*** Chapter 7 - Rescue at Midnight ***
Cao Pi: Move, move, move! Take out the center first, we have to clear the way NOW!
Chaos. That was the best way to describe this sight.
Shu was under seige from a barrage of troops from multiple enemy
forces and they weren't going to last long. It was straight midnight
as the Wei troops enclosed to offer support to their ally. There
wasn't even time to go back to Xu Chang when they heard of Shu's
predicament, not but a few miles away on the march home. Cao Pi
immediately ordered his army to help, not even allowing them time to
prepare a strategy. However, Fang and a small troop were sent to Xu
Chang to request aid so more reinforcements would not be far
behind. And it was here atop a cliff over head of the plains
before them that Sima Yi watched, arms crossed, along side Guo Jia as
the newly recruited Azai army tore through the enemy, center out. The
one that stood out the most was Nagamasa as he swung his lance around
from side to side as waves of men fell to their doom. He seemed to
have no problem fighting for a new lord as he drove through a boar
demon even.
Guo Jia: So, what do you think of our new ally?
Sima Yi: He's doing better than I expected. After the center threat is taken care of Shu's camp will be safe and we'll have a moment to pull something together and push back Orochi. Has Mitsunari returned?
Guo Jia: No, he's still scouting the area with Cao Ren.
Sima Yi: I see. We should hurry up and clear out the remaining enemies then, shouldn't we?
Guo Jia: True. Shall we?
Sima Yi: *smirks*
Arms still crossed, Yi nonchalantly walked right
off the edge of the cliff and allowed himself to fall as Guo Jia
joined him. Before he hit the ground Yi reached for his robe and
spread it out to make a makeshift parachute while Jia drilled his
rapier into the adjacent wall to slow their decent until both
warriors landed. Yi flipped out his chains and immediately began
striking enemies and preforming 360's and 180's all the way as Jia
followed in suit with his blade, swiftly jousting from one troop to
the other. The pair made their way further in and met up with
Nagamasa. The daimyo was busy with a group of officers so he didn't
notice the sargent about to slice open his back. Luckily, a
five-string attack from Yi managed to stop him dead in his tracks as
he stood their, frozen. Nagamasa turned to see what the noise he
heard was and watched as the strings released and the man fell to his
death, revealing Yi to Nagamasa's sight.
Nagamasa: Sima Yi, I must--
Sima Yi: Don't bother me with the "thank you" nonsense. Just repay me by following my orders.
Gan Ning: *cuts down the final enemy as Oichi and Jia join them* You always were an arrogant bastard, weren't ya?
Sima Yi: And you're not the first person to call me that. We're done here. Zhao Yun is inside the camp beyond. We shall met up and await our allies there.
Nagamasa nodded and the 5 proceeded into the Shu camp. There weren't that many warriors and a lot of them Sima Yi didn't even recognize. The one that stood out the most had to be the old man in armor and his large hammer that was yelling some odd word into the sky. "Cheetos" or something like that. Ignoring him they moved into a Japanese style shrine like the one in Honnoji that served as the headquarters. They entered just in time to see Cao Pi receive a bow from Zhao Yun. Zhang He was also present in the corner.
Zhao Yun: Lord Cao Pi, I must thank you and your men for the aid.
Cao Pi: You have helped Wei before in battle. I was merely returning the favor, even if our last alliance ended in failure. And if Shu was gone that brings Orochi one step closer to conquest.
Zhao Yun: Of course. But we won't have long until the enemy retaliates. We've already learned that the enemy commanders are Masamune Date and Lu Bu.
Sima Yi: Masamune?
Cao Pi: You know of him?
Sima Yi: Indeed. We fought in several battles together.
Cao Pi: Heh. If it was anyone else who said that I'd be worried about you holding back. However, Lu Bu worries me more than a hot-headed brat. We need our reinforcements...
???: You rang?
Entering the room was now Zhang Liao, Guan Ping, Nene, Huang Gai, and Pang Tong.
Cao Pi: Right on time. Now...
Following was Mitsunari Ishida and Cao Ren as they moved past their allies.
Mitsunari: I wonder, did you really know I was about to come or were you just lucky?
Cao Pi: Bit of both. I believe you two have some information to share?
Mitsunari: Yes, but nothing good. The enemy forces, they number in the 100,000s. Not including their reserves.
Guo Jia: Are you quite sure? That's more than our troops combined have.
Mitsunari: Yes, and they have the officers to back it up. They've got Keiji Meada and some warriors from your time in their ranks as well as countless other Date and Lu Bu officers. Not to mention several key locations along the area in their control that need taking...
Zhao Yun: Then we must combine our forces and challenge this army!
Cao Pi: A bold statement, one that I'm sure would inspire your troops. But we need a plan. And we need to act quick. Pang Tong, your thoughts?
Pang Tong: O_O
Cao Pi: Thought as much. Oh well toss him in the ammunition pile, I'm sure we can throw him at something.
Mitsunari: Right, now some of you come with me and I'll direct you to the places we need taken out.
Nene: I'll--
Mitsunari: Not you.
Cao Pi: Zhang Liao, Gan Ning, you will accompany Mitsunari. Against you two no variation of forces could halt you.
Sima Yi: I will take down Masamune.
Cao Pi: Yes, I figured as much. Very well. Nagamasa, Guan Ping, Nene you shall cover Yi.
Zhang He: I want to--!
Sima Yi: No.
Zhang He: Ohhh...
Guan Ping: Lord Cao Pi, I'm sorry but I must ask that you allow me to fight with Shu and lord Zhao Yun just this once.
Cao Pi: You feel you must do this? Hm...
Sima Yi: It's fine. I could handle Masamune by myself if need be.
Cao Pi: ...As you wish.
Guan Ping: Thank you my lord! *bows*
Cao Pi: Good. Now there is the matter of--
Guo Jia: I will face Lu Bu. And all I ask are for Huang Gai's veteran skills and a handful of explosives.
Cao Ren: But Master Guo Jia, you realize the strength Lu Bu possesses?
Haung Gai: Bah! Us true warriors can put down a beast like that no problem! Lord Guo Jia, I'm with you all the way!
Cao Pi: Hm... Very well. If you are sure. Alright, we've wasted enough time. Oichi, Cao Ren, Zhang He, you shall stay the defense with Zhao Yun and I while Shu's main force keeps the enemy occupied. Now move out!
Orochi Advance Force - Keiji ***
In the direct center of the mass of green
and white clad warriors Keiji Meada could be seen leaning on his
horse like a bed as Matzukaze trodded along in line. The miscreant
let out a long sigh. Shu was suppose to be on it's last leg so all
this was was mop-up duty. He really didn't understand why he had to
be here. ...Of course, it was better than running around Koshi
castle bored as a rock any day.
Keiji: Maaan. I just wish it was something a little more interesting.
???: Mind your tongue.
Keiji: Whoa!!
The "mighty" Keiji had fallen off his steed in shock of the mystery voice. He scrambled around and then peered up at his steed to find it's owner...now sitting on the side of his Matzukaze, arms crossed with that same eerily amused face he usually bears.
Kotaro: Least you get what you wished for.
Keiji: Argh... You're here too? Now the enemy won't even have time to scream before we take 'em out. :(
Kotaro: At the heart of this battlefield, the whirlwind of bedlam shall be at its greatest.
Keiji: What do you mean?
Kotaro: I think you'll find this battle quite...interesting.
Keiji: I'm not following you.
Kotaro: ...I mean there will be many strong opponents here.
Keiji: ...I still don't--
Kotaro: Just grab your ****ing spear and follow me. -_-
*** Forest - Yi Team ***
The pawns were in play and the battle would begin at any moment. Yi, and Nagamasa were now rushing through the forest on their mounts as Nene trailed them in a tan zig-zag flash from tree to tree. They were making good progress with no peons to wear them down. Their mission was to ambush Masamune and route him, nothing more, so troops would just be a waste. Besides, the front lines need them more than they do. Yes, it was going to be a simple dash to Masamune.
Nagamasa: Muskets!
But of course, how often are things that simple in this story? A few yards ahead of them were two watch posts, housing two pairs of musketeers and a gate between them that prevented access beyond. They were already aiming straight at Yi and Nagamasa. If they fired...
Sima Yi: Nene!
The kunoichi
already knew what to do. With a poof of leafs and a few rustles in
the trees she was gone. The remaining two continued to charge the
gate unhalted. Yi placed his heels on his steeds saddle and readied
himself as he started to outrun Nagamasa. And then... Urk,
gah, ough, waaaah!! Above the watch posts four Nene's could be
seen where the musketeers could not, all of them striking a
victorious pose. Now Yi could move without worry. He waited until he
was a bit closer and leaped off the horse and wrapped a chain around
one of the left watch post's upper beams. Using the momentum of the
horse and the power of the jump he was able to sling around to the
other side of the gate. Whilst midair Yi was able to shoot off a
handle full of lasers at the surrounding peons before landing right
next to the lever that opened the gate and pull it.
Sima Yi: Take them out quickly! We can't risk alerting our prescience! And especially don't let them send out any scouts!
As Nagamasa flew by the barely opened gate Yi was confident he had heard his orders as well as Nene. The base behind the gate was just a small supply base. Actually a good place to stash one. As Nagamasa rode by and plummeled through the green warriors Yi noticed something. These men were not Date soldiers, but Shu troops! But Shu forces had already reported loosing this base. They must have been defectors.
Sima Yi: What on earth are these men doing here..? Did Orochi send Shu forces to take down their former allies?
Peon: YAAAH!!
Not even
bothering to glance at the man charging him, Yi sliced his hand
straight through the peon's torso and began walking, inspecting the
base. He could see Nene and Nagamasa tear through what little
resistance it offered. And then he noticed something at the far west
wall. An ox? No, wood oxen. Four more men now rushed Yi from
behind. He heard their clumsy and confused footsteps before they
could think of striking and immediately turned around to whip them
all down with his chain as a 5th came into view. He was a good ways
off. However that isn't a problem for Yi as he sent his chain out
again and ensnared the peon before tugging him to Yi. Just before he
bumped into Yi he drilled his claws into his gut, going in deep
enough to pierce his liver. As the man became spasmodic with pain
Yi's eyes caught something. On the opposite walls even more wood oxen
lay! With a smirk he let the man drop to his death and moved to them.
By this time Nagamasa and Nene were done with their job.
Sima Yi: You two, see those supply crates over there? Unload them into these oxen. If we set them back down the path then they can reinforce the front lines well.
Nagamasa: Are you sure? I don't think we'd have enough time for that.
Sima Yi: Time won't matter one bit if all out men our dead. The oxen can guide themselves, all we have to do is send them on the way. We don't have that many, now get to it!
*** Frontline Conflict - Shu Forces ***
Guan Ping: Xing Cai, look out!
Upon hearing the cry Xing Cai jutted around just in time to see Guan Ping's great blade slam into the ground before a charging Lu Bu generic, creating an explosion on impact that eliminate him. Ping then landed next to the blade and used it to swipe down 2 more enemies before turning to Xing Cai.
Xing Cai: Thanks for the help. I feel a lot safer now that you're by my side again.
Guan Ping: Of course! It feels good to be back your side, Xing Cai.
Xing Cai: *giggle*
Sargent: DIE!!!
Suddenly, two Date troops lunged at the pair about to hack them in halves but then...
Bang! Magoichi:
Bang!
Guan Ping: Wha-what!? O_o
Xing Cai: *blush* Magoichi! How dare you!
Magoichi: Sheesh, check out the love birds. One joke and you're already boiling mad! Whatever, we've got more pressing matters on hand. C'mon, little dude! *charges*
Guan Ping: I'm not little! *follows*
Xing Cai: *sigh* Boys will be boys. _
*** Mountain Pass Outpost - Ishida Team ***
The sound of crickets could be chirping
as this seemingly peaceful part of the Date army eyed the battle that
could be seen below its high peak. Few were actually guarding and
watching for the enemy. This would soon cost them everything. A
single Date officer was pacing back and forth along the wooden wall
he was lazily guarding. He paced and paced but then he stopped as he
heard something. Bells. He looked up and didn't even have time to
scream as Gan Ning's blade tore through his flesh. He let out a
victorious snicker and looked to his right to see Zhang Liao had
subdued some enemies on his wall just a quietly. They nodded to each
other as they moved further up the base. They reached a gate
that lead further down the mountain. This way lead toward Masamune's
advance base, which is where his reinforcements would come from.
However they won't be getting very far when they seal these doors
tight. They were about to do so when a body suddenly fell before
them. They looked up above the gate to see Mitsunari standing
triumphantly as the gate slowly, and quietly, crept shut and locked
in place.
Mitsunari: I think it's about time we let these neanderthals find out where here, don't you?
He looked over to a large wooden platform that held the majority of the Date troops here as they watched the battle below them. There was a big man with an ax there too. Little did they know that platform was the only thing stopping them from falling to a horrible death. Course, they figured it out real quick when Mitsunari waved his hand and the platform exploded as they all went flying and the platform fell apart.
Gan Ning: Whoa-ho! Nice fire works! Maybe signing up with you guy wudin' such a bad idea after all!
Zhang Liao: Yes, I agree. Good show Lord Mitsunari. Is this the last outpost?
Mitsunari: Yes. After all the work we did neither their reinforcements nor their reserves will be able to enter the battle. Now let's head back to--wait a minute...
Mitsunari stalled as he saw the rubble of the platform moving. He show an irritated scowl as he saw a hand appear as a man was trying to pull himself back up. And wow was he a big man. He had the hand of a bear and as he began to pull more of himself up he saw the black hood around his head as he got one arm over. Why did he seem so familiar all of a sudden?
Gan Ning: So big-boy survived it huh? Ah well, I got this.
Mitsunari: Gan Ning, no!
He didn't listen as he jumped at the man, impaling his blade deep into his shoulder. This only caused the masked man to growl before grabbing Gan Ning by his torso in a single massive palm...and chuck him behind, off the mountain, sword and all into the rocky side below. The jingle of his bells could still be heard as he free fell out of earshot...
Zhang Liao: GAN NING!!!
Mitsunari: Damn it...
They stared, dumbfounded at what had just happened. And as the man pulled himself up and revealed his mighty axe Mitsunari finally remembered who he was. The one lady Nene blabbed to him about. That executioner... This was going to be a fight for their lives. Well let see what's going on with someone else, shall we? :P
*** Frontline Conflict - Date-Lu Bu Forces ***
Keiji: YEEHAW!!! Let's get some!
Kotaro: Purge the land.
The Shu and Wei troops were flying left and right. Keiji's brute force allowed him to make sweeps across the enemy until nothing was left but a pile of wasted bodies. Kotaro was moving so fast through the crowd you could barely seem him slaughter each and every worthless human mortal that stood before him. However, Keiji still felt...unfulfilled.
Keiji: C'mon, where are the REAL men at!?
???: Certainly not here!
Just out of the corner of his eye the wild man was able to see the light blue lightning rush to him before he was able to block it with his spear. Of course, metal and electricity aren't the best thing to mix so he still got the **** shocked out of him. However he was still able to brush it off to see the two before him.
Yoshihiro: ...You know I'm right here.
Ginchiyo: Yes, but you're brittle bones barely qualify as alive let alone manly.
Keiji: Well if it isn't the devil himself! And his spunky sidekick!
Ginchiyo: Side-WHAT!?
Yoshihiro: *snicker*
Ginchiyo: You shut up! I'm going to fry that fool and then we'll see who's the sidekick!
Yoshihiro: Then who am I suppose to fight?
Just then Kotaro appeared before Yoshihiro.
Kotaro: Boo.
Right
before power kicking him through a crowd of people. Utterly
ignoring this, Ginchiyo charged Keiji whilst tossing a few lightning
balls his way as he dodged 2 and smacked down the last with the butt
of his blade. This was costly however as Ginchiyo used this time to
flipkick him up in the air. She lunged to follow his course but
underestimated his resiliency as he quickly rebound and grabbed her
by her arm, spun a full 360, and then slammed her into the ground.
The wild one then descended on his foe blade first only to have her
roll out of the way before jumping back as they entered a flurry of
attacks. During this time Yoshihiro had recovered and Kotaro
was already rushing him. However as he was doing so Yoshihiro heaved
his hammer up high before having it come crashing down on the ninja
just before he had a chance to strike. Amazingly, Kotaro was able to
block the attack with his gauntlets but the force was so huge it
caused his feet to sink at least 3 inches into the dirt. the devil
lifted his weapon for another blow but was too slow as Kotaro shot
him with an orb of dark energy that, once again, sent him flying.
This time into a mountain wall. Dust filled the air after the
impact and Kotaro already charged him yet again. This time though he
recovered faster. Fast enough to spear through from the dust in a
blue arrow-headed flash that sent the Fuma ninja flying back.
Yoshihiro now went to do his charge but halted as he saw to clawed
hands grab his shouldered and two clawed boots ram into his face like
a sling shot. This made him stagger back in pain but he was still
able to grab Kotaro by his sash and throw him into the air to set him
up for a home run. But before he could complete his swing the ninja
disappeared and reappeared behind him as he slammed his hand against
the ground as Yoshihiro was engulfed in a purple
radiation.
Yoshihiro: CHESTOOOOOOO!!!
This
didn't work as he had planned though as a hammer drilled him from the
purple light that hadn't even sizzled the devil. This forced him away
but wasn't anywhere close to the end as the pair resumed their
fight. Keiji managed to land a fist across Ginchiyo's face
this time as he continued with a swing of the blunt end of his pike
that sent her falling to the ground, holding her gut for a moment.
She quickly tried for another jab to his head but failed as the
strike was sidestepped and counter as the wild one flung her away
with the blade of his pike. If not for her armor that would have
killed her. But it did still hurt. A lot.
Ginchiyo: D-damn... Will I let my father down?
???: Do not worry, commoners! I'll save you all!
Ginchiyo: ...Oh you've got to be kidding me.
Yuan Shao: I, the honorably magnificent Yuan Shao, will defeat your enemies! Take this, fiend!
Yuan Shao then clumsily threw his sword at Keiji hitting him square in the eye with the blunt part of his blade.
Keiji: Ow! Dude, what the hell?!
Yuan Shao: Ha-ha! I have defeated an officer! Now worship all your bases that are belong to me!
Upon seeing this display of idiocy Kotaro decided it was time to stop playing with the devil and finish him off by grabbing him by his head and slamming him on the ground. It didn't kill him but he won't be moving for a while. Kotaro then turned to Yuan Shao.
Kotaro: Shao, what the hell are you doing in this story?
Yuan Shao: Oh noez! Kotaro! Take this, knave!
Shao once again throw his sword like an idiot at the ninja. Naturally, he knocked it away with a flick of his hand.
Yuan Shao: ...****. *dials number*
Deapthroat: What?
Yuan Shao: I've encounter Kotaro! What do I do?
Deapthroat: Have you tried throwing your sword at him?
Yuan Shao: Ya, didn't work. Plan B?
Deapthroat: ...RUN, BIYOTCH, RUN!!!
Yuan Shao: This is not a retreat! But rather a move for my fu--*is C3'd*
*** Forest Outpost - Yi Team
*** Sima Yi:
Sima Yi was watching as his two subordinates were loading the oxen until he saw a few pieces of cement and dust fall above him. He looked up the concrete wall he was leaning on and saw him. A date ninja had spotted them! Yi's eyes widened as the ninja disappeared out the base.
Sima Yi: Spy! Forget the provisions, Nene, go!
Nene: Hey! Don't you take that tone with me young man! I'm not doing a thing until you ask me nicely.
Sima Yi: ...What?
Nene: You heard me.
Sima Yi: ...GO AND KILL THAT ****ING NINJA YOU STUPID CONCUBINE!!!
Nagamasa: O_o
Nene: Eep! *poof*
Sima Yi: Nagamasa, we ride!
Nene leaped gracefully over the outpost's walls and into the thick forest trees with the speed of a cheetah, vying to catch up with the ninja Yi had directed her too. She could hear faint footsteps of the horses behind her as the soon fell out of sound. She was surprising herself of how fast she was moving. She was just barely able to see the green ninja hopping from tree to tree before her but she knew he was there.
Nene: Got'cha!
Apparently, the ninja heard that as he turned around and threw a handful of shurikens at her. Luckily she was trained to move quickly so dodging this was nothing to worry about. Dodging the handful of bombs he just threw, now that was different. The best thing she could do was cover her face and swing behind a tree as the explosion ripped through the bark. She flue onto the ground below from the blast.
Nene: Ow! Didn't your mother ever teach you not to play with fire! Hey! Are you listening!?
Of course he was long gone by now. And of
course this pissed off Nene to an amount that no descriptive powers I
posses could describe. Well actually that right there about summed it
up. Anyways, she split 2 clones of herselves and went back after the
ninja, catching up to him in no time. This time she was serious. And
a serious Nene is a deadly one. The Date ninja had no idea she was
there until one of her jumped ahead at him, missing a slash from her
blade and cleaving a tree in half instead. Shocked, the ninja
jolted around to another direction. This wasn't much better as he saw
another Nene standing before him on another tree, arms crossed and
eyes flamed with anger. He was so startled he didn't even notice the
real Nene come flying at him from the side and digging her blade into
him as they came crashing down below onto the path, digging up the
ground as she rode him for a moment. Satisfied, and sure that he
wasn't going to be spying on anything ever again, she pulled out her
blades and dusted herself off.
Nene: Ah, nothing like a brutal killing to calm the nerves. :D Time to go find the o--huh?
As Nene turned around she stopped dead in her tracks. Before she could even confirm what she was staring at, something bopped her on her head and darkness engulfed her sight.
*** Frontline Conflict - Shu Forces ***
Guan Ping: HUURRAGH!!!
The Young Dragon roared as he slammed his blade on the ground full force and a blue arrow shaped shockwave traced the ground as it collided with enemies until there was nothing but a smoldering path before him. Magoichi and Xing Cai halted their movements in surprise of this.
Magoichi: Whoa, dude! Now that was wicked. ...Not that I couldn't do better I'm just running low on ammo, you know how it is...
Xing Cai: I'm sure. _
Magoichi: Fine then. Check this out! Oh, and you might want to back up.
Magoichi kneeled on his knee and began loading and manipulating his gun as Xing Cai and Guan Ping made their distance. He loaded countless rows of ammo from his coat and turned to the white clad warriors before them, nothing but a huge grin on his face.
Magoichi: Yeah, time to go automatic!
Magoichi pulled the trigger hard and steady. Suddenly his one-shot musket began spitting off rounds like a fully automated SMG as he waved it back and forth. The enemy soldiers were mowed down in seconds as their screams of panic ran through the air. Once he saw that the only thing left breathing was behind him he got back up and reloaded his musket before turning to his comrades.
Magoichi: What can I say? I told ya so? Nah, that's too light.
Guan Ping: Wow...
Xing Cai: That was amazing!
Magoichi: I know, I know, we can all adore my mad skills and rugged good looks later now.
Xing Cai: No, not you! Your gun.
Magoichi: My...what?
Guan Ping: Yeah, you must have payed a fortune to get a craftsmen to make it that effective.
Magoichi: Wha? No! I made it!
Xing Cai: Heh heh, yeah right. Like you'd be able to work a gun like that all by yourself.
Magoichi: No! I'm a master at this kind of thing! I even helped make Ieyasu's cannon-thingy and believe me you have no idea how complicated that freakin' thing is!
Xing Cai: Right, of course. Now are we gonna get moving or what?
Magoichi: T_T But, but! Agh...fine. Let's go.
Guan Ping lead the three forward with Xing Cai close behind and Magoichi sulking after them, grumbling something about "ungrateful punks". Their little show actually did a good job of pushing back the enemy forces as they moved further in. Magoichi and the others quickly pulled themselves together and moved forward into battle as they began hacking, slashing, and shooting their way in. They eventually met up with the advance force to find them struggling against the enemy. Too be more accurate, 2 enemies. Kotaro Fuma and Keiji Meada.
Xing Cai: Oh no!
They arrived just in time to see Keiji standing tall above Ginchiyo, about to deliver the finishing blow on the Tachibana lady.
Magoichi: I got this! *aims* Adios Keiji!
He fired his shot and waited for his old buddy's lifeless body to roll over. However a warrior of Keiji's calibur can practically sense danger. He didn't even look to see the bullet he just turned his spear around and smacked the iron ball straight down. He immediately turned to Kotaro who was forcing back Shimazu's hammer.
Keiji: Bro, we got trouble!
Fuma said nothing. Simply turned his head
to see the three new warriors that had entered the fray, no sick
smirk or grin. Just an unamused stare. He swiped his foot across
Yoshihiro's feet, causing him to fall, before bursting forth at
Magoichi with lightning speed that left a blur. The musketeer
fired a few rounds at the ninja but with his zig-zagging motions not
a one made contact before he used the moment to ram his shoulder
against him, full force, that sent Magoichi flying. He then heard
foot steps. The boy was charging him. The ninja turned to his new foe
and met him halfway as he drilled an uppercut on his chin, taking off
some skin and blood with his claws as he dove into the sky. Now
he turned to the final interloper. The woman. He zoomed straight to
her and jumped just before collision in order to land a boot on her
shield she used to block the blow. The kick was so strong though it
sent her flying regardless and probably left a dent in her shield.
And now he halted. In a matter of seconds he had three more bodies
around his feet as the same glare he had when he began still lurked
across his face.
Kotaro: How uninteresting.
Yuan Shao: *waves cell* I have Pong on this thing! That's always interesting! :D
Kotaro: ...You know you just killed a really badass moment there, Shao.
Keiji: Kickass, Pong! :D
Naturally, Keiji and Shao wasted no time in engaging in an epic battle of the pongs. Kotaro could think of no better response than to simply facepalm himself. Suddenly, he noticed something on the mountain. A large dust mound was storming down it and coming right toward them. What on earth was that? They'd soon find out.
*** Mountain Pass Outpost - Ishida Team ***
Mitsunari
rolled out of the way to avoid a vertical strike from the massive
executioner. As he stopped her folded open his fan and tossed it at
him, hoping to cut a hole in his chest but was surprised as it
bounced of his rhino like skin and perfectly back into his hands. He
raised up and started running around to dodge another hit. This
time Zhang Liao took his stand against the behemoth and used his
blade to send a slash straight down the Executioner's back. He
expected this to cause him to back down but he soon found his hide
near impenetrable as he brushed it off, and swung the end of his ax
to bash Liao away. He charged after him as Liao regained his footing
and skidded across the ground as he came to a halt. The Executioner
raised his foot high and slammed it down on the general hard. He
raised Blue Wyvern in defense and held back the enourmus foot as best
he could. But he could already feel his strength weakening. However
he quickly gained it back as a green beam Mitsunari shot from his fan
crashed with the Executioner's face. It hurt his eyes a bit as he
took a step back and took his foot off of Zhang Liao. He shot two
more at his head but was blocked with his free arm, his massive
biceps taking the blast for him. The Executioner then rushed the
strategist and grabbed his torso before lifting him up in the air and
slamming him back down. God, how that hurt like hell. Normally he
would end this by crushing Mitsunari's skull but he had learned from
before and instead turned and threw him like a baseball at Zhang
Liao.
Liao was somehow
able to stop his charge meant for the Executioner midway and catch
Mitsunari in his arms. He kneeled and tried to put Mitsunari back on
his feet but was forced to stop as he saw the Executioner running
toward them once again. Liao griped his blade tight. He knew he had
only one shot at this. The general raised blue Wyvern high and
threw it like a javilen at the Executioner. He found it hit his mark
as the blade dug straight into his chest...piercing his heart. Liao
smirked as the man stepped back a few times, holding his chest. It
seemed like forever had passed as he stared at the blade inside his
body.
Mitsunari: Uh, shouldn't he fall over now and, you know, DIE!?
The Executioner did no such thing. He raised his gaze back to the pair and let out loud and terrible yell. If not for the sounds of battle clogging their ears, the men below them could have heard it's ferocity. He finally stopped and began taking slow, careful, steps at the two. At this point, he'd already forgotten about the polearm jammed in him.
Zhang Liao: That's impossible! You mean cutting through his heart won't even stop him!?
Mitsunari: Well if that won't do it, then let's see about blowing him to pieces!
Mitsunari, now on his
feet, closed his fan shut as the Executioner's eyes fell below. He
was standing right on top of a cache of bombs Mitsunari had set
earlier right as they exploded. He tried to block it with his axe but
the explosives were far too close. He was sent flying and landed on
his back, almost sliding right off the mountain cliff. The way he
landed forced the now blood covered Blue Wyvern to retract upward
were mostly the blade was in him now. However even with all this the
Executioner was still able to get back to his feet. But this time, it
took him a bit longer. But now Mitsunari and Zhang Liao were
out of ideas. They stared in silence, hoping for the voice of some
ally to come aid them, anyone. But no, they heard nothing. All they
could hear was a jingling noise. ...Wait.
Gan Ning: Yippie-kai-ey-mother****er!
From the abyss of the mountain the one and only pirate, Gan Ning, leaped out from behind the Executioner. The man had no time to react as Gan Ning grabbed onto his shoulder and swung himself around as to impale his Sea Master blade right into his upper-left chest. He stayed there hung on his shoulder to keep him occupied as he looked to Zhang Liao.
Gan Ning: Yo Zhang Liao, time to get your blade back don't 'cha think?
Liao knew exactly what Ning had in mind. The Executioner was backing up and was just an inch from falling off the mountain. He gave a nod to Mitsunari and ran straight to the giant bracing himself as he rammed his shoulder, along with the mass of his body weight, right into him as Gan Ning simultaneously leaped off him with Sea Master and using his own body as a spring board. Mitsunari watched as Ning landed perfectly back on the ground and as Liao and the Executioner went flying off the mountain.
Gan Ning: Hell yeah! That's what I'm talkin' about! C'mon, lets go after 'em!
Mitsunari: What the-!? Are you insane!?
Of Course by this
time all Mitsunari could hear was Gan Ning yelling "yeehaw"
as he jumped off the cliff after them. Mitsunari hesitated a moment
before finally deciding to follow after them. How they thought this
was a good idea he would never know. Gan Ning was running down
the rocky and slanted mountain he had climbed not to long ago and was
quickly gaining momentum. Mitsunari on the other hand took an easier
approach and was gradually sliding down the mountain, creating a dust
path behind him as his boots skid and shifted from rock to
rock. Further down the mountain the Executioner was grinding
down, the rocks digging into his back as he made a considerably
larger dust cloud that could clearly be seen by an observant eye in
the below battlefield. And standing on his chest was Zhang Liao who
had just now ripped his blade from his enemy's body and was now using
it to slice it up again. Liao landed in many good hits but even as he
was falling the Executioners was not able to regain his footing but
could still use his axe and his arm to strike at Zhang Liao. The pair
engaged in a melee of strikes as Liao dodged and blocked the assualt
while the Executioner pushed passed the pain and went on the
offensive, although still blocking the occasional blade with his
axe. It wasn't long until they began to get close to the
bottom. Liao could see the battlefield out of the corner of his eye
and knew he didn't want to be on this man when they crashed. He
looked to his right to see Mitsunari catching up with them.
Zhang Liao: Lord Mitsunari!
Ishida nodded and slide his way
further to them until he was right beside the conflict. He waited as
the two swung their weapons at the other until he saw an opening. It
was then he lunged out from beside them and drilled the Executioner's
face with his fan as he flue past them and returned to grinding to
the right. Using this opening Zhang Liao swung Blue Wyvern in an
uppercut fashion that dug into the Executioner and as he did so
flipkicked him unto the air as Liao landed and began his own grind. It was now when the Executioner was airborne that Gan Ning
made his turn and jumped at him to nail him with the strongest
dropkick he'd ever got hit with. The force of which increased his
decent considerably. Slipping out a smirk the pirate landed and went
back to running down the mountain. The three made sure to catch a
good view of the monsters crash landing into a pile of his own
troops, squashing them all. Amazingly when the three reached
the end of this mountain themselves they however managed to
gracefully and perfectly land on the flat surface below. They and the
people around them stood for a moment, shocked and in awe of what
they just pulled off.
Mitsunari: I can't believe what we just did...
Gan Ning: Hah hah hah! Now THAT is what I call awesome! High five!
Zhang Liao: *hi-5's Ning*
Kotaro: Well done, warriors of old. Now we shall see how you fair against...
Keiji: The craziest wild cat in town!
Kotaro: And the fiendish arts of the Fuma.
Yuan Shao: AND the nobility of Yuan Shao!
Gan Ning: Uh...ain't'chu on our side?
Yuan Shao: Really? Damn. Can I defect?
Kotaro: No.
Keiji: Hey, I think that'd be a great--
Kotaro: No!
Zhang Liao: ...Actually you know we wouldn't mind if--
Kotaro: NO GODDAMMIT!
Having enough of this foolish baffling, Kotaro rushed the three newcomers to signal the start of the battle...
*** Date-Lu Bu Main
Camp *** Masamune:
Scout: I-I'm sorry my lord! But with the massive Wei reinforcements we've been decimated on all sides! We've lost contact with all our reserve units with the mountain base destroyed and the frontlines--
Lu Bu: SILENCE!
Scout: WAAAH!!!
Lu Bu: Cao Cao was a weakling and his son is no different! If you maggots can't take them and a few Shu renegades down I'll do it myself! Outta my way!
Masamune: Hey! You can't leave the camp, you're suppose to be the commander too!
Lu Bu: Bah! What good is a commander if all he does is bark orders! I am a man of action! *mounts Red Hare* Hiya!
Masamune: Hey! Get back here! Are all Chinese guys like this?
Ignoring Masamune utterly, the mighty Lu Bu rode out of the camp at full speed, only he and his halberd in tow. He rode until he reached a narrow passage that separated the main camp from the battlefield he so longed for. He wasn't too far to his destination as two pairs of eyes followed him like a hawk...
Guo Jia: Do it now.
BOOM! Lu Bu:
BOOM,
BOOM!
BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!
Red Hare began to neigh and panic at the incredibly loud sounds that rang through the horses eardrums. Lu Bu was too busy trying to figure out what just happened to even think of calming the steed down as he looked forward to see a rockslide come through in the narrow walls that sealed off his way forward. He then jerked behind to see another pile come down behind him to prevent his retreat. Now he knew. It was a trap. He dismounted Red Hare and sent it as far away as possible as he scanned above for an ambush.
Lu Bu: You! I know you're there! YOU DARE TRY TO TRICK THE GREAT LU BU!!! Come out so I can impale you!
Above the valley...
Huang Gai: He's calling for you. Don't worry! Together we can annihilate him!
Guo Jia: ...Huang Gai, may I have one of your more potent bombs?
Huang Gai: Of course!
Guo Jia: Thank you. *puts it in his robe* Now light the signal for Lord Cao Pi. I shall deal with Lu Bu. Alone.
Huang Gai: What!? But Lord Guo Jia--!
Guo Jia: Do not fret Huang Gai. I have a plan. *smiles*
Huang Gai: Very well. You've never disappointed before.
The warriors nodded to each other as Huang Gai went to do so. Guo Jia readied himself and equipped his shield and rapier. He looked down below at the impatient beast below and threw down a rope he'd tied to a sturdy rock before. He then used this to slide his way down to Lu Bu. As he landed he slowly walked to the much taller warrior and eyed him coldly.
Lu Bu: ...This? This scrawny man is all that stands before me? You dare waste my time!
Guo Jia: I may appear like an inadequate fighter, but I believe you'll find I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Like this.
Lu Bu raised an eyebrow at this as
Guo Jia aimed his shielded hand at him and a wave of ice flue out at
the warrior like a blizzard. At first he was able to stand his ground
but it didn't take long for the ice to take effect and blast him into
the pile of rock that blocked the way to the battlefield. Jia saw
this as an opportune moment to strike and he did so, rushing straight
to the downed Lu Bu. However, he underestimated the rate that he'd
recover. Just before he was in range to use his rapier Lu Bu arose to
his feet and used the butt of his halberd to C2-uppercut Jia into the
air. He continued the counter by grabbing Jia's ankle and
slamming him down on the ground before him. He would have finished it
off with the jab he used at Jia next but he was somehow able to roll
out of the way of the razor sharp blade. He immediately got to his
feet...only to be close-lined by Lu Bu. As he did this Jia's chin was
hooked onto his arm as the beastly man ran forward and then released
him, sending Jia right into the opposing rock pile. As he hit some of
the rocks shifted but luckily none fell down. He didn't waste
time opening his eyes at this point. He already knew Lu Bu well
enough by rumors to know he was planning another attack so instead he
raised his shield. Good call as Lu Bu's fist collided with it. This
would have torn a normal man's knuckles apart but to Lu Bu this was
nothing. He followed with a twirl of his halberd that Jia had to duck
to avoid but since he made a full 360 he was able to use the other
end to bash the strategist into the valley wall. However this
motion caused one of the more higher rocks to fall at Lu Bu. This
didn't pose a threat though as he shattered the rock with one swing
of his blade. Thankfully though, this was all the time Jia needed to
send an ice shard straight into his back. Naturally, this got Lu Bu
pretty pissed. But he wasn't as mad he'd usually be when he turned
around and saw Guo Jia kneeling down and clutching inside his robe
painfully.
Lu Bu: Hah! What's the matter? That last attack too much for you?
Guo Jia: *cough* Yes, that last was...rather good. But!
In less than a second Jia impaled his rapier in Lu Bu's right leg with his free arm and jumped up, latching his arm around Lu Bu's as he revealed the now lit bomb from his robe.
Guo Jia: I think this one will really blow you away.
Lu Bu: What the hell!? Get off of me!!
Lu Bu shooked and shooked and pushed Guo Jia as hard as he could but the smaller man's hold was impeccable. He absolutely couldn't shake him off! And with a sword in his leg he really couldn't move from that spot so he was stuck there with Guo Jia and a bomb. He could actually hear the fuse getting shorter at this point. Lu Bu then stopped pushing and started punched Jia in his face mercilessly.
Lu Bu: Are you insane!? That blast will kill you too! MOVE DAMMIT!!!
But
it was too late. The fuse was gone. He paused for a microsecond that
seemed like hours...hours of his impending doom. And
then...BOOM! It went off. Lu Bu
was so close to the rock formation he actually blew straight through
it, clearing a path. Jia on the other hand was facing the opposite
direction so he was sent straight across the valley into the adjacent
rock pile. He crashed hard into the rocks and slide down on his
backside. Lu Bu was now lying on the ground, freed from the
imprisonment the rocks presented but in immense pain. To make matters
worse the sword was still jammed into his leg. As it turns out the
bomb was softened by his armor so he was still alive to feel the
agony. Growling in his torment Lu Bu reached for the rapier in his
leg and ripped it out as fast as he could, tearing out a scream with
it.
Lu Bu: AAARRGH!!! DAMN THAT PATHETIC FOOL!!! TO THINK THAT A WEAKLING LIKE HIM COULD DO THIS TO THE GREAT LU-agh!
Apparently, the blast did a number on his side too as yelling made that hurt. Snarling and showing his teeth Lu Bu through the sword straight at Guo Jia. Fortunately his aim was off and the blade landed just beside his head, mere inches away.
Lu Bu: Tch. Whatever, probably dead anyways. All he had was a robe to protect him.
Lu Bu, unable to walk, called for Red Hare
who somehow survived all this and moved toward its master. He pulled
himself up atop his steed with nothing but sheer upper body strength.
He was too hurt to go into battle now. He would have to get his
revenge against Wei later. For now he weakly rode his majestic horse
out of the battlefield... And meanwhile, Guo Jia lays utterly
motionless as his body rests against the rocks behind him. His eyes
were shut and the sword still dug in beside him. He didn't even seem
to breathe until a sharp gust of ice cold air ran past him that
pierced his lungs back to life as he took a long deep breath and
began panting. He looked at his hands to make sure this was his he
was looking at and not his spirit's.
Guo Jia: Fascinating... Hm?
Huang Gai: L-lord Guo Jia! I heard the bomb go off and I came back to see you lying here and I feared the worst. Are you alright?
Jia took a moment to look at himself. His robe was shredded from the blast and he had a great deal of bruises and cuts to match them. He then saw that his blade was embedded beside him. He also realized that Lu Bu was gone. With a soft smile, Jia rose to his feet and released his blade.
Guo Jia: Yes, I just...need to rest when we get home. The bomb went off a bit closer to me than I had wanted it too but Lu Bu has retreated, for that much I am sure.
Huang Gai: I'm relieved to hear that! But you still do not look that well. I lit the signals and lord Cao Pi should commence any minute now. We've done enough for this battle. Let us return to base.
Jia nodded and followed his ally. But as he he did so he looked at the hand he had held the bomb in as it exploded. It was perfectly fine. Not even so much as a smudge.
*** Forest - Yi Team ***
Meanwhile, Sima Yi and Nagamasa rode after Nene through the forest at full pace. Upon hearing the shriek that they knew for sure was hers, Yi had ordered them to move as quickly as possible. They moved in closer until they came across a single warrior. A tall man, holding a long polearm. ...And standing above an unconscious Nene. Yi and Nagamasa immediately dismounted to meet the new opposition. Yi was the first to step up, snarling.
Sima Yi: If she's dead, I guarantee I'll have you screaming for weeks.
???: She is only unconscious. Lord Zhuge Liang has ordered me to defend this area. He had thought that there may be a covert unit moving along the path and it seems he was right.
Sima Yi: Bah, as I thought. I knew he was behind this opposition.
The man reached down with one hand and lifted up Nene before tossing her Sima Yi's way, easily catching her. She was fine.
Sima Yi: I should have expected you wouldn't be able to harm a woman, Guan Yu. Despite what that rumor about Diao Chan may suggest.
Guan Yu: Humph. I'll give you one chance to leave without wound.
Sima Yi: And you know I can't take that chance.
Guan Yu: Very well. Prepare yourself!
Nagamasa: Wait! You are the one claimed "God of War", correct? Lord Sima Yi, please, let me fight him.
Sima Yi: Sure, what do I care? Just get him out of the way.
Nagamasa: Thank you. Lord Guan Yu, I, Nagamasa Azai, challenge you to a duel!
Guan Yu: As you wish. Let us begin!
Nagamasa: Hurrragh!!
Nagamasa saw that Guan Yu was ready and charge
similarly to his final attack on Sima Yi at Chen Gang. The blue
iffenities irradiated off him as he plowed through Guan Yu, knocking
him back a ways even as he guarded with Blue Dragon. The war God
however still landed on his feet just as well and countered with his
own charge, almost gliding forward as he spun Blue Dragon in front of
him, the blade creating sparks against Nagamasa's lance as it drilled
it repeatedly. Eventually Nagamasa's guard broke and left him
open as the end of Blue Dragon slammed into his gut and then followed
by lifting him up and ramming him back on the ground hard. Naturally,
this left him down for a while. Guan Yu raised his blade and twirled
it around above heard for a while until he struck down with all his
might. However, his blade met only dirt as Nagamasa moved out
of the way and quickly began slashing with his lance that made the
war God jump back to avoid. He got up and charged again as he and
Guan Yu entered a flurry of blade on blade action, each man striking
with their weapons with inhuman speed. Nagamasa jabbed his lance at
Guan Yu only to have it blocked time and time again, sparks razing
from the clashes until one jab landed into his shoulder.
this didn't block
the Shu warrior like he had intended. Guan Yu had taken enough blades
to withstand a little poke and drove Blue Dragon across his chest
that left a large wound, blood already dripping from it. What Guan Yu
didn't realize though was that Nagamasa could take just as much as he
could and proved it by slamming his shoulder into him as he flue
straight into a tree. He hit so hard he stood in place for a moment
before sliding to the ground. And if he had stayed there any
longer he would have been skewered as the daimyo's lance could be
seen impaled in the tree where his head formally was. Unfortunately
now his weapon was stuck and Guan Yu took this moment to strike with
Blue Dragon. Time seemed to slow as the blade of the war God's weapon
came toward his skull. He would have lost it if he hadn't caught a
second wind and forced his lance straight out the side of the tree,
blocking the blow and dealing a slash to his arm yet again before
they entered a deadlock. Suddenly creaking was heard as they
soon saw the tree was falling right at them! They quickly broke the
lock as the bulky wooden plant fell before them, blocking their way
to each other. They stopped and breathed heavily as they stared at
each other. Surprisingly to Nagamasa, Guan Yu stepped out of his
battle stance.
Guan Yu: Well done, lad! You have fought well! You may pass.
Nagamasa: May-*pant*-pass? You forfeit?
Guan Yu: I am too wounded to continue fighting. My arm is nearly broke. You have won, Nagamasa Azai.
Nagamasa: Well-*pant*-it was a good duel then.
Guan Yu: *nods and limps to his stead, clutching his shoulder as he mounts* I take my leave! *rides off*
Sima Yi: Humph. I didn't expect him to finish the fight. Still, well done Nagamasa. Guan Yu is not an easy foe to defeat.
Nagamasa: You flatter me. But, his name was "Guan" correct? Isn't there a young warrior here with that name?
Sima Yi: Guan Ping. Yes... Nagamasa, I believe it prudent to not mention this to him, or anyone else for that matter. It would simply cause unwanted drama and I'm sure no one here wants to deal with any of that.
Nagamasa: I see. I will do as you ask. What about your love?
Sima Yi: ...My what?
Nagamasa points to Nene, still cradled in Yi's grasp.
Sima Yi: What, this thing!? *drops her*
Nene: OW!!!
Sima Yi: No such thing exists between me and her.
Nagamasa: Oh, er, sorry I just assumed from your reaction when you saw her and the concubine remark...
Sima Yi: No. -_-
Nene: *gets up* Ow... Why is it every time I fight I hurt my rear end!? So what happened while I was out?
Sima Yi: Nothing. You two get ready, we'll be upon the main camp soon. I want to finish this now.
*** Shu Main Camp -
Cao Pi & Zhao Yun *** Cao Pi:
Before the battle it had been Guo Jia's plan to
close off the Orochi forces escape route with bombs since the only
way past the battle field was through Shu's camp or through Date's.
And the way to the Date had been sealed in an ambush against Lu Bu.
The Shu forces made sure to fall back as the Orochi forces pursued
and once they got as close as they could, death from above. However
the Shu and Wei forces both would have taken considerable damage if
it hadn't been for Sima Yi's provisions keeping moral up. Jia had
expect Lu Bu to move out earlier than he did and could have lost some
good men.
Zhao Yun: Uh, Lord Cao Pi, you do realize Pang Tong is being loaded onto the catapults?
Cao Pi: I do.
Zhao Yun: Just checking.
Pang Tong: O_O
Fang: Fire!
Pang Tong: O_O *takes down 4 officers on impact*
Cao Pi: Huh. Took down more than I thought he would.
*** Frontline Conflict - Orochi Forces ***
Kotaro stopped just in time to watch a rock
from a catapult slam the Executioner to the ground as the Shu and Wei
forces turned around and began decimating the Orochi army. How the
hell that beastly man could survive all that not even he knew. The
Ishida team had already retreated back to set the attack as Kotaro
and Keiji tried to survive the doom raining down on them. As for Yuan
Shao, no one really knows what happen to him but then again no one
really cared where he went anyways.
Keiji: Whoa. We're gettin' creamed! And not in the good way!
Kotaro: There's a good way for that?
Keiji: Uh...
Kotaro: ...Disgusting. Nonetheless you are correct. The mortals won't be able to last for much longer. You'll have to retreat if you want to survive.
Keiji: Yeah, probly. Buuut, that doesn't mean we can't give 'em something to remember us by, huh!? Whad'a'ya say, Fuma?!
Kotaro: *smirk* The wild ones strike.
Keiji: Hell yeah!!! RAAAAAGGH!!!
The wild ones ran headlong into
the Coalition force, side by side, as they drilled straight through
their lines. Blood and guts spattered in the night sky as the pair
hacked, slashed, and bashed through anyone stupid enough to come
against them. Side by side they pushed on and on until they couldn't
even see their allies. And of course, this meant they were
surrounded. Like that matters. They immediately moved back to
back and let come what may. Kotaro cut down 2 foot soldiers
like butter, the first sign of the on coming slaughter. Another
rushed him only to slam against the ground by a sweep of the ninja's
boot as two more followed, spears aimed. However Kotaro was easily
fast enough to dodge the spears, catch them under his arms, break off
the blade, and then pierce it through the hearts of its respective
owners before grinding his heel down on the former soldier's neck as
a satisfying crack ripped through the air. Now he just couldn't help
but smile at that. Keiji was tearing down rows at a time. 3
would run toward him, and 2 of the 3 would get cut down while the
final got smacked by the end of his spear, sending him further into
the crowd. Once this happened a few times you'd think they'd learn
but apparently people weren't that smart back them. The wild cat
slammed his spear into the ground as a shockwave sent a row of them
flying off and following up with a 180 twirl that hacked down nearly
half a dozen men.
Keiji continued with
his assault, only growing more and more brutal as he fought on. He
laughed heartfully as he jammed his pike into an officer, digging
into his gut and ribs. He then flung his weapon upwards as the
officer went airborne and waited. When he started to come back down
Keiji hooked him in between the two prongs of his spear and used all
his might to drive him into the earth. Needless to say, what's left
of that guy was little more than a bloody mess. Kotaro dug his
boots into the faces of several men this day, whipping his arms
across those to far reach as he felled countless rows. 2 more leaped
at him only to met their end as Fuma caught them by their necks,
slamming them to the ground as a 2 matching purple cylinders
irradiated from their bodies as they were destroyed right under him.
He then slowly looked up at the men before him, his cruel visage now
engraved in the minds of countless men. He quickly arose and
stretched his arm to a single soldier, grabbing him by the head as he
was pulled up close to him. He admired the mans eyes for a
moment...before his gauntlet shined blue and his skull was crushed in
an instant. He smiled once more as the body fell. Fuma looked
directly at his prey, all of them shivering in fear of his and
Keiji's might. They were all beginning to back away slowly. The pair
looked back at each other in the corner of their eyes and each took a
fast step forward. This was more than enough to cause the enemy
troops to flee in terror. Kotaro was about to pursue after them but
stopped upon noticing the bomb just below his feet.
Kotaro: Mitsun--
Boom! The blast was strong
enough to send the ninja zooming back through the air and it did so.
Luckily though he was able to recover and land on his feet as he
skidded across the field. He looked up to see Mitsunari and Zhang
Liao staring him down.
Kotaro: And the pirate as well.
Fuma looked over to Keiji who was now under attack from the one and only Gan Ning. They both seemed to be enjoying that crazy fight. But then he stopped for a moment and raised his left gauntlet as he blocked a tri-spear from behind.
Kotaro: The Crimson Samurai of the Forgotten Age.
Yukimura pulled his spear back and readied himself as his friend, Mitsunari, and Zhang Liao rushed to his side. Kotaro turned and waved his fingers in a "come on" motion.
Kotaro: Let's make this quick. I have somewhere to be.
*** Forest - Yi Team ***
Sima Yi: It's almost time.
Sima Yi rode along, his allies in tow as they reached the end of the forest. The forest was above level of the enemy main camp so when the three burst forth from the trees they landed in the middle of the base, already hacking down and slashing up everything as they ran by on their steeds. By the time a Date scout had time to yell "enemy ambush" they had already killed 1/4 of it's inhabitants.
Masamune: What the hell!? G-get the rifles, now, NOW!!
BOOM!!! Masamune's
whole world nearly just shattered as he looked upon his weapons and
ammunition storage. All of it was in flames, all of the countless
guns he brought in to battle gone. Sure there were a couple of his
men running around on fire but his guns...
Masamune: Hm?
Masamune noticed someone tapping on his shoulder. Curious, he turned to look and found his eyes locked with the center of Sima Yi's palm. The strategist couldn't help but smirk as a purple beam erupted into Masamune's face, sending him flying and his helmet going off.
*** Frontline Conflict - Orochi Forces ***
The wild pair and their 4
enemies were in flurry of lightning fast strikes that no normal man
could ever hope to keep up with. Keiji on Ning and Yukimura and
Kotaro on the other 2, all of them were moving around the battle
field trading opponents and blocking for the other in perfect unison.
Truly a sight to behold. Even more so that the pair could hold off
against this onslaught. Suddenly amidst the flash of steal and
sweet, Kotaro halted all movement. He raised only his right arm and
left leg to block the on coming attacks as if they were
nothing.
Kotaro: The winds beckon.
Without another word the Fuma ninja disappeared into the night as Keiji pulled off his attack.
Keiji: Oh yeah, you know, I'm fine! I'm only outnumbered and behind enemy lines, nah, I'll be okay. You go ahead and leave me behind, Fuma! ...Douchebag. Now how'm I gonna get outta here..?
*** Date Main Camp *** Sima
Yi:
Sima Yi was laughing like
a punk as Masamune tried his damnedest to hack him in two with his
saber. Yi was easily able to dodge the helmetless Masamune thanks to
his hotheaded anger preventing him from focusing. Whether he actually
thought this was funny or he just wanted to piss Masamune off remains
to be seen but either way Masamune had had enough as he pulled out
his pistols and fired right at Yi. Of course, he soon stopped
when they started to ricochet off his shield. Masamune stopped and
panted hard as Yi morph his shield back to a fan.
Sima Yi: Ah, Masamune. I always wondered if all that hot air and bluster was from a skilled young mind, or just a snot-nosed kid. I now see it is certainly not the former. You can't even touch me! Ha ha ha!
Masamune: SHUT UP!!!
Masamune
immediately began firing upon Yi once again. Only this time instead
of blocking he slid around the line of fire and right next to
Masamune, his hand on his chest as a laser blew him off a distance,
forcing him to drop his guns even. Weakly, the Oshu Lord
raised his shivering hand from the dirt and tried to reach his
gun...only to have Yi's foot come crashing down on it, cutting him
off. He looked up just in time to see Yi's black sword at his head as
Nagamasa and Nene joined them, having finished up the Date defense
troops.
Nagamasa: Shall we tie him up?
Nene: Actually I happen to have some handcuffs you can borrow! :D
Sima Yi: ...A bit disturbing, but it works.
Yi turned to Masamune and began fiddling with the metal cuffs, trying to understand how these things worked without having to ask one of them. Not like Masamune was going anywhere. He almost had it but stopped as he heard 2 consecutive thuds and then 2 more separate, louder thuds. He turned back around to see a much taller man standing over the unconscious Nagamasa and Nene.
Sima Yi: Kotaro!?
Yi only had the time and speed necessary to dodge the first 2 unprovoked fist the Fuma sent his way but couldn't halt the knee to his torso that sent him flying and crashing to the ground. Fortunately he was able to recover quickly and get back to his feet.
Sima Yi: What are you doing here!?
Kotaro: Sometimes I'm not even sure why I go to places. The winds of bedlam direct me as they please.
Sima Yi: So...you intend to live up to the promise you made so many nights ago.
Kotaro: Precisely. Now show me your darkest thought!
Yi morphed a shield
and charged at Kotaro full speed as he did the same. When they met
time seemed to slow as Fuma made the first strike, his shining blue
fist just barely missing Yi's skull as he moved to dodge. As he did
so Yi slung his claws across the ninja's gut, unable to hit anything
but a few chains as he preformed his own dodge. However before they
finished passing each other Kotaro spun around mid-dash and drove his
left fist at him only to have it blocked by Yi's pitch black shield.
Time reverted to normal as the completely passed each other and
skipped across the dirt ground to turn back around. Both
stared at each other for a moment as Yi's fan morphed to normal and
he holstered it on his waist as he released his chains as
replacements. Kotaro on the other hand cracked some of the bones in
his knuckles. They charged once again. But this time Yi had a plan
and before Kotaro was in range to attack but already readying himself
for one, Yi threw one of his chains at him. As Kotaro's fist became
open Yi wrapped his chain around it and steered Kotaro around him as
he rammed his heel into his back to force him against the ground. As
he was in this position Yi stood on top of him and grabbed his fan
with the hand that didn't handle the chain and morph a spear. He
raised it high and thrusted it down at Kotaro's head, mere inches
from impaling it just before he stood up to headbutt Yi's chin. The
headbutt was strong enough to send him into the air and he was high
enough for Kotaro to use his chains against him. He swung his arm
down and with it Sima Yi into the dirt as the chains released. He
continued by stomping his foot into Yi's spine twice before he was
able to roll out of the way and get to his feet.
Sima Yi: Dammit...that last tussle really hurt...
Kotaro: How dull.
Sima Yi: Dull? Ha! Let's see how dull you think this is! It's a little something Masamune inspired me!
Sima Yi aimed his spear at Kotaro as the spear turned into a musket! He took but half a second to smirk his trademark grin before unloading onto Kotaro, bullet after bullet zooming after him. However this was even less effective than a firecracker. By a mix of amazing speed and inhuman precision Kotaro had caught every single shell fired from Yi's pitch black musket.
Kotaro: ...
Fuma chucked back the bullets as Yi caught them in a single hand, remorphing them into a sword and sheathing it. Though, he made sure to snarl while doing it. Well that didn't work. Before he could think to try something else Kotaro was already in front of him and Yi was already dodging blows. However he had had enough of dodging and the pair entered a full on melee of fist to fast to describe. Neither side doing much better than the other. But in a swift movement of his chain Yi was able to sweep the metal coil along Fuma's feet that sent him to the ground. Now he had him. Yi took out his sword and embedded it down at Kotaro. However, he disappeared and the only thing the blade met was the cold hard earth.
Yi: What!? Where did he--urk!
Kotaro: Any last words before I sever your spine?
The ninja had reappeared behind Yi in the blink of an eye and now his claw was pressed tightly against his back, dead center, where his spine was. Yi was unable to move...or so he thought.
Sima Yi: Just three.
Kotaro: Amuse me.
Yi quickly and steadily wrapped one of his chains around Kotaro's neck...
Sima Yi: GO TO HELL!!!
He
used all his might to force his chain forward, almost tipping himself
over in the process as Kotaro was sent flying into the still flaming
ammunition pile. Yi checked his back to see he was perfectly fine.
It's a good thing that worked...but would flames be enough to finish
of him? Meanwhile in the flaming rubble Kotaro began to think
to himself, utterly ignoring the sneering flames around
him...
Kotaro: Never have I been so close to death. That little maneuver almost snapped my neck... How interesting.
Yi looked around to see where he would
appear next. He was surprised when he saw the ninja leap out of the
flaming wreckage completely unscathed. He was even more surprised as
he was Kotaro keep going higher and higher in his jump...and that he
was a setting duck. Yi immediately shot his chain at him and as
expected he grabbed it and jerked Yi up to his level. As they
clashed in mid air Yi's sword was met with the cursed steel of
Kotaro's gauntlets. He broke lose his chain and used his freed hand
to jab the ninja's gut, his claws just about to enter his flesh as he
disappeared in a dark flash. Now Yi was stuck in mid air, awaiting
the next attack. It came quicker than he expected. Kotaro now
entered a cycle of appearing and disappearing around the airborne
strategist, smacking and bashing him around in several places.
Luckily after the first few licks he was able to predict his moves
and block and dodge the blows as they decended. Kotaro began
teleporting around him rapidly as Sima Yi now started to counter the
blows, spinning round and round as they fell and fought. It was
moments away from when they hit the ground that Yi was able to grab
him, forcing him to stay in place as he drove his sword
down...straight into the dirt. Kotaro had disappeared just before
they landed, evading the attack. Yi calmly stood to his feet as he
began to hear the Fuma's voice crawl into his skull, however he was
no where to be seen.
Kotaro: Well done, Sima Yi. More than once this night you brought me close to eternal darkness. As your reward, the winds shall blow elsewhere for a time. For a time.
Sima Yi: Pfft. Masamune?
Ignoring the fiends final words, Yi immediately turned to where Masamune was kneeled on the ground. Note the past tense in that last sentence.
Sima Yi: Right, of course he ran off.
He latched his fan back around his waist and walked to his still unconscious comrades, looking down at them. Right before he kicked both of them in the center of their faces.
Sima Yi: Get the hell up or I'm leaving you here!
Naturally the both jumped up, Nagamasa holding his nose and praying the boot mark wouldn't stay for long. Nene on the other hand...
Nene: Sima Yi! How dare you kick a lady! In the face!! Do you not have any manners at all!? I should spank you until your hiney turns red!!! :O
Sima Yi: I, uh...fine whatever, *mumbles something incoherent yet similer to the word "sorry"*. We're returning to camp.
Nagamasa: But what happen to Masamune? And how did we end up on the ground?
Sima Yi: I'll fill you in on the way. For now, the enemy commander has retreated. This battle is over and we are the victors. We ride.
*** Koshi Castle - The Next Day ***
It was almost sunrise as what was left of the Date and Lu Bu army returned home, wollowing in their defeat. Everyone was down in the mucks. Well, except for Keiji of course, who was now resting on a stone snake statue just beyond the castle courtyard with architect long enough for him to lay down on. He rested his head against his hand and yawned as he watched the rays from the sun starting to peer over the grounds of the castle. His eyes slowly rolled over to the demonic Fuma ninja who had just appeared next to the statue.
Keiji: Mornin', Fuma.
Kotaro: I see you survived the battle.
Keiji: Yeah, no thanks to you. Turns out that big guy with the mask and the axe was still hangin' around and he helped me get outta that mess. I did like going up against Yukes again though.
A mental photograph of Keiji and the Executioner fighting off the Coalition appeared in Kotaro's mind.
Kotaro: Interesting...
Keiji: Yeah, but Masamune's not doing too well. This battle really got to him for some reason or another. He hasn't left his chambers all day.
Kotaro: Masamune is still too young to disperse any useless emotions to weigh him down like remorse for fighting a former friend such as Yi and ourselves were able.
Keiji: True dat, my chaotic little buddy. So, you see any mayhem in the near future through your freaky ninja skills?
Kotaro: Humph. *turns around* Just one thing. What we experiance today, was nothing compared to what's to the pandemonium that's to come. *disappears*
Keiji: Heh heh heh, well, I can't wait for the next rumble then! Hahahahaha!
Fade
to black as Keiji's laughter fills the mourning sun rise... ...Fade
back in as Cao Pi, Mitsunari, and Sima Yi reside in the throne room.
Fang can be seen rushing into the room.
Fang: My lord! We have an unexpected guest coming to see you! We tried to tell him to wait for your approval but...
Cao Pi: No need to fret. Zhao Yun was so grateful for the aid in the battle last night that he sent one of his officers to join us.
Sima Yi: Truly? I wonder who Zhao Yun has to spare that he would--
Yi's voice stopped completely as they saw the man that stood before them, mouth a gap. Mitsunari actually dropped his fan in shock and Cao Pi could be seen tightly gripping the arms of his throne.
Cao Pi: No way...
Sima Yi: You've got to be ****ing me...
Mitsunari: It's...
Yuan Shao: Greetings, commoners! You are now all part of the new Yuan Shao army! Worship my nobility! :D
*** End of Chapter 7 *** I'M
NEVER MAKING A CHAPTER THIS ****ING LONG EVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!
