Hi!  Thanks for reading my little fanfic.  This is my first attempt at anything like this, so I'd really appreciate any comments, suggestions, etc.  Send them to Ting-chan at Wubai@aol.com.  I encourage any constructive criticism that would help me improve my work and your enjoyment of the story.
Standard disclaimer.  I don't own the Ronin Warriors, or Mulan.  They belong to their respective creators and company, but everything else are my ideas.

Ch.3
Squinting her eyes slightly, Mia continued typing away at the keyboard.  Just when she thought she had her grandfather's filing and coding system figured out...
Password invalid!  Suppressing the urge to slam her fist into the monitor, she took a deep breath.  This was a directory of files that she hadn't know even existed in the computer before.  And she was certain that if she could just find a way to open it...she might find some answers to help the Ronins.
"What do you mean you DISAGREE?"  The shout from the living room followed by other frustrated muffled sounds indicated to her that the warlords were still "discussing" their plight.
Mia was more than a bit worried.  When the guys disappeared, they left her and Yulie alone with the 4 violent warriors who had tried numerous times before to veto their existence.  They were changed yes...but...still Mia found the fact that they were without armor a bit comforting as well as despairing.
~~~~~~
"Okay," Kayura held out his hand to count off on his fingers, "Let's review over what we know.  First, all the Ronins have all vanished."  Everyone nodded.  "Second, we have lost all access to the Nether Realm as well as our armors, the Staff, and the Jewel."  Everyone nodded again.  "And it is apparent that the light was responsible for all of the occurrences..."
"I disagree."  Dais interrupted, dismissing the groans and rolling of eyes from the other warlords.  "I believe that light was an illusion.  Merely something to overwhelm our visual senses so that we could be rendered unconscious and vulnerable."
"That's a possibility," Cale considered, "That would explain why no physical damage could be detected anywhere.  Plus..."  He tossed the morning paper on the coffee table.  "There's nothing in the news about it, which means that only we felt it or saw it."
Sekhmet shook his head, "No.  I do not know what that light was, but it was more than an illusion.  I felt it..."
"You thought you felt it," Dais corrected him, "It was extremely powerful..."
"Too powerful to be just an illusion if fooled you, the Warlord of Illusion!"
"Hold it!" Kayura halted the argument.  How did Anubis manage to keep these guys in line before?  "I really do believe that it would be best to keep things simple," Kayura felt angry looks being directed towards her from the warlords, "let's just assume that that illumination was responsible for all the occurrences."
"Well, I didn't hear you contribute any ideas Kayura," Dais's eyes bore into hers and she had turn her head from him.  She looked to towards Sekhmet only to be met with his venomous glare.  Kayura couldn't help it.  Her strengths are spiritual not logical.
"I...let's continue our discussion then."  Her voice faltered a little.  "Since the world has not been destroyed yet, I suppose it's safe to assume that Talpa does not have possession of all of the Ronins and the armors..."
"Again I disagree," Dais interrupted.  "I don't think it's Talpa that we're facing off with."
"What do you mean it's not Talpa?" Cale's frustration finally broke his last layer of patience and he yelled at Dais.  "The flash of light occurred at the one year anniversary of when we defeated Talpa.  To the second."
"It might be just a trick to throw us off track." Dais argued.  "Besides, I had served Talpa for the longest period of time, I am more familiar with his style.  The attack we witnessed was simply not characteristic of him."
"HOLD IT!  HOLD IT!  I can't take this anymore!" Cale yelled startling everyone.  Confusion and defeat echoed in his voice. "We have disagreed over every detail of this situation and I really don't see how we could do anything about this even if we did figure this out..."
"Don't ever give up hope my fiends."  A silence descended as everyone turned to see where that voice came from.
At first they didn't seen anything.  But then from some unknown source, a chilly wind blew in.  The draft condensed becoming hazy and foggy until a shape was visible.
"Anubis?"  The pale, translucent form appeared before them.
Kayura rushed up to him, but she found that her arms passed right through the spirit's body.  "Anubis!  The Ronins are gone, along with our armors..."
Their former leader nodded grimly.  "Yes, I heard you speaking of your predicament.  Thank goodness I managed to come back."
Cale's savage demeanor had diminished and now as he curiously asked Anubis, "How exactly did you manage to leave the Spirit Realm?"
"I..." Anubis heaved a sigh, "I escaped."
"What?"
"I stole past the gate when another spirit came through..."
"But the penalty for that unlawful exit..."
Anubis held up his hand to silence his astounded warriors.  "My punishment will come after we take care of more pressing matters."  The others nodded, neither found any grounds in which they could argue his decision.  "Now, I am a spirit and I have a freer range of mobility between dimensions.  I should still be able to enter the Nether Realm."
"Then you could contact the Ronins?" Sekhmet nodded.  "That seems to be our only chance now."
"I must leave now."  As Anubis turned to go, his fellow warlords each gave him a small bow of respect.  "I'll contact you again once I have news."
As soon as he finished that sentence his already pale figure began fading, fading, until he completely disappeared.
"Good luck Anubis," Kayura whispered and she clutched her fists tight, "You're our only hope now."
~~~~~~
Ryo wandered idly out of house and into the courtyard.  His hand involuntarily moved back to the pocket of his tunic.  If he had been granted the power of Wildfire again that must mean he's going to need it.  The remaining question now was when...who...where...how...
His head was starting to hurt again and he decided to temporarily alleviate the burden on his mind and brush those thoughts aside.
He looked around puzzled.  Just where was Mulan anyway?  Not in her room, not in the kitchen, main room...
Ryo wandered through the circular moon gate that led into the garden.  Following the small stone path, he entered.  He suddenly caught his breath as the elegance and splendor of the setting inundated his visual senses.  A perfectly manicured grass lawn covered the ground.  It was sporadically broken by meticulously planned landscaping of trees, bushes and flowers.  In the mirror-like pond in the center of the garden, he could see the reflecting image of the lush weeping willow as its delicate branches dangled over the surface of the water and draped its finger-like leaves teasingly close to the water.  Across the center of the pond arched a stone bridge depicting both charm and strength.
Ryo continued to fill his senses with the scenery.  The dainty fragrance of magnolias lifted his nostrils.  The fresh cool air made his skin tingle.
Then looking across the expanse of the green plane he saw a figure practising martial arts.  Inching in closer he recognized that figure to be Mulan.  Her movements were swift and quick, elegant but strong.
A small smile spread on Ryo's face as he watched her adroitly execute each attack.  She's quite a warrior it seems.
Mulan...Fa Mulan...
Then it occurred to him why that name was so familiar.  "The ancient Chinese warrior," he whispered holding his breath.  It was something he actually remembered from history class.  Fa Mulan, the mighty woman warrior of the fifth century China, was before him.
Is she really THE Mulan?  Maybe a test is in order...
~~~~~~
"Hya!"  Mulan struck out at the empty air.  She imagined a figure in front of her.  She stabbed the end of the bamboo stick into his stomach, and as he crouched over in pain, she brought her knee up to give him a brutal kick to the face.
She felt tension draining from her as she steeped herself in concentration.  At this moment, nothing and no one existed except for her and her imaginary opponent.  She finished her rival and the workout off with a spinning axle kick.
She stopped to rest.  Her breath was rapid.  Mulan brought her sleeve up to wipe away some of the perspiration that had gathered on her forehead.
"Wow, that felt good," she thought as her heart beat slowed and fell back into its normal pace.
Suddenly Mulan heard a faint rustle behind her.  With the rapid turn of her head and lightning reflexes she managed to dodge the bamboo bo that had threatened to strike her body.
Once she recovered from the shock of the sudden attack, she stared in disbelief as she recognized her attacker.  Then, understanding, Mulan gripped her bamboo stick and came at her opponent whose bo was readied.
"Hya!"  Her blow with the bo was intercepted by the other bo.  Mulan quickly lowered her body to trip the attacker, and took that opportunity to disarm him.
With that weapon gone, she also tossed her bo aside.  She face off hand to hand with the assailant, who also appeared to be an excellent combatant.  The two exchanged their punches, kicks, and strikes.  The two clashed again and again.  Then suddenly Mulan gained the advantage.  She executed a perfect flip kick that made the attacker stagger back and fall hard against one of the magnolia trees.  She ran up ready to finish with a punch...
"Mulan, that's enough!"  Mulan stopped cold as she heard her father's reprimanding voice.
She turned sheepishly towards the moon gate of the garden.  "Ba-ba,"  Her heart sank as Fa Zhou approached.  Both his composure, expression and demeanor were strong and unshakeable despite the staff that he relied on as he walked over.  Her mother followed behind him.  Mulan smiled nervously.  "I was..."
Fa Zhou confidently strode past her to her attacker, who was still leaning against the tree.  "Ryo, please do forgive my brash young daughter."
The young man that Mulan had found that morning bowed to Fa Zhou.  "I should be asking for forgiveness sir."  He flashed a half amused and half apologetic smile at Mulan.  Yup, this was definitely the living Chinese legend.
"I'm sorry Ba-ba, Ma-ma," Mulan smiled, "We were just having a friendly spar..."
"Why are you not dressed properly?" her mother, Fa Li eyed at her grass stained and dirty garb.
"Mulan, you should be ready for Shang's visit.  Not frolicking about like a child."  Fa Zhou's was firm with his Mulan-if-you-want-to-become-a-proper-bride-you-better-start-acting-the-part voice.  His daughter might have saved China, but she must still try her best to continue in the traditional ways.
Mulan shrank under his scolding voice, "Yes father."
Fa Zhou turned towards Ryo.  "You really should be resting after what happened."
"I'm fine sir, ma'am.  Thank you for your family's hospitality."  Ryo bowed respectfully again.
"Just what exactly happened to you anyway?" Mulan asked curiously.
"Mulan!" Her mother gave her a stern look.  "A lady should not badger a guest with such nosy questions."  Ryo was silently glad that he would be spared from having to fabricate a lie to these kind people.
"Oh," the young Fa maiden smiled apologetically.  "I beg your pardon."  Mulan then attempted her best at a traditional lady curtsy.  Placing her hands on top of her knees she made a quick descend.  Mulan found that it was very hard to make the curtsy look elegant since she was wearing her exercise clothes and she probably looked a mess.
Fa Zhou turned to Ryo again, "You're welcomed here as our guest Ryo.  And when you feel you are well enough to travel, we can prepare for you to return to your home."
"Thank you very much sir."  Ryo then thought to himself, "If only it could be that easy..."
"Mulan," Fa Li directed her daugher, "Since Shang is not here yet, why don't you go get changed and accompany our guest to town for a stroll?"
Mulan nodded and smiled before she ran off, "I'll be right back."
~~~~~~
When Mulan returned to her room, Mushu had already gotten his body, save his tail, out from under his mirror prison.  He and Cri-Kee were pulling at his tail with all their might against the weight of the full teapot.
As soon as Mushu spotted Mulan he stopped to cross his arms over his chest.  "So Miss Man, how about's about givin' me a hand here?"
"Alright Mushu," Mulan lifted the teapot off and allowed the puny dragon to withdrawn his tail.
Mushu stared at the crooked end of his tail and stuck his lip out.  "Ohhh, look at it!" he wailed.  "Look what you've done now!  Wait til I tell the ancestors..."
"I'm sorry Mushu," Mulan sighed as he turned his pouting face to look at her.  "But I gotta get ready to go to town now."
"Shang my man is here already?"
"No," Mulan gave Mushu a small frown.  "First, I'm taking our guest to have a stroll around.  And second, he is not your man."
"Oh, right," Mushu continued teasing her.  "Shang is YOUR man."
Mulan groaned exasperatingly before she picked up the skinny dragon and the chirping cricket, and dropped them out the window.  "I'll see you guys later."
The two landed outside with a THUD.  "Oh yeah, 'I'll see you later'," Mushu crossed his arms and continued mourning over his tail.  "The things I have to do for my job..."  He looked at Cri-Kee.  "Hey, do you think I'll get workman's comp for this?"
Cri-Kee just shrugged, and chirped.
"Yeah, whatever."
~~~~~~
After Fa Li and Fa Zhou returned inside, Ryo found himself sitting idly on the little bench under the magnolia tree waiting for Mulan.
As he sat, his mind wondered back to his Wildfire power orb.  Ryo sighed as he took the crimson sphere out of his pocket.  So he's definitely here for a reason.  And wouldn't be too surprised if it did involve Talpa...or maybe someone even more powerful.
A sudden cold wind blew in from an unknown direction.  Ryo shivered.  The magnolia blossoms of the tree above him fluttered in that breeze.  A few delicate petals came loose and drifted lazily downward was the wind carried it to the ground in a twirling, cascading pattern.  One of the rosy pink petals landed on the fiery red crystal sphere.  Ryo reached to brush it off...
"Ryo of Wildfire."
"Huh?"  Ryo whipped around to face the source of that voice.
In a smoky haze was the familiar ghostly form of a red headed warlord.  "Anubis."
"Wildfire, I have finally found you."
"Anubis!  Do you know what is going on here?"
"No.  I'm afraid I don't."  He spotted the Wildfire orb in Ryo's hands.  An expression of dismay on his face as he too realized that battles were to be in the future.  "But I can sense the other Ronins, they are here in this world with you."
"What?  Where are they?" Ryo's voice raised and he began shouting desperately at Anubis, hopping that for answers, suggestions, anything that might put his mind to greater ease.  His knuckles were turning white as he clutched the red orb violently.
Anubis's eyes were apologetic as he replied, "I don't know Ryo.  That is something you have to find out, for my time here grows short."  As if on cue his already translucent form began growing fainter.
"Wait!  No!  Anubis," Ryo ran up to the dissolving air, his arms wildly waving about as he attempted to grab on to the departing spirit.  "Dang it.  Come back here.  I need your help!"  But he was already gone...
"Ryo?"  He turned around to see Mulan who had returned after changing into a dress.  "Who were you talking to?"
"Umm, I was...just seeing things."  He quickly stuffed his orb into his pocket.  "Hey, why don't we get going?"
Mulan smiled as she motioned for him to follow her.  "Sure, let's go get Khan."
~~~~~~
The guards at the city gates gave the young captain a respectful salute as he lead his horse into the city.  Shang checked the stranger who was still out cold on Yong's back.  "Just hang on for a few more minutes," he thought.
"Ohh Shang!!!!"  A high pitched feminine squeal rang through the air.
Shang grimaced and rolled his eyes.  He managed a half mutter of, "Oh no..." before the owner of that voice bounded to his side.
Forcing a smile, Shang turned to the young woman at his side and gave a polite bow, "Hello Miss Wei Liu."
Wei Lu smiled.  A pale layer of make up covered her face.  She batted her eye lashes and gently fluffed her hair, the strands of which had been woven into an intricate design with pain staking care.  She then lowered herself into a graceful curtsy.  "Captain Shang, I had no idea you'd be arriving today.  Why I probably look like a mess."
Shang coughed uncomfortably.  "Umm, no...actually.  You...you look fine..."
"Oh!  You say the sweetest things!"  Wei Lu squealed with delight as she whipped out her fan to daintily fan herself.
~~~~~~
"Come on Cri-Kee, work those skinny hind legs of yours."
Cri-Kee chirped in protest as he ran behind Mushu high above the streets on the building roof tops.
"Come on, we hafta keep an eye out for Shang," Mushu paused to grab Cri-Kee up by his antennas.  He shook the little cricket and yelled into his ear.  "Now we wouldn't want little Miss I'm-the-perfect-bride-because-I-got-the-highest-score-from-the-matchmaker to snag up Mulan's man would we?"
Cri-Kee sheepishly shook his head.
"That's right.  We hafta make sure Wei Lu doesn't..."
He was cut off by a squeal, "Shang, why don't you come over for dinner!"
Mushu's shoulders slumped with defeat as he recognized the voice.  He slowly turned around and looked down at the street.  There an unwelcomed sight greeted him.  Wei Lu had latched herself around Shang's arm, and even the strong captain didn't seem to be able to shake loose.
"Why that hussy...that dumpling dunce..." Mushu rolled up his sleeves and was about to charge down.  Cri-Kee hopped in front of him, chirping, halting him.
"What do you mean you have a better idea?"
~~~~~~
Carefully dismounting, Ryo and Mulan strolled along the streets.  Ryo couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that Khan, Mulan's black stallion, was not quite fond of him.  That horse seemed to be throwing him dirty looks.
Ryo shook his head, trying to empty it of those crazy thoughts.  "Get a grip on yourself," he told himself.
"Here we are," Mulan directed his attention to the grand building that they had stopped in front of.  Two large pillars supported a cornice over the door.  Two serpent like dragons entwined around each.  She smiled as she turned towards him.  "This is our city's opera house."
She tied Khan's stirrups to a tree before the antique edifice.  "I'm not really a fan of the opera, but I do love the fight sequences."
"Umm...opera?" Ryo asked meekly.
"Oh, come on."