CHAPTER X

Envious Power

Zhang Liao lifted his mighty pike and thrusted it down. It pierced lightly into Shiro's shoulder blade, but the attack was halted. When Shiro looked up, he saw a man.

The man was a muscular figure, wearing red and golden armor. Upon his forehead was a headstrap, under his jet-black hair. Attached to his waist was a sheathed blade. On his back was a large, wide, and thick blade with inscriptions of a Chinese god, Fu Xi. He suddenly recognized the man as his old friend, Aka Usagi.

"YOU DARE ENRAGE A GOD?!" roared Aka. He often referred himself as Fu Xi's descendant, or some sort of war god.

Aka Usagi was an old companion of Blue Fox, Ice Wind, and White Lightning. He did not control an element, but he had the soul of fire, which gave him strength to wield such a large blade.

Aka was holding the pole of Zhang Liao's pike, so it wouldn't finish Shiro. He slowly brought it back up, and Zhang Liao backed away.

Aka took up Shiro's blade, and unsheathed his sheathed blade. Upon his sword were inscribed, "Flame".

Aka Usagi attacked, throwing several attacks at Zhang Liao, who continued to block until finally Aka made a blow across his stomach.

"You remember who truly won this battle!" said Zhang Liao. He mounted his horse and retreated into the Black Forest. He did not stay on the path, and rested behind a tree.

Aka turned to Shiro and asked, "Hey, you alright?"

Shiro blinked a few times and said weakly, "What do you think?"

Aka lifted Shiro up, and helped him onto Storm. Aka got on his own horse, and they slowly moved into the Black Forest.

"So, how is Aoi?" asked Aka.

"Aoi is dead…he was captured and executed by that guy…"

"You're kidding…right? I mean, nobody can beat Aoi! I couldn't even beat him when I used my great sword!"

"Well believe it, he's gone. It's our turn to step up…whether we want to or not. Like I said before…the daydreamers fall, and that is the Art of War…"

Cao Cao made short distance into the river, when a small party of Wu took them. Standing before them was Lu Meng.

Lu Meng wielded a spear. He had red chest armor and golden leg armor. He wore a small red helmet.

"Cao Cao, stop!" said Lu Meng.

"Move forward! Xiahou Yuan, defend me from Lu Meng."

Xiahou Yuan nodded his head in recognition.

Cao Cao proceeded, when he saw another force, and he heard a leader cry, "Ling Tong is here!"

Cao Cao was getting alarmed. But Xu Huang appeared to hold of the pursuers. Cao Cao moved north hoping for escape, but they saw a camp on the hilltop. Xu Huang moved ahead and found Ma Yan and Zhang Zi, two generals under Cao Cao, in command. Cao Cao proceeded, but another party appeared, and Cao Cao heard a voice.

"I am Gan Ning of Wu!" he roared.

Gan Ning was an ex-pirate, and a deadly warrior. He wore a red and black vest, and a red head strap lifting his hair up. His pants were baggy, and he wore bells around his belt, so that when he approached a town, the people would hear the bells and know it was he, so they'd either prepare a feast or retreat into their homes. His weapon was a scimitar, a long curved blade.

The two leaders were unafraid, but Gan Ning cut down Ma Yan. Zhang Yi lifted his spear and dashed forward and charged at Gan Ning. He thrusted his spear at Gan Ning, who ducked rightward and, turning his blade around, cut down Zhang Yi as well. The soldiers fled and told this to Cao Cao.

Cao Cao hoped help from Hefei, because he didn't know Sun Quan was barring the road. But when Sun Quan saw the fires and so knew that he won, he told Lu Xun, a brilliant strategist, to give the answering signal. Taishi Ci joined up with Lu Xun, and attacked Cao Cao.

Cao Cao then retreated towards Yiling. He told Zhang He to protect the retreat, as Cao Cao pressed on quickly.

Cao Cao moved into the western Black Forest, and laughed.

"Had Zhuge Liang or Zhou Yu set an ambush here, we would be finished!" said Cao Cao.

But just as he finished, an ambush party appeared. It startled Cao Cao off of his own horse.

"I am Zhao Yun! Prepare to fight the Little Dragon!" he said.

His men struck out and took out several of Cao Cao's.

"Xu Huang, Zhang He, deal with this menace!" said Cao Cao, as he retreated.

It started to rain. The southeast wind hadn't ceased it's blow, and it blew the rain, soaking the men to their skin. Cao Cao continued his march. They reached a village and they foraged the grain, and made a fire. They begun cooking their meals, when another pursuer appeared. Cao Cao was terrified until he saw it was Li Dian and Xu Chu, escorting some of his advisers.

"What places are ahead?" asked Cao Cao.

"One road is to South Yiling, and the other to North Yiling." Replied an adviser.

"Which is the shortest route to Jiangling?" asked Cao Cao.

"Through the Hulu Valley."

"Very well, we will march through the Hulu Valley."

"The soldiers are of fatigue, allow them to eat before we leave."

Cao Cao agreed, and waited. Suddenly, he heard a great yell. He leaped upon his horse, but most of the soldiers failed to get theirs. Fires sprang up from every side and engulfed the valley's mouth. Another force appeared. It was Zhang Fei, sitting on his horse with his powerful spear.

Zhang Fei wore a green shirt, and a green vest. His baggy pants were black. He was very muscular, and had a black mustache connecting to his small beard.

The soldiers saw Xu Chu, mounted on his horse. They rode up to engage him, when Xu Huang appeared at his side. The wounded Zhang Liao finally caught up, but was ordered to stay with Cao Cao. Xiahou Dun then helped Xu Chu.

The three charged at Zhang Fei and begun a fight, whilst Cao Cao retreated. Zhang Fei broke through the three generals and pursued the leaders following Cao Cao, who got away. The leaders, too, soon became too far.

Cao Cao decided to press on towards Jingzhou. But soon as they continued their journey, a bomb broke the silence, and five hundred troops ran out and blocked the way. Guan Yu, mounted on Red Hare, held his Green Dragon Saber towards Cao Cao. Cao Cao's soldiers broke into panic.

"I have always heard that Guan Yu is disloyal to the proud but nice to the humble." Said Cheng Yu. "He despises the strong, yet gentle with the weak. You, Prime Minister, have shown him kindness in the pass. He may let us pass should you remind him of this."

Cao Cao approached Guan Yu, and said, "Lord Guan Yu, I hope you have faired well?"

"I had orders to await you, Cao Cao." Said Guan Yu. "And I have been expecting you."

"Guan Yu, I have shown you kindness in the past…do you intend to repay this with meaningless slaughter?"

"I repaid you by slaying Yan Liang and Wen Chou."

"But what of my six generals you slaughtered whilst retreating to Liu Bei? What of them?"

Guan Yu thought for a moment, and moved.

"Allow him passage." Said Guan Yu.

Ice Wind caught up and saw him allowing Cao Cao to pass. Cao Cao got away, and Ice Wind charged towards him. She cut down soldiers behind him, but Cao Cao got away. She rode back to Guan Yu.

"What were you thinking? He will return twice as powerful, now!" said Ice Wind.

"I was in debt of Cao Cao, I could not repay him with death." Said Guan Yu.

"But they killed Aoi!" she said, restraining tears. "And you let him get away!"

But there was nothing she could do, so she simply rode back. As she looked up, she saw Aka Usagi and Shiro. Shiro was in horrible shape, long cuts and bruises were all over him. Kori rode up to him quickly.

"Oh my god, are you okay?" said Kori in worry.

"I lost…" replied Shiro. "He beat me…I failed."

"Can't win em' all, can we?" said Aka.

Kori looked at him, and her eyes blinked twice. She hadn't seen him in what seemed like forever.

"So…he's really dead?" asked Aka.

Kori slowly nodded.

"Can't believe how long it's been…hell, we haven't fought by eachother's side since he was 16…and the last thing I said to him…I was a complete bastard."

Guan Yu approached Zhuge Liang, and said, "I am here to ask for death."

"Surely, Cao Cao came through the valley?" asked Zhuge Liang.

"He did, but I let him go."

"So you remembered the old kindness of Cao Cao, and allowed him escape. But your acceptance of the task with its conditions is here, thus you must suffer the penalty."

Zhuge Liang then called for Guan Yu to be put to death. Guan Yu would have died there, but Liu Bei walked in and told Zhuge Liang, "We three pledged sworn brotherhood, and we would die at the same time. I cannot bear to break our oath. I ask you to only record this against him and let him be."

Zhuge Liang agreed, thus sparing the warrior.

Cao Cao retreated back to Jingzhou, which Cao Cao now possessed. A brown, wooden carriage was heavily guarded and brought into the city walls. It was brought into Cao Cao's building, and a prisoner was thrown into a cell. It was Blue Fox.

A few hours later, he was brought to Cao Cao, with his hands bound by chain, and thrusted to the floor.

"Lord Aoi Kitsune," said Cao Cao, delightfully. "How fortunate you have been brought into my grasp!"

"How fortunate for you my hands are bound behind me." Said Blue Fox, narrowing his eyes.

"Lord Aoi Kitsune, I wish you no harm. I simply ask that you join me. You could lead the Tiger Generals if you wanted! You would have such a seat whence China is under my control! And you'd gain so much more respect under me, than that arrogant Liu Bei."

"I get it, you offer a few pennies and a bit of power, and I join you faster than my blade would slit your throat. That may work on your flunkies but riches do not effect me."

"What is it you want?" asked Cao Cao.

Blue Fox jumped up and knocked the two guards beside him down, he ran to Cao Cao, and stopped before him, and spat on his chest.

"I'd die before joining you," said Blue Fox.

"So be it. Guards, take him to his cell. Xiahou Dun, escort them." Said Cao Cao, glaring at him.

Blue Fox was brought into his cell, and the guards left him with Xiahou Dun.

"So Aoi Kitsune, we meet again." Said Xiahou Dun.

Blue Fox didn't reply.

"What's the matter? Afraid?"

Xiahou Dun smirked, and kicked him onto his side.

"I've waited a long time for this. I believe I must repay you for my eye."

Blue Fox looked up at him, grimacing in disgust. Xiahou Dun replied with a glare.

"I know you shot me, and now you will pay."

Blue Fox was stripped of his armor and weapons. His back was bare, and he wore torn, gray leggings reaching his ankles. Xiahou Dun mercilessly begun to beat Blue Fox…