-1Chapter 3:

Yin and Yang

When you think things cant get any brighter…someone turns out the light- Aros

"where…" Aros blinked, it was black, nothing else…just, black "HELO!?" He cried, hoping for some answer in the cold dark place. "Get out of here!" a sobbing voice replied "don't come any closer!" Aros knew that voice "SORA?!…Sora where are you!?" he tripped over something, managing to avoid falling "what the?…" he looked back to a body on the floor, a deep hole in his chest, platinum hair like a river across his face "…Riku?" Aros shivered, then herd hissing "GO! I DON'T WANT YOU KILLED!" Aros spotted Sora crouched not too far off "Who did this?!" Sora covered his head with his arms "Sora?…Sora AWNSER ME!" He grabbed onto Sora's shoulder.

"Sora's not here anymore…"

Sora's skin turned black before his very eyes, nails lengthened to claws, eyes dulled to yellow orbs, canines sharpened to fangs "You wanna know who did it?" one hand touched the floor, claws clinking against the unseen ground "you did…" Aros let go, walking backwards "…no…no I got rid of you!….I GOT RID OF YOU!" Antisora crawled forward "You cant get rid of the darkness, Aros….you need to embrace it…Your element is the darkness…you where born of the darkness…and you will forever be in the darkness…" Aros tripped over Riku's body again, scooting away, while Antisora slapped it away like a useless piece of trash "without me…your super strength, enhanced speed, power boost…gone…I'm the source of your power Aros, face it…you need me". He lengthened his claws on one hand "I just need to…remove something in the way" Aros was frozen as Antisora's claws, moved straight from his side, to his neck, then down to his chest "HERE!" the claws dug deep into the boy's chest, causing a panicked gasp to pass Aros's lips before everything faded.

"NO!" Aros sat bolt upright in a cold sweat, he had slept in the cockpit and his sleeves where damp from drooling on them. "….Just…Just a bad dream…" A hand went to his pounding heart, trying to calm it "a bad…bad…dream" A hand clamped down on his shoulder "AHHH!" "AHHHH!" Aros turned face to face with a (now very pale) Sora. "what is wrong with you!?" both boys took a deep breath, exhaling at the same time. "I just had the worst dream" He looked out the window "Antisora…My heartless showed up nothing bad…I'm just glad its o-" the chair was spun around, Blue met solid yellow "It isn't over yet" Aros screamed, shutting his eyes tight.

"Dude…DUDE WAKE UP!" Sora shoved Aros hard, who woke up as he hit the floor "…you where screaming for the past five minutes!" he put his hands on his hips "I was about to go def!" Aros blinked, then pinched himself, wincing "….I'm really awake…right?" Sora raised an eyebrow "yes…just like everyone else on the ship" Riku groaned, rubbing his temples "Were here…".

The trio landed in a bamboo thicket, a single dirt road "this is like deep jungle…" Aros mumbled "only no monkeys…" Sora blinked "Gorillas…" Aros shrugged "whatever". "what's your problem?" Riku asked quickly before the two boys got into an argument "still worried about that dream?" Aros glared "NIGHTMARE!". all was silent for a few seconds…Aros walked over to a rock, hit it with his keyblade and it moved "…." Sora raised an eyebrow, nudging Riku with his elbow and pointing "Aros….what are you doing?" Aros dismissed his keyblade and griped onto the rock, could of at least been over 100 pounds, and pulled. He stopped a second…nothing, then tried again "Aros what are you doing?!" Aros fell over from loss of grip, looking at the sky "I lost it….", Riku snickered "yes you did". Aros shot a glare "No…my abilities…my speed, my power…I lost them when I gave up the darkness within" he got up and sat down on the rock..

"I don't know why, but I feel as if I have to do this…OH!" the trio looked up at a solder leading a horse through the bamboo. "Um…hi?…" the solder's voice deepened, trying to show masculinity, but because of his very thin frame, it wasn't too convincing "are you using this spot?…well then " He pointed to the side "ill just…get going now". Sora raised an eyebrow "Uh…we where just going…one of our team mates just lost something" Aros almost fell over "like my dignity" he glared at Sora, who grinned. "where are you going?" the solder straightened "to join the imperial army…" then he slouched "but who am I kidding, it would take a miracle to get me in-"

"DID I HEAR SOMEONE ASK FOR A MIRACLE!"

A large shadow loomed behind Aros, taking the form of a dragon. "LET ME HEAR YA SAY 'AH!" Aros and the solder yelped "AHHHH!" Aros dove into the bamboo. "THAT'S CLOSE ENOUGH!" Riku and Sora stepped back "A ghost". The shadow turned "I HAVE COME TO WARN YOU! THAT IF THE ARMY FINDS OUT YOU'RE A GIRL-" the shadow pointed a claw at the solder "THE PENALTY IS DEATH!". Silence covered the area "…you're a girl?" Aros whispered to the solder, who was hiding next to him. The solder nodded "Who are you!" she shouted to the shadow. "WHO AM I?….WHO AM I?!…I AM THE GAURDIAN OF LOST SOULS! I AM THE POWERFULL, THE PLEASUREFULL…THE INDESTRUCTABLE…Mushu" a tiny red dragon walked out from behind the rock "….I was scared of that?" Aros whispered, "Yeah I'm pretty hot huh-YIKES!" the horse that was brought stomped on the tiny dragon. Sora snickered as the solder walked up and poked Mushu "uh, my ancestors sent a little Lizard to help me?" Mushu slapped her hand away "Dragon…DRAGON! Not LIZARD!….I don't do that tong thing " his forked tongue flicked out in annoyance.

Aros got up, walking over as the solder folded her arms "you're…" Mushu slinked up a bamboo pipe "Irresistible?…awe inspiring?" the solder narrowed her first two fingers "tiny". Mushu folded his claws "Well of coarse!…I'm travel size!" he looked frightening "If I was my real size your cow here would die of fright!" he patted the horse's nose, who attempted to bite him "Down Bessie!" he turned back to the solder "but don't let my size fool you, I am powerful beyond all imagination…in fact my eyes can see straight through your armor" the solder slapped Mushu to the ground "ALRIGHT DISHONOR! DISHONOR ON YOUR WHOLE VILAGE! Dishonor on YOU! Dishonor on your COW! Dishonor on-" Sora blinked "wait…Mushu?" the dragon turned "you-…Sora!" he slithered to the boy's feet "I thought I recognized that spiky head of yours!" he looked to Riku "I'm guessing you found your friends…but who's spiky number two?" Aros glared "Aros….for the love of God its AROS!" he fumed, Mushu blinked, "just like Ying and Yang you two…"Sora and Aros blinked "say wha?" Mushu waved "never mind…so we going or are we going?!" Riku folded his arms "First things First…who are you?" the solder looked shy "Fa Mulan…you?" "Riku" "Sora" "Aros" Mushu clicked his claws "well if we are all introduced and everything…shall we get a move on?".

Mulan parted the bamboo "I'm nervous…" she turned to the trio "would you accompany me…I might fit in more if I'm around other guys". Sora nodded "might be a good idea…." Aros blinked, giving Sora a serious glare "we don't exactly fit in here…" the three bands lit up "huh?" light crawled up their arms, covering them from the neck down, when the light faded, the uniforms they where wearing had turned to matching tunics, a crown was printed on the right shoulder. "How did you do that?!" Mulan's eyes widened "not quite sure ourselves "Riku pulled a little bit on his tunic sleeve, the band had vanished. Mushu shook his head "well…onward!".

The four (plus Mushu) walked through the camp "aint it beautiful?" a man spit in their path "they're disgusting" Mulan winced "No…they're men…and you're going to have to act just like them". not far off a few men started getting into a brawl "I don't think I can do this…." Mulan whimpered "Its all attitude girl…come-on show them what your made of!…shoulders back" Mulan tilted her shoulders too far back "feet together" Aros snickered slightly as Mulan pulled her knees together "now march!" Mulan walked forward like she never walked in her life. "I can't watch this…" Riku rubbed his eyes, Sora stopped Mulan "you don't need to walk like that…just be confident!". "Be confident?" Mulan blinked "Be confident" She nodded surely, walking right with her shoulders back slightly "I'm the guardian dragon here…I know what's best!" Mushu whispered "and I know that she was just about to embarrass herself " Sora whispered back as the foursome (plus Mushu) lined up.

A short man shoved past Sora, followed by two comrades, a skinny one and a very, very big one…Yao, Ling, and Chien-po. "Hey! No cutting in line!" Sora shouted, only to have a fist collide with his cheekbone. "K.O…" Aros whispered "you got something to say skinny boy?" Yao waved his fist, Aros was silent "I thought not". Mushu whispered into Mulan's ear "now, punch him…its how men say hello" Mulan blinked unsure, but did so "Ow!" Yao glared, but turned away "now slap 'em on the behind they like that" Mulan closed her eyes and did so, little did she know Yao had moved "WHA!?" Aros turned "…don't do that!" Mulan turned red "Sorry". Aros turned mumbling something inaudible (sounded like 'going to kill that dragon') , facing toward the front, shooting a fierce glare at the laughing Sora.

"AW SHUT UP YA' BRATS!" Yao shouted "Two words dude…Mouth-wash" Aros waved a hand infrount of his face, and got a nice fist to the side of his face. Aros rubbed the bruise slightly "oh you did not just do that…" Yao smirked "Maybe I did, Maybe I didn't" Aros grinned, showing only one fang "Oh I know you didn't…because if you did…I would have to do THIS!" he lunged, giving Yao a forming black eye. That settled it, punches started to fly, Ling got a stray blow from Yao and hit Riku on the rebound, who accidentally hit Aros in the shoulder, who tripped over Sora, Who yelped as he shielded his face from the flying blows, then got up and joined the brawl. "Just like Ying and Yang…" Mushu sighed "take notes Mulan" Mulan gave Mushu a warning glare "they could get hurt!" She winced as Sora yelped "KEEP YOUR BLOWS ABOVE THE BELT!" Aros scolded as Yao got a fistful of 'Aros brand butt whoop'. "I think they already are…" Mushu corrected.

"SOLDERS!"

Everyone stopped in a tangle of fighting stances, before most of them backed away from the group (plus Mushu) "THEY STARTED IT!". the General gave a warning glare "I don't need trouble in my camp! Is that clear?" Aros winced "Crystal". the General stood tall "My name is General Shang…and what I just saw was a pathetic excuse for solders…get back in line and await further inspection!" Everyone straightened up and moved back into a line. When Shang walked off Aros glared at Yao, pointing his index and middle fingers at him, then pointing at his eyes "you're on my list" Yao made a challenging face, but turned away. Aros blinked "now I need a list".

"…YOU FOUR!" Shang pointed "your names!" "Riku" "Aros" "Sora" Mulan was silent "and you?" Shang raised an eyebrow "I…I'm" "Ping!" "Ping….Ping?" Mulan blinked as Shang passed "That completes our registration" Shang removed his armor "This will not be easy, but you must do what you have to for the sake of China" Ling ran by in a hurry "SOLDER!" Ling screeched to a halt "what is the meaning of this!" Shang demanded, just then a horde of shadows started to crowd into the camp "oh great" Aros summoned his blade, Sora and Riku following "what are they!" Ping yelped, drawing her sword "Heartless" Riku sighed, trio charging into battle "what are you doing on the sidelines! Get in there Ping" Mushu urged, Ping followed the trio.

"FIRE!" Aros blasted a heartless to pieces, but for every one he cut down, another took its place. Shang stabbed through one, Yao, Ling and Chien-po where doing more hiding than fighting. Once the heartless had cleared, Shang straightened up, facing the trio "Good work men, your skills are inspirational, I would be honored to have you in my troop" Ping looked nervous "you should return home" Shang said coldly. "b-but that would dishonor my family!" Ping said in shock "would you rather dishonor my troops?" Shang replied.

Aros folded his arms "general, give Ping another change to prove himself".

Shang looked skeptical, but put his hands behind his back "very well, we need someone to scout the mountain for my troops" He held out a map "Your mission is to secure the path over the summit so our company can pass. I've authorized you to be let through to the summit. Don't let me down! ". Riku took the map "of coarse".

"….I'm starting to really hate ice" Aros shivered, steam framing a halo around his face. Mulan looked to the trio "thanks for standing up on my behalf…". Sora looked over "hey Ping, Why are you in the army anyway?". Ping sighed "my father was supposed to come instead…but he was injured in a past war and I didn't think he could handle the strain…so I took his place to fight and restore my family honor". Riku nodded "Noble…" Aros glanced to one side, seeing a bright purple dot against the blackness "YOU!" Aros glared "Why do you follow me!?" The figure ran off, Aros following "H-HEY!" Sora ran after Aros.

The chase didn't last long, for the figure seemed to disappear before his very eyes. "…..Baka!" Aros growled, walking back to the pathway. Riku raised an eyebrow "Something about that guy…makes my hair stand on end…". Mushu whistled "hey hey! No lazy detours! We got a job to do! Now mush!".

((I had to put this…sorry if you don't find it as funny as I do))

After reporting to the captain that the area was secure, some training was ensured to keep the four-some in top condition…Shang was an Idiot to sign Aros up for arrow practice.

So far, Aros was doing okay…he hit a lot of things…except the target. "oh this is pathetic…" Aros steadied his bow, Ping did the same "Don't worry, seventh times the charm" she smiled, Aros sighed "just keep both eyes open".

Aros fired "YEOWCH!" he looked out from behind the tree, Yao was jumping around in pain. Aros grinned nervous "I guess I need more help" Mushu gave Aros a serious look "Boy…not even the great ancestors can help you there". Soon Shang gave another scouting mission…when they returned…

Aros stared wide eyed at the ruins that was the camp. Ping ran over to Shang's side "captain!". Shang smirked "its just a scratch" he gripped at his side, half slouched "pretty big scratch" Aros looked at the wound "….this was done by a heartless' claws…" Sora blinked "which one?" Aros stood "a kind I haven't seen before…". Yao, Ling and Chien-po where digging through some of the rubble to salvage anything. "We have no choice" Shang stood "All units prepare to load up and move out…we have to get through the tung shou pass ((tried to spell that)).its time to bring the battle to Shan yu"

Aros adjusted his helmet for the fifth time "ugh…I hate helmets…". Ping led the car of cannons, Riku and Sora where talking about Kairi. Suddenly a cannon burst through the cover of the cart, shooting into the sky and exploding.

Ping looked at Mushu, who pointed at a cricket. "What do you think you're doing!?" Shang ran up "you just gave away our position! Now where-" Shang fell over from an arrow embedded in his shoulder. All was silent "oh…snap" Aros whispered, seeing black dots in the sky turn to a rain of arrows. The men scrambled to get out of the way of arrows, Shang stood up as a flaming Arrow hit the snow "SAVE THE CANNONS!".

They poised the cannons in the snow, flint and steel ready as the arrows started to thin out. Dots lined the mountain side as Shan yu's army trailed down the crescent of white, led by a hawk. "FIRE!" Shang yelled, sparks flew, cannons fired, men hit the snow in pain. Sora took a few seconds to light a cannon "Oh forget this!" he threw the flint and steel over his shoulder, pointing his blade at the wick "Fire!" the cannon fired. Soon the team was down to the last cannon "Hold the last cannon!" Shang ordered, Yao stopped "save the cannon for Shan yu".

The approaching General raised his curved sword with vigor, Ping glanced at her sword, looking at the mountain top, then ran up and grabbed the cannon, getting closer to the general "PING!" Riku yelled "what is he doing!?" Lee yelped as Ping dug the cannon in the snow, angling it for the mountain and pulling out the flint "Okay…you might wanna light that fire now…" Mushu urged as the general closed three feet of distance "quickly!" Mushu added, Ping grabbed Mushu and lit the wick with his dragon breath, holding the cannon as it fired "YOU MISSED?! HOW COULD YOU MISS HE WAS THREE FEET INFROUNT OF YOU!".

All breath was held as the cannon hit the mountain, then exhaled in screaming as snow started to crumble down from the top "AVALANCHE!" Aros yelled as the army was slowly engulfed in the white powder. Shan-yu was about to cut his sword into Ping's side, when Aros threw a shield that hit the sword dead on and blocked the blow "PING! GET OUT OF THERE!".

Ping shot up and ran toward her comrades Shang was too slow and suddenly fell under the snow. Ping mounted her horse, riding toward the powder and Sora, Riku and Aros crawled behind a rock, joining Yao, Ling and Chien-po. The snow rushed past and Aros saw Ping go under, her horse trying to stay up "PING!". he looked around franticly, eyes settling on a shield "Call me crazy…" He grabbed onto it and jumped into the white powder, bow and arrow in hand, sinking right under the snow "AROS YOU IDIOT!" Sora yelled, then watched his twin break the surface, literally riding the avalanche like a surfer "AROS YOU GEINIOUS!" Sora cheered, Riku blinked.

Aros struggled to avoid planting himself deep into the snow, he hopped once as he felt something slither around his foot "MUSHU!". The dragon looked up at him "you got a plan kid?" Aros smiled nervously "not a one…I'm making it up as I go!" the shield went over the cliff "AND THIS WASN'T PART OF IT!" Aros turned, and shot the arrow, with a rope tied to the end looking up at Ping "Tie this around the horse's saddle now!" he passed the rope, Ping did just that "But" Aros, he on the other hand, was still falling "…oh snap" He covered his eyes. "I GOT YOU!" an Icy hand gripped onto one of his bare ankles, Aros blinked …looking up, seeing nothing but a black claw "uh…" suddenly he was jerked upward "YIKES!"

"Were gonna die…were gonna due…NO WAY WERE GONNA SURVIVE THIS!"

"Mushu?" Ping warned "WERE GOING TO E A BIG SPLAT IN THE SNOW BELOW! JUST LIKE THAT KID! I'LL NEVER SEE MY PEDISTAL AGAIN!" Ping growled "MUSHU!" The dragon blinked "were not falling" she pointed out. Sure enough, the horse was being raised over the cliff "oh…I knew that…"

Shang was starting to come to, looking up at Ping "step back guys, give him some air" Ling pushed a few men back. "Ping…you are one of the craziest men I ever met…and for that I owe you my life" a soft 'thump' sounded behind them, and Riku had a chill up his spine, but ignored it. Mushu was fuming "First she uses me as a lighter, then she turns me into a cannon ball. The head ancestor's gonna hear about this. You know, that's it! I give up! I can't take this no more. C'mon, Mulan. Let's quit this charade and go home, girl.". Shang stood quickly "Mulan?" he glared "you're a woman!?" he looked to the other two boys "and you both knew about it!". any sign that he was once injured was gone, he started to reach for his sword "I can't believe you lied to me. The punishment for high treason and dishonoring the Army...is death" His hand flinched over his sword, then he turned and walked off "Captain?" Sora blinked ". Get out of my sight...now. You're all dismissed! A life for a life…My debt is repaid". He looked to the others "Move out…we still have ground to cover, we need to inform the emperor that China is safe at last"

Once the troops had moved out, Ping removed her outer armor, putting it on a pile with the other boy's armor plates. "I know this is probably a stupid question…but where's Aros?". Mulan gasped slightly "Last I saw he fell over the cliff!" A growl from behind caused them to yelp.

"Yeah….uh guys…CAN YOU GET ME OUT OF THIS SNOWPILE!" Aros yelled, causing the two-some to fall over in shock. Aros was safe, but buried up to his shoulders in snow, his upper lip had already turned a light shade of blue "before I freeze my fingers off?" he growled again, and Riku started to pull on Aros's shoulders, while Sora uncovered the rest of him. "How did you survive?!" Mulan dusted some snow off his shoulder "uh…I climbed…".

Halfway back to the city, the group had to rest for a while or else risk an ambush or injury from exhaustion. "Hey, Aros, Riku, I saw some trees not too far off, some branches had to of fallen off, we can start a fire so we wont freeze to death" Sora joked "Ill go with you" Mulan stood "Ill stay here and hold down the fort…" Aros offered "in that Case Ill stay too…"Riku added with a smirk "I don't trust him alone…" Aros glared "of coarse you don't Mr. parole officer"

As the two walked back up the summit, Aros fell asleep under a tree where there was barely any snow to freeze his limbs. Riku sighed deeply, then froze hearing footsteps, too swift to be Sora's yet too heavy to be Mulan's. "….Riku…its been a while" a cool voice slipped across the wind like water on glass. "Excuse me?" Riku looked over his shoulder at the violet cloaked figure from earlier. "Figures…you don't remember" he chuckled once "I cant stop remembering…". Riku summoned the road to dawn in his hand "I wouldn't…I really wouldn't do that" the figure smirked "I can fight back just as well…"

Riku turned to strike, his blade being stopped with a pair of soul eaters, crossed over each other "I didn't come to fight…I've done enough of that…" Riku pulled his blade away and dismissed it "who are you!" The figure dismissed his blades in a crackle of black smoke "that's none of your concern" silvery eyes glinted under the hood.

"I think it is if you want to stay alive" Riku spat, the figure only chuckled "same as ever…empty threats…." He faded, voice only a whisper on the wind "look over the side of the summit".

Sora walked over with an armload of firewood "geez! This stuff is heavy!" he tossed the pile on the ground, startling his twin from his nap "….morning sunshine!" Sora beamed "Shut up" Aros growled, standing and stretching.

Riku stood frozen "…look over the summit?" he whispered, Mulan blinked "Riku?". Riku looked over "Come on, we need to check something…" He ran off up the path, Mulan in tow, eventually curiosity forced Aros after them., Mushu curled around one of his arms.

At the top of the summit, Riku fell to his knees in the snow "Get down…" he hissed Mulan and Aros fell to their knees in the snow, Mushu raised an eyebrow "what are we looking at?". Far below, black dots started to emerge from the battlefield, the Huns where alive, and so was Shan-Yu. Already the troops where forming a plan "They're going to head for the city" Mulan whispered in a hushed tone "we have to get there first and warn Shang!" She stood, running down the hill, Aros and Riku at her heels "Okay…anyone besides me think this is a bad idea?" Mushu whined "did you see those Huns?!…they popped out of the snow!…LIKE DAISIES!" he waved his claws around. Mulan pulled her horse into a standing position "You wanna save china or not?" she insisted, mounting her horse, Aros informed Sora of what he has seen. Riku folded his arms "one problem, one horse, four of us…not enough time to get down the summit by foot…" Aros looked around, eyes resting on a scrap of bark that had pealed of the nearby woodpile "….then we don't ride" Aros ran of to a rather large tree, pulled out his keyblade and severed off a large strip of bark, and smoothing out the rough edges "We glide" he pulled over the 'sled' "You think with the snow your horse can get us down the summit?" with a snort the horse stomped a hoof, as if taking the challenge "apparently so" Mulan smiled, tossing a rope and tying the other half to her saddle. "Why do I have the feeling that we are going to die?" Riku whispered "because there is a chance you're paranoid?" Aros grinned "nothing will go wrong!" Mushu perched himself on the saddle "Well lets go kick some Hun-ny Buns!".

So far so good, in crouched positions (and Riku holding the rope) the 'sled' was making a fast path toward the city "See?…I told you nothing would go-….snap" Aros's eye twitched as the 'sled' made a swift turn, going up a snow bank and flying a few feet before hitting the ground hard. A crack formed near the center of the 'sled', causing it to split down the center into 'skis' "This was not my best idea" Aros admitted simply, while Sora screamed "oh look, the city wall" Aros whimpered, knowing what would happen if they didn't slow down.

Well, to state it simply…the horse stopped, the rope snapped, and the trio went headfirst into a large snow pile near the gates. Sora's head emerged first, then Aros's, then Riku's "Nothing will go wrong, you said" Sora quoted "you're probably paranoid, you said" Riku added "ah shut up….we lived didn't we?" Aros climbed out of the snow.

The sound of screaming erupted throughout the city "we're too late!" Mulan shouted, barreling into the fray with the others at her heals "We have to hurry!"

At the palace, half the army was trying to bust down the door with a rather large dragon statue "Ling!, Yao!, Chen-Po!" Mulan ran up to the trio "what's going on?!". Sang ran over, ignoring Mulan for a moment "Shan-Yu's got the emperor locked up in the tower, we cant get past the gates" Mulan looked up a pillar to an open window "Then we don't use the door…" She looked to Shang "Captain, I have an idea…but it involves something drastic" Aros blinked "….HOW drastic".

"this…is a new low" Aros growled, pulling up the sleeve of a flowery white kimono, tossing the fruit he was supposed to wear away "no way am I wearing produce". The brunette avoided tripping over the fruit "For once…I agree" Sora re-tied the bun in his hair, the pink cloth slapping him in the face. "Oh quit yer' whining" Yao grouched, shoving a melon in his shirt "we got in didn't we?" Aros had to resist giving Yao a swift kick in the butt while his back was turned. "we all know the plan?" Mulan pulled out her fan, the boys nodded "good, any questions?" Sora whispered "Does this dress make me look fat?-OW!" Aros couldn't help it…he whacked Sora with his fan, then hid his smirk behind it.

Guards stood watch infrount of the door. Standing at attention when faint laughter echoed down the hallway "Who's there!". The group turned from the corner and the Guard lowered his sword "Concubines…" another grimaced "Ugly, Concubines" a third Guard made a goofy grin "I don't know fellas…the exotic brunette looks kinda cute" Sora almost chocked "I think I just threw up a little bit", Aros held back his snickering by fanning faster.

An apple rolled out from under Ling's robe, who covered up for it by laughing and holding his fan over the side. When the guard picked up the produce….one of his comrades fell to the floor out cold with half a watermelon on his head. "Eh?" He looked up and a melon smacked him back down. When the guard looked back up, Sora whacked him over the head with his keyblade "NOT EVEN IF I WAS A WOMAN!" he snarled. Mulan had a bow under one of the guard's necks "SHANG! RIKU! GO!" the duo went into the room as Aros used his robes as a towel to remove the paint from his face "Never again…" he growled, discarding the cloth "Sora…stop bashing your Crush's head in and come on!"

Riku was sent sprawling across the room from a blow to his lower back "I'm going to say this once more" Shan-yu turned to the emperor "Bow to me!" He pointed his sword at the man's throught. "No mater how the wind howls, the mountain will not bow to it" he replied coolly, fueling the Huns temper "Then you will kneel-" He raised his sword" in pieces!" Shang struck a blow to Shan-Yu's side, knocking the sword from his hand. The Hun recoiled, grabbing his sword and delivering a bruising blow to Shang's hand, sending the sword flying and the captain to the floor. Riku took out the pair of Guards holding the emperor as the group burst in through the door "Chen-Po Get the emperor!" Mulan called, Chen-Po bowed "sorry your majesty" he swung the emperor over his shoulder, grabbed onto a paper lamp hanging from the window by a thick rope, and slid out of the tower.

Shan-Yu rushed over to the window as the other three solders moved out, Riku following. Mulan looked to Aros, who nodded "Come on Mushu!" He grabbed the dragon, gripping the rope and untying it, and jumping "OH SNAP!" he hung on the rope for dear life, until the force snapped him up onto the roof.

"what are you doing spiky!" Mushu flailed "I have a plan" He pointed to the fireworks tower "and we need your firepower" his tunic switched back to his normal attire as he ran and grabbed onto a rather large kite, falling a little till he spread out and rode it to the tower.

((back to Mulan))

Mulan pulled herself up on the roof, positioning herself on the top and looking over her shoulder just as Shan-Yu burst through the roof. Approaching the heroine, she reached back to grab her fan, the only item on her person "It looks like your out of ideas" Shan-Yu smirked, lunging. Sora appeared from behind, chocking the Hun with his keyblade as Mulan used her fan to wrench Shan-Yu's blade from his hand "Not quite"

Aros landed on the tower "Citizens! I need Fire Power!" the men in the tower clinged to each other in fear "Who-What are you?!" Aros had the kite draped on him like real wings "your worst nightmare". the two men jumped out of the tower, and Aros grabbed onto a rather large firework., passing it to Mushu "get ready"

Sora perched on the Hun's shoulder, jumping off and sending the Hun face down on the roof, where Mulan stabbed his tunic with his own sword "READY MUSHU!" Mushu tied the firework to his back "I am READY BABY!" he blew on a match "Light me!" Aros lit the fuse, running ahead of the dragon as the firework went off "Get off the roof get off the roof get off the roof!" the trio jumped "BANZAIII" Aros grabbed onto a rope of lights, sliding and falling ontop of his brunette twin "….that didn't hurt as much as I thought it would" Sora glared "….I'm so happy for you" he wheezed.

The crowds where cheering in the triumph, and excitement of the fireworks. Mushu landed hard on the cement, smoking and laughing at the whole thing. Riku and the three feminine solders ran up, bowing once at the captain who was with Mulan. "We did it" she whispered "nah, You did it" Aros stood "we just helped" Sora added. Suddenly the cheering quieted down as the emperor walked down the stairs of the palace with utmost grace for an old man. The boys backed away from the trio and Mulan, who the emperor's center of attention "I've herd a great deal about you, Fa Mulan" Mulan bowed slightly "You stole your father's armor…Ran away from home. Impersonated a solder, brought Dishonor on yourself as well as my troops, Destroyed my Palace!-AND!" Aros groaned "we get it already" The emperor smiled softly "you have saved us all"

Silence…..

Slowly the sound of cheering overpowered the silence, Mulan turned and the solders bowed, followed by Riku who forced the twin's heads down (Mulan giggled at this). Soon the crowd fell to their knees in gratitude.

Shang stood, walking up "Mulan…" He scratched the back of his neck "…thank you". Mulan looked disappointed a moment but covered it with a soft smile and bowing. Sora leaned over whispering "think I could get an autograph?" Aros slapped his forehead "Sora" he sighed embarrassed. Mushu started dancing with joy "Now they gotta give me back my pedestal!" Aros's eye twitched "….I thought you already where a guardian" Mushu 's jaw dropped "well uh…" Aros rolled up one of his sleeves "You better run…" Sora whispered, Mushu turned and ran, Aros on his heals "YOU LIAR! YOURE A FAKE! I OUGHTA SKIN YOU ALIVE AND USE YOUR PELT AS A RAG!" they tore into the crowd, most of the people laughing "Come here you little Lizard tongued-witless-excuse-for-a-DRAGON!" Mushu was in hysterics "ANSESTORS SAVE ME!" the group near the castle looked on in slight amusement "….well…what a mouth that boy has" the emperor chuckled.

Mushu crawled back up the stairs in a pretzel shape, Aros proudly walked up after "…sorry about that". The emperor handed Mulan Shan-Yu's sword, as soon as it touched her hands it started to glow, a light shooting up and opening the keyhole "Leave this part to us Captain!" Sora grinned, the boys doing their trick and locking the glowing keyhole.

"I see you better be on your way" The emperor nodded slowly. "yeah, can we come back to visit?" Sora asked "of coarse!" Mulan nodded. "We look forward to your return" Shang bowed slightly "You two play nice" Sora grinned Mulan blushed, Shang scratched his head "whoa…watch it solder" The emperor tapped Shang's shoulder "do not doubt the boy's judgment so early, captain" Shang looked back to where the group once stood, but they where already gone.

Aros yawned "You're exhausted?" Riku asked "yeah, the nightmare ontop of saving china?…I'm beat" he grinned, preparing to open up the door.

"HOO!"

"say wha?" Aros blinked.

"squawk!"

Riku tapped Aros's shoulder, pointing up "are Owls a native bird to China?". perched ontop of the ship was a snowy owl "awk?" it tilted its head, dropping the letter it held in its beak. The back was sealed with wax and stamped with a crest. "okay" Sora picked up the note inspecting the emerald green lettering.

Mr. Sora, Aros, Riku

Land of Dragons, China

"I think we should read and fly at the same time" Riku opened the door, going inside, Sora following. Aros was about to enter when the owl flapped down, landing on his head "hoo!" Aros glared "fine…but if you ruin the upholstery ONE time…its bye bye birdie" the owl fluffed its wings as Aros moved it to his arm and walked in.

(world that never was)

Saxor sat on the window sill, wings moving slowly every so often "…." he stared at the thunderclouds with blank eyes. One hand moved to the center of his chest "….I hope you're doing better than I am right now…Hayner…Pence…Olette…" He sighed "Roxas" his wings drooped, he wanted to go back to Twilight town more than anything, he wished he could just close his eyes and hear Roxas yell at him to wake up before the chair would be kicked out from under him. But whenever he did, his eyes opened to the same white walls, and the same pair of ugly black wings. He folded the feathered appendages to his back, he didn't know what made them grow, but he hated them, it only proved he was a freak. He reached up, removing a loose feather from his shoulder. He proceeded to yell and throw the feather as far as he could get it, but the inhuman cry he made instead just caused him to drop the feather and clasp a gloved hand over his mouth. "grrr…" he sighed heavily, who was he kidding, his 'friends' (used lightly) in Twilight town wouldn't accept him like this

The door opened "Obsidian!" he turned quickly, wings fading as Saix stood in the doorway "group meeting in a half hour". Saxor glared "Is my presence mandatory?" Saix sneered "no" Saxor knew he had the whistle somewhere on his person "then don't expect my arrival" he spat. Saix was about to leave, when he noticed the black feather on the floor "Where did that come from?" Saxor looked at the feather with an Icy glare "I don't know…bird?" he leaned back on the wall.

Saix smirked, withdrawing the whistle from his pocket and pressed it to his lips. Saxor winced, covering his ears, waiting for the agonizing shrill note that annoyed him more than Demyx's sitar playing. A second passed, two, three, he looked up Saix was frozen, eyes open in shock…a second later Saxor knew why.

His wings had shown up when he panicked

"Vexion…" Saix squeaked…yes he actually squeaked "VEXION!" he dropped the whistle, turned on his heel and ran out of the room. Axel looked in with half a mug of coffee "….as amusing as that was…what the hell is going on in here" Saxor growled "He saw…." the boy mumbled, grabbing the whistle and burning it in a blast of purple flame. Dismissing his wings and stomping on the feather. when Saix pulled Vexion back he was able to tell that Saix had seen nothing more than the wings on his keyblade, and watched with amusement as Vexion chewed out the Lunar Divider.

Walking with the flurry of dancing flames down the hall, Axel's curiosity chewed at him till eventually he asked "what are you going to do if they find out?" Saxor stopped "…" Axel blinked "Obsidian?…" he looked at the boy, who's clouded purple eyes where frozen in shock, almost like Saix's before. "What?" Axel waved a hand infrount of the boy's face, who looked at him "you okay?" Saxor was silent "Yeah…Ill talk to you later…"He continued to walk to his room, and as soon as the door shut behind him he dropped to his knees, gripping onto the lower half of his bed and burying his face into the black comforter "oh man now I'm seeing things!" his wings fluffed, falling gently till they touched the floor. "Seeing things?" Saxor froze again "not real, not real…"he turned "You're not real!" he saw nothing and relaxed slightly, till an icy tap on his right wing made him spin around "are those things real?" Saxor growled "They are…you're not!" the faded hand withdrew, falling back to his side "Yes I am…" the figure whispered forcefully "that's not possible…I told you to go back! you shouldn't be here!" The faded figure nodded, blond hair falling into his eyes "I did…I'm a little surprised you can see me" Saxor tensed "…" He leaned against his door and slipped to a seating position "I'm more of a freak than I thought" he shivered "I see the Dead people!"

The world is like a mirror…always screwed up when people think its perfect.-Saxor

Dude…that made no sense - Roxas