Mulan Dragon Shifter

A piercing screech fills the valley. Glass in the windowpanes rattle as the mighty beast goes by, flapping its wings. It dips low over the town, forcing air to barrel through the streets, knocking people off balance.

I have to go. I’m so sorry, Mulan.

Keung, wait! I shouldn’t have called to him—I know better—but I couldn’t help myself. You’re not ready to go back.

Stepping toward me, Keung takes my shoulders in his hands. It’s been two months since you found me, Mulan. You healed me.

Keung cups my chin in his hand as he tilts my gaze up to meet his. The lieutenant’s kiss is soft, piercing my very soul. My hand snakes out from my side, wrapping around his waist and I will us back to the blanket we laid on yesterday, eating lunch in the sparkling afternoon sun outside of the hospital where he had been staying to recover.

He obliges as I pull him closer, running his hands through my hair. Everything sparks under his touch. The bottom of his long hair tickles my wrists as my hands brush over the back of his belt in my foolish attempt to keep him by my side.

I have to go, he shouts, pulling away quickly as another dragon flies overhead, screaming commands at the army. I’ll come back to you, Lin Mulan. When the war is over, I’ll come back to you.

Smirking over his shoulder, he blows a kiss at me. The moment he turns away, he shifts. Red wings lift him into the sky over the pointed and sloped buildings; he’s careful not to cause too much of a wind tunnel as he takes flight, sparing the merchants’ tables and wares.

I lower my hand from where it had been outstretched to him. Two months wasn’t enough time. His wounds from the battle had healed but I wasn’t ready to say goodbye.

They’re calling for a conscription! A woman’s voice rises above the noise of the vendors and floats to the alley Keung and I were hiding in to say goodbye. They demand our men to go to war!

There wasn’t supposed to be a conscription—the enlisted men are to meet in the Center, but now we have to send our sons to war with them? Chen’s army must be escaping us with the black jade blossom—we can’t let that happen.

It is an honor to serve the emperor and the province, woman! a man shouts in return.

They would take our sons! she fires back as I round the corner, hurrying to see what is happening. "Every family must provide a warrior to join the army today. They don’t even have time to prepare!"

Her screams turn to hysterics as she clutches a toddler in her arms. The merchants try to calm her, but the women in the crowd pick up her cries.

Suddenly, as if realizing it all at the same time, the crowd disperses, rushing to their homes. If what the woman says is true, we’ll all have to provide a dragon to fight in the emperor’s army to fight to get our life source back.

Jinhai, I whisper. My brother will be forced to fight. His dragon scales will protect him from attack, but he’ll die anyway, and it will be my fault.

I race through the town past ancient, angled buildings and pagodas, knocking into people running for their homes. Ripples of whispers fill the streets, It is an honor.

An honor. How is it an honor to burn cities and die for the province? It is a necessity, but there’s only obligation, no honor.

Yet, I know giving oneself to protect others is the most valiant and selfless thing a person can do, which is why I know my brother will never survive this war.

Mulan! Father’s voice is strong as I crash into the house. Steady, child.

Ancient-looking paintings fill the walls of the house as screens block off sections of the main room. A cluster of lanterns hangs in one corner, their tassels reaching halfway down the wall. The short table on the far side of the room is covered with a project my little sister was working on, but she's nowhere in sight.

Where is Jinhai? I demand, forgetting all about my teary goodbye with the lieutenant moments ago. My gaze darts around the house searching for him.

Painted fans on the wall flash in my sight as I search. Bowls with luxurious markings resting on shelves blur in my vision. I filter out the soft music coming from the other room.

What’s going on? Father orders information. As a retired general for the army, he knows how to get us to tell him things. Despite his injury, he is still terrifying.

The army needs men, Father. Jinhai steps into the house, closing the door behind him. I step out of his way. A dragon is required of each family.

I’ll go, Father proclaims.

No! my twin and I banish the thought at once.

I’ll go, Father, my twin announces.

You can’t, I protest. You’ll die.

I’m not as strong as I should be, Mulan, but I’m not a lost cause. Jinhai glares at me. I’m to blame.

The door bangs open, knocking objects off a shelf. Mother stands in the light, a force scarier than Father.

Kuo. Her voice is chilling.

I know, my love. Father walks to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. He will be fine. He is ready.

Mother shrugs him off and walks to Jinhai’s side. "You are strong, my boy. You will serve the province well. You’ll remain in the area for a few days, so we don’t need to pack you yet, but you’re due in the Center within the hour. You should go now. Get dressed."

"He can wait a few minutes, Mother. Ming peeks out of her room. It won’t take an hour to get to the Center."

Your brother will be early, Ming. It shows strength and preparedness. He will find favor with the generals.

I wonder if he’ll be serving with the lieutenant now. Perhaps he’ll be in the Center when I take Jinhai to drop him off.

He will find favor with the generals because of Father, Ming replies, unafraid of Mother’s reaction. Mother’s jaw tightens but she chooses not to argue when she could be putting her energy into preparing her son for battle.

Jinhai slips away to get ready, holding eye contact with me for a moment as he scoots around the furniture and green plants mother keeps in the house.

Your brother will find favor for many reasons, Ming. He is a fearsome dragon from a strong family line. He will be fine in battle and will return to us victorious with the rebel’s heads on pikes.

Ming’s eyes grow wide.

Jinhai will be fine, Ming. He’ll do his duty and make our family proud, and we will keep things safe at home for him, won’t we? I jump in. Ming is far too young to talk about the horrors of the war. Now, Jinhai has to go get his orders. I’ll take him there and make sure he doesn’t get lost on his way home tonight. Why don’t you and mother make his favorite dish for dinner so we can send him off properly?

Ming rushes to Jinhai as he reappears dressed to go and wraps her arms around his waist. See you tonight.

I jerk my head toward the door, knowing my twin needs an escape. The room suddenly feels overly warm.

See you tonight. He tears himself away, waving to Mother without looking and follows me out the door.

That was intense, he comments.

"Let me go," I beg him quietly. This should be my duty.

No. His tone is harsh. Balling his fists by his side, he quickens our pace, trying not to let his face reflect his frustration.

They said dragons, I push, not sons.

You can’t be a dragon in Yan Liu, Mulan. I will go.

We turn the corner, moving faster. He’s going to shift soon; I need to watch so I don’t fall behind.

But—

No, Mulan! Jinhai halts. My shoulder slams into him. So much for watching closely. You will not go to war. I won’t allow it. And they won’t accept you anyway.

Jinhai—

My head snaps back as he grabs my shoulders and shakes me. His eyes burn intently into me with such ferocity that I step back. He keeps his grip on me.

I may not be as powerful as the others, Mulan, but I am trained well. I’ve been compensating this entire time, and no one has ever guessed. I’ll be fine.

I’m terrified for him, but I don’t dare say it.

I’ll be fine, Mulan. He softens his words. "You don’t need to worry about me.

Besides, he says, smirking, "shouldn’t you be more worried about your lover?"

My eyes grow so wide they should fall out of my head.

"How—?"

How did I know you were lusting after that lieutenant you found out in the woods and brought back to the hospital? I’m not blind, sis.

I made sure I wasn’t followed. How did he see me?

I was in town and saw you. He pauses. Don’t worry, I wasn’t snooping. You shouldn’t be so obvious about your love, Mulan.

It’s been two months; it’s not love, I protest, looking away.

His hands slide down my arms to clasp my hands. My brother shakes them playfully. "Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on your beloved while we’re at war. I’ll probably be working under his command anyway." A terrifying thought.

Maybe he’ll get roughed up a little bit—he’s too pretty for you.

Seeing my opportunity, I take it. "I’ve seen his scars, Jinhai. He’s plenty roughed up. You just can’t see them when he’s fully dressed."

Jinhai pales, nearly dropping my hands. It’s a good thing I know you only mean in the hospital while you were caring for him, or I’d have to kill my commanding officer.

You know I’d—

He taps my nose, cutting me off. You’re far too meek for that, Mulan. Now, let’s move along.

My brother turns, stepping away from me so he can shift. I follow suit and transform into my dragon form, careful not to be seen, and lift away from the town. Buildings grow small as we take to the air. The wind is cool against my scales, but I don’t mind. Few like me get to have this experience, so I remind myself to revel in it while I can.

Jinhai looks back at me, eyes gleaming. I watch for a moment as he dips, his blue scales shining against the bright sun. I’ve always been jealous of his shading—it’s my favorite color. Or, perhaps it’s my favorite because it is my brother’s coloring. My jade scales just aren’t as appealing.

I tip, following Jinhai as he veers off course, directing us to an area just outside of the Center where I won’t be noticed transforming back into a girl. When we land, we’ll walk to the Center together, able to speak again.

Small children run in the colorful streets below. Not too long ago, I was one of them. Now I’ve grown and become a tea leaf merchant like my parents. I resist the urge to flap my wings extra hard as we glide over one of our competitors—a man who actively works to steal our customers with his inferior products.

Jinhai dips, diving low suddenly. He twirls around to watch my reaction. This is a game to him…as if he weren’t about to go off to war unprepared, despite his years of training to defend the village if need be.

I ignore him, staying on track. If I give into his playfulness, we’ll end up late and Mother would have my hide long after Jinhai disappears from our lives to serve the province. Jinhai snorts disapprovingly but returns to my side.

Ahead, other dragons make their way to the Center to report to their new commanders. Bright colors fill the air as they fly in, landing in the distance and transforming.

After a few minutes, Jinhai dives low, looking for a clear space to land. I slow my flight, waiting for him to make his choice. Behind a line of buildings and trees, he dips down.

When my feet touch the ground, I transform as quickly as possible, darting for the bushes to avoid being noticed should we have overlooked any bystanders. When I emerge, my twin is waiting.

Didn’t feel like racing today? He crosses his arms teasingly.

Not when Mother would skin me alive for making you late, brother. I reach up and tuck the hairpin back into my long bangs to hold them out of my face. Now, before we go, let’s make you presentable.

He turns, allowing me to run my fingers through the length of his hair and tie it low down on his back after braiding a small section of it. He adjusts his collar and spins for me to see.

How is it that your transformations never mess up your hair, Mulan?

Benefits of Mother’s line, I reply. You have more of Father in you, and boys aren’t so lucky.

Are you saying the matriarchal line is superior? he taunts, starting to walk toward the Center, arms still crossed over his chest. It’s a good look for him—one he’ll need on the battlefield. If that’s what you’re saying, then we have no hope of surviving this war.

His serious note hits me like a punch to the gut in training and races through my body like ice. I am my Mother’s daughter, but he didn’t get her strength—I took that from him. The men walking into this war have the blood of the province in their veins, not that of the dragon I carry. Should anyone admit it, our enemies are indeed stronger, which is why we have to be smarter with our attacks. It’s why my parents should allow me to go—at least I hold some hope against the enemy.

The province would never allow it—they’re too afraid of the enemy. My scales are a secret.

I’m not saying that. I roll my eyes. You’ll be fine.

He glances over. You’re not acting like I’ll be fine, Mulan.

I wish you’d let me go, I grumble. I could help.

No. His words are harsh and angry. You wish you could save me, but I don’t need saving, Mulan. I have every bit of the strength the rest of those men have. Just because you’re one of the only girls in the province who can shift doesn’t mean you’re superior.

He doesn’t, though—my brother isn’t as strong as the other dragons and he knows it. I was never meant to be able to shift, but my mother’s bloodline changed things for my family.

Jinhai has worked hard to keep up with the others, but I can always tell when he struggles—something I picked up from our training together. At least I was allowed to participate in that openly.

You’re not coming, Mulan. When we get there, go see your broken-lieutenant and then go home. I’ll be back tonight to prepare.

Jinhai stalks off angrily ahead of me but ensures he doesn’t get more than a few paces away. Only minutes older than me, he’s convinced he has to care for me. Admittedly, he did when we were young, but not any longer. I suppose neither of us will give up our drive to protect the other.

Jinhai! voices shout as we walk into the Center. He raises his hands and laughs as if we hadn't just been fighting. Waiting, he loops his arm around my shoulders and pulls me in—something he likes to do to remind the boys that I'm off-limits to them.

Mulan, nice to see you. They respectfully bow their heads to me. I nod back as they turn their attention back to my brother.

I don’t get a step away before an explosion sounds in the Center and the ground ripples under my feet.

Mulan! Jinhai shouts, lunging at me to pull me down. I screech, forgetting I’m not in my dragon form. Hopefully the others assume it just sounded weird because I was being thrown to the ground.

What was that? I gasp, attempting to right myself from under my twin’s heavy body. My shoulder hurts where he landed on me.

Stay down, he hisses in my ear, pulling me to his chest to cover my head with his arms.

Stop it, Jinhai. I struggle. Let go of me.

The men around him leap to their feet, racing toward the scene of the explosion. I shove my brother to the side and stand before he can do anything else. Offering a hand, I wait to pull him up. He knows he only has two seconds before I walk away from him, so he takes my hand and follows. I’ve left him behind enough times that he knows if I need to investigate something, it’s best to follow along because I won’t wait or give up.

Stay back, Mulan, Jinhai warns quietly, still holding my hand as I slow our run.

Fire crackles ahead as flames lick up poles and scorch the ground near what remains of the merchants’ stands and carts on the outside of the Center proper. Murmurs race through the crowd and the voices of the commanders rise up to take control. They order men around to investigate.

The enemy has been in our midst! one leader proclaims.

I jerk up on my tiptoes when I see who is beside him—my lieutenant. He looks stern with his hands behind his back, feet apart, ready to fight any enemy that dares to come his way. Keung was so gentle with me when we spoke, but I’ve always been drawn to his fierce side. Even when I found him in that field in agony, he was a soldier prepared to fight, and only settled when he realized I wasn’t a threat.

Calm yourself, sister, Jinhai whispers. I can hear the laughter in his voice without even looking at his smirk. An elbow to the ribs shuts him up.

A third man races toward our leaders, leaning in to deliver information to the general. They both nod and Keung glances at them from the corner of his eye.

When the spy moves back, the general steps away from Keung and shifts, snapping into a fearsome-looking navy dragon. He takes to the skies without another word.

Keung looks into the crowd. Today, the enemy has tried to stop us before your training even began. They came to our homes and tried to take us apart piece by piece. One of our lieutenants saw him and set off the explosion earlier than the man expected, killing them both, but sparing the lives of our men.

The crowd shifts, becoming agitated at Keung’s words. I know what’s coming—a rallying cry.

We must act now, men! We will unite our training and take to the skies in one week’s time! We will act swiftly and surprise Chen’s army where they stand outside of the Zhao Wu Province they have stolen from their emperor! He continues. Keung’s words are compelling. Even the sisters and wives who accompanied their men to