Author's Note: Oh, yah NYO! A nice long chapter! The content isn't as
rich as Id like it, but I'm sure you guys will like it just fine! And guuuuuess what? That's right, the long-awaited return of Sun Ce, Sun Shang Xiang, and Zhou Yu lies in the next chapter! HOORAY! I really apologize for the huuuuge delay, you know how high school can be ^.^;; Now comes the time to warn y'all, I do not like some generals in the games! If you want
to let me know who you don't want me to diss/beat up/kill or whatever you're favorite general that I absolutely hate, NOW IS THE TIME TO LET ME KNOW! And I also don't want any flames from you Lu Xun fans out there for any 'offense' I may have directed toward him, thank you ^.^ AND NOW.. THE
LONG AWAIT CHAPTER 18!
Enjoy!
Part 2
The Power of the Red Moon
Chapter 18
Revealing Hope
"Tomorrow, we attack Shu." Cao Cao announced after the main camp had been set up. The warm spring air caressed everyone's faces as they stared up at Cao Cao. "Tonight, our troops will set up the traps and defensive towers so that we may surprise Shu. You will target the main generals, especially Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei. I wish you all luck and strength, sleep well." He said, stepping away.
Zhang He yawned and stretched. He, Diao Chan and Sima Yi bumped and bashed their way through the crowd in order to grab a tent before anyone else.
"There's one! Right over there!" Diao Chan called through the sea of voices, pointing at a neglected tent near the back. They fought their way out of the current of people and leapt into the tent. Out side they heard the distant wails of Zhen Ji, once again complaining to Cao Pi ("But I want a tent with only you and me!") and the evanescing voices of the troops.
"Phew, I'm glad that's over with . . ." Sima Yi sighed as he flopped down onto the floor. They all copied him and stretched their tired muscles.
"Oooouch, my arms are so sore . . ." Zhang He said, rubbing his limbs.
"My legs are sore . . ." Sima Yi said, mimicking Zhang He out of silliness.
"Oh yeah? You know what's sore is my-" Zhang He teased back.
"That's enough! You guys are such freaks!" Diao Chan said pushing Zhang He, who was laughing to himself.
"Yes, I know what you mean . . ." Sima Yi smiled "My-"
"Stop it! What's the matter with you two?" Diao Chan protested, not seeing the humor in this joke.
"Aww, calm down, Diao Chan, we're just happy that we don't have to ride stupid horses for a while." Zhang He said, still lying on the floor.
"Yeah, and we were going to say our chests were sore, right Zhang He?" Sima Yi said, still smiling a little.
"Whatever you two say . . ." Diao Chan said, massaging her forehead.
"Have you ever gone into battle before?" Zhang He said, changing the subject abruptly.
"Well, not exactly, but I've had plenty of training!" Diao Chan said.
"She's only acting tense because she's nervous . . ." Sima Yi said, lying down beside Zhang He.
"Yeah, don't worry about it, just stay near us, we'll protect you." Zhang He reassured her.
"What!? I don't need to be pro- . . .well. . . Alright, if you insist." Diao Chan said in a mock reluctant voice.
"The only one that should be nervous in future is you, Sima Yi." Zhang He said, closing his eyes.
"And why is that?" He said, straightening up a little.
"Because, when we battle the Wu, you're going to have to face your lovely Su-" Sima Yi punched Zhang He in the stomach lightly. Zhang he sat up and laughed out loud, nursing himself.
"What? What were you going to say?" Diao Chan demanded smiling, her interest peaked.
"You promised!" Sima Yi said, starting to look worried.
"Nothing, Nothing at all." Said Zhang He, his words tempting Diao Chan even more.
"No way! Uh-uh! Tell me!" She said laughing.
"I can't, I promised . . ." Zhang He said, returning to his place on the floor.
"Pleeeeease . . ." Diao Chan said, lying down and draping her arms over Zhang He's chest.
"Don't talk to me, ask Sima Yi . . . Though, you can stay there if you like." He added with a smile. She crawled over to Sima Yi and looked at him with large, watery eyes and a quivering lip.
"No." He said flat out.
"Pwease?" She said, putting her arms around his neck. He looked perturbed and closed his eyes to slits. "I'll give you a big fat kiss . . ." Zhang He's heart leapt, He sat up and looked over fiercely at them.
"What!? Get offa me!" Sima Yi said pushing her away. Zhang He relaxed and sat back down, his heart still beating at a slightly accelerated rate.
"You guys are no fun . . ." She said, retiring next to Zhang He. He lay there for a while, watching the darkling sky and singing a song in his head. He thoughts slowly shifted once again to Diao Chan. There she was, so lovely, so trusting, there was truly no better woman in the world. But what if . . . Zhang He pondered What if there are other men who feel the same way, men with more confidence . . . Men that will take her away from me before I have the courage to claim her for myself . . . He took a small breath and fell onto his side. Diao Chan was still awake, staring blankly ahead, her eyes barely open. Zhang He looked into her eyes and remembered the time just days ago where they almost kissed. I mustn't hesitate any longer! He confirmed to himself. What's the worst that could happen anyway? He couldn't bring himself to think of the answer to that question and hesitantly lifted his arm up. He inched closer and pulled Diao Chan up against himself and kept the arm around her shoulder. At first she froze and acted surprised. Zhang He worried whether he should move away right now before he had made too much of a mistake, but she suddenly relaxed and laid her tiny hand on Zhang He's waist. The worry flowed a way and he held her close, feeling happier than he had in a very long time.
"Ready!?" Cao Cao Yelled from his tall steed to everyone in the camp. They had already donned their dark blue armor and clothing and collected their weapons. The morning sun blazed down in a stream of intense white light and everyone was squinting. A mighty cheer rose form the enormous crowd in answer. "The cliff troops, follow Sima Yi to the designated position. Zhang He, Diao Chan, Xiahou Dun, Zhang Liao, and Xu Zhu also go with him. Everyone else, follow me!" Cao Cao said, thrusting his gleaming sword into the sky. Sima Yi led the troops and generals up a high mountain. The finally came to a halt at a high ridge. About 100 hundred heavy looking boulders were situated on the ledge, looking ready to plummet at any moment.
"All soldiers! Get three of you to a boulder. When I give the word, push with all your might over the ledge. And I do not care if you fall, If you're clumsy enough to cause your own death, than you deserve it." Sima Yi said, fanning himself with the Black-Feather lazily. "All generals, hold back. When I say so, we shall join Cao Cao at the bottom. Diao Chan looked worried and tense, she grasped her maces firmly and her mouth was quite thin. Zhang He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. Don't worry, Diao Chan, I won't let anyone hurt you. Zhang He thought as if they were speaking to each other. Sima Yi shot Zhang He a quick look and smile then went back to helping the other soldiers. This was Zhang He's second battle, and he was ready, but slightly nervous, as last time he was almost killed. All of a sudden, the quiet roar of hoof beats could be heard from below them.
"Yes, that is the Shu below us, and if they see you, that will give away our position and ruin our entire plan, so stop peering down there, you imbeciles!" Sima Yi barked at several soldiers whose curiosity had forced them to investigate the mysterious sound. Judging by the way Sima Yi was yelling at everyone who put but a toe out of line, he was a tad anxious as well. He glided over to the ledge and looked down his nose at the approaching forces. He put a hand on his slender hip and nibbled on a feather from the fan. A cruel, yet entrancing smile appeared across his pale lips. "The fools. . . Right into our trap." Suddenly, as though a scarlet beacon had been illuminated before his eyes, He swung his fan down, cutting through the air. "Now!" He directed loudly and the rocks began to plunge down towards terra. At first everyone was confused as to what was going on, but once the forces realized. An unseen general ordered the remaining archers to begin shooting at the men on the hill. An arrow whizzed right between Zhang He and Diao Chan. She covered her face and Zhang He brought her farther back, out of the line of fire.
"Archers, fire at them! Somebody go down and help Cao Cao, you Xu Zhu!" Sima Yi said fiercely. Xu Zhu stood there for a moment processing what orders had been given to him, then set off in what a snail might have called a run. "Fool . . ." Sima Yi said under his breath. "Everybody else, stay here until you are directed to assist, for now help the archers and get the wounded away, Zhang He, Diao Chan, come with me. Xiahou Dun, you are now the leader of these troops." He said. He then kneeled down to the earth and drew a peculiar symbol in the sand. He laid his fan in the center and muttered a small incantation. Then, the fan began to radiate black light and sort of pulsed. He seized it and rushed off behind a rock wall.
"We'll be descending a back way down the cliff, we're in charge of attacking Zhuge Liang." He said with a sort of twisted smile.
"So what's so great about Zhuge Liang, anyway?" Zhang He panted, stepping across the dusty plateau. Sima Yi gave a dry laugh.
"He's only the most intelligent person in the entire world! He makes me look like our good friend Xu Zhu." Sima Yi said breathily.
"Is that what you've heard because people could be bluffing." Diao Chan said suspiciously.
"No, I've met him. He's an extremely powerful expert in white magic and his genius knows no bounds!" Sima Yi reassured them. "I hate him, he always shot me dark looks and spoke to my father as if he were a commoner."
"Sounds like a nice guy . . ." Zhang He said sarcastically. They ran for a while and let the sun eat down on them. What Zhang He would have done for a drink of water. All three of them were panting loudly and dust was getting kicked up. Diao Chan suddenly gasped and fell forward. She lay there breathing heavily, trying to take in more air. Zhang he fell to his knees and scooped her up then continued on running. She grasped his armor, still taking large, gasping breaths.
"You ok?" Zhang He said to her. She nodded vaguely and closed her eyes. After a while, they reached a low cliff and decided to take a break. Sima Yi stared down into the fray below tem while Zhang He and Diao Chan rested. He peered down with slits for eyes at the men tearing each other apart. Suddenly he took a sharp breath and cursed.
"What's wrong?" Zhang He asked, standing up.
"Look down there, tell me what you see." He said worriedly. Zhang he glanced quickly down, then back at Sima Yi.
"I see a battle." He said flatly.
"Look closer!" Sima Yi said sharply. Zhang He gazed down into the battling men. Lot's of men in green clothing were lying dead and there was a great cloud of dust. A few generals from both sides were scattered around the canyon and a troop of men were marching forward. Then, Zhang he did a double take on this particular troop. They were different, they were wearing-
"Red! That can't be the Wu can it!?" Zhang He said, also sounding worried.
"That's exactly what it is! They outsmarted me!" Sima Yi spat, purely enraged. "They've come in when both of our forces have become weakened, their taking advantage of the situation! Those bastards!" He said with a clenched fist. Suddenly, a small figure in the crowd below turned upon them. He was dressed in elegant red clothing and had a hat. He pulled back his bow and released a lightening fast arrow in their direction. It zoomed straight for Sima Yi but he stood his ground. It zipped by, then struck the very edge of Sima Yi's cheek, and then lodged itself in the rock beside him. Sima Yi ripped the arrow out of the wall and snapped it in half bitterly. "Lu Xun." He said, as if the words created a bad taste in his mouth. "We have to go! Now!" He yelled tearing down the ridge and disappearing.
"Come on." Zhang he said, offering a hand to Diao Chan, who took it gratefully. After about 10 minutes, they caught up with Sima Yi, who was looking down the side of the canyon.
"It's only about 10 feet . . ." He muttered quickly to himself. He then stood up and jumped gracefully off the wall. Zhang He watched as he ran into battle, shoot beams madly out of his fan.
"Can you make it?" Zhang He asked Diao Chan.
"I-I think so . . ." She swallowed, closed her eyes and jumped off briskly. Zhang He followed quickly and flared out his Talons.
"You should probably stay close to me!" Zhang He yelled through the ferocious din of the battle. She nodded, looking pale, and putting her maces up for guard. Zhang he located Sima Yi and tailed behind him. Zhang He slashed through the enemy peons and Diao Chan whacked blindly around.
"There!" Said Sima Yi, pointing to the back of the man that shot at him. At first, Zhang He couldn't believe his eyes, "man" was hardly the word for him. He was about four foot one and looked hardly eleven years old. He was a frowning, bad-tempered looking child with two golden daggers. He wheeled around and faced the trio, frowning even more.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't my old acquaintance Sima Yi! I see you've hired some new clowns to be your friends." He said in a far-from matured voice.
"Yes, and I see you haven't grown an inch." Sima Yi said, good- naturedly. This looked like it offended Lu Xun very much and he struck a pose, ready for battle.
"Why you! You're only half the man I am." He growled at Sima Yi.
"You are obviously mistaken, as I am five foot three, and you look like you're two foot five. Smart people would realize this as half, so you are half the man I am!" Sima Yi said, making his fan glow brightly. "What was the nickname I created for you back in Qiao? Oh yes, Ninja Baby!" Sima Yi laughed.
"Shut up!" Lu Xun bellowed. "I am a man! My father says so!"
"Well, if he says so, we must all be terribly mistaken!" Sima Yi said in a mocking voice "Come, my friends, let us show Ninja Baby our superb fighting skills." He said, shooting a beam at Lu Xun, creating an injury very similar to the one that Lu Xun's arrow had done. Diao Chan, Sima Yi and Zhang He charged at him, using their weapons gracefully. Lu Xun was a pathetic fighter, he could barely keep up with one person, and so Diao Chan and Zhang He dropped out of the fight out of fairness. Seconds after they gave up, Sima Yi knocked him to the ground.
"Now, I have a very good opportunity here. . ." He said half to himself, "I could kill you and rid myself of a general from the Wu, or I could be a nice guy and let you live." Lu Xun looked insulted instead of scared, he glared up at Sima Yi with a loathsome stare. "Do you remember all the cruelty I was put through because of you? How everybody use to tease me for being so antisocial? And how you led them all!? I want to let you know how much that hurt!" He yelled stepping on Lu Xun's chest.
"You deserved it, you freak!" Lu Xun said defiantly. "You were weird, even in China, people still made fun of you, without my help." Sima Yi let out a cry of rage and increased the pressure and Zhang he heard a sickening crack. Lu Xun screamed and clutched himself and Sima Yi spat on him.
"I am just the same as everybody else! I deserve better than to be teased by children! NEVER SCORN MY GENIUS!" Sima Yi said, sounding almost on the verge of tears. He removed his shoe from Lu Xun and stepped backward "Here is your chance to run, take it if you wish to live." Sima Yi said bitterly. Lu Xun got shakily to his feet and stepped away from them as fast as he could. "Let's go!" He said sharply to Diao Chan and Zhang He, as if daring them to say something about it.
Zhang He cut through more men, and Diao Chan and Sima Yi bashed some skulls. Suddenly, someone laid a hand on Zhang He's shoulder. He gasped, spun around on one foot and landed a roundhouse kick on whom ever it was. The man crumpled to the floor, clutching his side. Zhang He clapped his hands over his mouth and fell to his knees when the saw who it was. He had just kicked the hell out of his Lord Cao Cao.
"OH MY GOD!" He yelled and immediately sunk to his knees and preceded in a very formal 'forgive me' bow. "Please - spare me - I'm so sorry - I didn't know - don't kill me - I didn't mean to!" Zhang He pleaded as he brought his head up and down. Cao Cao laughed a little painfully and stood up; trying to hide the fact he just had been brought down by a scrawny fifteen-year-old.
"It's alright . . ." He said looking around for anyone that could have seen him. "I should've let you know I was here before I surprised you like that! Hehe! You've got a pretty strong kick despite the way you look! I'm, uh, going to find Dian Wei! Watch your back, here comes some soldiers." He called back to them while cutting off a Shu soldier's head.
"Er, thank you, My Lord . . ." Zhang He said, glad he wasn't about to be slaughtered.
A while later, they saw Xu Zhu whacking his humongous club in all directions, making soldiers fly in all direction. Xiahou Dun was doing exceptionally well, but there had been no news of any general's deaths on the Wu, Shu, or Wei.
"Xiahou Dun!" Zhang He called through cupped hands "Where's Zhuge Liang?" Xiahou Dun removed his sword that had been lodged in a peon's chest and pointed it to the west. Zhang He bowed his head in thanks to him and started to turn away. The second he disappeared from view, there was a sickening noise behind them. Zhang He snapped his back to look at Xiahou Dun, and discovered and arrow had found its mark in Xiahou Dun's left eye. Zhang He sped over and went to assist him. Xiahou Dun stood statue still, obviously in shock. Suddenly, his usual frown return and he wiped the blood off his face. He lifted his arm, took a deep breath, and then yanked the arrow out ferociously. There were still some meaty fragments stuck onto the arrow's head and blood was dripping down the body. He threw the arrow down then charged back into battle.
Zhang He stood dumbstruck, wondering how anybody could shake that much pain like that, when he felt an arrow whiz by his own ear. He ducked and looked behind him. An armada of archers was behind him, all ready to shoot Zhang He down. Zhang He slid gracefully and cut their legs out from under them. Smiling, and a bit bloodier, he went to join his comrades.
Zhang He looked through the sea of bodies and metal hoping for a sign of Sima Yi or Diao Chan. He saw a beam of light zip past him quickly and turned in that direction, and his eyes met a strange sight. At first he thought Sima Yi had undergone a change of clothes during battle, but then he realized that a man, who looking strikingly like Sima Yi at first glance was standing near him. He was a bit taller than Sima Yi and had a small moustache on either lip. He wore a large white hat and white silk clothes. His hair, which was the same color and length as Sima Yi's, hung down near his back, and moved gently in the breeze. His robes were the same pattern as Sima Yi's, but were white and green, instead of dark blue, purple, and black. He glided around, with much likeness to a small leaf riding on a gust, and stared at Zhang He. He raised his weapon, a white-fathered fan with a golden handle, to his face.
"Where is Sima Yi?" He asked, in an all too friendly way. Something was awfully familiar about that drawling, calm voice . . .
"I don't know, and if I did I wouldn't tell you! Your obviously part of the Shu . . . What is your name?" Zhang He said, putting up his guard.
"I'm surprised you don't know me . . ." He said softly, closing his deep, brown eyes. "I am Zhuge Liang, strategist of the Shu. I can tell by your looks, and your speech patterns, that you are Zhang Fei's son."
"Jeez, he really is smart . . ." Zhang He said to himself.
"Hmmm . . ." Zhuge Liang said, studying Zhang He and running his fingers along his upper lip. "You are . . . Fifteen years old, five foot six, and . . . are not married." He said confidently.
"How did you know that?" Zhang He gasped, utterly confused.
"Judging by people around you, the fact that you clearly haven't gotten well into puberty, you don't have even one gray hair, comparison of my height and your apparent stature, the age of your father, you popularity among warriors, and if you had a woman, she would be near to you." Zhuge Liang said, as if this was obvious.
"Sure, you're smart, but can you fight?" Zhang He said, posing fearsomely with his shiny Talons.
"Don't let this weapon fool you . . . I am a master of White Magic." He said spinning and letting several beams fly out of the feathers, just for show. Zhang He charged at him Talons flared, but Zhuge Liang stood still. Zhang He got within his range and took a great sweeping slash, but Zhuge Liang blocked easily. The continued in the dance of death, metal sparked, clangs were heard, and both men became steadily tired. Zhang He kept on attacking with a fierce doggedness, not letting the fact that Zhuge Liang was blocking him with his eyes closed bother him.
"Enough of this . . ." Zhuge Liang finally muttered and held his fan to his chest. A he beam shot out and passed through him. Zhang he fell to the ground, paralyzed. He tried to look at the place where the beam had struck him, but he couldn't move his head.
"Don't fear, that was only a paralyzation beam, you are not dying . . . yet." He added with a cruel smile. Zhang He concentrated on moving and just barely sat up. Sweat droplets rode down his dampened forehead and he slowly got to his feet. "Very well done, not many people can even move a finger, you are as strong as the rumors say. But no amount of strength can add up to intelligence, and well, we all know you wins in that category. Which way would you prefer to die?"
Suddenly a beam shot out of nowhere and struck Zhuge Liang's hand, making him drop his snowy-white fan. Sima Yi zoomed into view, closely follow by a battered looking Diao Chan. She fell to her knees beside Zhang He and put her arms around his neck, asking his over and over if he was all right. He smiled stiffly, and with great effort placed a hand on her back.
"So, we meet again, Zhuge Liang." Sima Yi said, facing Zhuge Liang. "Beating up on defenseless people as usual I see."
"You are mistaken, I had bested in with my magic, he lost, and I will now claim his life. There is no murder in war . . . Or perhaps you can't grasp the idea, your mind is quite underdeveloped." Zhuge Liang explained as if talking to a five year old.
"Stop treating me like a child! You always did, but in truth, I'm just as intelligent as you'll ever be, I just don't scream it out to everyone! I didn't spend fifteen painful years of ridicule reading twenty- four-seven just to be put down by you!" Now leave my friends alone." Sima Yi said clenching his fist.
"I'll kill him!" Zhang he said slowly, more sweat pouring down his face. Sima Yi glanced back and waved his hand in Zhang He's direction. A second later, his body was free and mobile.
"I don't have time to play with these children anymore!" Zhuge Liang said, disappearing and leaving a shower of beams behind him.
"Damn it, Damn it, damn it! We've failed; our new mission is to report to Cao Cao and-" Sima Yi stopped dead. His eyes sort of glazed and he looked a little scared.
"What is it? What's the matter? Diao Chan said, nursing her bleeding arm. Sima Yi rocketed off in a seemingly random direction and Zhang He and Diao Chan followed quickly. "Where the heck is he going?" Diao Chan yelled through the roar of the battle.
"Not sure, but let's follow!" Zhang He called back.
"Zhang He, I can't, help me please!" Diao Chan said, wincing in pain and almost collapsing again.
"Don't worry I'll protect you no matter what, I'm your bodyguard after all! Hop on." He said, motioning for her to climb onto his back. She did so shakily and the were off once again. When they finally caught up with Sima Yi, he was doing something Zhang He just couldn't belive.
rich as Id like it, but I'm sure you guys will like it just fine! And guuuuuess what? That's right, the long-awaited return of Sun Ce, Sun Shang Xiang, and Zhou Yu lies in the next chapter! HOORAY! I really apologize for the huuuuge delay, you know how high school can be ^.^;; Now comes the time to warn y'all, I do not like some generals in the games! If you want
to let me know who you don't want me to diss/beat up/kill or whatever you're favorite general that I absolutely hate, NOW IS THE TIME TO LET ME KNOW! And I also don't want any flames from you Lu Xun fans out there for any 'offense' I may have directed toward him, thank you ^.^ AND NOW.. THE
LONG AWAIT CHAPTER 18!
Enjoy!
Part 2
The Power of the Red Moon
Chapter 18
Revealing Hope
"Tomorrow, we attack Shu." Cao Cao announced after the main camp had been set up. The warm spring air caressed everyone's faces as they stared up at Cao Cao. "Tonight, our troops will set up the traps and defensive towers so that we may surprise Shu. You will target the main generals, especially Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei. I wish you all luck and strength, sleep well." He said, stepping away.
Zhang He yawned and stretched. He, Diao Chan and Sima Yi bumped and bashed their way through the crowd in order to grab a tent before anyone else.
"There's one! Right over there!" Diao Chan called through the sea of voices, pointing at a neglected tent near the back. They fought their way out of the current of people and leapt into the tent. Out side they heard the distant wails of Zhen Ji, once again complaining to Cao Pi ("But I want a tent with only you and me!") and the evanescing voices of the troops.
"Phew, I'm glad that's over with . . ." Sima Yi sighed as he flopped down onto the floor. They all copied him and stretched their tired muscles.
"Oooouch, my arms are so sore . . ." Zhang He said, rubbing his limbs.
"My legs are sore . . ." Sima Yi said, mimicking Zhang He out of silliness.
"Oh yeah? You know what's sore is my-" Zhang He teased back.
"That's enough! You guys are such freaks!" Diao Chan said pushing Zhang He, who was laughing to himself.
"Yes, I know what you mean . . ." Sima Yi smiled "My-"
"Stop it! What's the matter with you two?" Diao Chan protested, not seeing the humor in this joke.
"Aww, calm down, Diao Chan, we're just happy that we don't have to ride stupid horses for a while." Zhang He said, still lying on the floor.
"Yeah, and we were going to say our chests were sore, right Zhang He?" Sima Yi said, still smiling a little.
"Whatever you two say . . ." Diao Chan said, massaging her forehead.
"Have you ever gone into battle before?" Zhang He said, changing the subject abruptly.
"Well, not exactly, but I've had plenty of training!" Diao Chan said.
"She's only acting tense because she's nervous . . ." Sima Yi said, lying down beside Zhang He.
"Yeah, don't worry about it, just stay near us, we'll protect you." Zhang He reassured her.
"What!? I don't need to be pro- . . .well. . . Alright, if you insist." Diao Chan said in a mock reluctant voice.
"The only one that should be nervous in future is you, Sima Yi." Zhang He said, closing his eyes.
"And why is that?" He said, straightening up a little.
"Because, when we battle the Wu, you're going to have to face your lovely Su-" Sima Yi punched Zhang He in the stomach lightly. Zhang he sat up and laughed out loud, nursing himself.
"What? What were you going to say?" Diao Chan demanded smiling, her interest peaked.
"You promised!" Sima Yi said, starting to look worried.
"Nothing, Nothing at all." Said Zhang He, his words tempting Diao Chan even more.
"No way! Uh-uh! Tell me!" She said laughing.
"I can't, I promised . . ." Zhang He said, returning to his place on the floor.
"Pleeeeease . . ." Diao Chan said, lying down and draping her arms over Zhang He's chest.
"Don't talk to me, ask Sima Yi . . . Though, you can stay there if you like." He added with a smile. She crawled over to Sima Yi and looked at him with large, watery eyes and a quivering lip.
"No." He said flat out.
"Pwease?" She said, putting her arms around his neck. He looked perturbed and closed his eyes to slits. "I'll give you a big fat kiss . . ." Zhang He's heart leapt, He sat up and looked over fiercely at them.
"What!? Get offa me!" Sima Yi said pushing her away. Zhang He relaxed and sat back down, his heart still beating at a slightly accelerated rate.
"You guys are no fun . . ." She said, retiring next to Zhang He. He lay there for a while, watching the darkling sky and singing a song in his head. He thoughts slowly shifted once again to Diao Chan. There she was, so lovely, so trusting, there was truly no better woman in the world. But what if . . . Zhang He pondered What if there are other men who feel the same way, men with more confidence . . . Men that will take her away from me before I have the courage to claim her for myself . . . He took a small breath and fell onto his side. Diao Chan was still awake, staring blankly ahead, her eyes barely open. Zhang He looked into her eyes and remembered the time just days ago where they almost kissed. I mustn't hesitate any longer! He confirmed to himself. What's the worst that could happen anyway? He couldn't bring himself to think of the answer to that question and hesitantly lifted his arm up. He inched closer and pulled Diao Chan up against himself and kept the arm around her shoulder. At first she froze and acted surprised. Zhang He worried whether he should move away right now before he had made too much of a mistake, but she suddenly relaxed and laid her tiny hand on Zhang He's waist. The worry flowed a way and he held her close, feeling happier than he had in a very long time.
"Ready!?" Cao Cao Yelled from his tall steed to everyone in the camp. They had already donned their dark blue armor and clothing and collected their weapons. The morning sun blazed down in a stream of intense white light and everyone was squinting. A mighty cheer rose form the enormous crowd in answer. "The cliff troops, follow Sima Yi to the designated position. Zhang He, Diao Chan, Xiahou Dun, Zhang Liao, and Xu Zhu also go with him. Everyone else, follow me!" Cao Cao said, thrusting his gleaming sword into the sky. Sima Yi led the troops and generals up a high mountain. The finally came to a halt at a high ridge. About 100 hundred heavy looking boulders were situated on the ledge, looking ready to plummet at any moment.
"All soldiers! Get three of you to a boulder. When I give the word, push with all your might over the ledge. And I do not care if you fall, If you're clumsy enough to cause your own death, than you deserve it." Sima Yi said, fanning himself with the Black-Feather lazily. "All generals, hold back. When I say so, we shall join Cao Cao at the bottom. Diao Chan looked worried and tense, she grasped her maces firmly and her mouth was quite thin. Zhang He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. Don't worry, Diao Chan, I won't let anyone hurt you. Zhang He thought as if they were speaking to each other. Sima Yi shot Zhang He a quick look and smile then went back to helping the other soldiers. This was Zhang He's second battle, and he was ready, but slightly nervous, as last time he was almost killed. All of a sudden, the quiet roar of hoof beats could be heard from below them.
"Yes, that is the Shu below us, and if they see you, that will give away our position and ruin our entire plan, so stop peering down there, you imbeciles!" Sima Yi barked at several soldiers whose curiosity had forced them to investigate the mysterious sound. Judging by the way Sima Yi was yelling at everyone who put but a toe out of line, he was a tad anxious as well. He glided over to the ledge and looked down his nose at the approaching forces. He put a hand on his slender hip and nibbled on a feather from the fan. A cruel, yet entrancing smile appeared across his pale lips. "The fools. . . Right into our trap." Suddenly, as though a scarlet beacon had been illuminated before his eyes, He swung his fan down, cutting through the air. "Now!" He directed loudly and the rocks began to plunge down towards terra. At first everyone was confused as to what was going on, but once the forces realized. An unseen general ordered the remaining archers to begin shooting at the men on the hill. An arrow whizzed right between Zhang He and Diao Chan. She covered her face and Zhang He brought her farther back, out of the line of fire.
"Archers, fire at them! Somebody go down and help Cao Cao, you Xu Zhu!" Sima Yi said fiercely. Xu Zhu stood there for a moment processing what orders had been given to him, then set off in what a snail might have called a run. "Fool . . ." Sima Yi said under his breath. "Everybody else, stay here until you are directed to assist, for now help the archers and get the wounded away, Zhang He, Diao Chan, come with me. Xiahou Dun, you are now the leader of these troops." He said. He then kneeled down to the earth and drew a peculiar symbol in the sand. He laid his fan in the center and muttered a small incantation. Then, the fan began to radiate black light and sort of pulsed. He seized it and rushed off behind a rock wall.
"We'll be descending a back way down the cliff, we're in charge of attacking Zhuge Liang." He said with a sort of twisted smile.
"So what's so great about Zhuge Liang, anyway?" Zhang He panted, stepping across the dusty plateau. Sima Yi gave a dry laugh.
"He's only the most intelligent person in the entire world! He makes me look like our good friend Xu Zhu." Sima Yi said breathily.
"Is that what you've heard because people could be bluffing." Diao Chan said suspiciously.
"No, I've met him. He's an extremely powerful expert in white magic and his genius knows no bounds!" Sima Yi reassured them. "I hate him, he always shot me dark looks and spoke to my father as if he were a commoner."
"Sounds like a nice guy . . ." Zhang He said sarcastically. They ran for a while and let the sun eat down on them. What Zhang He would have done for a drink of water. All three of them were panting loudly and dust was getting kicked up. Diao Chan suddenly gasped and fell forward. She lay there breathing heavily, trying to take in more air. Zhang he fell to his knees and scooped her up then continued on running. She grasped his armor, still taking large, gasping breaths.
"You ok?" Zhang He said to her. She nodded vaguely and closed her eyes. After a while, they reached a low cliff and decided to take a break. Sima Yi stared down into the fray below tem while Zhang He and Diao Chan rested. He peered down with slits for eyes at the men tearing each other apart. Suddenly he took a sharp breath and cursed.
"What's wrong?" Zhang He asked, standing up.
"Look down there, tell me what you see." He said worriedly. Zhang he glanced quickly down, then back at Sima Yi.
"I see a battle." He said flatly.
"Look closer!" Sima Yi said sharply. Zhang He gazed down into the battling men. Lot's of men in green clothing were lying dead and there was a great cloud of dust. A few generals from both sides were scattered around the canyon and a troop of men were marching forward. Then, Zhang he did a double take on this particular troop. They were different, they were wearing-
"Red! That can't be the Wu can it!?" Zhang He said, also sounding worried.
"That's exactly what it is! They outsmarted me!" Sima Yi spat, purely enraged. "They've come in when both of our forces have become weakened, their taking advantage of the situation! Those bastards!" He said with a clenched fist. Suddenly, a small figure in the crowd below turned upon them. He was dressed in elegant red clothing and had a hat. He pulled back his bow and released a lightening fast arrow in their direction. It zoomed straight for Sima Yi but he stood his ground. It zipped by, then struck the very edge of Sima Yi's cheek, and then lodged itself in the rock beside him. Sima Yi ripped the arrow out of the wall and snapped it in half bitterly. "Lu Xun." He said, as if the words created a bad taste in his mouth. "We have to go! Now!" He yelled tearing down the ridge and disappearing.
"Come on." Zhang he said, offering a hand to Diao Chan, who took it gratefully. After about 10 minutes, they caught up with Sima Yi, who was looking down the side of the canyon.
"It's only about 10 feet . . ." He muttered quickly to himself. He then stood up and jumped gracefully off the wall. Zhang He watched as he ran into battle, shoot beams madly out of his fan.
"Can you make it?" Zhang He asked Diao Chan.
"I-I think so . . ." She swallowed, closed her eyes and jumped off briskly. Zhang He followed quickly and flared out his Talons.
"You should probably stay close to me!" Zhang He yelled through the ferocious din of the battle. She nodded, looking pale, and putting her maces up for guard. Zhang he located Sima Yi and tailed behind him. Zhang He slashed through the enemy peons and Diao Chan whacked blindly around.
"There!" Said Sima Yi, pointing to the back of the man that shot at him. At first, Zhang He couldn't believe his eyes, "man" was hardly the word for him. He was about four foot one and looked hardly eleven years old. He was a frowning, bad-tempered looking child with two golden daggers. He wheeled around and faced the trio, frowning even more.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't my old acquaintance Sima Yi! I see you've hired some new clowns to be your friends." He said in a far-from matured voice.
"Yes, and I see you haven't grown an inch." Sima Yi said, good- naturedly. This looked like it offended Lu Xun very much and he struck a pose, ready for battle.
"Why you! You're only half the man I am." He growled at Sima Yi.
"You are obviously mistaken, as I am five foot three, and you look like you're two foot five. Smart people would realize this as half, so you are half the man I am!" Sima Yi said, making his fan glow brightly. "What was the nickname I created for you back in Qiao? Oh yes, Ninja Baby!" Sima Yi laughed.
"Shut up!" Lu Xun bellowed. "I am a man! My father says so!"
"Well, if he says so, we must all be terribly mistaken!" Sima Yi said in a mocking voice "Come, my friends, let us show Ninja Baby our superb fighting skills." He said, shooting a beam at Lu Xun, creating an injury very similar to the one that Lu Xun's arrow had done. Diao Chan, Sima Yi and Zhang He charged at him, using their weapons gracefully. Lu Xun was a pathetic fighter, he could barely keep up with one person, and so Diao Chan and Zhang He dropped out of the fight out of fairness. Seconds after they gave up, Sima Yi knocked him to the ground.
"Now, I have a very good opportunity here. . ." He said half to himself, "I could kill you and rid myself of a general from the Wu, or I could be a nice guy and let you live." Lu Xun looked insulted instead of scared, he glared up at Sima Yi with a loathsome stare. "Do you remember all the cruelty I was put through because of you? How everybody use to tease me for being so antisocial? And how you led them all!? I want to let you know how much that hurt!" He yelled stepping on Lu Xun's chest.
"You deserved it, you freak!" Lu Xun said defiantly. "You were weird, even in China, people still made fun of you, without my help." Sima Yi let out a cry of rage and increased the pressure and Zhang he heard a sickening crack. Lu Xun screamed and clutched himself and Sima Yi spat on him.
"I am just the same as everybody else! I deserve better than to be teased by children! NEVER SCORN MY GENIUS!" Sima Yi said, sounding almost on the verge of tears. He removed his shoe from Lu Xun and stepped backward "Here is your chance to run, take it if you wish to live." Sima Yi said bitterly. Lu Xun got shakily to his feet and stepped away from them as fast as he could. "Let's go!" He said sharply to Diao Chan and Zhang He, as if daring them to say something about it.
Zhang He cut through more men, and Diao Chan and Sima Yi bashed some skulls. Suddenly, someone laid a hand on Zhang He's shoulder. He gasped, spun around on one foot and landed a roundhouse kick on whom ever it was. The man crumpled to the floor, clutching his side. Zhang He clapped his hands over his mouth and fell to his knees when the saw who it was. He had just kicked the hell out of his Lord Cao Cao.
"OH MY GOD!" He yelled and immediately sunk to his knees and preceded in a very formal 'forgive me' bow. "Please - spare me - I'm so sorry - I didn't know - don't kill me - I didn't mean to!" Zhang He pleaded as he brought his head up and down. Cao Cao laughed a little painfully and stood up; trying to hide the fact he just had been brought down by a scrawny fifteen-year-old.
"It's alright . . ." He said looking around for anyone that could have seen him. "I should've let you know I was here before I surprised you like that! Hehe! You've got a pretty strong kick despite the way you look! I'm, uh, going to find Dian Wei! Watch your back, here comes some soldiers." He called back to them while cutting off a Shu soldier's head.
"Er, thank you, My Lord . . ." Zhang He said, glad he wasn't about to be slaughtered.
A while later, they saw Xu Zhu whacking his humongous club in all directions, making soldiers fly in all direction. Xiahou Dun was doing exceptionally well, but there had been no news of any general's deaths on the Wu, Shu, or Wei.
"Xiahou Dun!" Zhang He called through cupped hands "Where's Zhuge Liang?" Xiahou Dun removed his sword that had been lodged in a peon's chest and pointed it to the west. Zhang He bowed his head in thanks to him and started to turn away. The second he disappeared from view, there was a sickening noise behind them. Zhang He snapped his back to look at Xiahou Dun, and discovered and arrow had found its mark in Xiahou Dun's left eye. Zhang He sped over and went to assist him. Xiahou Dun stood statue still, obviously in shock. Suddenly, his usual frown return and he wiped the blood off his face. He lifted his arm, took a deep breath, and then yanked the arrow out ferociously. There were still some meaty fragments stuck onto the arrow's head and blood was dripping down the body. He threw the arrow down then charged back into battle.
Zhang He stood dumbstruck, wondering how anybody could shake that much pain like that, when he felt an arrow whiz by his own ear. He ducked and looked behind him. An armada of archers was behind him, all ready to shoot Zhang He down. Zhang He slid gracefully and cut their legs out from under them. Smiling, and a bit bloodier, he went to join his comrades.
Zhang He looked through the sea of bodies and metal hoping for a sign of Sima Yi or Diao Chan. He saw a beam of light zip past him quickly and turned in that direction, and his eyes met a strange sight. At first he thought Sima Yi had undergone a change of clothes during battle, but then he realized that a man, who looking strikingly like Sima Yi at first glance was standing near him. He was a bit taller than Sima Yi and had a small moustache on either lip. He wore a large white hat and white silk clothes. His hair, which was the same color and length as Sima Yi's, hung down near his back, and moved gently in the breeze. His robes were the same pattern as Sima Yi's, but were white and green, instead of dark blue, purple, and black. He glided around, with much likeness to a small leaf riding on a gust, and stared at Zhang He. He raised his weapon, a white-fathered fan with a golden handle, to his face.
"Where is Sima Yi?" He asked, in an all too friendly way. Something was awfully familiar about that drawling, calm voice . . .
"I don't know, and if I did I wouldn't tell you! Your obviously part of the Shu . . . What is your name?" Zhang He said, putting up his guard.
"I'm surprised you don't know me . . ." He said softly, closing his deep, brown eyes. "I am Zhuge Liang, strategist of the Shu. I can tell by your looks, and your speech patterns, that you are Zhang Fei's son."
"Jeez, he really is smart . . ." Zhang He said to himself.
"Hmmm . . ." Zhuge Liang said, studying Zhang He and running his fingers along his upper lip. "You are . . . Fifteen years old, five foot six, and . . . are not married." He said confidently.
"How did you know that?" Zhang He gasped, utterly confused.
"Judging by people around you, the fact that you clearly haven't gotten well into puberty, you don't have even one gray hair, comparison of my height and your apparent stature, the age of your father, you popularity among warriors, and if you had a woman, she would be near to you." Zhuge Liang said, as if this was obvious.
"Sure, you're smart, but can you fight?" Zhang He said, posing fearsomely with his shiny Talons.
"Don't let this weapon fool you . . . I am a master of White Magic." He said spinning and letting several beams fly out of the feathers, just for show. Zhang He charged at him Talons flared, but Zhuge Liang stood still. Zhang He got within his range and took a great sweeping slash, but Zhuge Liang blocked easily. The continued in the dance of death, metal sparked, clangs were heard, and both men became steadily tired. Zhang He kept on attacking with a fierce doggedness, not letting the fact that Zhuge Liang was blocking him with his eyes closed bother him.
"Enough of this . . ." Zhuge Liang finally muttered and held his fan to his chest. A he beam shot out and passed through him. Zhang he fell to the ground, paralyzed. He tried to look at the place where the beam had struck him, but he couldn't move his head.
"Don't fear, that was only a paralyzation beam, you are not dying . . . yet." He added with a cruel smile. Zhang He concentrated on moving and just barely sat up. Sweat droplets rode down his dampened forehead and he slowly got to his feet. "Very well done, not many people can even move a finger, you are as strong as the rumors say. But no amount of strength can add up to intelligence, and well, we all know you wins in that category. Which way would you prefer to die?"
Suddenly a beam shot out of nowhere and struck Zhuge Liang's hand, making him drop his snowy-white fan. Sima Yi zoomed into view, closely follow by a battered looking Diao Chan. She fell to her knees beside Zhang He and put her arms around his neck, asking his over and over if he was all right. He smiled stiffly, and with great effort placed a hand on her back.
"So, we meet again, Zhuge Liang." Sima Yi said, facing Zhuge Liang. "Beating up on defenseless people as usual I see."
"You are mistaken, I had bested in with my magic, he lost, and I will now claim his life. There is no murder in war . . . Or perhaps you can't grasp the idea, your mind is quite underdeveloped." Zhuge Liang explained as if talking to a five year old.
"Stop treating me like a child! You always did, but in truth, I'm just as intelligent as you'll ever be, I just don't scream it out to everyone! I didn't spend fifteen painful years of ridicule reading twenty- four-seven just to be put down by you!" Now leave my friends alone." Sima Yi said clenching his fist.
"I'll kill him!" Zhang he said slowly, more sweat pouring down his face. Sima Yi glanced back and waved his hand in Zhang He's direction. A second later, his body was free and mobile.
"I don't have time to play with these children anymore!" Zhuge Liang said, disappearing and leaving a shower of beams behind him.
"Damn it, Damn it, damn it! We've failed; our new mission is to report to Cao Cao and-" Sima Yi stopped dead. His eyes sort of glazed and he looked a little scared.
"What is it? What's the matter? Diao Chan said, nursing her bleeding arm. Sima Yi rocketed off in a seemingly random direction and Zhang He and Diao Chan followed quickly. "Where the heck is he going?" Diao Chan yelled through the roar of the battle.
"Not sure, but let's follow!" Zhang He called back.
"Zhang He, I can't, help me please!" Diao Chan said, wincing in pain and almost collapsing again.
"Don't worry I'll protect you no matter what, I'm your bodyguard after all! Hop on." He said, motioning for her to climb onto his back. She did so shakily and the were off once again. When they finally caught up with Sima Yi, he was doing something Zhang He just couldn't belive.