And after a tense stand-off, Mako continues to break Tigress' wall down and help her out by ending this rivalry between her and Max.

Chapter 26: Mako's Advice

Tigress was still in tears after what had happened and Mako was still standing there and he knelt close to her, but Tigress pushed him away and she said, "Leave me alone."

"I can't do that. Not until we resolve things and end this rivalry between you and Max once and for all." Mako stated.

Tigress couldn't understand why Mako would never leave her alone and why he's still determined to confront her and end this rivalry between her and Max and she asked him, "You never give up, do you?"

"I can be twice as determined as you are." Mako answered.

Once Mako said that, it literally clicked in Tigress that he won't stop at anything and that giving up is never an option for him until he succeeds and with that, Tigress said, "Why would you say things like that?"

"Because it's the truth. If anyone's gonna get through it you, it'll have to be me. I'm not here to judge you so harshly nor would I ever make you feel less than. That's not my intention. If it was, then I apologize. But I'm not gonna apologize for my honesty." Mako stated.

Tigress sighed heavily at this and she turned to Mako with tears in her eyes, but she quickly turned away because she didn't want anyone to see her like this, but Mako was the only one that did and he said, "It's not a shame to cry, you know."

"Crying is for the weak." Tigress stated.

"If it's true, then why are you crying?" asked Mako.

Tigress wanted to think of a comenack, but nothing came out of it and she just sighed heavily and she told him, "It's just so hard. Max has got everything; friends, family, people that care about him, like he has a purpose. Even in the most bad times, he makes them good. Part of my bitterness towards him is that he's special and after everything he went through, he should've been miserable and those events would've affected him."

"And you're right. No one should go through that. Nobody deserves it. But Max chooses to not be that way. Besides, what good would staying angry do anyway? He's not special because everyone gives him attention. He's special because he's true to himself. When you argue with him, you act like a child too. Even if you don't agree with whatever he says, just settle it in a way that is appropriate. There's better ways to express it other than fighting or arguing." Mako stated.

"How?" asked Tigress.

"Just either walk away and give yourself time to cool off. Of course, Max is very sensitive about being in the middle of an argument that involves him. You don't wanna do anything to further traumatize him for life." Mako added.

"I know I shouldn't. But how do I deal with Max hanging around the others?" asked Tigress.

"You just allow that to happen. As long as he's happy with them, that's all that matters. Don't let jealousy or bitterness get in the way of that. But if it creeps in, just talk to someone about it. Now admit it, you want this rivalry to end like we all do, right?" asked Mako.

Tigress sighed heavily at this and it was a very hard choice for her to make about this and she replied, "I do...but I don't know where to start."

"You just have to put your best foot forward and say 'I don't want to fight you anymore' and you'll have to be friends with him. I know that it'll happen, but you have to make it happen for yourself. Just take a couple of baby steps. It's not gonna be perfect overnight, but you have to do what's best for him." Mako answered.

"I do want it to end because I know now that it's not worth putting all the aggravation on everyone." Tigress stated.

"Exactly. I believe you can do it. But the question is...do you believe that you can do it?" asked Mako.

That was the biggest challenge for her is to take it, but she's willing to give it a shot and hopefully, resolve this once and for all and she said, "Yes."

"Well then...let's find Max and see if we can end this rivalry right this minute." Mako added.

You think that the rivalry will end? Let's see. I think Tigress sees it very clear now.