Chapter 9

Chang'an, the Imperial City, seemed to unfurl like a rich banner. They were in the outer courts, where merchants sold everything from food to fine silk. Some of the merchants had their children with them. The streets were crowded, so it was easier to leave the horses in a stable and walk.

"Auntie Lian!" called one little girl behind a silk stand. It was Sha-Ron, who had started Mulan's impromptu martial arts class.

A lady who looked not much older than Mulan came out from the back. This was Sha-Ron's aunt, Lian. "What is it, Sha-Ron?" asked Lian.

"Here comes Fa Mulan!" Sha-Ron was still unseen, but easy enough to hear. Mulan made a mental note to train the class in stealth tactics next. "And - General Shang is with her!"

Lian bowed to the couple. "What brings you to the city?" she asked.

"A summons from the Emperor." Mulan explained. "Where's Sha-Ron?"

Just then, Sha-Ron stood on an empty crate. "I'm right here!" she announced. "This is Auntie Lian! She's a silk merchant!"

"Oh, Mulan, I remember you." said Lian. "You brought your three friends in here for disguises."

"What's a good plot without cross-dressing?" joked Ron. Kim elbowed him.

"And who are your two friends?" Lian addressed

"Possible Kimberly," said Kim, "but please call me Kim. "This is my... husband, Ron."

"Pleasure to meet you." Lian bowed. Then she turned back to Mulan and Shang. "I'm sure it's something important if he needs our finest heroes." Lian smiled. "He's ready whenever you are."

The team bid Sha-Ron and Lian goodbye. Mulan reminded Sha-Ron that class resumed when the mission was complete.

Unbeknownst to the team, a man in a hooded cloak was watching them from a back alley. He followed them all the way to the Imperial Palace. When he reached the gates, he swirled his cloak around him… and disappeared.

The stately Emperor walked down the steps, his golden robe trailing behind him. Kim, Ron, Mulan, and Shang stayed at the bottom of the steps. Mulan knelt and pressed her face to the carpet, and Shang did the same. Kim and Ron decided "when in China, do as the Chinese do" and mirrored the gesture.

"Please rise."

Mulan stood slowly, not making eye contact; Shang followed her lead. Mulan took Kim's hand and whispered, "You can stand up." Kim stood, then helped Ron to his feet.

"As you may know, the Mongol hordes are growing in strength. If they wage war, China's forces will be outnumbered."

"Your Majesty," Shang declared, "each of my warriors will fight like ten Mongols!" Mulan's face mirrored the expression on Shang's face - hardened and ready to defend their homeland. But under that battle-ready exterior hid uncertainty. She had seen what foreigners could do from her stint as an envoy. And fighting outnumbered was a sure way to lose.

"No, General." the Emperor countered. "I plan to defeat this enemy without the use of force - forging an alliance so strong, the Mongols won't dare attack." He gestured for Mulan, Shang, and the newcomers to come towards a small map-table with two pieces on it. A red piece represented China, a blue piece represented the Mongol kingdom of Qui Gong. "We will become united," the Emperor pulled a gold piece out of his sleeve, "through marriage."

He put the gold piece on the table, between the red and blue, and pushed it to the blue. "You are to escort three princesses, to the Kingdom of Qui Gong. There, they shall marry Lord Chin's sons, and seal this critical alliance."

He added it had to happen in three days, or the alliance would crumble.

Mulan's face fell. She remembered her inability to deliver the message from Lord Chin. Hearing it from the Emperor was almost unbearable.

"I've seen that face before, Fa Mulan." Ron thought the Emperor was acting like Sensei from the Yamanouchi Ninja School - concerned, almost like a family member. "What troubles your heart?"

Mulan stepped forward. "Your Majesty - an arranged marriage?"

Shang's eyes went wide. People had lost their heads for questioning the Emperor!

Kim and Ron glanced at each other. They knew Mulan wouldn't stand for injustice. And it appeared political marriages were one of the things she could not - and would not - agree with.

But the Emperor simply beckoned to Mulan. "Rest assured, my child. My daughters know exactly what they're getting into."

Mulan recoiled. "Your... daughters?"

"They consider it an honor to marry for the cause of peace."

As if those words were a spell, Ron fell into another trance. He became silent and focused, as if he were going into his Mystical Monkey Power. Instead of brilliant blue, his eyes filled with a strange neon purple. A voice that was definitely not his own came from his mouth, in a strange language. Even the serene Emperor looked alarmed.

"What happened?" asked the Emperor.

"He's been doing that ever since he entered my town." Mulan shook her head.

Kim shook Ron, causing him to snap out of the trance.

"Wha…?" Ron was dazed.

The Emperor sat back down on his throne. "General," he addressed Shang, "how many troops do you think are necessary to accomplish this mission?"

"Three." Shang said with certainty.

"Three companies?" The Emperor could barely hide his surprise.

"Three men." Shang corrected.

Concerned, the Emperor said he would trust Shang's decision, but implored him to choose carefully.

"I know just the three." Shang grinned. "They're courageous."

"Loyal." Mulan added.

"And disciplined." Shang's smile looked a little bashful - was disciplined really the right word?

"China's most brave and noble warriors!" Mulan concluded.

After the expanded team left, the Emperor sat down and let out a heavy sigh. He wasn't happy about this alliance, but Lord Chin had left him with no other choice.

And he couldn't help but wonder about Mulan's friends. Kim, the young woman who had hair like a cloak of fire. Ron, the young man who connected to something supernatural.

He was certain of one thing: destiny had something big planned for the team.

TO BE CONTINUED...