Chapter 18
"Kaili!" Shang ran to his wounded brother. "Kaili, we're here!"
Kaili's head, bald and burned though it was, slowly lifted at the voice. "Shang?"
"Kaili, my brother. We're here to rescue you, but also to ask your forgiveness."
"You're asking my forgiveness?" Kaili couldn't believe it. "If anything, I should be the one asking forgiveness." Tears slid down his face again and his voice shook. "I betrayed all of you. I put the world at risk by helping Galyn Khaan."
"Kaili. Did you realize you messed up?" Mulan spoke gently.
"Yes…" Kaili whimpered. "I messed up worse than anyone."
"Then you're forgiven." concluded Mulan.
"You're not the only one who messed up." added Kim. "The team messed up. The way we treated you, it's so not a surprise that you wanted revenge… so we're asking for your forgiveness as well."
Pause.
"You're forgiven." said Kaili.
"Let's get you out of here." Mulan expanded her Lightning Rod and struck the magnetic lock on the chains. The chains broke and hit the floor with a loud clatter. Then she stabbed the main lock, causing the top of the stockade to fall away. Kaili stood up… and almost fell over. Shang grabbed him for support.
Shang wrapped Kaili in a GJ-issue survival blanket and carefully lifted him. "Come on, let's get you back to HQ. They'll give you medical attention."
"No." Kaili's voice was thinned from starvation, but insistent. "It's my duty to help you."
"Not when you're in this kind of shape, Kaili." Mulan shook her head. "You're the one that needs help."
"I'll get him back there." interjected Mushu. "C'mon Kaili."
Kaili finally relented. Shang placed him in Mushu's front paws. "Keep my brother safe, Mushu."
"I'm a guardian of both families now. You can count on me!" In a gold-and-red light that was brighter than a hundred fireworks, Mushu called upon a portal to take Kaili safely back to GJ's medical center.
Within ten minutes, Mushu had returned. "He's in critical condition, but the best doctors are on it. They say he's got an almost certain chance of living, but he's going to be permanently scarred and bald, and likely suffering from Warrior's Sickness."
Shang's heart sank at those words. Mulan put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"My sister Xiulan will help cover the scars with makeup. And I'll make him a wig from the last time I cut my hair. As for Warrior's Sickness…" Mulan took a deep breath. "Khan and Little Brother helped me heal. Perhaps they can do the same with him."
"Just when I thought I couldn't love you any more…" Shang embraced Mulan. She nestled comfortably into his arms.
"We've got a time-hopping Hun to defeat, so..." reminded Kim.
"Let's get down to business!" Ron sang, moderately off-key.
Shang rolled his eyes. "Ron, why are you like this?"
"I am what I is!" boasted Ron.
"Strong and silly, that's the Ron I know and love." Kim gave Ron a kiss for luck.
That was when a new voice joined the conversation...
"Perfect. You're just where I want you."