(Note: This chapter contains the play of Mulan, with my own twist on it. It is one of my favorite Disney movies, and I figured it would fit well with the history I made of Snowfall. I just wanted to make this note so that I won't get bombed with people saying that I stole the idea.)
Chapter Three
The Cat's Play
"Come now, since you are our guest, we would love to show you our history!"
Elric's mother had brought a special wheelchair up to Elric's room for the girl, having heard that her legs were hurt from the Rayquaza from the previous day.
"I'm sure you will find it all very interesting, especially since today's the day of the Feline Festival!"
The mysterious girl just tilted her head at Marry, who gave a pout.
"Come on… we rarely get visitors as it is, since we don't have a gym and that our town is inside an empty mountain. You'll get to see more of Elric, he had to go out early today just because of the festival!"
The girl's head straightened when she heard his name, giving a nod…
About ten minutes later, the girl had a thick jacket around her body while a blanket covered her legs, incase they needed to change the wrapping around her ankle. She was riding in the wheelchair with her legs slightly, the tires especially made for the snow, while Elric's mother pushed her along down the street. They past several people and young kids, all who had the day off from school because of the Festival. She pushed the girl until they were at the opposite end of the town from where Elric first brought her in. Right at the edge of town was a strange wall, about 15 feet high, two feet thick, ten feet long, and looked like it was made out of a soil that wasn't anywhere near that area.
"This is the Feline Timeline, a timeline of the beginning of the village and a prophecy of its end. Some don't believe it, while others do. I don't know what to believe, myself, when it comes to this wall. Some people say that it's magical, that it cannot be damaged in any way. Like a few years ago, there was a fire in the village, the fire spreading right to this wall and covering it. Then it went out, there wasn't so much as a mark on it."
The girl tried to examine the wall, but only saw strange symbols and pictures on it. Seeing her interest grow in the wall, she continued.
"Over there, at the far left, is the beginning of our town."
Marry gently pushed her to the beginning of the wall, which had a picture on it of a regular mountain with a small circle of crude squares meaning to symbolize a town.
"Long ago, this mountain was once not hollow. In fact, this village was actually outside of the mountain, right at the base of it."
She pushed the girl along to the next picture. It still had the mountain and town, but had four unknown creatures hovering over the mountain.
"One day, four god-like Pokemon circled the mountain, readying to battle each other. We do not know why they wanted to fight, but what we do know is that, normally, such a fight would easily destroy the town. We do not even know what the Pokemon were, either…"
The girl gave a nod, her eyes examining the pictures of the four unknown Pokemon as Elric's mother pushed her down until the next picture was beside them. This time, the mountain had the top half completely gone, while fires and cracks were all over the town and mountain, the four unknown Pokemon clearly fighting above them.
"As they, and we, guessed, the battle destroyed the mountain and the village, including all of the villagers."
The girl looked up at her, confused as she put what she knew together. Elric's mother just gave a smile.
"Let me finish, little one…"
She pushed her wheelchair on until they were in front of another picture. This time, the mountain and town stayed the same, but the four Pokemon had stopped fighting, another unknown creature appearing in the middle of them. The body of it looked almost exactly like a cat's, except for some marks on it.
"Soon, another creature arrived. We do not know if it was a Pokemon or… something from another world… whatever it was, it was far stronger then the four others and quickly made them stop fighting. We call him... The Feline God, for our respect for what he has done, as I will tell you soon."
She gave a dramatic pause for the story, then continued when the girl looked like she was ready to go nuts from the pause.
"The Feline God made the other four Pokemon look down at our world, making them see what unnecessary death and destruction they had caused onto us. Even though they may be higher beings, the Feline God had said, they need to see how foolish they were acting if any world under them may exist without chaos ruling. For if fools and ignorant ones ruled, chaos would ensue…"
They continued down the wall, stopping at different picture. At the town were the square shapes meant for houses, while all under it was a forest. The girl looked closer to the picture, blinking as she thought she saw something…
"The four unknown Pokemon looked down at their wake, at all of the dead Pokemon, all the dead humans, plants, and even the death of the natural beauty of the landscape that had once lived there."
Again, they continued down the wall, getting close to the end finally. In front of them were a few kids with balloons tied to their wrists, looking up at the wall, retelling the story they had heard so many times in their heads. On the balloons was the Feline God's head, looking exactly like the picture from the wall. Marry stopped them both behind the kids, continuing the story for both the girl and the kids.
The picture of the wall now was of the four unknown Pokemon looking down, then up at the Feline God, probably realizing what they had done. In the middle of them was the Feline God with a circle around him, with what looked like lines coming toward it.
"When the four saw what they had done in their ignorance and stupidity, for they were young and not knew much better, they were all horrified at what they have done. Then the Feline God kindly spoke to them, his power engulfing him. "Worry not, you four are still new to yourselves and for everyone else. For this one time, your ignorance will be forgiven and all will be fixed by me. However, even if I forgive you, the world will not…" That is what he said right before the next picture."
The next picture was the same image of the Feline God, with the energy surrounding it. But under it looked like plants and life rapidly growing, while some spots had humans and Pokemon standing back up, as if from a nap."
"The Feline God brought every single thing back to life, every one the other four had ended far too soon then they should have. However, for the mountain, since it was not a living thing, stayed the way it was at that time, only half a mountain."
Continuing to the next picture was the Feline God once again in the middle of the four greater Pokemon, raising above them.
"That is one reason why we call him the "Feline God". He brought so many things back to life without much effort, which, even for the Legendary Pokemon of all shapes and sizes, is impossible. The Feline God then looked down at the four under him and clearly spoke…"
Marry paused for a moment, this time not for suspense, but as if something was on her mind. Finally…
"The World has made its own punishment for you, as it rightly should. You are to give apart of yourselves, something which you can grow back or gain another, and repair the mountain you had thoughtlessly destroyed, and place the town inside the mountain, with ways for them to get out, and when each person, plant, and Pokemon dies from here on out, their soul will come to you, for you to explain why you have all fought each other. This will continue until…"
He hands slightly squeezed the handles of the wheelchair as she rolled the girl to the last picture. This picture was totally different then the previous ones, as if some power was flowing out of it. The picture was of a human, wielding a polearm with a blade at the end, who's hair went down to their ankles… and on top of their head… were cat ears. Looming being the human was what looked like a shadow of… something… it was in the shape of a human, but it had claws like fingers, and had cat ears, like the human. The only thing on the face of it was two completely round circles for eyes, apparently…
"… Until you meet the Feline Trainer, who will share my powers. When you meet him or her, the your destiny will be in his or her hands, whether or not if he or she will forgive you, or if he will enslave you, or damn you… only he can choose. As a result, no matter what he will choose… the town will be destroyed from the Feline Trainer…"
The girl stared at the picture of the person with the cat ears and long hair… something about it seemed… familiar? Like she already met the person before. Suddenly, as if sensing it, Elric's mother turned her around and headed back into the town.
"And that is the Legend behind our town. The diamond that protects this town, strong enough to even protect us from a meteor, from the combination of four things from the four unknown Pokemon, as demanded from our own very world… and the Feline God saving us…"
"But Miss. Crystal, your forgot a part of the story!"
Marry and the girl turned to a young boy, wearing a too thick jacket and pants with a hat over his head.
"You didn't say why the town will be destroyed! It's so that there will be balance, that, since doing such an amazing act of good will someday have to end, and that the town will be destroyed when the Feline Trainer is revealed. And how does the Feline God know it's a trainer? Some say that he had the power to see into the future and know what to do best!"
The girl nodded, understanding… for nature, everything had to have a balance. If that balance was destroyed, then the whole world could be placed into great danger. Marry slowly gave a nod.
"Y-yes, little boy, you are quite right. Even the Feline God has to follow some rules, but we are lucky that it is only this town and now this whole region in Hoenn like last time. Now-ah!"
Both the girl and Marry jumped as a firecracker popped in front of them, both of them seeing the Feline Festival itself now.
"Oh wow, I almost forgot! As thanks for the Feline God restoring our ancestors, for we would not be here if he didn't, we have this Festival every year, when the days should get colder."
In front of them were two long lines of vendors on the side walks of the streets, one line at each end, each vender side by side. They were selling everything from games, the strangest seafood, to toys and clothing. Marry smiled as she pushed the girl down the street, where a crowd of people were beginning to form. Since everyone knew so many people would be on the streets, and that the sidewalks would be full of venders, no one would try to drive their car on the street, hopefully. Then…
"HEEEY! MOM!"
"Oh!" Marry turned around, the girl doing her best to from hearing his voice. Elric ran up to them, his mother turning her around so she could see him better.
"Hey, son. How is everything going? Is the play still going to go on?"
"Yeah, the producer wants me in no matter what happens. Still, I think Rex would have been better for my part. He is the one who studied martial arts and all that!"
His mother gave him a warm smile, bringing him into a tight hug.
"Oh, my growing boy… this will be good for you, hun. And besides… no one is better at using a pole arm then you!"
She gently kissed his forehead, making Elric blush a bit.
"Aww, Mom…"
The girl was silent, but was smiling toward them. Elric's mother suddenly had a teaseful smile on her face.
"Well, now that you're here… you can how this young lady around some more. See you later, son!"
"Huh? H-hey! Wait a sec-"
Marry rushed off down the street with the smile on her face growing bigger. And right before Rex could jump out and scare Elric with a mask he bought in the Festival, since he is always easily startled, Marry wrapped her arm around his head, dragging him with her.
"Ow ow ow ow OW! Alright! I'll go with you! Sheesh!"
Elric and the girl watched them off, both blinking, confused.
"Ummm… alright…"
He turned to the girl, slightly blushing as he got behind her and began to push. The girl now had a very happy smile on her face, her hands on her lap, contempt with this. As Elric pushed her down the street, he couldn't help but to ask a question.
"So… after this whole time of being here… can I ask for your name?"
The girl looked up at him, looking confused. Elric gave the same look back.
"You know, your name? The thing which people call you by?"
She just shook her head like it was nothing. Elric just gawked at her.
"Wait…. You don't have a name at all!"
She shook her head again, looking up at him, sort of blankly.
"That's not right! We got to give you a good name… hmmm…"
He began to think, pushing her down the road, then sighed.
"I can't think of a good name for you, at least not yet, but give me some time, alright?"
She looked back up to him and gave a happy nod, smiling. Once again, Elric gave a blush.
"So… errrm… how about we go to the venders around here and have some fun?"
She seemed to get excited a bit, nodding again. He couldn't help but to smile back as he pushed her down the road…
*Meanwhile, a mile away from the main entrance of Snowfall…*
A man stood in black and red clothing, wearing a long coat that went down to his knees… a mountain for a symbol on his left chest, his red hair combed back with small pupils in his eyes. He had his hands behind his back, looking down at the entrance of the town while a Magma Grunt rushed up toward him.
"Sir! Everything is ready and in place, we can launch the attack whenever you want us!"
The man gave a smile, staring down at some people returning to the town through the entrance, which was a large, wide cave that could fit any type of truck.
"Good work. We will begin soon. Until then, make sure everything stays ready… we don't want any surprises to happen…"
"Yes, sir!"
The Grunt turned and rushed away, doing as he was ordered. The man's smile went away, memories of his previous plans being foiled even when everything was ready as it was now. He bared his teeth some, remembering how their grand plan, to control Groudon and to increase the landmass of the world, was ruined… all by that one boy… suddenly, his eyes widened when he thought he saw someone familiar. He gave his head a slight shake, looking back down, seeing no one this time…
Hmph… must me my imagination. That boy has done so much to me and our plans that now I am seeing illusions of him…
He scowled, putting his hands back behind his back again, looking down at the entrance. Soon, their plan would start, and they would gain so much from it…
*Meanwhile, once again, inside the main entrance to Snowfall…*
There was a large crowd of people in front of a large metal wall, built for protection against any force which wished harm to the town. The crowd was slowly getting more and more thin… until the whole line stopped for a familiar looking teen, wearing sunglasses and a white ski hat was at a check out line, a security guard looking down at him… and his Pokemon belt.
"Sorry kid, we can't allow any outsiders to carry Pokemon in the town at this time. For safety for every… one…"
He looked closer… seeing that only one of the Pokeballs on his belt was a regular Pokeball, while four where Ultra Balls and the last… was the legendary Master Ball. The guard looked at the teen's face now, looking at him closely.
"Don't I… know you from somewhere…?"
The teen gave a smile, everything suddenly beginning to glow with a purple tint. Every person there seemed to have frozen in time, unharmed, as the teen walked through the security without any problem, his hands in his pockets, but he took one out to gently pat the farthest back Ultra Ball.
"Excellent work… and thank you. We all know how annoying it can get when people recognize me, let alone you guys."
His smile grew wider as he felt all of his Pokemon's responses, grateful to be able to be their partners… as the teen walked into town, everyone in the entrance quickly turning back to normal.
*A few hours later…*
Elric was laying down in the snow while the girl was sitting near him, at the edge of the town, looking up at the diamond roof over their heads, the sun almost completely down, giving the diamond a beautiful glow to it. He gave a sigh, scratching his head through his bandana as he looked over to her, seeing her eyes sparkle as she watched the beauty.
"You know… I just thought of a good name for you to have."
The girl turned to him, snuggling a bit in the wheelchair she was in. She waited for him to tell her… and waited… and waited. When two minutes past, she gave a huff, crossing her arms. Elric began to laugh, putting his hands behind his head.
"What? You want to hear it now?"
He smiled to her, knowing that she was pouting.
"Well… I think a wonderful name would-"
"ELRIC!"
Both him and the girl jumped as they heard Rex's voice yell over to them, him running over and stopping, painting as he tried to catch his breath.
"El… Elric… you need… whew, I've been freaking everywhere for you, man…"
He sucked in a lot of air, then let it out, straightening himself out.
"It's almost time for the play to start! They can't begin without you!"
Elric gave a start, shooting up to his feet. The girl turned to him, confused.
"Oh, crap! You're right! Rex, can you take… umm…"
Rex have a grin, going over to him and patting his shoulder.
"Yeah, I'll bring her there, she will surely enjoy it…"
He gave a chuckle, going over to the girl.
"I swear, going out to catch Pokemon and coming back with a girl… some guys have all the luck."
Elric did not hear him, running down back into the town as fast as he could. Rex just watched him as he began to wheel the girl back to the town, too.
"His speed always amazes me… anyway, did you have fun with you date with Elric?"
The girl looked up with him with a smile and nodded. Rex just smiled back, suddenly stepping up on the back of her wheelchair.
"Now, hold on, missy!"
The girl's eyes grew wide as she saw that they were at the edge of a fairly steep hill, Rex having a grin on his face. She gave a small scream as they slid down the hill of snow at a good speed…
*Later…*
About half an hour later, there was a large stage at the very edge of the town, an even larger crowd at the front of it. Elric's mother and father was standing near the middle, his father still chewing on the foot long tooth pick and her mother beside him. Soon, they noticed Rex pushing the girl toward them, her hair messed up with her eye twitching. Alphonse turned to the girl, silent as Marry went over to them.
"I'm glad you made it… uhhh… is she ok?"
Rex held back a laugh, looking away with his hands behind his head. Just before Marry could ask any thing else, the stage's curtains flew open as the lights all around town dimmed. A man in a black suit walked up the stage, a spot light hitting him. He seemed to be in his twenties, but his head was bald with green eyes, looking like the kindest man in the world, and probably was by the tone of his voice.
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Pokemon and humans. I am pleased to see you all here to honor our Feline God, who had once easily stopped the four unknown Pokemon's fight and revived each and every living. This festival, the Feline Festival, is to honor him the best we can, to thank him for his kindness and to give him out loyalty, to thank him for another chance, and to thank him for our perfect home, one where an attack on us would be nearly impossible!"
He motioned to the diamond mountain all around them, how the stars still sparkled through it beautifully in the night sky.
"I know our stories make it sound like the four unknown Pokemon were evil, but they aren't, they were young and foolish, which we all were, or are for some of us… *cough*Rex*cough*."
Everyone laughed a little as Rex scratched the back of his head.
"Aww, come on…"
The man gave a smile, holding his arms out to his sides.
"The Feline God gave them the insight to stop fighting, and they themselves repaired this very mountain. We, the people of Snowfall-"
Sparkles suddenly began to fall all around them, falling like snow. Everyone muttered, gasping at the beauty of it.
"-are truly blessed! Now I present to you all, Our Feline Concert and Play!"
He then clapped his hands together, a storm of sparkles spraying from his hands, blinding everyone for a moment. When they were able to see again, they all loudly gasped. About two dozen students were floating all around them, wearing white robes, gently humming beautifully.
Students quickly filled the stage, the back ground showing a battlefield. It was clear that two old armies were fighting with sword and spears, but no Pokemon were there. The man from before appeared, his hands behind his back, smiling to the crowd as he walked across the stage.
"Some say that our Feline God had helped us again, a few thousand years after the four unknown Pokemon fought each other. Some say that he has always been there to help us in our time of need. This is the story of our later ancestors, who had once fought against a nearby kingdom, who wanted to enslave us… the battle was harsh, but despite all odds, we were beginning to win… until…"
The opposite side of the field, where the enemy forces were fighting the town's, began to grow dark, Pokemon suddenly spilling into the stage. Numals, Cacnea, and Poochyenas rushed onto the stage, pretending to attack the town's soldiers, making them retreat. The enemy team gave a silent cheer and rushed after them, being as quiet as possible for the man to continue talking.
"We do not know if this is true… but we do know that, as soon as our enemy began to use Pokemon, we had to do something new…"
The scene quickly changed behind them to a war meeting in a room. A student in an old general costume was at the head of a perfectly square table, which had a map on it. On both sides were two other generals, both were supposed to be younger generals then the head. They pretended to talk amongst themselves.
"They planed, and planed, though and though… until they were left without a choice. That choice was to make ever single able man join in the military… in other words, a Draft-"
*Doink!*
"Yeow! What the…"
He turned around and looked down, seeing a small, wooden carving on the floor, which had hit him. The older general spoke.
"Be quiet there, boy! We are trying to plan here!"
The man gave a blank look, making the crowd laugh a bit.
"Wh… wha…?"
"Or better yet, get out of here!"
The man turned to the crowd with utter disbelief on his face.
"I… oh… just change the dang scene!"
The crowd gave a small laugh again as it changed, now to a town…
The play continued on for at least 30 minutes, showing a girl with green hair and green eyes in a small town. She wasn't very good at being feminine, like how the strict social lives demanded women to be so long ago, but she was unbelievable with a sword and skills. One day, the army had come to her house, demanding her grandfather, of 83 years old and was once a Commander himself, to help with the fight. So, to protect her elderly father, the green haired girl set off in his place, figuring she could pass off as a male. Her name… was Mulan.
"So, the young girl went off to save her grandfather, who, when he noticed what she had done, knew that her best chance of survival would be for him to stay quiet about it and pray for her, since any and all women were not able to join the army… hmm, if only they knew how strong a woman can be, they would have thought other wise…"
The man gave a shiver on stage, crossing his arms.
"Hell hath no fury like a woman's scorn… especially a mother's."
There were a few cheers from the crowd, making everyone, including the man on stage and some of the players on stage, laugh.
The scene changed, to one where it interested the girl in the wheelchair. It was now of a tent filled area, with soldiers standing in line for lunch, wearing lose robes since they were in battle yet. The girl who played as Mulan stepped forward, just arriving and wearing her armor. She had tied her hair back and tried to look as manly as possible, even putting padding in her armor to help hide her breasts. She looked around, seeing the line. She stood at the very back, rubbing her stomach and spoke as if only the crowd could hear her.
"Man, I'm starving… I wonder what they have up there."
"It's Gruel, as usual."
A short soldier stepped in front of her, having on a fake beard which, from the crowd, looked very real.
"H-hey!"
"And maybe a slice of pork, if we're lucky!"
Mulan turned around and saw the biggest guy she had ever seen, even outside of the play! He just smiled down to her and stood behind her, giving an aura that told every he was like a gentle giant.
"Is… that it they serve to the soldiers fighting on the line?"
"Yep, they are too cheap to give us any good food… nope, only food with the maximum nutritional value with zero taste. Heck, the taste is probably in the negatives!"
Mulan turned to her front, seeing a slighter taller then her skinny guy cut in front of her, too! She just gawked at this… who did they think they were?
"Umm… excuse me? I was here first…"
The skinny guy turned to her.
"Oh? And?"
Then the short guy glanced at her.
"What did you say? "Excuse me?" What are you, a girl?"
She gave a small start, quickly trying to make her voice deeper and to try to act more… "manly".
"I was here first! Move aside!"
She pushed the skinny man out of her way, making him fall on his butt softly. She was about to do the same thing to the short guy but then he gave a powerful, but still acting, punch at her. With her skills, she easily dodged the punch… which connected with the skinny guy's face, again in the act. He fell flat on his stomach, his face toward the crowd, showing that he wasn't really punched and to show them all a funny dazed face.
"Oh!… Umm…. Sorry, Ling… Hey!"
He reached out to try to grab Mulan behind him, but the short guy was then kicked in his butt by Ling. He then stumbled to a soldier just standing in line and… well, like dynamos, one soldier fell into the other, leading off stage. There was then a loud clang with what sounded like thick water spilling all over the ground. There was a moment of silence, until every single soldier turned to Mulan, her eyes wide.
"U-umm.. Change the scene, please!"
The man ran up to the stage, waving his arms, clearly apart of the show, and now showing that the changing scenes were done by some sort of psychic Pokemon, but was hidden from view. Everything changed, now showing a scene where three people sat at a table, one was clearly not a student, but a full grown man, wearing dark yellow armor with a helmet with an eagles feather on top of it, while a too skinny kid sat to the right, only wearing blue and dark blue robes and a cloth hat. To the left was someone who made the girl in the wheelchair smile widely and point to for Merry and Alphonse to see, Rex giving a chuckle. Elric sat to the left, being polite and silent as he watched the table, a map with small figures on it. In the background, everyone could hear Mulan.
"H-hey guys…"
Then it went quiet for the showing scene. Elric wore black and grey armor with a red cloth wrapped around his waist and legs to add to the look. He had a black helmet on his head, his hair hidden in it. The man moved some figures on the table to another spot.
"I will extend my forces here, to the front, to try to head off the forces of Kaneal. There, we will wipe them out and then head for their strong hold. As we near it, with the Advisor's approval-" The skinny boy in blue gave a small nod. "-, I will call for you when you have finished training your first squad… General…"
Elric looked up at the man, his eyes wide as he saw the man reach back and bring forward a polearm. The staff of it was a dark red with a thick white fur tail at the end of it, while on top of it was a long, curved blade with the engravings of the Feline God on it. It was the exact one from the picture on the wall of the prophecy. Elric slowly reached forward and grabbed it.
"F-father…"
The Commander gave a smile as the Advisor looked from Elric and to the Commander.
"S-sir, do you think he is ready for such a responsibility? Even you had to take an extra year for you to be sure your troops were ready…"
The Commander stood up, grabbing a sword at his side, tying it to his waist.
"I was younger then, and not as smart as my son, Shang, is now. And I wanted to be absolutely sure they were ready. Besides, we didn't have the Kaneal attacking up at that time, too."
The Advisor stood up with him, giving a nod as he held a clip board and a pen, ready to take notes on the troops and on Shang/Elric. Elric began to get up, but then then he slipped on the rug under then and fell flat on his face. The crowd gave a laugh, the Commander and the Advisor trying to hide their smirks. Elric looked up, pure red from blushing… then saw the girl in the wheelchair, with a worried look on her face. The concern made him blink… was she worried that he was hurt? He quickly stood up on his feet, brushing himself off.
"Sorry, sir, it's been r-raining recently, so there some mud under the tents."
"Y-yes, of course."
The Commander then stepped outside the tent, the Advisor behind him, but then stopped right before he left.
"Just so we are clear, I won't give you any breaks just because you are the Commander's son. If I think your troops are not ready, they will not go to fight."
Elric gave a respectful bow with his head, his hands at his side as he now held the new polearm.
"Of course. I wouldn't expect anything else."
The Advisor gave a nod, leaving the tent. Shang began to smile to himself.
"General Shang…"
He placed the polearm on his back through some cloth loops.
"The Greatest General… no! The General of the Greatest Troops of all Time! Hehe."
He then walked out of then tent… the scene changed back to the encampment of tents… and every single soldier was in one huge pile, fighting each other with food flying through the air. The Commander, Advisor, and Shang just stood there for a moment.
"… Anyway… I have confidence that you will take care of this. Good luck, General."
Then the Commander walked off stage, leaving Shang and the Advisor alone with the fight. The Advisor held up his clipboard and pulled out his pen.
"Day… 1..."
Shang gave a nod, then turned to the soldiers in the fight.
"Now, I bet you've been wondering "How the heck did Elric, of all people, get such an important role?""
The girl in the wheelchair gave a jump, being so absorbed into the play. She turned and saw Rex, who was keeping his voice down, also bending down next to her so she could hear him. Other people began to sit on the snow or in chairs which they brought, their clothing and coats specially made to keep them warm in this weather.
"Well, you are about to see the reason why even I agreed that Elric would play the part better then anyone else…"
The girl gave a nod, looking back up to the play… then what she saw scared her.
"SOLDIERS!"
The glare on Elric's face was so intense, so sharp, and so angry, that it would be unbelievable to someone that he was able to give such a glare without someone seeing it. All of the soldiers stopped their fighting, one guy giving one last punch, then all of them shot up and pointed at a single person, all saying the same thing.
"He started it!"
Elric softened his glare, but not by much, as he stepped forward to the one they pointed at the person… Mulan…
"Well, what do you have to say for yourself?"
"U-umm…"
The Advisor came up right beside Shang, looking down at her.
"Your commanding officer just asked you a question!"
She quickly stood up, clearing her through and making her voice deeper.
"Uhh, sorry you had to see that, you know how we guys like to mess around. I guess it got a bit carried away."
Shang raised an eyebrow, his glare now gone, but looking at Mulan like she was an idiot. He turned his head, as did everyone in the crowd, to a massive pot which rolled across the stage, making some people laugh from it. Shang turned back to her, keeping his eyebrow raised.
"Uh… huh…"
Mulan looked down at the ground, silent as Shang studied her. Then…
"What's your name, Soldier?"
"Uh.. M-my name?"
"Yes, your name. You know, the thing which everyone calls you, which only you have?"
"Oh…"
She quickly though, racking her brain for a name as Shang crossed his arms, tapping his fingers on his armor. Then something gave a ping in her head.
"Ping!"
Shang brought his head back a little.
"Ping?"
"Y-yes!"
"Let me see your enrollment scroll…"
Mulan handed it to Elric, watching him as he opened it and began to read it. He then gave a start.
"You're the grandson of Fa Zhou? THE Fa Zhou?"
The Advisor quickly went over to him and read the scroll over his shoulder.
"I didn't know Fa Zhou had a grandson!"
Mulan looked around a bit."He… uh… doesn't talk about me much."
The Advisor quietly turned to Shang.
"No wonder he doesn't, he doesn't know what the heck he is doing!"
Elric gave a sigh, rolling up the scroll and tossing it back to Mulan.
"Well, thanks to your new friend "Ping" here, you all will be up for a while. No dinner. I expect you all to pick up Every. Single. Grain. Of rice. By tomorrow morning. Then… the real training begins…"
The three men from before recoiled from the rice part as Shang and the Advisor walked back into the main tent, and as soon as they did, they all glared at Mulan,…
The scene now changed to what appeared to be morning, everyone wearing different, but the same colored robes (Mulan wearing baggy clothing to make sure no one knew about her). The main thing about this scene was that there was now a 30 foot high pole, about three feet thick. Elric came out, this time shirtless. He may not have been the most sexy guy, but he had been trying to buff himself up since he knew he would have to be shirtless for this part. There were some whistles from the crowd, making him blush a bit. He had the polearm in his hand. The soldiers all stood in a line, a single basket of poles in front of them, along with one bow and a quiver of arrows. Elric stabbed the bladed part of his polearm into the ground, which the Psychic Pokemon managed to bring up for him for the play.
"You will assemble swiftly and silently every morning…"
The girl playing as Mulan peeked over the largest man's stomach, looking at Elric. The girl in the wheelchair gave a small growl in the pit of her throat, though no one else heard it.
"Anyone who acts otherwise…"
He picked up the bow and arrows, putting the arrows on his back.
"Will answer to me."
Elric walked down the line, making sure everyone was there. Then… the short guy from before made a quiet, teaseful comment, making some of the people laugh in the crowd.
"Oooo, tough guy…"
"Yao…"
Yao gave a start, his eyes wide as he saw Elric notch an arrow toward him, every other soldier took a step back. At the last second he pulled up and shot the arrow at the top of large pole.
"Thank you for volunteering."
Elric had a grin on his face, putting the arrows and bow down.
"Retrieve the arrow."
Yao growled silently at him, popping his fingers and turning toward the pole.
"I'll get that arrow, pretty boy… and I'll do it with my shirt on."
More people laughed as Yao went over to the pole, and right before he started, his arms in the air…
"One moment!"
Yao let his hands rest on the ground, crouched down already for a jump.
"You seem to be missing something…"
Elric went over to him, the Advisor coming over to them, barely able to carry a medium sized, flat box. Elric opened it and pulled out two stone bricks in the shape of a circle with a cloth going through the center of both of them. He brought them over to Yao and tied one to his right wrist, holding his arm up by the wrist.
"This… represents Discipline…."
He then just let go, letting his arm fall to the ground from the massive weight on his arm. Elric then went to his other up, picked that up high, and tied the other weight on his left wrist.
"And this represents Strength."
Again, he just let go, making Yao fall to the ground. Ling was leaning against the giant man, trying to keep up from keeping himself from laugh, which included the crowd from Yao's reaction. Mulan just kept watching, being silent.
"You need both to reach the arrow…"
Yao slowly got up, then looked down at the weights… and up to the arrow. He gave a scowl, ready, as he jumped on the pole, his hands on both sides, slowly climbing up. After a foot, he began to slide back down… and then straight down onto his butt.
Next was Ling. He got up several more feet then Yao… but he then fell backwards, his legs wrapped around the pole, hitting the back of his head on the pole, then his legs did the same, then his head, until he was flat on the ground. The crowd began to laugh again from the sight.
Then the giant man was next. He got up as high as Ling… then fell straight down, shaking the whole stage. Mulan got farther then anyone, but she slid down the fastest. Elric rubbed the back of his neck, sighing.
"We have a long way to go…"
What was shown was scene after scene of what looked like Shang teaching the troops how to fight using swords, polearms, bow and arrows, how to catch fish with your bare hands, and so on. Soon, it stopped, and the play continued…
After an hour of the play went by, the play was now at the part where Shang was pinned down by Shan Yu, leader of the Kaneal, and was played by a muscular student who wore gray make up, which was really well done. Right before he gave the final strike, a shoe was thrown at him, giving a small doink as it hit his head. He turned to the person who did it… to Mulan at the end of the stage, wearing some slik robes with her hair down.
"He didn't destroy your army!"
She then pulled her hair back, making Shan's eyes grow wide.
"The soldier from the mountains…"
He let go of Elric and began to walk off stage toward Mulan, who instantly dashed away. The scene changed to where Mulan was on the roof, looking behind her and angling for… something… Then Shan Yu suddenly jumped up through the floor of the stage, making everyone in the crowd jump. He was slightly panting from chasing the girl, but kept on glaring at her. He reached to his waist and pulled out something small… a ball…
"I had enough, little girl…"
He threw the ball in the air, which grew bigger and let out a Pokemon, a Scyther. He smiled as they both began to walk over to Mulan, both of their blades out. The girl looked all around and in her clothing for something, anything, to use… and all she found was a fan. Shan Yu grinned.
"Looks like you're out of ideas…"
He gave a blood thirsty cry, thrusting forward with his sword. Mulan opened the fan and let the blade slice through the thin material of the fan, closed it, then spun it around out of his hands… and into her's.
"Not quite…"
She then called behind her.
"Ready, Slugma!"
There was a small cry, both Shan Yu and his Scyther seeing what was happening. Far off stage to the right was a Slugma, blowing a small buff of flame on a giant fire rocket. She turned back… and jumped back just before the Scyther stabbing down on her, now causing his blades to get stuck in the floor of the stage. Then, right as Shan Yu charged for her, she hit the bottom of his chin with the hilt of the sword, then stabbed down, pinning his clothing to the floor, too, then ducked… right before the rocket shot over her and made Shan Yu and Scyther get stuck on it. Everyone looked from the stage, then to the left to watch them fly away. Mulan quickly got up and ran off the stage…
"!"
ShanYu's and Scyther's cry ended when the rocket exploded, giving off a spectacular light show, which reflected beautifully in the diamond over their heads. The scene changed once again to the steps of the palace, where Shang, Ling, Yao, and Chien-Po were waiting for her. She stopped and turned, watching Shan Yu's sword land by her side. There was black smoke coming from the left side of the stage, as dark as you could get it. Someone began to cough in the smoke… and the Advisor stepped out of it, his clothes burnt, his hat destroyed, and a string of fabric from his hat on fire.
"What a mess! All the damage…."
He saw Mulan, growing angry, and began to march toward it… until Elric stood in his way.
"Stand aside! This person as made a clear attempt to take my life!"
"She just saved us all! She's a fine warrior-"
"She's a woman!"
"LISTEN!"
Again, Elric have his harsh glare, grabbing the front of the Advisor's shirt.
"YOU PUMPUSS LITTLE-"
"That. Is. Enough."
Everyone went silent, Elric letting go of the Advisor… and saw the leader of Snowfall Town slowly walk toward them, his hands together behind his back. Elric quickly went up to him with respect and tried to explain.
"Sir, if I can explain-"
The Leader held up his hand, stopping him, then shooed Elric and the others. They all did not have a choice but to step away to clear a path to Mulan. He slowly walked up to her, strong with authority and power.
"I… have heard a great deal about you, Fa Mulan…"
This was only the start, the crowd dead silent as they listened. All Mulan could do was to give a bow and keep her head down.
"You stole your grandfather's armor, then ran away from home. You even impersonated a soldier!"
He let that hung in the air for a bit before he continued, and as he spoke, his voice grew more and more aggressive.
"Deceived your commanding officer, dishonored the Snowfall Army, destroyed my own home! And…"
Mulan recoiled, right before the Leader finished.
"… You have saved us all…"
She slowly looked up from shock… just to see the Leader of Snowfall Town smile, giving a deep bow. The Advisor, who had been beside the Leader the whole time turned to look at him, then gave him a second look, eyes wide. He quickly got on his knees and bowed down to, not the Leader, but to Mulan! Elric and the rest turned to each other, nodding, then also got on their knees, bowing. In the back ground of the stage, it showed about a thousand people starting to bow, moving thanks to the Psychic Pokemon's power. Then they stood up, the Leader turning to the Advisor.
"Advisor?"
"Y-yes, sir?"
"See to it that she is to be made the head leader of my Council."
"A mememememebermember-wha!"
He gave the Leader a double look, taking a few steps back.
"B-b-b-b-but there are no Council positions open, sir."
The Leader gave a small smile.
"Very well."
He turned to Mulan, point to the Advisor with his thumb.
"You can have his job."
"Wh-wh-wha… ooooooh…"
The advisor then gave a faint, falling flat on his back, his clipboard and pen flipping in the air as he hit the ground, making the crowd laugh. Mulan gave a small giggle, looking to the her Leader.
"With all do respect, sir, I think I've been away from home long enough."
The Leader of Snowfall gave another smile, nodding.
"Then take this…"
He pulled out from around his neck a necklace, one with the carving of the Feline God carved into a light green jade.
"So that your family and everyone else will remember what you have done for me… and this…"
He gently handed her Shan Yu's sword.
"So that this whole region will know what you have done for our Town…"
Mulan gave a smile, suddenly hugging the Leader, who just gave another smile. Yao whispered to the others.
"Is she allowed to do that?"
Everyone shrugged, making some people chuckle. Mulan slowly let go, gave a bow, then quickly ran off stage, going home. Shang watched her go, the Leader walking up beside him, clearing his throat.
"The flower which blooms in adversity is the most rare and most beautiful of all…"
"Sir…?"
The Leader just turned to him and plainly said;
"You don't meet a girl like that every dynasty!"
The crowd laughed a bit from how he had said it, the Leader putting on a special hat for himself and walked off stage…
The last scenes of the play were peaceful, of Mulan returning home to face her grandfather, who was only grateful to have her back safely, then Shang appearing at her house, trying to give the excuse that Mulan left her armor at the palace… and of Mulan's grandmother trying to make Shang stay there forever.
Thus, the play ended, everyone standing up and clapping as all the actors stood up on stage, giving a bow as the curtains closed. For a few minutes, everyone stood up and stretched, getting their blood pumping again…
Then the spotlight turned on the stage again, right the girl who played as Mulan. She wore white robes now, which added to the scene all. And right next to her… was Elric, also in white robes, a white bandana over his head still. They stood next to each other, silent as the others that were still floating all around hummed… then the girl gently began to sing, and all thought it was in another language, it was still beautiful… but one teen in the crowd, who was fixing his ski hat, smiled as he understood the other language…
"How many tears must be shedEvery Heart, Before we can become honest?"
Elric clapped his hands together soundlessly, more sparkles flying from his own hands. He gently began to move with the music in the song…
"To whom must we proclaim our feelingsEvery Heart, So that we can no longer feel loneliness?"
Elric seemed to hand tossed a rather large sparkle into the air, which gave a soundless pop, looking like a firework as many more sparkles came from it. The girl in the wheelchair watched in awe of Elric, the sparkles shining in her dark red eyes.
"I was frightened by the long, long nightsI prayed to the distant stars"
He spun his hands around both him and the green haired girl, a trail of sparkles following his hands, until it went up in the air and covered everyone with even more lights. As she sang, Elric began to circle her, taking large steps, making sparkles swirl around his arms and around the girl. He gave a firework type of sparkle in the air each time the beat of the music called for one.
"Round and round in looping timeWe are searching for loveFor we want to grow stronger and strongerWe still look up to the high skies today."
Suddenly he stopped his dance, spreading his arms apart, spreading more of his sparkles toward the crowd, which now formed together to look like the Feline God, making the crowd awe in amazement.
"What kind of smile must we come heart, Before we can take a step towards our dreams?"
Elric made a swirling ball of sparkles in the air above them, showing a person taking a step forward in the middle of it."
"A person in the face of sadnessEvery Heart, His happiness drifts in slumber."
The swirling sparkles ended, showing a heart with floating Zs around it.
"Someday, someday, may all soulsFind true peace."
Elric threw his hands out toward the crowd, making another Feline God shape, this time it moved, seeming like it reaching down to the people, trying to gently touch them.
"Round and round in looping timeWe live and come to understand thingsAt times laughing, sometimes cryingWe will continue to walk again today."
The Feline God made from sparkles quickly turned into the planet, showing humans and Pokemon walking forward, hand in hand, side by side, as life goes on…
"In the corners of my childhood memoriesThere is a warm place, So SweetWhere the stars talk of a futureThat will always sparkle, So Shine!"
Elric smiled as everyone marveled from the green haired girl's voice, which was even sending him shivers and making the crowd give a small cheer for her. As he ignored it, he made a huge ball of light in front of the stage, many small sparkles all around it. The girl in the wheel chair looked up at this… it seemed… familiar to her…
"Round and round in looping timeWe are searching for love."
Now the light show had ended, Elric pulling something out from his sleeve.. And sang right next to her for the rest of the song, matching her vocal range word for word.
"For we want to grow stronger and strongerWe still look up to the high skies todayRound and round in looping timeWe live and come to understand thingsAt times laughing, sometimes crying,We will continue to walk again today!"
(Note from Author: Artist, BoA. Song, Every Heart. It is a beautiful song used in the show Inuyasha, if that helps anyone remember. I also told you the Artist so that BoA will get credit for making this song. Just not Elric's light show)
The others floating around them began to hum gently as the song ended… there was a minute of total silence, both Elric and the girl panting, sweat pouring down their faces. Slowly, one person after another clapped… and clapped… and clapped harder and harder, people whistling from their performance. The girl and Elric turned to each other with smiles on their faces wiping the sweat off. The girl in the wheelchair was stunned… but found herself growling again.
"And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how a Feline Play should be."
The man from before popped out of nowhere from a puff of smoke in the middle of the stage. He had his arms crossed, looking at every person in the crowd.
"My friends, our guests, our visitors… we thank you for watching our Play, and we certainly hope we will see you again next year as we thank our Feline God again, as we do every year."
He then gave a bow to the crowd, then stood back up.
"And let us be sure that our two singers here, Elric and Alice, for their wonderful song and act. Let's all give them a big hand!"
Every began to clap for them again, making Elric blush and making Alice giggle from him.
"Now, let us enjoy the rest of the night by shopping, and spending all of your money, if your please."
Then suddenly, he gave a sudden gasp falling forward on the snow, a Poochyena standing on his back, growing at everyone."ALRIGHT! EVERYONE SHUT UP AND STAY PUT, WE ARE TAKING THINGS OVER NOW!"
End of Chapter Three…
(Note: Wow! This has been the longest Chapter I have ever made! I didn't mean to put THAT much in this, especially not when more then half of the information being useless for the future of the story! Oh well… almost 10,000 words, a new best for me!)