Tigress

They ran out of the burning village. The crackling of the fire and the laughter of lions echoed around the valley they were in. The couple ran for their lives. The mother clung to her baby for all she held dear. They ran and ran, knowing not where they were going but what was behind them. The thunderous noise of the lions caused them to run faster and faster. And for a moment, they lost them. "We can't keep away from them for long. We have to get the baby to safety," the father said. The mother looked desperately around. It started to rain. Even though the rain had started to become thick, she could see a small building.

"There," She said. The father looked. They went to the building. The father looked at the sign as the mother rested her baby on the step. Bao-Goo Orphanage.

"Are you sure she'll be safe here," the father asked. He knew she couldn't answer that, especially by the look in her eye. But he also saw hope in those same eyes. The father knocked loudly at the door, hoping that someone would come. With that, the little baby's eyes looked at its parents. She was too young to figure out the faces, but she knew they were significant to her. She saw them walking away.

"Hello," Said the goat lady of the orphanage. She looked down. "Oh my goodness!" She picked up the baby. "What are you doing in the rain, little tiger?" Of course, the baby couldn't answer that. "Where are your parents?" She got that answer when she heard two screams nearby. The lady of the orphanage closed the door shut. She quickly carried the baby tiger to the back where the other caretakers were. "Make sure she doesn't make a sound," She instructed them. Suddenly, there was a loud knock at the door. The goat lady ran to the door and opened it to see a large tan lion with a few lions behind him. Two of the lions behind him had blood on their swords. They also had very crazy looks on their faces, except the big lion standing in front of her. He had a solemn expressionless face.

"My good lady," He said politely. "We are looking for a baby tiger. Have you seen it?" The goat lady knew what she was standing against but she chose to protect the baby.

"We have no tiger here," She lied. Just then, the tiger baby loudly cried.

"What was that?" one of the lions behind the big lion asked. The lion peered down at the goat lady.

"I'll take care of this men," The lead lion said. With that, he closed the door behind him with the goat lady inside. "Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you. I'm General Gong-Go. Where is the baby that cried?" The goat lady took a leap of faith in trusting the big lion, but he was different than the others. Something inside of her said to trust him even though her mind said don't. She showed him to the baby. The caretakers were scared. General Gong-Go looked at the baby tiger. The baby tiger looked at him and smiled. The general smiled back. "Her name is Tigress. That's the name I found when my men killed them. I'm sorry for what happened Tigress," he said as he gently rubbed little Tigress's face. The baby cooed happily. Then General Gong-Go turned to the caretakers and the goat lady. "Make sure she's safe. And keep her from others for a while until someone teaches her to control her strength. She will be very strong compared to the rest of your children. Try your best to keep her safe," General Gong-Go said. "Come with me, my lady." With that, the goat lady and the lion went back out to the murderous pack of lions. "It's a bunny baby. They must have placed the baby somewhere else. Let's look to the north. Either that or the child is dead." The lions ran off ahead of him.

"Why is this happening?" the goat lady asked. Gong-Go sighed.

"Some rulers become evil with absolute power," Gong-Go said getting into his chariot. With that, his duck servant pulled him away from the inn.

"TIGRESS!" Po shouted into the early morning air. Soon, the others came into Po's room.

"Another nightmare?" Crane asked. Po nodded. "But why were you screaming Tigress's name?"

"I have a theory," Lillia came up. Tigress glared at the smirking lamb. Tigress went to Po's side on the bed.

"What did you see?" Tigress asked as everyone came in to listen. Po's breathing finally came down.

"The lions also killed Tigress's parents," Po said ominously. Tigress's eyes widened. Lillia was the first to speak.

"What exactly did you see?"

"The tiger village was burning. Tigress's parents needed a place to save the baby. As the goat lady of the inn opened the door, I could hear the screams of Tigress's parents," Po paused shaking at the mention of it. "The goat quickly got baby Tigress, took her inside, and then went back to the door to see the lions. Leading them was." Po stopped.

"Who?" They all asked.

"General Gong-Go," Po answered. Lillia was shocked. "I'm guessing this was a few years before they attacked your village, Lillia. Anyways, the goat lady tried her best to protect Tigress." Then Po chuckled a bit, looking at Tigress. "But then you started to cry, loudly." Tigress seemed a bit embarrassed about that. "Anyways, General Gong-Go went inside, making sure the other soldiers didn't follow. He saw Tigress. He gave certain instructions to them on how to raise her and what to expect because of her strength. Then he went back out and lied to the others that you weren't there. Oh, and he also apologized to you about what happened to your parents."

"Why didn't he take her under his care like he did with me?" Lillia asked.

"The lions were right outside. He couldn't take her without them questioning him. With you, he was able to find you alone and carry you back without anyone seeing you," Po finished. He looked out the window. It was nearing sunrise. "Well, on the bright side, I didn't sleep in. I'll go get some food. Sorry for waking you guys again." As the others and Po filed out, Lillia noticed Tigress's mysterious and worrisome face.

"Hey, are you going to be okay?" Lillia asked. Tigress just looked at her and then looked at the floor. Lillia sighed as she sat next to her. "I know that this is all new to you. I didn't know that you were like me. Gong-Go never told me about how many villages the lions destroyed. I'm sorry for what happened." Tigress was still silent. "You know, usually, I don't like people who are bigger than me and are feline. But with you, I'll make the exception," Lillia smiled. Tigress smiled back.

"Thank you," Tigress replied. "But that's not really why I'm upset."

"Then what?"

"I'm worried for Po. Why is he having these visions and dreams?" Tigress questioned. Lillia wasn't really one for the unreal parts of the world. She simply shrugged.

"Just be glad that he didn't scream your name for a different reason," Lillia joked getting up from the bed. Tigress glared at her but nonetheless smirked.

"And if it had been your name?" Tigress asked, getting up as well.

"Then it would be something worth screaming," Lillia smirked.

Continued...