The Duty to the Heart
Now we'll have another short world and chapter. Just imagine fighting lot's of Heartless occasionally and it'll seem like it fits! I personally hate this film (it lacks in action) but I thought I'd wrap the Mulan saga up. So, here ya go. Enjoy it! And who knew Sonic spoke Chinese?!
I don't own Sonic the Hedgehog or Kingdom Hearts, savvy? On with the story!
A few hours later we touchdown in the next world. We end up taking longer because we're going further away. Donald says something about being able to warp to worlds we've already been to, but I'm not really listening. My legs are starting to ache: I need a good stretch.
Looks like I've come to the right place for that!
The fields stretch on and on, undisturbed in their tranquillity. The sky is clear and the sun is warm. Much nicer than Traverse Town, which seems to be in a perpetual moonlit state. It's like being inside a poem here! Donald and Goofy looks relaxed as well: it might just be the scent of lavender on the wind.
"Have you two been here before?"
"Yeah. We helped a girl called Mulan pretend to be a boy to get into the army, and saved the whole of China!"
China, huh? Reminds me an awful lot of Chun-Nan.
"Hey, if we're in China, how will anyone know what we're saying?"
"I've never noticed that before. I guess everyone just understands each other regardless of what language we're speaking."
Come to think of it, if I concentrate enough, it does sound like Donald and Goofy are talking in a different language. Magic come in handy sometimes. The scenery of the world is spoiled by a battle going on in the distance. I squint: its three guys trying to fight off some Heartless.
"Gawrsh, we better help them."
"Looks like our cue, boys!"
We charge forward with a similar battle cry to the ones that the men are making, only with more vigor. We chop through the Heartless, making sure not to take any human heads off in the process. I'm surprised they couldn't hold their own with these monsters: they've got swords!
They look happy to see us. Gee, I wonder why.
"Hey, it's you two! I thought we'd never see you again!"
"Nice to see you too! How's the quest for the girls worth fighting for doing?"
"... Not so good. Though Yao here has his eye set on one, right... there!"
The skinny one points at the wagon, where three regal women are hesitantly stepping out onto the grass. The three musketeers must be guarding them.
"Are... Are they gone?"
"Yeah. We just took care of them."
They step out fully and bow to us. They must be princesses, dressed like that.
"Thank you very much. We never knew the road to Qui Gong would be so dangerous."
"Bù kè qi. Now, what are all of you doing out here?"
"Oh no! That's official imperial business!" exclaims the skinny one. "Not even you can know about it!"
"Donald! Goofy!"
A young woman comes riding over on her horse, beaming at us. A stern looking man follows on his horse. If he'd relax a bit he'd be quite handsome. I think he's just having a stressful day. Mulan jumps down off her horse unceremoniously, while the man takes his time. Like Yin and Yang, those two, and I haven't even met them properly!
"Mulan! Nice to see you again!" yells Donald.
"You too! Oh, who's this?"
"Sonic. I just saved these goons from their impending demise."
They don't take kindly to this. Mulan just laughs, probably aware at how... ungainly they are. Donald and Goofy salute the stern man, calling him General Li Shang. Shang will do just fine.
"What brings you here? And where's Sora?"
"We don't know where Sora is. And we're here to seal the Keyhole! You know where it is?"
"No, sorry. The Emperor might know, but we're kinda in the middle of something."
"Well, let us help! The sooner this thing is done the sooner we can go ask this guy."
Shang shakes his head. Mulan goes to say something, but he holds an arm out to silence her. He isn't exactly a feminist.
"I'm sorry, but we've got enough soldiers as it is. Any more and we'll be slowed down."
Everyone looks discouraged. I think they we're hoping for the extra protection. Well, I'm not standing for that!
"Excuse me, Mr. High-and-Mighty, but who was it that just defeat the Heartless?"
"... You?"
"And who was it that saved your troops and princesses?"
"... You."
"And who is it that is offering their help with no demands for pay or even rewards in general?"
"OK, OK, I get the picture. You're worse than Mulan! If you want to accompany us, I suppose there's no stopping you."
"Glad you saw it my way. Now, why are we all standing around? Don't we have things to do?"
Everyone starts to look livelier now that the crew has increased from eight to eleven. Mulan and Shang pull fishing rods out of the carriage and go to catch dinner. There are sparks happening between those two, but I think they already know that. The three give me their names – Chien-Po, Yao and Ling – and say something about scouting ahead for more Heartless. They just want to impress the three beautiful women in the carriage. I notice that some of the boxes have fallen off the back of the wagon, and I go to pick them up. One of the princesses is already doing my job for me.
"Oh, don't worry. I've got it," I tell her. She fiddles with her sash before finally blurting out what's on her mind.
"Why did you help us? I mean, we we're probably just any old people being attacked! You could've walked straight by!"
"Well, that wouldn't be very nice, would it? Is there some kind of subliminal message in that?"
She doesn't look put off by my blunt tone. Good.
"... I was wondering... What we're you thinking?"
"When I saved you?"
"Yeah! Did your duty tell you to, or did your heart?"
"Well, I'm not very good with duty. I've never really had it before, until now. I'd say that my duty and my heart we're telling me to do the same thing, but that's not the answer you want, is it? If they were different I'd say... my duty was to my heart."
"Really? How do you know?"
"Well, duty is resolute. It never changes, but the heart can change. If something was the right thing to do my heart would tell me that, but my duty would tell me to do what's expected of me, which isn't always the best thing to do. What if doing my duty would hurt others? Following my heart is more likely to make people happy, including myself, which is what's important."
"I... see. Thank you."
"That's OK, princess. Now, what's all this talk to do with you?"
"Oh! I... Uhh... Shouldn't really talk about that to a guy... You are a guy, aren't you?"
"Yeah. It must be strange to see people like Donald, Goofy and I who aren't exactly normal. But, we're still people, so you should still let me help."
"..."
"It's to do with Yao, isn't it?"
"Oh, alright! Well, he's just so... so..."
"Strong?"
"Very!"
"Rough on the outside yet soft on the inside?"
"Of course!"
"You like him, huh?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"He likes you back."
"You think? Oh, what's the point of thinking about it?"
"Why? Sounds like a match made in heaven."
"Well, we're princesses. We're going to marry three princes in Qui Gong, so that our province isn't attacked and destroyed by the Mongols. We have to be married in three days, or things will go bad."
"I hate arranged marriages."
"Me too, but-"
"It's your duty to marry a prince, but you're heart is in love with Yao. Princess, in situations like these, I would say that patience is a good thing to have. Everything should turn out OK. Look at Mulan and Shang!"
"How do you know of them being together?"
"I didn't! It's just obvious! They're like Yin and Yang: two opposites. You can Yao are too. You can only hope, right?"
"I suppose."
"Now, shouldn't you be with your sisters? We're probably ready to make tracks before more Heartless show up."
"OK. Thanks..."
"The name's Sonic. Sonic the Hedgehog. Guì xìng?"
"Mei. Nice use of the language."
"Xiè xie. Now, hop to it!"
She giggles, her nerves soothed a little bit. I'm good at this pep talking thing! She climbs back into the wagon just as Yao, Ling and Chien-Po come back. They say there's no Heartless nearby, which is good. We've only got three days left! Mulan and Shang come back with three more horses. They bought them off the local farmers, they explain, for the three extra guests. We accept them gratefully; my feet are killing me after wandering around Traverse Town a while ago.
When Shang gets on his horse his saddle flips the wrong side up. Donald, Goofy and I start laughing at him. Mulan unbuckles her saddle so that she swings around to the same level as Shang and plants a kiss on his cheek. They're like two love-struck fools. After they right themselves to the cries of 'Aww!' and 'Get a room!' we finally make tracks. I barely catch a glimpse of a seething red flash dashing into Mulan's knapsack. It's probably me seeing things.
A surprising amount of bad things happen to Shang on the way; it only gets worse as we go along. He ends up being frequently chased around by animals or being set alight. I'm starting to get suspicious, and I know Donald and Goofy are feeling to same way. I finally manage to catch the little red flash before it gets away. It's a dragon with a bandage on its head, surprisingly.
"Are you trying to split them up or something?!"
"Hey, now, don't look at me like that! I'm only trying to help them!"
"Gawrsh, how is this helping them, Mushu?"
"Oh, hey you two. Butting in as usual."
"Hey!"
"Stop changing the subject, lizard!"
"I'm not a lizard, thank you! I'm a dragon!"
"Sure you are."
"You know what? Fine. I was only trying to do a little good for my girl, 'cause those two are so different, this love thing is never gonna work!"
"I don't know. They look happy."
"Are you sure this isn't one of you self-absorbed schemes again?"
"No way! Mulan is my girl, man! I just want me... I mean her to be happy!"
"She looks happy without your input."
"That's what you think. You, coming in here from another world. I'm a dragon! What on Earth are you?!"
"A hedgehog."
"Sure you are."
He jumps down out of my grasp and lands underneath the wagon.
"I put my heart and soul into making this girl happy, and what do I have to show for it? Good ancestors, take me now!"
He hammers on the wheel with his fists, knocking the whole thing loose and getting tangled up at the same time. The wagon careers off downhill at too fast a pace for any normal person to catch up with. Any normal person. I hop off my horse and give chase. I hope the princesses are OK.
When I catch up to the runaway wagon it's picked up Yao, Ling and Chien-Po. Mulan and Shang have caught up too. Mei and Su are thrown out of the wagon and onto the safety of the horses, but Ting-Ting gets her foot caught. And she's heading straight for a cliff. Brilliant. I jump in the wagon and yank Ting-Ting's foot out from the floor in one swift movement.
The whole wagon tips downwards, and I just know we're falling.
If we're in the wagon, we'll get dashed to pieces. Besides, I usually land on my feet. I chuck Ting-Ting and I out of the small window moments before the wagon is destroyed. I take a moment of relief, before actually looking down.
Water.
Why is there always water?!
If we hit that, I'm drowning. I remember back to what Merlin said; if I give Chaos Energy form, it'll work like magic. I don't know if I can fly with it unless I've got all seven! He also said to control myself. Well, forget control! I'm going to die! I shut my eyes and collect the Chaos Energy within me. Luckily it's a long way down, so I have time.
Once I'm ready to burst with power, I summon the Kingdom Key, holding onto a screaming Ting-Ting with one hand, and release the energy. My whole body tears itself in two with the raw power of the spell. My ears are filled with screaming, but I don't know who it belongs to anymore. I'm vaguely aware of bright white light filling me and everything around me, until it's all that I can see. All that I can feel.
Then I hit something hard and everything goes blank.
...
When I wake up I'm in a tent. And my head hurts. In fact everything hurts. What on Earth did I do?! And is everyone else OK? They must be, or who would have built this tent? I'm alone: Donald and Goofy must have wanted to give me room. I wonder how long I've been out for. I hurt too much to get up and check.
I manage to pull the Chaos Emerald out from my quills. It looks dull. That spell must've used up a lot of energy. I use a small amount of whatever's left to ease my pain, but not enough to heal me fully. I don't want to make it run out when I've got no back-up.
I manage to sit up in time to see Shang's silhouette storm out of his own tent. I wonder what's up. I debate following him. There's a muffled argument going on between him and Mulan. They both storm off back to their tents. Everyone's probably up now. They made a fair bit of noise. I suppose I'd better get up and see if everything's still in one piece.
It is.
They didn't take their anger out on the campsite, at least. The others must have constructed it while I was out. I can hear giggling and singing coming from the princesses' tent. At least I think it's the princesses' tent. I doubt anyone else in this campsite would be singing or dancing. I cough at the doorway, not wanting invade on their privacy. They are girls, after all.
"Who is it?" one of them calls. I think its Su.
"It's just me. I wanted to make sure you're all OK after we fell off the cliff."
There's a shuffling noise from inside the tent and the doors are thrown open. Mei drags me inside the tent, hardly proper behaviour for a Princess.
"We should ask you the same thing!"
"You did save me, after all," says Ting-Ting with a lot of logic.
"Oh, it was nothing. Just doin' my job."
They sit me down forcefully on one of the cushions.
"Can we ask you something?"
"Uhh... Sure."
"What's it like to be normal?"
"I don't think I'm the right one to ask. Look at me!"
"Well, because you're different it's OK to ask you! If we asked Yao or Ling or Chien-Po it'd be improper!"
"Well... I guess... What do you mean by normal?"
"Well, what would normal girls do?"
"I guess they'd be able to go for long walks whenever they wanted. And, eat whatever they wanted for tea. And wear whatever they wanted."
"Everything we can't, you mean?"
I give them all a look. I'm not sure whether they're sad or joyful. A mixture of both. Confusion, I think it's called.
"What is this about?"
"We're sick of being princesses! We want to be normal so we can marry the three guards!"
"Su! Shame on you for telling him that!"
"I knew it. You're all besotted."
"You'll be truthful with us, right?"
"I think I'm the only one who will."
"That's why we wanted to ask you! Do you think there's any chance of us ever being normal without letting down our country and our father?"
"Well, I suppose so. I mean, I'm technically royalty too, where I come from, but I live a free life."
"You're royalty?!"
"You'd never have guessed!"
"But, I have a brother and sister to take care of things for me, so I had the choice. I guess... yeah! Maybe you can be normal! You just have to trust that you will. And remember, Mei...!"
"You're duty is to your heart!"
"Right! Keep that in mind, and you should live a happy life."
"I never got to thank you properly," says Ting-Ting in a soft voice I never knew she could manage. "You risked yourself to save me, and you didn't really have to."
"What actually happened? I was too busy being unconscious."
"You mean you didn't see?!"
"Oh, it was amazing!"
"So pretty!"
"Come, let's all see it again!"
I'm dragged off by the princesses again. I seem to get a lot of that. I need to stop being such a pushover around royalty. We don't walk very far, but I'm still aware that I'm being dragged around a forest by three attractive ladies. I never felt happier to be a hedgehog and not a human before.
Then we reach the lake.
I know without asking that this is where we fell. The whole thing is solid ice! Even some of the lower rocks and the grass on the edge are encased in crystal. No wonder I got knocked out!
"Holy crud."
"That was what I thought when I landed on it! Well, I really landed on you... Sorry."
"That's OK. I wonder how long it'll take to thaw out. Mind you, I did do it with Chaos Energy, so maybe it'll never melt."
"It's pretty like this anyway! It'll be a reminder of the day we nearly all died!"
"You sound far too happy when you say that."
We head back to camp and sit around the fire, which is still burning brightly. The princesses scoop boiling tea out of the pot and sip it gracefully. Despite wanting to be like normal girls, they still have the manners of princesses. I cough to get their attention and chug the whole cup down in one go. The princesses laugh at their own elegance and do the same.
We're rudely interrupted by Yao, Ling and Chien-Po making quite an entrance. I used to think that only elephants and Knuckles could make that much noise! They look like they've been fighting. I can only imagine what over.
"Yao? Is something wrong?" asks Mei. He pulls himself together, standing up tall and straightening his tunic out to make him look more presentable. I sense a moment coming on here.
"Well, I leave you all to it. I'll be on the guard post, if you need me."
I leave them to it like I promised. I sit down on the edge of a cliff, watching out for any enemies, specifically Heartless. After that least attack, there doesn't seem to be any more around. It makes me suspicious. I was under the impression that there'd be loads and that they'd constantly attack us, but there hasn't been any. Maybe something's keeping them back. Whatever. I'm not good with profound thinking.
Mulan crashes through the undergrowth, looking peeved. Very peeved.
"Where are the princesses?!"
"Oh they just went off with Yao, Ling and Chien-Po down that hill over there. Look you can see them from here! Looks like they're going to that village."
"Sheesh. Just make sure Shang doesn't follow us. He's on a short fuse tonight."
"I heard. Just be careful, Mulan."
She jumps on her horse and rides off after the three pairs. Unfortunately, Shang rides off soon afterwards. Oh, what a brilliant guard I am. And still no sign of Donald and Goofy! I head back to the camp. They must've left footprints that I can follow. Donald and Goofy are already there, and they pounce on me when we reach each other.
"We thought you were never gonna wake up! You were out for three hours!"
"Where's everyone going? We saw them heading to the village!"
"I'm not sure, but it doesn't look good. Now, if you could just get off me we can go chase them down."
Donald and Goofy hop on a horse each, while I just prefer to run on my own two legs. There seems to be a festival going on in the town. There are lights everywhere and people are dancing. And you have the large traditional dragons, of course. Mushu must be feeling jealous of their large sizes, even though they're not real.
"Gawrsh, where could they all be?"
"Well, they stand out a lot. Hopefully we'll find them. Of course, we'll get a better view from above."
I point at a drainpipe, which leads to the rooftops. We shimmy up the side, trying not to draw any attention. Luckily, we're on a side of the house that isn't near the parade, so we get up unnoticed. The group seems to have split up, because Su and Chien-Po are at a food stall, Yao is wrestling to the adoration of Mei, and poor Ling is trying to make Ting-Ting laugh. He gets half-blown up by some firecrackers, which Ting-Ting finally laughs at. Man, that is one ugly laugh, but it's so rare, that it's beautiful in its own way. Sort of. At least Ling can appreciate it.
Mulan catches up to them when they're gazing at the moon in each other's arms. I'm content to sit back and watch the show, but Donald and Goofy spot something. Something bad. Shang. I don't want to be around to see this. Besides, if we're seen to be gone from our posts, the imminent row will probably make him yell at us. We exchange sorrowful looks and head back to the campsite.
It's bad. I knew it. Everyone is in dour spirits, especially compared to what they were like before. The tents and supplies are packed up immediately and the party moves out. The princesses sit solemnly on the back of a buffalo – the best anyone could do in these situations. It's like a funeral procession. Even worse is that fact that this is 'bandit country'. Read 'Heartless feeding grounds'.
Mulan and Mushu start arguing. I guess his conscience played him like a guitar. It was bound to come to this. Everyone is just argue, argue, argue. She suddenly starts galloping forward, looking happy. Guess she realised they were fighting over nothing.
Cue the Heartless to ruin the mood.
They jump down from the sides of the gorge we're in, trapping us. Not for long. Donald, Goofy and I start exterminating the pests, while the princesses and their guards leg it. Mulan and Shang hold their own too, but without weapons designed to combat Heartless, there's nothing they can do but defend themselves.
Mei starts screaming, the Heartless having managed to catch up to her. Chien-Po saves her by jumping on them and squashing them flat, minus the princess. Ling and Yao follow suit, dealing swift punches to hold the Heartless off. When we get there we cut them all to shreds. I was wondering when they'd all show up.
Two Heartless make off with Mei. Donald, Goofy and I leave the rest with the two remaining princesses in case they get hurt too. The Heartless start to cross a bridge, but we catch them up in time. They're super fat, and all our hits bounce off their guts. Goofy says something about Large Bodies. Suitable name.
I jump over their heads and whack them on the behind with my Keyblades, making them drop Mei, who runs into the arms of Yao. At least all the princesses are in one piece. The Large Bodies start bouncing on the bridge, trying to get it to collapse.
They get their wish.
The right side of the bridge gives way, sending the Heartless plummeting to their doom. We're smarter, though, and form a chain of hands. Shang grabs Mulan, who grabs Goofy, who grabs Donald, who grabs me, who grabs a stray bit of rope. We dangle suspended for a few moments, until the rope frays and eventually snaps.
We fall for a few moments before finally jerking to a stop. The rope's getting thinner, and I can feel that the Chaos Emerald is too drained from my ice lake earlier to teleport us all out of here. I can't even see the bottom of the ravine; it's that deep.
Shang looks down, and looks back up.
"The rope isn't going to hold us all."
We all get his meaning. Unfortunately, we're all too high up to stop him from letting go and falling. The rope stops fraying and everything is still, apart from the rain which streams from the skies. Chien-Po pulls the rope up with us all on it. I can't bear to look at Mulan. I don't want to see her tears.
We wait for the rain to pass. The mood is more sombre than before; the party down by one. Mulan doesn't leave the ruined bridge for a second. Only when the rain passes and the sun shines down once more does she stand. She says she'll finish the mission, even if she has to do it alone. For Shang, I suppose. Her determination and devotion reminds me of Amy. They'd get along famously.
Mulan leaves alone. She tries to, at least, but Donald, Goofy and I won't let her. She puts up a fight to start with, but I think she's so drained from the loss of her fiancée that she gives up quickly. We depart from the rest, which is odd because the princesses are supposed to be getting married. We find out her plan soon enough.
We arrive at the palace, a great gold and stone building that reaches to the heavens. We cause quite a stir getting into the place; we are a woman, dog, duck and hedgehog after all. Mulan somehow manages to get an audience with Lord Chin. He's a bit too big for his boots for my liking.
"Lord Chin, I am sorry to report that the princesses are gone."
"What do you mean gone?!"
"The royal carriage was swept away and destroyed."
"That is unfortunate, but it doesn't alter my agreement with the Emperor. If there is no marriage, then there is no alliance with the middle kingdom!"
"But, my lord, there will be a marriage. I would be honoured to marry a prince of Qui Gong."
Say what?
"This is not what was agreed. However, the Golden Dragon of Unity smiles on you today. And, in view of the tragedy, I will accept your offer. You will make a fine bride for my eldest son, Prince Chikee."
Mulan looks less than impressed. 'Chikee' is playing with a Chinese Finger Trap. What a dork. Mulan is shown to her chambers, where she gets dressed in her bridal gear. Us three, standing in as her bodyguards, follow. She looks beautiful as a bride, but so sad. Like a frozen rose.
"I would give up a thousand pedestals if it would stop this," says Mushu in a moment of enlightenment.
"I don't think even the Golden Dragon of Unity could stop this now," says Mulan. She picks up her headdress and walks to her imprisonment. She's strong. Stronger than I ever imagined.
"Hey, Mushu, is it possible to summon this dragon thing and get it to stop the wedding?"
"Nah. He's too high and mighty for this sorta stuff. It's all my fault."
"Well, what if there was a way to put this right?"
He looks at me, and I look at him. We both look at the dragon statue on the balcony. Innovative. Mushu runs off to do his thing, leaving the rest of us to step onto the balcony to watch the show. Mulan and Chikee are holding chalices attached by a ribbon. Neither she nor he looks happy.
Trust Shang to charge in and save it all.
We see him first, being higher up than everyone else. He throws a shuriken and slices through the sash; I have to commend him on his aim later. Mulan runs to him and gives him a big hug. Silly Mushu; thinking they weren't perfect for each other.
Lord Chin starts yelling at them, but we're too far away to hear what he's saying. Something about a 'sacred ceremony'. His guards charge in and separate the couple. Donald, Goofy and I are about to jump in and save them when a burst of flames licks the stage, scattering the soldiers like ants.
"Yo! What with all this drama?!"
The Golden Dragon of Unity is talking. Or should I say, Mushu inside the Golden Dragon of Unity's statue is talking. Like I said: innovative. Everyone bows, thinking it's the real thing.
"Oh, you dang right I live, so you best drop your dumpling-eatin' behinds on down and tell me why we ain't bustin' out the barrels already, huh?"
"But... your greatness, General Li Shang is not a son of Qui Gong."
"SILENCE!" bellows Mushu, letting out a stream of fire from the statues mouth. He plays the part well. "I am the Golden Dragon of Unity, and I decide whom to unify. My all-seeing eye has peered into the very heart of China, and I've never seen two people more right for one another than this lovely couple right here: Mulan and Shang. Give it up for 'em, would ya please?"
His voice breaks slightly; I think he's going to cry. Mulan and Shang hold hands and hug, free now to do as they wish. Everyone starts cheering for the 'lovely couple', including us and the princesses, Yao, Ling and Chien-Po, who must've snuck in at some point.
"Now I command you to proceed at once!"
"Yes, your greatness! As you command!" whimpers Lord Chin, still prostrate on the ground.
"Now, let's get down to business. Mulan do you love Shang? Of course you do! Shang do you love Mulan? Yes, very much. Moving on. By the power vested in me (by me) I hereby pronounce you husband and wife. You got anything to say, Lord Double-Chin?"
"Yes! I mean no! I mean... Whatever you say."
Ah, Mushu, such little finesse. At least everyone's happy. I love a happy ending.
"And furthermore, I hereby decree that the princesses of the middle kingdom (wherever they may be) are released for their vow and may marry whomsoever they please (and whoever pleases them: that's very important). Oh, and happiness to Donald, Goofy and Sonic (wherever those three are)."
The four happy couples kiss. It's about time if you ask me. Everyone starts cheering.
"I thought he was gonna forget us for a moment there."
"A-hyuk, Mushu's a guardian, he never forgets anything!"
"We're still missing a Keyhole."
"Actually, I think I may know just where it is..."
So begins our long journey back to the middle kingdom. I won't go into it. It's boring and uneventful.
Anywho... When we get back the princesses and their now-fiancées head back to the palace, while the rest of us go to Mulan's place. It's nice: there's a blossom tree in the front yard. I can't help but notice that Mushu's looking upset, even though his guardian-ee just got married like he eventually wanted. Mulan comes up with an idea that Shang likes, and asks us to help him cart some big ol' chunks of block to the family temple. Mushu likes it: he accidentally reveals himself to Shang.
"So, this is the famous Mushu, huh?"
"Mulan, you told him? About me?!"
"I have no secrets from my husband. I told him everything."
"Everything?" he whimpers, hiding behind Mulan's dress.
"Everything, Great Golden Dragon of Unity," Shang replies with a wink.
"I still don't get it: what does putting this rock here do?" asks me.
"It combines our temples and gives me my pedestal back!"
"Well, I'm glad that everything turned out OK. Now, about that Keyhole..."
"Oh, the Keyhole did you say?" asks Shang with a glint of mischief in his eye. "I know where that is. As protector of the Emperor, I have to know, in case it needs protecting."
"Tell us!" quacks Donald. "It's important!"
"Well... In light of all you've done for us, I suppose I should tell you."
"Sweet! Where is it? It isn't far is it? I bet its back in Qui Gong. Trust our luck."
"Not quite. It's right here."
He points at a Keyhole-shaped indentation in the wall. Oops. Guess I didn't notice. I summon the Kingdom Key, and the Keyhole shimmers into existence once it senses the presence of the weapon. I seal it with a flash of light.
"What does that mean?"
"It means this world won't be devoured by the Heartless."
"Well, that's good."
"Too right. Give us a call if you need anything."
"And enjoy your honeymoon!"
Everyone laughs. After all the heartache we've had, it seems like the only thing we can do.
Did I mention I love happy endings?