Mushu the dragon

Mushu is a tiny red Eastern, wingless dragon from the animated movie "Mulan". Mushu is the deuteragonist of Disney's 1998 animated feature film Mulan. He is a pint-sized, fast-talking, self-absorbed Chinese dragon and the self-appointed guardian of Fa Mulan. Mushu used to be a guardian spirit of the Fa family, but he had been demoted to the humiliating position of an incense burner and a gong-ringer for the deceased Fa ancestors ever since he failed to protect a family member, a soldier named Fa Deng, resulting in the soldier's demise by decapitation (he is seen carrying his own head as a spirit). Mushu's reputation would suffer dearly from this, with the eldest of the ancestors refusing to even acknowledge Mushu as a "real dragon", evoking a bitter and eager-to-please side to his personality. In contrast to Mulan, Mushu is in most situations more comical, overconfident, and impulsive. He strives to be one of the family guardians again and selfishly comes to Mulan's aid to turn her into a war hero, believing this will get him back on the "top shelf." However, he eventually comes to realize the error of his ways. Mushu even comes to care about Mulan where he places her safety and happiness above his own, showing a side of selflessness. He then intends to take her home to face the consequences of his actions, but when she insists on stopping the Huns, Mushu loyally follows her, showing that underneath, he has a good heart.