Disclaimer: I do not own Mulan, Dynasty Warriors or Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Disney, KOEI Corp and Luo Guanzhong are the rightful owners and this is merely a non-profit work of fanfiction.

A/N: This is a crossover fic with the KOEI video game franchise Dynasty Warriors and the novel known as Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Folklore and historical biographies have also influenced me greatly. Reviews are greatly appreciated.

Test of Time

Chapter 1

The Little Dragon

"He's leaving?"

"Yes, grandmother." Mulan replied as she watched Shang's white stallion disappear into the distance. He had bumbled his way through dinner and politely refused to stay the night as a guest in the Fa household. Now he was off to camp in the fields outside of town, before returning to the capital.

"He'll be back." The elderly woman nodded.

"I know." She said and blushed briefly. He hadn't been able to say anything right all night and had finally calmed down when Fa Zhou started discussing military tactics. After conversing with her father with what seemed like hours, they retreated to the garden and he confessed his reasons for coming to visit. However his lack of self-confidence was apparent then more than ever. He told her that he was not worthy of her, not as a mere Captain. She deserved more and until he could return as a General, he wasn't going to ask her to be his wife.

It was foolish, but she couldn't tell him it didn't matter. He had his pride and at the moment she was more of a hero than him. If he made it to General with Fa Mulan as his wife, then there would always be the snide remarks behind his back. He had to rely on his wife for everything. Without her, the Hun Invasion would have succeeded. Without her, he'd still be a captain. As much as she wanted to be with him, she knew this was something he would have to do- without her.

"Well, I have a little trip planned for us in the meantime." Grandma Fa confessed.

Mulan raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

The elderly woman chuckled and tugged her granddaughter towards the kitchen. "Just us girls."

Xxxx

Fa Zhou looked at the maps and sighed. The scrapbooks had returned. The dreamy sighs. The uninhibited fangirlism. Zhao Zilong was dead, but it didn't hamper his magnetism any. Here in his own kitchen, three generations of woman sat around a table fawning over their obsession. "I don't think it's proper."

"You're jealous! Always have been." Grandma waved her finger in annoyance.

Mulan squeaked happily, controlling a full-fledged 'squee' that threatened to escape her lips. She was finally going to go visit Zhao Zilong's tomb! Her first love, a handsome and brave general of the Han Dynasty who never recieved a scratch in battle. The great Zhao Yun of Chang Shan, who saved his lord's son single handed against an entire army! The 'Little Dragon' who was still defeating enemies as an old man and an honorable and humble officer. She grew up hearing stories of the man who faught during the Han dynasty, as had nearly every child, but there was something just so perfect about this perticular one. Something that made all girls want to 'squee'.

"What about Captain Li?" Fa Zhou asked, wanting to trigger his daughter's guilt complex.

"He's going to be a while." Grandma replied. "Besides, it's something she should do to prepare herself for marriage. Let an old obsession go in order to be the most devout wife possible."

"Then why is it your twelfth visit to the temple?" Zhou asked and directed his glare to his wife.

"Uh…."

"We leave tomorrow! Take care of the house, son." Grandma announced and gathered up the scrap books and fangirl paraphernalia. She nodded to Mulan to follow her. Being a young girl of marriageable age, it was probably time to let her see the other scrolls. She needed something to prepare her for her wedding night…..

xxxxx

The journey to Dayi County was quite pleasant and enjoyable. It depressed Mulan to think that once day she would have to leave her household and become part of Shang's. Her grandmother saw her sad face and nudged her with her cane. Mulan looked down into the carriage.

"You know, that man of yours is still so green. I bet he could use some time studying under your father. Since his own father is gone, there really isn't anyone he can rely on to teach him strategy and….obnoxious analogies." Grandma nodded as the carriage rolled on.

It was a good idea. A really good idea. "I'll have to suggest that."

"I wouldn't mind having him around. You did say he likes training without clothes…"

"Without his shirt grandma." Mulan trotted away as her mother began scolding the two of them for inappropriate thoughts. Up ahead she could see the line. It would take hours to get to see the temple!

Xxxx

Three days later the Fa women entered the temple of Zhao Zilong. His statue sat between two others, but they did not even bother to read the inscriptions on them. They were possibly his sons, but they were insignificant. The woman contained their fangirl excitement and Mulan stepped forward and bowed.

Above the statues a guardian sat and yawned. A medium sized green dragon, he had been protecting the shrine since the day it had been built over his master's grave. So many people came here babbling about how amazing Zilong was to never be injured and so few realized it was his doing. He looked down at the newest set of woman and squinted for a better look. This young woman actually had a sword! Her hair was cut short and she seemed different. Pretty, but out of place.

"Mulan? Would you like to light the incense?"

The dragon's eyes grew wide as he recognized the name. The other guardians had been gossiping about this woman turned soldier, Fa Mulan. He looked her over again and heard the woman muttering about an upcoming wedding and other nonsense. So this gem was still available?

He sat back and thought about it. He had tried to convince Zilong that his wife, Sun Ren Er, was nothing but bad news. That hag was the end of him too, her and her knitting needles! However, this young woman would be perfect! Absolutely perfect! He scampered down to the statue below and looked her over. He had been saving his energy for years, thinking he'd have to protect the temple from angry and jealous men; however this was an opportunity like none other. He grinned and aimed his breath at the pot of incense and offerings. Now was the time to show Zilong how good of a guardian he really was.

Mulan jumped forward to protect her family as the dragon emerged and set fire to the offering pot. Her sword drawn she was forced to close her eyes when the contents exploded. When she opened them again, the temple was gone. All that remained was that little green dragon.

"Allow me to introduce myself." The dragon held out his hand. "I am Shing and I am Zhao Yun's guardian. Welcome back to the Three Kingdoms Era, would you like to meet my master now?"

Mulan's mouth hung open and she looked around. Where was she?