❝𝗠𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗡

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*･

(𝘊𝘏𝘈𝘗. 2)

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

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𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐀𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘 𝐅𝐀𝐑𝐌, 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐆𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐁𝐄𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆, 𝐖𝐀𝐋𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐎𝐒𝐂𝐎 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐎 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄. Lao walks out, a warm smile on his face greeting you, expecting good news

Eyes widening you hide your face behind the horse's nose, humiliated. Laos expression falls.

In the stable you take off the reins from Bosco, letting him drink from the water troft.

Sighing you look at your makeuped face in the rippling, reflecting water, tucking a piece of hair behind your ear.

"Look at me ... I will never pass for a perfect bride." Walking off as you took out your earrings and jade necklace, watching as your mother grabbed her husband's hands, head hanging low. "Or a perfect daughter"

Walking off you make way towards the family temple, passing under a circular arch. Holding Momo's cage you open it, letting him hop off onto a bamboo limb.

"Can it be? I'm not meant to play this part?"

The cricket chitters sadly seeing you stalk off.

"Now I see that if I were truly to be myself."

Skipping over the bridge that covered the running stream, leaping from one knob to another, holding your skirt.

"I would break my family's heart."

Landing and continuing your path.

"Who is that girl I see staring straight back at me? Why is my reflection someone I don't know?"

Looking at yourself in the water, leaning against the stone dragon statue. Momo stood on a lily pad, using a stick to paddle his was across the stream and follow you to the temple.

"Somehow I cannot hide who I am, though I've tried." Looking at yourself in the reflecting headstones before kneeling down, bowing before the largest one.

"When will my reflection show who I am inside?" Whipping the makeup off your face with your sleeves, teeth gritted as you whipped your head to the side, staring at your reflection, tears threatening to spill.

Taking your hair down you let out a shaky breath. Standing up you ran your hand across the ancestors graves.

"When will my reflection show who I am, inside?"

Making your way to the stone bench under the cherry blossom tree, your father comes over with a smile, clearing his throat to earn your attention.

Taking a quick glance you turn away, stroking your hair. Sitting beside you he stares at the pink flowered tree.

"My, my, what beautiful blossoms we have this year." A fonder smile break across his face at the sight of an unbloomed flower. "But look, this one's

late. I bet when it blooms, it will be the most beautiful of all."

Taking the comb hair piece from your lap and tucking it in the side of your hair makes you softly smile, lifting your spirits.

Drums pound in the distance, making your fathers expression harden, recognizing the call to war.

Watching him urgently stand up with his cane you frown your brows in worry. "What is it?"

Rushing to the front gate you and your parents looked out at the Imperial soldiers and Long Feng came that riding over a hill.

Lao stepped out making yout step forward. "[y/n], stay inside." Your mother urged before following her husband.

Granny Wu cleared her throat pointing toward a low roof. Jogging over to it you climb up and peer over, watching the scene.

"Citizens! I bring a proclamation from the Imperial City! The Huns have

invaded China!"

People clamor and women pull their children aside.

"By order of the Emperor, one man from every family must serve in the Imperial Army." Waving a scroll before beginning to read from it.

"The Hsiao Family!" A man steps up and bows before taking his drafting scroll. "The Yee Family!"

A younger man stops his father from taking the paper. "I will serve the Emperor in my father's place." Taking the scroll his father standing proudly next to him.

Long Feng examines the next scroll. "The Fa Family!"

"No." You whisper yell to yourself watching as your father hobbles, caneless, over to Long Feng. "I am ready to serve the Emperor."

Jumping off the roof you push past your mother and grandmother, clinging to your father. "Father, you can't go!"

"[y/n]!"

Looking up at the warrior pleadingly. "Please, sir, my father has already fought for–"

Long Feng sneered. "Silence! You will do well to teach your daughter to hold her tongue in a man's presence."

Lao refused to look at you, face pulled tight. "[y/n]. You dishonor me." Reaching to speak you remain silent, Granny Wu pulling you away.

"Report tomorrow at the Moo-Shung Camp." Handing Lao his scroll. The man bowed. "Yes, sir." Civilians parting to allow the limping man to pass through.

Poppy holds his cane out to him but he simply walks past, Granny Wu bringing you slowly behind while Long Feng continued to read out families.

"The Chu Family! The Chang Family! The Yong Family!"

—

In your fathers training room Lao yanks open his closet, revealing a suit of Chinese armor, and unsheathes a sword.

You watch from around the entry ways corner as he practices techniques, but he groans, his leg gives out and he falls against a pillar, panting.

Looking at the scroll with a grudge.

Pulling back you take in a staggered breath, thunder rumbling outside.

—

That night at dinner you pour tea into your fathers cup, the look on his face obvious he knew what you were thinking about.

The storm outside continued to conjure as you poured some tea for yourself.

Taking a glance at your grandmother she gave you a look before sipping her tea.

Switching to your parents who drank and ate in a thickening silence. Brows pinching together lighting struck and thunder clapped, matching the sound of your white porcelain cup slamming against the table.

"You shouldn't have to go!" You exclaimed, standing up angrily.

"[y/n]!" Poppy called out.

"There are plenty of young men to fight for China!" Waving your hand in gesture.

"It is an honor to protect my country and my family." the man defended. "So you'll die for honor." You quizzed. "I will die doing what's right." Standing tall, glaring down at you.

"But if you..." You go to explain. "I know my place. It is time you learned yours."

You stare at your father for a moment, betrayal taking over your features. Turning on your heels you run outside.

Bursting through the doors you stumble and fall against a pillar as the wind blows.

Sniffles and light sobs escaping your throat as tears welled up in your eyes that stared at the dark rolling clouds in the sky.

Heading out you sat in a statue of a dragon, crying unseen by the rain dripping and mixing in with them.

Uncurling yourself you stare down at your wavering reflection in a small puddle.

No matter what you looked like or how you acted, you weren't worthy of honor.

Through the window of the house, you could see your mother and father talking before your mother pulled away, seeming to be crying.

Lao picks up the candle and blows it out, leaving the darkness to surround all.

Thinking for a second you slide off the statue, water dripping down your soak clothes and down your legs onto the temple floor, the fighting illuminating the temple.

Lighting an incense stick you place it in a hanging statue of a small dragon, giving a small prayer and bow to the ancestors before running into your parents bedroom, replacing the scroll with your hair piece.

Giving their sleeping figures a small apologetic smile you sit in your knees taking your father's sword, holding it up to a chunk of your thick [h/c] hair.

Taking a deep breath the blade slices through the strands. Using a green ribbon you tie your now short hair up into a bun and open the armor cabinet.

The wind blowing the thin curtains as you put on the black and green armor, sliding the dragon hilt sword into it holder.

Going out to the stable, Bosco looks up taking in the mainly figure entering the stable.

Bucking in fear you rush over, comforting the reassuring the horse. Taking one last look at your home you mount Bosco's saddle, setting off for the army.

The eyes of a statue in the temple flash, and Granny Wu wakes up in a panic.

Bursting into your parents room, lanturn in hand, jolting them awake. "[y/n] is gone!"

"What?" Gazing down at where his draft scroll once laid only to be replaced with a familiar comb.

Picking it up he stares at the flower in horror. "It can't be..." Thumping into his training room he flung the closet open, revealing its empty state.

Moving outside he runs down the steps, abandoning his cane only to buckle under his own weight, falling limply to the ground, comb discarded. "[y/n]! No..."

Poppy ran over, helping him up. "You must go after her. She could be killed."

"If I reveal her, she will be." Covering her mouth the woman curls into herself.

Granny Wu watches somberly. "Ancestors, hear our prayer. Watch over [y/n]."

—

The wind whistles, the fire from you lit incense simmering out. The characters on the main tombstone light up, a shimmering blue mist rising from it, turning into the Great Ancestor – 𝗥𝗢𝗞𝗨.

Forming a stick he looks up at the small hanging dragon statue. "𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗚, awaken." The statue shakes and smokes, clattering to the ground with an orange fire hue.

Rising up like a mummy. "I live!" Glancing around he looks at Roku. "So, tell me, what mortal needs my protection, Great Ancestor. You just say the word, and I'm there."

"Fang ..."

"And lemme say something, anyone who's foolish enough to threaten OUR

family, vengeance will be MINE! Grr ... arrgh ..." Growling not-so-threateningly.

"Fang! These are the family guardians." Gesturing to the bigger statues that were resting on podiums. "They..." He urged.

Fang rolled his eyes. "Protect the family."

Roku nodded. "And you, O Demoted One..." Pointing to the empty podium. The small dragon picks up his gong and drumstick. "I ring the gong."

"That's right. Now, wake up the Ancestors..."

Sighing he begins to bang the gong. "One family reunion coming right up. Okay, people, people, look alive! Let's go, c'mon, get up! Let's move it! Rise and shine! Y'all way past the beauty sleep thing."

All of the graves shine, the ancestors' ghosts rising.

"I knew it, I knew it. That [y/n] was a troublemaker from the start." 𝗞𝗬𝗢𝗦𝗛𝗜 exclaimed glaring at 𝗦𝗭𝗘𝗧𝗢 who sat beside her.

"Don't look at me, she gets it from your side of the family!" He defended yet offended.

"She's just trying to help her father!" 𝗜𝗠𝗜𝗤 objected, coming to her very granddaughters defense.

An ancestor with an abacus – 𝗪𝗔𝗡, spoke up, calculating. "But if she's discovered, Fa Zu will be forever shamed. Dishonor will come to the family. Traditional values will disintegrate!"

"Not to mention they'll lose the farm!" 𝗞𝗨𝗥𝗨𝗞 added. "My children never caused such trouble; they all became acupuncturists!" Kyoshi bragged.

Fang listened boredly, flipping through a newspaper.

"Well, we can't all be acupuncturists!" Szeto stated. "No! Your great-granddaughter had to be a CROSS-DRESSER!" 𝗬𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗡 shouted, sparking an argument.

"Let a guardian bring her back!" 𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗜 suggested pointing to the statues. "Yes! Awaken the most cunning!" Szeto said grabbing Fang.

Wan snatched the dragon. "No! The swiftest!"

𝗟𝗨𝗔 took him. "No, send the wisest!"

Roku's voice boomed. "SILENCE! We will send the most powerful of all." Looking out towards the great stone dragon.

Fang laughs. "Okay, okay, I get the Jif. I'll go." Standing on his podium.

The ancestors break into hearty laughter. "Well, y'all don't think I can do it! Watch this here!" Blowing a tiny flame.

"Ah-hah! Jump back, I'm pretty hot. But I don't have to singe nobody to prove no point." Over playing his pitiful display.

"You had your chance to protect the Fa Family."

"Your misguidance led Fa 𝗚𝗨𝗡 to disaster!" Yangchen emphasized.

They all looked at the decapitated ancestor. "Yeah, thanks a lot."

"And your point is?" Fang sassily questioned, cowering back as Roku jumped at him. "The point is, we will be sending a REAL dragon to retrieve [y/n]." Roku stated.

Fang gasped in offense. "What? What? I'm a real dragon!" Pulling the man's ghostly beard. "You're not even worthy of this thought! Now, awaken the Great Stone Dragon!" Ripping him off the podium and throwing him out of the temple.

"So you'll get back to me on the job thing." Peeking back inside he is hit in the face with his gong.

"Just one chance. Is that too much to ask? I mean, it's not like it'll

kill you." dragging the gong behind him as he made way to the statue.

"Yo, Rocky, wake up! You gotta go fetch [y/n]!" Rolling his eyes seeing the gong isn't working he began clicking his tongue and urging him to like a dog.

"C'mon, boy! Go get her! Go on! C'mon!" He climbs up on the statue,

dragging the gong. "Grr ... arrgh. Grr. Hello? Helloooo? HELLO!" He hits the ear of the dragon with the gong causing it to break off.

Watching in horror it suddenly, the entire statue falls apart."Uh-oh...Uh ... Stoney? Stoney ... Oh, man, they're gonna kill me!"

"Great Stone Dragon! Have you awakened?" Roku called from the temple.

Holding up the head of the Great Stone Dragon Fang impersonates the once greatest guardian. "Uh, yes, I just woke up! Um, I am the Great Stone Dragon! Good morning! I will go forth and fetch [y/n! Did- did I mention that I am the Great Stone Dragon?"

"Go! The fate of the Fa family rests in your claws."

"Don't even worry about it. I will not lose face." Fang loses his balance

and tumbles down the hill, the dragon head landing on top of him. "Ow, ah,

my elbow. Oh, oh, I know I twisted something." He lifts the head off.

"That's just great, now what? I'm doomed, and all because Ms. Man decided to take a little drag show on the road."

Momo jumps up to him, chirping.

"Go GET her! What's the matter with you? After this Great Stone Humptey

Dumptey mess, I'd have to bring her back with a medal to get back in the

Temple! Waitaminute! That's it! I make [y/n] a war hero, and they'll be

begging me to come back to work! That's the master plan! Oh, you've done it now, man."

Momo chitters in excited agreement coming up beside him. Fang runs off. "And what makes you think you're coming?"

The cricket chirps. "You're LUCKY? Do I look like a sucker to you? What do you mean, a loser? What if I pop one of you antennae of and throw it across the yard, then who's the loser, or me?"

At the insects reply the small dragon chases him out of the yard and down the road.

—

The Hun army comes to a stop by a marsh where two Chinese soldiers are

dragged out of a tree and thrown before Ozai. "Imperial Scouts." 𝗭𝗛𝗔𝗢 said shoving them forward.

"Shan Yu!" They gasp. "Nice work, gentlemen. You've found the Hun army." Laughter breaking across the huns.

"The Emperor will stop you." A soldier glared, shutting them up. "Stop me! He invited me. By building his wall, he challenged my strength. Well, I'm here to play his game. Go! Tell your Emperor to send his strongest armies. I'm ready."

The two soldiers scurry off, one after the other.

"How many men does it take to deliver a message?" Ozai questioned rhetorically. Zhao laughed to himself. "One."

KEY

Avatar Roku - Great Ancestor

Fang (Roku's dragon) - Mushu

Avatar Kyoshi - Ancestor 

Avatar Szeto - Ancestor

Avatar Imiq (Fanon/Canon: false name given to previous avatar) - Ancestor

Avatar Wan - Ancestor

Avatar Kuruk - Ancestor

Avatar Yangchen - Ancestor

Avatar Salai - Ancestor

Avatar Gun - Ancestor

General Zhao - Shan yu's archer/right hand man