"Somethings Are Not Always As They Seem…"
An OUAT fanfiction
BY
Fantasy Writer'92
- 35 years ago, in the Enchanted Forest Version of China…
"Mushu, awaken" commanded the First Ancestor, speaking to the tiny incense statue dragon.
With a bang and a clang, the stone fell to the ground and appeared to give life to the creature. "I LIVE! – So let me what good mortal needs my protection Great Ancestor. You just say the word and I'm there"
"-Mushu?" But the little dragon was so wound up, he just continued
"And let me tell ya, anyone that's foolish enough to threaten our family VENGEOUS WILL BE MINE! (Growling)
"MUSHU?!" the Ancestor called, finally claiming his attention. "These are the family guardians," he corrected him pointing with his staff to the animal figurines pedestaled above in the rafters. "They-"
"Protect the family…" Mushu finished less enthusiastic.
"And you? Oh, demoted one? Asked the Ancestor, pointing to the empty place.
"I… ring the gong" he huffed.
Then the Ancestor smiled, "That's right, now wake up the ancestors…"gesturing to the other headstones surrounding him in the temple.
Mushu sighed in defeat, "One big family reunion coming right up…" and began banging the gong as loud as he could.
Soon the place was backed with the spirits of those who had come before in the Fa family. While they argued over the situation of Fa Mulan ( the main reason for awakening ) Mushu kept himself busy by reading the paper until one of the spirits grabbed him and his gong to fight over which guardian spirit to send after the crossdressing teen. Until the first ancestor ended the fighting by deciding to awaken the Great Stone Dragon perched outside the temple. Mushu offered to go instead in hopes of reclaiming his guardianship. But was ultimately made a laughing stock and turned down on account of what happen to his last person Fa Dang who was decapitated after taking some bad advice from guess who. The more he tried to argue his side, the more the first ancestor lost patience until finally throwing him literally out of the temple with orders to awaken The Great Stone Dragon.
Grumbling as he walked down the steps "All I'm asking is one chance, it's not like it would kill you.."
"Ah! But the question is WOULD it kill you, Dearie?" giggled an impish voice out of nowhere.
"-Wh ah… Who's talking? Who's here?" questioned the tiny dragon looking around, not seeing anyone but definitely smelling him.
"Just me dearie" answered this leathered dressed man with a lizard like complexion to his skin tone as he grabbed Mushu's tail from behind.
"Hey! Ahh Watch it!" complained Mushu, "That's my personal tail! You're gonna-" but then he gulped as he realized just what the leather was made out of. "No Please! Please! Don't skin me! I Wanna LIVE!" he begged down on his knees with his claws together praying.
The imp giggled, "Relax Dearie, You're too short and scrawny enough to make a suitable belt let alone one boot or hat…but, that's not why I'm here"
Curious Mushu drew closer, "It isn't?"
"-No, I am here to make a deal. But it all comes down to how much you want to be a guardian?"
The tiny dragon couldn't believe his ears "You're playing with me right?"
"Certainly not dearie, and I can make your dream happen…for a price"
"ANYTHING!" Mushu exclaimed jumping up and down and dancing in place. " You can have anything you want as long as I can be a guardian again"
The strange man giggled "Anything" is my favorite price Dearie! Are you sure you know what you're asking for ?"
"I don't care!"
"Alright Dearie, but in order to make it official-" he broke off and used magic to make a contract appear. "Sign on the dotted line…"
In haste Mushu burnt the tip of his tail and wrote with the soot. "Now what Rumpelstiltskin?" he asked having read the name.
The Dark One stuffed the contract back into his coat "Now attempt to awaken the Great Stone Dragon…"
Mushu's mouth dropped open "What?"
"Just do it, and trust me dearie…" he said disappearing in a cloud of smoke…
-6 Months before the Dark Curse is cast…
Mushu hummed to himself as he dusted off his beloved pedestal with pride. Hard to believe it had been three years since his first mission with Mulan to save China. Though she wasn't home very much anymore. It left him a lot of time to think about that strange deal he'd made with that strange dragonhide wearing Rumpelstiltskin and wonder if or how he was ever going to pay back his debt should the Dark One ever come to collect… little did the poor dragon know this was the day….
"Enjoying the peace and quiet Dearie? Can't say as I blame you… usually this is quite the chattiest place isn't it?"
Mushu turned around to find Rumpelstiltskin in the temple of the Fa ancestors. Knowing he'd be in big trouble with the first ancestor once he woken. Mushu tried to get the magic man out as quickly as possible.
"Wha- what are you doing here Dark One?"
He giggled, "There no need for such hostility dearie, I'm here to collect on our debt"
"-Shh!" said Mushu knowing he'd be toasted now by the ancestors for making that deal and what had really happened with the Great Stone Dragon. "Alright, Alright if it'll get you out of here. I'll pay- What do you want?"
"You're going to help me by taking a little trip" said Rumple as he grabbed him.
"Go? I can't go, to where?"
"The land without magic, ahead of the dark curse"
"WHAT? Wait a minute! No! I got a comfortable life here! (though it won't be as comfortable when you're gone and the ancestors beat me to a bloody pulp) he thought.
"Nice try Dearie but NO one breaks a deal with me! You are going, and there in a different form. You will someday help someone of great importance to me!" announced the dark one as he reached into his pocket and threw down the remains of a crushed magic bean. A small swirl opened a tiny portal. Not enough for a grown man to go through but alright for a lapdog or a measly tiny dragon. "Time to pay up dearie," said Rumple as he let go and dropped Mushu in. "No!" he shouted as the overpowering swirls caused his claws break off and his body disappeared within seconds…
-Somewhere in Chinatown NY, an older gentleman of Asian descent snapped his eyes open as his assistant knocked on the door of his office: "Mr. The Dragon, you're next appointment is here to see you?"
Dragon sat up in his chair and shook his head, trying to clear himself of the thoughts of his past.
"Yes, please send them in…"