Mulan

"Even if I don't believe in his methods, I am going to honor his wishes. I'm going to keep you safe."

- Mulan to Aurora Mulan is a recurring character on Once Upon a Time. She makes her début in the first episode of the second season. She is portrayed by Jamie Chung and does not have a Storybrooke counterpart.

Mulan is based on the main character from the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan.

History
At some point, Mulan joined Prince Phillip on his journey to awaken Princess Aurora. She was journeying with Phillip when the Dark Curse was cast by the Evil Queen, however, a small area was spared from the Curse, merely freezing the people there for 28 years. When Emma Swan broke the Curse in Storybrooke, time resumed, and Mulan and Phillip continued their journey.

Mulan is present with Prince Phillip when he awakens Princess Aurora. However, the happy reunion is cut short when a Wraith breaks through the floor of the palace. Phillip fights the creature briefly, but it flies off after losing a medallion it carried. Prince Phillip is unwittingly marked by this medallion. Mulan explains that the Wraith sucks the souls of its victims. Phillip, upon realizing he has been marked, leaves Mulan and Aurora to face the Wraith. Once Mulan realizes this, she sets out after Phillip, but is followed by Aurora. Aurora confronts Mulan, stating that Mulan in fact loves Phillip, and she can see it on Mulan's face. Mulan staunchly denies this, stating that although she and Phillip have fought many battles together, she has no romantic feelings for him. The two discover him in time to witness his demise; the Wraith sucks out his soul and returns to the medallion.

Back at the palace, Mulan and Aurora lay Phillip in state, Mulan explains to Aurora what has occurred during her 28 year-long sleep. She then wraps the Wraith's medallion in a white and gold bag and hands it to Aurora. As the two prepare to leave, Mulan hears a sound from the rubble the Wraith created. Upon investigating the rubble, she and Aurora discover Emma Swan and Mary Margaret Blanchard, Mulan then states the two of them were the reason for the Wraith that killed "our" Prince. ("Broken")

Aurora and Mulan ride away from the palace, and force Emma and Mary Margaret to walk behind them with their hands tied together. They reach a safe haven where many survivors are gathered. Mary Margaret tries to make a run for it by kicking down Aurora giving Emma a head start, but Mulan uses a medieval weapon to bring her down. Emma and Mary Margaret are thrown into the pit. ("We Are Both")

Mulan is seen talking to Aurora about Lancelotand then Aurora ells Mulan that she doesn't trust Emma and Mary Margaret. Mulan infoms Aurora not to confuse vengeance with justice. Later, she is seen giving Emma and Mary Margaret weapons for their journey to The Castle. In the woods, Mulan tells the two women that they will make a camp and that they need to get fire and water. When Mry Margaret makes a fire, Aurora attacks her and the two start arguing. Mulan appears and tells Mry Margaret to not talk to Aurora like that and that she will deal with Aurora. Emma appears and fires a gun to try to protect Mary Margaret but has instead summoned Ogres. The group split up and Mary Margaret saves Emma from an ogre. Later on, Mulan tells Aurora to keep up and that it is her won fault that she isn't dressed for the woods as she was told to stay in the safe haven. Emma takes pity on Aurora and gives her her jacket. When the group arrive at the castle, Mulan informs Mary Margaret tha she and Aurora will keep gaurd at the gate. The two later go into the castle to rescue Mary Margaret and Emma from Cora, who was disguised as Lancelot. Mulan tells the others that she couldn't believe she was fooled by the shape shifter and wasn't sure about what to tell the survivors once they got back. Mary Margaret told her that she should tell them the truth, that Lancelot died a heoric death. Mulan then suggest the Mary Margaret becomes the new leader. Mary Magaret says that she appreciates it but can't as she has to get home with Storybrooke and Mulan and Aurora agree to help the two. ("Lady of the Lake")

Trivia

 * During casting, the character was code-named "Magnolia".
 * The casting call described her as "a cool badass Asian chick who is an accomplished fighter and rider and might be a little bit magical."
 * When Mulan removes her helmet and reveal she's a woman her hair is down and free flowing, in the next scene and consequently after, her hair is worn up in a series of gold cuffs.