Author's note: I FINALLY UPDATED!! Whooohoo! Sorry about that gigantic
delay, folks, but I have some good news too! I've thought of the entire
plot up until the very end, and I can guarantee you'll like it! I'm also
thinking of starting a mailing group by yahoo for TOTSD. If you'd like
that, please say so and I will establish it in the near future. (and I haven't forgotton about your request, Petta, it'll come up, but you gotta
wait ^-^) That's all for now, kiddies!
Enjoy!
Part 3
Romance of the Four Leaders
Chapter 34
Seize the Day
Sun Ce fell to his knees. Zhang He saw thick tears pouring from his face.
"Y-you . . . BASTARD!" He wailed. "I'll KILL YOU!!" Liu Biao just laughed even harder.
"You'll die, Little Conqueror, just like your father." Liu Biao said heartily. "But not after I kill your little sister and brother!" A deep hatred for Liu Biao rose in Zhang He's chest. How dare he destroy his brother's pride like this? How dare he even raise a sword to what was once Sun Ce's father? If only he knew how to trigger the Phoenix, then everything could be fixed . . . He concentrated hard on what had made it occur the time before. Lust for blood? Zhang He guessed. He thought of himself destroying Liu Biao with wicked relish, but still, no phenomenon arose. Liu Biao kicked Sun Quan away from the bunch, all of his slimy minions watched with rapt and excited attention. Sun Quan was seemingly stunned. He had made no reaction to when he was struck down. Liu Biao took up his sword and placed it delicately across Sun Quan's throat. Then, he finally snapped back to reality. His entire body shook violently and a tiny trail of blood dripped down the sides of his neck.
"P-please, no . . ." He whimpered. Liu Biao's horrid lips twisted into what resembled another smile.
"What's wrong, little boy? Afraid to die?" He said in a mock sympathetic voice.
"Sun Ce! Help me, please, brother!!" Sun Quan howled. But Sun Ce was motionless. His head had drooped onto his chest and the front of his armor was splattered with tears. His shoulders heaved every time he took a breath and his hair was mangled and fell all over his neck. His breathing was ragged and he seemed to be completely oblivious to Sun Quan's pleas. "Oh, please! No! Save me!! Sister!"
"Sun Quan!!" Sun Shang Xiang screeched, trying to break free of the two men holding her back by the arms. All the people in the cage were up against the bars, with Sima Yi and Zhou Yu in the very front. Zhou Yu's knuckles were visibly white from gripped the bars and Sima Yi looked as though he were going to be sick. Zhang He struggled against the heavy binds, flailing aggressively and heaving his body in every direction he could. Zhang He suddenly stopped. He had just realized Da Qiao was nowhere in sight. Could it be that she had eluded the guards? They had no idea she was here in the first place . . .
Liu Biao rearranged the blade so it was on Sun Quan's left shoulder. He dug the pointy tip through Sun Quan's armor and cut a section off so it exposed his left shoulder.
"Please, no . . . Somebody save me! Please Liu Biao, spare me!" He cried hysterically. He brought his hairy face close to Sun Quan's smooth one. His eyes narrowed and he bared his decayed teeth yet again.
"And tell me why I should save a little brat like you?" He asked slowly.
"Please, please, just let us go . . ." Sun Quan pleaded. Liu Biao pushed down on the hilt, driving the tip straight into Sun Quan. Sun Quan cried out like a wounded animal and squirmed drastically and flailed from side to side, only deepening the wound.
"Sun QUAN!!" Yelled Sun Shang Xiang. All of a sudden Sun Quan froze. He lay on the ground, deathly still, with a very pale face.
"Is he dead?" Whispered a minion behind Zhang He. Zhang He grew sicker and sicker. Please don't let him be dead . . . He thought desperately Please . . .
Sun Ce was still showing now signs of movement. He stood hunched over on his knees, still heaving noisily. Sun Shang Xiang was weeping loudly, now struggling lamely against her captors, her fists futilely convulsing against them.
"H-how could y-you?" She stammered. With a mighty lurched she flung herself free for a few moments. She charged blindly at Liu Biao and Sima Yi let out a cry like a wounded animal. Liu Biao caught her easily and pounded the back of her sharply. She stopped fight and sunk to the ground.
"NO!" Sima Yi yelled, hurling the Chakram at Liu Biao. It flew through the air in slow motion, and Zhang He heart pained once more as he watched the round end smack into the back of Liu Biao's head. He wheeled around heavily and plowed his way to the prison. He seized Sima Yi before he could head towards the middle and crunched his body against the bars. He could see the fabric of Sima Yi's robes ripping steadily. Sima Yi's eyes were round and he was biting into his bottom lip.
"I think I'll kill you too in the near future." He spat throwing Sima Yi down to the floor and resuming his grim activities.
Zhang He's heart was pounding so hard in his chest he could almost feel the blood rushing through it. His head throbbed and the beginnings of tears were showing themselves. His side was drenched with blood, growing cold from being outside of its previous master's body.
"You see that, Sun Ce!? I've destroyed your entire family! You have been defeated, Little Conqueror!" Liu Biao growled at Sun Ce. Sun Ce's hand moved jerkily up to his face, which no one could see.
"This has to be a bad dream . . ." He said hoarsely.
"Are you listening to me!?" Liu Biao exclaimed. Sun Ce made no answer. Liu Biao's eyes narrowed and he kicked Sun Ce's chest so that his upper body launched back and his head snapped up. His face was tear stained and in an agonized expression. He was no longer the Sun Ce Zhang He had once known, but a defeated shell of him, all his spirit that had once filled him to the brim with so much energy and life had suddenly gone missing. It looked as though Sun Ce would have rather been the dead man sitting beside Zhang He than himself right now.
"It's over everyone, I'm so sorry brothers, I failed you . . ." Sun Ce sobbed. Liu Biao resumed his booming laugh.
"HA HA! He even admits it! I shall take pleasure in removing your head, Sun Ce! My sword!" He called to his men who immediately presented him with a never-before seen weapon with a dazzling silver blade. He brought the edge to Sun Ce's neck and made a tiny slit. "Any last words?" He asked with a cruel grin.
"I loved you guys. You're the best, brothers. Tell Da Qiao that, too . . ." Liu Biao raised the sword and Zhang He shut his eyes hastily. He would see no more of this carnage . . . He readied himself for the sound when suddenly . . .
"Not so fast!" Cried a grisly voice somewhere from the wall. Zhang He eyes snapped back open and with what he saw he could've sang with joy. The entire of the Wu army had now surrounded the camp. The red banner waved high in the sky and Zhou Tai was standing magnificently on top of the wall. His eyes were ablaze and his scars no longer marred his face but became fearsome reminders of his might as a warrior. He whipped his Katana out, fast as lightening and with impeccable grace and speed he leapt down in front of Liu Biao. Zhang He spotted Lu Xun, Huang Gai, and Lu Meng among them.
"What is this!? What's going on?" Liu Biao shrieked. Wu soldiers flooded in from every direction and took hold of the minions and began releasing the prisoners. "This can't happen! I won! ME!" A couple of men picked up Sun Quan and Sun Shang Xiang, then checked them over quickly.
"Rescue the women, they're in his chambers." Zhou Tai commanded, raising his blade to Liu Biao.
"Father!" Zhou Yu cried happily. Zhou Tai smiled in a crooked sort of way, still not breaking eye contact with Liu Biao, who looked livid.
"You scum. I saw everything, you know. You killed one of my best friends and I'm very upset. Sorry to say, but your life is over . . ." Zhou Tai said shortly. Everyone rushed out of the cage and joined the soldiers and generals. Someone ran over and freed Zhang He then handed him his Talons.
"Thank you." Zhang He said shortly as he snapped them on. Zhou Yu and Sima Yi, now possessing their weapons again, ran to his sides. Zhang He led the way to Sun Ce, picking him up by an arm. Sima Yi disappeared for a moment and retrieved Sun Ce's Tonfas, the put them into his hands. Sun Ce gave them a nod, and wiped his eyes again with his sleeve, the snapped into ready position. Liu Biao suddenly flipped down and kicked Zhou Tai off his footing. This sparked an all-out melee. The Wu soldiers pounced upon them, but were stopped by Liu Biao's men. General flew against general and Sun Ce leapt upon Liu Biao, swinging his Tonfas wildly. Zhang He saw Sima Yi's purple beams flying through the air and the faithful swishing of the Ancient's sword. He raised his Talons and struck down several soldiers, then pulled Zhou Tai to his feet. Sun Ce pushed Liu Biao farther and farther back until he was against the wall of a building. . It seemed as though they had almost won when Liu Biao seized Sun Ce around the neck and leapt several paces back. He flung Sun Ce down on the hard ground and stood to his full height. He laughed maniacally and raised his weapon once again. Suddenly another voice was heard.
"Stop! Don't hurt him!" In a flurry of color and bright fans Da Qiao sped out and flung herself in front of Sun Ce.
"Da Qiao!" Sun Ce yelped.
"I'm sorry I couldn't make it sooner, Lord Sun Ce, I got lost." She said panting.
"You think you're going to save him, little girl!? Why even try!?" Liu Biao said, looking crazed with a bit of blood dripping from his head.
"I'll tell you why! I don't even know why, and I may be wrong, but I think I love him!" Sun Ce made an indistinguishable little noise. "And I never let anyone hurt someone I love! Don't be fooled because I'm a woman!" She yelled.
"I'll kill the whole lot of you!" He bellowed, finally losing it and swinging his blade heavily around. Da Qiao blocked swiftly and threw a few strikes herself. She leapt back suddenly then went into a pose.
" 'And the older daughter shall have mortal beauty, unleash your fury, Qiao Beauty' !" She recited. He fans whipped out of her hands by some unseen force and hurled Liu Biao into the air, covering him with cuts and gashes. He fell the ground and her fans returned, similar to the method of a boomerang "Did you like my special attack? I was how a Seer predicted my and my sister's birth." She said teasingly, stepping up to him.
"I cannot be defeated by a woman! I WILL NOT BE DEFEATED BY A WOMAN!" He said, seizing her ankle. She drove the bladed edge of her fan into Liu Biao, but he didn't seem to mind in the slightest. He grabbed it ruthlessly and threw it down. She screamed and smacked him repeatedly with the other one. He turned her upside down by her ankle and the weapon slipped from her hand.
"I don't care if you have all the help in the world, I WILL HAVE YOUR HEAD!" Liu Biao said, going into hysterics. He discarded Da Qiao nonchalantly, grinning evilly at Sun Ce, hungry to cleave his head. She yelled again and fell to the earth with a sickening crack.
"D-da Qiao. . ." He said with his eyes wide. Sun Ce stood paralyzed. He didn't seem to notice Liu Biao inching ever closer. He began to take deep breaths again.
"You . . . You killed my father. . ." he said, stunned. Zhang He felt an odd aura emitting from Sun Ce's body. He didn't know what was going on, but he was sure there was heat radiating from his person. "You killed my brother, and maybe my sister too. I guess you could say they were guilty in your eyes, by being my father's children, but Da Qiao committed no sin. She was pure and innocent . . ." Sun Ce was trembling with rage. His teeth were bared and his eyes were almost glowing. "If she's dead . . . I'm going to be really . . . REALLY . . . PISSED OFF!!!" This time Zhang he was sure there was an aura there. A red ring was around Sun Ce and his Tonfas were red hot. He sprang onto his feet and swung them around and fire leapt from the bamboo poles, igniting the camp around him. A wall of flames shot back and passed right over Zhang He, but the enemy soldiers around him incinerated instantly. Liu Biao was also alight with flame. The licked over his skin and curled his hair into a smoking black mess.
"Help me!! HELP ME!!" He screamed, falling to his knees. Sun Ce hurled himself onto Liu Biao and with his teeth took hold of the big man's throat. He sank the in, clamping down furiously. Blood issued from the wound and Liu Biao made a disgusting guttural sound as he flailed about. Sun Ce released his bite and stood up, blood pouring from his mouth. It was almost as if Zhang He saw into two different worlds when he next saw Sun Ce. He was sure a fiery form of a lion stood where Sun Ce did, but it reality nothing did. Sun Ce gripped his Tonfas and the lion reared back. He smacked the first Tonfa into Liu Biao's spine and the lion pounced. The second collided with his head as the lion clawed that very place. Zhang He actually saw the flesh rip away, even though this spectral lion could not possibly be there. Sun Ce stood up finally and with one blazing burst of ire they simultaneously stamped Liu Biao's neck. It snapped and Sun Ce took a few steps back. The flames decreased and he fell to his knees, looking drained and barely conscious. He head fell to one side, though his eyes were still open. Every single enemy soldier was dead; either lying charred on the ground, or slashed up beyond recognition. Sun Ce exhaled slowly and his shoulders drooped.
"Sun Ce?" Zhou Yu spoke timidly. Sun Ce made no answer. He crawled with difficulty over to where Da Qiao lay. He ran a gloved hand over his silky hair, but she did not wake.
"Da Qiao . . ." He said quietly, clutching her shoulders. The entire of the camp watched with bated breath, some with hands over their mouths. "Da Qiao, please . . ." He said, trying to fight back the urge to cry again. He pulled her lifeless body close to his and held her tightly. Her head dropped onto his shoulder, still looking ever so beautiful. "Da Qiao, you have to wake up! YOU HAVE TO!" He wept. "If you wake up, I promise I'll always keep you safe! I'll never let this happen again! NEVER! Please Da Qiao, I promise! PROMISE!" He said, shaking. Zhang He's heart leapt as he saw her, slowly but surely, open her eyes and look into his face.
"P-promise?" She asked drowsily. Sun Ce smiled broadly and nodded, tears still dripping down his face.
"Promise . . ." He reassured her. He realized all at once that all eyes were on him and he stood up crucially. He looked out with all seriousness over the army, their eyes glued on him. He took a deep breath. "My father is dead." He announced to the crowd. "But I am his oldest son and I live on! That means all the Wu belongs to me, and since I am a leader of the Shi, it also means that Wu is no longer a kingdom. If you follow me, you follow Zhang He!" He declared grandly. Everyone from Wu cheered and clapped for Sun Ce. Zhang He walked over to Sun Ce and clapped a hand on his shoulder.
"You did good, brother." He said. Zhou Yu and Sima Yi stepped up to him as well.
"Are you alright, Sun Ce?" Zhou Yu asked, looking at him worriedly.
"That was Dobutsu magic, wasn't it Sun Ce? A lion!" Sima Yi asked. Sun Ce pulled Da Qiao to her feet, looking tired.
"Zhou Yu, will you please get my father's body, he needs a proper funeral later on. Anyone know how Sun Quan and Sun Shang Xiang are? Where are they?" He asked shakily.
"I think someone took them to the camp before the fray began. I heard them saying they were both alive, but needed care immediately." Sima Yi informed them. Sun Ce nodded.
"Thank the Heavens . . ." He sighed.
"Come on, brother, let's go back to camp . . ." Zhou Yu said sympathetically. Sun Ce nodded and gave a weary smile.
Maybe this won't prove to be a misfortune after all . . . Zhang He thought, looking over the new troops.
thinking of starting a mailing group by yahoo for TOTSD. If you'd like
that, please say so and I will establish it in the near future. (and I haven't forgotton about your request, Petta, it'll come up, but you gotta
wait ^-^) That's all for now, kiddies!
Enjoy!
Part 3
Romance of the Four Leaders
Chapter 34
Seize the Day
Sun Ce fell to his knees. Zhang He saw thick tears pouring from his face.
"Y-you . . . BASTARD!" He wailed. "I'll KILL YOU!!" Liu Biao just laughed even harder.
"You'll die, Little Conqueror, just like your father." Liu Biao said heartily. "But not after I kill your little sister and brother!" A deep hatred for Liu Biao rose in Zhang He's chest. How dare he destroy his brother's pride like this? How dare he even raise a sword to what was once Sun Ce's father? If only he knew how to trigger the Phoenix, then everything could be fixed . . . He concentrated hard on what had made it occur the time before. Lust for blood? Zhang He guessed. He thought of himself destroying Liu Biao with wicked relish, but still, no phenomenon arose. Liu Biao kicked Sun Quan away from the bunch, all of his slimy minions watched with rapt and excited attention. Sun Quan was seemingly stunned. He had made no reaction to when he was struck down. Liu Biao took up his sword and placed it delicately across Sun Quan's throat. Then, he finally snapped back to reality. His entire body shook violently and a tiny trail of blood dripped down the sides of his neck.
"P-please, no . . ." He whimpered. Liu Biao's horrid lips twisted into what resembled another smile.
"What's wrong, little boy? Afraid to die?" He said in a mock sympathetic voice.
"Sun Ce! Help me, please, brother!!" Sun Quan howled. But Sun Ce was motionless. His head had drooped onto his chest and the front of his armor was splattered with tears. His shoulders heaved every time he took a breath and his hair was mangled and fell all over his neck. His breathing was ragged and he seemed to be completely oblivious to Sun Quan's pleas. "Oh, please! No! Save me!! Sister!"
"Sun Quan!!" Sun Shang Xiang screeched, trying to break free of the two men holding her back by the arms. All the people in the cage were up against the bars, with Sima Yi and Zhou Yu in the very front. Zhou Yu's knuckles were visibly white from gripped the bars and Sima Yi looked as though he were going to be sick. Zhang He struggled against the heavy binds, flailing aggressively and heaving his body in every direction he could. Zhang He suddenly stopped. He had just realized Da Qiao was nowhere in sight. Could it be that she had eluded the guards? They had no idea she was here in the first place . . .
Liu Biao rearranged the blade so it was on Sun Quan's left shoulder. He dug the pointy tip through Sun Quan's armor and cut a section off so it exposed his left shoulder.
"Please, no . . . Somebody save me! Please Liu Biao, spare me!" He cried hysterically. He brought his hairy face close to Sun Quan's smooth one. His eyes narrowed and he bared his decayed teeth yet again.
"And tell me why I should save a little brat like you?" He asked slowly.
"Please, please, just let us go . . ." Sun Quan pleaded. Liu Biao pushed down on the hilt, driving the tip straight into Sun Quan. Sun Quan cried out like a wounded animal and squirmed drastically and flailed from side to side, only deepening the wound.
"Sun QUAN!!" Yelled Sun Shang Xiang. All of a sudden Sun Quan froze. He lay on the ground, deathly still, with a very pale face.
"Is he dead?" Whispered a minion behind Zhang He. Zhang He grew sicker and sicker. Please don't let him be dead . . . He thought desperately Please . . .
Sun Ce was still showing now signs of movement. He stood hunched over on his knees, still heaving noisily. Sun Shang Xiang was weeping loudly, now struggling lamely against her captors, her fists futilely convulsing against them.
"H-how could y-you?" She stammered. With a mighty lurched she flung herself free for a few moments. She charged blindly at Liu Biao and Sima Yi let out a cry like a wounded animal. Liu Biao caught her easily and pounded the back of her sharply. She stopped fight and sunk to the ground.
"NO!" Sima Yi yelled, hurling the Chakram at Liu Biao. It flew through the air in slow motion, and Zhang He heart pained once more as he watched the round end smack into the back of Liu Biao's head. He wheeled around heavily and plowed his way to the prison. He seized Sima Yi before he could head towards the middle and crunched his body against the bars. He could see the fabric of Sima Yi's robes ripping steadily. Sima Yi's eyes were round and he was biting into his bottom lip.
"I think I'll kill you too in the near future." He spat throwing Sima Yi down to the floor and resuming his grim activities.
Zhang He's heart was pounding so hard in his chest he could almost feel the blood rushing through it. His head throbbed and the beginnings of tears were showing themselves. His side was drenched with blood, growing cold from being outside of its previous master's body.
"You see that, Sun Ce!? I've destroyed your entire family! You have been defeated, Little Conqueror!" Liu Biao growled at Sun Ce. Sun Ce's hand moved jerkily up to his face, which no one could see.
"This has to be a bad dream . . ." He said hoarsely.
"Are you listening to me!?" Liu Biao exclaimed. Sun Ce made no answer. Liu Biao's eyes narrowed and he kicked Sun Ce's chest so that his upper body launched back and his head snapped up. His face was tear stained and in an agonized expression. He was no longer the Sun Ce Zhang He had once known, but a defeated shell of him, all his spirit that had once filled him to the brim with so much energy and life had suddenly gone missing. It looked as though Sun Ce would have rather been the dead man sitting beside Zhang He than himself right now.
"It's over everyone, I'm so sorry brothers, I failed you . . ." Sun Ce sobbed. Liu Biao resumed his booming laugh.
"HA HA! He even admits it! I shall take pleasure in removing your head, Sun Ce! My sword!" He called to his men who immediately presented him with a never-before seen weapon with a dazzling silver blade. He brought the edge to Sun Ce's neck and made a tiny slit. "Any last words?" He asked with a cruel grin.
"I loved you guys. You're the best, brothers. Tell Da Qiao that, too . . ." Liu Biao raised the sword and Zhang He shut his eyes hastily. He would see no more of this carnage . . . He readied himself for the sound when suddenly . . .
"Not so fast!" Cried a grisly voice somewhere from the wall. Zhang He eyes snapped back open and with what he saw he could've sang with joy. The entire of the Wu army had now surrounded the camp. The red banner waved high in the sky and Zhou Tai was standing magnificently on top of the wall. His eyes were ablaze and his scars no longer marred his face but became fearsome reminders of his might as a warrior. He whipped his Katana out, fast as lightening and with impeccable grace and speed he leapt down in front of Liu Biao. Zhang He spotted Lu Xun, Huang Gai, and Lu Meng among them.
"What is this!? What's going on?" Liu Biao shrieked. Wu soldiers flooded in from every direction and took hold of the minions and began releasing the prisoners. "This can't happen! I won! ME!" A couple of men picked up Sun Quan and Sun Shang Xiang, then checked them over quickly.
"Rescue the women, they're in his chambers." Zhou Tai commanded, raising his blade to Liu Biao.
"Father!" Zhou Yu cried happily. Zhou Tai smiled in a crooked sort of way, still not breaking eye contact with Liu Biao, who looked livid.
"You scum. I saw everything, you know. You killed one of my best friends and I'm very upset. Sorry to say, but your life is over . . ." Zhou Tai said shortly. Everyone rushed out of the cage and joined the soldiers and generals. Someone ran over and freed Zhang He then handed him his Talons.
"Thank you." Zhang He said shortly as he snapped them on. Zhou Yu and Sima Yi, now possessing their weapons again, ran to his sides. Zhang He led the way to Sun Ce, picking him up by an arm. Sima Yi disappeared for a moment and retrieved Sun Ce's Tonfas, the put them into his hands. Sun Ce gave them a nod, and wiped his eyes again with his sleeve, the snapped into ready position. Liu Biao suddenly flipped down and kicked Zhou Tai off his footing. This sparked an all-out melee. The Wu soldiers pounced upon them, but were stopped by Liu Biao's men. General flew against general and Sun Ce leapt upon Liu Biao, swinging his Tonfas wildly. Zhang He saw Sima Yi's purple beams flying through the air and the faithful swishing of the Ancient's sword. He raised his Talons and struck down several soldiers, then pulled Zhou Tai to his feet. Sun Ce pushed Liu Biao farther and farther back until he was against the wall of a building. . It seemed as though they had almost won when Liu Biao seized Sun Ce around the neck and leapt several paces back. He flung Sun Ce down on the hard ground and stood to his full height. He laughed maniacally and raised his weapon once again. Suddenly another voice was heard.
"Stop! Don't hurt him!" In a flurry of color and bright fans Da Qiao sped out and flung herself in front of Sun Ce.
"Da Qiao!" Sun Ce yelped.
"I'm sorry I couldn't make it sooner, Lord Sun Ce, I got lost." She said panting.
"You think you're going to save him, little girl!? Why even try!?" Liu Biao said, looking crazed with a bit of blood dripping from his head.
"I'll tell you why! I don't even know why, and I may be wrong, but I think I love him!" Sun Ce made an indistinguishable little noise. "And I never let anyone hurt someone I love! Don't be fooled because I'm a woman!" She yelled.
"I'll kill the whole lot of you!" He bellowed, finally losing it and swinging his blade heavily around. Da Qiao blocked swiftly and threw a few strikes herself. She leapt back suddenly then went into a pose.
" 'And the older daughter shall have mortal beauty, unleash your fury, Qiao Beauty' !" She recited. He fans whipped out of her hands by some unseen force and hurled Liu Biao into the air, covering him with cuts and gashes. He fell the ground and her fans returned, similar to the method of a boomerang "Did you like my special attack? I was how a Seer predicted my and my sister's birth." She said teasingly, stepping up to him.
"I cannot be defeated by a woman! I WILL NOT BE DEFEATED BY A WOMAN!" He said, seizing her ankle. She drove the bladed edge of her fan into Liu Biao, but he didn't seem to mind in the slightest. He grabbed it ruthlessly and threw it down. She screamed and smacked him repeatedly with the other one. He turned her upside down by her ankle and the weapon slipped from her hand.
"I don't care if you have all the help in the world, I WILL HAVE YOUR HEAD!" Liu Biao said, going into hysterics. He discarded Da Qiao nonchalantly, grinning evilly at Sun Ce, hungry to cleave his head. She yelled again and fell to the earth with a sickening crack.
"D-da Qiao. . ." He said with his eyes wide. Sun Ce stood paralyzed. He didn't seem to notice Liu Biao inching ever closer. He began to take deep breaths again.
"You . . . You killed my father. . ." he said, stunned. Zhang He felt an odd aura emitting from Sun Ce's body. He didn't know what was going on, but he was sure there was heat radiating from his person. "You killed my brother, and maybe my sister too. I guess you could say they were guilty in your eyes, by being my father's children, but Da Qiao committed no sin. She was pure and innocent . . ." Sun Ce was trembling with rage. His teeth were bared and his eyes were almost glowing. "If she's dead . . . I'm going to be really . . . REALLY . . . PISSED OFF!!!" This time Zhang he was sure there was an aura there. A red ring was around Sun Ce and his Tonfas were red hot. He sprang onto his feet and swung them around and fire leapt from the bamboo poles, igniting the camp around him. A wall of flames shot back and passed right over Zhang He, but the enemy soldiers around him incinerated instantly. Liu Biao was also alight with flame. The licked over his skin and curled his hair into a smoking black mess.
"Help me!! HELP ME!!" He screamed, falling to his knees. Sun Ce hurled himself onto Liu Biao and with his teeth took hold of the big man's throat. He sank the in, clamping down furiously. Blood issued from the wound and Liu Biao made a disgusting guttural sound as he flailed about. Sun Ce released his bite and stood up, blood pouring from his mouth. It was almost as if Zhang He saw into two different worlds when he next saw Sun Ce. He was sure a fiery form of a lion stood where Sun Ce did, but it reality nothing did. Sun Ce gripped his Tonfas and the lion reared back. He smacked the first Tonfa into Liu Biao's spine and the lion pounced. The second collided with his head as the lion clawed that very place. Zhang He actually saw the flesh rip away, even though this spectral lion could not possibly be there. Sun Ce stood up finally and with one blazing burst of ire they simultaneously stamped Liu Biao's neck. It snapped and Sun Ce took a few steps back. The flames decreased and he fell to his knees, looking drained and barely conscious. He head fell to one side, though his eyes were still open. Every single enemy soldier was dead; either lying charred on the ground, or slashed up beyond recognition. Sun Ce exhaled slowly and his shoulders drooped.
"Sun Ce?" Zhou Yu spoke timidly. Sun Ce made no answer. He crawled with difficulty over to where Da Qiao lay. He ran a gloved hand over his silky hair, but she did not wake.
"Da Qiao . . ." He said quietly, clutching her shoulders. The entire of the camp watched with bated breath, some with hands over their mouths. "Da Qiao, please . . ." He said, trying to fight back the urge to cry again. He pulled her lifeless body close to his and held her tightly. Her head dropped onto his shoulder, still looking ever so beautiful. "Da Qiao, you have to wake up! YOU HAVE TO!" He wept. "If you wake up, I promise I'll always keep you safe! I'll never let this happen again! NEVER! Please Da Qiao, I promise! PROMISE!" He said, shaking. Zhang He's heart leapt as he saw her, slowly but surely, open her eyes and look into his face.
"P-promise?" She asked drowsily. Sun Ce smiled broadly and nodded, tears still dripping down his face.
"Promise . . ." He reassured her. He realized all at once that all eyes were on him and he stood up crucially. He looked out with all seriousness over the army, their eyes glued on him. He took a deep breath. "My father is dead." He announced to the crowd. "But I am his oldest son and I live on! That means all the Wu belongs to me, and since I am a leader of the Shi, it also means that Wu is no longer a kingdom. If you follow me, you follow Zhang He!" He declared grandly. Everyone from Wu cheered and clapped for Sun Ce. Zhang He walked over to Sun Ce and clapped a hand on his shoulder.
"You did good, brother." He said. Zhou Yu and Sima Yi stepped up to him as well.
"Are you alright, Sun Ce?" Zhou Yu asked, looking at him worriedly.
"That was Dobutsu magic, wasn't it Sun Ce? A lion!" Sima Yi asked. Sun Ce pulled Da Qiao to her feet, looking tired.
"Zhou Yu, will you please get my father's body, he needs a proper funeral later on. Anyone know how Sun Quan and Sun Shang Xiang are? Where are they?" He asked shakily.
"I think someone took them to the camp before the fray began. I heard them saying they were both alive, but needed care immediately." Sima Yi informed them. Sun Ce nodded.
"Thank the Heavens . . ." He sighed.
"Come on, brother, let's go back to camp . . ." Zhou Yu said sympathetically. Sun Ce nodded and gave a weary smile.
Maybe this won't prove to be a misfortune after all . . . Zhang He thought, looking over the new troops.