"I couldn't let you get married without me." Something in her lifeless eyes sparked. I love you. I still want to marry you. We can work through this. We will work through this.

"General! This is outrageous!" cried the Emperor, shoving us apart. I was being pulled away from Mulan. Again. I clenched my hands into fists; the rational voice trying to sooth me. You can't hit the Emperor, Shang. Sure, he'd look better with your fist between his eyes, but you can't hit him.

"You will leave at once!" I was shoved back again. I glared at the short, raging man.

"I'm not going anywhere," I said between gritted teeth. Mulan gasped and came behind me, her hand across my chest as if to pull me back. I took comfort at her closeness.

"What are you doing?" I almost laughed. Does it look like I know what I'm doing?

"I don't know!" I replied. "I'm winging it!"

"How dare you trample upon this sacred ceremony!" he screamed. I didn't even blink.

"I won't let Mulan do this!" I argued.

"It is not up to you!" The Emperor leaned his round face closer to mine, trying to look threatening.

"I won't let the woman I love marry someone she doesn't even know!" I try to keep my voice calm. "She deserves to marry someone she loves." I look back at her. "Even if it's not me."

The Emperor looked flabbergasted, but quickly caught back on to his words. "She knows her duty. To this country. To her country!"

"My lord, I love Mulan. And I don't care what the rules say. If she'll have me, I intend to marry her right here." I turn to her and take her soft hands in mine. She looks up at me and nods. "Right now." This time, I speak to Mulan.

"Insulant guards!" growls the Emperor. "Seize him!" I feel strong hands clench onto my arms, and I'm dragged away from her.

"Shang!"

"Mulan!" I scream reaching for her hand. No no no no no!

And a wall of fire crashes at me feet. I give a cry of surprise and jump backwards. The sweltering heat filters out, and I see Mulan, looking just as surprised, standing across from me. I try to take a step forward, now that the hands of the guards have mysteriously disappeared, when a voice booms from above.

"Yo! What's with all this drama?" The crowd gasps. I gaze upwards, but see only a stone statue. My gaze falls to everyone, anyone, who knows what they're supposed to be looking at.

"The Golden Dragon of Unity!" cries the Emperor. "He lives!" The stout man falls to his knees, and the mass of people follow. My eyes turn upwards again, and I hear the demanding voice that drifts from the statue.

"Aw, you're dang right I live! So you best drop your dumpling-eating behind down and tell me why we ain't busting out the vows here!" I raised my eyebrow and flicked my gaze to Mulan. The mischievous look fluttered into her eyes. The one I'd come to know. And fear.

I couldn't explain this mystical phenomenon, but I was certain I wasn't truely witnessing the wrath of the Dragon of Unity. Unless, of course, the sacred god had a rather....interesting.... vocabulary.

The Emperor stuttered in response. "But, Your Greatness! General Li Shang is not the son of Qigong!" Another flush of firy rained down upon the steps, causing the Emperor to dance behind me; the flames licking his heels.

"Silence!" screamed the statue. "I am the Golden Dragon of Unity. And I decide who to unify." The Emperor cowers behind me. "My all-seeing eyes peer into the very heart of China, and I've never seen two people more right for each other than this lovely couple right here. Mulan and Shang." His voice, whoever "he" was, turned soft and heartfelt. I smiled, still incredibly confused, but pull Mulan towards me anyways. Unlike my fears, she follows my lead, and rests her head on my shoulder.

The crowd roars, drowning out any of his words. "Now I command you to proceed at once!" The Emperor steps from behind me and falls to his knees.

"Yes, Your Greatness! As you command!"

The Dragon continued. "Now, lets get down to business! Mulan do you love Shang?" She opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off. "Of course you do! Shang do you love Mulan?" I knew not to reply, but I just gazed down at her. She was absolutely beautiful. I pulled her closer, as if I would lose her if she strayed to far. "Yes, very much. Moving on! By the power vested in me," a soft mumble floats down; incomprehensible. "I now pronounce you man and wife." I smiled broadly.

"You got anything to say about it, Doublechin?" Another fall of flames poured onto the ground. The Emperor stuttered, then finally shook his head. The crowd roared. I faintly heard the "Dragon" continue on, saying something about the princesses, but I wasn't listening.

"Mulan, I'm sorry," I whispered. She looked up at me her eyes big.

"There's nothing to forgive." Her words echoed that of our early fight. I smiled and wrapped my arms around her upper back. She tilted back her head, and her ceremonial headpiece fell to the ground, releasing her from her ties to Mongolia. And our lips met. I was home.

Only one more chapter.....