The Hybrid

The Never-Ending Journey

Back in Jump City, the others were fixing up the city. Po sat at an open cafe with his hand tenderly caressing his wife's. "I'm fine, Po," Tigress assured, sitting upright in a chair. Her arms were a little stiff and her backache was dull, but she was fine otherwise. Po nodded, still rubbing her hand. Tigress rolled her eyes and grabbed his cheek. "I'm fine."

"I know," the panda nodded.

"Then why are you caressing my hand?"

"I was just...scared, okay? I just... panicked." Po looked at the titans helping a conscious and well Gorthan off the street. Arella arrived on the scene, helping with reconstruction and getting the materials for repair. Po sighed, "I don't want to lose you so soon in my life."

Tigress smiled, caught his chin, and brought him into a kiss. "I know. I love you."

"And I love you... so much," Po finally smiled. "After this, we are taking early retirement."

"We're in our late 30's, Po," Tigress laughed.

"I don't care," huffed Po. Tigress smiled as Beast Boy and Raven came back through a portal. "You're okay!"

"Why are you so surprised?" Raven asked, crossing her arms with a grin.

"Well, the dude looked pretty tough."

"He was," Beast Boy answered, "But we managed to put our heads together and fight him back. We left him back at home. He won't be harming anyone soon." Garfield looked at Tigress with a frown and drooping shoulders. "I'm so sorry that you got injured, Master Tigress."

"It's okay," the tiger placed her hand on his shoulder and curled the corners of her lips, "What happened, happened. You above everyone should know that there are certain things that you can't change about the past."

"Yeah," Beast Boy heard the sound of moving buildings and debris getting louder. "Why don't we give the others some help?" Everyone nodded and went to work. Arella and Raven removed debris from the buildings and smashed cars out of the way. Cyborg, Pura, and Garfield wielded some of the buildings' struts together for integrity. Po and Tigress worked to get the people to safety. While children were always picking and pulling at Po's fur, they were more civilized with Tigress, who enjoyed their company, if the mothers allowed it. The men were a little weird around Tigress; they were scared of her but couldn't stop admiring her. A flash of her smile and teeth both unnerved yet enticed the nearby humans. Po had to scare them off with an aura flash that could be felt by anyone. "Haha! Is someone jealous?" Garfield teased as he floated a beam of metal above.

"Shut up before I talk about your pet moments with Rae Rae!" Po shouted from the ground.

"Oh? is there something you're not telling us, Rae Rae?" Pura smirked.

Raven grumbled as a stress vein popped out. "Just keep helping before I blast you to another dimension." Though it was a threat, she giggled to herself. That line held so many memories for Raven and Garfield.

As they neared finishing, Arella sat down next to Raven, resting her hands on the Hybrid's lap. "I'm impressed by how much you've grown, my child," Arella said. Raven gazed from her mom's eyes to her lips. No sign of emotion, but Raven sensed a general feeling of pride from Arella. "I never could have imagined you overcoming the obstacles you've met."

"It was... different, but I managed," Raven looked at Beast Boy floating a large pitcher of water up to Cyborg and pouring it over the metal man.

"Grass stain, wait until I come down there and tear that little smirk off of your face!" Cyborg grouched. Beast Boy and Pura hunched over with laughter.

Raven smiled at the sight. "And I've had some friends along the way to help me."

Arella smiled, holding her daughter closer to her. "I'm glad."