Ohayho Motherhopers! CJzilla here with another installment! Revelation and action will take place in this chapter. Enjoy.

As I break down this city with a swipe of my claws, alls CJzilla has to roar is this: R&R! Love on me or hate on me... You know how I roll.

What's Goin' On

A flash of dark amusement came to Lady Layla's face, but then it faded.

"Oh?" She questioned. "The Furious Five? I haven't met all of them, just… Tigress, I believe."

Po beamed.

"All of them are awesome!" The panda's inner geek was showing. "All of them can kick your butt before you can blink. Master Shifu has trained them all very well."

The vixen was smirking evilly but she cleaned her face when Po looked back at her.

"Crane is so cool to watch when he's flying! He was the first one to really talk to me; I think he likes Viper!" The panda's eyebrows raised playfully. "Viper has a poisonous bite and can twist you into a knot! She always has a level head but I've seen her kinda stressed out when someone's mad. Monkey's super quick and focused… really focused; sometimes so focused on other things that he forgets to bathe."

Lady Layla made a face before she smiled.

"And what about Tigress?" The vixen inquired, trying to sound innocent. "She seems… quick on her feet."

In all truth, the silvery vulpine knew of the tiger's feelings for Po as soon as they fought. Lady Layla sensed great power within the girl, but as long as she was blinded by her affection for the panda, she could be taken down easily.

Po's smile tripled in size.

"Tigress is definitely the most powerful of the Furious Five!" He stood from his chair. "I bet she's just a little less powerful than Master Shifu; she's that good!"

The vixen nodded.

"I want to meet them all." She tapped her chopsticks on her plate again. "Indeed; they sound very unbeatable."

Po did a high-kick.

"They are!" The panda pumped his fist. "They're super awesome! And you know what's even better?! I can call them my friends! I train with all of them sometimes! Wow. Just two weeks ago, if you were to tell me I'd be the Dragon Warrior and hanging out in this awesome Kung Fu temple, I'd call you crazy insane!"

The panda plopped back into his chair, wiping a laughter tear from his eyes.

"I never thought I'd be here." Po's smile was huge and content. "Like I said, I didn't believe I was anything special before Master Oogway picked me to be the Dragon Warrior."

Lady Layla had a genuinely amused smile on her face as she watched the panda bubbling over with satisfaction. She got up from her seat, walked over to him and knelt.

"You have the making of greatness in you, Po." The vixen voiced. "The future may be a little bit frightening but never limit yourself, never give up and never let anyone tell you otherwise."

Po had a funny look on his face, obviously taking in her words.

"All right!" He beamed.

Lady Layla giggled.

"Tomorrow, after your lessons, I'll teach you a move I learned from central India." The vixen stated.

The panda brightened.

"Awesome!" He cheered. "I can't wait-!"

But before he could say another word, Lady Layla leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. She then stood and walked to the door.

"Thank you for the wonderful dinner, Master Po." The vixen tossed a sultry glance over her shoulder at the panda. "Good night, Dragon Warrior."

And then she disappeared into the dark hallway. As her footfalls faded, Po put his hand over the spot where she'd kissed him. A goofy smile spread all over his face.

Po didn't know how long his mind blanked, but he was snapped out of his daydreaming when he heard more footfalls on the wooden floor. He blinked and looked to the door. The panda was delighted when the Furious Five and Master Shifu walked into the room.

"Hey!" He cheered, happy to see them. "I thought you'd never get here! I kept dinner warm-…"

Then the panda noticed the sober looks on their faces, more sober than usual.

"Okay… What's with the faces?" Po asked, face scrunched in confusion.

His eyes came to Tigress' hoping for answers. She immediately looked away, a disenchanted look on her normally unyielding features. Master Shifu stepped forward, the same upset look on his face that the rest had. That was a bad sign.

"Master Shifu? What's going on?" Po got up from his seat.

The red panda sighed, resting his weight on his staff.

"Po, I-" He began but then he spotted Lady Layla's plate.

Shifu's tiny hand shot to the plate as he felt how warm it was. Then he darted his eyes back up at the panda.

"Was Lady Layla here?" Shifu barked.

The confused Po flinched under his master's tone.

"Yes." The panda replied honestly. "She just left. She and I ate dinner together… Did I do something wrong?"

The red panda's features turned thoughtful before he gazed back up at the Dragon Warrior.

"Po, the reason for our emergency meeting was Lady Layla." He stated.

Po then smiled, cutting off Shifu.

"Oh yeah! I talked to Lady Layla about that!" He cheered.

Now it was Shifu's turn to look confused.

"About what?" The Kung Fu master asked.

"Well, since you thought she was unpredictable and Tigress said that she was dangerous, I asked her about it." The panda answered. "And she said that she was only here to make sure Master Oogway's legacy lives on. See? Lady Layla's not causing any trouble."

The Furious Five exchanged glances.

"And that's all she said?" Shifu barked again. "Did she tell you anything else?"

Po was starting to feel like he did something wrong.

"Well, yeah! Oh-… s-she did talk a lot about you." The panda pointed his finger at his master. "She said that you are arrogant and power hungry and that you can't be trusted."

Tigress, Crane, Viper, Mantis and Monkey's mouths fell open; Shifu's eyes sharpened.

"But I told her you weren't and that she should talk to you." Po added. "Why? Did I do something wrong?"

Master Shifu's eyes softened as he grinned at the panda.

"You did absolutely nothing wrong." He bowed his head approvingly. "I am proud of you."

Po was still confused.

"What? All I did was cook dinner…" He returned, shrugging.

"Not for cooking dinner, but thanks for doing so." Master Shifu explained. "You did not allow her doubts to affect your mind. Earlier this evening, I had a vision that Lady Layla and Tai Lung destroyed the Dragon Scroll and attacked the temple."

Po scrunched his nose and shook his head disbelievingly.

"I spoke with the others before you because I believed that the news would affect you a little more heavily." The red panda Kung Fu master voiced. "I'm sorry Po, but now circumstances are sealed. Lady Layla must leave the Jade Mountain at once."

The panda's mouth hit the floor.

"What? Why?!" Po blurted out, hands in the air. "She didn't do nothing wrong!"

"Open your eyes, Po." Tigress said frankly as she stepped forward. "That fox is nothing but a bitter backstabber."

"She has picked you out." Viper voiced, sliding onto the table and coiling.

"And is using you for her own filthy advantage." Crane added in, his hat tipped up.

"Why has she only hung out with you and not the rest of us?" Mantis' eyes were narrowed in distrust.

"She tried to put doubts into your mind about Master Shifu." Monkey voiced, jumping to the ceiling and hanging from one of the rafters by his tale. "Doubts that we all know are lies."

Master Shifu nodded.

"Indeed. Lady Layla has cast a divider between friends, between warriors and between a pupil and his master." The red panda voiced.

The bombardment made Po dig his heels into the dirt even more.

"I do not believe it!" Po stomped his foot.

The Furious Five drew their heads back in surprise. Shifu's eyes widened for a split second before they narrowed.

"Forgive me, Master Shifu." The panda immediately apologized. "But I've spent all day with Lady Layla and I can tell you she's sincere. Yes, I admit she lets the voices in her head confuse her, but… I don't think… she's trouble."

Po twiddled his fingers, trying to assess all the thoughts running through his head. Tigress let out an audible growl, but before she could spit out a reprimand to the panda, Master Shifu held his staff in front of her.

"I value your thoughts, Po." The Kung Fu master voiced. "Please, tell me, what would you do in this situation?"

The panda looked up at his master.

"Just talk to her!" Po returned in a goofy way. "I bet if you set the record straight, show her that you're no arrogant head case, we'll all be laughing about this in the morning. That would do more good than just throwing her out of the mountain."

The room fell silent. Po stole a glance at the Furious Five. Their mouths were slightly open and their eyes were wide; Master Shifu looked the same.

"What?" The panda asked, feeling embarrassed.

Mantis was the first to speak.

"Wow. What is in the food? You've finally grown a brain!" The bug cheered before getting a slap upside the head from Viper.

"Hey!" Po returned. "I do so have a brain! I just… lost it…"

Crane and Monkey laughed at that joke. Master Shifu nodded approvingly.

"In our haste to rid ourselves of danger, we've over-looked an aspect that could save us this battle." The red panda voiced, glancing at his students. "There is value according to action but conversing can prevent the bloodiest of battles. I must find Lady Layla and speak with her; at once."

He turned to the door but not before glancing back at Po.

"Thank you, Po." Shifu stated as he left. "You have more wisdom that we give you credit for."

"Darn right!" The panda triumphantly called after his master.

Viper, Monkey, Mantis, Tigress and Crane rolled their eyes.

"All right, Mister Wisdom." Crane set his hat off and to his seat at the table. "I'd like some dinner."

"Righty-O!" Po cheered.

The Furious Five took their places at the table and watched Po serve them their food.

Master Shifu followed Po's sage advice and decided to seek out Layla in order to disentangle this fiasco. He hoped the wayward warrior would yield to listening, instead of shunning him like earlier today. Throwing the vixen out of the Jade Mountain was the last thing that he wanted. This was her last hope if she wanted to remain here.

Shifu's suspicion led him to the Hall of Heroes. Swinging open the brilliantly crafted doors, his eyes looked over the dimly lit room. The red panda's eyes came to Lady Layla's form, kneeling before a painting of Master Oogway, her head bowed. A prick of guilt hit the red panda. The vixen was still grieving and that could be why she was acting so foolishly.

As he neared her, words failed Shifu. No comforting saying came to his mind as he stood a pace from the fox. Though his chest burned with an unuttered saying, nothing left his mouth. The red panda stood there, mourning with his master's pupil.

"Master Oogway was all I had." The candles flickered with her words. "He was my mentor, my hope… my father."

The vixen's voice was a raspy whisper, taut with a held in sob.

Layla paused as she gazed up at the painting of the wise, deceased turtle. Her silver ears were flat on her head and her eyes shown with a desolate grief. Shifu saw a relentless pain that sucked up her tears, not allowing her any release. The vixen got to her feet and lifted her hand to the ancient artwork. She pressed her fingers to the painting and slowly ran them down Oogway's image. Her lips trembled and creased like stone. Turning her head away from the painting, Layla took her hand from it and walked toward the Dragon Scroll. Shifu watched her silently.

With her back to him, the red panda Kung Fu master was blocked off from her expression. But a thick air of wretchedness hung around Layla. Her mourning and pain were so intense, even her breathing swayed the hundreds of candles within the hall. Shifu felt his feet move in her direction.

Walking to her, Shifu's mouth opened but his words died before they were heard. Again he was at a loss of what to say. Reaching up, he touched Layla's hand with his. The vixen immediately looked down at the much smaller Kung Fu master. Her eyes softened as she squeezed his hand.

"Master Oogway was a great man." Layla voiced. "There will be no other like him. I was foolish but I will see to it that his legacy lives on."

The vixen's grip suddenly went tight on Shifu's hand. Before he could react, Layla yanked him off of his feet and slammed him on the granite floor, her knee pressed firmly to his neck. The wild anger returned to her yellow eyes as she glared down at Shifu.

"I will not accept that you are standing in Master Oogway's place, you scum!" Layla seethed. "You dishonor his unequaled heritage and I will not allow that to continue any further."

Shifu's breath was gone but not his strength. Gripping his staff, he brought it upwards and struck the crazed fox on the side of the head. Layla reeled, her knee coming off of his throat. Pushing his palm onto her knee, Shifu further offset the vixen's balance. Thrusting his hand out, Shifu released a blast of concentrated energy that struck Layla in the chest. The vixen flew down the Hall of Heroes but stopped on her feet, recovering from the force. She growled and held her chest where the power hit her.

"Where's your head at, Layla?" Shifu's eyes were narrowed as he got to his feet. "What have I done to make you hate me so?"

The silvery vixen gritted her teeth.

"I, unlike your little lackeys, will not blindly follow." Layla hissed. "Tai Lung trusted in your arrogant guidance and just look where he is now! You've taken my best friend and a title you don't deserve."

Pain stung at Master Shifu's heart.

"I've made mistakes; some will not let me sleep at night." The red panda said, renewed old pain washing over him. "But I've learned and forgiven myself. Why can't you do the same, Layla?"

Layla snorted.

"It'd be unforgivable to let someone as short sighted and unbalanced as you take Master Oogway's place." She returned.

"I tell you again; LISTEN TO ME!" Shifu asserted, the candles' flames dancing with the intensity in the room. "Oogway left me as Supreme Kung Fu Master! I did not take it nor did I want it. But it was Master Oogway himself that gave me this title."

Still, Layla's eyes were icy with bitter anger.

"You are presumptuous, power hungry and a disgrace to Master Oogway!" She blasted back. "I wholeheartedly disapprove and I will remove you from this sacred place!"

The red panda's eyes narrowed.

"By sneakily sowing divisions between my students? Po told me about your little talk with him. You underhanded snake! Trying to corrupt the boy's mind with lies!" Shifu's anger was building.

"I would not lie to the Dragon Warrior! He is the only genuine one within these walls!" Layla immediately returned. "I gave him a warning! You are not to be trusted!"

"I trusted YOU!" Shifu snarled pointing his staff at the vixen. "And yet your mind is still clouded by anger and hate! YOU disgrace Oogway's legacy with your contentious behavior and lies! You are now BANISHED from the Jade Mountain! Leave now if you wish to preserve all of your faculties."

Layla's face grew menacingly dark; the vixen's yellow eyes suddenly turned as evil as Tai Lung's.

Suddenly there the doorknobs of the doors rattled. Layla reached into her cloak and pulled out three shurikens. Letting the circular blades fly at the door, the weapons stuck in the wood, not allowing the door to open.

"Master Shifu?" Came a call from one of the Furious Five.

The vixen let a sneer creep up on her face as she turned to the red panda.

"I want you to see your defeat, Shifu." Layla snarled. "Your students will not interfere-"

But she was cut off when she heard the familiar voice of the Dragon Warrior beyond the door.

"Master Shifu? The door's stuck! We heard yelling. Is everything all right?" It was Po rattling the doorknob.

Layla stopped in her tracks, backing away from the door like it was red hot. Guilt rose inside of her as she remembered those innocent green eyes belonging to Po. As her feelings mixed, so did her confusion; she was now vulnerable. Shifu took action.

Darting behind the troubled fox, Shifu kicked the back of her knees and yanked her backwards. The vixen was on her knees as he held one hand around her wrists and stood on her ankles, immobilizing her.

"If you care for the boy, leave now and never return." Shifu said in her ear. "You are a bad apple and your lingering presence here will poison his mind like it has yours."

Now Po and the Furious Five were trying to break through the doors. Layla let out a whimper as she writhed in his grasp.

"I will never hurt the boy but I shall destroy you!" The vixen gnarled.

Shifu gripped her hands tighter.

"Listen to yourself, Layla!" The red panda snapped. "Your heart is black! Do not walk down that path!"

The pounding on the door only got louder and the wood began to give under the force. Layla snarled desperately as she drove her head back. Her skull met Shifu's sensitive nose. He released her, the sharp pain in his face overpowering him. The vixen whirled around and pinned his body to the floor.

"I hope you trained your Furious Five well. Because I will not hold back and continue to let you spit upon Master Oogway's legacy! Mark me, Shifu!" Her yellow eyes blaring with rile.

Without another word she shot toward the open window, jumped out of it and disappeared into the night. In that same second, Tigress, Viper, Po, Crane, Monkey and Mantis burst into the Hall of Heroes. They rushed in, seeing their master on the floor.

"Master Shifu!" Viper zipped up to him. "Are you all right? What happened?"

Shifu held his nose as he got to his feet, thankful that it wasn't bleeding or broken.

"Spill! What happened?!" Po rushed his master.

When his eyes came to the panda, sadness came to Shifu's face. But they were interrupted by Crane.

"Look at this!" The red crowned crane pointed at the door.

That's when everyone saw the shurikens sticking out of the door. Immediately, everyone turned to the red panda, wanting answers. Shifu hung his head.

"I did all I could." He voiced. "But her heart is too enveloped in evil. I banished Layla from the Jade Mountain."

Po's eyes widened. Master Shifu rested his weight on his staff.

"I'm sorry, Po." He voiced.

The Hall of Heroes went silent once more; only the sound of flickering candles and hearts breaking could be heard.

R&R! LONG LIVE ROCK!!