Restoring the Balance

Time moves on. The powerful former Jedi Tai Lung searches for Jedi Po and Tigress. Going by Inquisitor Zhixiang, the dark leader's search is assisted by Darth Vader who has given the Inquisitor a familiar apprentice. Meanwhile, on Planet Yousif, Po and Tigress continue their training. But something troubling is on the horizon. The end and beginning of a new trial.

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The asthmatic mechanical lungs hissed as a black-clad snow leopard bowed to a hologram of his master. "Your failure to apprehend the Jedi displeases me, Inquisitor."

"Forgive me, master. I was too weak. I understand if you want to punish me," Zhixiang replied.

Another mechanical breath echoed in the chamber. "I still have need of you. Have your scout search the sector. I want those Jedi destroyed. Perhaps you need help."

"Help, master?"

"We recently acquired a new young student. He will be your apprentice. Do not fail me again, Inquisitor Zhixiang."

The holographic image disappeared. Tai Lung stood up and massaged his hand before putting his helmet back on. It had been three years since his fight with Tigress and Po, but the snow leopard breathed a sigh of relief.

He smirked privately. Of course, Vader wouldn't kill him. Killing the Jedi was more important to him than anything else. A little weakness the feline loved to exploit to get him out of trouble.

Tai Lung marched out of the chamber with one of the officers in hot pursuit. "Lieutenant."

"Lord Vader has-"

"I know about the apprentice. Are they here?"

"Yes sir. They're in the hangar now."

Marching to the hangar where the siren blared for the newly docked ship, the snow leopard saw a shuttle class Imperial ship quickly lined by Stormtroopers. Tai Lung stood in front. The shuttle's metal door slowly swung down, and another dark figure's black boots walked out in a suit much like the snow leopard's.

But Tai Lung's eyes widened under his visor. The apprentice knelt and stood back up, almost coming to Tai Lung's torso. "I am here to serve you, Lord Zhixiang. I am eager to learn your ways."

The snow leopard said nothing. He turned his back towards the creature and walked on. It was a young one. A young male that stretched his legs as far as he could to stay in step with Tai Lung. Each clank of their boots rang in Zhixiang's ear, but he couldn't pull his stare away from the young man next to him. His tan fur had a striking familiarity, but his stature was unmistakable. "Master? What shall we do?"

The taller dark side user stopped in the middle of an empty corridor, turning to the young man.

"You're a Jnink, are you not?" Tai Lung asked.

The creature's eyes stretched wide. "Y-Yes, how do you-"

"What is your name?"

"Zor, Master."

"No," Tai Lung said sharply, "Your real name. The name before you became an apprentice."

The Jnink tilted its head slightly to the left as if to see through the inquisitor's mind. "Why do you ask?"

The red visor silently stared at the young Jnink. "You remind me of a... young person I once knew in my old life. Now, who are- were you?"

The young Jnink felt great conflict inside the older inquisitor. Feelings he didn't expect with such an experienced user of the dark side. But the Jnink was new to this. After being snatched away from his home and seeing the swift death of many of his people, nothing seemed certain. He bowed his head at the memory, shutting his eyes.

But he remembered what the tortures taught him. To never show weakness.

Tai Lung already sensed the change. The young Jnink lifted his head, saying, "I was... Jeebe."

Meanwhile, a striped feline shot her eyes open with a gasp. She grasped her head. Her other hand felt the lush grass around her. She looked at the morning sky's slight pink hue among sparse clouds. Such a beautiful day. Yet her lips pursed together, and her mouth felt dry. She dusted her gray robes, taken from her master. Even his lightsaber was latched onto her side, with a few modifications. The gray light sand-colored robes fluttered in the slight wind across the woodland clearing. She saw smoke rising from the house in the distance. A quaint structure that overlooked plains of rolling green hills to its left and the deep forest on the right. Tigress quickly walked through the surrounding forest and came to a ship where a panda sat quietly meditating, floating around trinkets.

Tigress smiled. A handful of children watched with Ooos and aaahs at the panda floating things with his mind. "COOLL!"

"Hehe, it is." The panda said, slowly hovering down.

"When are you going to teach us about the Force?" One of the children asked.

"Soon, Lo-Shen. But it seems that Crane is about to pick you up. And I need to talk with Tigress."

"You mean your wife?"

"NOT MY WIFE, Pli-Sha!" Po shouted. The children giggled and scurried away before Po could catch them. They ran towards a hovercraft waiting for them. A large bird driving it waited for them to clamber in.

"Were the kids well-behaved?" Asked the bird.

"Well some of them," Po muttered, side-eying the giggling kids. "Some of them need to learn to not ask certain questions."

"Is everything okay, Crane?" Tigress spoke up.

"For now. Thank you for teaching the children."

"Are you sure that us teaching them is a good idea?" Po cautioned. "If... When the Empire comes here."

"These kids are the future of hope. The hope of today, even," Crane replied. He looked back at the smiling laughing children. "They need to learn the good and the bad at an early age. And who better to tell them than two Jedi?"

"I told you; we're not Jedi. We're just focused on bringing balance to the Force," Po corrected.

"Wasn't that the job of the Jedi?"

Po blinked and sighed. "It wasn't."

Tigress rested a hand on his shoulder, smiling, "But now it is." Po smiled back. Crane nodded and glided the hovercraft across the forest's edge. The children waved and floated out of sight.

"Alright, now about this vision you had."

"How did you know?"

"I felt a disturbance," Po explained. "I figured it was something. And I don't need to look at you to know when you're upset ." Tigress looked down. The panda grabbed both of her shoulders, making her lift her head. "Tigress, what's wrong?"

"I... I think the Empire is coming here."

"Ah. Well, we knew that would happen. Three years is a long time of peace though."

"And Tai Lung will be with them."

"We knew that too."

"But... I sense someone else. Someone... I shouldn't have left behind," Tigress clenched her fists. She held herself, shutting her eyes. Po tilted his head, carefully watching the tiger. "Do... you remember the Jninks?"

"Yeah?"

"I think... I think one of them turned to the dark side."

Po narrowed his eyes. She spent a lot of time with the Jninks, but why would that bother her now? As a thought crashed into his head, Po widened his eyes.

"The boy. Jeebe? The one you were close with."

The tiger nodded. "I... I didn't think he was force-sensitive. I've known Jeebe since he was born. I... saw him walk, talk, say his first words. He's like a... a son to me. I... I don't know if-" She shook her head. "It can't be him. The future is always changing."

"But it might," Said a voice that both of them could hear, "And you have to accept that as a possibility." The two turned to a bluish figure in the form of a lion.

"Master Tarnak. Is it... him?"

Tarnak sighed, "It is. I'm sorry, Tigress."

The feline clutched her robes and crashed to her knees. She felt the panda's arms wrap around her, but her eyes shut hard as she wept. "I... I should've... I should've taken him. I should've..."

"There's nothing you could've done, Tigress. If he was with you, he could've died."

"But I should've done something! I should've... I..." The tiger's head bowed. Po clutched her tighter. He could already feel the coldness start to wrap around her, threatening to grab her away.

But neither Po nor Tarnak said harsh words. They simply stood by her. Then her head snapped up, glaring at her old master. "Tai Lung," She darkly growled, "Po, you told me that they torture force sensitive people to become Inquisitors."

"I... I've heard as much."

"That means they," Tigress gritted her teeth, clutching her fist as one of the trees behind her tumbled under her power. "They tortured him and... And... I did nothing! They killed his family and... " She looked at both the worried panda and the blue lion. "WHY AREN'T YOU STOPPING ME! WHY ARE YOU JUST STANDING THERE! They tortured him! They tortured him and killed so many of the... How much pain was he in and I couldn't save him!? WHY AREN'T YOU SAYING ANYTHING!"

"Because we can't deny what you're feeling. You're hurt. In immense pain. And you're blaming yourself for what happened to Jeebe and the Jninks. You have a right to feel those feelings," Po said, slowly approaching her. "I know that feeling. It's the same feeling I felt when I saw Tai Lung. I wanted to pick up everything that I stood for and chuck it away. If it meant that things could go back to the way they were. I know that feeling, Tigress. I know it well." The tiger's fist slowly untensed. "I wanted to sever my connection to the Force because it felt like the Force was the reason why I was suffering. Why OTHERS were suffering."

"But?"

"But nothing. The Force is a guide, not a tool. But good and bad people will always use tools. And there is nothing I could do about the past." Po looked at his lightsaber. The Yin Yang hilt made him smile. "But even in the light, there is a shadow. And light shines brightest in the dark. No one is completely taken over by the light or the darkness. Anyone can change. You can blame yourself all you want about Jeebe, but that doesn't change the past." Tigress bowed her head. A gently black-furred hand lifted it again. "But the present can change," Po spoke in a whisper. "Even if Jeebe is this way, you can still make peace with who is and who he becomes. But he can still change. Everyone can."

"Either way," Tarnak spoke. "You'll have to prepare for what Jeebe has become to bring him back into what he was. You have to be careful about this."

Tigress took a breath and wiped her eyes. "Thank you, you two."

"Whew," Po relaxed and groaned, "That was tense."

"Sorry."

"No, no it's better than having you try to kill Tai Lung in a blind rage," Po replied. "Anyway, we gotta get ready. I know you don't want to fight Jeebe, but it's something you'll have to do."

Tigress nodded. "He'll have mastered Form IV. It's a favorite of the Sith and Inquisitor. He'll probably use II and IV too because of his stature."

"Well, it's nice to know you're taking this seriously. If not too scientifically," Po chuckled lightly.

"Don't try to predict the future too much, Tigress. We have to make sure that we're prepared for their arrival." The see-through lion stroked his beard. "Something tells me this will be much harder than before."

"With Tai Lung?"

"With both. I didn't think Jeebe would be on this path."

Tigress took a long breath and leaned against the wall of their small house. She felt the comfort of Po's hand, but it didn't lift the grief off her shoulders. "Regardless," Tarnak continued, "I think it's time that I teach you two another lesson. Balancing the Force." Tigress and Po looked at the blue figure.

"Balancing?"

"Like I said, light and dark need to be in balance for us to truly understand the Force. It was understanding this balance that certain Jedi were able to escape the Purge."

"You mean... like a gray Jedi?" Po asked.

"No," Tarnak laughed, "There is no such thing as a gray Jedi. There's just a Jedi that doesn't play by detrimental rules." The panda and tiger sat down before him. "Watching the Force, you will learn the seducing nature of the dark side and the gentle pull of the light. It's the balance of the two that is necessary for a Jedi. A Jedi must not be fully light or else he will become rigid, ineffective, and overly cautious. A Sith can not be fully dark because he will be consumed by the darkness. Emotions are real, both fear and courage. Peace and rage. There is no gray area. There is the Force." Tigress and Po looked at each other with confusion. "Today, I'll teach you how to better balance the Force."

Meanwhile, the massive knife-like ship silently floated through space. Tai Lung sat in his meditation chambers. He gritted his teeth and opened his eyes. "This isn't working."

Knock knock!

"Lord Zhixiang. I apologize for interrupting, but there's urgent news." Putting on his helmet, Tai Lung let the door swing up and a small creature walked in. "Lord Zhixiang, we have heard about a secret sect of Rebels just on the planet Yousif," Jeebe said.

"Our orders are to destroy Jedi, not Rebels."

"Master, wouldn't it be wise to take out these Rebels if they pose a threat to the Empire?"

"They don't," Tai Lung said flatly.

The two stood in silence.

"Lord Zhixiang, you seem troubled."

The red visor turned onto the Jnink. Tai Lung took a deep breath, hoping to stifle his inner conflict. "It doesn't matter. We have our mission."

Jeebe bowed his head. "Master, if I may speak freely-"

"Why are you so insistent about this?"

"Because... I have a feeling that there is something else there. Someone... pulling me."

"Strange. I have not felt it."

"I... think there are Jedi there. Familiar ones. I... just can't place my hand on it," Jeebe said. He looked up from his bowed spot, seeing the unchanging red visor. Zhixiang moved passed him.

"For your sake, I hope you're right. Admiral!"

"Yes Lord Zhixiang?"

"Make a jump to the Planet Yousif and inform Lord Vader that we're on the lead of Jedi."

"Yes Lord Zhixiang," The man hurried away.

"Why inform Lord Vader?" Jeebe asked. "He commanded us to destroy the Jedi."

"But if we destroy any Rebel forces, we cover our potential failure." Tai Lung's burning red visor glared at the small creature. "For your sake, I hope that your senses are true." The larger man marched away. Jeebe gulped hard and quickly stormed to his chambers. He sat down and breathed.

"I have to be sure. Who was that?" He closed his eyes and tried again as the ship jumped into hyperspace.

Tigress took a deep breath and opened her eyes. "They're coming," She told Po.

"I'll tell Crane to evacuate the Rebels."

"We don't know if they're coming for us or the Rebels."

"I don't think the Empire discriminates on who they want to kill," Po said gravely. Tigress nodded. While the panda spoke with the Rebels camping out near the other end of the planet, Tigress went into a deeper meditation.

"What are you trying to do?" Her master asked.

"I'm... trying to reach him. He's already coming this way. I just... hope that I can... if there's some goodness in him maybe I can try... but I-"

"Do or do not," Tarnak said. "There is no try." Tigress sighed and closed her eyes. She saw a lone figure in a lonely room. She gasped and the creature turned to her.

"You. It's you. Who are-" The creature stopped his words. A massive pull of warmth and peace flowed over him. He could see her as clearly as if she stood right in front of him. But he didn't need to see clearly to know who she was. "M-Ms. Tigress?"

Jeebe's eyes snapped open, and he bolted to his feet. Tumbling to the door, he stopped when the taller dark master stood in front of him. "M-M-Master Zhixiang."

"You felt them too."

"It... it's-"

Tai Lung ignited his red saber and held it close to Jeebe's face. The Jnink stopped still. "Are you conflicted about your feelings of the tiger?"

"N-No."

"I sense conflict."

"I am not," Jeebe stared defiantly.

"What will you do when you face the tiger and the panda?"

"The... panda?"

"Po," Zhixiang said as he took off his helmet. "My former apprentice."

"Y-Y-You! I... I remember you!"

"Whatever feelings you have, control them. You are here to serve the Empire, remember that," Tai Lung reminded him, putting his helmet back on and sheathing his blade.

"But... but why?"

"If your emotions run wild, the tiger will surely destroy you. I'm sure she wouldn't accept a servant of the Sith. Would you?" Tai Lung asked.

Jeebe bowed his head. "No."

"Then you know what you must do," The dark Inquisitor turned and left Jeebe in the metal corridor. Alone.

Like always.

The Jnink shook his fuzzy head out of his feelings. "No, he's right. She abandoned us. She doesn't deserve my pity." He couldn't give in to the emotions so willingly. That wasn't the way of the Sith. Control, not reckless abandonment.

Jeebe marched up to the hangar where Tai Lung was waiting for him. "We'll take a shuttle," The snow leopard said, "I imagine Lord Vader will want this planet."

Just then, a lieutenant rushed into the hangar. "Lord Zhixiang, word from the Emperor. He's commanded you to pursue the Jedi, but he wants our ship to meet him at Headquarters."

"The Death Star?" Jeebe said. "Over Endor?"

"Yes Lord Zor."

"Then take the Star destroyer there. We'll take care of the Jedi," Tai Lung said. "Join up with the others."

"Others?" Jeebe asked.

"The Emperor has plans for the Rebels. We have our orders. Let's go." The masked snow leopard commanded. Jeebe walked into the shuttle ship as quietly as a mouse. The shuttle hovered and zoomed out of the hangar just as the Destroyer leaped into hyperspace. Their shuttle sailed through Yousif's atmosphere. Tai Lung steered the ship towards the edge of a thick forest, landing atop an elevated plain. "Remember, you serve the Emperor now, Zor. Your old life is dead. You are reborn as a servant to the Dark Side. There is no going back."

"Yes, Master." Jeebe steeled his nerves. The wind picked up and swirled around the two dark-clad warriors as they stepped out of the ship. They crushed the grass underneath their feet. The house they landed near was to their right. Tai Lung scanned the wooden structure but sensed nothing there.

"Ahh, you're right on time," said a voice he had heard before. Tai Lung and Jeebe stared at a large panda sitting crossed-legged at the edge of the forest. A small smile rested on his face, but the black cloak he wore was unusual. It had wispy lines of white, like smoke on the right side while the left had its contrast. Underneath was a simple white Jedi garment, but he had a black undergarment with coal-colored pants. "I was wondering when you would come."

Tai Lung unsheathed his red saber. "It's time to surrender, Po."

"Oh, we both know that you're not eager to let me live."

"You're very strong in the Force," Tai Lung replied. Jeebe ignited his blade and the two slowly rounded the panda. "Have you seen our new addition?"

"And what is your new name, Jeebe?" Po asked frankly.

"I... Zor," Jeebe said firmly.

"Hmm, I never got why they change people's names. It's so lame," Po muttered as he stood up. The two dark wielders stood on either side of him, poised to fight him. "So why have you come?"

"Zor led us to you," Tai Lung said, "And Vader and the Emperor want the Rebel effort extinguished."

"Heh, funny," Po smirked. "Then you shouldn't have left your Star Destroyer. The Rebels are already evacuating."

"Where?" Tai Lung growled. The panda said nothing. "Your emotions are a gate into your inner self, Po. I can tell where they are. In the forest, perhaps?"

Po grumbled and glared. "...Yes."

"There, was that so hard? Je-... Zor. Capture the Rebels. Destroy anyone who resists."

"Yes, Master." Jeebe rushed into the wood, red saber still in hand.

But Tai Lung stared at Po, still confused.

He didn't go after the Jnink.

Then he saw the panda's smirk and gasped. "You... lied?"

"You'd be surprised what you can do when you're balanced with the Force. Tricks don't require the dark side," Po grinned, tapping the side of his head.

"Who's in the forest then?" Tai Lung growled. Po lit his green lightsaber and stood up, shedding his cloak.

"That's for Jeebe to find out."

"You sneaky panda! It's the tiger, isn't it? Where are the Rebels?"

"Long gone. We sensed you guys coming a long time ago. Maybe you're a little too blinded by the dark side," Po smirked.

"GRAAAHHH!" Tai Lung clashed his saber with Po's, unleashing his wild swings on the panda. Po ducked and parried each attack with a small smirk on his face. He pushed Tai Lung back. "It won't work. You think that someone tormented like the Jnink will turn back? The pain he's endured must be substantial?"

Po took a deep breath. He turned around, showing the snow leopard the emblem embroidered on the back of the white garment: A big Yin-Yang sign. "Light can exist even surrounded by darkness. Darkness can exist even when surrounded by light. Everyone chooses what they can and will do." He turned back to the dark helmet staring at him with red eyes. "Even you, Master."

"You are as delusional as you are naive, Po," The snow leopard growled.

"I said it's possible. Whether or not it will happen? Well, we have to figure that out," Po raised his saber, smirking. "But enough talk, let's fight." The panda launched towards the snow leopard, aggressively forcing Tai Lung back in one strike. The snow leopard blocked the panda's attacks, but Po easily shifted his style. Changing from two hands to one, Po poked straight through the snow leopard's defense and split his saber right through Tai Lung's mask.

The helmet clattered off his head, but the ambered-eyed cat still stood, panting and growling. "You've grown stronger."

"I've had time to learn," The panda smirked.

"But you're growing cocky," Tai Lung jumped and struck Po from above. Po dodged right, blocking the next heavy attack. A strong push sent him flying into the wooden house, crashing through the wood.

"Ahhh, dang it," He muttered, picking out the pieces of a plate from his butt. "That really chaffed my buns."

"Your playful attitude will be your demise in this fight, Po."

"Please," the bear smirked, getting up from the rubble. "I'm not being playful. I just know that even if you strike me down, I'll be more powerful than you ever thought. Huh, I feel like I'm having proxy Deja vu."

"RAaaah!" Tai Lung slashed down at Po. The panda blocked and parried the snow leopard's angry strikes. Each failed attack made the snow leopard glare harder and roar louder. He pushed Po over a fallen piece of wood. He tripped onto his back but quickly rolled out the red saber's slash. Po blocked as best he could, but the snow leopard's wild swings pushed him into a wall. "This is the end for you, panda!"

"WHOA!" Po ducked from the red slash. The lightsaber dug into the wooden house, sticking fast into the dense timber. The bear pushed Tai Lung back and pulled out his saber. The timbers started to catch fire. "Now, I give you a choice, Tai Lung," Po said as the flames started to catch the rest of the wooden wall. "Leave us alone, and you won't die a miserable death like the rest who fall to the Dark Side."

"And what?" Tai Lung grunted. "Learn the ways of the light? The same light that couldn't face the reality of the dark side?"

"No." Po tossed the half-disk saber right between them. "To the Force. Not the light or dark. All of it. You were right. The Jedi's old code wasn't working. We were so blinded by it that we forgot how to truly use the Force. That's why we couldn't see the danger in front of us. I guess that's why the Force allowed the Purge. It knew the Jedi had gotten in the way of growth."

"Peace is a lie, Po. People will always want to control others. To dominate others. There's no getting around that. You can't prevent that."

The panda smiled at his old master. "I'm not trying to. You were right to tell me to learn from Tarnak. I've learned much more than I ever could at the Jedi temple." Po could feel the flame starting to lick his back. "It's your choice, Master. Whether you fall to the darkness or the light, the Force is here." Po jumped out of the burning house and coughed loudly to clear his lungs. He turned to the blazing wooden structure. Fire lapped up wood, spreading to the roof. The house was engulfed in flames. Po watched eagerly. His master didn't step out. Was he determined to die to the dark side?

Sighing again, Po hung his head until he heard a growing growl. Suddenly, just as the burning roof fell in, it blew right off along with the walls, dousing the flames away. A glaring snow cat growled in the center with his red saber in hand. He marched towards Po with all the rage he could muster.

"Oh come on," Po huffed, "You couldn't change and be a good guy?!"

"GRAAAAAAAHHH!"

Meanwhile, Jeebe raked through thick and thin tree trunks, tearing down each one that stood in his immediate track. He focused onward, but he felt something. A very familiar presence. Though still new to the Force, he sensed her plainly as he stepped out of the sea of tree trunks. He stood in a small clearing of grass with a large boulder in the center. Jeebe tilted his head. The person on the boulder had similar clothing to someone else he knew, but their head wasn't the right set of colors.

"Master Tarnak?" He asked.

"Not quite." The figure jumped off of the boulder and faced him. "Hello Jeebe."

"M-... Tigress," His tongue spoke like it had a clamp around his throat. The small creature ignited his sword. Tigress didn't make a move. "Why won't you fight me?" He said in a raspy voice.

"Because I know you don't want to fight me." Tigress took one step closer. "Jeebe. I'm sorry-"

"My name isn't Jeebe. It's Zor! Everything about Jeebe is gone. I had to abandon everything just to survive. Because no one was there. Because you weren't there! Because you left me!" Jeebe launched forward but the tiger nimbly ducked under his high jump and forced him into a tree. Air was knocked clean out of his lungs, but he quickly got up. "You said you left to protect me. But the Empire took me in and made me like this." He stretched out his hand and pried a tree from the ground, throwing it at Tigress. The feline jumped over and quickly moved out of his following attack. "Do you know how many of my people they destroyed? How many people I've destroyed?! Do you know what they did to me?!" Jeebe shouted, wildly swinging his saber. But the tiger did nothing but move back and dodge. "Do you know how many times I dreamed that you would come and save me like you always did?!"

Tigress said nothing. Jeebe growled louder and ran towards her. He struck true to his form, jumping around yet swinging with aggressive power. But the tiger ducked and jumped back with each swing. "RAAAHHH!" He pushed her back, but she stood her ground. "Fight me!"

"No."

"Why not!"

"Because you're right," Tigress replied quietly. "I should've saved you. If I had known you were force sensitive... I wouldn't have left you. I'm sorry. But you can still come back to the light." Jeebe's eyes widened. She slowly approached him, just three feet away from him and his humming blade. "It's not too late, Jeebe."

"I told you. Jeebe is gone!" The Jnink threw his saber at her. Tigress ducked just in time. The saber cut through the boulder and spun around back to his hand. "I'm Zor. Servant of the Dark Side. Jeebe died on that planet you left him on."

Tigress pursed her lips and stared. Jeebe didn't know why she was doing this until water started to stream down her cheeks. He could feel some kind of hold on him. Something he couldn't use the Dark Side against. What was it?

Tigress knew the Sith mind games they used on their servants. The denial of an identity was one of them. She wiped her eyes for a brief moment and took a steady breath. "Then Zor, please come to the light."

The Jnink laughed, "Just using my name doesn't change anything."

"No... but I am appealing to you," Tigress said, stepping closer. "Whoever you are. I'm appealing to you. Please, come to the light."

"You would want a servant of the Dark Side? Someone who's killed countless rebels and destroyed so much to come to the light? What happened to trying to destroy the Dark Side and the Sith!?"

"I'm not a Sith!" Tigress shouted, "And I'm not a Jedi!"

"Then who are you?" The Jnink hissed out.

The tiger looked at the small creature straight in the face. "I am Tigress. Your friend. Ms. Tigress to you. And I want my friend back. If that means accepting that you've become Zor, so be it. But I still want my friend back."

"But... But... But..." Jeebe's saber dropped out of his hand. Tigress pulled it to her. Jeebe's face twisted in fear. She tricked him! She would strike him and pierce him with his blade.

But the tiger turned and chucked the saber far away. Before he could ask, Tigress wrapped her arms around Jeebe and hugged him tightly. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Please come back."

Warmth.

He felt her warmth. The beating of her heart, the warmth of her body, the contrast of her tears dripping onto his clothes. She knelt low to hug him, holding him tight. He could feel her claws lightly pressing on his back. She only did this when she was deeply scared.

He would know. She had saved him multiple times.

So many times.

His eyes became murky. His black gloves wiped his eye, but more water blurred his vision. He gave up. He gave up and dropped to his knees, crying. The ache in his chest ate at him. He turned his head up, looking through stinging tears. Even with his vision blurred, he could see that smile. That smile that had reassured him so much as a child. He hugged her. His body did it for him. His brain didn't even know it happened. But when it caught up with him, his brain forced his mouth to tell the truth. "I'm... I'm sorry. I missed you so much. They... they hurt me! They tortured me and... and-"

"I know," Tigress whispered, gently rubbing his head. "I know. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"OWWW!"

Both of them snapped their head up at the shout. "That's Po. He's still fighting Tai Lung! We have to hurry, Zor."

"Jeebe. I... I'm Jeebe. I'm sorry for-"

"It's okay... Jeebe," Tigress smiled briefly. They ran through the woods and stopped right at the smoldering house where Po staggered towards them. Tigress ran up to him, patting to see where the pain was.

"I'm fine," Po grunted, rubbing his head and holding up a familiar lightsaber. "But someone threw this at me."

Jeebe's eyes widened. "That's... mine. And that's... quite the arm."

"Apparently not far enough."

"WAIT!" Jeebe quickly grabbed it before she had a chance to chuck it again. "You had a red saber before. Maybe I'll be like you."

Tigress smiled but it disappeared. "Wait, where's-"

A choked cough sprang up behind Po, and the three saw the downed snow leopard lying on the grass. The three stood over him as Po gently lifted his head. Tai Lung laughed weakly, covering the spot that Po had sliced through. "I guess this was your revenge."

"Heh, I promise it wasn't."

"We can heal you."

"No," Tai Lung rebutted. "No, I want this. I'm at peace with this. In a way, I don't think I could be any prouder of the Jedi you've become. One with the Force." His hand slowly grasped Po's. "Thank you for being my apprentice, Po. May...May the Force be... with you." His eyes fluttered shut. He died in Po's arms. The silence was deafening. Po bowed his head and gently rested his forehead against the spotted feline.

"Goodbye, Master Tai Lung," Po whispered. Tigress laid her hand on Po's shoulder.

There was so much he wanted to tell his master. So much he wanted to show. But his master had chosen his fate. Po lightly hugged the dead snow leopard one last time. It was against the Jedi code to form such close attachments.

But that was the old code. This was a new era.

Suddenly, Jeebe felt a great breath of air exit his lungs. His eyes looked all around, but he could find nothing. "What's wrong?"

"I... I think something happened. I feel like... a great weight was removed."

"Balance has been restored to the Force," Po said, "The Rebels have defeated the Emperor."

"How can you tell?" Jeebe asked.

"I saw it in a vision. I thought it was just a dream, but I saw a great battle station being blown to bits and the universe celebrating." Po pulled out a com-link. "Crane, come in, Crane."

"PO! PO! You're okay! You won't believe this! The Emperor is dead! The Empire is gone!"

"I had a feeling about that," Po smiled, watching Tigress breathe a puff of relief. "The... threat on Yousif is gone. It's safe to come back."

"What about me?" Jeebe asked. "I...I... I don't want to lead others astray."

"The Force will guide them. We can not force people to follow, only guide them to choose," Po said. He picked up his master's body and carried him. "Come on, let's put Tai Lung to rest. Annnnnd we should probably give Jeebe a change of clothes. Don't want him to scare the kids."

"What about Ms. Tigress's old clothes?" Jeebe asked. "I'd like those."

The tiger smirked, ruffling the Jnink's mane, "I think you're copying me too much."

Jeebe stretched his lips into a small smile. The very muscles seemed foreign to him. Joy. Something like liquid joy started flowing through him and coming out of his eyes. "Jeebe, you're crying," Tigress crouched down, wiping his eyes. "What's wrong?"

He only smiled. "Nothing, I just... I never thought I'd... I'm glad it's finally over." The tiger smiled at him and hugged him tightly. "I'm glad I could see you two again. I was worried that Mr. Po was gone after the purge."

"Well, they didn't get all of us," Po murmured.

"What happened to Master Tarnak?"

"I'm here."

"WAHH!" Jeebe jumped and turned around. He saw the see-through image of the old lion master. "M... Master Tarnak? Are... are you a ghost?"

"Long story. I'll tell you when we take care of Tai Lung," The bluish lion smiled.

They burned Tai Lung's body in the tradition of the Jedi. Smoke rose to the sky as the three quietly watched on. Po didn't know when Tigress started holding his hand. She just did. He glanced at her. There was no other emotion Po could find on her face other than understanding. She rested her head on his shoulder, wrapping her arms around him. Po bowed his head. The crackling fire respectfully disrupted the silence with a gentle peace. The amber glow warmed Po deeply, reaching into his soul.

It was finished.

But the next question was simple yet foreboding.

Now what?

Seasons changed very slowly. Staying away from the rebuilding of the republic, Po continued teaching the kids the ways of the Force. Another teaching session ended, and the great panda rose from his spot, watching his old friend Crane fly off with the children in his hovercraft. Po smiled. Some of those children were so big already. How fast and slow time felt, he marveled. Po took a deep breath and headed towards the east. Their newly reconstructed house was much bigger than before. Crossing windy plains, Po reached a small cave dug into a massive, forested mound. The panda sighed in relief as he walked deeper into the smooth-floored cave.

It was getting warmer. That was an encouraging sign. Po saw a small opening in the cave. On the dirt ground sat a black-clad tannish creature who Po complained was growing too much. His robes were black, much like someone he knew. "How are you doing?" Po asked.

Jeebe gave a large sigh and stood up, revealing the slight anchor gray undergarment. "Better. It's... still difficult. Facing the darkness. I still have so much anger and... it's just hard to watch."

"I know. I know it personally." The panda rested a hand on Jeebe's shoulder. He had grown, much taller than Po expected. The Jnink was now up to Po's chest. "But you must confront it. Watch it, but not be consumed by it. Come on, we should find Tigress." The Jnink smirked. "What?"

"Nothing, I just... I'm surprised you let her out of your sight."

"Don't you start," Po groaned in laughter as they stepped out of the cave. It was a while ago, but the Jnink once asked a very probing question to the tiger and panda as he adjusted to his new life.

"I'm surprised you two aren't married."

He asked this during lunch, so Po coughed up his food in shock. "WHAT?! No, no, Tigress and I aren't married."

"Why not?"

"It's... it's not... uhh..." Po looked at the tiger, who only responded with a smirk.

"Yes, Po. Please tell us why not? Since you're not really a Jedi of the old order and not a Sith, what are you doing living with me?" Tigress grinned.

"Uhhhhhh." Po shook his head. "Wouldn't it be a distraction? Or if you were to die, wouldn't I turn to the Dark Side?"

"Or be pulled by the light. I would become one with the Force, remember?"

"Uhhhhhhh. It's... uuhhh." Po could only see the tiger's smirk growing. And she didn't seem like she was just joking. As time went on, though, her smirk dipped a bit.

"It's okay, Po. I... didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

"Nope! No, no, no!" Po forcefully exhaled. "You're not doing that 'Oh no he's uncomfortable, maybe he doesn't like me, I should back down' stunt. Yes, I like you, will you marry me?"

"I... I didn't mean we should get married right away!"

"Why not?" Po asked, turning the question around.

"We... we haven't been dating?"

"We've known each other for ten years in total. Next excuse," Po smirked. Tigress opened her mouth and tried with all her might to figure out something, but nothing would come out.

She finally growled and grabbed Po's robes. "Fine, you cheeky panda. Let's get married."

"YES!" Jeebe jumped excitedly. Po gave a throaty chuckle that was interrupted by the tiger's lips on his. Tarnak appeared next to Jeebe with a large smile.

"Nice job, kid," He said.

Po chuckled at the memory as they reached the clearing where Tigress sat atop the boulder. Po chuckled again. He remembered Jeebe had to fetch another boulder from the mountain because he cut the other one in their battle. "It was a special boulder and you're replacing it," Tigress commanded. Jeebe was too afraid to disagree. Po looked at the beautiful creature atop the boulder, covered in a flowing robe of pure white. Rocks hovered around her.

The Jnink grew a long smirk. Jeebe snuck onto one of the floating rocks small enough for him and quietly waited for his opportunity. His rock floated up until it was one of the stream of rocks hovering around Tigress.

But the poor Jnink saw Tigress's smirk too late. Suddenly, his rock jolted and soared up higher than Jeebe was comfortable with. "WAAAHHH!"

"Hello there, Jeebe."

"Mrs. Tigress! Put me down!" Jeebe whined, clutching to the rock tightly. Po shook his head with a smile. Even at his age, the Jnink acted like a child at times. Tigress gently set the rocks and the Jnink down, getting off the boulder and ruffling his mane. Jeebe scoffed, "You made sneaking up on Master Tarnak seem so easy."

"That's because I never could," Tigress grinned.

Po smiled, watching Tigress and Jeebe smile and laugh together. The panda sighed deeply, feeling the peace that so many people said was a lie.

Peace wasn't a lie. It was different. It wasn't free from problems. It was a stable rock amid problems. Po's eyes turned to Tigress's boulder. How fitting, he thought. A heavy object to anchor someone in a storm. That's what peace was.

Po smiled, turning his focus back to the two feline-like creatures. "Alright, time to get back home. Both of you need food."

"I'm actually very hungry," Jeebe said, clutching his stomach.

"Come on, let's go home," Po smiled. Tigress and Jeebe smiled wider. That phrase gave them so much joy. After struggling and searching the stars for it, after the pain and betrayal of unknown forces, despite the uncertainty of tomorrow, they could do one thing today.

Go home.

The three of them walked back to the house and ate. Tarnak would join them, always impressed with Jeebe's growth. Po took a deep breath and sighed as Jeebe and Tigress heard a story from Tarnak.

Po looked down at his saber and the Yin Yang symbol on it. Dark days were ahead, but that didn't stop him from enjoying the bright days. It was about balance.

And right now, he felt balanced. With the woman who he thought was Sith, with the young man who was, with the betrayal and pride of his old master, with the lessons and care of his recent one. He felt balanced with all of it.

Balanced and one with the Force

Inspired by George Lucas

The End

A/N: It's done! It's done! I'm free! AHHH! Never again! Geez! As interesting as learning about Star Wars was I will never do something like this again! Also, I'm sorry but I can not do these long chapters. I only did it because I wanted it to feel like the Star Wars Episodes, but OH MY GOSH THE EDITS! The amount of times I've had to change changes just because I lost my place! I had to switch to reading them out loud because it was faster, more effective and I was just done with silent reading! UGGHH! XD

Also, I was a little upset that not that many people looked at it. Look, I'm not gonna be one of those authors who are like 'I worked so hard for this why aren't people commenting? Nyah, nyah, nyah.' But after looking through this story... I completely understand why people didn't look at it XD.

Combining Star Wars and Kung Fu Panda like this is... weird, niche, and quite frankly overly complicated. The philosophy, the characters, the worldbuilding, immense world-building! UGH! Also, the philosophy of this made me really understand something. I explain too much in some of my stories and I'm sorry about that. It's boring, dull, and kinda bores me when I reread it. Sorry about that. The biggest thing for me is that the chapter formats are honestly too long even for me. And I made the stupid thing. I just wanted to tell you guys don't feel like you have to comment to make me feel better or anything. I get it. This was a fun little experiment but... yeah never again. WHY IS LIFE PAIN?! ;-; '~'

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it. I'm never doing something like this again.