ye the true about Yuan Shao," Zhao Yun nodded and went to get his horse.

"Zhao Yun!"

He turns and see a red armored warrior he didn't expect to see, "Ziyi! I thought you went to Liu Yao!"

Taishi Ci rode towards the pair's position and replied, "I was, but when the news of Kong Rong being attacked by Yuan Shao came, I've decided to go back only to find Bei Hai already besieged by Yuan Tan. Yuan Shao sought to take Qing Zhou in my absence."

"It's good to see you back," Zhao Yun gave Ziyi a bow.

"And you, my friend. What happened while I was gone? It seems the army has gotten weaker," Taishi Ci check the current morale of Gongsun Zan's army.

"It's a long story. Everything happened while we were fighting the Yellow Turban remants and Cao Cao at Xu zhou…." Zhao Yun explained to Taishi Ci the big turnaround since the defeat at Jie Qiao. Taishi Ci was shocked of the current behavior of Gongsun Zan and the bad rumors that plagued after it. Zhao Yun went to his brother's funeral during the turmoil.

"If you were there…."Taishi Ci sighed.

"I could have stopped it, but would Boqi listen to a nobody like me?" his question made Ci grunt.

Why is he still referring himself that?

"Zhao Yun, you are a pillar. Don't let that pillar break because the star won't rise," Taishi Ci told him giving a stoic look.

"….."

"I'll help you this time, Zilong," Taishi Ci pad on Zhao Yun's shoulder.

"Is it too late?" Zhao Yun muttered.

"Huh?" Taishi Ci didn't hear him clearly enough.

"Is it too late for me?" Zhao Yun asked.

"It's never too late to get that opportunity. I saw the whole fight between you and Lu Bu on the way here," Taishi Ci shook his head.

"That's something Liu Bei could have told me that when we last met," Zhao Yun mentioned Liu Xuande, the man they helped at Xu Zhou.

"How's Liu Bei?" Taishi Ci asked.

"Not doing too good, there was another massacre earlier. Cao Cao is someone too obsessed with order because of a government mistake that was made…" Zhao Yun sighed.

At Xu Zhou hours later…

"Lord Cao Cao, I brought you the news from Ji zhou," the Messenger reported.

"What news you bring?" Cao Cao demanded.

"Lu Bu and Zhang Yan got into a stalemate. There's a rift between Yuan Shao and Lu Bu right now," the messenger reported.

"Lu Bu will probably betray Yuan Shao next," Cao Cao said and then turn to the castle walls of Xia Pi, "Liu Bei! I heard there was mourning inside! He's dead wasn't he? The fool that couldn't secure my father's life!"

He had to go through a lot of interceptions. Yuan Shu's army was attacking him from behind and his elite infantry drove them out. He took Xu Chang after that. The battle of the lords as called The War of Heroes continues.

"You still remain silent, Liu Bei? You can keep defending a guy who sided with Dong Zhuo!" Cao Cao's loud and clear words continue to echo the dread, sorrowful field of Xu Zhou.

Next Chapter: Battle of Chang Shan Part 3