Showdown at Jiameng Pass (Zhang Fei)

[Ma Chao]

BGM - The Two Heroes

all my rivals will see
WHAT I HAVE IN STORE
MY GUN
I've been harboring fleets in this reservoir

Jiameng Pass
1134 hours
April 27, 214

He was, truly, a knight in shining armor. Elevated heads above the army as he sat perched on his leather saddle, one hand casually latched onto the reins of his calm, white stallion, the Stalwart Ma Chao was literally glowing under the open sky, rays of the sun heavily beating down on him in violent showers of heat and light. It was almost blinding to look directly into the awe-striking sight of the lithe beast, long spear tucked at his side and he poised in pride.

What an easy target he was, to the common archer and crossbowman, to the myriad weapons and projectiles of the standard army! Yet Ma Mengqi's eyes, as keen and attentive as a hawk, saw not even a single soul shift in his lines as the army of green stood opposing him. That was how greatly feared the name of the greatest rider of the west was, the Beast of Xiliang holding back mere rebel lines with solely his presence alone.

"Hmph... Nothing but a load of weaklings," he muttered silently, abruptly buried by the thunderous sound of the suddenly arriving forces of Ma Dai, Mengqi's only colleague on the field at the moment. "It's truly a pity that Pang De is not here to witness the destruction of Liu Bei's legions at these hands of mine. At least I'll share in the glory with my kinsman."

Ma Chao was the first to finally break the silence. Urging his steed forth, but only by a slight edging, he slowly trudged into the wide clearing between the two immobile armies. Letting his long spear drop casually from his side into his waiting palm, he lifted it menacingly, heavy iron tip pointed accusingly at every head guarding the pass. "Ma Chao of Xiliang is here! Flee now, rebels, if you do not wish to meet your deaths at my spear!"

He felt it: murmurs, quiet whispers of fear. They were trembling at his might, they must be. Letting a smirk cross his flawless, handsome visage, Ma Chao flicked his armed hand at his front lines of thousands of cavalrymen, showing the back of his hand in a subtle gesture to hold their eagerness to kill. The riders of the Guanxi Coalition were never satisfied without the thrill of the battlefield; idle days on the fields of Hanzhong were not to their taste.

But the time was not ripe to charge into the enemy lines, rushing the foe and claiming a thousand heads. For Ma Chao had seen not a single officer standing among them, mere peons guarding the bottom of the pass. Only the distant sound of indistinct, angry shouting from the top of the gate let Mengqi acknowledge the presence of a truly worthy foe. "Liu Bei!" he shouted, bellowing at the invisible figures at the top of the pass. "Are you so cowardly as to send these pesky peons to be slaughtered at my hands? Or are you really so stupid as to underestimate my power?!"

As if to prove his strength, Ma Chao suddenly lunged forward, letting his horse fly into the unexpecting crowd of Liu Bei's soldiers. A strong arm shot into the enemy lines, grabbing hold of a soldier and lifting him into the air, gripped by the collar. A simple whisk of Mengqi's spear sent the private's own weapon flying into the sandy ground. "I want a real challenge! Not some batch of shits! Send me... your strongest man!"

red sun
AND THIS NATION'S ABOUT TO EXPLODE

[Zhang Fei]

It had been a few days of constant travel from the siege of Chengdu, across the Zitong range, to Jiameng pass, where now they finally were. The going was tough and their time hard-pressed but, finally, they were here. The ride had been a pleasant one, they were rushed yes, but the country was beautiful, the scenary alone had taken Zhang Fei's mind off the ride across this foreign land.

The sun was high in the sky this morning - the morning they arrived at Jiameng. The defenders had sent a cry of relief down to Chengdu a few days past, saying that Ma Chao of Hanzhong had marched south to rescue Liu Zhang, and Liu Bei had ordered his men, and his brother Zhang Fei's, to break their camp and head to the rescue immediately. That in itself had lifted a fraction of the siege of Chengdu, but it wasn't enough to give Liu Zhang too much hope, Yide hoped.

Yide had ran over it in his head the day prior to their arrival. When I get to Jiameng, I'm going to whip that Ma boy so bad with my spear. I'll shame him in front of his men, and send him packing right back to Hanzhong with a snake shaped swat on his arse. No need to waste the men, or time, we have a war to win and a sulking lord to root out.

Yide had slept in the saddle through the night, insisting that they make good time and march through the night, rather than waiting for dawn. He had been shaken into a state of wakefulness by his brother, and lord when they arrived at the southern gate into the pass, and he had raised eagerly, rushing up onto the ramparts, like an excited young infant for a look at the enemy army.

What he saw didn't impress him. They look like barbarians. Ma Chao's men wore their hair down, and graced themselves with little armour. "They rely on their superior horses," Zhang Fei mused. When Liu Bei finally caught up with his younger brother atop the wall, he suggested sleep and a meal. "Piss on that! I wanna hit something!" Zhang Fei shook his serpent spear fiercely, "I'll hit that Ma boy!" He roared happily.

He was about to descend the pass when Liu Bei grabbed his arm, "You've just woke up, have something to eat and drink first and fight after noon." Yide boomed in response, "Noon? Are you kidding me? ...I'll have some wine though." A servant produced a pot and a goblet, as the wine was being poured, Yide watched the liquid flow, gods, it's calling to me. He snatched the flask off the underling and drained it in an instant. Half managed to find its way down his throat, the other half wet his beard. He lifted a finger to his brother, "I'll be back in a moment."

Yide turned again to descend the steps but was caught by the arm again by his brother, "Wait for noon, their men will be weary and we can strike." Yide submitted, "Fine." Xuande released his grip on Yide's arm and walked away to the ramparts, intending to look on at the enemy position, "They call him Ma Chao the Splendid, did you know that brother?" Zhang Fei took the opportunity, to make a getaway, "You watch me make a splendid display of poking him full of holes! I'll be back in a minute." Giddy, at the success of his little ruse, Yide descended the stairs, and ran to get his horse.

He adjusted his turban, and resecured the sword on his belt. Pulling himself onto his battle-bred chestnut stallion, he hastily kicked his strirrups and barked at the gatesmen, "Open the gate, open the gate!" They great gates groaned as they swung open, sounds which seemed to rise in the hollowness between the hills. Beyodn the wall, hundreds of dead soldiers littered the side paths, before the walls.

Yide raced out at a gallop, Ma Mengqi had been shouting challenges all morning, if the defending garrison was to be believed, and it was Zhang Fei's time to oblige. He pulled the ehad of his horse to a halt in the dust. He brandished his spear in the air, letting the light of the sun dance on and off the steel, and shouted gladly, "Where is the Ma boy? Dare he face Zhang Fei of Yan?"

Yide would have been lying to himself if he said that he wasn't underestimating Ma Chao, the man who's fame had came from the north-west was not known to him from first-hand experience. As far as he knew this was a child in a grown-man's armour, playing in a war he did not understand. Fuck, I should have had another cup of wine.

[Ma Chao]

BGM - The Two Heroes

all my rivals will see
WHAT I HAVE IN STORE
MY GUN
I've been harboring fleets in this reservoir

Government Office
Han Zhong
1483 hours
April 9, 214

"A message for Master Ma Chao! A message for Master Ma Chao!"

The low double doors to the office's audience hall creaked open, letting in a shower of light from the distant entrance, the bright rays creating a silhouette of the figure now bursting into a dash into the middle of the spacious room. Gracefully dodging by the long row of wooden chairs and the obnoxiously long table, the young runner skidded to a halt before the prefect's throne, dropping to one leg and appropriately bowing his head.

Ma Chao lifted his head from the piece of parchment he had practically been burying his face in, an illustrious map of the northwestern Han, stretching from his own land of Han Zhong to the battlefield of the other half of the Guanxi Coalition further up north, warring against Cao Cao's forces in the form of Lu Bu and Xiahou Yuan at Tian Shui and Chang An. Only hours ago had Ma Teng's last messenger departed from Mengqi's office; the old man still bothered to report to his son the details of the war, which he was inevitably losing. As if he expected Ma Chao to come to his aid, even at the last moment...

But Ma Chao was not simply a bloodthirsty beast, like most of his clan and kinsmen in the north. They related to the Qiangs, the Huns even, in their lust for the kill. It was what set them apart from Mengqi, from the rest of the Han populace; it was what defined them as "barbarians" in the eyes of the Zhongyuan; it was what made Ma Teng and Han Sui no different from Lu Bu.

"What news do you bring?" Ma Chao uttered, casting his own scroll aside and reaching down from his seat to grab the new one. It silently surprised him to realize that the unique shades of the messenger's garbs indicated a force distant from the coalition. "Liu Zhang sends me word?" he asked, mostly directed at himself in genuine curiosity.

To Master Ma Chao, respected Prefect of Han Zhong,

I understand that we have not been on familiar terms as we have been designated to distant lands in the past. However, with your recent victories in the north, we have grown to become neighbors in practicality. Now I am being invaded by Liu Bei the traitor, a rebel to the Han and the laws of heaven. I ask for your assistance in crushing his forces; if he takes control of Yizhou, you will be his next target. In return for your help, I shall recommend you as General Who Conquers the West and Prefect of Zi Tong.

A faint grin crossed Ma Chao's face as he lay the letter down on his small table to one side of the throne, piled on top of his map. "At last," he exclaimed, "Ma Mengqi is rightfully recognized in this world!" Turning his attention back to the patiently waiting messenger, still humbly bowing on the ground, he said, "An answer in pen is unnecessary and will only waste precious time. Go tell Master Liu Zhang that I will muster the entire Guanxi Coalition in Han Zhong and march to his aid, and will crush Liu Bei's army within a month at Jiameng Pass."

Jiameng Pass
1150 hours
April 27, 214

Ma Chao flung the young soldier, still gripped tightly and helplessly in his left hand, back into his ranks with ease as the massive doors to Jiameng Gate creaked open from within. "So, who challenges my spear first?" he uttered, peering at the entrance to the pass in wait. Accompanied by thundering hooves, a beastly giant emerged on horseback, brandishing a serpent spear of nearly two zhang in length. Flying a red turban and with bare arms that showcased his monstrously developed biceps, he shouted with such fierceness that the mountain pass almost seemed to shake at the power of his voice:

"Where is the Ma boy? Dare he face Zhang Fei of Yan?"

Ma Chao, somewhat offended by the degrading title that he had been addressed by, at the age of 38, retorted with his own insult at the colossal warrior. "Zhang Fei of Yan? Never heard of him! My family has been noble for many generations; this 'Ma boy' does not know any rustic dolts!"

Hopefully, that would be enough to shake Zhang Fei's heart to have the beast explode into a rush. Ma Chao would allow his buffed but obviously weaker enemy to strike first. Nonetheless, his long western spear was brought up to head level, poised ready to destroy his foe, and his free left hand grabbed onto the white stallion's reins once again. "No brawn can prevail over my agility."

red sun
AND THIS NATION'S ABOUT TO EXPLODE

[Zhang Fei]

The smell of death was around him, fallen allies, both old and new who had been positioned to hold Jiameng, and defend it against any chance of a northern attack. Fat load of good that did. Speaking of fat, you guys remember Dong Zhuo? Wonder what he's up to nowadays... Among the smell of rising death, Yide felt a sudden pang of enthusiasm and happiness hit him, he let a smile slip onto his face, pressing his cheeks upward. This is where I belong! On the battlefield! Can't beat the smell of blood - better when it's your enemy's rather than an ally, but I'll take it!

Ma Chao made his presence known in response to Yide's counter-challenge, Yide hadn't bothered to pick him out when he was up on the ramparts, he was too focussed on giving the man a sound thrashing to care what he looked like, he was itching for a fight. I need to fucking hit something already. The son of Ma Teng was decked out in a fashion that made him stick out like a sore thumb, How did I not notice that fairy when I first came out? Where his men were beardy and barbaric, Ma Chao was clean-shaven and dressed like a prince, in fancy silver armour and white fur. Sporting the fur and silver, way to look flash kid.

Then he spoke, cocky and confident, I like this kid already, he's my kind of style. Yet despite that, his words stung. This guy has, a, fucking, deathwish! He maintained his cool for a moment, just to poke the warrior of Liang one last time, before he snapped the man's spear and shoved it up his arse, "Say what? I couldn't hear you, your outfit is too loud."

He now permitted his intolerance of the early provocation bubble to the surface, biting his opponent's bait, his nostrils flared in heightened anger and readiness to whoop some shaven Liang ass. Zhang's primary arm shot outward, pointing his spear to his right, "Got balls enough to face this famous spear boy?" He nudged his horse in the side with his heels, and it began to trot forward, then he boomed, "I'm gonna poke you full of holes with it, then we'll see what boys from Liang are made of!" He thumped his horse in the sides now, kicking it into a gallop.

The approach happened so fast, yet it seemed to take a while, like a fleeting dream. I sure hope this kid knows how to fight, gods know I need one. Yide swung his spear under his arm and crouched in the saddle, pointing the blade forward towards the approaching ground. I really should have had another drink. My tongue feels so dry. The death-dealing point of his serpent lance raised slightly. Some bacon, too, I could have done with a couple of slices before--oh, hi Ma Chao! His left hand shot over to the shaft of his spear on his right, and taking it in both hands he brought it up and down both as the two heads of the rival horses met.

A cross swing across Ma Chao's left side, was deflected and the blow sent a shot of stiffness down the wood, that whacked Yide's hands, but his bear-like hands absorbed the impact. Quickly following up, he parried a lunge of Ma Chao's weapon that was targetting his left side, with the butt end of his spear. Ma Chao followed up on the momentum of his last strike with another which aimed for Yide's chest, the enemy spear came close to the mark, before a shower of sparks turned it on itself sending it back to the control of it's user, with a parry from Yide's spear shaft.

This lad is pretty quick, but I'm quick too! Yide threw out a roar of enthusiasm behind his next swing, trying to bring the shaft of his spear down on Ma Chao's left shoulder to shatter one of his collarbones with the force.

[Ma Chao]

BGM - The Two Heroes

all my rivals will see
WHAT I HAVE IN STORE
MY GUN
I've been harboring fleets in this reservoir

Jiameng Pass
1153 hours
April 27, 214

The battle started with a flash, in an instant as Zhang Fei's horse came to near crashing with Ma Chao's white stallion. Lunges, strikes, parries, and counters. Every move made by either opponent seemed to be equally met by a well-placed block by the other; neither man had gone any close than the other to achieving the kill. And yet the duel was already so intense; several times had Zhang Fei's spear whizzed so fiercely close to Mengqi's meagerly protected body.

Barely had ten bouts been given back and forth, but Ma Chao already felt, and knew, that this fight was something else: he was against an opponent with bravery and strength that he had never seen before. Not even comparable to Xu Chu, whom Mengqi had failed to lay even a finger on. ¡°Shit...¡± he muttered as his last lunge, whose momentum had carried him a bit over his saddle, was quickly parried by a ferocious blow from his foe. The two warriors, though evenly matched, certainly had contrasting styles of combat: Zhang Fei was utilizing impressive strength that shook even Ma Chao's grip.

As quickly as Ma Chao had regained his balance after the forward lunge did he see Zhang Fei's serpent spear smashing down on his left shoulder. Depending on instinct, Mengqi lurched backwards, leaning back at the waist as his long spear barely made it in time to take on the full force of his opponent's strike, nearly snapping the weapon into halves. The serpent head pushed down on the wooden shaft, squeezing creaks out of the slowly collapsing polearm.

"Rarahh!" With a short cry, Mengqi called on a burst of energy and pushed back on the disadvantageous deadlock, using the space to urge his horse to carry him out of the way and freeing himself from what could have been a fatal mistake. "Ha. Impressive, Zhang Fei," he spoke, twirling his long spear between his strong fingers like the weight of it was nothing. "I have to admit, I did not expect a man of such valor in an army led by a mere peasant."

Zhang Fei had already displayed his ability to counter Ma Chao's speed with his own strength. But there was one thing that the riders of Xiliang would have the advantage in, and that was in their superior horses. Forcing his stallion into a gallop, Mengqi approached Zhang Fei from both men's right, passing through his foe with a quick jab that was easily countered. Just to throw the enemy off, the young horseman steered his steed about in a sharp turn to come back for another round of joust, this time exchanging multiple glances with their spears, sparks flying and the two horses stumbling into each other at moments, as the warriors were moving in so close to each other.

"I can smell the wine in your breath, Zhang Fei," Ma Chao taunted as he this time continued on at a gallop without returning for another rush, silently urging his foe to try and pursue him along the clearing. "Come on, you drunk bastard! What, is your fat keeping you from catching me?" Mengqi let his spear hang by his side for the moment, pretending to have let his guard down so Zhang Fei would strike in at the chance.

red sun
AND THIS NATION'S ABOUT TO EXPLODE

[Zhang Fei]

The power behind Zhang Fei's final blow left Ma Chao fighting to regain an even footing, he wormed his way out of the deadlock, in a combined feat of strength and wit. Riding out from under the strength of Yide with his steed he escaped. The successful escape gave Zhang Fei a moment to reaffirm the grip on his spear, and regain his stance after the exertion of strength and weight. Impressive escape...

Ma Chao began to speak, whilst flaunting his skills with a spear before Yide had anymore time for thought, casually parading his spear about the fingers of his signature hand with daring skill. If he drops that spear, he'll regret showing off. The warrior from Liang proceeded to pass Zhang Fei a compliment, and right after, gave him a backhand insult. Oh, how kind of him! Yide did not verbally acknowledge the insult, instead he waited for the two to be close again to reply.

The first joust yielded no chance, Ma Chao ducked in and out with a strike in an instant, leaving Zhang Fei regaining his balance in his steed, before the two wheeled about a second time. Kicking his chestnut steed into a gallop the brother of Liu Bei and the son of Ma Teng, met in close-combat again. Yide took this opportunity to respond to Ma Chao's previous comments about his lord brother, Xuande. He proceeded to fuel his strikes with silent conversation, and his conversation consisted of four words that he dealt Ma Chao in four quick strikes, fuck, you, Ma, boy! The last word, and swing sheared the Liang horselord's white plume from atop his helm, Zhang Fei laughed uproariously at the achievement.

The two were close to inventing the very first firework display in this particular heated exchange, so many close shaves and high-velocity parries that sent sparks off their respective steel spearheads, left both sides of the conflict looking on entranced. And to think big brother wasn't gonna let me do this. It's great! The two seemed to only grow stronger as they traded more and more blows back and forth, neither finding a significant advantage. Then his opponent broke off the intense clash as they had pulled towards each other, threatening to close elbow-to-elbow, where Yide's superior strength would have the time of it's life. He threw his spear from both hands into the sole possession of his right fist as Ma pulled away. Reaching out with his left, he attempted to pull him back, by the cloak into the fight, his reach fell short. Fucking spoil sport!

His opponent threw a curse back over his shoulder as he rode away from the combat, prodding at Yide's plumpness and fondness of drink. It was true, Zhang Fei in his prime has been a bulk of a man, which was still, but his abdomen had been much cleaner cut and slim. But now, while still prospering from the chest up, his gut had let itself go, a combination of overstuffing himself with food, and his alcoholic level of drinking. Stung by the remark, Zhang wrenched at the reins of his horse and turned it's direction, locking onto Ma Chao who was now about three horses away from him, he began pursuit.

Yet, try as he may, Yide's battle charger just could not catch up with Ma Chao's steed. Even whent he horselord subtly slowed his pace to let Yide draw near. This horse in fucked after all that riding here. I didn't think of resting him. By now Zhang had caught on that Ma Chao was up to something, seeing him slow his pace as he failed to catch up. He called off the pursuit and rode his mount back towards the gates of Jiameng.

Upon drawing near the gates groaned open with studied slowness. Yide threw his left leg over the saddle, and slid onto the ground. Leaving the horse to guide itself through the gate towards his men, a unit of cavalry was seemingly ready to support him if he called for it. Piss on that. As the gates closed once more he took the chance to steal a quick glance up on the ramparts. Brother is watching, good. Zhang strode forward on foot, back out to the combat zone.

Zhang roared, seemingly at the top of his lungs, as he did so famously, "Ma boy, dare you fight me on foot?! Or do you mean to prance around on that horse all day?!" He raised his snake-headed lance in his right fist, and proceeded to jab the butt of it in the ground in a stance. "Come fight your father in spearplay!" If he refuses to get off that horse, I'll drag him off the bloody thing.

[Ma Chao]

BGM - The Two Heroes

all my rivals will see
WHAT I HAVE IN STORE
MY GUN
I've been harboring fleets in this reservoir

Jiameng Pass
1200 hours
April 27, 214

"Shit," Ma Chao muttered as he only then did realize the plume of his helmet drop helplessly from his helmet, rolling down the mounted warrior's shoulders and onto the dusty ground. His sturdy helmet had not been shaken significantly, and with the headgear still intact he had his practical needs met for protection. Yet he had been struck, a blow landed on some part of him, and Zhang Fei had won the first strike. Mengqi ground his teeth in rage, turning his head back to check on his pursuer, only to realize that Zhang Fei had withdrawn back into the pass.

Brightening back up again at the sudden change of heart in his foe, Ma Chao pulled in his horse to a stop and shouted beyond the gates: "Ha! Coward! Was that the best that you could give?" It was then that Mengqi noticed the silent form of a tall, imposing general standing above the gate, looking out from the vantage point directly over the clearing. Almost immediately, by the looks of a commander's armor and the twin swords by the man's side, did Mengqi distinguish him as none other than Liu Xuande, his true target for the battle.

"Liu Bei! Have you no other man to oppose me? Someone better than this old drunkard! Or has my spear prev--"

"Ma boy, dare you fight me on foot?! Or do you mean to prance around on that horse all day?!"

What the hell?! Zhang Fei was back, before the tightly shut gates of the pass, having discarded his dark steed. But what was he doing?! Challenging Ma Chao, who still remained mounted and at the advantage, to climb down from his mount and face him on the dust? "Such a rash remark, Zhang Fei. Surely you realize that I can take your head as easily as plucking a berry from its branch right now! However," with that, Mengqi fluently slid down from his tall stallion, "I shall grant you your wish, for as a true warrior of Xiliang I cannot defy a challenge."

For sure, Ma Chao's long spear was not designed for much combat on the ground, when its wielder was barely a few feet off of the dust. However, what three things that destroyed those rule as of then was that, firstly, Zhang Fei was no better off with his massive serpent-headed lance. Secondly, both men were clearly several heads taller than the average soldier, for whom the standardized weapons were constructed, giving them much more space to manoeuvre in. And lastly, Ma Mengqi, Beast of Xiliang, knew he had enough skill to manage victory under any conditions.

Beckoning with his left hand for one of his mounted soldiers to come close and take his horse away from the field of play, Ma Chao quickly leaned toward the approaching cavalryman and nodded a signalled order. The soldier silently nodded back. As Mengqi let out a sharp, shrill whistle that instantly called his horse to trample the dusty ground, the Xiliang soldier used the distraction to swiftly bend down and toss his commander a secondary weapon, heavy but small enough to be hidden by Mengqi's cape as it hung at his side.

The dust cleared, and both horse and horseman were taken away into the Guanxi Coalition's ranks, leaving only Ma Chao and Zhang Fei on the field once more. Brandishing his spear as a short display of his capability on the ground as well, Mengqi then gripped the weapon with both hands and sprinted forward, colliding with the rushing Zhang Fei in a ferocious clash that sent sparks flying in all eight directions. Pulling away, Ma Chao instantly retaliated with a swift flurry of jabs and thrusts, aimed for Zhang Fei's chest and stomach, but each hit was blocked by quick movements of the heavy serpent head, only the last managing to graze the end of Fei's chestplate, chipping away a layer of the metal coating from the sheer force of the blow.

However, using the moment of Ma Chao's extended thrust to his advantage, Zhang Fei had swept into his feet, blade skidding through the sand to decapitate Mengqi's ankles. Relying on his instincts, Mengqi's acrobatic skills carried him leaping into the air, several feet high before crashing into Zhang Fei's lifted strike, feet hitting the flat portion of the serpent head. "Fuck, that was close," Mengqi whispered with an arrogant grin at his opponent, whose head he now jabbed at in midair as he leaped over Fei's head to land behind him.

red sun
AND THIS NATION'S ABOUT TO EXPLODE

[Zhang Fei]

Ma Chao accepted his challenge, and a sense of elation swelled in Yide's huge chest. The warrior from Xiliang slid from his saddle and whispered a secret instruction to one of his lieutenants, and his horses started kicking up dirt, almost conjuring a dust storm concealing Ma Chao. Yide was pissed, he's plotting something, he knows he can't beat me, "Stop playing around Ma boy, come! Reacquaint yourself with this spear!" Yide roared with a joyful laughter, as Ma Chao made a move to meet him. Pull all the tricks you want boy, but it'll be hard when you're leaking red.

He kicked the butt of his spear out of the ground and twirled the weapon through the air and set it under his arm, pointing the long blade out to his right. Zhang's apear was no where near in length as Ma Chao's long spear, the people of the Qiang-blood in Liang were a war horse culture, they lived and died on horseback in war, northerners weren't the same as that, they fought on horseback and more times than none, just as good on foot. Zhang had a spear in his hand, and a sword at his side, though he'd be damned if he needed that sword to beat this green boy.

The gap closed between the two, Zhang swung his spear across to meet the waiting grip of his left hand and head the point forwards, screaming in enthusiasm as the two drew close, blades dancing. Zhang grinded to a sudden halt to parry a thrust from the horselord's long spear, which had a far greater reach available to it. Knocking the first thrust aside he advanced into his own reach, the two started tangling spear-to-spear. Zhang's weapon was more suited to a tight situation than Ma's and Yide noted considerably difficulty in him managing to use the steel of the spear, instead Ma Chao was using the shaft, the speartip playing no part.

Ma Chao soon jumped back a couple of paces, escaping the montage of different spark patterns. He quickly retracted his spear under arm and sent it spiralling forward, again and again in a swift set of thrusts. Zhang Fei parried the first in a close exchange that almost found his chest, and moved forward astep before being showered by the continuous blows of the spearpoint. No matter the power of the parry from his own spear, Ma Chao's kept coming driven by the focus of it's wielder.

One thrust tagged Zhang Fei's breastplate, shaving a layer of metal from it which an awkward chipping sound, Yide's blood boiled in rage at the tactic now, knowing sooner or later he could taste that again, or worse. His fury became plain on his face, but doubtless, Ma Chao's eyes were elsewhere pounding the chest of the larger man. Like a viper snapping at a mountain! In his fury, Yide screamed and with his spear held athwart he knocked the next shot upward as he let it graze his breastplate again, sending the long spear point upward into the air above his head. He followed up with another swing that sent his rival's spear down, sinking it's point into the dirt. "Advance!" Yide roared as he jumped forward to contend closer again.

Ma Chao raised the butt-end of his spear shaft up in his defence, carefully raising it in blocks to Yide's blows, waiting for an opportunity to raise his sharp end below. Zhang grew tired of the consistent blows and skipped over to Ma Chao's left and taking the end of his serpent spear in both hand, fell into a croach and sweep at Ma's legs with his blade, roaring out in power as he did. Ma Mengqi took the chance, raising his spear again he jumped to avoid the shot and brought his spear up and down in a deadly arc upon Yide.

Zhang let his spear fall to the ground out of his grasp, and shot back to his feet, meeting Ma Chao's spear shot shaft first with his bear-like armoured left shoulder. Yide heard a satisfying crunch of heavy wood on impact, as the spear took form aroudn the strength of it's target's surface. Yide's hands shot up and caught Ma Chao's waist, taking a handful of fur each as the Liang warrior was reintroduced to the laws of gravity. Yide hurled him upward again over his head in a backdrop.

Ma Chao managed to land on his feet, a testimony to his athleticism. Yide took the chance, when Ma Chao caught his feet and regained his balance to reach down and rearm himself with his spear. Turning his deathly arc horizontally and facing Ma Chao once again, he started to rain the blows on the man. Ma Chao's spear seemed fine, but there was a noticable cracked line near the spearhead that displayed the true colour of the wood inside.

Zhang Fei rained Ma Chao with power-soaked overhand blows that were thudding against his spear shaft that he raised in defence everytime. Zhang was hell bent on bringing him to his knees, using his spear like a great warhammer, or a mallet, he thundered upon the fifth and sixth blows, "Bow! Bow ya shit!"

"Yield you fuck! Yield! Yield, before I break your pretty face and piss off your father!" After the eighth blow, Yide shot his right foot outward planning to kick out Ma Chao's right leg from under him, as he brought his spear back down to full length grip and control. Intent on bringing him to heel before him and his men.

[Ma Chao]

BGM - The Two Heroes

all my rivals will see
WHAT I HAVE IN STORE
MY GUN
I've been harboring fleets in this reservoir

Jiameng Pass
1204 hours
April 27, 214

Fuck, fuck, fuck. Fuck! Ma Chao felt more and more like a raging Zhang Fei as he felt his trusted weapon collapse steadily within his own grasp. Raw, pale white wood was already clearly visible through the crack in the spear's shaft. He knew that the weapon would not hold in for much longer... and then he would really be in trouble. Using the best of what he had to try and sustain himself as much as possible, Mengqi took on hit after hit with the long wooden shaft, holding tight and steady but every time hearing the faintest sound of cracking wood. Only a few more hits and Zhang Fei's serpent spear would crash straight through the pole.

Seeing his enemy's foot sweeping through the air at his own right leg, Ma Chao leaped up into the air, easily dodging anything that came at such a low altitude. However, still crouched in the air, he could not possibly block the full force of Fei's next blow, a full-forced overhead strike that Mengqi barely managed to lift his own spear to block. Without a proper standing on the ground, he was instantly blown into the dust, stumbling onto his back. The serpent spear retracted and came down once more, locking him in the same position and keeping him from getting back onto his feet.

Forcing an edge of space in the deadlock, Ma Chao swiftly rolled through the dusty ground, hugging his spear and flipping end over end through the sand. Zhang Fei's downward spear slammed into the ground beside him the moment he moved out of the lock, but almost immediately reacted to Mengqi's dodge. As he continued rolling down the clearing, Ma Chao could feel the dust kicked violently by Zhang Fei's serpent spear as it came grinding through the ground at his tail. (ROTK2010 REFERENCE FUCK OFF IM NOT ORIGINAL OK)

"Shiiiiiiiiiiiittt!!" With the ferocious shout, Ma Chao abruptly ended his continuous roll, quite dizzy from the extended dodge, and with a sudden lurch of his spear, jabbed the weapon into the ground and, using his acrobatically developed arms, pushed his entire body into the air. Using the height of the push, Mengqi leaped back, abandoning the spear still stuck in the sand, just in time before Zhang Fei's raised serpent spear rammed straight across the cracked shaft of the long spear, immediately crashing through the weakened pole.

The spear had finally given in. Splinters flying in all directions, the wooden shaft split in halves right at the middle. Already realizing his danger, Ma Chao had called for his captains in the awaiting Xiliang lines, calling out for help. "Spear!" The single-worded command served its purpose, as quickly another long spear, similar to the previous but significantly lighter and more generic, obviously less sturdier, was flung into Mengqi's awaiting palm. He caught it only moment before Zhang Fei's spear swung over his instinctively ducking head, accompanied by a battle cry that barely awakened Mengqi's senses to dodge the incoming attack from behind.

"I'm far from done, Zhang Fei," Ma Chao taunted, despite his own inner frustration at Zhang Fei's seemingly un-deteriorating stamina. "I can go all day, all night." Speaking of which, Mengqi assumed that they had fought past noon already, and yet neither man was even out of breath. They stood as fresh as they had been before the battle had begun, both veterans of power. But this battle has to come to an end. Zhang Fei may be my equal in valor, and at this rate this battle will continue for years.

How many bouts had they gone at? Fifty? A hundred? Maybe more? Surely, the fight of the millennium had unfolded at Jiameng Pass.

But it was time to reveal his secret weapon, Ma Chao's superior strategy. Quickly feinting a thrust at Zhang Fei's left side, which was easily deflected, Mengqi retracted without expressing much force in his blow and made a dash for it, retreating back toward his lines. Again he was utilizing the same tactic of forcing Zhang Fei and his temper to follow, which he almost certainly knew that his enemy would fall for. Making sure that his level of speed was restrained to allow his heavyweight opponent to catch up somewhat, Ma Chao let his spear hang behind him by the let hand.

All the while, his free right hand reached across his body, digging into his robe to pull the copper mace he had prepared earlier off of his belt. When the moment was right, and Zhang Fei was vulnerable and ready to strike, he would hurl the metal weapon straight at his foe's visage, dealing his enemy a devastating defeat... and death.

red sun
AND THIS NATION'S ABOUT TO EXPLODE

[Zhang Fei]

Zhang Fei was methodically beating Ma Chao's white ass under the weight of his spear, not to break his spear so much, Yide had seemingly forgotten he had damaged his foe's weapon, too drunk on the adrenaline of battle. He had lashed out with his right foot and missed his mark, striking out only at thin air, where his foe had been.

How Ma Chao managed to vault into the air after being pounded onto the back of his foot constantly for the past half a minute, was beyond the comprehention of Yide, nonetheless he lashed out again, trying to swat the annoying white fly that was Ma Mengqi. Yide's strike found it's mark, striking Ma Chao's spear- all he needed, a shot that sent Ma Chao staggering backwards onto his rump and into the dust. Yide put his weight being a blunted thrust of his spear, locking Ma Chao on the ground under his own spear in a deadlock, Yide laughed behind the display of strength, "Ready to surrender yet, Ma boy?"


In way of reply, Ma Chao kicked his way back and started rolling away desperately tryign to find a comeback, hugging his long spear as if it was the most precious thing to him, Zhang Fei immediately bounded after him spear first, "Oh how cute! The little lordling's in love with his spear!" Yide chuckled as he swept after him, gods only know what the spectators of both sides were thinking watching the spectacle.

With a yell Ma Chao launched himself back onto his feet with the added leverage of his spear, jumping away from Zhang Fei's arc of attack, abadoning his spear and stumbling around to find his feet, falling into the dirt again in the attempt, disoriented from his world-class rolling performance. Yide, had tried to stop Ma Chao's vault, but struck to late, swinging violently at Ma's spear, he shattered the weapon, sending splinters into the air before him. Boom bitch!

He turned back to Ma Chao, swinging out with the head of his spear, screaming out in the process, a storm of splinters his backdrop in the dynamic angle Ma Chao's men would no doubt enjoy, as the horselord ducked the blow. In those few seconds of battle one of the Liangmen had rearmed their leader. Fuck. The battle was suddenly even once more.

Zhang Fei was a big man, and the sweat was flowing, but the pair of them were far from finished. Yide seemed to growl, his nostrils flared hot, and he sought to begin the battle anew, when after the first bout, Ma Chao broke off and ran. "Bloody, fucking, arghh!" Yide charged hell bent after him, he got all excited for another stormed exchange of blows for nothing, he tore after his opponent, throwing caution to the wind.

Unbeknownst to Zhang Fei, Ma Chao earlier when the fight had first begun amid the sandstorm his men had created randomly, had armed himself with a concealed weapon, now it came into play. The Xiliang leader unsheated it, and hurled it backwards towards his foe.

Yide was perhaps to slow, and too fast att he same time. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, FUCK! The bronze hammer ripped through the air toward him and he shot his lance up to deflect it, grinding to an attempted halt. The hammer hit the base of the spearpoint with an unatural shriek of impact, sending a veil of sparks before Yide. "Aw, shi-" His left hand failed in it's grip and fell, the spear fell to the sole support of his right.

Yide hastily turned away from his foe, nursing his left wrist against the soft surface of his hip. Bollocks. He hurled his spear like a javelin back towards the gateway with his good right arm, it's point sunk into the ground, putting it a safe distance away from the fight. My fucking wrist, geez it hurts so bad...fucking coward.

Yide turned back his expression fuelled with rage, it was his turn to bait in Ma Chao, "Hey coward! Got the balls to face me now? Or have you still not hit puberty, to man them up?" Glaring at his foe, he unsheathed the sword at his side with his right hand. He'd have to buy time for his left wrist to regain feeling, stunned at it was, it was no use to him.

Without waiting for a reply from Ma Chao, who no doubt was basking in his little moment Yide flew at him again with sword lowered, as he drew near he launched himself forward with his useless left side - and his armoured side, the shoulder smashed into Ma Chao and both men crashed into the dirt, with a fierce cry from one, and a shocked grunt from the other.

"I too, am far from done!"

[Ma Chao]

BGM - The Two Heroes

all my rivals will see
WHAT I HAVE IN STORE
MY GUN
I've been harboring fleets in this reservoir

Jiameng Pass
1211 hours
April 27, 214

Ma Chao could not resist letting out more than a chuckle at the obvious triumph of his brilliant strategy. Even in the hardest of duels, he had surely prevailed through his wits, something that he truly believed at that very moment that all of the rest of Liang and the Guanxi Coalition ought to learn from him. Fiddling with the significantly lighter new weapon between his fingers, Mengqi slowly stepped towards Zhang Fei, the spear menacingly dancing across his fingertips as it approached its soon-to-be target.

It was only when Zhang Fei had suddenly thrown back his serpent spear and, ignoring the apparent pain in his now useless left wrist, reached at his own side and unsheathed a sword. Ma Chao was instantly taken aback at how he had practically been met by what was loosely the same tactic that he had just enforced, the best card in his hand. Frozen in place and still, Mengqi could not react in time to guard against Zhang Fei's sudden rush, as he was rammed down into the dust again by his opponent's armored shoulder.

"Why am I always on the bottom?!" Ma Chao cried, followed by a grunt as he struggled to squirm his way out of the way of the devastatingly heavy weight of his foe now crushing his relatively smaller and more lithe body. His spear was useless in such a situation; even an attempt to jab at Zhang Fei with the butt end of it proved futile, for the overly long polearm simply shot past his opponent with its great length. With a fierce cry, Zhang Fei's sword came crashing down toward Mengqi's helpless form, forcing the Xiliang warriors to finally let go of his own weapon and bend his body out of the way, only inches apart from the landing blade.

"FUCK! Get your fucking fat shit off of me!" For once, Ma Chao was openly demonstrating his desperation to survive. At the moment, it seemed like the next blow by Zhang Fei would certainly kill him, for he really had minimal space to move in. The only thing he could really do to delay his instant death would be to try and grab onto the speeding blade, but that was certainly risky and might as easily result in his losing both of his hands. And Ma Chao's light armor was bound to be torn straight through at one strike of his opponent's immense strength.

"Ma Dai! Hel--" He was about to finish his last act of desperation by calling on his trusted ally when a conspicuous sound rang throughout the clearing, resounding off of the high walls of the pass. Grlkfodjoongngnggnnnngggggg! SFLHSDjgjgtoerooongngn!oned1!! The sound of pealing gongs, instantly replacing the steady beat of drums that had been rolling throughout the duration of the duel. It certainly could not have rang from Ma Chao's lines; the instrument would only resound at the order of himself, the commander of the army.

In that case... At that moment, both warriors froze and turned their heads to look up at the top of the walls of Jiameng Gate, at Liu Bei and his soldiers fiercely beating their sticks (LOL) at their metal instruments. DLKSDSDHSDJAOSooongnnggg! The doors of Jiameng Gate slowly creaked open, bending toward the inside, wide and calling Zhang Fei back in. "What the... fuck?" Ma Chao whispered, already unaware of how he had been so close to death. "Why now...?"

And immediately his eyes turned back to stare at Zhang Fei, himself unsure of his opponent's next move. Whether to obey and spare the life of such a dangerous foe, or to fall to emotion and end Mengqi's history then and there...

red sun
AND THIS NATION'S ABOUT TO EXPLODE

[Zhang Fei]

Zhang Fei let his weight press down on Ma Chao with his left side, as he clumsily stabbed at his opponent's body with the sword in his right hand. Trying one or two low body shots in the abdomen as best as he could without the support of his other hand. Ma Chao was struggling to wrench himself free, his panick was abundantly clear, Zhang fei was a big guy, heavy and strong both.

Ma Chao's so recently acquired spear fell from his grasp as he tried to wrench himself out of the grip of Zhang Fei. Kicking his legs away from his advesary he tried to pull his body out from under the giant. He evaded the clumsy sword strikes no problem, but he couldn't get his body wholly away, Zhang Fei's weight was pressing down on his ribs holding his back in place.

The situationw as growing more and more urgent as Zhang Fei's shot fell more and more in-line as he got the hang of his awkward slashing angle. Ma Chao yelled out in frustration as he knew he was beat in his current state, throwing at insult at his rival, "Best not tweak the tigers whiskers now, Ma boy!" As they each wrestled for control.

Ma Chao began to cry out for aid, in his will to survive. Yide catapulted his huge forehead against Ma Chao's jaw to shut him up. But just then the clamour of gongs was heard fromt he pass behind him. Dingdingdingdingding dingdingding, the consistant irritating ringing that the surrounding hills magnified. Zhang Fei's ears raised to comprehend what was happening his head turned as best it could to hear better. They're striking the fucking gongs! What the fuck is brother thinking? I have this bitch beat!

With a grunt of awkward pain he used his left elbow on Ma Chao's chest to help himself up, and got to his knees and looked down on Ma Chao as he struggled to resheath his sword with one arm. Ma Chao's lower lip was bloodied from his headbutt, and he couldn't feel anything but a throb from his left wrist. He raised to his feet, his opponent looked lucky to be free, both men were breathing heavily at the exertion of strength.

Yide managed to resheath his sword one-handed finally, and grabbed Ma Chao's right arm with his own, and hurled him to his feet, drawing him close, face-to-face. "You know what was happening there, remember the name - Zhang Fei." He released Ma Chao from his grasp, and patted him on the left shoulder as he turned away, "Good fight, good fight."

Zhang Fei strode off towards the pass, pissed off with his brother and pain in his wrist, and proud of his accomplishments both, he yelled across the gap to the pass, "Now where the fuck is the wine?!" He pulled his spear out of the dirt as he passed it, looking over at the Xiliang Horselord's broken spear on the ground one last time in it's destruction. I came so close, know that Ma boy. He strode on to the pass, his spear held across his right shoulder.

Just before he reached the gate he looked back to Ma Chao, being helped back onto his horse by a lieutenant, he nodded towards the man with a smile of satisfaction. Great fighter. He strode off back into the pass in victory, hopefully that would defeat the morale of Ma Chao and send him back home to Hanzhong with his army. There was a Liu Zhang to squash yet. So much has been done, yet so much yet to do. This is just the beginning. But Zhang Fei had only one thought on his mind as he reached the other side of the great gateway, "Wine! Bring me some wine people!"

[Ma Chao]

Legend of Ma Chao - Battle of Tong Gate: Completed!

Relationships

Zhang Fei -> 74%!!