The main thing I regret is that I have Mulan in the "damsel in distress" mode currently. I hate taking this confident, strong-willed woman out of the game, even for a time. But it was the best way I knew to get Mushu on his own personal vendetta mission. So, I apologize for her being helpless and hurt. Still, I will try to keep her from becoming a weak sissy. I just like how Mushu sees Mulan as his "little baby" and wanted to see him acting in a very vengeful parent-ish/best friend role. Hope that you like the story as I keep it going.
A rooster crowing his greeting to the rising sun flung him sharply from his uneasy slumber. Mushu tumbled from his perch with a yelp and a crash. Lying stunned on the ground, the small dragon wondered blearily why he wasn't in the family shrine or Mulan's house. Then the past day's events hit him full force.
Mulan. The arrow. Gang's and Zheng's conversation. Du Heng. Everything. The guardian hissed venomously at the man, himself, and the world. How could this happen to her? How could he have failed his little baby girl this much? He was her guardian after all.
"Am I a guardian or am I a guardian?" asked the triumphant dragon.
Mulan and Shang were getting married. The war hero general had finally worked up the nerve to propose to the girl. And since the pair would never have met if not for her running off to join the army, it was all thanks to him. With the help of a certain impressive dragon, the woman beat the Hun army, stopped Shan Yu, saved the emperor, and won over her man. Mushu was going to take as much credit for her current success as he could because it reflected well on him. The guardian intended to milk this new development for all it was worth. He'd spent too much time at the bottom of hierarchy of the family shrine not to want respect and attention.
Mulan scooped him in her arms and smiled, "You know you're more than that. You're my most trusted friend."
He let her down as a guardian and as a friend. Guilt swam through his body before he shoved it aside. Hatred was easier to handle.
As he focused back on the main purpose of his presence, Zheng stepped out of the house. His shoulders were squared and his head held high. He walked towards his small stable, likely to saddle his horse for the journey. Mushu decided to rush ahead to get ready to follow him.
Kahn still stood in the field, grazing calmly. He glared at the small dragon, displeasure clearly shining in his equine's eyes. But he did step closer to a tree so the guardian could climb up.
"Okay, Kahn-y, here's the plan," explained Mushu. "Old man Zheng will come by and we'll follow. He'll head towards the son of a Hun, Heng. From there, I scope out the situation and devise a perfect strategy."
Snorting in disbelief of the red-scaled guardian's ability to devise a "perfect strategy," he nevertheless remained in sight of the road. Eventually, they spotted a traveler. Specifically, it was Zheng. His horse was a dusty brown mare, clearly a steed chosen for practicality rather than battle. Mushu doubted that animal had ever even seen a Hun.
After waiting until Zheng was nearly out of sight, the crimson dragon urged his ride to follow. Kahn fulfilled his role of stealth well, keeping their target in view while ensuring the man remained unaware that he was being trailed. After all, Kahn was an impressive looking animal that would stand out from the usual ones. At one point, the man turned his horse from the road and steered her into the forest.
The forest seemed so ominous with no real reason to be so. Twisted branches and shifting shadows gave a sense of prowling predators lying in wait. But at the same time, birds called cheerfully to each other. Still, the guardian suppressed a shudder. If this place doesn't hide something evil, then Mushu was a horse.
Kahn paused in his progress. The dragon glanced through the trees to make out the obvious signs of a camp. In many ways, it reminded him of Shang's camp in miniature. Men in armor trained near tents, though nowhere near as many of either men or tents as "Ping" dealt with in her army days. As expected, a tent near the center bore a flag to declare the leader's residence. Mushu knew his target hid there, inside that tent. But the flag's image was a mockery against him.
It wasn't the emperor's crest, which was a relief. That fact meant that this place wasn't approved or working for the ruler of the Middle Kingdom, which meant the old guy wasn't the one who wanted Mulan out of the picture. The red background bore three figures. On one side, a man in armor wielding a sword stood proudly. On the other, a woman in a beautiful dress and a painted face watched the man respectfully. In between, a tiger with ink black stripes separated them. The flag's meaning was clear: men and women hold different roles in the world that do not cross. Even if they unite by marriage, they are separated by what they were. Like women can't fight.
Zheng climbed off his horse and handed the reins to a soldier. The man looked like a taller Yao with two good eyes. The older man stopped into the tent and out of view. But Mushu didn't intend to follow just yet.
"Okay, first I'll do a little recon," the red dragon muttered. "Avoid the thugs the size of an ox and see if there is anything useful. Next, initiate Operation: Revenge on the Ugly Guy and His Evil Goons. Name still needs work…"
A shake of his head indicated that at least one individual thought this was a bad and incomplete plan. Mushu glanced at Kahn.
"It is a plan at least," the guardian pointed out. "And you aren't invited to the final showdown. Someone has to have noticed you're missing by now. You got me here, so thanks. But you should go home."
The black-coated animal snorted in disbelief and stomped a hoof twice. The very ticked off Kahn proceeded to tell the smaller being exactly how stupid the dragon was acting and that there was a good chance he'd trample the guardian into the ground. He also added something about Mushu being a lizard with fewer brains than chickens.
"You are going home, Kahn," glared the dragon (not lizard). "And if you don't go willingly, I'll set fire to your tail. Then you'll run home with you rear end smoking. Got it? I've got better things to do than argue with a fat cow. Just don't tell Cri-Kee where I am or he'll try to come here. This is my job and I can handle it."
Kahn rolled his eyes and sighed. Arguing sense to an emotionally distressed dragon was near useless. He was too ticked off and too worried to really listen. But he made one last comment.
"It doesn't matter if Mulan wouldn't want me to do this alone," the dragon snapped in frustration. "If it wasn't for that… snake in the grass, I wouldn't be here. I'd be at home with her. That's where you're going."
Mushu slid off the animal's back. He gave the taller being a withering stare. Kahn felt uneasy that the dragon's eyes looked more reptilian, the pupils mere slits, as the pair had their standoff. Finally, the black-coated creature began his walk home and left the vengeful guardian to scout.
Du Heng listened respectfully to his elder. Honor, duty, respect, and, most of all, tradition guided the man in his life. As they should all the people of China. But some people were losing their way and questioning the old ways. It wasn't their fault, however. Those like the innocent young girls, the misguided princesses, and the wise yet aging emperor were not meaning to doubt the ancestors or tradition. They were simply bewitched by the treacherous actions of Fa Mulan. But no more.
Zheng spoke of the attack of the young woman as disgraceful and dishonorable. True, he shot her in stealth and in the back. But she was the one who went against everything that was important. She could not be treated as an honorable opponent to be faced in battle. And even if Zheng acted as if the event was a crime, Heng knew that in order to save his way of life, some sacrifices were needed.
Mulan was a symbol of the foolish thinking that would lead to a dissolution of all that was held dear. Already, the royalty were succumbing. Princess Ting-Ting and her sisters were being courted by men not chosen by their father or a matchmaker. Common soldiers that had been poisoned by the unnatural woman's ideas could easily be married into the emperor's family. If the future ruler was going to be someone who fought in the army, should they not at least have a man who could uphold tradition and honor? A man like Heng.
"Please, listen to me," begged Zheng. "I know you feel that it was your duty to commit this action, but you only disgrace your family."
Shaking his head, he explained, I know that what I have done is right. I am bringing honor to my family. I am defending centuries of tradition and our way of life."
"You tried to kill an innocent girl who the emperor himself acknowledges as a hero of China. How can you think that is right?" the older man asked. "I want to think you have a good heart inside. Will you go to them, tell them what you have done, and accept the consequences for the crime you have done?"
Heng answered, "No, I shall not waver in my duty. I shall not turn from this path. I welcome your wisdom, but my decision is final. Those loyal to the past stand beside me. Do you?"
"No, I do not," Zheng sighed slowly. "I'm sorry that you do not understand what you have done."
With that, he left the tent. Heng allowed the man to leave unhindered. He'd known the older man for many years and had always been treated with respect. Zheng was a good person, if naïve.
A shape eased out of the shadows, moving smoothly towards Heng. Yellow eyes glittered intelligently from the predator's face. The man glanced over.
"You think I should have kept him from leaving," the homely soldier remarked.
His companion shrugged, "You are in command, Heng. It is your choice. I'd only advise that you be wary of him. Our numbers are still small. Mulan's husband is a general. He was snagged by her treachery and could seek her killer. If Tseng Zheng should reveal where our camp is, General Li Shang could destroy our cause. The more time we have before we're forced to confront those who turn their faces from tradition and duty, the greater our chances of success."
"I understand, Wei," nodded Heng. "I am thankful for your guidance. I know I would not have come this far without you."
"I am honored to fulfill my duty and help protect the traditions of the ancestors," he grinned. "Just as you are now."
"Yes, we are serving a great role," Heng murmured softly before sticking his head out of the tent. The powerful form of one of his soldiers still stood outside the tent. Addressing the man, Heng ordered, "Liu Shing, follow him. Ensure that he is handled properly. After all, we must… take care of our elders."
The grin on the man's face was not a pleasant one, his missing teeth only adding to his savage appearance. Heng felt confident that Zheng would not be a problem for long.
A pain in her upper back and light-headedness greeted her. Mulan felt exhausted and couldn't understand why. Neither could she explain why an area near her right shoulder blade seemed to be on fire. The young woman wasn't a stranger to injury, however. She still bore a scar on her side where Shan Yu's sword sliced through her armor-covered form. The foggy-minded feeling she now experience reminded her of that day. Part of her decided that must mean she'd lost a lot of blood somehow.
But how? The pulsing pain on her back was likely connected to what caused her to feel so tired and weak. Was she in a battle of some kind? No, the last thing she remembered was talking with Shang and her friends. Then… an agonizing pain that shot through her entire body.
She was lying on her stomach with a light blanket on top. She felt someone holding her hand. Mulan forced herself to open her eyes.
Shang sat there, holding on to her. His even breaths and slumped posture demonstrated he was asleep. But he was still beside her. She smiled tiredly at her husband.
Licking her dry lips, she whispered, "…Shang?"
Waking instantly at her voice, the general's face flashed through a range of emotions on sight of his conscious wife: surprise, relief, and finally guilt. She tried to push herself upright, but the pain and her concerned husband forced her back down.
"What happened?" asked the injured woman.
Shang sighed and his free hand formed a fist by his side, "Someone shot you with an arrow. The coward fired on you from behind without warning. You really had us worried."
She tried to give a reassuring smile, "I'm fine. I'm sorry if I frightened all of you. Mushu's going to be here any minute making me promise not ever scare him like that again."
"I haven't seen him," frowned Shang. "For a while, the doctor or your parents were in here as well. They were afraid that you wouldn't…" He fell silent for a moment. "But there have been plenty of opportunities for him. I would have thought he'd be in here."
Excited chirping erupted as a small bluish-purple shape hurtled himself at Mulan. She found an ecstatic Cri-Kee snuggling against her cheek. The girl gave the insect a light stroke on the head, wincing as she moved her arm.
"I'm fine," she repeated. "Calm down." She smiled at the tiny cricket. She was upset that she'd worried all her loved ones, but she felt a sense of acceptance knowing that so many people cared for her. Even if someone still tried to just kill her, there were those out there who actually know her as a person and accept her for it. "I just wish I knew who attacked me like that. And where Mushu has vanished to."
Cri-Kee jumped down at her question. He hopped over to where he'd clearly dragged a piece of paper and a pad of ink. The insect then leapt feet first into the ink before bouncing to the paper. Within a few moments of his actions, words began to become legible.
"Honorable Fa Zhou," greeted Gang, slightly unnerved by the size of his audience. "I heard of the tragedy that befell your family and came to offer my sympathy. And to bring you news that is long overdue."
In addition to the parent of Mulan, the man's words were being listened to by three other men. He'd seen them around the village and could even recall their names. And after the princesses became freed of their oaths to wed and began to spend time with the three, everyone knew who Ling, Yao, and Chien Po were without exception. The three heroes of China were close friends of Mulan. It seemed natural for them to be present. None of them looked happy.
"For some time, there have been whispers from some people," he explained. "They feel that, war hero or not, a woman has no place in a man's world. That, even if Mulan did join the army, she must have used tricks and deception to do so and could never have been a real man's equal."
"Trust me, she can't have faked it," interrupted Ling. "We've seen her fight. I'd back her against any soldier."
"I am simply relaying the rumors," Gang defended. "These people fear change and she is a symbol of change. Rather than being a demure girl who is satisfied to allow her father and husband to arrange her life, she takes her place as their equal. While many see her as a role model, others see her as a threat to family values and tradition."
"Is that why someone tried to hurt her?" asked a furious Yao. "Because of a stupid idea like that?"
He nodded, "That is what I fear. A man named Du Heng became a figurehead for this movement shortly after her and General Li Shang's marriage. He fears that she started a dangerous trend that will undo everything. That is who I believe tried to kill Fa Mulan."
Fa Zhou sighed heavily at the news. Grief and worry had aged the man overnight. His daughter, his only child, had been attacked. Because she'd taken his place in the army. Gang wished there was a way to lighten the weight across the father's shoulders.
"Tell us where to find him," the stocky soldier ordered. "I need to have a very violent 'chat' with him."
"I do not know where he is," he admitted. "A short time ago, he and many of his followers vanished. Those that went with him came from many different villages and possessed military training however. What he will do now, I don't know. I just felt I should tell you why they did this."
"Thank you," sighed Zhou. "It was kind of you to bring what news you could."
"I just wish there was more I could do," he responded. "I… might be able to learn something later today. I hope your daughter recovers swiftly."
As the man headed out, a black horse galloped through the gate. It came to a halt near the group, gave the group a glance over, and then made his way to the stable on his own.
More information has been revealed and soon things will be getting interesting. I hope to have more in the near future. I am updating this far faster than I expected. I love predictions and reviews. They make me a happy person.