I was horribly depressed. Sure, we'd defeated our greatest enemy yet, but Tigress was in very poor condition. We were all gathered in her room, surrounding her bed, watching as she barely breathed, eyes closed. She was awake, but didn't wish to have her eyes open; it took too much energy. We all knew she would soon die, the wound was too deep, but I refused to believe it. She was strong, she could survive this. A least that's what I told myself, but deep down, I knew I was just telling myself lies, building up hopes that would soon be crushed. She shifted slightly, and we all tensed, not sure what to expect. Her eyes cracked open, and her gaze settled on me. "Po? Is that you?" she questioned, her voice nearly silent, no more than a frail whisper. "Yeah. It's me. Tigress, you're, you're going to, uh…" I wasn't really sure how to tell someone they were about to face death. It was rather disturbing, and I couldn't find the right words. "Die?" "Y-yeah." She smiled gently. "I know. And I'm ready for it." "What! But Tigress-" "It's ok. I knew it would happen eventually. Everyone has to leave sometime. We can't control it; it's a fact of life." "But we don't want you to go. We need you Tigress. I need you." I complained. "No, you don't. You'll be just fine on your own." She said.
She laid her head back on her pillow, eyes closing. I was worried she'd just died right there, but a sleepy smile spread on her face. "They're waiting for me." she murmured. "What?" Viper asked. "They're waiting for me." she repeated, a little louder. "Who? Who's waiting for you?" Crane asked. Her smile widened. "My parents." She took a short breath before continuing. "I can hear them calling me, directing me towards them." she informed us. Her voice changed to a haunting, echoing version of hers. "I'm coming, mother, father. Just give me a minute." It may have been my imagination, but I could've sworn a new sweet, angelic voice echoed through the air. "Hurry, my child. We miss you."
"Did anyone else hear that?" I asked, looking at the five and Master Shifu. "Uh, hear what?" Monkey questioned, looking confused. "Never mind." "That was my mother. She wants me to come to her." "But you, you can't go yet!" I protested. Opening her eyes, she looked directly at me, ruby red meeting jade green. "I must Po. I miss them, too. I haven't seen them in twenty two years." "I know, but-" "Shhh." She soothed, holding a finger to my lips. "It's ok. I'll still be here, and I'll watch you all." She then turned to the others. "Remember, every time you win a battle, even if you can't see me, I'll be there, cheering. Please don't forget." "We won't, sister. I promise." Viper said, her voice fragile.
"I have to go now. But before I do, I have two things to say." "Master Shifu, my whole life, I've done everything I could to make you proud. I hope I've done so, and you are the best father I've ever had." He nodded. "I am very proud of you, my daughter. I wish you happiness with your parents." He said. She then turned to looked at me again. "Po, I have a confession to make." "Ok…" "I love you." She whispered. With that, she grabbed my face and pulled me closer, till we were kissing. I could tell everyone was staring, but I didn't care. "I love you too, Tigress. I always will." I whispered in her ear. She smiled again. "Thank you. Now I can go." Then she laid her head down, eyes closing. Her breathing slowly stopped, and as she released her final breath, she whispered "Goodbye. You're better then any family I could have dreamed of." And then, complete silence.
Until Viper started crying. She was sobbing quietly, tears pooring down her cheeks and splashing onto the floor. She buried her face in Crane's chest, crying into his feathers. He hesitantly wrapped his wings around her, his head bowed. I looked down, staring at my feet. She was gone. The love of my life… gone. Gone forever. I'd never see her again in my life. I stepped back from her bed and stood by the rest of the five, who were all silently crying. I was ready to join them, but a sweet, angelic voice called. "Please don't be sad." all of our heads raised slowly, to see the shock of our lives.
There, rising out of Tigress' body, was a ghostly form of her, her image, but clear. She was literally glowing, a bright white light surrounding her. "T-Tigress…?" She smiled kindly. "Yes, it's me. Well, my spirit, but still. I've risen from my body to say goodbye." She stepped towards us, except, it wasn't exactly a step. She was hovering about six inches off the ground, but still. She first addressed master Shifu. "Goodbye, father. I hope I've made you proud." "You have. More than any will ever know." She smiled good naturedly. Then she turned to Crane. "I am honored to be one of your comrades. You are wise, strong, and talented. Stay that way." He nodded, awestruck at what he was seeing. She turned to Viper, who was still wrapped in Crane's wings. "Viper. You are an amazing warrior, as well as a friend. You are a caring, compassionate, wonderful character. Please never change your ways." She nodded with a small smile. "Monkey. I have always admired your sense of humor, and your strong knowledge of friendship. You are a truly wonderful companion anyone would be lucky to have in their lives. Remember that for as long as you live." He nodded hesitantly, eyes wide with amazement. "Mantis. You are strong, loyal, kind, and friendly. Do not let anyone tell you different, or change you from what you are. You are flawless just the way you are." He managed a quiet thank you before falling off Monkey's shoulder. Tigress caught him, gingerly setting him back in place. "Po. You are a wonderful, kind, loving, funny, talented, and fearless warrior. I admire all your traits. I hope you will always remember what I've said today. I mean every word out of my mouth. And I love you very, very much." She whispered that last part to me, pecking my cheek.
A voice called out "Tigress.", the same voice that I'd heard earlier. She slowly turned, where, to all of our surprise, stood two other tigers, ghostly clear, but smiling. Her eyes widened, a smile of pure joy creeping onto her face. "Mom, dad…" she then rushed over and hugged them, while they embraced her. "Oh, our little girl." Her mom whispered. "Look at you. You've grown up into the strong, beautiful girl we'd always hoped." Her father said, clutching her shoulders. "I've missed you so much." Tigress whispered. "We've missed you too, baby. We watched you grow up, so proud of what you'd accomplished." Her mother added. She turned to us. "Mom, dad, this is my family." "Ah, yes. Masters Viper, Mantis, Crane, Monkey, Po, and Shifu. Pleased to meet you all." They bowed. Then, her father did something rather unexpected.
He teleported to behind Shifu, and smacked him upside the head. "OW! Why did you do that?" he demanded. "For not showing any love for our daughter for the past twenty years." He growled. Tigress giggled in her mom's embrace, leaning her head back on her chest. "We have to go now, child." He said, teleporting back to them. "You have much to see. Living the life of an angel can be exhilarating if you are not prepared." "Wait. What? Did you just say…" "angel?" Tigress questioned. "Yes, of course. Where we're going, you'll have the best life you could ever dream of. You'll be an angel, a citizen of heaven. What did you expect?" her mother questioned. "I get to be… an angel?" "Yep." "I don't have to wear a dress, do I?" I snorted, thinking of the fight she'd put up if they tried to get her to wear a dress. "Of course not. It's your choice." "Thank the gods." "Goodbye, my family. I will miss you." She then turned away, disappearing in a flash of golden light.
Master Shifu bowed to the spot Tigress' ghostly form had once hovered, then turned and left the room. "Excuse me, I have… important matters to attend to." he then marched out quickly, but I saw something he probably didn't want me to. A single, lone tear trickled down his cheek, which he hastily wiped. I was shocked, but I was too sad to care. We all were. We all turned to Tigress's body, she still looked alive, but her still chest and silent body told us otherwise. "I-If anybody n-needs me, I'll be in the Training Hall." Monkey said, running out as tears stained hi cheeks. "And if someone needs me, I'll be at the Pool of Sacred Tears." Mantis announced. "I'll be in room." Viper said, slithering out her fastest, slipping a bit on the pools of tears now on the floor. "See ya, Po. I'll be at the Sacred peach Tree." Crane proclaimed, walking out the door at a slow, steady pace, reaching his wing up to swipe at his watering eyes.
I just sat next to the bed, where my one and only true loves' body laid, still as could be. "I miss you, Tigress." I whispered, kissing her forehead. It was surprisingly warm for a dead person. I figured her body would be ice cold, but instead, it was warm, as if it were settled in front of a warm fire. I was curious, but didn't bother to investigate, I was too busy crying. I held her paw to my chest, trying to remember what her beautiful smile looked like, or her wonderful, cheerful laugh. But I just couldn't. I was far too depressed to remember things so heavenly. I prayed silently to the gods, begging them to bring her back, but I knew it was effortless. She'd never return. And we all knew it.