What if the unwilling test subject is Moe French? He did try to erase Belle’s memory after all.
As for Belle and Mulan teaming up, it must take place between Belle leaving the dark castle and being captured by Regina. Perhaps after Belle’s scene in Dreamy.
The Rumple and Regina scene in Skin Deep at the dark castle must take place several weeks/months after Belle left which would explain why Rumple believed Regina about Belle’s death.