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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Begin by choosing your favorite characters from 'Once upon a time'. Decide if you want to focus on one character's story or a group of them. After that, plan out the plot. You can make a simple outline of the beginning, middle and end. Consider the setting, whether it's the Enchanted Forest or Storybrooke. Also, think about the tone of your fanfic. Do you want it to be light - hearted, dark, or something in between? Once you have these elements in place, just start writing. Don't worry too much about making it perfect at first, you can always edit later.
A prevalent trope is the 'reincarnation' trope. Fans might write about how the characters are reincarnated in different time periods or worlds and how their relationships are rekindled. 'Power - swapping' is another interesting one, where characters exchange their powers and how that affects their relationships and the story. There are also 'secret relationship' tropes, especially for characters who had a lot of chemistry on the show but never got together officially, like Belle and Will Scarlet. Writers create scenarios where they have a secret relationship and all the drama that comes with it.