It was done and he lost.

He could taste iron in his mouth, smell the ash in the air, feel his heartbeat falter and slow.

The pain had faded now, the all-consuming agony now a blessed numbness and through his blurry vision he could see his most hated enemy (also his brother) in front of him. Arjuna. He could hear the cry of despair from his beloved friend, a wail of overwhelming anguish. Suyodhan never cried that way even when his brothers were killed. The Kauravas playfully spoke several times that their elder brother loved him more than he loved them and he never thought it to be true. Guess they are right in that regard.

He felt his spirit leaving his body and in those moments he saw all the moments of his life. His life before his younger brother was killed by that Brahmin for listening to mantras. His tutelage under Guru Drona, Guru Kripa and Guru Parushuram. He remembers his friendship with Suyodhan and the Kauravas. He remembers the love he held for his wives, children and grandchildren.

He remembered in his jealousy how he cast away his sense, for his friendship how he cast away his values, in his entitlement how many people he hurt through words and actions. Funny how death gives clarity he could never gain in his life.

"Sorry, Suyodhan... I have failed." were his last words.

So finally the great warrior closed his eyes.

Those eyes were reopened to see molten lead being poured into his little brother's mouth.

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Arjuna started to wonder whether the premonition he received was actually true or not. The first glaring difference, when he came to the past, was the death of Gandharraj Shakuni.

One of the main architects of the Kurukshetra war, Shakuni, was the person who supported Duryodhana the most and helped him design the plots against their brothers. Arjuna made subtle enquiries about him and was shocked to learn that he was killed four years ago.

The death itself was mysterious. As Gandharraj was visiting his sister Queen Gandhari, an arrow came from an open window and destroyed him with his head falling down at his sister's foot. The astra fired was Brahmastra and except for Guru Parashuram, Guru Drona and Pitamah Bheesma, no others knew how to use it nearby Hasthinapura. Accusations have been thrown but Pitamah Bheesma and Guru Drona swore on Shivalinga that the deed had not been done by them. Guru Parashuram replied that his grudge against Kshatriyas had been completed and he has not taught any students as none of his present students are worthy of handling Brahmastra.

Queen Gandhari was unconsolable with the death of her final remaining brother and the only reason she didn't fall into complete depression was her love for her sons. The investigation hit a dead end and the death to date still remains a mystery.

Considering the death of Gandharraj may be the second major difference, Duryodhana's neutral response to Pandavas, was not so shocking at all. Arjuna remembered a loud, passionate and uninhibited child who didn't change much when he reached manhood.

However, this Duryodhana... he moved and behaved like a panther. Calm with a calculating glint in his eyes, he moved with the quiet grace of a dancer. He didn't like or immediately accept the Pandavas but he wasn't agonistic towards them. The most shocking part is what he heard when he was hiding in the barracks.

"Bhrata Yudhisthira is the eldest of this generation of Kuru vansh." He heard Duryodhana say to his brothers. "That means unless Father announces otherwise he is the Crown Prince. I don't ask you to like him let alone love him but show him respect."

"But Bhrata Suyodhana..."

"No Anuj..." He shook his head. "Our father may love me but Pitamah Bheesma, Kripacharya and the court do not like me too much. I am a dirt-born child and an ill-omen in their eyes. Whatever good qualities I have... they will be nothing in their eyes as I am born under the wrong horoscope. If Pandavas beat us black and blue, they'll tell us to suck up. If we retaliate we will be adharmi in their eyes. Don't give them even more ammunition against us. Just be on your best behaviour."

"Why should we care what those old fossils think?" Sushasana grumbled.

"Unsatisfied public is the ruler's doom. And a kingdom in which a ruler who couldn't trust his own ministers is like a house built without a foundation. Their anger and resentment will boil over and revolt will occur." was the answer.

Arjuna's blood boiled at those accusations. Despite all the adharma Duryodhana performed in his other life... Pitamah Bheesma fought on Kaurava's side and gave up his life. Kripacharya set aside his dharma and participated in the brutal killing of his sweet Abhimanyu for this monster. How could he say that such loyal people will betray him?

Before he could voice his displeasure damned the consequences, Vikarna spoke about the oath made by Bheesma to protect the family always. He also stated that Kripacharya's dharma was to fight on their side despite his feelings. Arjuna waited to see the answer given by Gandharinandan.

"Anuj... Pitamah Bheesma will fight for us in war. He will give us trustworthy advice. But every moment of his service he will hope that Yudhisthira will be the king instead of me." The certainty with which he spoke was terrifying. "If we and Pandavas are to go to war against each other... Pitamah Bheesma will let himself be killed. Whether he's fighting on our side or the other side, he would let himself be killed before he could bring harm to any of his grandchildren. After everything he did for Hasthinapur should his death be an assisted suicide? Tell me Vikarna... Is that the gift Kuru vansh will bestow upon him for his service?"

Vikarna was stunned at the speech, "As for Kripacharya... he will follow us to hell and back but he too will be the same. He won't kill himself, at least not physically, but every moment will be hell for him. I don't want to be the person who will ask a person who loves me or hates me to lay down their life for my ambitions."

"You don't trust Pitamah Bheesma. You don't particularly like ministers in our father's court. So what will you do Bhrata?"

"I'll ask Father to split the kingdom between us and Pandavas. I'll send Pitamah Bheesma and ministers to their court. Vikarna... will you be one of my advisors?" He asked, smiling softly.

"Bhrata..."

"If I can't trust my own blood who can I trust in this world?" was his answer. "And you are the most knowledgable among our brothers. And you follow dharma enough that I can trust you to lead me back to the correct path if I am led astray. Above all you are not a sycophant so I can trust you to with my well-being."

'Is this the real Suyodhana without the venomous influence of the Gandharraj? People thought that Lakshmana Kumara got his pacifistic nature from Bhanumathi. However, he is really like his father without the influence of Mama Shakuni.' Parth thought shocked at the child before him. What was the world is he living in?

The architect of the Kurukshetra was dead. The head was a changed man without his influence.

Now... all that remained was Vasusena, the strength that was aimed against the dharma. Arjuna knew Gandharraj's death would have no influence on the path of Vasusena. He will still be the arrogant suta who would try to reach above his station. Maybe he will sell his dharma to other kings this time.

Looking at Vasusena two days later decked top to bottom in Ardharathi armour nearly made him scream in frustration.

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After the funeral rites of King Pandu had been completed, the princes of Kuru vansh along with children of people who occupied vital roles in the army were to be sent to Guru Drona for their education. In his previous life, he accompanied the princes as he was the son of the head charioteer. Now a head charioteer himself, he stood overseeing the preparations to send his brothers and cousins to Dronacharya.

He took a deep breath and exhaled, looking outside the window when he felt a prickly sensation on the back of his neck.

Arjuna was looking at him intently as if he was unable to believe what he was looking at.

For anyone else, the third Pandava didn't display any other emotion than feigned disinterest. Arjuna has complete control over all his senses even at this age and no one can read his expressions easily.

However, Vasusena in his previous life vowed to kill Arjuna. Hell, one of the major reasons why he joined the Kauravas was to defeat the third Pandava. He studied him obsessively and knew him better than anyone in the entire world. Dhanunjaya was shell-shocked on seeing him.

Everyone at this time knew him only as the Ardharathi who followed his father's steps. It shouldn't surprise anyone at this time. But the third Pandava looked at him like he was unable to believe his eyes. If Arjuna was surprised about his age or felt he was deceiving people about his rank, he would be angry that someone was impersonating an official. He wouldn't be shocked enough to be rooted in the spot. He has too much self-control for that. Without any doubt, Arjuna is from the future like him.

Well... This changes many things.

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"May I know why you are staring intensely at us, Your Highness?" Arjuna was so deep in thought that he didn't see Karna approach him till he was in his face. "Is there anything you need of us?"

"You are in the Ardharathi armour." He stated.

"Yes, I am in Ardharathi armour, My Prince. I'm the Head Charioteer for this division so it makes sense for me to wear this."

"You are the Head Charioteer?"

"Yes I am..." was the reply. "Is there any problem, Your Highness?"

"Do you know that lying to the Prince of the Kingdom invites a thousand lashes and posing as an army officer you'll receive the death penalty?"

"Yes, I do," Vasusena replied. "But I have no idea why you are saying this to me?"

"You can't be more than seven and ten years old." Dhanunjaya pointed out. "So as far as I know this is the age where Sutas start training. And to reach the Head Charioteer position at the earliest it would take two years of service in the army. So clearly you are lying."

"Usually you'd be right, Your Highness." Karna nodded. " But due to some circumstances, even I have no idea of, I was drafted into the army at the age of one and ten. I was trained in Mala Yudh, Khadga Kala, Gada Yudh, Bhaala Yudh, Dhanurvidya and Rath Daud from Guru Kripa. You can ask anyone around here. I have been in the army for one and a half years. My father was the Head Charioteer before me but he fell ill. I was given a promotion as my father is unable to continue his duties."

What the hell is happening around this place?

Vasusena, after he moved enough so that Arjuna couldn't hear or see him, laughed till tears formed in his eyes. The face Arjuna made when he saw him still crackled him.

"Vasu... Did something happen today my son?" Radha Maa asked him softly. "You seem to be in high spirits."

Karna shook his head with a smile on his face. "Maa I found that the ingredients needed to make the antidote for father's illness are going to be available in a few days. A merchant from Sindu will be arriving at the end of the week and with him, the goods required will arrive."

"Parameshwar ke krupa." Radha spoke happily.

"Anyway, amma I'll not be available for the entirety of next week." He stated. "The arrangements for taking the princes to Gurukul fell on me. So this entire week I'll be busy. What is Sangramjitha and the others doing amma?"

"They are currently practising drills you have taught them, Vasu. They wanted to emulate their bhrata.'" those words brought a smile to his face. "I think the kids will miss their brother so spend time with them."