Episode 6: Rising Tides, Crashing Skies
It was a fairly sunny day in Beach City. The Gems and Monk were fighting off a corrupted gem. It was a crab like Corrupted Monster. The Gems were holding it down like it was nothing and the Monks were using their shen gong wu to their fullest extent. However, the Crab Monster was still holding strong. "Man, this corrupted Gem is tough. However, we must beat it." Clay said. Garnet ponders a bit and got an idea. "Aim for the eye" Garnet said. "Got it, Garnet." Raimundo said. "Sword of the Storm Wind!" The Sword of the Storm began making a massive sandstorm that began to cause the Corrupted gem to have issue on seeing. Just then, it got stabbed by Pearl's Spear and attacked by Clay's Fist of Tebigong. It then poofs and the storm subsides. Garnet picks up the gemstone, bubbles it and sends it to the temple. "There we go." Kimiko said. "That was some good battle." Amethyst said, stretching her body out a bit. "A bit tougher than normal but a most good one at that." Omi said. As for Raimundo, he felt more happy to be back with the Gems and Monks. However…he still feels like he needs to address something to someone.
Back at the Chase's place, Chase and Jack were doing some more sword training with each other. Jack's confidence is at an all time high at this time as his sword training is getting more complex and with Project Morph and Project Rebirth given approval by Chase, Jack felt more and more comfortable to being a Heylin. "Excellent training, Jack." Chase said as they finished training. "Thanks, Chase." Jack said. "I've been meaning to ask you something." "Alright, shoot." Chase said. "Why do you believe Peridot have little potential to be great?" Jack asked. Chase was taken aback by this. "Uhh…it's just that she's just not really that good. She looks way too reliant on tech. You were nearing the same path before you guys founded me." Chase said. Jack wasn't so sure about it. "Well, in my eyes, Peridot has potential that she could be really good. If given some training, she might prove everyone wrong." Jack argues back. "I see…you have grown attach to Peridot. You see her differently than I do. What you see as potential is smoke and mirrors." Chase argues back. "Maybe she could be decent but not as powerful as your potential would be." Jack remained quiet and walks back inside. "Man, Jack really want to give Peridot a chance. I just don't see her surviving for much longer as a Heylin." Chase said to himself. "I don't know how Jack will handle with it." Chase began to walk back inside for a bit.
Back at Beach City, the Gems and Monks were back inside the house. They were mostly waiting for another wu to activate but were also waiting if another corrupted Gem, Malachite, or the Heylin makes a move. At this time, the Gems were inside the Temple and the Monks and Steven were in the house eating some snacks. Raimundo was eating somewhat slowly. Omi notices it. "Something on your mind, Raimundo?" Omi asked. "Huh…uh yea. There's loads of thing on my mind and need someone to talk to." Raimundo admits. Omi thinks a bit. "Want to talk about it?" Omi asked. Raimundo looked at Omi and nods. "Sure… but let's take a walk outside after we finish our snacks." Raimundo said. Omi nods. A bit later, Omi and Raimundo left the house and began taking their walk.
"So, what was on your mind, Raimundo?" Omi asked. Raimundo takes a deep breath. "Look, Omi. I want to mention that there were a lot of factors of me returning to the Monks and not falling to the Heylin." Raimundo said. This perks up Omi's curiosity. "Really, what was the factors?" Omi questioned. Raimundo sits down on a nearby bench. "I mainly came back for Amethyst and Steven. Amethyst is a near given because we both have similar personalities and care for each other." Raimundo said. "For Steven…He's like my little bro…and I always think that I'm a brother he never had. A person he can relate to on a few occasion." Omi was somewhat surprised at what Raimundo is doing. He's spilling his guts out on him. "Raimundo, you are making the most good decision to talk to me." Omi said. "I know but…I never came back because of you, I came back because I needed to clear my head for Amethyst and Steven." Raimundo said. "If it wasn't for them…I don't know if I wanted to return or even join the Heylin. However, when I did take a step back and look at the bigger picture, I figured a break is better than to jump ship and potentially flip flop on difference sides."
Omi remained quiet. He knew Raimundo did not return because of him, but it's surprising to hear that if it wasn't for Steven and Amethyst, there maybe a chance Raimundo doesn't return or even fall into the Heylin side. "I do want to add that with Malachite, Peridot and the Heylin issues on our plate, it makes me worried about how we'll solve all of the issues. Could we wrap all of them up in a nice bow or are we going to fail like I did with Mala Mala Jong?" Raimundo said. "I don't know, Raimundo, but we will figure it out, hopefully sooner rather than later." Omi said. Raimundo softly nods. He gets up from the bench and walks over to the Beach City Fries, where Peedee was working while Ronaldo was busy with something else.
"Hey, Peedee." Raimundo said. "Oh, hey, Raimundo, Omi." Peedee said. "What brings you here today?" "Well, I kinda had some…thoughts that I need addressing and I told Omi about it." Raimundo said. "I kinda overheard a bit but not a lot." Peedee admits. Raimundo was surprised a bit but remained calmed. "Well, I do want to mention that I kinda felt like I need some clear air to clear my mind. I also wouldn't mind some fries." Raimundo said. "Alright, I'll fire up an order of fries for the both of you." Peedee said as he goes to work. Raimundo and Omi waits by the counter and Raimundo began to think of something. "Omi, when did you think of the Serpent's Tail idea against Mala Mala Jong?" Raimundo asked. "Just a moment after you left." Omi admits.
Raimundo thought a bit. "Then…I don't know why, but I think I feel like I made the right call on saving the Gems. They looked really worn down against Mala Mala Jong and even Garnet looked gassed. And we now know she was a fusion. When Mala Mala Jong was able to put Garnet on the rope, you know it's really strong." Raimundo said. "I can see your point, Raimundo. It was most risky to go back but your intentions was pure." Omi said. "Yea, but I feel like I need to tell the others…maybe after a bit more time with each others company." Raimundo admits. Just then, Peedee finishes the fries and hands it to Raimundo. "Enjoy them, Raimundo." Peedee said. "Thanks, Peedee." Raimundo said. Raimundo pays for the fries and walks away with Omi. Raimundo munches on the fries and was enjoying it and Omi had a few bites of the fries and was rather interested on them. "They are most scrumptious." Omi said. "Yea, though I don't know why Steven would prefer "Fries bits" rather than regular fries." Raimundo said. "Like, fries can be more versatile than you think than fries bits. You can add chili and cheese, some bacon bits, ketchup, mustard, and more."
Omi was more thinking of something. "I realized something, what would have made you join Wuya if she agrees with everything you would like to add." Omi asked. Raimundo was surprised about this but took a deep breath. "Even if Wuya would try to please me, it would make her feel more anger and disgust than she like to deal with. I would have asked for Steven and Amethyst to join me. I knew they would say no because they would rather stay with the Gems and the Monks than joining the Heylin side with me. I trust them with all of my heart and if they say no then I can't join the Heylin. I value them higher than anyone…well, maybe except Kimiko. However, Kimiko would not be enough. If Amethyst and Steven remain a Crystal Monk, then I would be best to leave for a bit and return with a fresh mind and try to get the Xiaolin Apprentice again and soon." Raimundo said. "If I maybe frank…There would be no possibility for me to join Wuya. The only way is for Steven and Amethyst to renounce the Crystal Monks and join me and Wuya. However, knowing the history, there was no way they would do that and Wuya would not accept that at all. So in all things considered, even if Wuya offered me the moon and back…she wouldn't woo me over Amethyst and Steven."
Omi was fairly impressed with the answer. Even with all the offering that Wuya would have thrown, she wouldn't get Raimundo at all. "Raimundo, what you did was the right decision." Omi said, patting Raimundo's back. "You didn't let Wuya tempted you with all of the stuff she offered up. You valued us more than anything in the world and that's good enough reason for me to say…I am happy to be an ally to you." Raimundo softly nods as he finishes his fries. They soon arrived back at the beach house and walked in. "Hey, Raimundo, Omi." Steven said with a big smile. "How was your guys walk?" "Well, I need to tell all of you guys what I told Omi." Raimundo said clearing his throat. The Monks and Steven looked a bit perplexed. A bit later, the Gems were also there and were told of what he said to Omi.
"So, wait, you would have joined Wuya if Amethyst and Steven joined with you, yet you also knew that they would say no?" Pearl said with a surprised tone. "That is the truth, Pearl." Raimundo said. "I knew that they would say no and I figured why have everything and be sad with no friends than to be happy to have friends and work up to get everything. Steven, You and I are like brothers. I have 8 siblings that I helped looked over when I was in exile. My parents aren't rich or anything like that, we live by paycheck to paycheck. You don't have an older brother since…well, Rose only can conceive you and you alone." Steven softly nods and listens to Raimundo. "Amethyst, I care for you and began to feel like we were always meant to be a duo a few days after our arrival. That way, we could be a dynamic duo and we could help each other. Even when we are at our lowest point, we didn't give up and we rose back up. That and your jokes can be funny. Just don't overstep it, okay." Raimundo said to Amethyst. Amethyst just smiles and hugs Raimundo. Raimundo hugs back. "It's great to have you around, Rai." Amethyst said. "Thank, Ames." Raimundo said.
Omi began to ponder something. "Well, now that we got all that issues resolved, what about this "Lapis" gal that we need to resolve if she defuses with Jasper" Omi asked. A bit of a silent beat is felt. "Well, we haven't gotten to that far. Our main focus should be Peridot and the Heylin. Malachite would be our secondary focus." Garnet said. Steven thinks a bit. "Lapis does control water like Omi, maybe in the future, If Lapis likes to, you and Lapis could train each other to get better." Steven suggested. "I think that's an interesting idea but I don't know much about Lapis." Kimiko said. "Well, other than when you research the Beach City Newspaper and found her on the front page." Clay said. "Well, that's true." Kimiko said. Omi could think a bit and wondered how is Lapis dealing with Jasper as Malachite. Is she holding out strong or is things getting worse overtime? All they could do… like always, is wait.
End of Episode 6