Fighter One: Mulan

(Ancient China; Bamboo Pond)

It was a beautiful sunny day in a peaceful town of China. The cherry blossom was in bloom releasing lovely pink petals to the ground. At the pond outside of the village was a pond with pieces of bamboo sticking out from the pond.

The only figures there were an Asian young girl, a black horse and a bluish cricket. The latter two watched as the former did was fighting moves with a small sword. The Asian girl was Mulan. Hero of China. Despite being a woman who was usually restricted to being a trophy wives.

Mulan did a slash with her sword before spinning around kicking twice. Khan and Cri-Kee watched in awe as the fluid motion of her actions. Mulan did a thrust with sword breathing in and out heavily.

Once she was done, she wiped away some sweat from her face. Cri-Kee clapped happily for her despite his hands were so small, they didn't made a sound.

"Well, I think that is enough training for today." Mulan said sheathing her sword.

Ever since from returning from her journey in the war, she had been continuing her training as a soldier. Sure, the war was over but that was no reason to be sloppy. She needed to be in tip-top position in case something else happens.

"Well, shall we get back?" Mulan asked with a small smile. "I got a few sugar cubes waiting for you guys back at home.

Khan and Cri-Kee chirped happily at this. Mulan smiled before making her way over to them.

That was until the three heard a strange noise. Turning around in curiosity, they saw two balls of light. One of them was white while the other was black. Needless to say, the three were confused.

"What in the world?" Mulan said getting her sword just in case and advancing forward.

Khan roared trying to get Mulan to stay back but the young woman didn't listen and still continued to examine the lights.

Suddenly, the lights slowly moved towards each other and once they touched each other, they created a bright flash that blinded everyone. Khan and Cri-Kee shielded their eyes.

When the light cleared, the animals opened their eyes. Much to their shock and horror, Mulan was gone.

(Chinese Town)

Mulan lay in a narrow alleyway unconscious. In the background, faint music can be heard. Slowly fluttering her eyes open, she got up and her hands and knees and looked around.

"Where am I?" Mulan asked looking around. "Khan? Cri-Kee? Where are you?"

When confirming her friends were nowhere to be seen, she got up looking around.

"All I remember is these two lights coming together and making a big flash." Mulan said. "Must had blacked out."

Suddenly, she heard the faint music. Raising an eyebrow, she made her way over wondering where the noise was coming from. Mulan poked her head from a corner and once she did, her eyes widened.

Standing behold her was some kind of parade. The types you usually see on Chinese New Year. She even saw paper dragons dancing around. Everyone was dancing around cheering much to confusion of Mulan.

"Chinese New Year? But it is one season too early!" Mulan said in disbelief before shaking her head. "Whatever. An early event is the last thing I should worry about. Better start asking some questions."

Mulan then went around the town asking as many people as she could. However for some reason, she didn't get many answers. In fact, it was as if she was inside of another China. She told people about her hometown, her rank as a soldier and about her participation in the war. They just looked at her as if she was crazy.

"So you are saying that you stopped an army of abnormal men from taking over China?" A man asked Mulan after being told the story.

"Yes!" The swordswoman said getting annoyed.

The man blinked twice. "Did you hit your head or something?"

"What? No! I woke up in the alleyway and my headache wasn't THAT bad… I just felt dizzy and…" Mulan started.

Suddenly, she realized what she just said. Looking up, she saw the man giving her a strange look.

"…Yeah. Chinese New Year sure is fun but you might want to take it easy on the alcohol, lady." The man said walking off.

"No, wait!" Mulan said before growling in annoyance. "Ugh! Why won't anyone believe me?"

With that, she stormed off furious at her success so far. However before she could make it far, she felt an arm wrapped around her. Turning her head, she saw a man smirking seductively at her. He was clad all in red with large matching hair. Mulan pondered on how much the hairstyle defied physics.

"Hey there, babe!" The man grinned. "Are you doing anything tonight?"

Mulan blinked twice before scoffing and looking to the side. "Spare me. I am in a bad mood."

"Aw, don't be like that." The man frowned before smirking. "Here. Let me get you a drink. What do you say?"

"What do I say?" Mulan said. She then grabbed the man's arm and squeeze it in hard.

"Ow! Ow! Ow!" Fuuma cried in pain.

"I say you better watch where you put that thing!" Mulan snarled. "I have enough troubles as it is and being hit on by some kind of… kabuki dancer!"

The man held his hand in confusion. "Wait. Aren't you that crazy drunk woman everyone had been talking about?"

That was the last straw for Mulan. Turning around and cracking her knuckles, she snarled at the man.

"All right! That's it!" Mulan growled. "I warned you!"

The man's eyes widened before getting into a stance. "Geez, Louise! What a temper!"

(Round One: Fuuma)

Fuuma yelped as he jumped to the side to avoid a slash from Mulan. He punched forward only for Mulan to grab the ninja by the hand and threw him over her shoulder slamming him onto his back. Mulan then pointed her sword at Fuuma's throat to prevent him from getting back up.

"Now surrender!" Mulan demanded.

"Surrender?" Fuuma asked in disbelief. "YOU attacked ME!"

Mulan glared down at the man for a moment before realizing what she had done.

"I-I'm sorry." Mulan apologized letting Fuuma get back up. "I am having a bad day right now."

"Yeah, I could tell." The red-haired man said dusting himself off. "But can't say I am not having the same luck tonight."

Suddenly, his eyes widened in realization.

"Wait? You are not native to this country?" Fuuma asked.

Mulan blinked twice in confusion. "What kind of question is THAT?"

"Listen, honey, I have a very important question to ask you." Fuuma said. "Have you seen two balls of light recently?"

Mulan's eyes bugged out. "With one white and one black?"

"Yeah, yeah!" Fuuma said. "So Hanzou, Son Gokuu weren't the only ones."

"Who?" Mulan asked.

Fuuma walked over and put his hands on her shoulder. "Listen very carefully to me! I think we are stuck in another timeline."

Mulan blinked twice.

"Did you hurt your head?"

Fuuma fumed at this. "Yeah! On your fist!"

Mulan's eyes widened in embarrassment. "Oh yeah! Sorry!"

Fuuma shook his head. "Listen, honey, if you don't believe, fine. But listen to my words. This is nothing like the home you know. There is nothing I can say to you but to watch what you say."

Mulan cast him a strange look. "Um, okay?"

Fuuma then turned around and walked away. "See ya around. Maybe next time we meet, we could have a nice drink."

With that, he leaped onto a rail and ran across as Mulan watched him leave in awe.

"What a strange man." Mulan said before looking down. "But… Assuming that his words WEREN'T caused by the beating I gave him, where am I?"

(Coliseum)

After realizing just asking around would get her nowhere, Mulan left the Chinese town to try to find a way back home. Taking a trip on a boat, she rode to another land. It was a large citadel town.

Mulan looked around in awe. "Wow. So THIS is what other towns look like outside of China."

She continued walking on looking on wondering where to start.

"All right. Ask directly. Look like a tool." Mulan said. "But if I DON'T ask, I may never know something."

"Hey, you!"

Mulan's eyes widened before turning to the side to see a burly vendor. The Chinese woman looked around before pointing at herself.

"Yes. You." The vendor said. "Come over."

Mulan walked over confused.

"Yeah, that sword. Are you a warrior?" The vendor asked.

The young woman looked at her weapon before looking back at the man. "You can say that."

"If that's the case, why not enter the tournament?" The vendor said.

"Tournament?" Mulan asked confused.

"Yes. It has a lot of interesting people entering." The vendor whispered.

"Interesting?" Mulan asked.

"Yeah, they claim that they are from another world." The vendor said.

Mulan's eyes widened at this. "You don't say."

"Yeah, crazy, huh? But obvious insanity aside, they are strong." The vendor said. "Perhaps you could have some fun entering the tournament."

Mulan bit her lips looking to the side. "I COULD use the exercise."

The vendor gave a hearty laugh. "That's the spirit! If you want to enter, go to the coliseum."

"Um, all right." Mulan said nodding her head in politeness. "Thank you."

After saying her good-byes, she made her way to the coliseum. It didn't take long to get signed up and got herself ready for the first match. She walked into the arena looking determined.

"If I win this tournament, maybe I could find out where am I and if I could go back home." Mulan asked himself.

"Presenting our contenders!" The announced yelled. "From one end, Fa Mulan!"

The crowd went wild. Mulan blushed a bit before politely waving back.

"And the other end, Leia Rolando!"

Mulan watched as her opponent walked in. She was a brown-haired young girl dressed in white carrying a staff. Unlike Mulan, she practically went wild waving both hands to the crowd as they cheered them on.

"Thank you! Thank you!" Leia cheered. "I promise not to let you down!"

Mulan blinked twice. "You are my first opponent?"

"Yep!" Leia grinned. "The Amazing Leia at your service!"

"Um, right?" Mulan said. "Listen. Before we start, are you from another world?"

"Yep! Are you?" Leia asked.

Mulan blinked twice. "Um, yes?"

"Wow! It looks like we are the only people here!" Leia said readying herself. "Let's see what power people from other worlds have."

Mulan blinked twice before getting into her stance. "What a cheerful girl."

(Round Two: Leia Rolando)

Leia poked her staff at Mulan only for the Asian to leap over the attack. The latter then grabbed her opponent by the shoulder. Using her martial arts skills, she adjusted herself to knee Leia in the back knocking her on her hands and feet.

Mulan gracefully landed on her feet. "Surrender?"

Leia panted heavily. "I do."

"I heard it! Leia quits!" The announcer shouted. "MULAN WINS THE FIRST ROUND!"

The crowd cheered as Mulan waved to the crowd. Despite appreciating the warm reception, she was more focused on something else.

"Leia?" Mulan asked.

"Hm?" The brunette asked holding her shoulder.

"I don't suppose you know where we are or how we got here, do you?" Mulan asked.

Leia frowned at this. "Actually, I was kinda hoping that YOU would know."

Mulan's eyes widened at this. "What?"

"You see. The main reason I entered this tournament because I thought someone would know about this place that I and a friend entered." Leia said.

"So you are just as in the dark as I am." Mulan frowned. "Maybe that ninja isn't completely off his rocker after all."

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

Leia raising her eyebrow in confusion before shrugging. "Anyway, you are really strong. I think you are go all the way."

"Really? Thank you." Mulan said. "You are quite strong too."

Leia nodded her head before walking off. "Good luck. With the tournament AND getting back home."

Mulan nodded her head. "Thank you. You too."

(Forest Clearing)

It took a few grudging matches but Mulan had managed to win the tournament. Unfortunately each person she fought was more stumped than the last about how they got here. However, she DID won a large amount prize money which was good because she still needed to explore the world.

Mulan wandered through a forest clearing with a stream nearby. She noticed this.

"All right! Some water! I am thirsty!" Mulan said running over to the river and crouching down. Taking one handful of the river, she put it her mouth and drank from it.

Unknown to her, a figure was watching her from the trees. Eyeing the woman, he narrowed his eyes.

Mulan continued drinking. That was until she heard some leaves rustle. Out of instinct, she got out her sword and whirled around.

"Who's there?" Mulan demanded.

Then, the figure sprang from her tree making Mulan gasp. The figure was a wolf. But he was standing on his hind legs and wearing pants as if he was a normal human.

"What… What ARE you?" Mulan asked.

The wolf merely scoffed. "What? You never saw a werewolf before?"

"Um, no. And even if I did, it would probably be during the night at least." Mulan said.

The wolf sighed. "I admit I am confused by this as well."

Mulan raised an eyebrow. "What do you want?"

"What else? You won the tournament back in the citadel." The wolf said getting out a pair of nunchucks. "I just want to see for myself if you are truly deserving of the title."

Mulan blinked twice. "That's it?"

"I admit it may seem random but this is one of the few times a human is worth my time in fighting." The wolf said.

Mulan scoffed not liking the comment. "All right, wolvie. You asked for it!"

(Round Three: Jon Talbain)

Mulan raised her sword to block a nunchuck strike from Talbain. Making up for his mistake, the werewolf kicked forward. However, Mulan caught the foot and kneed the Darkstalker in the gut three times. She then slammed her handle in the side of Talbain's head.

Talbain fell on his side dazed before weakly looking up at Mulan glaring down at him.

"Heh. I'll… Admit it…" Talbain said with a weak smirk. "You… Deserved that win."

That was all he got before losing consciousness. Mulan blinked twice.

"This just gets weirder and weirder." Mulan noted.

She was about to walk off until she noticed something. A piece of paper in Talbain's pocket. Raising her eyebrow, she crouched down letting curiosity get the best of her.

"Hm. Perhaps he wouldn't mind if I took a little peek." Mulan said taking the paper. "After all, he IS literally out at the moment. Ugh, great. Now I sound like Mushu."

Telling to get the vile thought out of her head, she read the paper.

"Attention all: Rumoured mystical armour samurai hiding out in the Hidden Treasure of Gold." Mulan read. "Said samurai may have some powers."

The dark-haired woman perked up upon reading the paper.

"This is it! This could be the ticket back home!" Mulan said excitedly. "If I hunt down this samurai, I could find out how to get back home! Where is this Hidden Treasure of Gold?"

Deciding to throw down the paper, Mulan ran off hoping to find information leaving the unconscious Talbain behind.

(Raft Ride)

It didn't take too long to find a person who knew where the Hidden Treasure of Gold was. They even offered to give her a raft to ride all of the way down there. However the man stated that you can't have something for nothing and made her pay a lot of money.

Despite annoyed by the man's cheapskate nature, she got over it. All that matters was getting home. Mulan sat at her raft in a meditating stance enjoying the ride.

"This place… This world… This… Timeline." Mulan said looking around. "Is amazing. It acts like a woman wielding a weapon is no such thing. I wonder if the others will believe me. Probably not."

Mulan then chuckled.

"Mushu would probably say "All right, kid. It is time to get you out of the sun!" Mulan said mimicking Mushu's voice. "Also…"

"Hey!"

Mulan sprang to life before looking down. She then saw a man dressed in green Feudal Japanese armour standing on top of a bridge. Jumping down from the bridge, he landed on the ground with a dull thud. Mulan noticed that his eyes were shut.

Mulan immediately got up taking out her sword. "What now? Are you after me because I am the tournament winner too?"

"No. I am not after you at all but rather stopping you!" The samurai said sternly.

"What? Why?" Mulan asked narrowing her eyes.

"Because I want to fight the legendary samurai!" The samurai snapped.

Mulan blinked twice. "Wait. What?"

"Aren't you going to face the mystical armoured samurai as well?" The samurai asked.

"Um, yeah but…" Mulan said.

"Then that makes us rivals!" The samurai said getting out a katana and pointing at the woman. "I want to face him too!"

Mulan paused for a moment before shaking her head in annoyance. "I suppose there is no other way."

"No, there isn't. I doubt there is a place we can quece up." The samurai said.

Mulan rolled her eyes. "All right. Raise your weapon. Whoever wins gets to the face him."

(Round Four: Samurai Bob)

The two swords clashed with other while the owners were trying to gain ground on each other. Suddenly, Samurai Bob shoved Mulan onto her back.

"Ha! Victory is mine!" Samurai Bob boasted.

"No!" Mulan shouted swinging her legs just like a little kid who couldn't get their way. Somehow she kicked Samurai Bob in the stomach knocking him back. Mulan sprang to life and did a spinning kick in her opponent's face.

Samurai Bob spun around once before landing his face.

Mulan crossed her arms. "Well, give up?"

Samurai Bob groaned using his katana to prop on his knee. "Very well. I surrender. The legendery samurai is yours for the taking, Miss…"

"Mulan. Fa Mulan." Mulan said.

"Mulan. Yes, that is a lovely name." Samurai Bob said getting up. "Very well, Miss Mulan. Till we meet again."

With that, he jumped off the raft and into the river leaving Mulan stunned.

"I know I am already asking a lot wanting to go back home." Mulan said. "But is it really asking too much to meet someone sane?"

Shaking her head in hopelessness, she turned her head to see that she was heading towards a cave.

"Looks like my journey may be ending soon…" Mulan said solemnly.

(Hidden Cave)

Mulan rode the raft through the river seeing a small bank up ahead. On the bank were multiple piles of coins. However what caught her eye was a man covered in some kind of white and black armour with a white ponytail sticking out of it. He had a long ponytail.

When Mulan's raft had reached the shore, she jumped off the bank and nervously stepped a couple of steps forward.

"Excuse me. Are you the…" Mulan started.

That was until the man pointed his katana behind him without turning his head.

"Who are you and what business do you have here?" Mulan asked.

"I am Fa Mulan." The young woman said. "I came all this way to ask for your help."

"Help?" The man asked.

"Yes. I came all this way to find out if you know how to take me home." Mulan said. "You see these balls of white and black light transported me here."

The man turned his head to the side. He then looked away from her again.

"I do not know." He said coolly.

"What? Why not?" Mulan asked in disbelief.

"Because I had suffered the same fate as you." The man said. "I too had been transported here by two lights."

Mulan slumped onto her knees in disbelief. "No… So is there no one that could help me?"

"Perhaps. The answer lies within us." The man said.

"What…? What is THAT supposed to be?" Mulan asked.

"Tell me. Am I the only person besides who to have been transported here by the light?" The man asked.

"No… I actually met a few people had met the same fate." Mulan said.

The man turned his head around. "Then, tell me. Why would so many people from different places be taken to this world? Surely this can't be mere coincidence."

Mulan paused for a moment realizing that he was right.

"Hey! You're right." She said getting up. "And you know what else I noticed? Every single person I met sharing the same problem all had weapons!"

"Indeed. I do not know what the clear answer is but obviously we had been taken here as some kind of test." The man said.

"Test?" Mulan asked.

The man turned around and got into a stance with his katana.

"Yes. Spar with me. Perhaps we may unlock the truth together." The man said.

Mulan looked at her sword for a moment. She then narrowed her eyes before getting out her sword.

"All right. If it will get me closer to getting back home, I will fight." Mulan said.

(Destined Battle: Hakumen)

Hakumen swung her katana at Mulan. However, the woman ducked underneath the attack.

"All right! Now fall!" Mulan shouted swinging her sword upwards striking Hakumen into the air. "…Into a river of stars!"

Mulan then spun upwards striking her opponent three more times with cherry blossom falling down. Once she was done she gracefully landed on the ground allowing Hakumen's unconscious body to fall on the ground.

"Yatta!" Mulan said with a wink. Suddenly, she realized what she had done. "Wait… What just happened?"

She looked down at her fallen opponent in awe at what she did to defeat. Suddenly, she felt an eerie presence. Readying her sword, she turned around ready to fight.

She then saw the two lights from before floating up in mid-air. Her eyes widened at this. Suddenly, the two lights changed forms into swords. The white one turned into a sword of radiant crystal while the black one turned into a sword made out of flesh with one red eye poking out of it.

"What the?" Mulan asked.

"Don't be afraid, child." The crystal sword said in a female smoothing voice. "We are the swords of destiny. Soul Calibur and Soul Edge. It is a honour to meet you."

"Soul… Calibur and Soul Edge?" Mulan asked surprised.

"Please excuse me to explain." Soul Calibur said. "We are been waiting for someone like you."

"That is an understatement!" Soul Edge roared in a terrifying voice. "I had been waiting for a new host for too long!"

"Calm down." Soul Calibur scolded.

"Don't act like you haven't been impatient too!?" Soul Edge snapped. "That is the whole reason why we made this stupid pact!"

"Pact?" Mulan asked.

"Indeed, you see. We are the legendary swords of power." Soul Calibur said. "I am the sword of order while Soul Edge is the sword of evil. We were both looking for hosts."

"Hosts?" Mulan asked.

"Yes. Hosts to take our power to use for what they see fit." Soul Calibur said. "Unfortunately, it was harder than we thought."

"I'll say! I had waited too long for this!" Soul Edge growled.

"Honestly." Soul Calibur said.

"Hosts? Is that why I and this guy and everyone else is here?" Mulan asked.

"Of course. We had made a pact despite our obvious differences to combine our powers to send over as many potential hosts as possible." Soul Calibur said. "Fifty of all."

Mulan jumped. "Fifty!?"

"Do you think we would just be happy with watching just a few hosts come!?" Soul Edge roared. "We need as many as we could get!"

Mulan blinked twice trying to take all of this in. "But… Why me?"

"You had demonstrated bravery, cunning and willingness to protect your father in your journey in the army." Soul Calibur said. "You had also proven to be a great fighter as well."

"W-Wow…" Mulan said with a small blush.

"Now you have the choice between Soul Calibur and Soul Edge." Soul Calibur said. "Don't worry about the others. They will be returned to their homeworld as if now that you had completely your path of destiny."

Mulan bit her lip for a moment wondering what she should do.

"Pick me! I could use my power to protect to your homeland from any who threatened to attack!" Soul Edge roared.

Mulan blinked twice. "Yeah, right. Like I am going to listen to something that is called the Sword of Evil and have a nasty attitude to boot."

"How dare you!?" Soul Edge roared. "Do you know who are speaking to?"

Mulan promptly kicked Soul Edge. "For something that doesn't have a mouth, you sure like to run it a lot."

She then turned around to Soul Calibur and gently took me.

"Ah, so you chose me. Tell me, child. What is your wish?" Soul Calibur asked.

"With all due respect, I just want to go back home." Mulan said.

"Very well. A simple wish. Yet so pure." Soul Calibur said. "I shall return you home."

The Soul Calibur then emitted a bright light. Mulan stared in awe as she was engulfed in the light.

…With Soul Calibur, Mulan wisely used its power to fight back anyone who threatens China…

NOTE: Mulan's story is more of exposition as to what is going on and how did the fifty people got there in the first place. I wanted to start the first chapter doing so and I just felt Mulan is a good character to do it with seeing that she had already had most of her development in the movie.