One possible plot could be that Mulan, instead of joining the army as a man, is visited by a magical fairy who gives her the ability to transform into a man at will. This way, she can still protect her family and her village without having to completely hide her identity. She then uses this new power to outwit the invaders and becomes a hero not just for her physical strength but also for her unique magical gift.
To make Mulan's character more complex in a 'once upon a time' fanfiction, we could explore her fears more deeply. She is brave, but what if she has a deep - seated fear of failure? What if she is afraid that her actions won't be enough to save her family and her people? This fear could drive some of her decisions, like her decision to take on a more dangerous mission or to train harder. Also, we could show her dealing with the aftermath of war. How does she cope with the loss and destruction? Does she feel guilty for the lives lost? All these aspects would make her character more multifaceted.
One idea could be that Mulan meets a magical creature in the forest during her travels. This creature could give her a special power or task. For example, it could be a phoenix that asks her to protect a hidden village from an approaching evil force. Mulan would then have to use her skills and the new power to prepare the village for battle and lead them to victory.
To write a character - driven plot in Mulan fanfiction, explore her relationships. Her relationship with her father, for instance. What if her father had a secret past that Mulan discovers during her adventures? This would change her perception of him and also influence her actions. Also, her relationships with her comrades in the army can be developed further. Their mutual respect and growth together can be a major part of the plot.
A plot could be that Aurora is in a deep sleep again due to a new curse. Mulan, who has heard tales of a sleeping princess, comes to the rescue. She battles the forces that guard Aurora's castle using her martial arts skills. Once she reaches Aurora, she discovers that the only way to break the curse is through a combination of Mulan's courage and Aurora's purity. So, Mulan has to go on a quest to find a magical item while protecting Aurora's sleeping form. In the end, they break the curse together and become friends who vow to protect each other's kingdoms.
Mulan is brave and resourceful, while Aurora is gentle and kind. In a story, Mulan's boldness might inspire Aurora to be more assertive. For example, when facing a difficult decision, Mulan would be quick to take action, and Aurora would learn from her. Aurora's kindness could also soften Mulan. Mulan is used to a more rough - and - tumble world, but Aurora's gentle nature would show her a different way of approaching things.
One popular 'Once a upon a time story' is 'Cinderella'. It's about a kind - hearted girl who is mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters but eventually finds true love with the help of her fairy godmother. Another is 'Snow White', a beautiful princess who has to flee from her evil stepmother and finds refuge with the seven dwarfs. And 'Sleeping Beauty' is also well - known, where a princess is put into a deep sleep by a curse and is awakened by a prince's kiss.
Family relationships are a big theme. Some fanfics focus on the family dynamics between characters like the Charmings and their descendants. There are also fanfictions that revolve around the theme of identity. Characters in 'Once upon a time' often have complex identities, and fan writers like to dig deeper into how these identities are formed and how they can change over time.
Once upon a time, a family bought a new house. In the basement, there was a locked door. One night, the youngest son heard strange sounds coming from behind that door. He found the key and opened it. Inside, there was a dark room filled with old portraits. As he looked at them, the eyes in the portraits seemed to follow him. He quickly closed the door but could still hear the voices from the room.
A 'found family' trope is quite common. Characters who were alone or estranged in the show form a close - knit family in fanfiction. For instance, Henry might bring together different characters who then become his new family. Also, the 'hurt/comfort' trope, where a character is hurt (physically or emotionally) and another character comforts them, is frequently used in Once upon a Time fanfics.