Episode 3: Dog Day Afternoon

May 10th 11:30 a.m.

Closing his eyes he sucked in some air into his nose and slowly exhaled it out of his mouth. Opening his eyes he lifted his right leg, kicking it straight forward. He then raised it into the air, rapidly kicking it before lowering it back down. Turning his body he lifted his left leg, kicking the lower half of the air and spinning his body around until he raised his left leg farther up, aiming it high into the air.

Putting his left leg down he began spinning his body and launching his legs one after the other. After the fifteenth strike he raised his head up high as the blazing sun shined it's warmth on him. Slowly balling his hands into fists he began to bend his knees. Seconds later he jumped high into the air, repeating the process he did on the ground. Soon after he turned his body back, flipping himself numerous times until his feet touched the ground again.

Pants started leaving his mouth right as he bent his legs once more. Reaching up into the sky he started flipping his body back, stretching his legs out as the momentum increased. Aiming at the sky one more time he descended back to the ground. Bending his body forward his hands grasped onto his knees as he let out more pants. Sweat dripped from his body as his eyes noticed droplets falling. He really put his body through the ringer.

I'm impressed, Kameron. You're definitely not skipping a beat. - The voice said.

"What did *pant* you expect? But *pant* even if the kicks are getting better, it's not enough. Gotta keep going; gotta keep at it." Kameron replied.

I'm with you on that. But right now you're running out of gas. Though I'm sure that ain't something you're too worried about, is it? - The voice said.

Letting out one more pant Kameron lifted his upper body, straightening his back as his placed both of his hands on his hips, "Not by a long shot. Besides, the goal is what matters." He added.

*sigh* Yeah, yeah. You don't need to remind me about that. Just remember the deal we agreed to. - The voice said.

Just as Kameron opened his mouth the sound of a whistle entered his ears. Turning his head his eyes were locked onto three familiar faces approaching him.

The first was a muscular dark red-skinned man. He had dark red eyes and was bald with a nice clean thin mustache and short beard on his chin. He was shirtless, showing his Gem on his right pectoral muscle and wore a silver chained necklace with a silver dove at the center's end. Lastly he wore black jeans with a black belt and white sneakers.

The second was a beautiful young yellow-skinned woman. She had long flowing blonde hair and golden eyes. She wore a dark orange short-sleeved crop top with her Gem on the right side of her right shoulder along with blue jeans showing a dark brown belt and brown western boots. But her most unique characteristic feature was her brown western hat showcasing a white dove at it's center.

Last was a tall and beautiful blue-skinned woman. She had long braided dark blue hair and light blue eyes. She wore a dark blue long-sleeved shirt with dark blue pants and light blue flattops. She wore two silver rings, one on each hand and two silver bracelets with a silver dove at their centers. Her Gem was placed at the bottom end of her neck.

"Got ya a little somethin'." The blonde woman said with a southern accent.

Reaching his hand out Kameron caught the water bottle she threw to him. Opening the bottle he opened his mouth and raised it up, pouring the water down his throat. Consuming a few gulps he close his mouth and poured the rest of the water onto his head and face. Letting out a sigh of relief he shook his head from the cold liquid, "Thanks, Amber."

"I'll give you credit, you've come a long way. At thirteen you could only do straight and back kicks." The man said, crossing his arms.

"Had to get better, Pyrope, so I put in the effort and hard work. It's paying off, but I need to do more." Kameron replied.

"You shouldn't push yourself so much, Kameron." The tall woman said.

"We've been over this, Azurite." Kameron replied.

Azurite then approached him, placing a hand onto his bare chest as they locked eyes, "You are strong as you are. Please. Mother and father are worried about you just as we are." She added.

The expression on her face was one Kameron had grown accustomed to. He's seen it numerous times since he was little. But now, it also reminded him of why he was doing this in the first place.

The sound of buzzing echoed in the air. Azurite removed her hand from her brother's body as they all pulled out their phones. Two Gems were glowing red and black before they each touched them, showing two Gem symbols in different locations.

"I'll take the one west and you guys take the one south." Kameron said as he walked away.

"Wait." Azurite replied, making him stop in place. "At least allow one of us to come with you?"

Kameron soon turned his head to his sister, "I'll deal with this alone."

The tone in his voice was pretty clear. Watching Azurite sigh she soon placed her hands together, intertwining them, "Then may the stars watch over you."

He gave her a nod as he continued walking off. Shortly after Azurite, Amber, and Pyrope pulled out their Warp Whistles before blowing into them.

May 10th 12:00 p.m.

Arriving at their location the trio were greeted with screams. From left to right numerous people quickly ran pass them. The ground they stood on was solid and rocky. From left to right was a wide open street with several houses and buildings made of stone and rock. Though straight ahead were various buildings crushed and destroyed. Fires began to break out as the people's continuing screams grew louder.

"Azurite." Pyrope began, gaining her attention, "Deal with the fires while me and Amber check what's going on."

Narrowing her eyes Azurite firmly nodded as her Gem began to glow and she sprouted wings completely made out of water. Taking flight she flew toward the wild flames.

Pyrope and Amber dashed forward, carefully dodging and avoiding many civilians as they ran. Up ahead the siblings stopped in place. Above them a figure came crashing down. In the last second they immediately moved out of the way, but a shockwave pushed them back too far and they each impacted a destroyed building.

Luckily the impact wasn't too rough as they got up to witness what was right in front of them. The creature had three heads and stood on all fours with three Gems on top of each head. It had dark red fur and a long tail with it's end covered in flames. It had long sharp teeth and piercing red eyes with smoke emerging from it's mouth. The heads raised themselves up high, letting out a screeching and violent roar.

'Never seen a Corrupted like this. Guessin' this ain't gonna be easy.' Amber though to herself. Raising her hand up she placed her index finger and thumb together before placing it into her mouth, letting out a high pitched whistle.

Hearing it the Corrupted turned it's heads to hear, "Hey lil doggy. Come and get me if ya can." Amber said as she ran.

Letting out a few barks the Corrupted began going after her. Pyrope stood still showing a confused expression before he went after them.

'What are we doing, Amber?' He thought to himself.

Up ahead Amber's eyes widened as her lips stretched into a grin. Taking a quick look back the Corrupted wasn't slowing down. Good. All according to plan. Turning her head back forward her eyes widened again. Straight ahead a small child was sitting on the ground, covered in bruises while crying. Raising her leg she stomped on the ground and burst forward, grabbing the child and ducking into some nearby debris.

The Corrupted then stopped in place. It turned it's heads from various directions as Pyrope stopped behind it. Turning his head right he saw Amber holding the frightened child. Locking eyes with her brother she pointed ahead as Pyrope turned his eyes and realized what she was doing. Giving her a firm nod he ran toward the Corrupted, jumping high into the air and landing onto it's back. Right on the middle head Pyrope placed his hand near his Gem as it glowed, and shortly after a small hand-axe was placed firmly into his grip.

Raising it high into the air Pyrope slammed his axe onto the head. A loud screech pierced the air as the Corrupted rapidly moved forward. It's wild movements were enough for it and Pyrope to pass through the massive arch, making them both leave the area. Getting a tight grip onto it's fur Pyrope further pushed his axe into the middle head, making it run faster and straight over the horizon.

Getting out of the debris Amber picked up the child in her arms as it continued crying. "Shh. It's alright. It's gonna be okay." She told it, slowly rubbing it's back in small circles.

Walking onto the streets Amber turned her body to see her Azurite descending from the sky. "I've managed to put out the flames. I've also managed to save several people, though some of them were in critical conditions. So I've given the doctors some medication and First Aid kits."

Amber attempted to open her mouth to reply, but soon the sound of a woman entered her ears. Turning around a woman with tears in her eyes came rushing toward her with her husband. "My baby! My baby!" She cried.

Amber gave the woman her baby as it's crying slowly subsided. "Thank you so much! Thank you!" The woman sobbed as she gave Amber a quick hug.

"Yer welcome. She's a lil roughed up, but she's okay. You and yer husband go up that hill and the doctors will do the rest." Amber replied.

The woman nodded as she held her baby tight and jogged passed them.

"May the stars watch over you two." The husband said as he followed his wife.

"Pyrope took the pup outta the city, but he ain't gonna last much long. We gotta go." Amber told Azurite.

Azurite nodded as she held her sister into her arms, sprouting her wings before they both took off into the air.

May 10th 1:00 p.m.

Outside of the city there was a rocky terrain. The ground showed nothing but stone and dead flora. Up ahead both sisters saw a large opening with massive stone walls on each side. Entering it they noticed several cracks in the walls. And the more they kept going the bigger the cracks became.

"Hopefully Pyrope is okay." Azurite said.

"Knowin' our brother, I'm sure he's fine. He been in situations that were more complicated than dealin' with a Corrupted pooch." Amber assured.

"That is true." Azurite said.

Further and further the sisters traversed the rocky environment. As if right on cue they caught up to their brother and the Corrupted. He kept his hold on the creature, but as they got closer the Corrupted soon charged toward the stone wall. The second it got close Pyrope pulled his axe out of it's body and jumped off. Sliding slightly back his eyes were locked on as the Corrupted smashed straight into the wall.

"Brother!" Azurite called out.

Turning his body Pyrope looked up to see his sisters arrive. "Glad you could make it." He added.

Now together the trio narrowed their eyes as the Corrupted turned around, glancing at it's prey. It was in big trouble this time.

Gripping his axe tightly in his hand Pyrope placed his other hand over his Gem, summoning another hand-axe. Gripping it tight both axes soon started erupting steam before they were completely covered in fire. With no people around it was time to end this.

Using her other hand Amber placed it over her Gem as it soon began to glow. From it a long six cylinder revolver was in her hand. Passing over to her right hand she soon use her left again, pulling out another revolver. Both in hand she pointed them straight at her target.

Lifting up her left arm Azurite's started to glow. Within her palm a long light blue bo-staff emerged from her other Gem. Grabbing it's end she placed her other hand near it's top and began to rotate it. She soon stopped and held her bo-staff tight, pointing it at the Corrupted.

The Corrupted began to growl as it's body was summoning steam. Raising all three of it's heads the beast soon threw them down, unleashing a massive stream of flames at the trio. They each got out of the way before the flames hit their mark. Taking flight once more Azurite flew down toward the creature as he finished firing it's flames. Getting in close she spun her body, swiping the air with her bo-staff, firing a wave of water at it. It was a direct hit.

The beast screeched in pain as Azurite flew above it, spinning her bo-staff and releasing a huge proportion of water onto it's body. Steam was summoned out of it, though that hardly mattered at the moment. From a distance Amber turned her revolvers sideways and placed them side by side. Small sparks erupted from them with more and more starting to become visible. Her fingers on the trigger she pushed them hard, firing a large burst of electricity.

With this shot the beast howled loudly in the air. Letting Azurite go first was just the warm up as Pyrope stepped in. Bending over he spread his arms out and ran. Picking up the pace he directed his attention to the most likely source. Leaping into the air Pyrope lifted his legs, pushing his knees into his stomach while lifting his arms high into the air. With the added momentum he gained his body soon began to spin. He spun faster and faster as he got closer toward his targets, slicing right through them. The momentum disappeared, making him stop spinning and land back on the ground.

One by one the pooch's heads fell right on the ground and the moment they did a large explosion came. When the smoke cleared three Gemstones laid on the ground as the trio walked toward them, dismissing their weapons and picking them up in their hands. "From dark to light. Beyond the stars and the universe. Sleep within the core of your existence." They each said as the Gems soon gained a white dove placed on them.

"Now. Let us go see if the people of the city need our help." Azurite said, putting the Corrupted Gem into her own.

May 10th 3:30 p.m.

Back at home Pyrope and Amber say outside on the porch. Azurite soon opened up the slide door, gaining their attention as she joined them.

"That was definitely a wild day." Pyrope said.

"Indeed." Azurite replied. "Luckily that Corrupted didn't cause too much damage. I will pray for them tonight."

"And the city will get repaired." Amber added.

Amber soon reached into her pocket, pulling out a small rectangular box. Just as she placed her thumb on the cover Azurite placed her hand over it. Lifting her head Amber saw her sister narrow her eyes, "Ma and Pa ain't home. Plus we're outside." She told her.

"I am aware, but you know how I feel whenever I see you do that. You are lucky you don't suffer the consequences like other people do." Her sister replied.

Azurite then removed her hand as Amber opened the box, pulling out two cigarettes from them. She then turned to her brother who took the other one before lighting them both with a finger. Doing this kind of thing is bad for your health, but for Amber and Pyrope, "health" isn't something they have to worry about.

End of Episode 3.

Now all of Kameron's siblings have been revealed. As for the parents, well you'll all have to stick around if you want to meet them.

Hope you all enjoyed this. Sorry for keeping any of you waiting.

Author's Note: I will be mixing some of the canon into my story, but not all of it. I wanted to tell all of you this so you'd know.

PM me if anybody wants to talk or ask questions.

See you all soon.