Episode 18: Burning Rage

June 26th 3:30 p.m.

Jojo's Gym. The one and only boxing gym in Destiny City. If you ever had the curiosity of boxing or the pure interest in the sport in general, then this place is definitely for you. The best of the best were trained in this very building. Though they themselves have given the credit to their trainer, who is also the owner of the gym. Pyrope Evans.

Standing near the ring with his arms crossed Pyrope watched as both of his students were duking it out. It's been a few months since he took them under his wing. They were on hard times and sought him out from pure interest and needing outlets, so he gave them a chance. It was hard in the beginning going through the basics, but through time, effort, and hard work they were soon shaped into strong and focused fighters.

'Looks like all that training is paying off.' Pyrope thought as he watched them.

Inside the ring Student #1 was keeping her distance as Student #2 was throwing aggressive punches. Student #2 dashed forward and threw a flurry of punches at Student #1. Keeping her guard up Student #1 stood her ground as the punches increased their speed, but soon she realized the mistake she made. Student #2 reeled her arm back before launching it straight at Student #1's right side. A small gawk exited Student #1's mouth just before Student #2 fired another punch at her guard, pushing her back a few inches.

Small breaths exited out of their mouths. Both students slowly released heavy breaths as Student #1 dropped her guard. As they gazed at one another their eyes slowly narrowed, but soon their lips stretched into smiles.

"How long *heavy breath* have we been *heavy breath* going at it?" Student #1 asked.

"Hard to tell. *heavy breath* I kinda lost track of time. *heavy breath* What do you say we *heavy breath* settle this once and for all?" Student #2 replied.

Student #1 nodded as she raised her arms up. Student #2 did the same. Their smiles expanded more as they prepared themselves for the final bout. Dashing toward each other Student #1 threw the first punch, striking Student #2's left cheek before unleashing a barrage of punches at both cheeks and stomach. Backing away Student #2 dashed back toward Student #1 and threw a punch. Just as Student #1 attempted to dodge it Student #2 used her other arm and striked Student #1's chin. Tumbling back Student #2 took her chance and rushed in to end it, but as her punch was coming in hot Student #1 kept her feet on the floor and swiftly spun her body, dodging the punch. Flabbergasted by Student #1's move Student #2 turned around as Student #1 delivered the final blow at the jaw, knocking Student #2 out.

RING! RING! RING!

With the bell ringing Pyrope uncrossed his arms as he walked up and entered the ring. "Wow. Both of you have definitely gotten a lot better than last time." He added as Student #1 helped Student #2 up.

"You think so?" Student #2 asked.

"I know so." Pyrope replied.

"Thanks, coach. You think we're ready for the upcoming tournament?" Student #1 said.

Pyrope nodded, "You both are more than ready. Just keep practicing and when the time comes you both do as much as you can. It's not always about winning. When you step into the ring you show your opponent what it means to be alive, but never forget what it really means, understand?"

"Yes, coach!" Both Student #1 and Student #2 replied in unison.

"Good. However, make sure you both are focusing on school too. I know it's summer break, but when you both go back school comes first then training. I don't want another two hour argument with your mother. Got it?" Pyrope said firmly.

"Got it." Student #1 answered.

"Yeah. We're still sorry about that." Student #2 added.

"It's okay as long as you both learn from your mistakes." Pyrope replied. He then walked up to his students and placed a hand on their shoulders. "Listen. I am very proud of you girls. So is your mom, despite the amount of worry she has for the both of you. I'm not your dad, but I did promise your mom I'd keep an eye on the both of you. And never forget the first thing I told you when we started this: Boxing is for sport, not to be used for vengeance or personal gain. Don't use what I taught you for your own benefits."

"We won't. Promise." Both Student #1 and Student #2 replied in unison.

"Okay. Now both of you hit the showers. Go straight home and get plenty of rest. The tournament is two weeks away, so we've got plenty of time until then." Pyrope said.

Both of his students nodded as they left ring. Leaving the ring himself Pyrope heard his name getting called. Turning his head his eyes blinked at a certain individual walking up to him.

"Lars? I never expected to see you here." Pyrope said.

"Y-yeah... *chuckle* It's my first time coming here." Lars said nervously. "Umm... Look I...umm...can you...can you teach me boxing?" Lars replied, intertwining his hands.

Pyrope cocked an eyebrow. Honestly, out of anybody he could think of...one of his brother's best friends was the last person he'd ever see coming here.

"What's the catch?" Pyrope asked, crossing his arms.

Lars soon raised an arm and slowly rubbed the other one while adverting his eyes away. "Well... I...I want to be a better person." Lars admitted. "I'm a coward. And I don't have a lot of confidence in myself, but after meeting Kameron and seeing another side of him, I want to be a better person like him. We're gonna be Juniors soon and for once I want to be the one who can look out and protect those I care about." He added before locking eyes with Pyrope. "I'm not good enough to do that right now. So...please. Please teach me how to box."

Pyrope started humming. Lars Barriga asking him for lessons on boxing. It is true that he kinda is a coward, but he's a teenager trying to find his place in the world.

"Okay." Pyrope answered.

Lars' eyes slowly expanded while his lips stretched into a large grin. "For real?"

"For real. But... Just because you're my brother's friend that doesn't mean I'm gonna treat you differently than the rest of my students. We'll start tomorrow at 6:00 a.m. sharp." Pyrope replied.

Lars' smiled completely faded away, "That early?"

Pyrope nodded, "I work during the afternoons, so mornings are when I'm mostly free. And everyone who starts boxing here always starts at an early time. We won't train when you've got work, so only on your days off and if you agree to this I don't wanna hear any whining, understand?"

Lars groaned, "Okay. That's fair."

"Good. I'll come by tomorrow." Pyrope replied.

They soon shook hands as Lars turned around and walked away. As he walked away Pyrope felt some vibrations coming from his pocket. Reaching into it he pulled out his phone and after unlocking the screen multiple Gem symbols were shown. Pressing one they each went into a single Gem and were placed onto a location. His eyes quickly expanded as to where the Gems were located before they slowly narrowed into a glare. Shortly after a Caller ID came up, one he really didn't want to see at the moment.

"Hello?" Pyrope answered with irritation.

"Hello, Pyrope." Said the other line.

"What do you want, Garnet?" Pyrope replied.

"I want to come with you on the mission." Garnet answered.

"*huff* Yeah, give me one good reason why I should let you tag along with me? Last I checked, you're better off doing missions alone. And besides, I can handle this myself. Thanks for the offer, but I don't need your help." Pyrope replied.

"There are no Warp Pads at the location. And I've seen how it will play out. You need my help." Garnet said.

"I don't." Pyrope replied angerly.

"Yes, you do." Garnet said.

Slowly gripping his other hand into a fist Pyrope clenched his teeth. He can handle this. Though there were a lot of Gem symbols that popped onto his phone, he could handle it. Garnet was always the one Gem that always grinds his gears, especially whenever she uses Future Vision.

"I don't. Don't call back." Pyrope replied before hanging up.

He then placed his phone back into his pocket and walked up toward the service desk.

June 26th 3:45 p.m.

Nouvelle Marais, Louisiana.

One of, if not, the greatest places in the country. Coming here is an experience from the architect, the streets, the atmosphere, the music, and most importantly the people.

By day, it's just your average ordinary town filled with life. But at night, when the lights come on, Nouvelle Marais can show another side to herself. Festivals, endless jazz, oh it's just so amazing it can't be placed into words.

However, that's not the case as of right now.

In a gulf of light Pyrope appeared from a back alley. Putting his Warp Whistle away he walked straight out of it and entered the streets. His glare softened a bit at the sight of cable cars coming through. He's rode those way too many times back in the day, and it's a miracle they're still around. Sure, vehicles are great to use, but it's just something about cable cars that just make your days a lot better, even if they won't be.

A lot has changed here the last time he's seen it, but as he walked there were still remnants of the past. A small grin slowly stretched across his lips, but he needed to focus. Mission first, then back to work, and maybe come back for some good ol' Gumbo. Maybe even get some for the rest of the family, and hopefully pray Citrine doesn't ask for seconds.

As Pyrope walked down the streets he soon felt his shoulder getting tapped. Stopping in place he turned around he turned his head to see who was behind him. Right behind him was a dark-skinned woman with shining brown eyes and black hair placed in a ponytail. She had on some light eyeshadow and lipstick. She wore a light green dress-shirt with black dress-pants and black dress-shoes. And the cherry on top was the golden ring she wore on her left hand.

"Can I help you?" Pyrope asked.

The woman soon narrowed her eyes and placed both of her hands on her hips. "You don't remember me, do ya?" She asked.

Turning all the way around Pyrope took a good look at the woman. A small hum left his as looked at her eyes. Then like firecrackers going off it clicked with him. His eyes slowly blinked. "Tiana?"

The woman's lips slowly stretched. She then walked to him and wrapped her arms around his body. "It's been a while. You haven't changed a bit." She whispered.

Pyrope soon placed his hands on her hips, "While you became a beautiful woman. Last time I saw you, you were a little baby-cake."

Tiana giggled before they released their embrace, "You know only my daddy calls me that. But that aside, what brings you home?"

Pyrope's eyes slowly narrowed at he looked at her. "I'm on a mission. Has there been anything going on here?"

Tiana's eyes blinked. She then looked from left to right before taking Pyrope's hand into her own. "Let's talk at my place. It's a little crowded out here."

Without a response Pyrope nodded as walked through the streets, hand in hand.

It didn't take long for Pyrope and Tiana to head back to her home. Luckily for them, nobody was there. Which was a bit surprising considering that Tiana was always the one working and her husband and mom would be home, but today it was the complete opposite. For as long as Pyrope remembered Tiana was always a hard working girl, so it must've be a miracle for them to make her take a break.

Walking into the kitchen Pyrope took a seat while Tiana took hers on the other side of the table.

"There has been some rumors going around town lately. By nightfall some kids and young people have been sneaking into the swamp. It's been off-limits for everyone, but the new generation has a hard time listening. I've only heard that those who go into the swamp are never seen again." Tiana said seriously.

"Has the mayor done anything about it?" Pyrope asked sarcastically.

Tiana shook her head. "You know as much as I do that Mayor Joseph doesn't tell us folks from the south about anything. And he always puts the blame on your family."

Pyrope slowly balled his hands. Mayor Joseph Stryker lll. He cheated his way into becoming mayor, but not a lot of people know that and just assumed he won fairly, which was such a lot of crap. He never liked that guy from the beginning, especially the way he treats those from the south and from all the smack he says about Gems.

"Thanks for telling me. I'm gonna go take care of this, okay?" Pyrope said, standing up from his seat.

Just as he turned around to leave Tiana called his name. Stopping in place he waited to hear what she wanted to say to him, but instead of words he felt something soft pressing against his cheek. Once it went away he turned to Tiana who showed him a worried expression, "Be careful."

Pyrope gave her a nod as he walked toward the door. Grabbing onto the knob he turned it and on the other side his eyes immediately glared at the individual standing on the other side of it. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I've come to help you."

"Garnet. I told you I can handle this on my-" Pyrope replied before getting cut off.

"We don't have time for this. Let's go." Garnet said, walking off of the porch.

'You have got to be kidding me right now!' Pyrope thought as he closed the door behind him.

June 26th 3:55 p.m.

Waylon Swamp. One of the largest swamps around the world. It's actually one of the biggest attractions of Nouvelle Marais, and it's really no surprise since a lot of people from all over like to check it out during the summer. One glance at it and your curiosity might get the better of you, especially if you're not careful around the gators.

Exiting the town Pyrope and Garnet began to traverse through the swamp. The water of the swamp wasn't too deep, at least nowhere near as deep as it is at the other side. The only thing they needed to be cautious about was the fog. The climate of the swamp was really strange. No matter the temperature or the weather there was always fog around.

The sounds of insects and frogs entered their ears as they walked. Both of them didn't speak a word nor looked at each other as they moved forward. The silence was a good comfort for Pyrope, but it didn't help that Garnet came anyway when he didn't want her here.

Step after step the sounds of branches breaking came in, though it did little to distract them. Soon enough an unnerving growl came into their ears, making them stop in place. Side by side Pyrope and Garnet checked their surroundings. Left to right, back and front nothing was going on. Just when things seemed in the clear a large Corrupted jumped out from the swamp water, opening it's jaws. Coming in close Pyrope clenched both of his fists and gave the Corrupted a strong uppercut, knocking it into the air before crashed back into the water.

Resurfacing, the Corrupted's features were shown. Surprisingly it looked liked an alligator, only much, much bigger with it's Gemstone placed on it's snout. The Corrupted growled again and jumped forward, opening it's jaws. Before Pyrope could make another move Garnet stepped in and punched the creature's jaw, sending it straight toward a tree before it poofed.

"I had that." Pyrope told her.

"It would've chomped your arm off." Garnet replied as she went to retrieve the Gem.

"Future Vision?" Pyrope asked.

"No. Being practical." Garnet answered as she bubbled the Gem away.

A small groan exited Pyrope as they kept going. Deeper and deeper into the swamp the fog around them was getting thicker and heavier. Both of them stayed close, but didn't speak.

More growls entered the atmosphere as more Corrupted gators popped out of the water. Pyrope stepped forward and unleashed a furry of punches at them, adding in more pressure than he normally does and poofing each one hit by his fists. As their Gems hit the water Garnet walked forward and picked each one up before putting them in bubbles and sending them away.

"Hey! Those were my scores!" Pyrope said with irritation.

"It is much more quicker for the both of us to work together like this." Garnet replied.

"Okay, what is your problem? The only time anyone goes on missions with you is when you're okay with it or when it requires more than one person. Other than that, you're a solo act. What's with the sudden change?" Pyrope asked.

Garnet looked at Pyrope as his glare increased. Without even a single response she just walked right passed him.

'I'm not surprised. Never been the type to openly expressing what you're thinking or feeling through words.' Pyrope thought as he followed her.

Soon they walked out of the water and onto some wet landscape. Pyrope's teeth clenched even harder as they walked while he increased the grip on his hands. The more he was around Garnet the more anger he was building up inside. Slowly getting to him as steam started flowing out of his body. Hopefully he can end this quickly so he could let it all out at a safe distance from the town, cause jumping into the water itself won't help since it'll just make it evaporate.

"Pyrope." Garnet called, gaining his attention. "You need to calm down." She added.

"I'm fine." Pyrope replied, seething through his teeth.

"No, you are not. Why are you so angry right now?" She asked.

Pyrope soon stopped in place. Garnet did the same as she looked at him. His expression alone was pretty clear and didn't phase her at the slightest. Whatever was ailing him needed to be taken care of so he could focus more with a clear mind.

"Why don't you use your Future Vision and find out for yourself?" Pyrope asked as more steam exited his body.

"Pyrope. I'm asking you. Just talk to me. I need to understand why you hate me so much." Garnet replied firmly.

"Hate you? I don't hate you, Garnet." Pyrope began. "What I hate are the actions you and Pearl have done. You hurt my sister by locking up her friend for a thousand years. Revealed what the Corrupted are without any warning. And what pisses me off the most is that the only reason why you girls are protecting humanity is because of Rose. I don't have a problem with our differences, but it wouldn't hurt for you or Pearl to gain some humanity and actually care about the people you're protecting instead of just looking down on them like your gods. You're not gods! None of us are!"

His voice rang at her. Garnet had seen Pyrope angry many times, but this kind of anger...it felt...genuine. The atmosphere went quiet as Garnet stare at him. Just as she attempted to speak loud growls echoed in their surroundings. More of the Gator Corrupted appeared around them. Several of them growled as they slowly approached them, which was a terrible idea at the moment.

"This is perfect. I can finally cut loose a little." Pyrope said, summoning his axes. "What are you waiting for you twisted crocs? Come on!" He added.

A trio of the Corrupted rushed in toward Pyrope and leaped toward him, opening their jaws. Without even needing to think about it Pyrope sliced right through them, cutting their jaws right off and poofing them. Letting out a growl of his own Pyrope ran right passed Garnet before jumping into the air and chomped a Corrupted's head clean off. His axes were soon engulfed in flames as he ran toward his next targets. Two more Gator Corrupted opened up their jaws and attacked him, clamping right onto his axes. Big mistake on their part as the intense from the axes increased until they torched the creatures on the inside, instantly poofing them.

The remaining Gator Corrupted gazed at Pyrope and his intense glare. Like most animals who respond through instinct they began to retreat.

"Uh-uh! There is no escaping me!" Pyrope screamed as he slammed his axes onto the grassy landscape.

Almost in a instant a massive ring of fire circled around the area, trapping the Corrupted. Picking up his axes he then threw them right two Gator Corrupted, slicing open their backs before they poofed. Five remained. "AAAHHH!" Pyrope yelled to the stars as he ran toward them. Without any options left the remaining Corrupted turned their sights onto him, hoping to bite into his body.

Garnet stood completely still as she watched this. She was dead quiet, witnessing each and every Corrupted Pyrope slaughtered. Honestly, there wasn't a single word she could use to describe what she was witnessing right in front of her.

A Gator Corrupted opened it's mouth to attack, however unlike the other times Pyrope actually leaped over it and ran toward the others aiming to get him. His body was burning even more and his flames were clearing out most of the fog, giving him a clear view of what he was about to beat down. Reeling his right arm he soon threw it right at a Corrupted to the right. Poofing it almost instantly he turned his sights onto another as his fists were now engulfed in flames. Leaping into the air he quickly descended, slamming his fists into two Corrupted's heads, poofing them. Spinning his body he lowered his upper and lower body just enough until he quickly raised himself back up, uppercutting the Corrupted.

With another one poofed he turned his head at the last one. It tried to get away, but Pyrope stomped onto it's tail. "Be grateful you're not real gators. Couldn't live with myself to ever harm one. I love gators!" He yelled, smashing his fist directly at it's back. The final Corrupted growled in pain just before it was poofed.

With the last Corrupted taken care of the flames Pyrope released began to die out. Closing his eyes he slowly sucked in some air from his nose and exhaled it out of his mouth. Breathe in and out. In and out. In and out. In and out. After the fifth time his body began to cool itself. Opening his eyes he let out a sigh as he turned to Garnet, who remained standing there.

"C'mon. Let's gather them up before they reform. I'll take half and you take half, fair?" Pyrope said.

Garnet nodded.

June 26th 7:00 p.m.

At the Evans Residence the moon was high in the sky with many stars accompanying her. Inside the house Kameron and Citrine were digging into some Gumbo Pyrope brought back. Good thing his Gem was able to store a big ol' pot of it, courtesy of Tiana. While outside on the porch Pyrope was sitting down on while having a little drink.

His ears rang when the slide door opened up, showing his mom and dad coming out.

"Everything okay, honey?" Christie asked, taking a seat next to him.

"I'm alright. Just a long day. Fought some Corrupted Gators in Nouvelle Marias with Garnet." Pyrope replied, taking a drink from his bottle.

"How was it?" Green asked, taking a seat next to his son.

"I didn't want her there, but she didn't listen to me. At least we got the job done." Pyrope answered.

Christie soon raised her hand out and placed onto her son's lap, making him look at her. "Pyrope. You can't keep a grudge against them forever."

"I know, mom. But they always grind my gears. I don't hate them since they've got their own baggage to deal with, but it pisses me of that they can't let go of the past and move forward." Pyrope replied.

"Everyone has their own pace. Give it time." Green said, placing a hand on Pyrope's shoulder.

Looking over to his father a small smile stretched over Pyrope's lips. "Thanks, pops. Want one?" He added, offering some drink from the cooler near him.

"Sure. But only one." Green replied, picking up a bottle.

"You mom?" Pyrope asked.

"Only one." She replied as she took a bottle.

Pyrope took another sip as his parents joined him. On nights like these, it made him feel happy without an inch of anger spiced in.

End of Episode 18.

Hope you all enjoyed. Sorry for the long wait.

Next Time:

Reaper Of Death