The Power of Love: Chapter Three
Disclaimer: I don't own Disney's Mulan. I'm not making any profit by writing this story. I do own Ta-Ni, Yi-Pek, and Ma Ti.
By: Susan
Summary: Mulan is kidnapped from her wedding in order to save the honor in Shan Yu's family. Can she show Shan Yu's brother what true love is? Will she still marry Shang?
A/N: This is a sequel to my story, After Dinner, although you don't really need to read it in order to grasp the concept of the story ;) Enjoy. ;)
xxx
Mulan and Shang were led
to a stage in town for the luxurious wedding ceremony. Mulan's
grandmother had tugged a crimson veil onto Mulan's
head, covering her face. It was tradition to hide the bride's face in the
wedding ceremony, though Mulan didn't like it. She
wanted to see Shang's happy face when they were
finally married, and she hoped he wanted to see hers. Also, her makeup was
itchy and the veil was making her sweat.
It was unlike Shang and Mulan
to criticize ancient Chinese customs. Today, however, nervousness, excitement,
and love for each other made them do it. The ancestors, however, did not care,
as they were partying amongst themselves until the ceremony started. Mushu and Cri-Kee snuck out of
the spirit's shindig and followed Mulan's procession
to town by foot.
Both Shang and Mulan were
brought to the stage and seated next to each other, a border dividing them. Mulan wished she could see Shang,
she was so nervous. She wanted his hand placed on hers, to reassure her that
everything would be alright. The ceremony began, a young preacher stood up to
speak, reciting prayers of luck and of happiness in their future. Mulan tuned out the preacher, thinking about leaving her
family to move to another town, where Shang's house
was. She would miss them dearly.
Suddenly, she heard horse's galloping towards her, hooves crashing to the
ground. A gasp went over the crowd, but Mulan was
unaware of what was happening. She was forbidden to remove the veil. Shang was the only person allowed to, when they arrived at
his home, after the ceremony. Mulan did not know that
the Emperor of China had arrived in her small town. She did not see the
preacher bow to him, then back away from the podium. She heard the emperor's
voice, however, and then understood what was happening.
"Brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, friends, and family.
I have come to here, prepared to view the most amazing wedding ever seen.
Captain...General Li Shang of The Imperial Army, and Fa Mulan, the heroine of China, my
savior, whom I owe my life to, are to be wed." The silence from The Emperor's correction
about Shang's new title turned into cheers. Shang gasped when he heard The Emperor's words.
Me? General?
Mulan and
I aren't even married yet, and I don't want to go to war, and have to leave
her. He sighed, knowing this problem would have to wait, at least
until after the wedding. He would talk to Mulan about
it later. Mulan blushed under her veil from the
emperors kind words, her skin beginning to match her dress.
"It is to be a simple wedding, full of love, uniting two families, uniting two
people. These two are among the most brave, courageous, and loving people, who
care just as much for their country as they do for their family and for each
other. I ask that you all give them your blessings, as I am planning to do
right now." A murmur traveled through the guests, and prayers and blessings
were heard through the mouths of many. The emperor came, whispered, "You are
lucky to have found such a flower," to Shang, who
blushed, then kissed Mulan's hand and said, "You are
lucky to have found such a man." She smiled through the veil, and though The
Emperor could not see it, he knew.
The preacher began the speak again, The Emperor seated
himself amid the Fa family, who bowed to him. He
shook his head, then bowed to each of them.
Grandmother Fa looked at him with increased curiosity
and a small smile on her face, and Shang saw it and
laughed.
She wanted a man from
the war, and now she wants The Emperor? She reminded him of Mulan,
free-spirited, and she could get what she wanted. Already, The Emperor was
smiling back at her. If Mulan had seen it, she
would've laughed.
Out of nowhere, a scream rang out. Shang jerked out
of his stupor and looked for the location of the sound, along with everyone
sitting in front of the stage. Heads turned toward the back of the aisle, but
suddenly a yell rang out from the front stage. Shang
had heard that voice more than anyone else's, other than his fathers.
Mulan yelled, and kicked and screamed. Her veil was still upon her head, and she saw nothing. She felt, however, someone grab her and turn her and through her into something, like a bag. Suddenly, she could see much more than red. Her veil was off her head and on the stage floor, and she was fighting and kicking at the huge man dressed in black trying to stuff her into the bag. She felt his fist come into contact with the side of her head, and feeling very dizzy, collapsed. The man tightened the bag, heaved it onto his shoulder, jumped of the stage and onto a horse and galloped off.
Shang, still separated from Mulan's empty seat by a thin wall, saw none of what happened. But the Fa family, The Emperor and all the guests of the ceremony had seen Mulan's kidnapping. They stood in shock at the edge of the stage, where they had run to when the man had come down upon it. Shang gasped, wide-eyed at their disbelieving faces, leapt off the stage and saw for himself Mulan's empty chair. Everyone looked at him with blank, expressionless eyes, and Shang stared back at them, shocked.
xxx