Chapter 17
Ron and Kim snuck around a corner and knocked on the door to the chamber. Mulan opened it slowly.
"I have no other choice." said Mulan. "This is it."
"You do have a choice." said Ron. "I had another vision, and..."
"All the visions in the world won't bring Shang back." Mulan quickly wiped at her eyes. "I never thought he'd have to rescue me… but it's too late…"
"Well during the ceremony, Ron and I will object." said Kim.
"That won't work…" Mulan sighed.
"This marriage would dissolve the team!" Ron grabbed onto Mulan's hand, but Mulan broke the grip.
"You still have Ron and Wade and Rufus. You don't need me." Mulan turned away.
"But you need us. At least to support you." said Kim. "We'll stay in Qui Gong for as long as you need."
"No." Mulan dabbed another tear. "You have a family, friends, and a world that needs saving."
"Mulan… you're the sister I never had." said Kim. "We were bonded by the pendants."
Mulan looked at the pendant her father had given her.
"One of our best friends." added Ron.
"And you've helped us save the world." added Mushu. He held Mulan's face in his claws. "I'd give up a thousand pedestals if I could stop this…"
"This is the end." sighed Mulan. She heard a drumbeat, and the curtain in front of her chamber lifted. "Goodbye…"
"Mushu, what are we going to do?!" asked Ron. "You've known her longer than all of us combined!"
Kim pulled a small cheer megaphone from her duffel bag. "Mushu, you could use this."
Mushu looked outward to the ceremony. Mulan was walking down the steps, her hands folded in the wide sleeves and her head bowed slightly. Her mouth was drawn in a straight line, but he could see the downturn starting.
"So what am I supposed to do?" asked Mushu. "Like, pretend I'm the Golden Dragon of Unity?"
Kim and Ron looked at each other. Mushu could see the plan forming.
Maybe they could save the team after all...
TO BE CONTINUED...
