This chapter is a lot faster than originally thought. I just needed to get this out fast. So here is chapter two in a little less than 24 hours.
One of the thing that I really didn't enjoy as much in "Mulan 2" was that Mushu's ego reached an even higher heights than before. Unfortunately, he ended up messing up practically everything in his selfish attempt to keep his job. But, he ended up making things right by the end (as is a Disney tradition). Still, his ego was extreme. I've deflated him somewhat with events, so he should be more manageable. The downside is he'll be a combination of hateful, depressed, and self-pitying. But I'll try to keep that from being too bad. To have Mushu to be an enjoyable character, I have to balance him out and make different parts of his personality shine.
On the other hand, I plan to explore certain aspects of being a guardian. And more flashbacks/movie scenes from both movies. And eventually, I'll have other characters' point of view. Hope you like it.
Chasing down a human whose face was all he knew about them wasn't easy. The man could be anywhere and Mushu couldn't exactly go up to people and ask "Have you seen a creepy guy with a scar on his chin and an asymmetrical nose?" without causing a panic. But the dragon intended to try. His main concern, after finding the cursed man, was trying to get where ever he needed to quickly.
The stable was far more crowded than usual. In addition to Shang's horse now living here, there were several steeds for the soldiers and princesses currently staying there. But the guardian marched himself towards his greatest foe.
"Kahn, I'm borrowing you," he informed the black-coated creature.
A snort of disbelief answered him. Cri-Kee continued to try and dissuade the dragon from whatever he had in mind. He shook the insect loose and glared at the taller animal.
"I don't care if you're a cow, sheep, or the Billy Goat Gruff," he snarled. "I need your help and you're going to give it. You don't have to like it, but I need a ride."
Kahn stomped his hooves and shook his head.
"No, I'm not crazy. I'm in a hurry. Look, someone attacked Mulan and I'm not letting him get away. Got it, Bessie?"
Pausing at the mention of the girl, the riding animal studied the red reptile carefully. Something in the dragon's voice and posture suggested now wasn't the time for games. Rather than stomping Mushu into the ground, Kahn gestured with his head to climb on.
"Alright then, let me get the doors first," nodded the serpentine guardian.
While he climbed up to slide latches and undo ropes, his insect companion attempted once more to talk him out of going. After several moments of success, Cri-Kee gave a resigned chirp.
"No, you can't come," Mushu sighed. "You're staying here."
The cricket gave a soft chirp, his antennas drooping behind his head. He rather looked like Little Brother after being scolded.
"Mulan needs you more right now," whispered the dragon sadly. Then, he gave a weak smile, "She needs all the luck she can get."
Both creatures stared sadly at each other. The insect could tell the guardian had something in mind. Likely, something dangerous and stupid. But Mushu took some comfort in that Cri-Kee didn't know exactly what he was thinking of and would be out of the way. The bug's luck couldn't hold out forever, after all. And the dragon didn't want to see another friend get hurt.
Slowly, the cricket nodded. He'd remain with Mulan.
"Thanks, Cri-Kee," breathed the red dragon softly.
He climbed up on Kahn's unsaddled back by using the walls of the stall. Snorting so the guardian would know exactly how little he liked Mushu, they rode out into the night. Chirping softly, the small insect wondered if his friend would be alright.
Kahn's hooves pounded the ground rhythmically. Mushu grasped his mane tightly. It seemed so strange, riding off into danger without Mulan. She was his little warrior girl and he was used to accompanying her on the "save China" missions, not going off on his own. But this time was different. His very rash, very vague plan depended on him and no one else. How did the Great Ancestor phrase it, when he believed he was addressing the Great Stone Dragon?
"Go," the spirit commanded as the thin, red ex-guardian struggled to support the heavy carved head. "The fate of the Fa family rests in your claws."
The small dragon called back, "Don't even worry about it."
Mushu briefly wondered why the Great Ancestor didn't notice the head was missing an ear and he wondered why Stoney decided to give up on life. The statue form shouldn't have broken if the guardian was alive. Few things could end a guardian's existence. Injuries were generally easily recovered from if they weren't instantly fatal (decapitation, stabbing through the heart, breaking their neck... You know, the really painful things that people did when they wanted to really get rid of someone) and guardians were fairly hard to even hurt in the first place. Face it, guardians had to be tough in order to do the job. Of course, they could choose not to keep their immortal existence. Usually this was the path that truly disgraced guardians chose, simply to cease existing as a living being. Mushu, even after being kicked off his pedestal, wouldn't take that option. Overall, he was an optimistic dragon and hoped to gain it back. So, did Stoney just grow tired of his life as a guardian or something else? Mushu felt himself losing his grip on the rock head.
"I will not lose face," he shouted as he began to fall backwards.
It was true that once more he held an important role in things to come, an essential role, but not the fate of the Fa family. He wasn't stupid enough to think that. He couldn't do anything to help her. So the dragon intended to hurt those who did this to Mulan. Not because of duty, honor, responsibility, or justice. Because he was ticked off and wanted revenge for them hurting his charge.
Leaving Kahn alone near a tree in the field outside, the serpentine guardian began sneaking around the various buildings of the village. He listened intently for any hint of a rumor on who would want to hurt Mulan. Plenty of gossip concerned her. The news of the attack spread like wildfire. Some were sad to hear of the assault, especially those that supported their own daughters' interest in the heroine. His girl was popular with many of the younger members of the community. Others, who saw the young woman's behavior as abnormal, seemed almost happy to hear she could be dying. Mushu struggled not to set these individuals on fire. Surprisingly, not all women liked her, just as not all men viewed her actions as unnatural.
Several women feared the change that could come from such a girl acting like a man. They knew what to expect in their lives and didn't wish to experience a shift in power. The children loved her nearly without exception, especially the girls who saw Mulan as a symbol of what they didn't have: the ability to choose. And the men who really knew Mulan, beyond the fact she didn't act as a woman should, could see she deserved to be respected as they would any warrior. The views of the village were truly mixed.
But some whispers disturbed him. They mentioned how the girl's presence was staining the other women with unnatural thoughts and ideas. A few suggested they knew someone in the "cause" and they were involved in this attack. When they mentioned the "cause," Mushu felt a chill go up his long spine. Whatever it was, it sounded bad.
More and more candles were extinguished as night wore on. But the dragon still couldn't find any evidence that anyone knew Ugly. But he couldn't give up. One window still bore a warm glow. The scaly guardian crept towards it.
Inside, two elderly men near Fa Zhou's age sat in deep conversation. Both looked tired and disappointed. The one on the left, slightly taller than his companion, shook his head.
"I never thought he'd go this far," he muttered. "For all his talk about the threat to tradition and the danger of losing our way of life, I never thought he'd attack her like that."
Mushu realized with a shock that this was exactly what he needed. They knew who the mystery man was obviously. And if he was lucky, maybe he'd get the answers he wanted.
"The young man is more tied up in tradition than even the eldest grandparent in the village, Gang," the man sighed. "Him and the others, they fear the possibility of change. Look at what has happened. A woman is a war hero of China. Little girls want to learn to fight. The princesses are released from their oaths in order to pick their husbands without the wisdom of a man to guide them. And anyone can see they are in love with those common soldiers, even if they are heroes of the war as well. In their minds, the change is her fault."
"She cannot claim responsibility for what has occurred with the princesses," reminded Gang. "That was the doing of the Golden Dragon of Unity."
Mushu remembered his impersonation of that entity in order to get Mulan and Shang together and keep her unmarried to some brainless kid prince of Qui Gong. And while he was fixing the mess of his charge's love life he'd caused with his interfering, the dragon decided to set the princesses free of their oaths. That way, everyone could be with whomever they loved the most. Over all, he was trying to make up for his stupid selfishness. Plus, that jerk of a matchmaker nearly died when she realized that not only was she wrong about Mulan never bringing her family honor, but also about Ling, Yao, and Chien Po not being able to find a match.
"Logic doesn't really factor into Du Heng's or his followers' thinking," pointed out Gang's friend. "They see the world changing around them and she was the first difference. They want things to return to how they once were."
Du Heng. A name to match with his homely features of the attacker. Mushu growled softly under his breath. The small dragon wanted to ask them where to find the monster, but once more he could only listen and wait. Hopefully, these two chatterboxes would keep up the stream of useful information.
"Zheng, we should tell them," sighed Gang. "They deserve to know who attacked their daughter. Face it, by his actions, Heng is declaring himself against the Fa family and the Emperor's decision to honor and continue to view her as a hero. The man and his troops have turned themselves into traitors by questioning his wisdom."
Troops, not just followers. That meant military training and combative ability. Considering how many men were summoned to join the army to face the Huns (and one disguised girl, impressive dragon, and lucky cricket), it wasn't surprising that the creep could scrounge up a few low-lives that could swing a sword. But it was an unpleasant development since it meant Heng wouldn't be alone. He'd have armed and dangerous minions who were just as narrow minded as him. This wasn't just an isolated incident. It was an organized group out to prevent feminism, change, and anything new. How do you handle that? He was just one guardian.
A wedding was in progress below his perch. Not the one expected, however. Mushu was still going to lose his job and Mulan, but she wasn't even going to have Shang. The general fell from the broken bridge, letting go so she would live. Her heart broken, Mulan told Ting-Ting, Su, and Mei to go with their loved ones instead of continuing on the mission. Now, the girl stood in the princesses' place to wed the oldest prince. She chose to marry without love in order to protect the happiness of others and ensure the treaty succeeded. The brave girl (a young woman really, if Mushu was honest with himself as he watched her) might be miserable, but she would fulfill this duty. And it was tearing her guardian apart.
His attempts to break up Shang and Mulan, convincing himself his actions were for her own good and not just about his pedestal in order to ignore his guilt for a while, led to several problems. The chariot over the cliff (which was an accident that happened after several failed real attempts), the multiple tiny arguments sparked between the pair, and the final fight that divided the couple until it was too late were all caused by a certain red dragon. Did those things contribute to the general's eventual death in some subtle way? Is Mulan's current predicament because of his selfish behavior?
His girl, dressed in a rich maroon dress and hair arranged in a proper manner, moved with grace and care. She no longer even seemed like his brave warrior. She'd surrendered to her fate. Mulan was now a girl in an arranged marriage to a boy she didn't love or even really know.
Cri-Kee chirped urgently, glancing between the wedding in progress and the red-scaled guardian.
"Of course I want to stop it," answered the dragon, frustrated by the events unfolding before him. "But what can one itty, bitty dragon do?"
But Shang hadn't died and he came for her. And when the pair was almost separated again, Mushu found a way to actually keep them together and happy. Granted, it required him to play "Golden Dragon of Unity" and terrify an overweight coward, but somehow he would learn to live with it (imagining the ruler of Qui Gong trembling still amused the red dragon). Even if he happened to be a single, small guardian, he'd succeeded in helping Mulan.
Now, he wasn't just trying to stop a wedding. He was seeking vengeance for an attack on his girl. It would be infinitely more difficult. Still, he'd find a way. Mushu didn't even know his charge was even still alive, but either way he'd make Heng pay.
"I just wish that someone could have turned him from this path," remarked Zheng. "Perhaps I should go and urge him to come forth to face the crimes he's committed."
"He will not listen. He sees himself as a hero who is protecting our way of life. He sees nothing wrong in his actions," Gang reminded him. "But you can try. Do you know how to find him?"
His friend nodded as he stood up, "I have a vague idea of how to find his camp, though not the exact location. I will seek him out in the morning. I just hope he will listen."
"And hope that poor girl survives the night," he added.
The two men left the room left the room, taking the candle with them. A few minutes later, Gang walked out the door to head home. The long, serpentine guardian stared into the darkness. He had a name and he had a lead. If he followed Zheng in the morning, he'd lead him straight to Heng. Then, it was only a matter of developing a plan on how to deal with him.
The dragon sighed, "I'll get him, Mulan. I won't let him get away with this. I may not be the best guardian, but I'll make things right somehow."
One of the most wrinkled and grumpy ancestors glared at him, "Your misguidance led Fa Deng to disaster."
Glancing at the named, decapitated spirit, Mushu tried to ignore the logic in that he was the man's guardian at the time. He wasn't the one who made all his fellow warriors hate him. If the man possessed any social skills at all, someone would have thought to help him. But, no, they left the pest to be killed. Mushu didn't really do anything wrong but allow the inevitable happen to Deng, right?
"Yeah, thanks a lot," grumbled the sarcastic ancestor, his head resting in his arms.
"And your point is?" the dragon asked.
"The point is," explained the Great Ancestor, "we will be sending a real dragon to retrieve Mulan."
"Wha-What?!" Mushu shrieked, grabbing the spirits beard (not the best idea he'd ever had, but he was busy being insulted). "I'm a real dragon!"
Glaring at the ex-guardian, the ancestor exclaimed, " You are not worthy of this spot."
Mushu tried to cling to his old position in the family shrine, not wanting to accept the loss. He missed being a guardian and having all that respect and honor. He knew that he could still do the job.
"I guess I really wasn't worthy of the job," Mushu continued. "I should have just admitted Stoney fell apart and let them give you a proper guardian. But I'll do this part right. When I get done with him, he'll wish his ancestors were never born."
Curling up on the window sill, he began to doze off. His eyelids drooped and his thin form relaxed. Sleep seemed so close until an image of Mulan being shot flashed through his mind. His eyes flew open.
Growling to himself, he tried to rest again. The dragon knew that he should sleep. But once more, memories of the day forced him back into consciousness. Growing more and more frustrated, he decided to start thinking of how to extract revenge from Heng. These less than pleasant thoughts finally lulled the guardian to sleep.
No one notices a cricket. He sat in the room, watching Shang watch Mulan sleep. Worry etched itself upon the man's face. Most of the family and the friends that remained loyally present had eventually made the effort to sleep. Cri-Kee didn't doubt they were just lying there, wondering if she'd be alright. Shang didn't even attempt to pretend to sleep. He sat vigil beside his wife.
The small insect silently argued with himself. He should have gone with Mushu to keep him out of trouble. Cri-Kee knew the dragon blamed himself for this. The guardian's ego and confidence seemed shattered by the attack on her. Now, he was gone into the night on Kahn alone. If he did something crazy, he wouldn't have back-up or help from a certain cricket. And the state Mushu left in worried him.
But he didn't want to leave Mulan alone either. He was her lucky cricket, even if he wasn't really lucky. Just like the dragon wanted to keep her safe, so did Cri-Kee. They were a team: he, Mushu, Mulan, and now Shang. They needed to be together.
Morning, he decided. He'll wait until morning. If that dragon isn't back by then, then a certain insect would take matters into his own hands.
Cri-Kee stared at the two humans. Shang certainly seemed to be a loyal husband. He loved Mulan for who she was. She gained his respect, trust, and friendship as "Ping." But their relationship seemed to shatter when he learnt her real gender. He felt that he couldn't trust her and tried to forget her. Still, the woman returned and even saved him, the emperor, and all of China from Shan Yu. The insect knew that the man remembered everything that made "Ping" a good person at that point. And he'd discovered the real Mulan underneath was just "Ping" telling the whole truth. That's when it appeared he fell in love with her. Even Mushu's efforts and the pair's differences couldn't tear them apart.
Rubbing his wings together, Cri-Kee began to chirp. Not one of his conversational ones. This was a musical sound, a cricket song. Most of their songs were about the stars, the moon, or warm summer nights. This one was about love and eternal soul mates that couldn't be broken apart. It was supposed to be sung by insects looking for a girlfriend. Cri-Kee wasn't looking for one though. His life and experiences isolated him from other crickets. They never traveled far from where they were born, let alone across China. They would never follow someone into battle, see Huns and bandits up close, or find their way into the mountains and the palace. No, this song was for Shang and Mulan.
As he hoped, the soft sound relaxed the general's tense form. His face seemed less strained. And Cri-Kee thought, hoped, that Mulan's lips eased into a slight smile.
I wanted to address a few things from the movie that bothered me. One, if Stoney was a guardian and he shattered instead of waking up… what does that mean? Was he dead? How did he die if he is? Two, in "Mulan 2" we see that Mulan is popular with many people in the village and the small girls especially. But I doubt that everyone would see her as a good thing. Some men would see her as disrespectful to act like this and some women would be afraid that if she acted like this, would they have to someday too?
The next update should be a while. But I love feedback. Let me know what you think.