The carriage was rushing down the hill at a tremendous speed. Sora, Riku, Kairi, Mickey, Donald, and Goofy followed in Kairi and Mickey's gliders while Mulan, Shang, Yao, Ling, and Chien-Po followed on their horses. Mushu, on the other hand, was still being dragged along by his bandages attached to the wheel as Cri-Kee followed.
Su, Ting-Ting, and Mei screamed for their lives as soon as the fourteen guards came up to them.
"Hold on ladies!" called Yao as he leaped off Khan and held onto the tarp roof. "We'll save you!"
Ling leaped off Shang' gorse and Chien-Po leaped off his own and both landed on the driver seats.
Just then, swarms of floating Heartless came into view. There were Water Cores, Rapid Thrusters, Phantoms (KHII Final Mix designs), and Darkballs.
"The Heartless!" Donald exclaimed.
"Mulan! Shang! Help the Princesses!" shouted Sora.
"Right!" nodded Mulan with determination.
While Kairi and Mickey guided their gliders, Sora, Riku, Donald, and Goofy used their signature weapons to take care of any Heartless that came near them.
While this happened, Ling then made his way over to one side of the carriage. "Ting-Ting! Over here!" he shouted.
But Ting-Ting then tossed out Mei and she landed on Khan with ease.
"You're next Su!" she told her other sister.
Su screamed as Ting-Ting tossed her out. Then, Yao helped Su out of the carriage onto Shang's horse.
Ting-Ting was about to climb out, but then the wooden floor broke, and her leg got stuck. Ling gapsed.
"Ting-Ting's stuck!" he cried to Shang.
While this happened, Mickey noticed something up ahead and gasped. "Fellas! We're heading for a cliff!" he cried in alarm.
Everyone else gasped in horror. Shang then had an idea.
"Mulan! The rope!" he shouted, tossing her said rope.
Mulan caught it with ease and tied it around the handle of Khan's saddle.
Together, Mulan and Shang pulled the rope to try and slow the carriage down. But it was too late. The carriage fell over the edge, taking Yao, Chien-Po, Ling, Mushu, and Ting-Ting with it. Mulan, Shang, Mei, Su, and the horses fell with them, followed by Sora, Riku, Kairi, Mickey, Donald, and Goofy on the gliders. Cri-Kee jumped after them.
Everyone screamed in terror as they fell. Noticing that they were about to hit a rock, Yao and Chien-Po leaped from the carriage and Ling quickly grabbed Ting-Ting out of said transportation and leaped away, just as the carriage smashed against the rock, breaking it into pieces.
Everyone else landed in the water. A few seconds later, everyone resurfaced, gasping for air.
Ling and Ting-Ting held onto a trunk, Mei held onto another, while everyone else stayed in the water, Su around the fallen fruit.
"Gawrsh, what a landing." muttered Goofy.
"Boy, I'll say." mumbled Donald.
"Is everyone alright?" called Shang.
"I think we're ok!" Sora called back.
"I can vouch for that." said Riku.
Yao then swam up to Mei. "Mei! I'll save you!" he called as she helped him get a grip onto the trunk.
"I saved the food!" called Su, holding up a bundle of fruit.
Then Chien-Po emerged from the water, and held Su up gently.
"And I save you." he said with smile.
Shang approached Mulan and the travellers.
"Does anyone know what happened?" he asked.
"Don't look at us!" Donald said quickly, raising his feathered hands.
"Yeah, we weren't anywhere near the carriage." added Goofy.
"Hmm." pondered Kairi. "Maybe the rock holding the carriage in place got loose."
"That's the most likely possibility." nodded Mickey.
"Either that, or someone moved it." said Riku.
"Why would you think that?" asked Mulan.
Before Riku could reply, shadows loomed over them. Everyone looked up and gasped as the remaining Heartless flew over them.
Shang turned towards his soldiers. "You three! Stay here and protect the princesses! We'll deal with the Heartless!"
"Right!" Chien-Po, Ling, and Yao said together.
Sora, Riku, Kairi, Donald, Goofy, Mickey, Mulan, and Shang swam onto land and got into fighting stances. Mulan and Shang drew their swords. Sora summoned Kingdom Key, Riku summoned Way to Dawn, Kairi summoned Destiny's Embrace, Mickey summoned Star Seeker, Donald summoned Mage's Staff, and Goofy summoned Knight's Shield.
(Roxas Boss Fight from Kingdom Hearts II plays)
Mission: Defeat the Heartless
Sora
Donald Duck
Goofy
Riku
King Mickey
Kairi
Mulan
Li Shang
Sora and Mickey led the attack by combining fire spells against two Water Cores and three Rapid Thrusters. Then, Mickey somersaulted into the air and spun around, blasting Perlza spells on some phantoms. Sora then proceeded to slash several phantoms with Kingdom Key before he stabbed one more straight in the chest.
Mulan and Shang slashed several Heartless with their swords. At times, they also stabbed them in various areas. Mulan also managed to punch, kick, and throw some Heartless to the side. Shang also followed this act and managed to strike some Heartless from behind without looking.
Donald casted several thunder spells on some Heartless and also proceeded to spin his staff like a bow-staff on some Darkballs. He then leaped into the air and went from left to right, casting light spells on five Rapid Thrusters and one Water Core. Goofy bashed his shield against some Phantoms and performed Goofy Tornado on some more Water Cores. The king's captain then tossed his shield around like a Frisbee, which destroyed some more rapid Thrusters.
Riku fired several blizzard spells on a group of Phantoms before proceeding to use a couple of kung fu kicks on a few more. He then slashed three Water Cores in a row before swing-punching a Darkball to the side, which was then destroyed by a beam of light from his Keyblade. Kairi fire light spells from her Keybalde before jumping into the air and kicking two Rapid Thrusters as if she was dong the splits. Then, she casted a ray of light from her Keyblade, and maneuvered it around, destroying the remaining Heartless, ending the battle.
(Roxas Boss Fight from Kingdom Hearts II ends)
Soon, all the Heartless were defeated. Mulan and Shang put their swords away while Sora and Co. dismissed their weapons.
"Nice job Kairi! You finished off the last of those Heartless!" congratulated Sora.
Kairi blushed and giggled. "Thank you Sora." she replied.
While Mickey and Donald casted cure spells on everyone, Mulan and Shang assessed the damage. After the Heartless had been defeated, Yao, Chien-Po, and Ling helped Su, Ting-Ting, Mei, Khan, and the other horses out of the water before going back to get the supplies. Mushu and Cri-Kee just simply followed them, as the latter riding on top of the former while scolding him.
"My fault?!" Mushu exclaimed indignantly before whipping Cri-Kee with his tail, sending the cricket flying and getting lodged into a tree.
"This wasn't my plan!" huffed Mushu. "Wagon's busted, attacked by Heartless, cold and miserable, everything's ruined." he groaned sadly, placing his hands on his head. Then, Mushu seemed to notice something. "Or... maybe not."
What Mushu was looking at was Mulan, Shang, and the six world-travelers assessing the broken carriage. And Shang was not happy.
"Well, looks like we might be getting to Qui Gong later than expected." remarked Mulan.
Shang sighed angrily. "We have three days to get the princesses to their destination, and if these things keep up, we might as well prepare for war right now!" he shouted.
Mulan, Sora, and Co. were surprised by the outburst. "Shang, calm down." Mulan told her husband-to-be. "No one could've predicted these things could've happened."
Mushu grinned. "Ol' Shang's steaming like a fresh pork bun!" he chuckled. "I bet he and Mulan are two words away from an all-out feud!"
He turned back to the stuck blue cricket. "Oh Cri-Kee, thing's are brightening up after all!"
As Mushu was celebrating, Donald couldn't help but over hear his cheering. The mage rose a suspicious eyebrow. Goofy noticed.
"What's up Donald?" asked the captain.
"Something's a bit off with Mushu..." answered Donald, suspiciously.
Goofy noticed what Donald was talking about, and he two seemed curious at the dragon's sudden enthusiasm.
"Your right Donald, Mushu does seem a bit... happy." remarked Goofy.
"Hey fellas!" came a voice.
The two toons jumped, and turned around to see Mickey.
"We've decided to set up camp. It's getting late after all." said the mouse king. "Wanna help set up?" he asked.
Donald and Goofy beamed. "Sure thing Mick." replied Goofy.
Mickey chuckled at being referred to by his nicknames. God how he missed being addressed by his name by his two best friends. It just felt nice, and not so formal.
The three then walked away to help everyone set up camp.
Nighttime fell upon the Land of the Dragons.
Sora, Riku, Kairi, Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and Mulan were sitting around a campfire, roasting and cooking some food. Yao, Ling, and Chien-Po were on scouting patrol within the area.
The three Chinese guards had changed their attires. They each wore martial arts clothing with white socks and black sandals. Ling wore blue, Chien-Po wore green, and Yao wore purple.
In a tent, Mei was writing a letter with paper, ink, and a quill. She began to speak as she wrote.
"Dear Father,
I regret to inform you that I can no longer go through with this mission, I just feel that my duty is to my heart..."
But as Mei continued writing, Su and Ting-Ting suddenly entered the tent.
"What are you writing Mei?" asked Su, curiously.
Mei jumped as she hid the letter in fright. "Oh, uh, nothing!" she lied.
Ting-Ting, on the other hand, snatched the latter from behind her sister. As she read it, she gasped.
"Mei, what is the meaning of this?!" she exclaimed. "You can't just run away from this! We promised father!"
Su paced a hand on her sister's shoulder. "We don't like the idea either, Mei. But sometimes, a princess must sacrifice what they love for others. It's our duty."
Mei frowned angrily. "How can you both say that?! I just realized that me and Yao share a special connection!" she shouted. "How can you two-"
"I, for one, know where my duties lie Mei." interrupted Ting-Ting. "Do you?" she asked.
Mei suddenly began to sob as she laid on Ting-Ting's shoulder, Su comforting the crying princess.
"But, I want to be with Yao!" she sobbed. "I want to be like other girls!"
(Like Other Girls from Mulan II plays)
Ting-Ting: The life of a princess from her birth is well defined.
She must humbly serve her country, play the part she's been assigned.
She guards the hopes of her people, weak and mighty, rich and poor! Who could ever ask for more?
Su: Who could ever ask for...
(At the same time)
Ting-Ting: Who could ever ask for more?
Su: ...more?
Suddenly, Mei's crying ceased, and she burst up into the air.
Mei: I wanna be like other girls
(grabs Su and begings to dance with her)
Climb up a tree like other girls can
Mei and Su: Just to be free like other girls get to be
Both then softly hit each other with pillows.
"Mei! Su!" exclaimed Ting-Ting.
Mei: To slouch when I sit
Su: To eat a whole cake
Mei: Feel the sun on my feet
Su: Get dirty
Mei: Act silly
Mei & Su: Be anything I want to be
Su: Dance around!
Mei: In my underwear!
Mei suddenly reveals her underwear which Ting-Ting quickly covers back up before Mei and Su run around the tent.
Mei and Su: To run really fast!
Mei: Get rid of this fan!
Mei suddenly swiped away Ting-Ting's fan, much to the eldest princess's surprise.
Su: To eat a whole cake!
Mei: Get crazy!
Su: With frosting!
Mei & Su: No escorts!
No manners!
No nursemaids!
No worries!
No hands folded perfect, like holding a lily!
"No pinchy shoes?" asked Ting-Ting, suddenly interested in the idea of being a normal girl.
The three girls then giggled together.
Mei, Su, and Ting-Ting: I wanna be like other girls,
Scrape up my knee like other girls can!
Just to be free, like other girls!
Get to be!
Mei: To speak for myself!
Su: To sing way off key!
Mei, Su, and Ting-Ting: Marry someone I've met, who loves me for me
Ting Ting: No escorts!
No manners!
Mei & Ting-Ting: No nursemaids!
No worries!
Mei, Su, Ting-Ting: No hands folded perfect, like holding a lily!
No pinchy shoes!
Ting-Ting, Mei, and Su suddenly take off their shoes and toss them into the air.
Mei, Su, Ting Ting: I wanna be like other girls!
Climb up a tree like other girls can!
Just to be free like other girls!
Get to be!
(Like Other Girls from Mulan II ends)
Mei, Ting-Ting, and Su fell laid on the ground, giggling happily.
Outside the tent, Chien-Po had been listening to almost the whole song while he had been collecting logs. He smiled happily as he ran off to find Yao and Ling.
Meanwhile, back at the camp fire, Sora and Co. were telling Mulan about some of their adventures.
"I must say, that's a lot to take it. You six kung fu masters, time-travel, fighting ghosts, a town full of supernatural beings, a team of five different animals in Africa protecting their home, Christmas with a prince-turned-beast... I mean, you guys have basically been through almost everything!" remarked Mulan. "What's next, Ink Monsters or something?"
Sora, Kairi, Riku, Mickey, Donald, and Goofy chuckled in amusement.
"Who knows?" replied Mickey. "Only time will tell."
"You think they'll stop Scar?" asked the Chinese warrior.
"Most likely yes. He is just a spirit trapped only within fire." replied Sora. "We know they can do it."
Just then, Shang came up to the group. But to the seven friends' surprise, the general was very angry.
"General Hardhead?! Brushing my teeth?!" Shang seethed, looking directly at Mulan.
"Shang, what's wrong?" asked Kairi, concerned.
"What are you talking about?" asked Mulan.
"Don't give me that!" growled Shang. "I heard you talking about me with the princesses behind my back!"
The seven guards were very puzzled. But Mulan was both puzzled and angry that Shang would accuse her of such a thing.
But before the Chinese woman could say anything, Kairi quickly spoke up. "Shang, Mulan's been with us all night." she explained.
"Yeah, and we can all vouch for that." said Goofy in agreement.
Before Shang could respond angrily, Mickey hopped of the rock he was sitting on and walked over to him.
"Look Shang, I know that you're stressed about the mission after the crash and Heartless attack, but you need to take it easy. You need to rest for a while." said Mickey calmly. "Why don't you head back to the tent and rest. We'll take care of things out here." he suggested.
Shang stayed silent. But he did nod slightly before walking away.
Mulan sighed heavily. "I seriously don't know what's gotten into him."
"I guess the mission has been taking it's toll on him, like Mickey said." Sora pointed out.
"Well at least he's gone to cool off now." Goofy pointed out.
"All the same, if this is the real Li Shang, then I don't like what I'm seeing." grumbled Mulan.
"Ditto." nodded Riku.
Sora just sighed. 'What on Earth has gotten into him?' he thought to himself.
A few minutes later, Riku, Mickey, Donald, and Goofy were on Heartless patrol while Mulan took the watch patrol. Yao, Ling, and Chien-Po were hiding behind some bushes, looking over at the Emperor's three daughters as they sat near the campfire with Sora and Kairi, who were tasked to watch over them.
"After you." Yao said to Ling, bowing in a gentleman like manor.
Ling shook his head. "No, after you." he insisted, mocking Yao's bow.
Yao growled. "No, after you!" he nearly shouted.
"No, after you!" snarled Ling.
The two shorter soldiers then began to get into a fight on the ground. Chien-Po attempted to pull them apart, but not even the biggest soldier could do so, and the three found themselves rolling towards Sora, Kairi, Mei, Su, and Ting-Ting. The five noticed them, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the three.
"Uh... hi..." greeted Sora with an awkward smile. Kairi giggled at his greeting.
The three soldiers stopped their fighting and quickly stood up straight with sheepish smiles.
"Oh don't mind us." greeted Chien-Po, shyly.
"We just wanted to see how you ladies were doing." said Yao, looking over at the three princesses, awkwardly.
Mei blushed at that.
Then Ling stepped in front of Yao. "And we wanted to ask for your help." he added.
"Ooh, what can we help you with?" asked Su in an excited tone.
Ling chuckled. "Well you see, Chien-Po here has always had a dream..." continued Ling.
Chien-Po was confused. "I have?" he asked. But when Yao elbowed him in the stomach, he quickly changed his answer with a smile saying, "Yes, I have!"
"A dream of seeing a small village in the middle of nowhere by the moonlight!" Yao stepped in, pointing towards a distant village.
Sora, Kairi, and the princesses looked over in that direction. They then turned back to the three soldiers.
"I think it's a wonderful dream." Su sighed happily.
"But why do you need their help?" Kairi asked, though her tone suggested that she already knew. Sora noticed and smirked.
"Well, if your highnesses would come with us to the village, then we could still guard them." explained Ling.
"And I could still live my dream." added Chien-Po.
Su and Mei squealed with excitement. They looked over at Ting-Ting.
"Can we go, please?" asked Mei.
"Pretty please?" begged Su.
Ting-Ting seemed conflicted, but at her younger sisters' pleading looks and Sora and Kairi's encouraging looks, she sighed and let out a small smile.
"Sounds like fun." the eldest sister answered.
Mei and Su giggled giddily as they got up with Ting-Ting and joined the three soldiers. Sora and Kairi looked at each other.
"Kairi, would you like to go with them... with me?" asked Sora.
Kairi smirked. "Is Donald's twin sister named Della?" she asked.
Sora chuckled. "Yes." he replied.
Kairi giggled. "You know I would love to." she replied. "Come on!" she then cried, dragging Sora off the log he was sitting on, and the two ran after the three soldiers and three princesses.
Back at Mulan's tent, said soldier was pacing up and down the space. Riku, Donald, Goofy, Mickey, and Cri-Kee watched on with concern. Mushu, on the other hand, was watching something else.
"I never noticed we were so different!" Mulan said furiously. "It's like I don't even know him!"
"Well, relationships can be difficult. But these things do take time." Mickey pointed out. "And he only just proposed to you yesterday."
"Was it the same with you and Minnie?" asked Mulan.
Mickey sighed. "Well... not necessarily. But I know it was the same for my sister Amelia, and Minnie's sister Mandie before they each settled down and had families of their own." he replied.
"Same thing with me and my wife!" added Goofy.
"But it's like Mickey said, the mission is probably just getting to him." reminded Riku. "And said mission is supposed to help unite two kingdoms so they don't go to war."
Mulan sighed heavily. "I know. It's just-"
But before she could continue, Mushu spoke up.
"Now that's interesting." he remarked.
"What?" asked Donald.
"Just that the princesses ditched the camp." replied the dragon.
"WHAT?!" the five guards exclaimed together.
"Where are Yao, Ling, and Chien-Po?" asked Mickey, confused.
"Showing them the way, with Sora and Kairi following behind." answered Mushu, lifting up the tent flaps.
Riku, Mulan, and the toon trio looked out the tent and gasped at the sight of Sora, Kairi, Ling, Chien-Po, Yao, Mei, Ting-Ting, and Su leaving towards the village.
"Gawrsh, didn't see that coming." said Goofy.
"What are we gonna tell Shang?" asked Donald, worriedly.
Mulan grabbed her sword and tied it around her waist. "We'll handle this ourselves." she replied. She looked towards the four world-travelers. "You four are with me in case any Heartless show up."
Riku, Donald, Goofy, and Mickey nodded.
Mulan turned to her family guardian and lucky cricket. "Mushu, Cri-Kee, make sure that nothing wakes Shang up." she ordered.
"No problem." Mushu promised as the five guards left the tent.
But Cri-Kee noticed that Mushu had crossed his fingers behind his back. As soon as the five were out of sight, the blue cricket chirped angrily at Mushu, only to be whacked away once again by the dragon's tail.
Later, Shang was sound asleep, when all of a sudden, behind him, Mushu began to loudly play custom instruments like he was a one-man-band. Shang bolted awake.
"What's going on?!" he exclaimed as Mushu quickly fled away.
Shang came outside his tent and his eyes widened when he saw no sign of Yao, Chien-Po, Ling, or the six world-travelers. He ran towards Mulan's tent, and stumbled upon Mei's letter.
Shang picked it up and began to read it. "'...My duty is to my heart?'"
He then growled. "Mulan!"
At the town, the group of eight separated in their respective groups of two. They had all realized that upon entering, there seemed to be some sort of festival going on, as the village was fully decorated, people were wandering everywhere having fun, and there were a lot of shops and activities to enjoy.
Chien-Po and Su came up to one of the stands that had food. A shopkeeper came up to them, showing them some food.
"We just got some excellent ginger." she told them.
"Ginger..." Chien-Po sighed dreamily, "That goes very well with dumplings."
"Did you say dumplings?" asked Su, pulling out said food from her basket.
"How about some fresh ginseng?" the shopkeeper suggested.
"That makes a wonderful accompaniment to soy beans." Chien-Po pointed out.
"One order of soy beans." giggled Su before she took said beans from her basket.
The two lovebirds spent their time going from shop to shop, buying all the food that they could, laughing all the way.
Meanwhile, Yao and Mei found themselves at a wrestling ring. The referee was standing inside, right next to a tough-looking wrestler.
"Who will be next to challenge the undefeated Shi Rongkai?" the referee called out.
Yao smirked as he cracked his knuckles before taking off the top of his attire.
"Step aside!" he said to the audience, shoving some aside before stepping into the ring.
"Yao... oh no..." Mei gasped in concern.
The audience's response was bursting into laughter at Yao's short height, which the soldier ignored.
The match began. Shi Rongkai growled as he charged towards Yao and leaped onto him. Mei and the audience gasped. But to their surprise, Shi was suddenly lifted up by an ok Yao. The black-eyed soldier smirked as he tossed Shi into a crate. The referee ran up to Yao.
"We have a new champion!" he announced.
The audience erupted into cheers and claps. But Mei was the most happy of all as she she climbed into the ring and hugged Yao and exclaimed happily, "Yao, you're my hero!"
Yao just beamed as he posed.
And later, the two were at a game they had completed. Yao was looking at the prizes, and smiled when he saw a large stuffed panda bear toy. He pointed to it, and the game runner gave it to Yao, who turned and gave it to Mei, who beamed happily as she hugged it. Mei giggled happily as the two walked away.
As for Ling and Ting-Ting, the two were walking through the village, the soldier trying to make the princess laugh. Ting-Ting had a look of annoyance, which she hid behind her fan, at Ling's jokes.
They stopped at a fireworks stand as Ling then came up with another joke.
"Okay, how 'bout this one? What does Attila say when he walks through the door? 'Hun, I'm home!'" joked Ling. He then burst out laughing.
Ting-Ting's response was only a raised eyebrow.
Ling noticed this and sighed in defeat as he leaned up against the stand. "I give up. I guess I'm not as funny as I think."
No sooner had he said that, four fireflies accidentally lit four red fireworks hanging from the stand's roof. The fireworks exploded, making Ling scream in fright. He jumped around in fright as red smoke billowed around him before leaning against the stand, dazed and surprised.
Ting-Ting's eyes widened. She suddenly began to snicker, then she burst out laughing before she suddenly snorted. She quickly covered her mouth in embarrassment and quickly turned away, but nit before snorting and laughing again. She just couldn't help it.
Ling was surprised, but he smiled as he approached her. "What a cute laugh." he chuckled.
Ting-Ting covered her mouth, but still laughed and snorted as she talked. "Oh no, I hate my laugh!"
"What?! It's adorable!" protested Ling. "I thought you didn't have a sense of humor." he chuckled.
Ting-Ting stooped laughing and smirked at Ling. "No sense of humor?" she asked.
Ling was puzzled. Then he saw Ting-Ting go back to the stand, then turned around with two fireworks up her nose. She moved her face around to make them move.
Ling burst out laughing so hard that he two started to snort a little. The two then walked away, arms across each other's backs, laughing and snorting all the way.
And finally, Sora and Kairi had finished their exploration during all those events. They ate Chinese food, played games, and won lots of prizes. And since Sora's clothes were magic garments, his pockets were able to store all of them, without even showing that they were stuffed. The two were now looking over a bridge towards the sky, gazing at the moon and stars.
"It's so beautiful." Kairi sighed happily.
Sora smiled and nodded. "Yeah, sure is." he sighed as he folded his hands behind the back of his head. "It still amazes me that all those stars up there are other worlds."
Kairi nodded in agreement. "Yeah. If one told me that years ago, I would've thought they were coo-koo, coo-koo." she said to her friend before giggling.
Sora chuckled. "You got that right, Gogo Dodo." he teased.
Kairi giggled and punched him softly in the arm. The both of them laughed some more before sighing heavilly as they gazed back at the night sky. As they did, they felt their hands on top of one another. They didn't notice it just yet, but they did feel a warm feeling in their bodies.
Sora then spoke up. "I know that someday when this is all over, I'm gonna try and visit all of them."
Kairi turned towards her childhood friend. "And will I be there for the ride?" she asked with a smile.
Sora turned and nodded. "I would love that very much." he replied with a smile.
Both smiles grew as the two then noticed that their hands were resting on each other. To Kairi's surprise, Sora's face suddenly looked a bit uneasy.
"Something wrong?" she asked, a hint of concern in her voice.
Sora faced Kairi. "Kairi... do you think we can keep this up?" he asked her.
Kairi was confused. "What do you mean? Hiding the fact that we really do love each other from the others until were comfortable admitting it?" she asked.
Sora shook his head. "I mean, do you really think we can start being... well... you know, boyfriend and girlfriend during a time of war?" he asked. "I mean, doesn't starting a relationship when we're trying to protect the worlds from a mad man and his allies a bit, I don't know... crazy?"
Kairi was surprised at the question. She looked into Sora's worried eyes with a reassuring look. "I know that it may seem, as you said, 'crazy.' to begin a relationship during a time like this..." she began. She then smiled. "But if Donald & Daisy, Mulan & Shang, and the soldiers & princesses can do it during rough situations like the threats of war... then I think that we can too." she added with assurance in her voice.
Sora looked surprise at Kairi's modest thinking, before smiling a little. "Yeah... it may not be easy during a time like this... but it's worth a try. Crazy or not."
Kairi giggled at her now-boyfriend's words.
Just then, the two were greeted by Yao, Mei, Chien-Po, Su, Ling, and Ting-Ting. The three couples joined the world-travelers on the bridge.
"Hello Sora. Kairi." greeted Chien-Po. "Would it be an inconvenience if we all joined you in looking at the night sky?" he asked, calmly.
Sora and Kairi shook their heads with smiles. "Not at all." replied Sora.
Grinning, the three couples joined Sora and Kairi in watching the beautiful night sky. It seemed so peaceful as the four couples were happy to be with their loved ones.
But after two minutes...
"Not interrupting, are we?" came a voice.
The group of eight jumped in surprise, which turned to fright as they turned around to see Mulan, Riku, Mickey, Donald, and Goofy at the bridge's base, the female soldier with her arms crossed while Donald, Goofy, and the two Keyblade Masters stood behind her.
"Sora? Kairi?" Riku asked, calmly.
Sora and Kairi traded nervous glances before Ting-Ting spoke up to defend them. "They were just here for the ride." she quickly explained. "Don't be mad at them."
Riku smirked. "We're not. We're just curious as to why you three ran away."
Goofy nodded. "Yeah, you three are supposed to be getting married,"
"Riku and Goofy are right." nodded Mulan. "Care to explain? We're listening."
"No pressure." assured Mickey.
"Fa Mulan..." stammered Mei. "It's love; Yao and I, Su and Chien-Po..."
"And myself and Lingy-bear." finished Ting-Ting. As everyone looked at her in surprise, she blushed. "I mean Ling."
"Don't you see?" asked Sora. "They truly do love each other."
"For who they are, not what they are." added Kairi.
Riku, Mickey, Donald, and Goofy smiled at Sora and Kairi's words. Mulan glanced at the three coupled, her expression starting to soften.
Then, Mulan burst into a smile as she ran over to hug them all.
"I'm so happy for all of you!" she exclaimed happily. The three couples beamed happily as they embraced in the hug.
Sora, Riku, Kairi, Mickey, Donald, and Goofy smiled at the scene. But then...
"Sorry to break up your little party." came a new voice.
Everyone froze and turned around to see Shang march up to them with an annoyed expression on his face.
"Would anyone like to explain what this is?" he asked angrily as he pulled out Mei's now crumpled letter.
Mei's eyes widened, but Shang instead turned towards Mulan.
"'My duty is to my heart?' Now who does that sound like?" he asked.
Mulan was shocked at the accusation. Everyone else was as well, but not as much as her.
"General, Mei didn't mean to send that letter-" began Ting-Ting as she tried to defend her sister, but Shang just ignored her.
"You just have to place your feelings above everything, don't you?!" Shang yelled. "Duty, obligation, tradition, it all means nothing to you!"
That was the last straw as Mulan glared at Shang. "It means everything to me!" she exclaimed angrily. "My heart tells me my duty and I follow it!" She sighed heavily as she looked up into Shang's eyes. "You're brave, you're loyal, but you don't trust your heart."
Then, she said something that shocked everyone. "Sometimes I wonder if you even have one."
Shang gasped at that harsh statement as Mulan stormed off angrily back to camp. Everyone else just stared in shock, jaws dropped and eyes wide.
After a moment of silence, Su, Mei, and Ting-Ting bid their loved ones a sad farewell as they followed Mulan back to camp.
Shang regained his composure as he approached Ling, Chien-Po, and Ling. "As for you three, you are not to speak to them. Is that clear?" he asked firmly.
The three soldiers nodded as they followed the four women back to camp. Shang sighed heavily as Sora and Co. approached behind him.
"Shang, you have to understand." explained Sora. "The princesses found their real loves. Just like you and Mulan did."
"But she-" began Shang.
"But she knows what's best." interrupted Kairi. "For everyone, not just herself."
"You're too focused on what has to be done, instead of what needs to be done." added Sora. "We know that sometimes you have to put your duty before other people's happiness..."
"But how the other people feel matters just as much." finished Kairi. "And sometimes, even more."
Riku nodded in agreement. "I know that those three getting married will unite the kingdom, but there are other ways to make peace than forced marriages. Especially if the ones being married know nothing about the other." he added, backing up his two best friends.
Sora and Kairi smiled at Riku's support.
Mickey then approached Shang. "Let your heart decide what's right Shang, not just what other people tell you to do."
"And you'd be surprised how good things turn out." finished Sora.
With that said, the six world-travelers left for the camp.
Shang stood silent for a while, pondering over Mulan, Sora, Riku, Kairi, and Mickey's words. Sighing, he said nothing as he went back to camp.
But as he did, he didn't see Xigbar on top of the bridge, smirking.
"Well now. If their duties are to their hearts, then let's see what happens when I put that to the test." he chuckled before teleporting away.
To be continued...
Things will be getting intense next chapter. Until then, I'll see you all soon! Don't forget to review!