DISCLAIMER: These characters do not belong to me. If they did, I'd be the best writer in the world, because, well, Dynasty Warriors kicks more ass than anything ever!

Author's Note: Right. I don't even know if Cao Bu is in Dynasty Warriors. I only saw him in Kessen. Same with Himiko. But I don't know. I just like those characters.

Liu Bei had no intention of fighting Lu Bu at this time. He backed off slightly, a look of fear coming over his face. "I won't let a monster like you stop me. The Han dynasty will be restored!"

Lu Bu smiled at him, a cold smile with no emotion in it. Then he said, "If you wish to restore the Han dynasty, then why do you oppose me? Is not Dong Zhuo the one fighting to preserve it? Am I not his son?

"You are not the one destined to rule the Han dynasty," Liu Bei retorted, "I am the one of Han lineage."

"Again we hear that outrageous claim of having Han lineage. I see no proof."

"You need no proof. I will prevail because I deserve to, and the mandate of heaven will be mine."

Lu Bu hefted his weapon up on his shoulder. "Now I can see why they call you the pretender. You don't even own land. Like you could be the emperor."

Liu Bei was becoming enraged, perhaps falling into Lu Bu's trap. "Lord Liu Biao recognized that I would one day be emperor. Why would a young one like you have such trouble believing it?"

But Lu Bu was done here, not even seeing Liu Bei as a threat. "You're a fool who's wasting my time," he said over his shoulder as he walked away.

Anger filled Liu Bei, possessing him to do something he normally would have known was foolhardy. "You'll not slay any more of my soldiers!" he shouted and leapt at the unprotected back of Lu Bu.

Before he could even get close, Lu Bu spun around and struck him down in one hit so hard that he would have to immediately leave the battle. Seeming not to be happy about this victory at all, the beast simply walked away to cause carnage elsewhere.

Liu Bei woke in a daze several hours later. "What's going on?" he asked, not knowing if anyone could hear him. Zhuge Liang appeared by his side by magic.

"So you've awakened, I see," the sorcerer observed.

"What happened, Zhuge Liang?"

"We lost because of Lu Bu. Your army lost all morale after you left the battlefield and passed out. They let us go only because we gave them back Cao Bu. We're lucky to be able to live to fight another day."

Liu Bei sat up slightly, sending a twinge of pain through his body. "This doesn't make any sense. Why would Lu Bu join up with Cao Cao? It doesn't make sense. I thought we both had an alliance when we fought Dong Zhuo. But he still managed to escape with most of his generals. Wouldn't Cao Cao hate him?"

Zhuge Liang shook his head. The sorcerer added, "No, you have it all wrong. I received word a few days back that Dong Zhuo is dead, reportedly slain by Lu Bu himself."

"That scum!" Liu Bei close to shouted, "He would kill his own father?!"

"Quiet down, my Lord. Dong Zhuo was much more evil than Lu Bu and much more dangerous really. We never could have beaten him without allying ourself with Wei. Lu Bu is dangerous by himself, but he's only one person. He doesn't have the armies or officers that Dong Zhuo had at his disposal."

"Well, if I can't beat him, then who can?"

"Well, I know you won't like this idea, but I suggest we ally ourselves with the Wu kingdom."

"It's true that I don't think Sun Jian can be trusted. His threat will eventually need to be eliminated to unite the country under the Han dynasty. What do you have planned?"

Zhuge Liang pulled out his battle fan and fanned wind slowly toward his face. "We don't have to deal with Sun Jian directly. There is always his famous son."

"Do you mean Sun Ce or Sun Quan?"

"Did you hit your head? Sun Ce, of course. Sun Quan is a strategist. We have no need of him if I'm here!"

Liu Bei grinned despite himself. "Sorry about that, Zhuge Liang."

"Well, anyhow, should I set up a meeting with Sun Ce?"

"The little conqueror? Ah, what the hell? Let's go for it. Maybe with his help and some of his allies we could take on Lu Bu."

That night Zhuge Liang sent out Wei Yan to secure help from the Wu kingdom. Though the Wu forces generally specialized in naval battle, anything that would save them from the ravages of Cao Cao was welcome help. And this Sun Ce was supposed to be quite a warrior.