Author's Note: I really can't believe that I'm posting chapter forty already! Thank you to eveeryone who is reading my little story! All of my readers mean so much to me! Please leave a review and let me know what you think!

Chapter Forty: Warning

In the shadows cast by the walls surrounding the Imperial City, I wait, watching as crowds of people enter through the main gate. A guard stands on either side of the eight-foot arched entrance, scanning the swarms of people for me. I was right; getting in should be easy. Due to the large number of people, the guards are unable to thoroughly check the crowds to make sure I'm not in them. Besides, I have the cloak to cover myself, and since the wind is blowing chilly tonight, no one will suspect me. I have already seen many people wearing cloaks enter without issue.

I take a deep breath before mounting Khan once more. "Here we go, old friend," I whisper in his ear before giving his rump a tap.

We start forward, and after only a few moments, we are in the middle of the crowd, slowly making our way towards the entrance. I hold my breath as we go, praying silently in my head. One guard seems to study me for a brief moment but soon looks away to skim the rest of the crowd. As I pass through the arched entrance, I let out a sigh of relief, but with this type of security, there is a very good chance that the Huns are here in the city without anyone knowing.

I carefully maneuver Khan through the crowded streets, something easier said than done. Luckily, for such a horse his size, Khan is exceptionally good at this sort of thing, no doubt from having to avoid dead and wounded bodies on the battlefield. I try to erase this thought from my head and instead focus on finding the troops.

This task is easy, for, after only a few seconds, a large parade makes its way down the street. Dancers and musicians fill the street, and the crowd cheers happily. None of them are aware of the horrible danger that awaits this entire city.

After the dancers and musicians comes a man clothed from head to toe in red, shouting for people to "Make way for the heroes of China!" Chi-Fu is in the front, waving as if he himself had won the entire war. I roll my eyes in irritation and anger, knowing that the real heroes were the men who bled and died while this coward hid.

A few paces behind Chi-Fu is just the man I am looking for: Captain Li Shang. The other men, my friends included, follow behind. I ready myself, knowing that I will have only one shot to do this right. Only one chance to make him believe me. I just hope I have enough time, and no guards decide to interfere. My cloak's hood still disguising my identity, I pull Khan's reins, and he rushes forward, right to the side of the captain's white stallion. Captain Li immediately looks up, startled, and opens his mouth to say something. I don't give him a chance.

"Captain, the Huns are alive! They're in the city!" I say urgently.

He looks perplexed for a moment, but then his face hardens. "Who are you?"

Previously, I was looking straight ahead, hoping to keep my identity from him, but I now turn and look him in the eyes, doing my best to look confident and fierce. "You know who I am," I state.

"Mulan?" he gasps.

"Yes, you must listen to me, sir! The Huns are here!"

Captain Li's cold mask is quick to return. "You don't belong here, Mulan. Go home."

'Seriously?!' is all I can think. 'I warn you about a bunch of enemies invading our capital and instead of taking it seriously you tell me where I belong?!'

I notice that he has moved forward a few paces, and tug on Khan's reins to follow him. Once again I pull up beside the captain.

"Captain, I saw them in the mountains! You have to believe me!"

"Why should I?" he snaps.

"Why else would I come back?!" I retort, my anger beginning to flare. "You said you trusted Ping! Why is Mulan any different?"

"Go home!" he growls, clearly unable to answer my question. He refuses to look me in the eye. I decide to try once more.

"Listen, I know you're angry at me! You have every right to be! I broke the law! I'm not asking you to forgive me because this isn't about me and it isn't about you! This is about protecting our emperor, our country, and everyone in it! So, please captain, all I'm asking you to do is not let your anger with me stop you from doing the right thing!" I am at my most vulnerable, practically begging him to listen.

He does not reply. He shows no indication that he even heard me speak as he stares forward, not pausing his horse for a moment.

My anger erupts as I yank Khan's reins and steer him so that we are positioned horizontally in front of Captain Li and his stallion, forcing them to stop. People in the crowd gasp, and Captain Li's stony eyes glower at me. I don't care, staring right back at him.

"I never thought you to be the kind of man who would let his own personal feelings get in the way of protecting his country," I declare to him icily. "I guess I was wrong."

The anger on his face doesn't cease as he turns his horse to go around me.

"Hate me all you want," I hiss while he is still in close enough earshot for no one else to hear, "I'm not going anywhere." The parade continues, my five friends passing by me, looking at me worriedly. "Keep your eyes open," I tell them. "I know they're here." They nod before walking on.

Pulling on Khan's reins, we turn and disappear back into the crowd. I leap down and walk beside him, leading him to an area where other horses are tied up. I drop his reins but make no move to tie him into place. Putting one hand on either side of his large head, I lean my forehead against the top of his snout. "You're a smart horse, Khan," I whisper to him. "If something goes wrong, find your way home, alright? Go home without me." I let go of Khan and begin to walk away. As I do, his teeth grab my cloak gently, trying to stop me. I turn around and smile. "It's alright, boy. If something goes wrong, leave without me." I rub behind his ear one last time. "Goodbye, old friend." I walk away, and he doesn't stop me.

As I walk through the archway leading to the palace, I see just how packed the place is with people. The entire courtyard is full of people, standing close together on either side of the extensive, beautiful staircase leading to the main entrance of the palace. If I wasn't so panicked, I might be able to enjoy the sights all around me, this being the first time I have ever visited the Imperial City. It may also be my last. I don't have time for that, however.

For a moment I stand in the archway, trying to think of a strategy. Talking to people is too risky, so my best bet is to get as close to the action as possible and be ready to fight when the inevitable happens. I notice the soldiers making their way up the stairs followed by a giant, colorful dragon, no doubt full of multiple dancers. Then, I see who the soldiers are marching up to meet: the Emperor. If the Huns are going to make a move, that's where they would do it, the top of that staircase. I rush forward, murmuring apologies as I bump and elbow people in my effort to make it to the base of the staircase. The beating of the drums and the whistle and booming of the fireworks makes my adrenaline pump. The explosions of the fireworks sound extremely similar to the cannons used on the battlefield. The cannons used to end so many lives… I shake my head, trying to snap out of the momentary panic as I flashbacked to those bloody days spent on the frontlines. Now isn't the time for weakness.

I reach the base of the staircase just in time to watch Chi-Fu hand the sword of Shan-Yu to Captain Li Shang. Was it normal for the dragon to be that close? All of the other performers had stayed at the bottom of the stairs. 'Why are you so worried about the stupid dragon performers? Your country is in danger, remember?' I remind myself.

Suddenly, the steady drumbeats cut off, and a gong sounds. All is silent as all attention is focused on the Emperor. He stands atop the staircase, wearing golden robes, his long, white beard hanging to his stomach. The way he stands demands respect, though his eyes are kind. He spreads his arms wide as he addresses the crowd, his powerful voice easily heard by all.

"My children, Heaven smiles down upon the middle kingdom! China will sleep safely tonight, thanks to our brave warriors!" The crowd cheers excitedly, and when they calm down, it is the captain's turn to speak.

Bowing, Captain Li holds the sword out to the Emperor. "Your Majesty, I present to you the sword of Shan-Yu." The Emperor's lips move, but it is clear that he is addressing only the captain, as what he states can not be heard. The Emperor then lays his hands out, ready to accept the sword.

Abruptly, the screech of a bird can be heard, and the falcon swoops down, snatching the sword right from the hands of Captain Li. I recognize it easily: it is Shan-Yu's falcon. Gasps are heard as the bird's powerful wings carry it and the sword it clutches in its talons higher and higher into the sky. Then, just as it reaches the height of the rooftop, it drops the sword…and it is seemingly caught by one of the stone statues atop the roof. The statue shifts, however, seeming to grow in size, until it finally stands straight, and the moonlight reflects off of the face of Shan-Yu. He smiles evilly down at us as his falcon lands on his outstretched arm.

Before anyone can recover from the shock, the dragon costume is ripped to colorful shreds as five Huns emerge from it. Captain Li draws his sword to fight them but is quickly overpowered and knocked to the ground. The Huns rush forward, two of them grabbing the Emperor under his arms and dragging him up the last set of stairs and into the palace. Captain Li and the other soldiers rush forward as the massive doors of the mighty palace begin to close. It is too little too late. The doors slam shut with a thud right as the captain nears them. And as Captain Li Shang slams a fist against the doors in frustration, a deep, menacing laugh of triumph erupts from the shadowy figure that is Shan-Yu from the rooftop of the palace. A horrible, rumbling sound that spells out doom for us all.