Balle awoke with a sleepy groan. He opened his eyes only to shout as he was staring into the bright green eyes of Dark Magician Girl. She giggled at him as he crawled backwards clutching his heart. After recovering Balle glared at her playfully.
"What are you trying to? Give me a heart attack?" he asked her. She winked at him and faded back into her card. Balle chuckled and stepped out of the tent. He looked towards the horizon to see the sun rising. He took a deep breath.
"Balle!" someone called. He turned to the voice to see Sora and the others rushing over to him. "You ready to go?" Balle nodded. "Alright, let's go find Captain Shang."
They set off and found the Captain within minutes. Shang turned to him and nodded. "I see you're ready to go." They nodded. "Very well, now you mission...
It was nearing noon and they had just finished three other assignments. Their current mission was to open the mountain paths and head on to the village in the mountsins. This was to be their last assignment for Mulan to gain the Captain's respect. Now this mission was slightly more difficult than the last three, they had to clear several rockslides while fighting off the Heartless. Sora and Balle worked away at the rocks while Donald, Goofy, and Mulan kept the Heartless at bay. Eventually the path was clear and Yao, Ling, and Chien-Po came over to them.
"Hey, you ain't half bad," Yao said to Mualn.
"A man among men!" Ling added cheerfully.
"Thanks!" Mulan responded. They nodded before walking pass them. Mulan's eyes fell to the ground. "But the Captain..."
"Captain!" Sora excaimed. Mulan's head snapped up as Shang and a couple of soldiers came over to them.
"Ping sure did great!" Goofy told him.
"You bet he did!" Donald added.
"Hmm..." Shang sighed. "Fine. I'll let you join my troops... But I'm still not convinced you have what it takes to be a worthy soldier."
"And why's that?" Balle demanded angrily while towering Shang. Mulan quickly grabbed his shoulder.
"It's alright, Balle." she said. "I'll find a way to show him what I'm made of. Just give me a chance."
Shang offered a smile. "That's the spirit, Ping." She snapped into a salute, the others following.
"Sir!" They exclaimed as the Captain walked away. Sora nodded towards them.
"Alright, let's get to the village!"
"Right!"
They arrived at the village to find the other soldiers walking around chatting. After moving away from them, Balle, Sora, Donald, Goofy and Mulan were stood in a circle around Musho. "Okay, girl! Here's your chance! I saw this real shady guy," Mushu informed them. "and I know it's Shan-Yu!"
"Shan-Yu?" Mulan gasped.
"That's the Hun leader!" Sora said in realization. "We've got to tell the Captain about this!"
"Right!" Mulan agreed. They started walking away when...
"Waaaait wait - wait- wait - WAIT!" the little dragon exclaimed. "Everybody use their heads a second." Mushu took a deep breath. "Now, why are we here?" he asked them. He didn't give them a chance to answer before he started again. "To make the Captain see Mulan's - I mean, Ping's talents and bring honor to her family." he answered himself. They all nodded in agreement. Mushu grinned. "So, let's go find out where Shan-Yu is, by ourselves, then if we're lucky, we can fry him up good!" Mushu said slamming his fist into his open palm. "Though just tracking the guy down should earn us our stars. Captain Musclehead will have to notice my girl!" All of them turned towards Mulan. The final decision was up to her. She stood there silently thinking. She suddenly looked up with them, determination burning in her eyes.
"Let's go."
"We'll help out!" Balle said. Sora nodded in agreement.
"Now we're cookin'!" Mushu grinned. "Shan-Yu is in a cave outside the village!" At that he jumped back into Mulan's armor.
"Then that's where we're going." Balle said. They nodded and started walking towards the village outskirts. The five of them faced no objection as they walked out of the village and into the cave. They walked in and at the end was nothing but a large room lit by candles. "Dead end..." Balle sighed. Donald took a look around.
"There's nobody here..." he said.
"You're crazy!" Mushu huffed. "Check again!"
"Oh, well..." Donald sighed as he began walking towards the cave entrance. Goofy turned as well.
"Wait for me, Donald!" he cried as he ran after their friend. Sora looked back.
"Hey, wait up!" Then suddenly, the ground under them started to shake.
"What's going on?" Mulan asked startled. Then a familiar purple light appeared behind them and a barrier was formed, cutting them off from Donald and Goofy.
"Sora!" Donald exclaimed.
"Balle!" Goofy cried. "Ping!" While they were shouting a large man walked to the front of the cave, laughing silently. Heartless began appearing in the room, making Sora, Mulan and Balle draw their weapons. After a short battle, they managed to beat all the Heartless. Balle noticed that Mulan did significantly better.
"You're getting pretty good at this, Ping." Balle complimented as the barrier fell. She blushed slightly.
"Thanks!" she nodded. Donald and Goofy ran over to them.
"Are you okay?" Goofy asked.
"Yeah, thanks to Ping!" Sora grinned.
"C'mon!" Mushu exclaimed. "Time to report to the Captain!" They turned to him in confusion.
"But Shan-Yu wasn't here." Mulan said
"Please, that Hun is old news!". Mushu scoffed. "We're gonna tell the Captain how thousands of Heartless stormed the cave, and Ping took out almost every one of 'em!"
Balle shrugged. "Let's go then." Sora nodded in agreement and led the way out. Upon walking out they came upon a horrible sight. The village was burned down and most of the troops gone. "Dear Lord..." Balle muttered.
They walked around a bit until they heard a groan. They saw Shang clutching the wound on his side. "Captain!" Mulan shouted when she saw him, and ran over to him.
"Don't overdo it, Captain!" Sora exclaimed.
"It's just a scratch." the Captain assured them before falling to his knees in pain.
Mulan bent down. "Captain, the enemy!" she said. "Where did they go?"
"They went towards the summit..." the Captain ground out.
"We'll stop them!" Mulan declared.
"It kinda is our fault..." Goofy muttered.
"Right." Mulan nodded. Mushu jumped down and started pacing sadly.
"You mean my fault." he said sadly.
"No way!" Balle said.
"Balle is right!" Sora told him. "Shan-Yu and the Heartless did this, not us!" he proceeded to kneel down to the Captain's level. "Captain, if you track down the villagers, we'll handle this."
Sora looked at the destruction around them in disgust before turning towards the summit. "Let's go." he demanded.
They reached the summit without many problems. Upon arriving they looked around, seeing no one. Suddenly a falcon flew over them and landed on the shoulder of a figure in the distance. A deep rumbling was heard. Then hundreds of Rapid Thrusters, Heartless that are about the size of a head that have a yellow head, small black body and a propeller on top of its body; lined up next to him.
"Uh oh..." Balle muttered.
"Attack!" Shan-Yu screamed. The Heartless came charging toward them. Everyone brought out their weapons and prepared for battle. The wave quickly separated the gang. Balle saw some Heartless that looked like towers with heads at the bottom.
"Balle!" Sora called. "We'll take out the Rabid Thrusters, you take out the Bolt Towers!"
"Right!" Balle called back. He got into stance, until a bolt of energy grabbed him and held him high. Balle struggled with all his might, but he managed to bring Oathkeeper in front of the beam then threw it at the Bolt Tower. The energy, now connected to the Keyblade, came closer to the Heartless until it made contact, making the Heartless explode and also destroying the other Heartless nearby. Balle continued taking down the Bolt Towers until the Heartless army was no more.
"Alright, we did it." Sora cheered.
"Don't cheer just yet..." Balle muttered as more Heartless appeared next to Shan-Yu. Shan-Yu roared and started running down the hill with the Heartless following him. Shan-Yu's falcon flew over them, screeching all the way.
"Move aside!" They heard Yao's voice. They turned their heads and saw Yao, Ling and Chien-Po walking next to them with Yao holding a cannon.
"We'll handle this!" Ling said as Yao knelt down and aimed the cannon at Shan-Yu.
Mulan got an idea. "Sorry!" She apologized before knocking down Yao and taking the cannon. She placed it in the snow and aimed it at the mountain. She started to frantically looking around for something about a fire until she set her eyes on Mushu.
"We'll handle this!" Ling said as Yao knelt down and aimed the cannon at Shan-Yu.
Mulan got an idea. "Sorry!" She apologized before knocking down Yao and taking the cannon. She placed it in the snow and aimed it at the mountain. She started to frantically looking around for something about a fire until she set her eyes on Mushu.
Mushu tried to get away as Mulan grabbed him and stretched him, making him coughing out a fire which lit the cannon. Mushu landed on the cannon, right before it fired. "You're going the wrong way!" He shouted as he flew toward the mountain. There was an explosion on the side of the mountain and the snow began to crumble.
"Uh oh." Balle muttered. Everyone looked at him as he began running. "Avalanche!" They stood there before realizing what he meant.
"Run!" Sora cried as he and the others followed Balle's example.
The snow exploded on the hill and started rushing down the slope, overtaking Shan-Yu and his army of Heartless. Mulan saw the Captain coming up beside them. "Shang, watch out!" She shouted as she ran toward him. She grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the way just in time as the snow passed.
When the excitement was over, Shang and Mulan stood up. "I never should have doubted you," Shang said to her. "From now on, you have my trust."
"Thank you, Captain!" Mulan said happily.
Mushu popped out of the snow and shook the snow off his body. "First she uses me as a lighter, then she uses me as a cannonball. Oh, the head ancestor is going to hear about this," Mushu moaned, not knowing that Shang is near him. "C'mon Mulan, let's stop this charade and go home already."
"Mushu!" Mulan shouted at him. Mushu looked confused for a minute until he noticed the Captain. He gasped, putting his hands over his mouth.
"Mulan?" Shang repeated in disbelief. "A woman? It can't be!" He looked at Mulan.
"Captain! Ping!" Sora shouted as he, Donald, Goofy and Balle approached them.
"Oh boy! You're okay!" Goofy exclaimed, happy that both Mulan and Shang are okay.
Shang glared at them. "What's wrong?" Balle asked uncomfortable with the glare Shang was giving him.
"You all knew, didn't you?" Shang realized. "You all knew that Ping was really a woman in disguise."
Their silence spoke for them. Shang walked away a few steps before stopping and said over his shoulder, "The punishment for high treason and dishonoring the Imperial Army… is death." Balle flinched. "Get out of my sight… now," he ordered, "You're all dismissed."
"But Captain…" Sora began to say.
"My debt is repaid," Shang said, then he walked away. "Move out!" Two of the soldiers in the front moved at an incredible limp as the rest of the army started marching down the mountain.
Mulan sighed while Mushu went on Mulan's shoulder. "Mulan, I blew it…" Mushu said, feeling sorry for what happened.
A few minutes later Mulan had changed into the clothes that were under her armor. She wore a gray shirt with green trims, white pants and martial arts shoes. She let her hair down as well, revealing it to be shoulder length. "I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused you." she apologized.
"It's fine, Mulan." Balle said. "But what are you going to do now?"
Mulan shrugged. "I guess I should go home," she said, then she started walking away with Mushu.
"Man, your dad's going to be steamed like a chicken dumpling," Mushu mumbled. Mulan stopped and sighed.
Sora grabbed Donald, Goofy and Balle and pulled them close to him. "Don't worry, we'll take our share of the blame," he said with his goofy smile.
Mulan smiled. "Thank you, you're all wonderful friends," she said. Balle pulled her into the group hug.
"Of course! Now let's get you home!" he said as they started walking to the ridge. When they tried to exit Shan-Yu's falcon screeched from above. They all looked up and Balle ran to follow it. When he returned to the summit he saw a hand that forced its way out of the snow. The others came up behind him and gasped.
The hand then put itself on the ground and, to everyone's shock, Shan-Yu pulled himself out. He looked around for a bit until letting out a war cry. Then some Rabid Thruster Heartless appeared around him. Shan-Yu stood up and the falcon landed on Shan-Yu's shoulder, the Hun looked toward the city.
"He's alive!" Balle whispered frantically. "How is it possible to survive an avalanche?"
"He's headed for the city!" Mulan cried. "We've got to warn Shang!"
"Right!"
They made it to the Imperial City and saw the troops marching towards the palace. They hurried over and neared the Captain.
"Shang!" Mulan cried out. He turned to her in surprise. "Shan-Yu is alive! He's headed this way!"
"And why should I believe you this time?" he asked her coldly.
"But… she's telling the truth!" Sora said, trying to back up Mulan.
"Why would we lie about something like this?" Balle demanded.
"Hmm…" Donald mumbled. He looked up in the sky and quacked in surprise as he pointed up into the sky. Everyone looked up and saw Shan-Yu's falcon flying over them.
Shang looked around and saw Shan-Yu in question at the top of one of the towers. The Hun grinned evilly then jumped off. "Move out! Do not let the enemy get anywhere near the Emperor!" Shang ordered with Yao, Ling, and Chien-Po charging in and giving out war cries. Shang raised an eyebrow as he noticed only those three had charged in. "That's an order!"
He turned to the other soldiers, to see that they were surrounded in darkness for a moment and they became Heartless that are in purple robes called Nightwalkers. He gasped in disbelief of what had become of them. The five of them brought out their weapons and stood before him protectively. "Captain! We'll secure the courtyard and you can save the Emperor!"
Shang hesitated until Donald shouted, turning to him, "That's an order!" Shang nodded at him, and started running to the Palace Gate.
"Surrounded..." Balle muttered.
A light suddenly appeared over Sora's head. "Guys!" he called. Balle and Mulan turned to him. Balle blinked in realization and Mulan nodded.
"For China!" she shouted.
"Alright, let's go!" Balle cried as they got into stance.
"I'll handle this!" Mushu shouted as he came out. Then fire burst out of nowhere and damaged the surrounding Heartless. Sora, Balle, Mulan and Mushu then went flying around, burning and slashing the enemies in their wake. At the end of their attack, Mushu spat many fireballs into the air which landed on the few Heartless left and destroyed them. Donald and Goofy stood there all the while, amazed.
"The Emperor's in danger!" Mulan cried.
"Not time to lose!" Sora agreed.
"Let's go." Balle nodded.
They reached to the top of the stairs just in time to see Shan-Yu holding his sword to the Emperor's neck. "Now you'll bow to me," he seethed at the Emperor, who remained silent.
"I don't think so!" Balle called. Shan-Yu turned to them and smirked. Suddenly, Shang dropped down out of nowhere and knocked Shan-Yu down. He then led the Emerpr into the palace, while Chien-Po and Ling shut the doors, and Shang looked back at them expectantly before the doors closed.
Shan-Yu recovered and ran to the gate, but the five of them got in the way. "It ends now!" Mulan stated.
"Right now!" Sora agreed. The falcon landed on Shan-Yu's shoulder, and the Hun began to laugh as his body was surrounded by darkness.
"Alright, let's go!" Balle cried as the Hun charged at them. Balle followed and their weapons met in between them. They were at a stand still.
"You cannot overpower me!" Shan-Yu cried as they pushed.
"Go, Balle!" Sora cried.
"Maybe..." Balle smirked. He suddenly pulled back, making Shan-Yu fall forward in surprise. Balle kneed him in the face, sending him tumbling back. Shan-Yu clutched his face and glared at him hatefully. Balle raised his hand and gave the 'bring it' sign. "Wanna try again?"
"Your trickery will not save you!" he snarled. Balle glanced backward, seeing his friends protecting the gates from the Heartless. Balle turned back in time to dodge the slash from Shan-Yu.
"First rule of combat, pay attention!" Shan-Yu growled. Balle then feigned left, causing Shan-Yu to attempt to block. Balle then went right, slashing his unprotected back.
"Second rule, no yapping!" Balle smirked.
"Foolish dragon, you dare mock me?" Shan-Yu said charging once again. Balle met his charge and they clashed once more. "I won't fall for your tricks anymore."
"I bet." Balle said as he used his might to push Shan-Yu's sword up. He dodged Shan-Yu's retaliation strike by flipping over the Hun's head and slashing at the back of his head. Luckily the Keyblade was so blunt, or that would have killed him.
'Why is it called the Keyblade anyway?' Balle thought as he continued dodging Shan-Yu's attacks. 'It's so blunt, why not call it the Keyboomerang, or Keyhammer, or Giant Housekey of Cataclysm?' Parry here, dodge there. 'I guess it just doesn't sound as cool.'
"I refuse to lose to a mere dragon!" Shan-Yu screamed. Balle grit his teeth as their weapons met for the third time. Balle pushed Shan-Yu's sword up and Shan-Yu raised his sword, expecting him to leap. Balle took advantage and slashed at him with all his might. Shan-Yu's eyes widened as he began falling backwards.
"And stay down..." Balle muttered. He turned back towards the others who cheered. A second later their eyes widened.
"Balle look out!" Mulan cried. Balle turned in time to see Shan-Yu sweep at him. He was knocked away into a pillar and swiftly lost consciousness.
"Balle!" Mulan cried as they ran over to him. "Balle wake up!"
Shan-Yu laughed at them. "Pathetic dragon..." Sora clenched his fist. He was about to charge at the Hun when suddenly, Balle's pocket began glowing.
"Wha?" Sora gaped. Shan-Yu's eyes narrowed. They all covered their eyes as the light became blinding. As they opened their eyes again they all gasped. There stood a beautiful blonde girl in a pink and blue outfit. Dark turned to them and gasped. "Balle-chan~! Balle-chan~! Shinanaide!" She ran over to Balle and began shaking him. When he didn't respond, tears stinging at her eyes. "Balle-chan..."
Her gaze then turned furious. She slowly turned to Shan-Yu and glared. "Anata wa naniwoshita atashi no kawaii Balle-chan!" He flinched slightly before his eyes narrowed. "Watashi wa anata o yurusanaidarou!" Dark began floating high above them as pure energy began forming around her scepter. "Dark Burning Attack!" She raised the scepter above her head and brought it down, sending the gathered energy flying at the frozen Shan-Yu. They had to cover their eyes as the light was too bright. They heard Shan-Yu scream, and they opened their eyes to see Shan-Yu gone. They stared in awe as the girl floated down sniffing. They then heard a groan.
"Ugh..." Balle groaned as he sat up, with Sora helping him. "Sora did you get the number of that bus that hit me?" he asked dazed. They all laughed at him. Ash grinned lopsidedly before feeling something place him in a full body hug, nearly sending him to the floor once again. "Balle-chan~! Yokatta! Shinpaideshitayo atashi wa mō...!" "Oh, hey Dark, sorry I worried you." Balle said as he supported her by her thighs. She buried her face in his jacket.
"Hey, um, Balle?" Sora asked hesitantly. "Who is she exactly?"
"Oh, she's Dark Magician Girl, Dark for short." Balle explained over her shoulder.
"Is she gonna be lettin' ya go anytime soon?" Goofy asked.
"Probably not." Balle replied.
"Oooookaaay then..."
Later all of them (Minus Dark, who returned to her card.) stood before the Emperor, a huge crowd of citizens had gathered behind them. The Emperor approached Mulan. "I've heard a great deal about you, Fa Mulan." he began. Mulan bowed. "You stole your father's armor, ran away from home, impersonated an imperial soldier. You disobeyed your commanding officer, shamed the entire Chinese army, and dishonored you family name..."
"We get the picture..." Sora muttered.
The Emperor ignored him. "You are a young woman, and in the end…" Donald groaned. "...you saved us all." The Emperor bowed. Mulan stood up straight, and was surprised to see the Emperor bowing before her. She looked around nervously as the citizens that are present bowed to them. Balle grinned and bowed as well. Mulan was blushing heavily at this point.
"Balle..."
"Captain Li," the Emperor stated. Shang nodded and picked up Shan-Yu's sword. He walked to Mulan and gave it to her. "Take this, so that the world will know, what you have done for China."
"Thank you." she bowed again.
"Mulan," Shang started getting Mulan's attention. "Sora. Donald. Goofy. Balle." he said catching their attention. "Thank you."
"'Thank you' Is that all there is to say, Captain?" The Emperor asked. "If you wish to win the heart of Fa Mulan, China's bravest woman, you'll have to be a bit more eloquent than that!" Shang gaped at him then looked at Mulan before turning away, emarassed. Mulan giggled. Sora and Balle grinned at each other. Sora tapped her shoulder.
"Hey, can we get an autograph?" Sora asked.
Mulan turned to them and smiled brightly. "Sora, Balle... Thank you... for everything." she said. embracing them.
"It was nothing." Balle said, putting on his best 'Aw shucks' face. She giggled at him.
Mushu paced on the floor, excited. "Now they gotta let me go back to being a guardian," he said to himself, not realizing that he's near Goofy. "They gotta!"
Goofy was confused. "But, Mushu, I thought you already were a family guardian," he said, catching the others' attention.
Mushu looked flustered. "Wha?" He said, then realized his mistake. "Oh, uh, now don't you worry about that. That's just real technical, just for us guardians."
"You tricked us!" Sora and Balle exclaimed at the same time. Mushu tried to explain himself, but Sora had already lunged at him. Balle just sighed and mentally made a note to get revenge on Mushu.
Just then, Shan-Yu's sword began to glow. "Huh?" Mulan mumbled as the sword floated out of her hands and into the air.
Balle spotted it and knew what was happening. "Hey, Sora!" He yelled, getting the Keyblade user's attention, the said boy having smashed Mushu into the ground.
Sora stared at it for a few seconds. "Hey Balle!" Sora called as he brought out his Keyblade. Balle nodded understanding, summoning Oathkeeper. They stood next to each other and touched the ends of their Keyblades together as a crown appeared on the floor below them. A keyhole appeared in the sky as they both leapt back and held their Keyblades diagonally, the ends still touching. A single beam shot out from them as they opened a new path.
"Okay!" Donald cheered.
"Guess it's about time to be movin' on." Goofy said.
"You shall be missed," the Emperor said.
Balle turned to the Emperor. "…Is it okay if we come back to visit?" He asked.
"Of course," the Mulan replied happily.
"We will look forward to your return," Shang added.
Sora smirked. "Play nice you two," he teased Shang and Mulan. They became flustered.
"Whoa!" Shang cried. "Watch it, soldier!"
Mulan giggled as Mushu jumped onto her shoulder. "Good-bye, Sora, Donald, Goofy, Balle!" she called, waving them bye, as they walked down the stairs. Balle looked back just before the Gummi Ship beamed them up.
"Bye, Mulan." he whispered.