All of a sudden Mulan's back began to burn immensely. The pain was horrendous and Mulan's legs wavered a bit as her jaw became tense. Trying so hard to keep her mind at ease. Mulan felt that the burn was far worse than she had ever felt it, the ancestor inside was testing her at this moment, but the problem was Mulan didn't understand why. Then, Mulan heard footsteps from above the ceiling, where the coffin stood. Mulan knew someone was coming down, either a friend or foe. Mulan looked back at Snow who held the box and candle still, tensing up from the sound of the footsteps. Mulan heard that these footsteps were frantically making noise, either Regina or Cora came for the heart. "Give me the heart Snow." Mulan says through her clenched jaw, fighting off the pain. Snow looks at her like she had said a curse in front of her. Again Mulan said, more harshly, "Give it to me!" Mulan knew now, that she had to, once again, sacrifice herself for something greater. The footsteps could be heard coming closer and closer, before Mulan without waiting, snatched the box away and whispered the very name at the heart, as soon as the name "Cora" was spoken a black magic swirled inside the heart and before Snow could say or do anything Mulan turned seeing Regina in the distance. The burning was immense, and Mulan felt faint from the pain, but she had to endure it a little longer, now knowing her sacrifice. A confused Regina came in front of the Warrior. Her countenance was almost broken and weary, "Why do you have that...?" Regina asks, hesitantly. Snow took a step forward but Mulan responded, "I know what it's like not to have a heart...and I thought if Cora, your mother, had her heart...She would be a new person. She would love you." Regina and Mulan gave a stand-off just staring at each other both straight in the face, without wavering, until Regina's eyes wandered down at the glowing, beating heart. Regina's hand slowly went toward the box Mulan offered out, placing her fingers gently around the edges of the wooden frame. Her fingers rested on the wood before ever-so-softly taking the box out of Mulan's offering hands. Regina gave a little, broken smile before turning around and walking off. Mulan felt the burn become more intense than the last few minutes, which felt impossible because it felt like she was being roasted alive in a volcano. Mulan's knees finally gave out with her screaming out in pain. Snow fell next to her asking what was wrong. Mulan just screamed out clenching her hands into fists as her head faced the ground. Sweat began to roll down Mulan's tan face as her screams filled the room, her eyes widened at the pain and also what felt like something ripping away from her. She felt a cold breeze from the inside of her armor and felt it pull away from her back. The pain immediately stopped as lights in the room flickered on and off with a cold wind beganning to pick up around the two women. Snow held onto Mulan's arm solely from fear of what was happening, then a glowing blue spirit emerged from Mulan's very back and placed itself behind her, just staring. "S-Shang...?!" Snow whispered looking toward the spirit that floated behind them. Mulan looked behind her shoulder, seeing the clear-as-day apparition of Shang. Mulan looked Shang up and down and saw he was wearing his armor from the war, matching hers except he looked more honorable and heroic than ever. Mulan tried to stand, but felt her whole body became intensely sore and weak. Snow felt the Warrior's armored body weigh upon her small frame as she helped her stand. "Fa Mulan, You have once again proven your Honor and Duty, not only as a Warrior but as a strong human being." Shang gave a genuine smile towards Mulan, who could barely stand on her own two feet. Snow was silent as Shang began to speak, it sounded like his voice was faded but could be heard clear as day. Mulan looked up at Shang with tired eyes with the sweat that gleamed around her forehead, "Shang I'm sorry...For everything." Shang rose his hand to stop Mulan from speaking anymore. "Fa Mulan, I was the one out of place. I do not blame your actions on who you are. You're the most honorable person I have ever met in all my life, and still to this day, you will always carry honor to your family. I understand what True Love is now, though I had to die understanding it." Shang nodded showing that his part in all this was about done, and he would forever leave Mulan's presence. "Shang! Wait!" Mulan called out, outstretching her hand, taking a step forward away from Snow's arms. Shang looked down at Mulan, who was actually standing on her own two feet, strong as ever, "Will I ever see you again...?" Mulan asked tears beginning to fill her eyes. Shang nodded like a wise man, before he left he told Mulan one last thing, "Fa Mulan. You're always taking care of everyone else, let Aurora take care of you now." Mulan looked at Shang with new eyes, she saw he was smiling like one who has found the eternal peace. Shang's apparition before completely fading away, went through Mulan's body, Mulan felt the chills and also warmth of his spirit go through her body. Now knowing, and forever that he would be with her. Now knowing her honor was restored and forever be held in highest. Snow just sat from where she was, still confused, "M-Mulan...? What just happened?" Mulan looked back at Snow, standing with all her strength again just smiling and responding, "I have saved your life."
Mulan and Snow quickly went back to the shop seeing Regina holding her mother in her arms crying with all her heart. Snow felt the devastation come to her, but saw Mulan push past her, standing in front of a broken Regina. Rumple was standing behind, obviously full of life, just watching as Regina cried. Rumple gave a sly smile towards Snow, who he tricked to lighting the candle, but everyone around became shocked when Regina looked up, staring at Mulan straight in the eyes with all her hate and spoke, "You killed my mother!" Mulan just stood indifferent, she knew deep inside this was her price, and she had to pay it for her honor which was saving a blood-lust kill for another. "You will pay!" Regina evilly sneered before disappearing in the purple smoke with Cora's body. Rumple came limping forward toward Mulan and Snow, confused. "Y-you!?" Mulan said nothing, but gave a slight nod giving acknowledgment. Before Rumple could say anything more Mulan responded in a very-serious tone, "Snow has a pure heart, I on the other hand have already tainted my heart, I couldn't sit here and watch Snow possess darkness within her." Rumple stood dumbfounded and slightly offended by the Warrior's actions and comment. "You had no right to interfere!" Rumple spat back, obviously angry. "I saved your life didn't I? You should be bowing at my feet!" Mulan yelled back, taking a step forward testing his power compared to her own. Rumple gave a menacing stare, "Your heart will forever be in darkness!" Mulan's jaw cringed with hate but she replied stronger than ever, "At least my dark heart knows love and family, that I will do anything for it!" Rumple looked as though he was hit back because he turned on his heel to busy himself in his shop, angry. Mulan felt a soft hand gently place itself on her tense shoulder and heard Snow whisper a small, "Thank you." Mulan still tensed watched as Rumple walked away before turning to Snow, easing her whole body, giving a very genuine and relieved, "You're welcome."