It was quiet at the diner. Jane was still asleep in the upstairs room, Ruby started to rummage around in the kitchen as Granny wandered, with her crossbow of course, around the tables. Aurora just sat in her regular booth staring at her plate of food before pushing it away, her appetite ruined by the stress of everything. Granny noticed Aurora's mood and sat next to her. "What's wrong dear?" Granny asked placing her crossbow on the table, it made a loud thud and clank before it became silent in the ghost diner, aside from Ruby's mischief in the back of the kitchen which made a few clanks and bangs. Aurora sighed shrugging her shoulders as she placed her hands in front of her resting on top of the table, just fiddling with her fingers to calm herself. "I'm not sure. I feel..." Aurora laughs a breathy chuckle, nervously laughing as she went on. "I feel something happened, like Mulan is in danger." Aurora shook her head her nervous smile still upon her face as she shrugged giving the impression she was overreacting to everything. Granny sighed with empathy and held out her hand for Aurora to grasp it, which she did as soon as she saw the offer. Granny held her hand rather tightly, not in an intimidating way, but more as friendly compassion. "Mulan is probably fine. You should know that! She is a strong Warrior. Every time things seem the worst, she always prevails. You always prevail." Granny smiled a bit, her smile looking a bit crooked, but her eyes looked into Aurora's like a sad puppy. Aurora closed her eyes nodding profusely, "I know, I know! She always has everything together..." she just sat with her eyes closed envisioning Mulan and all her wonderful, powerful traits. Granny smiled knowing she had said enough for Aurora to calm her nerves, for now, so she glided her hand away hardly thinking Aurora would notice. Ruby kept up whatever she was doing before Granny raised her voice, "Ruby! What on earth!" Granny's booming voice faded as she went deeper into the kitchen's secret doors looking for the mischievous girl. All Aurora heard was her own breathing, and her mind that was filled with everything and nothing. But for some reason whenever Aurora tried to specifically see Mulan, it seemed cloudy and disorientated. She saw Mulan, but it was a blurry image and she was surrounded in complete darkness. Usually when Aurora thought of Mulan, she was in a happy place, a brighter place. This Mulan was gloomy and gave off a sense of unrest. Aurora jolted her eyes open unable to focus on her love. What is wrong with me? Aurora felt a heap of emotions flood her mind, and the only thing she felt like doing was to wallow in these sudden emotions. Aurora slumped her head on top of the counter and just laid there like a dead animal. Mulan...is something wrong...? Aurora felt like the Trojan War was going through her veins, but also felt like the Trail of Tears followed close behind.
It was an endless effort for Regina, Emma, Charming, and Snow to keep fighting Mulan. Even though the armor's magic had worn off, Mulan's blade was being swung dangerously lousy toward everyone. Regina many times tried to get through the Shadow with her magic, but it wouldn't even budge the Shadow. It only seemed to entertain him further. Even though it was an un kept fighting style, her blade would still kill. Mulan's body seemed like it had endless energy and stamina. Regina felt her body become tired from all the efforts to defend herself from this Mulan. Emma occasionally yelled toward Regina wanting to hear a plan, but Mulan kept them busy in their feet and mind as she swung person to person. It was an effort, but Regina would not fail Mulan. Even though some harbored emotions of resent pondered sometimes. She would always think of Jane, but most importantly how Mulan risked her own life. She always risked her own life for the ones she loves...That's it! Regina had made a breakthrough. Emma came crashing to the ground with an 'oomf' as she fell next to Regina, who barely kept on her feet. "I hope you have a plan!" Emma growled as she stood up clumsily. Regina smiled with relief toward Emma. "We need to bring Aurora or Jane here...or both." Emma looked at Regina like she was a madwoman. "You mean endanger her family...? Oh nice plan Regina! What's next? We have a wedding with Peter Pan's shadow as the priest? Are you nuts?!" Emma sarcastically and snarkly snapped back. Regina ignored everything as she rolled her eyes. "Mulan is one to put her loved ones before herself! We could get through her if she sees them, even if Peter Pan's shadow is within her."
"And what if it doesn't work...?! What if Mulan can never come back...?" Emma asked more silently and seriously now. Emma looked at Regina with regret right after she saw the look on her face. "We would have to kill her..." Regina gulped down her sadness and guilt, she wanted to find other ways, but all her plans with her magic came up empty. But Mulan was dangerous now, more than ever. A shadow who feeds off of emotions possessing the most outrageous and emotionally distraught person in this town would have everyone killed. Emma nodded understanding the situation, but still taken aback. "I'll go get Aurora and Jane..." Emma replied after a few moments of silence after, waiting for Regina's permission. Regina glanced toward the Shadow, watching him manipulate her friend's body. Regina nodded not making any eye contact with Emma.