Friend and Foe

The monks were practicing a lesson in humility. They had to pass the ball in rhythm, while trying not to put their friends down. Omi was practicing with the ball until he heard the sound of a familiar friend. Jermaine came and surprised everybody. He was surprised himself when he saw Max. The last time he saw her, she was Jack's ally, but Max told Jermaine how it all changed.

Jermaine brought another surprise; he was going to be their new classmate at the Xiaolin Temple. Omi was eager to teach his old friend everything he knew, but Jermaine insisted that it wouldn't be necessary because he outranked the others. Everyone was amazed, but Omi was becoming jealous. He tried to hide it and say that he was happy for Jermaine, but Max could see his envy clear as crystal.

Omi watched as everyone was practicing martial arts to hip-hop music on the stereo. Omi tried to join in by attacking Jermaine's shadow on the wall. The African American boy was concerned about Omi's behavior, but the boy insisted that everything was fine. Dojo interrupted everyone, alerting them of a new Shen-Gong-Wu. It was the Manchurian Musca, a treasure that allowed the user to transform into a common fly. It was a useful device for spying and eavesdropping.

Dojo brought the team to a lush jungle, only to meet up with Jack and Tubbimura. The ninja was working for Jack again, but since the self-proclaimed evil boy genius had no fees to reward him by, he had to compensate with his possessions. He also had to help take care of Tubbimura's Chihuahua Muffin-Face. The ninja used the Mantis Flip Coin to jump in the air and crush the monks with his weight. Omi and Jermaine were spared.

Jack used the Tangle Web Comb to stop Omi. Jermaine tried to climb the tree where the Shen-Gong-Wu was resting, but Jack lifted himself using fans. Since Tubbimura took his heli-pack, he had to use common fans. Raimundo managed to slip his arm free and use the Sword of the Storm to send Jack flying. After freeing himself from his bindings, Omi used the Orb of Tornami to lift himself like a geyser and grab the Manchurian Musca, but he ended up crashing into Jermaine. Jack caught the prized Shen-Gong-Wu.

Things between Omi and Jermaine were starting to become very bitter. They argued over whose fault it was that they lost the Shen-Gong-Wu and who needed to be taught a lesson from whom. Even at lunch, the boys were competitive. After taking a spoonful of rice, Jermaine bent his spoon and tossed it like a boomerang, scooping some of Omi's rice and placing it in his mouth. Omi inhaled fiercely, taking in his own rice and Jermaine's. For desert, there was a small cake. Kimiko split the cake in half and Omi and Jermaine ate their halves like hungry dogs. They even panted at each other like dogs.

For Dojo, this called for a story about two friends who were once close until that friendship was destroyed. They had an argument, spouting colorful language and verbally abusing each other. Dojo was talking about a dragon he knew from long ago. He was a good friend until things got messy concerning a yo-yo. This plaything had been in Dojo's family for centuries. Dojo politely refused to share, but the dragon didn't listen and ended up stealing the yo-yo. To make matters worse, he lost it.

Master Fung came up with a way to settle the tension between Omi and Jermaine before they would decide to stop being friends. He decided to let them go at it by sparring. There are times when people fight because they want to hurt each other, but fighting also helps opponents to understand each other; connect with each other.

While fighting, they used many martial arts moves, but what took Omi by surprise was when Jermaine used Repulse the Monkey. By lowering his guard for that instant, Jermaine won the match. Master Fung advised them to show good sportsmanship by shaking hands.

Omi saw Jermaine walking through the temple grounds with his belongings. He didn't want his friend to leave after things started to mend between them. He was also curious and wondered where Jermaine learned Repulse the Monkey. The African American boy simply answered that he learned it from his master. Omi was concerned. The was only one masterful warrior who knew Repulse the Monkey and he hoped Jermaine wasn't referring to that certain warrior.

His suspicions were about to be confirmed when he saw Jack drop in unexpectedly. He was using the Manchurian Musca and accidently ran into the lamp for zapping flies and other insects. He was gathering supplies for Tubbimura and some of them were here at the temple. But Jack also said he had some valuable information for the monks, but had a price. He wanted Clay's hat. Reluctantly, the cowboy gave up his prized possession. Jack told the heroes that Jermaine was Chase Young's apprentice. Omi didn't want to believe it, but he knew Jack was telling the truth.

The monks came to the city of Rome to find the Golden Finger, a Shen-Gong-Wu that allowed the user to momentarily freeze whatever he or she touches with it. Chase Young was already at the site, commanding Jermaine to obtain the treasure. Omi was racing to claim it first. The heroes tried to reason with Jermaine and warn him that Chase was using him, but the African American wouldn't listen.

The heroes tried to help their friends, but Chase Young blocked their way. They tried to fight him off using their techniques, but Chase turned their attacks back at them. At the same time, Jack and Tubbimura were flying in to try to claim the Golden Finger as well. They managed to touch it, but so did Jermaine and Omi, commencing a Xiaolin Showdown Tsunami. Omi wagered the Ruby of Ramses, Jack wagered the Manchurian Musca, Tubbimura wagered the Shroud of Shadows, and Jermaine wagered the Lasso Boa Boa.

They were going to fight like gladiators like the Romans did in ancient times. The first round was to stand against the lions in the arena. While the rest of the competitors were using their weapons wo fight off the big cats, Jack escaped using the Manchurian Musca, but a crow caught him in its beak. The lions left and players had to use chariots in this round. Tubbimura obscured himself using the Shroud of Shadows, but Omi managed to see the wheels of his chariot. He used the Ruby of Ramses to unveil Tubbimura and Jermaine used the Lasso Boa Boa to wrangle him out of the arena.

In this last round, it was a fight to the death. Omi and Jermaine got off their chariots and began going at each other with their swords. Omi tried once again to reason with his friend. "Jermaine, we must stop. If you win, Chase Young will control you and there'll be no going back."

Jermaine still wouldn't listen. "Omi, stop messin' with my head and just fight, man."

Omi dodged his opponent's attack and almost fell into a pit of spikes. He managed to get up and back in the arena. "Chase wants us to fight," continued Omi. "This was his plan all along!" Another trap opened up, revealing a pit of lava. "He wanted to turn you evil by turning us against each other."

Jermaine escaped from the lava pit and argued, "I think you did that. Why couldn't you have just been happy for me?"

"I was," Omi cried with honesty. "I just was not happy for… me. I may have been a little jealous," he confessed.

Jermaine backed Omi into a corner. "Oh, ya think?" he asked sarcastically. "Why should I trust you now?"

"Because you are my friend." Omi dropped his weapons to his side, not wanting to hurt his friend.

Watching Omi's move, Jermaine started to feel himself softening inside. Chase urged him to win the battle. Jermaine wanted to do the right thing. He didn't want to hurt Omi either. To make sure this wasn't a joke, he asked, "You're not playin' with me, are you?"

Omi smiled and said, "No, but I will if you want me to."

Jermaine saw the honesty in Omi's answer and realized how wrong he had been. Like good sports, Omi and Jermaine shook hands with each other, ending the battle and winning the Golden Finger together.

By losing that Xiaolin Showdown, Jack decided to stop doing business with Tubbimura. He even warned him that if he didn't return the stuff he took, Jack would make sure his dog would meet with an accident. Tubbimura didn't want any danger to befall his beloved dog, so he gave Jack back his belongings. Clay even got back his hat.

The heroes still had to settle things with Chase Young. "It appears you have once again underestimated the forces of good," Omi told him.

"What makes you think things didn't turn out exactly as they planned?" Chase asked.

"Are you saying things went in your favor all this time?" Emily wondered.

"I'm saying, young princess, your friend won. Omi was the one I was testing and he passed as I expected." And he took his leave once again.

"Uh, what just happened?" Max asked.

"I do not understand myself," Omi replied.

Although Jermaine and Omi were able to save their friendship, they had to say 'goodbye' for the moment. As much as Jermaine wanted to stay at the temple and continue his training as a warrior, he figured he needed to go home and think things through. He almost lost his way when he became Chase's apprentice and he didn't want to make another big mistake that would threaten his friendship with Omi. Omi still figured he could teach Jermaine a few lessons, but he also admitted he could learn as much from Jermaine. Omi waved 'goodbye' as he watched Dojo escort Jermaine back to America.