Ohayho all of you happy-go-lucky Motherhopers out there! CJzilla is back with another update! In this chapter the dawn breaks. Enjoy.
As I menace this city, alls CJzilla has to roar is this: R&R! Fluff me or flame me... you know how I roll...
When the Dawn Breaks
The air around her was cool and damp as it hung on her face, encouraging her to rouse like a drink of sweet water. Though her eyes were shut and darkness was all around her, Layla's senses began to adjust to the conscious world. The silvery vixen eased her eyes open, returning to awareness after being rescued from the darkness of unconsciousness.
Raising her eyes she saw that a dense fog encircled her, walls of white clouds moving as graceful as wind-blown curtains. Layla found herself sitting as if she was meditating, her legs crossed over each other and hands resting on her knees. The silver vixen then heard the comforting sound of running water, delicately trickling over stones. The vixen rose to her feet perplexed. Where was she and how did she get here?
The fog seemed to move with her thoughts and the curtains of cool moisture gently parted. Appearing before her was the Sacred Pool of Tears, a place she hadn't seen in over twenty years. Layla was confused. The last thing she remembered was standing with Po, asking him to spare Tai Lung's life, then… nothing, nothing until now. The silvery vixen pulled her robe from her left shoulder and touched her chest. She remembered getting hit with the Wu Dai Nerve Strike so shouldn't she be… dead?
Then a gentle wind moved across her tired body. Closing her eyes, opening her arms and letting the cool mist caress her clothes and body, Layla let the wind wash over her and wipe away her concerns.
"Layla." She heard her name.
The silvery vixen listened.
"Right here, my Layla." The voice was coming from behind her.
Spinning, Layla couldn't believe her eyes. The clouds parted and through the white haze a dark silhouette formed. She stared hard into the vapor as she started to recognize who it was. Standing there as if he never left was Master Oogway, staff in hand and a warm smile over his face.
"Hello, Layla." He expressed, his kind blue eyes lighting up.
Nothing entered into Layla's mind as she stared at her Master, whom death had cruelly taken away from her. For a long second, the vixen questioned her eyes. Her heart was hungry to reassure her sour soul. Since his passing, dreams of seeing her beloved Master Oogway again tormented her sleep; his image disappearing before she could reach him. She'd wake up crying, wishing the figments of her broken heart were real.
"… Master?" She shushed, her throat pinched shut.
The aged turtle grinned and nodded.
"Come. I want a hug." Master Oogway voiced, holding open his arms.
Layla felt her feet moving toward him faster and faster until she dove into his arms. In the arms of her Master, the vixen soaked in his nearness, still unconvinced that he was real. But it wasn't until Master Oogway dropped his staff and wrapped his gentle arms around her, did Layla know that she wasn't dreaming. Her heart soared.
"Oh, Master!" The vixen warbled. "You're here! You're with me again!"
Years of tears that Layla forbid herself to release just gushed out, soaking the aged turtle's chest.
"Oh, Layla. I never left your side." Master Oogway returned, pulling her closer.
Layla had been gone for so long that when she heard his voice again, the relief was not unlike a reawakening from a dark, deep sleep. She held him tighter and it was a good thing Master Oogway had a shell because Layla's hug might have crushed him otherwise.
"It's good to see you again, young one." The aged turtle voiced. "Though you're not as little as I remember. You've grown into a beautiful woman, Layla. Tell me, where were you all these years?"
But then Layla jumped out of his arms. She stepped away from him and dropped to her knees.
"Oh, Master Oogway! I'm sorry, so sorry." Now tears of wretchedness were pouring from her eyes.
She sobbed, bowing until her face met the ground.
"I failed you! I abandoned you; fleeing like a coward and running when you needed me." Layla wailed. "And now I have further dishonored you by attacking the Jade Mountain; the very legacy you left, I nearly destroyed. I have brought deep shame to your name! I am a disgrace and no longer fit to call you my Master!"
Over her bitter crying, Layla felt Master Oogway's hand on her back. Bringing her body upwards, she found her Master kneeling in front of her. His kind smile had not wavered. The aged turtle pulled her into another hug.
Tears came in rivers over Layla's face at the much needed hug.
"I'm sorry." She pleaded. "I'm so sorry! I know that you must be angry and hate me because of all the wrong I've done."
The sourness of her soul returned, knowing Master Oogway never would have approved of her wild actions. Tears of acid fell from her eyes as Master Oogway released her. Just when she feared the worst of rejections for all the wrong that she had done, he placed his hand under her chin.
"I am not angered in any way nor do I hate you, my Layla. I was only scared that you had lost your way." He voiced, looking deep into her yellow eyes as he wiped away tears.
"But… I-I did lose my way, Master-" Layla began but she was silenced by the look in Oogway's eyes.
"But you are here, my Layla." The age turtle placed his hand on her cheek. "By selflessly standing between Po and Tai Lung, you showed that you found your way again and how far you've come. I couldn't be prouder."
Layla blinked the tears from her eyes only to have more form.
"But I acted so foolishly, Master." She voiced, looking down. "How could you forgive me so easily?"
"The anguish over my passing made you wild with distress and that led you to do things you would not have done with a clear mind." Master Oogway voiced softly. "You've repressed your heartache so much that you have made yourself sick with restrained grief. My Layla, do not deny yourself tears and release your pain."
Layla had always thought that emotions were weak and absolutely refused to publicize them. But it was time to stop fighting her feelings and to not be fearful about being weak.
"You stopped the two most powerful warriors in the entire Valley of Peace without harming them!" The aged turtle gestured, smiling like any proud parent would. "Far greater warriors could only wish that they had such a gift. You have influenced many hearts within the Jade Mountain, my Layla. Do not limit the good you have done by lumping it with the bad."
The vixen managed a weak smile before her face went straight again.
"I never wanted this to happen, Master." Layla whispered. "I only wanted to ask your forgiveness and show you how much I love you."
Master Oogway smiled and ran his finger over her cheek, wiping away her tears.
"Though your actions were angry and impulsive, I will never hold that against you, my Layla." He told her. "And of course I've always known how much you love me. You are an amazing being and it was a gift and an honor to teach you."
Layla gave a smile over the tears streaming down her face.
"And we may not be physically related, Layla, we are spiritually connected." The aged turtle said glancing around at the mist. "And as far as I am concerned, you are my daughter and I love you dearly."
With a flick of his wrist, Master Oogway summoned a peach blossom out of thin air. He held the delicate flower to his beloved student. Layla took it from his hand and held it to her heart.
"Thank you, Master." Layla whispered pulling Master Oogway into another hug.
Master Oogway hugged her back.
"You and I are meeting on the Astral Plain, Layla." He told his old student. "Our time is limited because I am dead and you are still with the living."
But Layla squeezed him tighter.
"I won't leave you again." She objected.
Master Oogway chuckled.
"You and I never parted ways, Layla." The aged turtle stated. "We've always been together, our spirits are inseparable. And we will see each other again."
"When?" Layla questioned.
He smiled at her.
"Well… when you die." Master Oogway answered giving a light chuckle. "But don't worry, you're not dead yet. There are a couple of people whom are very, very worried about you."
Layla nodded.
"Remember, my Layla, that I am always with you and I will never leave." The old turtle voiced. "You have made me very proud and I love you very, very much."
"I love you too, Master." The fox responded.
Then he laughed.
"Oh, and I ask two favors. Please send my old friend Shifu my greetings and please, have a peach for me." He stated. "I've been craving one for a while now."
Layla chuckled.
"Yes. I will, Master." She answered.
And just like that, Master Oogway's form fluttered away as wind-blown peach blossoms. As the last of the floating flowers left her arms, Layla was spirited away in a flash of bright light.
Layla awoke to feeling her chest raise with a sigh. She heard flickering candles and felt a breeze tickle her face. Her head was on something soft and warm. Layla's eyes fluttered open but shut just as quickly in this inviting lull. As her senses roused, Layla recalled the events that transpired before her unconsciousness. But as she moved, she felt something between her fingers of her right hand. Her eyes snapped open and she brought her hand to her face. Opening her fingers, she saw a pale pink peach blossom. It was the very same that Master Oogway gave her.
Her eyes moistened as she brought the flower to her nose and inhaled its sweet aroma. Letting her fingers intertwine with the blossom's silky petals, Layla remembered her meeting with her old Master on the Astral Plain. Master Oogway told her that he had never left her side and she believed it.
Then she heard a soft snore by her side. Turning her aching head, Layla spotted Po, sitting with his back against a wall and very, very asleep. Smiling and closing her eyes, Layla felt her insides melt. The panda was watching her, selflessly sitting there for possibly a long, long time.
The silvery vixen opened her eyes and moved to sit up. When she did there was tightness on her torso. Pulling the blankets from her body, Layla glanced down at her chest. Firm cloth wrapped over her chest and over where Tai Lung had plunged his fingers into her shoulder. Her whole left arm was covered in white bandages and whether unnecessary or not, the bandages were probably a good idea. No one who had received the Wu Dai lived to recover and for all Layla knew, she could have lost the use of her left arm.
Layla glanced around the room. The curtains were drawn and only candlelight illuminated the room. She then saw her robe on one of the dressers. Carefully and gradually, Layla rose to her feet. Moving to her clothing, it took an extra few seconds to tie her sash with only one hand. Still holding the peach blossom in her right hand, the silver vixen turned to Po. The panda was still softly snoring, his head resting on his forearms, his forearms draped over his curled knees. Layla knelt and pecked the slumbering Po on his forehead before touching one of his small, black ears. With a smile on her face, Layla quietly opened the door and slipped out.
It was sunny outside, nine in the morning to be exact. Morning sun lit up the sleeping chambers of the Jade Mountain. Layla passed through the halls and each of the chambers was silent. Perhaps Po was not the only one sleeping in. The hall ended and with just a few more steps, the silvery vixen was outside. Bright sunlight and the smell of rain greeted her. It had rained the night before and the Valley of Peace radiated with the renewal. Dewdrops and shadows of the night still hung under trees and under the pavilions. The beauty of the Jade Mountain was nothing compared to the lush, green color that rain brought to the foliage and the bright blue of the clean sky.
Walking along, Layla came to the entrance to the Hall of Heroes. The doors to the sacred room were wide open, soaking up the freshness of the mountain. The vixen's yellow eyes moved over the doors before following the stairs and finally coming to the training yard. There was a surprise. Layla spotted Shifu out in the training yard. Instead of sitting still, the aged red panda was moving, fighting invisible opponents as he gracefully moved about the dirt yard. Layla couldn't help but grin as observed him. She might as well say hello.
"No, no." The vixen called out, making the Supreme Kung Fu Master stumble in his tracks.
Layla walked down the steps as Shifu spun to her.
"The White Wave isn't kick, kick, thrust, side jab and kick." She walked up to the stunned red panda. "It's kick, kick, kick, side jab and then thrust."
The vixen giggled at the shocked look on Shifu's face.
"Good morning, Master Shifu." Layla bowed.
This surprised Shifu even more.
"Uh… Good morning, Layla?" He answered.
Again Layla laughed at the look on his face.
"Allow me to demonstrate the proper White Wave technique." She giggled, standing and looking at Shifu through the corner of her yellow eyes.
She almost fully extended her leg when Shifu stopped her.
"Stop! Stop! Stop!" He laid a hand on her ankle.
Layla lowered her leg at set her foot on the ground again, puzzled at the red panda's actions. Shifu looked over his master's old student, probably wondering if the morning sun was playing tricks on him.
"Um… H-how are you feeling?" The red panda managed as he circled her.
"Fine." The vixen answered, touching her left arm that was neatly tucked into the front of her robe. "A little tired, sore and I have a pounding headache but other than that I'm all right."
Shifu shook his head, astounded that she was STILL alive!
"You-… you're supposed to be dead, Layla." He told her with the driest of chuckles. "The Wu Dai Nerve Strike never fails to kill."
Layla nodded a grin on her face.
"I know but… he told me I couldn't leave yet." The vixen's eyes dazzled with joy as she knelt and held out her right hand to the red panda.
Shifu flinched, thinking she was going to attack him.
"No, no." Layla gave a guilty laugh. "Look."
Uncurling her fingers, the vixen exposed her peach blossom. Shifu stared at the flower for a long second before his eyes grew wide. Since Oogway's passing, the Peach Tree of Infinite Wisdom had withered and not bloomed since, so a peach blossom in Layla's possession meant only one thing. Looking up to the vixen's face, Shifu read her expression carefully with wide eyes. Through the tears glittering in her eyes, Layla smiled.
"Master Oogway sends his greetings, Shifu." She voiced as she pulled the much smaller red panda into a hug.
Shifu couldn't believe it and his mouth hung open.
"He-… you-… Master Oogway gave this to you??" Shifu's voice got high with disbelief.
Layla nodded and released him.
"I spoke with him on the Astral Plain, if that's easy to believe." She answered giving a light chuckle.
Shifu's eyes wandered over her left shoulder before he reached down to her right hand. With careful movements, the red panda took her hand into his and opened her fingers. The peach blossom was still in her hand. Shifu touched it, making sure it was real. The petals were silky yet warm from Layla's hand. He felt his heart in this throat.
"Amazing." He whispered, feeling tears threaten to come.
He closed her fingers over the flower before looking the vixen in the eye.
"Please tell me, Layla… Why did you do the things that you did?" Shifu asked in all honesty, greatly curious.
Layla sighed, closing her eyes.
"Nothing I did was a fault of anyone else's but my own." She voiced softly. "I was blinded by my regrets and I lashed out to you-"
"I understand why I would you attacked but… you and Tai Lung were so close to attaining the Jade Mountain." Shifu interrupted. "You had such an assured victory, why… why did you stop?"
Layla caressed the peach blossom in her hand.
"I finally realized how twisted my perspective had become. I was destroying Master Oogway's legacy rather than restoring it and really, there was nothing to fix." She answered. "Master Oogway chose you to be the Supreme Kung Fu Master because he didn't hold your mistakes against you. Like you said; we've all made mistakes and some will remain with us until we die but we shouldn't lump all the good we've done with the bad. Master Oogway looked over our faults and he only asked that we forgive ourselves. My meeting with Master Oogway has given me the strength to do the hardest thing I've ever had to do."
Her yellow eyes fell to the ground as she paused.
"To forgive myself from all the wrong I've done." Layla added.
Layla bowed her head before bringing her eyes to the red panda.
"So please Master Shifu, I ask your forgiveness from acting so evilly, from endangering the lives of your students and yourself and for all the aggravation I've caused." She voiced softly. "I'm sorry and I seek the forgiveness of the Supreme Kung Fu Master."
Shifu was thunderstruck. Not even twelve hours ago, this fox wanted to rip him out of the Jade Mountain and now she acknowledged him as the Supreme Kung Fu Master, asking for a pardon from her behavior! Maybe he should have given her the Wu Dai DAYS ago.
"Your behavior was just like that of an enemy, Layla." Shifu furrowed his brow. "You divided my students, broke Tai Lung out of prison and led an assault on the Jade Mountain.But for everything you did, you saved us."
Layla bowed her head again in an effort to hide a bashful flush.
"Yes, yes I forgive you." Shifu placed a hand on her shoulder. "And now that you have learned to forgive yourself, I see it only fit to restore you to the Jade Palace. You are no longer banished."
The vixen nodded before looking up.
"Master Oogway chose his legacy well." Layla voiced, fighting back more tears. "Thank you, Master Shifu."
Then she pulled the much smaller red panda into a hug. Shifu's face heated as he timidly returned the hug.
Just then they heard a clamor of footfalls on the pavilion floor. Both Shifu and Layla stood, casting their eyes to the hallway. Po looking like he just woke up to the scare of a lifetime skidded to a stop in front of the Hall of Heroes. Once he saw Layla standing and alive, his mouth dropped to the floor.
"Layla!" Po cheered, scrambling down the steps to the vixen.
"Hey Po-" But she was hauled into a gigantic bear-hug by the panda.
"You're alive!" Po swung her in a circle. "Holy awesomeness! You're alive!"
NOW Layla's shoulder and arm felt pain.
"Po! Po, please put me down." The vixen squeezed out, her face twisting with pain.
"Oh!" The panda hopped off of her. "Sorry."
Po held to a big blush and coyly rubbed the back of his neck. Layla held her sore shoulder. Groaning she put her numb left arm back into her robe.
"That hurts… a lot." The vixen pinched shut her eyes.
"Uh… sorry. I didn't mean to." She heard Po hush as he nervously twiddled his fingers.
Layla looked up at the panda and grinned. She stepped forward and hugged him.
"I'm glad you're all right, Po." The vixen whispered.
The panda flushed before returning the hug.
"You should be dead right now, you know that?" Po stated getting a worried look on his face.
Layla laughed.
"It'll take a lot more to kill me than just the little Wu Dai." The vixen commented.
Of course she was joking. Greater warriors have fallen from the Wu Dai Nerve Strike and it was nothing short of a stinkin' miracle that the vixen was alive. After a long embrace, Layla released Po but glanced around the Jade Palace.
"Where's Tai Lung?" Though she was hungry for an answer, Layla remained as calm as possible.
Po and Shifu glanced at each other.
"I don't know." The panda shrugged. "After you passed out, Tai Lung just… disappeared. I have no idea where he is right now."
Layla glanced down at Shifu. The red panda had a neutral look on his face, his blue eyes answering her question. Tai Lung was gone without a trace. The vixen pinched her lips shut and let her eyes close. Touching her shoulder, Layla raised her head.
"I hope he's all right." She stated, looking toward the garden.
Po gave her a look like she'd just gone insane.
"Tai Lung? The ferocious snow leopard with an anger complex? THAT Tai Lung?" The panda commented.
Layla returned her eyes to him.
"Yes." She narrowed her eyes yet grinned at him. "He is my best friend and after all we went through, I'd hate to have him gone."
Again, the vixen moved her eyes back over the Jade Palace.
"I doubt he's gone far, Layla." Shifu voiced, picking his staff from the ground. "But I wouldn't worry about him if I was you. You should concentrate on getting well-"
Suddenly the doors to the training yard opened and Zeng, the messenger goose stepped into the area. The goose froze in his steps when he saw Layla up and alive. His eyes widened and he failed to do anything but stare. Shifu rolled his eyes.
"Yes, Zeng? What is it?" The red panda questioned, turning to the goose.
Zeng snapped out of his rude stare.
"Apologies, Supreme Master Shifu." He bowed. "But Commander Vachir has returned. He insists on speaking with you immediately concerning yesterday's conversation."
The goose moved his eyes to Layla for a short second. The vixen slowly looked at the red panda. The look on Shifu's face was deeply irritated. Grunting with anger, he tapped his staff on the ground.
"Bring him to me." The Supreme Kung Fu Master fought off a scowl.
"Right away." The brown goose bowed and disappeared out of the training yard.
Shifu was glaring at the doors in an angry silence.
"Po." He didn't take his eyes from the training yard entrance. "Please take Layla back to her room for more rest."
Then he turned and locked eyes with the gray vixen.
"Swear to me that you will not leave without my permission." Shifu was dead serious.
Though confused, Layla nodded.
"Of course, Master Shifu." She answered.
Then she felt Po's hand curl around hers and he led her back to the sleeping quarters.
corset-rebellion-follower: Character deaths are easy. Keeping them alive is trickier. Glad you liked the last chapter.
Kippis05: All I can say: Thanks! I will keep rockin'!
D.J. Striker: Yeah! Po and Tai Lung are the Raph and Mikey of the Kung Fu Panda universe! I'm calling out for a baddie and goodie team up!
Blood Dragon JL: I hope I met your expectations and perhaps succeeded them. Next chapter coming soon!
Wolf Mystic: Lol! I thought I was the only one smacking Tai Lung around!
R&R! LONG LIVE ROCK!!