Tigress felt a peace like never before. Her body felt very light, and the pain from her previous battle was gone. It was as if will float on the constant flow of a river of calm waters. Began to regain her senses little by little. The first was the smell; a sweet cherry scent that tickled her nose slightly. Then the ear; she listened to the sound of water running down the gentle slope of a plateau and delicately falling down a small waterfall. Then the view.

Tigress finally opened her eyes. A light blinding hit her retinas causing him slight discomfort, but nothing too bothersome. Her vision gradually improved, until her eyes revealed an impressive sight.

She was in a beautiful and otherworldly place, with golden hues in every corner. She was floating in the air, couldn't feel the ground low her feet, and indeed, there seemed to be no ground anywhere. They were huge rock formations floating freely through the air, something that seemed simply impossible and beyond all logic. And she could feel a slight current through her body that gently caressed her fur. It wasn't air, that she could tell. It wasn't water either, because she could breathe without problems. The only option that came to mind was the Energy of the Universe.

Tigress: - Am I dead? - She asked in shock, accepting her tragic fate.

She knew that her injuries were too serious. The brands from Chao's teeth on her hand would not stop bleeding. She probably lost too much blood and that was the cause of her death. Or maybe she died at the hands of bandits once she fell passed out. But before she could continue drawing conclusions:

????: - I see that there are things that never change. - Said a voice behind her. A voice she remembered very well.

Tigress turned around in a hurry, but she couldn't believe her eyes. Before her were revealed some figures that she never thought she would see again. Three of them. Three very important beings to her. The one on the right was Oogway, gold cloak flapping elegantly in the Flow of the Universe. The one on the left was Mantis, her old friend and brother for life, now with beautiful golden patterns drawn on his exoskeleton. And the one in the middle, was Shifu, her former teacher, and her adoptive father, with a detailed moon-shaped jade staff in his right hand.

Oogway: - You've grown. - He said with a sweet voice.

Shifu: - I'm glad to see you, master Tigress. -

Tigress couldn't contain herself, and she threw herself on Master, giving him a big hug. A genuine happiness appeared on the faces of everyone present, and a tear ran from Tigress's right eye. The cat looked up, stretched out her hands and took the turtle and mantis and hugged them. The four of them shared a happy moment until the little red panda decided to break the touching moment after a few seconds. After all, he didn't like a lot The hugs. But more than disgust, it caused a mocking smile in those present.

Mantis: - I must say. I didn't expect to see you here so soon. -

Tigress: - Many things happened. And what about you? What are you doing here? -

Mantis: - You won't believe me but... I got married! AND I'M GOING TO BE A DAD! - He said extremely happy.

[If you don't understand this, look up the mating process of the praying mantis.]

Tigress: - I'm happy for you, little one. - She said as he grabbed him with her right hand and rubbed his head with the other in a mocking way.

Mantis: - Hey. Stop with that. - He said as he got rid of his grip. - And what about you? -

Tigress didn't say anything, she just placed her hand on her stomach and looked at it with a slight smile. Those present could not believe their eyes, and even the serene Oogway had a stunned expression on his face.

Shifu: - Am I going to be a grandfather? - He said something confused.

Tigress: - Well. Almost - She said something depressing.

Mantis: - What do you mean? -

Tigress: - If I'm here with you, I guess that's all. - The other three looked at each other somewhat confused.

Oogway: - Maybe you want to tell her. - He said to Shifu while resting his hand on his shoulder.

Tigress: - Tell me what? -

Shifu: - My little one. This is not the end. - He said as he got closer, causing the feline to have a very confused face. - This is just one step on your way. The fact that you're here just shows how much you've grown. -

Tigress was very confused, but before she could ask any questions, Shifu touched her chest with the moon-shaped jade staff in his right hand. From Tigress's chest a golden light began to emanate, and strange peach petals began to surround her body as she began to levitate. She didn't know why, but she was sure that her mind was slipping away.

Shifu: - Go ahead, master. And fulfill your destiny, my little one. - He said proudly saluting martially as he lowered his head as a sign of respect followed by Oogway and Mantis.

Tigress felt a strong sensation of heat on her chest. The happiness that bombarded her at having the opportunity to talk to her loved ones, even for a few seconds, was very comforting.

Tigress: - Dad. - Shifu raised his head. - Tai Lung is sorry. -

The red panda smiled genuinely, and the last thing Tigress saw was to see how a tear of happiness ran down the little being's face, before everything turned black.

-----------------------------------------------O-----------------------------------------------

This time, it was very different. Tigress could feel intense pain in every corner of her body. The left hand was numb, and the right hand did not feel it at all. Her feet were sore, and she could feel a twinge in her right thigh. She opened her eyes and could see a wooden ceiling perfectly illuminated by the morning light.

Despite the severe headache, Tigress was able to turn her neck and look around. she was in a room not very luxurious, but perfectly organized. Sunlight was coming in through the window on her right, warming her body pleasantly. She lay on a comfortable mattress, with a small wooden table on one side.

Using all her forces, she managed to raise the torso. The movement sudden It gave her a slight headache, but she was able to recover in a short time. She moved his feet and let them dangle over the edge of the bed. They hurt a little, but she could move them at will.

She was naked, but she had so many bandages around her body that she seemed to need no clothes. Her ribcage, her abdomen, her right thigh, her shoulders. The broken hand had a bandage so thick that it could barely define the shape of her fingers, the other, on the other hand, had a thin bandage that barely covered the marks of the Komodo dragon's teeth. The bleeding had stopped, which was very good news. Even so, she felt very thirsty and was very weak.

With much effort he managed to stand on her feet. At first she wobbled a bit, but after a few seconds she was able to stand on his own. There was no one in the room, and she didn't have the heart to ask for help. She approached a plateau where he could see a white kimono and put it on with difficulty. It was a little loose on her, but comfortable enough not to put pressure on her wounds. Then, two female pigs in servant clothes opened the doors of the room.

Maid: - Master!? - She said something stunned to see Tigress trying to fasten her kimono. - Go find the master. -ShHe told the other servant, and she left the place at a brisk pace. - You shouldn't be standing. You must still be very weak - She told Tigress.

Tigress: - How long has it been? -

Maid: - Fifteen days. - He said after thinking for a while whether to answer her or not.

Hearing it, Tigress couldn't contain herself. The last thing she remembered was the fight with Captain Chao. What had happened? Where was her? How had it gotten there? Who were those people? Questions overwhelmed her mind, and she prepared to leave the room despite the servant's words asking her to go back to bed. But when she left the room, she couldn't believe her eyes.

Her eyes revealed a thick layer of clouds stretching across the horizon, with the tips of some steep mountains sticking out of the sea of ​​clouds. The place she was in was on one of those mountains. It was a small mansion. A structure that seemed to have hundreds of square meters or more of space habitable, but Tigress couldn't know it from that place.

Sun Ce: - Master Tigress. - He said as he approached the other servant behind his back. - I see you're finally awake. To think that you can stay on your feet with all those injuries. -

Tigress: - What happened? - She asked, ignoring his concerns.

Sun Ce: - Follow me. - He said with a sad and depressed voice.

The rhino told her everything that had happened since they entered the Jade Guard headquarters in Gongmen and all the difficulties they went through to get to that place. But when Sun Ce told her what Tai Lung had done to protect her, Tigress felt a great pang in her chest.

Tigress: - And how is he? Where is he? - She asked, somewhat upset and worried about his life.

The rhino advanced a little further without answering her question, until it reached a room not far from where Tigress's room was, but when she opened the door to the place, the teacher didn't want to believe what she was seeing.

Tai Lung lay on a bed, with a thick bandage covering his abdomen. He was unconscious, but his deep breathing showed the fight the snow leopard was fighting for his life. Tigress could only look at him with great sadness.

The teacher approached slowly, a little sore, but she managed to take Tai Lung's hand gently. It seemed impossible, but she had the feeling that Tai Lung's hand held her tightly for a second. He felt a great guilt, since his suffering was due to her own actions, but at that moment she could not do more than ask the Universe to watch over his life. There were many things she had to tell him, and many apologies she had to make.

She remained motionless, silent, with Tai Lung's hand in hers, until she felt Sun Ce's hand on her shoulder.

Sun Ce: - We must let him rest. -

Tigress: - Will he survive? -

Sun Ce: - The doctors did the impossible. Now it just depends on him. -

A few seconds passed very painfully, but Tigress had no choice but to accept reality. So she decided to leave, hoping that her beloved could pass this test of fate.

Tigress: - And the rest? - She said, trying to distract herself a bit.

Sun Ce: - Come with me. -

The rhino guided the teacher through the interior of the corridors of the place. The architecture was simple, compared to the Imperial Palace, but much more practical than its ostentatious halls. The duo arrived at a simple room, with a small table in the center and some cushions, in which Hong was preparing some tea.

Hong: - Master Tigress? - He said, surprised to see her walk on her own. - How? -

Tigress: - Good to see you again, lieutenant. -

Hong: - How did you let her walk here on her own? She must rest. - He said something annoying to Sun Ce.

Sun Ce: - And you think you could stop her? - The canine lowered its head, accepting the truth.

After the small and forceful introduction, the three of them settled down on their knees in front of the table, while Hong poured each a cup of tea. It took Tigress a bit of work to do it, but once on the cushion the pain in her injured leg eased a bit.

Tigress: - Well. And what has happened all this time? - She said to break the awkward moment. She knew those two were hiding something, and she wanted to know what it was.

Hong looked at Sun Ce for a second, hesitating whether to tell him or not, but the rhino was staring blankly at his face, looking the cup of tea. But rambling was not the imposing being's specialty, so he was direct and to the point.

Sun Ce: - We have lost Gongmen. - He said with a severe voice and angry eyes, taking the by surprise the bad injured Tigress.