A/N: Sorry for the wait, but "Spread Your Wings" just got all my attention because it's an awesome story. Just saying it…

So this will be the final chapter. Sigh. Actually not sigh, since this story never really became my favorite one to write. Though, I hope you enjoyed it.

Yeah… Not much else to say.

I do not own Kung Fu Panda.

The Cost of a Sacrifice
The End

"Tigress?" Po asked, voice shaking. This just could not be happening. Tigress was… Tigress. The most unbeatable, amazing, incredible warrior in the world! How could she be defeated! It was just not right! Not possible!

"Tigress!" he called again, but the tiger remained limp.

A chuckle could be heard from behind him, and he immediately turned around. "It won't work, panda," the soothsayer told him calming as she resting against the tree. The attack had left her panting, and now she was resting to gain new energy.

Seeing how peaceful the tiger actually looked, Po closed her eyes as did not have the strength to look into them. Finally he got up, gently laying her head against the ground.

"I know what you are about to ask," she told him. "And I will be glad to tell you my story. You see, I once lived in the Valley of Peace. Once. But that was before Shifu found me."

"Shifu…?" Po asked, slowly coming closer. A part of him was just too tired, too exhausted to try and fight right now. What had happened was too much for his mind to take in, and now he was just trying to get a hold of things.

"I was doing well. People were interested on getting a foretelling and they would pay quite some money to get it. But when rumors spread that panic was ruling in the valley because of prophecies about death, Oogway sent Shifu down from their little palace. I, of course, gave him a death warning, but he proved me wrong in front of everybody," she paused as she looked the panda into the eyes, "as he kicked me out of the Valley!"

She rushed forwards, claws out as her palm was stretched out towards him. Po widened his yes, but quickly stepped aside so she missed.

When stopped running, she continued her tale, "So I was banished. It was quite some time ago. When she," the fox pointed at Tigress, "was just a cub. But as walked around on my own, I realized I had to get myself some warriors. So, through time, I found all the outcasts, all those that had to go to prison if they returned. I got a little group of bandits. We had some fun… Until I decided it was time for revenge."

She put down her hood, so Po could see her entire scarred face. "And isn't the best way of hurting Shifu the way through his students?"

"You…"

"Killed her? I must admit, it was not planned to go like this. I would have placed you all in the same place so Shifu could arrive to see it all. But don't worry; rushed things aren't always bad. And you and the others are still left. And when Shifu comes, once my warriors are done distracting him, I will show you all how a true ruler looks like!"

"You forgot what thing."

She widened her eyes in surprise, though it was with a snort she asked, "What?"

"Tigress is my friend."

"So?"

Po slowly took his battle stance. "Friends don't give up on each other."

She grinned. "Then come and avenge her, panda."

Her palm had already started glowing dangerously red, as she was ready to give Po the same death as she had granted the tiger. Smiling, she saw how the panda started running at her.

But just before he was near her, Po used his feet to kick up a stone; then he twirled around to send it flying directly towards her face.

With a gasp of surprise, she dodged. In that moment, Po managed to kick her back, making her stumble forwards.

She turned her head towards him, hissing. "Kicking an old lady, are we?"

Po did not answer, but attacked again. Though, this time the soothsayer was ready. Before he could get to her, another wave of energy sent him backwards.

He slammed into a tree, knocking the breath out of him. As he sank to the ground, he noticed that Tigress was lying beside him.

Throat hurting, he reached out to grab her paw. "I am sorry, Tigress," he muttered with a thick voice. He closed his eyes in grief, and mourned over the loss of his friend.

Seeing how he was distracted, the soothsayer decided that this was the moment to attack. It might be unfair, but she could not wait any further. He might cause her problems.

Before he could turn around, she rushed at him. Touching his shoulder with her glowing palm, she waited for him to get shocked.

But what then happened surprised her.

A fist hit her face and she stumbled backwards.

Po got up, looking at himself in surprise. "Seems like you are getting tired," he then said, taking his battle stance.

She looked at him with widened eyes. "No… No!" she shrieked, glaring at him angrily. "This might take a second try, panda, but I am not done yet."

He glared back. "Then come get it."

Snarling, she ran; but only a few steps. Then she stopped, stretched out both of her palms and sent out a new wave of power.

Po flew backwards again, but as he hit the tree, his arms desperately searched for some branches to hold on to. He did find one, but it broke as gravity forced him down.

Landing heavily, Po did not have the time to get up as the soothsayer ran forward again. "Bye, panda," she sneered. But before she could hit him with her deadly powers, she froze, let out a moan, and then feel forwards, face first.

As she did, Po could now see the tiger that was behind the unconscious fox, holding the branch he had brought down from the tree.

Po could not believe his eyes. "Ti… Tigress?!" he exclaimed.

The tiger nodded, let go of the branch and slowly walked towards him. She carefully avoided stepping on the fallen fox.

She leaned down, offering her paw. "Need help?"

He did not take it as he in the next second had thrown his arms around her. Tigress winched as how hard he was hugging her sore body. "Po… Enough."

The panda finally did, but first he noticed how warm her body was. "Wow… You are hot… NOT ON THAT WAY! I mean; you are really, really warm."

She raised an eyebrow. "Of course I am. Try being fried like that two times and see how you feel." She was right though; some of her fur was still standing straight up, making her look fuzzy.

"But how did you do it?! I thought you were-?"

Tigress cut him off with a small smile. "Yes. But then there was pain and I woke up to see you hitting the tree."

That was when Po realized what had happened. When the fox had tried to use her powers on him, he had been holding Tigress' paw. So the attack had gone through him into Tigress… and had started her heart again.

"Talk about luck," he thought out loud.

Tigress looked at him in worry. "Po, are you alright?"

He looked up, surprised. "You're asking me?! Seriously, Tigress; you are the one who died!"

Her eyes became distant, cold. "Yeah. I did…"

Po nervously punched her on the shoulder to bring back her good mood. "But hey; you are alive!"

She nodded wordlessly. "Let's make sure she won't go anywhere," she said while kneeling down to the unconscious soothsayer.

"It was a really smart trick you did there," Po said, raising her. "You know; using the branch so you did not touch her-"

"That was the plan, Po."

She picked the fox up by the hood, looking down at her face. As she seemed lost in thoughts.

"Tigress, you sure you are okay?"

"No," she answered, telling him the truth. "But I will be." He noticed how her paws were shaking oddly.

But before he could comment it, another person entered the scene. "Master Shifu?" Po exclaimed, unable to believe his eyes.

"Are you two alright?" he quickly answered, as he stopped in front of them.

Before Po could say anything, Tigress stepped in front of him and bowed. "Yes, Master. We are unhurt, and the soothsayer is defeated."

"She said she knew you by the way," Po told him as his master looked at the fox.

Shifu nodded. "Yes, I remember her. And her warriors kept me quite busy as they refused to let me enter the Valley."

"So how did you…?"

"I defeated them, Po, though, it took some time. Where are the others?" he asked them.

"Viper went for help as she blocked our path back to the palace. I believe she and the others must be busy with taking out the rest of the bandits," Tigress explained.

Shifu caught her glance. "Stay here and make sure she doesn't get away. I'll check up on the others."

The students did as they were told, and an awkward filled the air.

Finally, Tigress spoke. "Po? I would greatly appreciate if you don't tell anybody what happened in the battle."

"Uhm… Why?"

The tiger sighed. "Because we are all ware of what can happen as being a warrior. We have all chosen to let go of that knowledge as we continue fighting." She paused. "We have all been through accidents. But when death comes too close it will affect us."

She turned to look him into the eyes. "And I want them to look at me at the same way as before this battle. Do you understand, Po?"

He scratched the back of his neck. "I think so…"

"Thank you."

He grinned. "No problem. And Tigress?"

"What?"

"I am sorry. You know, for causing this back mess. If I just had kept quiet none of this would have happened," Po said shamefully.

"A lesson to remember in the future," she answered calmly. "And I am not mad."

He visibly relaxed. "That's good. So everything is fine?"

She nodded. "As long as all the others are fine." She looked around, then back at the unconscious fox. "She is skilled. Very. It's the first time I have ever met one with such powers."

"It's pretty crazy! Like she is some superhero… Just except the fact that she isn't a hero at all," Po said, following her glance. "Do you know how she does that… glowing… thingy?"

"Chi energy. A strong one. Takes a lot of control," she answered shortly. "But a strong cell in Chorh-Gom will keep her trapped."

"And her warriors?"

"Different punishment compared to how many times they have broken the law," she breathed out.

Po looked closer at her face again, and saw that she was lot in her thoughts. "Tigress, you sure you're alright?"

"Yes, I am just… thinking." She sighed and sat down on a nearby rock, though first after tying the fox' hands together by a piece of fabric coming from the soothsayer's cloak. "I was very lucky today, Po."

He nodded in agreement. "Yeah… Hey, Tigress? When you grabbed her arm…"

"I did it to prevent her from attacking you, yes," she answered even before he had finished his sentence.

He gulped.

"What's wrong, Po?"

"It's just… You keep doing that! You keep sacrificing yourself like you don't matter, and I am just the one who brings the mess!" he exclaimed.

She looked him dead in the eyes. "Po, you would do the same for me, am I right?"

"Of course! You are my friend-"

"Then there is nothing to feel sorry about. What happened back there was not your fault. Actually, I am not sure whether my heart would still be beating if you hadn't grabbed my paw."

"But…" He sighed as she realized she was right.

Tigress continued, "Friends do sacrifices for each other."

He punched her on the arm, happy again. "Friend," he said, taking her by the word.

She rolled her eyes. "Friend."

"But seriously, if you ever die again, Shifu is gonna kill me!"

"So…" Po panted as they came near the last steps of the stairs. "Tough day, huh?"

Tigress just sent him a glance as an answer.

He then said, "I have been thinking about two things…"

"Really? I though multitasking wasn't your thing."

He let out a false laughter. "Very funny, Tigress," he said sarcastically.

"Then what is it?"

"Did you like see anything while being dead? You know, life flashing by or anything?"

She shook her head. "No. The next thing I remember is opening my eyes and see you lying beside me. Then you got up and I realized that you still needed my help. And since both of you still thought I was gone, I thought a sneak attack would be a great way to win."

Tigress paused. "I guess this is just my second chance of living?"

"Anything special you're gonna do? Any regrets to fix-?"

"I am going to talk with Shifu," she revealed.

"Really?" Po asked, surprised.

She nodded. "But not tonight; I believe we all deserve some rest." Tigress looked at him. "What is the second thing?"

"If the prophecy wasn't real… Do you then still think I'll end up as awesome as she described?"

She sent him a scolding glance for being so childish. "Po…"

The next thing they heard was a yell coming from the Hall of Warrior. Running quickly, they soon found their master standing in the middle of the empty room, as all the artifacts were gone. "What has happened here?!" he demanded furiously.

"Uhm…"

Tigress looked at Po as he looked like he knew something. Then she spotted something out of her eye, and saw two eagles in the distance, both flying with a big net in their talons.

She grabbed Po by the arm and dragged him out of the hall. Po saw the same as her, and turned around to call at Master Shifu, "Just a minute! We are going to kick some feathery butts!"

And so the two warriors leapt outside, ready to fight their next enemy.

The End

A/N: So I hoped you liked it, guys! I did… At least in the start. Then I sort of lost some interest.

But big news! Since this story has been finished, I am working on the plot of my next story. I believe you will love it, as it something very different form me. Though, it will still be about Tigress. Hope you are looking forward to it; there'll be a lot of cuteness and drama!