I FINALLY found the blasted Mulan video so I could make this fic. Yay! It's gonna take a ton of serious twisting to get this story to work, but I think I can do it. If you guys have any suggestions (No flames please and thank you) feel free to send me your thoughts. I love hearing from you people.

Okay now, I want to dedicate this fic to NealsChick who showed the most enthusiasm when I first brought up the idea and would constantly remind me that I had said I would make this fic.

Disclaimer: All the characters, countries, etc. of the Tortall books belong to Tamora Pierce blah, blah, blah. Mulan belongs to Disney and so on and so on and so forth. Needless to say I own nothing.

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Chapter 1: For Her Brother

She was walking down an empty corridor when a commotion in her father's office caught her attention. Leaning her head against the door, Alanna of Trebond listened intently to the conversation her father was having with someone. As her father's guest began to speak, she realized that it was her twin brother, Thom.

"But, you know I'm no good with a sword," her brother argued. "I will be of no use to them there."

"It's not my decision, Thom, one male from each noble family must assist in the war, whether he wishes to or not," she knew that to be the voice of her father. "That is all; you leave for the capital at first light tomorrow. That is all."

She stepped away from the door just as her brother came through. "It's too bad I'm not a boy. I'd be better off serving the army than you would; you and I both know that."

Thom shook his head, "Well, you're not and no matter how good of a fighter you are, they won't let girls into the army."

Alanna sighed. "Yeah… it sucks, really. Y'know, I could cut my hair and-"

"Forget it. If father found out, we'd be up to our necks in trouble."

"That man doesn't care a rat's rump about us," she replied. "He's so much more interested in his work that I don't think he'll even notice."

"I don't know, Alanna, what if we get caught?"

"Do you really wanna serve the army?"

As much as he wanted his sister to take his place, Thom had a bad feeling about what would happen if they got caught. That feeling won out over his desire to have her go instead. "Sorry, I can't let you do it."

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That night at dinner was very silent. As much as she knew she should, she just couldn't let the matter drop. She slammed her soup bowl down on the table and turned to her father, "He shouldn't have to go. Thom'll just get himself killed out there."

"Alanna, what the heck are you bringing this up for? I though we had discussed this!" her brother hissed in her ear.

Alan of Trebond, the twins' father, looked at his daughter sharply, "Alanna, the army requires a male from our family. He must go."

"If a male must go, why don't you? You'd probably be better a swordsmanship here than him."

"I have a duty to my country here; you and your brother must learn your places in life as well."

"Our duties! You have a duty to us as our father, yet all we've ever learned has come from Maude and Coram!" Not bothering with her meal, Alanna stormed out of the dining hall in a fury.

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Just because he didn't want her do didn't mean she was going to listen to him. If it came down to a fight over the matter, she'd definetly win. Late that night, way after the others had gone to bed (like just after midnight or so), Alanna snuck into Thoms room and grabbed the letter addressing his request at the palace. Quickly leaving the room, she hurried down the corridor to where the armoury was. Snatching a well fitting set of armour, chain mail, etc, she unscathed a sword and used it to roughly cut her hair before setting out to the stables. She had no time to lose; she had to leave right away before anyone found her out.

Her mare whinnied as she approached, not recognizing her mistress.

"Hush." She paused in the middle of saddling her horse when she heard footsteps. Hearing them draw closer to the stables, she finished the fastenings and swung up onto the animal. The door slowly opened as she prepared to ride at full speed if she had to.

"Alanna?" It was Corram. "What are you doin' up so late?"

"I could ask you the same question." Without hesitation, she bolted out of the stables and hurried out to the open roads."

"Alanna! Git back here, lass!" the man called, but she just kept riding.

She had to do this. Not only to prove how good of fighters women can be, not only to prove that she can take care of herself, but for him. He couldn't fight, he was terrible at swordplay. He wouldn't last five seconds on a battle field. She was the only one who could do this, for her brother."

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I've always been a sucker for people doing things to save the hide of their sibling(s). Guess that's because mine are evil beasts. XD. Now then, that's the first chapter. I'll be busy for the next couple of days so don't expect an update right away, but I will update as soon as I can.