The wind was howling in Mulan's ears as she marched through the thick snow, leading Khan who was pulling the wagon of cannons. The cold stung her cheeks and bit her fingers, pulling at her. Suddenly, a cannon went off, she watched in horror as it flew up into the sky and exploded brightly, like a firework. Shang turned, face furious.
"What are you doing?! You just gave away our position-" He was cut off as an arrow embedded itself into his shoulder and knocked him off his stallion. Shang ripped it out just as there was a loud roar and the Huns started shooting.
"Get out of firing range!" he yelled. All the men turned and started running only for another group of Hans to pop up on the other side too. They scrambled for cover behind a rock and start unloading and setting up the cannons.
"Fire!" shouted Shang. The cannons all went off as one and took out a chunk of the Huns shooting at them.
"Again!" Bang! More Huns gone.
"Again!" Shang barked. They shot and when the snow and rubble cleared the offending Huns were gone. Just as Yao was about to fire the last cannon Shang halted him. It was eerily quiet until a faint sound could be heard. It grew louder until it was a thundering of hooves and shouts. Her blood ran cold. Suddenly, Shan-Yu appeared over the crest of the decline they were on. Then more Huns. And more. Until they were surrounded by seemingly a sea of men.
"If we die, we die with honor," said Shang, drawing his sword, "Aim the last cannon at Shan-Yu." All of the men followed his example and as Mulan drew her sword a reflection caught her eye. The top of a mountain. She knew then what she must do. Rushing forward she grabbed the cannon, ignoring the protest from behind her. As she started rushing forward the Huns charged, racing on their horses. Mulan headed directly for Shan-Yu who was leading the charge. "Ping, no!" someone shouted. When she got to a good spot she plopped onto the ground, aiming the cannon. Suddenly a hawk came with a loud caw and knocked the rocks used for lighting onto the ground. She searched for them frantically, panic building up inside her chest. 'No!' she thought, looking up at the nearing Huns. She caught a glimpse of something red out of the corner of her eye and, recognizing it as Mushu, grabbed him quickly and lit the cannon, much to the dragons indignity. As soon as it was lit the cannon blasted off. Mulan watched it soar up and hit the side of the mountain and she watched as the snow started falling. A smug grin stretched onto her face only to disappear as she turned her head. Her eyes met those of a very furious Hun leader and she barely had time to process it as the sword descended down on her.
Pain ripped through her body and Mulan couldn't hold in a strangled scream. Her whole right side was throbbing and she could feel her clothes becoming damp. She saw her horse who had followed her off to the side along with a shocked Shang who didn't seem to have noticed much after the cannon was fired. She stood shakily despite her body's protest and made her way towards him, forgetting about the Hun leader and avalanche. Mulan had just grabbed his arm when suddenly something slammed into her, she screamed in pain and pushed Shang onto Khan before she was covered.
She was cold. So cold. But now she couldn't breath. And she felt like she was floating but also like she was being crushed. Vaguely she felt like she was moving and something in the back of her mind told her to get out, but she couldn't. There was pain. Blinding, mind numbing pain. It was coming from her side. Oh, but now it was numb. She felt like she was drifting away, away. Suddenly, a feeling of weightlessness. Crunch. Then, it was still.
And Fa Mulan closed her eyes, still bleeding out, for the last time.