Chapter 1: Crossing the Timestream

Ancient China

Mulan looked at her feet and saw a small red dragon. "Hey Mushu." She knelt next to her friend.

"Hey, baby girl, need me to roast Pretty Boy for you?"

Mulan shook her head.

"Don't just mope around, you got me! Mulan and Mushu…"

"The old team." A smile made its way across Mulan's face as she finished the sentence. But it left as soon is it came. "Mushu, can you do me a favor?"

Mushu beamed. "Anything for you, Mulan!"

"Obviously nobody in this day and age will want me. But the legends say that dragons can cross the timestream. Can you find someone for me?"

"Course I can, I'm a dragon!" Mushu stood proudly. "You want me to find a love match, the mighty Mushu is on it!"

Mushu snapped his claws. With a red flash and a swirling cloud of smoke, he disappeared.

Virginia Beach, VA

Present Day

Kara was still slumped on the bed. Still crying. Would she ever find a lover again?

Just then, her phone rang with a familiar song: "Earth, sky. Day, night. Sound and silence, dark and light!"

"I know who that is." She tried to crack a smile. That ringtone was for someone specific - her friend Len. Len had been friends with Kara since they shared a bunk at summer camp. Time had changed things, notably Len coming out as transgender. Kara knew that her former bunkmate was still the same person; they just changed the outside to match the inside.

"One alone is not enough, you need both together! Winter, summer, moon, and sun… Lesson Number One!"

Kara pulled it out of her purse and hit the green button for talk.

"I'm here!" she answered, in a flawless voice impression.

"Only you, Kara, only you." said the moderately deep voice on the other end.

"Len, you know I can't help it." Kara joked back. "I have my plane tickets for May!"

"Is Ben coming with you?" asked Len.

Kara's voice broke. "No… we broke up. He was cheating on me."

Len paused. "Kara, I… I didn't know."

"It's for the better," Kara tried to convince herself, "but I wish I had someone, you know?"

As Kara recounted what happened over the phone, Mushu was hiding in a nearby tree. He had managed to cross the timestream, but he had yet to find a potential date for Mulan. And when he did find the date, how would he bring them across? He did have his "bag of tricks," maybe something in there would help...

Mushu ventured out further on the branch and peered into Kara's open window. The apartment was decorated in various hues of green. "Good, the colors are compatible… hey, I make a good matchmaker!" He jumped from the branch onto the ledge, and slithered into the window.

Continuing the scouting mission, Mushu checked out the rest of the bedroom. A kung fu uniform made of embroidered silk hung in a display case, alongside other objects that pointed to Kara as a skilled fighter. Photos of the demonstration team, trophies, and medals were proudly displayed. He focused on her closet (after all, his eyes could see straight through armor) and noticed that there wasn't a stitch of pink in the wardrobe. The clothes were professional yet practical, with some athletic attire mixed in. Towards the back was a practice uniform, a staff, and some archery equipment.

"Likes the same colors, expert martial artist, similar style…" Mushu cleared his throat and sang a bit off-pitch, "This girl is on fire!"

Mushu kept exploring the apartment, and made a mental report of his findings on Kara.

-Knack for cooking (one of the chores Mulan had trouble with).

-Likes floral-spicy scent blends (judging by the fragrance diffusers) and relaxing baths with her natural products (maybe she could convince Mulan to join in).

-Knows how to fight and win (judging by her display case of martial arts memorabilia).

-Similar aesthetic (no frills and definitely no pink).

Mushu pulled a Silver Arrow from his bag of tricks. "Mulan," he whispered, "you'll get a girl in a heartbeat!"

For some reason, Kara hadn't noticed Mushu sneaking around. She had since ended the conversation, and started drawing a picture. It came out as she intended - Mulan and herself, sharing a girl's moment.

Kara had always been a fan, to the point where she did her undergraduate capstone on Mulan's development as a hero. As she had in childhood, she imagined being friends with Mulan, going on adventures together...

A flash of scarlet caught Kara's eye. Mushu was standing on Kara's bed.

"Mushu?!" Kara fell backwards off the bed, turning it into a flawless breakfall. She stood up and went back over to the bed.

"You got it, Miss Missy." Mushu held out the Silver Arrow.

Kara grinned. Mushu wasn't too different from the movies. Including the fact he was speaking English. She decided not to press the linguistics issue and just introduce herself. "My name's Kara." She sat down next to Mushu. What brings you here?"

"Mulan wants a true… uhhh, friend." Mushu covered up his intentions. "And Kara, you're a perfect match!"

Kara almost fell off the bed again. This time she stabilized herself. "But how am I going to get to Ancient China?"

"Hold this arrow." Mushu instructed. Kara took the Silver Arrow. It was already glowing, as if anticipating its next move. The celestial aura surrounded Kara, enveloping her in warmth and light.

Kara couldn't take the brightness and shut her eyes. Words came to her ears. The tonal syllables didn't make sense at first. Until they did…

Ancient China

It was a voice that Kara knew, but almost couldn't believe she was hearing. She blinked her eyes open to confirm...

"Mulan?!"