Perhaps they could become begrudging allies. If there was a greater threat to both their peoples, they might have to work together. Shan Yu would be hesitant at first, but Mulan's strong sense of justice could sway him over time. For example, if a third, more powerful enemy emerged, they could join forces to defeat it, with Mulan teaching Shan Yu about honor and Shan Yu teaching Mulan about the ways of the Huns in a strategic sense.
In a more creative fanfiction, they could develop a strange friendship. Shan Yu might see Mulan as a worthy opponent and start to respect her. He could then start to protect her in his own way, like warning her of other threats. Mulan, on the other hand, could try to reform Shan Yu, to make him see the value of peace. This relationship would be full of tension and growth as they both come from very different worlds and have different values at the start.
The plot could involve Shan Yu being resurrected by a dark magic and Mulan being the only one who can stop him again. But as she tries to defeat him, she discovers that he has some new motives that are not entirely evil. This could lead to a series of encounters where their relationship evolves from pure hatred to something more complex, with the 'lemon' aspect being a hint of a more passionate connection that starts to develop between them.
One possible plot could be that Shan Yu, instead of being completely defeated, is captured and Mulan is assigned to guard him. Over time, they start to have conversations and slowly develop an attraction. There could be a moment when Mulan has to tend to Shan Yu's wounds, and their closeness leads to some 'lemon' - type of tension.
Common themes in Mulan Shan Yu fanfiction include the theme of forgiveness. Mulan may have to forgive Shan Yu for his past actions, or vice versa. Another is the theme of adventure. They might go on adventures together, exploring new lands. And the theme of acceptance is also there. Shan Yu has to accept Mulan as a worthy adversary or more, and Mulan has to accept Shan Yu as a complex being rather than just a villain.
Once upon a time, Shan Yu was leading his Hun army when he spotted Mulan in the distance. Instead of attacking immediately, he was intrigued by her courage. Mulan, seeing Shan Yu, readied her sword. But Shan Yu said, 'You are a brave one, girl.' Mulan replied, 'I will not let you harm my people.' Shan Yu laughed and said, 'We shall see.' And so began an unexpected encounter between them.
The fanfic might be about Mulan trying to redeem Shan Yu. She believes that there is good in everyone, even a fearsome villain like him. So she decides to visit Shan Yu in prison. Shan Yu is initially very resistant to her attempts at conversation and reformation. However, Mulan keeps coming back and sharing stories about her own life, her family, and her village. Slowly, Shan Yu starts to listen and is intrigued by her tales. This could be the start of a transformation in Shan Yu's character as he is exposed to Mulan's values.
One positive interpretation could be a story where Mulan and Shan Yu, through their encounters, come to understand the value of peace. Shan Yu might see Mulan's courage not as a threat but as a sign of the strength of her people, and they could potentially work towards a truce.
It could be. Mulan is a very well - known and beloved character. Some fans might be intrigued by the idea of exploring a relationship between her and Shan Yu in fanfiction. However, it also might be a bit controversial as Shan Yu is the villain in the original story. So it may not be as mainstream as some other fanfiction themes, but it surely has its own niche audience.
One possible scenario in this fanfiction could be that Mulan, after defeating Shan Yu in battle, has to deal with his unexpected return in a more complex situation. Maybe there's a magical element that brings him back, and their relationship takes a turn towards an uneasy alliance. This could be filled with tension and character development as they learn to understand each other beyond their initial enmity.
One idea could be that after Shan Yu's defeat, instead of dying, he is captured and Mulan is tasked with guarding him. During this time, they start to have conversations that make them see each other in a different light. Shan Yu might share his past and the reasons for his aggression, and Mulan might start to understand the complexity of war from his perspective.
One common theme could be the idea of redemption. Shan Yu being the villain, the fanfiction might explore how Mulan could change him through love. Another theme could be the breaking of boundaries, as they are from different sides in the original story. Maybe a theme of forbidden love as well.