Chapter 18

"OK, Mushu, you know the plan." encouraged Kim.

Mushu climbed up onto the pedestal that the enormous Golden Dragon of Unity statue rested upon. "Yeah, like anyone's going to be convinced…"

"They don't know you." added Ron. "They've never heard your voice or anything! The only people who will recognize it are Mulan, and maybe Shang."

"Wait, Shang's alive?!" Mushu's question came out a little too loudly.

An armed guard turned in the direction of the statue. Kim and Ron ducked behind it, hearing some mutters from another guard about hearing things and insanity.

"Yes, Shang's alive." whispered Ron. "I had a vision of him riding to Qui Gong. He doesn't look so good but at least he's alive."

"I'm sure he looks hot as always…" Kim sighed. Ron groaned, snapping Kim out of it. "Sorry Ron." Kim blushed, her apology clearly rushed from the awkwardness of her childhood crush.

The ceremony continued, with Mulan looking more and more despondent by the second. Lord Chin tied a reddish-pink sash with a gold hem around two golden wine cups. Mulan held one and Prince Jeeki held the other. "With the tying of this sash, we not only unite two lives, but two kingdoms…"

Suddenly, a metal throwing star came whizzing between Mulan and Prince Jeeki - slashing the sash in two! It barely missed Lord Chin's neck. Mulan turned in the direction of where the small blade had come from… and saw Shang riding up on Baojia! Shang's appearance was somewhat disheveled, as Ron had predicted. But as Kim had guessed, he somehow still looked handsome.

Shang wore a thin white cotton shirt, parts of it torn and exposing some of his upper body, and tan pants that came to his mid-calves. His hair was down, flowing past his shoulders, with an unruly flick from his defined widow's peak.

"It's General Li Shang!" exclaimed Lord Chin, disbelief dripping from his voice. "He's alive!"

Mulan gasped, unable to believe her eyes. A dreamy smile soon crossed her face and she dropped the wine cup, putting her hands to her heart. Shang dismounted his horse, and took Mulan in his arms.

"You're alive!" Mulan breathed.

Shang quipped, "I wouldn't let you get married without me."

Lord Chin's face twisted into an authoritarian scowl. "I order you to leave at once!"

"I'm not going anywhere." declared Shang in his best officer voice, standing in front of Mulan to defend her. The crowd gasped.

"What are you doing?" whispered Mulan.

"I don't know… I'm winging it." Shang winked at Mulan, knowing that his fiancée was the expert at winging it.

"You're trampling on a sacred ceremony!"

"Lord Chin," Shang continued, "I love Mulan. And if she will have me, I intend to marry her…" Here, he turned to Mulan and pulled her into a sweet embrace. "Right here… right now."

Mulan was about to say yes, but Lord Chin had other ideas. "Insolent dog!" he snarled. "Guards! Seize him!"

At that moment, Mushu scrambled up the statue and hid in the open mouth.

Some of the guards grabbed Shang, while Lord Chin grabbed Mulan and tried to pull her back toward Prince Jeeki. Just then, a blast of flame leapt from the mouth of the statue, causing the guards to run!

"Yes!" Kim fist-bumped Ron. "Mushu to the rescue!"

"Yo!" yelled Mushu through the cheer megaphone. The hollow statue combined with the megaphone made for a dramatic echo. "What's with all this drama?"

"The Golden Dragon of Unity! He lives!" Lord Chin cried out. The entire crowd bowed low.

"Mushu!" Mulan looked back at the statue in relief, and caught a glimpse of Kim and Ron behind it.

"Oh, you're darn right I live!" Mushu threatened. "Now do as I say!"

Lord Chin cowered behind Shang.

"My all-seeing eye has peered into the very - heart - of China," Mushu's voice got gentler, "and there's never been a couple more made for each other than Mulan and Shang." His enthusiasm returned: "Give it up for them!" The crowd applauded and cheered.

Kim and Ron stifled a chuckle. Mushu was having way too much fun with his moment in the spotlight.

"B-but your greatness…" Lord Chin protested, coming out from behind Shang, "Li Shang is not a son of Qui Gong!"

"Silence!" ordered Mushu, sending another fiery attack towards Lord Chin. Lord Chin screamed and ran. Mulan and Shang tried not to laugh.

"I am the Golden Dragon of Unity! And I decide whom to unify!"

"Now…" Mushu cleared his throat to sing, "Let's get down to business!"

"You better not finish that song," grumbled Shang, "I know where your pedestal is!"

Mulan nudged Shang in a joking manner, "You started it, honey."

Kim and Ron couldn't hold back their laughter any longer.

Mushu returned to speaking. "Mulan, do you love Shang? Yes! Shang, do you love Mulan? Of course you do! With the power vested in me, by me, proclaim this couple… Husband and Wife!"

Shang swept Mulan off her feet like he was carrying her across the threshold, bending down and sharing a very deep kiss. The phoenix crown fell off and her hair came loose. Once more, Mulan was free to live - and love. Mushu also declared that the princesses were released from their vows and could marry whom-so-ever they pleased - and who pleased them.

Mushu appeared at the base of the pedestal, cheering right alongside Kim and Ron. Lord Chin and Prince Jeeki were sharing the finger cuffs now, distracted from what had just happened.

Kim and Ron came out of their hiding spot. They congratulated the happy couple - now married, because they had been true to their hearts.

TO BE CONTINUED...