Mulan

There have been many tales

of the great warrior, Mulan.

But, ancestors, this one is mine.

Here she is.

A young shoot, all green...

unaware of the blade.

If you had such a daughter...

her chi, the boundless energy of life itself..

Speaking through her every motion...

could you tell her that only a son could wield chi?

That a daughter would risk shame, dishonor, exile?

Ancestors, I could not.

This way.

That's the last one.

Gently.

Mulan! Forget the chicken!

It will come back!

No!

- (WOMAN SCREAMING) - (CHICKEN CLUCKING)

Tell me your sister is not the cause of this.

- (GASPS) - (BABY CRIES)

Mulan!

- Take control of yourself! - (GIGGLING)

- (GRUNTS) - (CHICKEN CLUCKING)

Mulan! Listen very carefully.

No!

Mulan, what happened when you fell off the roof?

It was like you were a bird.

Don't panic.

There's a spider crawling in your hair.

You know I'm afraid of spiders.

This is not one of your tricks, is it, Mulan?

Don't worry, if you hold very still...

I will squash it.

It is because I'm trying to protect Mulan

that I say this.

Mulan is young.

She is still learning how to control herself.

You make excuses for her.

You forget, Mulan is a daughter, not a son.

A daughter brings honor through marriage.

Any man would be fortunate to marry either of our daughters.

Including Mulan.

I ask you, what man will want to marry a girl

who flits around rooftops, chasing chickens?

Xiu gives me no trouble.

The matchmaker will find a good husband for her.

It is Mulan I worry about.

They'll call her a witch.

It's time you talked to her.

Do you know why the phoenix

sits at the entrance of our shrine?

She is the emissary for our ancestors.

But I broke her.

Some say the phoenix is consumed by flame...

and emerges again.

I think she can survive a broken wing.

Your chi is strong, Mulan.

But chi is for warriors...

not daughters.

Soon, you'll be a young woman...

and it is time for you...

to hide your gift away.

To...

To silence its voice.

I say this to protect you.

That is my job.

Your job is to bring honor to the family.

Do you think you can do that?

Rourans? It can't be.

- Close the gates! - (GUARDS SHOUT IN PANIC)

Take out the leader!

He's way too strong!

You. You'll do.

Your Majesty...

six of our northern garrisons along the Silk Road...

have fallen in a coordinated attack.

All trade has been disrupted.

If we allow this to continue,

it could be the end of the kingdom.

And my citizens?

Slaughtered.

This soldier is the only survivor.

I fear more attacks will follow.

Who is responsible?

Rourans, Your Majesty.

Their leader calls himself Böri Khan.

I killed Böri Khan.

It is his son.

He has united the tribes

and resurrected the Rouran army.

If I may, Your Imperial Majesty.

You may speak.

Böri Khan fights alongside a woman.

Her chi is beyond imagining.

There is no place for witches in this kingdom.

It is forbidden to use the power of chi

in destructive ways.

And yet, it is her skill

that leads the Rouran army to victory.

She has trained an elite force of shadow warriors

to assist Böri Khan.

We're not afraid of dark magic.

We'll destroy this Rouran army and their witch.

Here's my decree.

We'll build a mighty army.

Every family will supply one man.

We'll protect our beloved people...

and crush these murderers.

Deploy the Imperial Army.

The dynasty will not be threatened.

BÖRl KHAN: So, you have news.

The emperor sends his army

to defend the Silk Road.

BÖRl KHAN: Good.

We will crush every garrison

until the Imperial Army is on its knees.

And then...

the Imperial City will be laid bare.

The emperor will be mine to kill.

You have proved useful, witch.

Not witch.

Warrior.

I could tear you to pieces before you blink.

BÖRl KHAN: But you won't.

Remember what you want...

a place where your powers will not be vilified.

A place where you are accepted for who you are.

You won't get what you want without me.

When I found you on a desert steppe

wandering alone...

you were exiled.

A scorned dog.

When I sit on the throne, that dog will have a home.

We will finish what we started.

And you will see to it

that nothing and no one stands in my way.

Black Wind and I rode alongside

two rabbits running side by side.

I think one was a male, one was a female.

But you know, you can't really tell

when they're running that fast.

When I go riding tomorrow, I will try to find them again.

Maybe they'll still be there.

We have excellent news.

The matchmaker has found you an auspicious match.

Yes, Mulan, it is decided.

Come and sit down.

It is what is best for our family.

Yes.

It is best.

I will bring honor to us all.

I'm truly blessed to be in the presence

of such enchanting women.

I have no doubt today will be a momentous day for the Hua...

Never mind that. We must be on time.

I'm starving.

I already told you, you cannot eat.

It will ruin your makeup.

The fiercest winter storm could not destroy this makeup.

Xiu, look at my face. What am I feeling?

I have no idea.

Exactly.

This is my sad face. This is my curious face.

And now I'm confused.

Quiet.

Composed.

Graceful.

Elegant.

Poised.

Polite.

These are the qualities...

we see in a good wife.

These are the qualities...

we see in Mulan.

When a wife serves her husband...

...she must be silent.

She must be...

invisible.

She must be...

Is something wrong?

No, Madam Matchmaker. Thank you.

It's ideal for the teapot...