::Zhuozhou County, 5 months later::
"Tag, you're it!"
It is unusually quite sunny out. Normally, the sun didn't emerge from behind the clouds, but today it did. At the XiangHui School in Zhuozhou, the hard-working students are enjoying free time outside. While the children are enjoying thrilling games of tag and football (soccer), a lone boy sits under a tree reading a book. The sun's rays shine down through the gigantic tree's leaves, making a design of light and shadows on the ground. A boy playing tag tags another girl and walks over to the boy under the tree steadily, trying not to disturb the boy who is reading.
Boy: Hi. Why are you all alone way over here?
The boy who is reading the book looks up and stares at the curious boy, then continues reading his book.
Boy: Hi. My name is Zhao Yun. What's your name?
The bookworm boy looks up yet again and notices the boy named Zhao Yun. This "Zhao Yun" had piercing green eyes, dark brown hair that looked like wasn't combed very well, and a gleaming smile that could've blinded half of the children on the playground. Looking back at the book, the boy responds.
Boy: Liu Bei.
Zhao Yun: Oh. Wait, you perhaps aren't related to --
Liu Bei looks up from his book yet again and gives Zhao Yun the 'finish your sentence' look. Zhao Yun shakes his head. He sits down next to Liu Bei.
Zhao Yun: Never mind. Anyways, what are you reading?
Liu Bei: A book on China's history.
Zhao Yun noticed that Bei had a firm, sharp tone to his voice. He also noticed that he always kept his eyes scanning the text in the book, never looking at him when he spoke. Somehow, this made Yun think that Liu Bei was a bit shy.
Zhao Yun: While it may be better to concentrate on your studies, exercise will keep you healthy. Come on, I'm going to teach you how to play football!
Liu Bei: Well I'm not sure that I should.
Zhao Yun: Come on!
Zhao Yun grabs Liu Bei's forearm and drags him out to the field. Liu Bei drops his book and leaves it under the tree. Liu Bei noticed that Zhao Yun was beginning to cut off circulation throughout his arm, but thankfully he made it to the field without having his arm fall off from lack of blood flow.
Zhao Yun: Everyone! Hey, everyone!
The kids playing football stop and all look at Zhao Yun. Liu Bei hides behind Yun while Zhao Yun addresses his fellow students.
Zhao Yun: I don't know if you know this guy.
Zhao Yun takes one step to the right to reveal Liu Bei. Liu Bei was 11 years old with light brown hair that was combed in a certain way that appealed to a few people. He was a medium height, but slightly shorter than Zhao Yun. Normally being the quiet one who never gets spoken to, now he was more nervous then ever, now that he was being introduced to the class.
Zhao Yun: But this is Liu Bei. Can he join in the game?
A girl with her hair braided back steps forward in the normal schoolgirl uniform.
Girl: No way! We've already got a game started and with him, he'll just make our team worse!
Zhao Yun: Fine, he can be on my team!
Girl: Whatever, as long as he doesn't get in my way when I score!
She gathers her team into a huddle.
Girl: Okay, Zhao Yun is really good at this, but with that Liu Bei kid, we can win!
On the other side of the field, Zhao Yun's team gathers around him and Liu Bei. A boy with a scar on his cheek walks up to Liu Bei and observes him.
Boy: I've seen this kid before. Are you sure he'll help us? I mean, no disrespect or nuttin' but I think he'd be better in a spelling bee or something.
The kids behind him giggle and laugh quietly and Zhao Yun rolls his eyes.
Zhao Yun: Just get everyone in position.
He does so and everyone runs to his or her positions. Liu Bei becomes even more nervous and pulls on Zhao Yun's sleeve.
Liu Bei: I don't think that I can.
Zhao Yun: It's simple. All you have to do is kick the ball in the other team's net. Just remember to pass the ball often and never touch it with your hands. Here, lets try a pass real quick.
Zhao Yun runs to his forward position across the field and urges for Liu Bei to kick the ball to him. Liu Bei hesitates and ends up kicking the ball over to the middle of the field. A girl gets hit in the leg and whines.
Girl on other team: C'mon Yun! Lets do this already!
Zhao Yun nods and the girl that got hit passes the ball to the middle. A short, chubby kid runs out to the middle of the field and throws the ball into the air and darts to the out-of-bounds mark. The ball lands and both teams chase after the ball. A tall boy from the other team gets the ball and starts charging through the team like a bull to a red cape. A short, quick kid takes the ball from him and then passes it to Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun grins and starts plowing through the other team, just like the boy did earlier. 3 kids surround Zhao Yun and try to take the ball, but he does quick footwork and dodges their feet and kicks the ball up behind him and kicks it to Liu Bei. The ball soars through the air and hits Liu Bei in the stomach. He groans and holds his stomach, but the pain goes away quickly. Everyone looks at him then what seems like the whole team comes speeding at him. Liu Bei looks confused.
Zhao Yun's team: GO!
Liu Bei gasps and then starts kicking the ball lightly and kicks it to a kid. Someone on his team groans and complains that he passed it to the other team. They charge at the goalkeeper but a girl manages to take it and passes it to a boy who takes it down the field and passes it to a girl. The girl isn't paying attention and the ball ends up at Liu Bei again. Bei panics and looks around and sees Zhao Yun waving his arms. Liu Bei crosses his fingers and kicks it as hard as he can to Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun hits it off his chest and starts dribbling the ball down the field. Liu Bei starts sprinting down the field and Zhao Yun as well as both of the teams look awestruck. Zhao Yun passes to Liu Bei who then zigzags through the other team. He then does a fake shot, causing the goalie to dive to the right and Liu Bei seizes the opportunity and shoots at the left side of the goal to win the game. Zhao Yun's team yells and chants Liu Bei's name while running towards him. Zhao Yun and the once doubtful boy picks him up on their shoulders and carries him around the field.
Boy: You're awesome, kid!
After many minutes of cheering and celebrating, the teacher calls everyone in to continue on with the lessons for the day. On the way in, everyone pats Liu Bei on the back and compliments him. Liu Bei stops Zhao Yun from going in. Yun turns around and looks puzzled.
Liu Bei: Zhao Yun, I want to thank you.
Zhao Yun: For what?
Liu Bei: For showing me what I was missing out on.
Zhao Yun: No problem! Hey, friends?
Liu Bei: Friends.
They both spit in their hands and then shake each other's hand and laugh. They walk inside and the teacher shuts the door behind them. Both of them have learned a lesson about friendship today, a lesson that would impact their lives in a way that they would never imagine. And for the first time in 22 years, the sun emerged from what seemed like an endless fleet of clouds, causing the once dark and gray village to bathe in the yellow sunlight.
::Jian Ye, Southern Territories, 12 years later::
Jian Ye, the ever thriving city of merchants and manufacturers. Jian Ye was obtained by Lord Sun Jian 6 years ago. Eager to advertise the potential success of the city, Sun Jian ordered giant advertising boards to be set up all over China, advertising the newfound city. After getting thousands of people to come, Sun Jian ordered walls to be built around the city, and a castle to be built in the center. This way, Sun Jian's 3 palaces form a triangle, making travel between his 3 major cities (the other 2 cities being Shi Xin and Dan Yang) easier, seeing that there aren't any rivers or mountains to cross. Only forestry and plains. Since Sun Jian and his family has spent so much time in Dan Yang, they've decided to stay in Jian Ye for a few months, having 2 of his 3 children be home schooled by the family's smartest advisor, Lu Su.
"Give it back!!!"
A girl is dashing down the hallways of the Jian Ye palace. She turns the corner and sees a boy jetting down the hallway with a picture in his hand.
Girl: Sun Quan, you give that back right now!
The boy turns around and pulls down his bottom eyelid and sticks out his tongue.
Sun Quan: Try and catch me, Shang Xiang!
He laughs evilly and opens a giant door and slams it behind him. Shang Xiang shrieks and sprints to the door and pounds her fists on it and yells. She looks out the giant window at the city and sighs. She puts her back against the door and slides down it and sighs yet again. A man wearing loose red pants and a red tank top that is tucked in walks up to her.
Sun Shang Xiang: Jeez Ce, advertising red a bit too much?
Sun Ce laughs to himself and takes a step backward.
Sun Ce: I've already worn all of my blue and green clothes, so this was all that I had. I must admit, it is a bit sexy, eh?
Shang Xiang rolls her eyes and hits him in the shoulder. Compared to Sun Ce, Shang Xiang was a punching bag. Shang Xiang was 16, at a height of 5'2 while Sun Ce was almost 6'2 at the age of 20. Since Sun Ce was next in line as a ruler of the small Wu Territory after Sun Jian. He was also the captain of the local soccer team, which required for him to stay in shape, which made Shang Xiang look even smaller compared to him.
Sun Shang Xiang: If you're truly my big brother, you'll tell Quan to open the door and give my picture back!
Sun Ce: Oh, you mean the picture of that Ling Tong guy?
Sun Shang Xiang: YES, that picture.
Sun Ce: Isn't he like, 10?
Sun Shang Xiang: NO! He is 14!!
Sun Ce could tell that Shang Xiang was losing her temper. Being the nice and kind brother that he is,
Sun Ce: No way! If you want that dumb picture, get it yourself.
Sun Ce laughs and Shang Xiang punches him in the other shoulder. Sun Quan opens the door and peeks out, and accidentally lets Shang Xiang burst in.
Sun Shang Xiang: WHERE IS IT?!?
She sees her treasured picture under his bed and dives for it. Sun Quan grabs her feet and she falls on her face. Sun Quan sits on her and watches her as she squirms and tries to reach for the picture, and horribly failing. Sun Ce stands next to his two siblings.
Sun Ce: You know, for being 18 you're.
Sun Shang Xiang: ::grunt:: Immature is the word you're looking for.
Sun Quan laughs and stands up. Shang Xiang crawls for the picture but he sits back down on her.
Sun Shang Xiang: You're crushing my spleen!
Sun Ce: Well anyways, Zhou Yu is visiting us for a few days, so clean up your rooms so that incident doesn't happen again.
Sun Quan: We wouldn't want Yu to hit his head and lose even more brain cells!
Sun Ce pushes Quan off Shang Xiang and she happily picks up the picture. She dusts herself off and lets out an ear to ear smile before skipping out of the room. Sun Quan rolls his eyes and leaves his room followed by Sun Ce.
::Evening::
Sun Ce is drinking wine on the balcony branching out from his room. He relaxes in his favorite chair and watches the sky turn a beautiful red- orange color as the sun sets. A man walks onto the balcony and sits in the chair beside him.
Man: May I join you?
Sun Ce: Sure, pop.
The man sits down a few feet away in another comfortable chair. He sighs as they both watch the sun go lower along the horizon.
Sun Jian: Where's Zhou Yu?
Sun Ce: He's showing Quan how to make a slingshot.
Sun Jian: Ah. That Zhou Yu, he's a smart one.
Sun Ce: Yeah, he was a real whiz kid in school when we were younger.
Sun Jian: Once you become ruler of the small territory of Wu, make sure he becomes your advisor.
Sun Ce: Yeah, but that won't happen any time soon, eh?
Sun Jian: Yup, I may be 43 years old, but I'm still alive and kickin'!
They both laugh as the sky gets darker and a few stars can be seen. A flock of birds are flying east towards the forest, chirping every 2 seconds.
Sun Jian: You'll make a fine leader.
Sun Ce's self-esteem goes up and a smile appears on his face.
Sun Ce: Damn right!
"Tag, you're it!"
It is unusually quite sunny out. Normally, the sun didn't emerge from behind the clouds, but today it did. At the XiangHui School in Zhuozhou, the hard-working students are enjoying free time outside. While the children are enjoying thrilling games of tag and football (soccer), a lone boy sits under a tree reading a book. The sun's rays shine down through the gigantic tree's leaves, making a design of light and shadows on the ground. A boy playing tag tags another girl and walks over to the boy under the tree steadily, trying not to disturb the boy who is reading.
Boy: Hi. Why are you all alone way over here?
The boy who is reading the book looks up and stares at the curious boy, then continues reading his book.
Boy: Hi. My name is Zhao Yun. What's your name?
The bookworm boy looks up yet again and notices the boy named Zhao Yun. This "Zhao Yun" had piercing green eyes, dark brown hair that looked like wasn't combed very well, and a gleaming smile that could've blinded half of the children on the playground. Looking back at the book, the boy responds.
Boy: Liu Bei.
Zhao Yun: Oh. Wait, you perhaps aren't related to --
Liu Bei looks up from his book yet again and gives Zhao Yun the 'finish your sentence' look. Zhao Yun shakes his head. He sits down next to Liu Bei.
Zhao Yun: Never mind. Anyways, what are you reading?
Liu Bei: A book on China's history.
Zhao Yun noticed that Bei had a firm, sharp tone to his voice. He also noticed that he always kept his eyes scanning the text in the book, never looking at him when he spoke. Somehow, this made Yun think that Liu Bei was a bit shy.
Zhao Yun: While it may be better to concentrate on your studies, exercise will keep you healthy. Come on, I'm going to teach you how to play football!
Liu Bei: Well I'm not sure that I should.
Zhao Yun: Come on!
Zhao Yun grabs Liu Bei's forearm and drags him out to the field. Liu Bei drops his book and leaves it under the tree. Liu Bei noticed that Zhao Yun was beginning to cut off circulation throughout his arm, but thankfully he made it to the field without having his arm fall off from lack of blood flow.
Zhao Yun: Everyone! Hey, everyone!
The kids playing football stop and all look at Zhao Yun. Liu Bei hides behind Yun while Zhao Yun addresses his fellow students.
Zhao Yun: I don't know if you know this guy.
Zhao Yun takes one step to the right to reveal Liu Bei. Liu Bei was 11 years old with light brown hair that was combed in a certain way that appealed to a few people. He was a medium height, but slightly shorter than Zhao Yun. Normally being the quiet one who never gets spoken to, now he was more nervous then ever, now that he was being introduced to the class.
Zhao Yun: But this is Liu Bei. Can he join in the game?
A girl with her hair braided back steps forward in the normal schoolgirl uniform.
Girl: No way! We've already got a game started and with him, he'll just make our team worse!
Zhao Yun: Fine, he can be on my team!
Girl: Whatever, as long as he doesn't get in my way when I score!
She gathers her team into a huddle.
Girl: Okay, Zhao Yun is really good at this, but with that Liu Bei kid, we can win!
On the other side of the field, Zhao Yun's team gathers around him and Liu Bei. A boy with a scar on his cheek walks up to Liu Bei and observes him.
Boy: I've seen this kid before. Are you sure he'll help us? I mean, no disrespect or nuttin' but I think he'd be better in a spelling bee or something.
The kids behind him giggle and laugh quietly and Zhao Yun rolls his eyes.
Zhao Yun: Just get everyone in position.
He does so and everyone runs to his or her positions. Liu Bei becomes even more nervous and pulls on Zhao Yun's sleeve.
Liu Bei: I don't think that I can.
Zhao Yun: It's simple. All you have to do is kick the ball in the other team's net. Just remember to pass the ball often and never touch it with your hands. Here, lets try a pass real quick.
Zhao Yun runs to his forward position across the field and urges for Liu Bei to kick the ball to him. Liu Bei hesitates and ends up kicking the ball over to the middle of the field. A girl gets hit in the leg and whines.
Girl on other team: C'mon Yun! Lets do this already!
Zhao Yun nods and the girl that got hit passes the ball to the middle. A short, chubby kid runs out to the middle of the field and throws the ball into the air and darts to the out-of-bounds mark. The ball lands and both teams chase after the ball. A tall boy from the other team gets the ball and starts charging through the team like a bull to a red cape. A short, quick kid takes the ball from him and then passes it to Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun grins and starts plowing through the other team, just like the boy did earlier. 3 kids surround Zhao Yun and try to take the ball, but he does quick footwork and dodges their feet and kicks the ball up behind him and kicks it to Liu Bei. The ball soars through the air and hits Liu Bei in the stomach. He groans and holds his stomach, but the pain goes away quickly. Everyone looks at him then what seems like the whole team comes speeding at him. Liu Bei looks confused.
Zhao Yun's team: GO!
Liu Bei gasps and then starts kicking the ball lightly and kicks it to a kid. Someone on his team groans and complains that he passed it to the other team. They charge at the goalkeeper but a girl manages to take it and passes it to a boy who takes it down the field and passes it to a girl. The girl isn't paying attention and the ball ends up at Liu Bei again. Bei panics and looks around and sees Zhao Yun waving his arms. Liu Bei crosses his fingers and kicks it as hard as he can to Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun hits it off his chest and starts dribbling the ball down the field. Liu Bei starts sprinting down the field and Zhao Yun as well as both of the teams look awestruck. Zhao Yun passes to Liu Bei who then zigzags through the other team. He then does a fake shot, causing the goalie to dive to the right and Liu Bei seizes the opportunity and shoots at the left side of the goal to win the game. Zhao Yun's team yells and chants Liu Bei's name while running towards him. Zhao Yun and the once doubtful boy picks him up on their shoulders and carries him around the field.
Boy: You're awesome, kid!
After many minutes of cheering and celebrating, the teacher calls everyone in to continue on with the lessons for the day. On the way in, everyone pats Liu Bei on the back and compliments him. Liu Bei stops Zhao Yun from going in. Yun turns around and looks puzzled.
Liu Bei: Zhao Yun, I want to thank you.
Zhao Yun: For what?
Liu Bei: For showing me what I was missing out on.
Zhao Yun: No problem! Hey, friends?
Liu Bei: Friends.
They both spit in their hands and then shake each other's hand and laugh. They walk inside and the teacher shuts the door behind them. Both of them have learned a lesson about friendship today, a lesson that would impact their lives in a way that they would never imagine. And for the first time in 22 years, the sun emerged from what seemed like an endless fleet of clouds, causing the once dark and gray village to bathe in the yellow sunlight.
::Jian Ye, Southern Territories, 12 years later::
Jian Ye, the ever thriving city of merchants and manufacturers. Jian Ye was obtained by Lord Sun Jian 6 years ago. Eager to advertise the potential success of the city, Sun Jian ordered giant advertising boards to be set up all over China, advertising the newfound city. After getting thousands of people to come, Sun Jian ordered walls to be built around the city, and a castle to be built in the center. This way, Sun Jian's 3 palaces form a triangle, making travel between his 3 major cities (the other 2 cities being Shi Xin and Dan Yang) easier, seeing that there aren't any rivers or mountains to cross. Only forestry and plains. Since Sun Jian and his family has spent so much time in Dan Yang, they've decided to stay in Jian Ye for a few months, having 2 of his 3 children be home schooled by the family's smartest advisor, Lu Su.
"Give it back!!!"
A girl is dashing down the hallways of the Jian Ye palace. She turns the corner and sees a boy jetting down the hallway with a picture in his hand.
Girl: Sun Quan, you give that back right now!
The boy turns around and pulls down his bottom eyelid and sticks out his tongue.
Sun Quan: Try and catch me, Shang Xiang!
He laughs evilly and opens a giant door and slams it behind him. Shang Xiang shrieks and sprints to the door and pounds her fists on it and yells. She looks out the giant window at the city and sighs. She puts her back against the door and slides down it and sighs yet again. A man wearing loose red pants and a red tank top that is tucked in walks up to her.
Sun Shang Xiang: Jeez Ce, advertising red a bit too much?
Sun Ce laughs to himself and takes a step backward.
Sun Ce: I've already worn all of my blue and green clothes, so this was all that I had. I must admit, it is a bit sexy, eh?
Shang Xiang rolls her eyes and hits him in the shoulder. Compared to Sun Ce, Shang Xiang was a punching bag. Shang Xiang was 16, at a height of 5'2 while Sun Ce was almost 6'2 at the age of 20. Since Sun Ce was next in line as a ruler of the small Wu Territory after Sun Jian. He was also the captain of the local soccer team, which required for him to stay in shape, which made Shang Xiang look even smaller compared to him.
Sun Shang Xiang: If you're truly my big brother, you'll tell Quan to open the door and give my picture back!
Sun Ce: Oh, you mean the picture of that Ling Tong guy?
Sun Shang Xiang: YES, that picture.
Sun Ce: Isn't he like, 10?
Sun Shang Xiang: NO! He is 14!!
Sun Ce could tell that Shang Xiang was losing her temper. Being the nice and kind brother that he is,
Sun Ce: No way! If you want that dumb picture, get it yourself.
Sun Ce laughs and Shang Xiang punches him in the other shoulder. Sun Quan opens the door and peeks out, and accidentally lets Shang Xiang burst in.
Sun Shang Xiang: WHERE IS IT?!?
She sees her treasured picture under his bed and dives for it. Sun Quan grabs her feet and she falls on her face. Sun Quan sits on her and watches her as she squirms and tries to reach for the picture, and horribly failing. Sun Ce stands next to his two siblings.
Sun Ce: You know, for being 18 you're.
Sun Shang Xiang: ::grunt:: Immature is the word you're looking for.
Sun Quan laughs and stands up. Shang Xiang crawls for the picture but he sits back down on her.
Sun Shang Xiang: You're crushing my spleen!
Sun Ce: Well anyways, Zhou Yu is visiting us for a few days, so clean up your rooms so that incident doesn't happen again.
Sun Quan: We wouldn't want Yu to hit his head and lose even more brain cells!
Sun Ce pushes Quan off Shang Xiang and she happily picks up the picture. She dusts herself off and lets out an ear to ear smile before skipping out of the room. Sun Quan rolls his eyes and leaves his room followed by Sun Ce.
::Evening::
Sun Ce is drinking wine on the balcony branching out from his room. He relaxes in his favorite chair and watches the sky turn a beautiful red- orange color as the sun sets. A man walks onto the balcony and sits in the chair beside him.
Man: May I join you?
Sun Ce: Sure, pop.
The man sits down a few feet away in another comfortable chair. He sighs as they both watch the sun go lower along the horizon.
Sun Jian: Where's Zhou Yu?
Sun Ce: He's showing Quan how to make a slingshot.
Sun Jian: Ah. That Zhou Yu, he's a smart one.
Sun Ce: Yeah, he was a real whiz kid in school when we were younger.
Sun Jian: Once you become ruler of the small territory of Wu, make sure he becomes your advisor.
Sun Ce: Yeah, but that won't happen any time soon, eh?
Sun Jian: Yup, I may be 43 years old, but I'm still alive and kickin'!
They both laugh as the sky gets darker and a few stars can be seen. A flock of birds are flying east towards the forest, chirping every 2 seconds.
Sun Jian: You'll make a fine leader.
Sun Ce's self-esteem goes up and a smile appears on his face.
Sun Ce: Damn right!