Episode 2: Brotherhood Gems

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick.

Every passing second the clock repeated the same rhythm. Though it was only minor. A whisper here and there, or a collection of taps from another corner, and don't forget the shaking rumble popping in at random. At the very least, there was peace and quiet.

From left to right Kameron aimed his pencil at the sheet of paper in front of him. His eyes locked onto it with each marking he made. Reaching the end on the right he moved his pencil back to the left. His vision never swayed from the paper.

At the very bottom he put the pencil down. Closing his eyes he leaned back, stretching his arms out. Letting out a yawn he put his arms down and picked up his paper. Small moans left him as his eyes looked at the top and gradually made there way to the bottom. Cupping his chin Kameron squinted his eyes, bringing the paper closer to his face. His lips curved upwards while his head slowly rocked up and down.

Putting the paper down he turned his head to the collection of papers near it. Grabbing them he added his sheet to them and put them into a folder. Turning his head in the opposite direction he grabbed his backpack and placed the folder into the second zipper.

A long drawn sigh exited Kameron. Now...was the waiting period. The most torturous thing anyone has to go through. And for what will come... Well, Kameron wasn't too sure. But...he at least wants to be there when the results come in.

Reaching into his pocket Kameron pulled out his phone and tapped on the screen. The time was now six/forty-five. Closing his eyes Kameron let out a puff of air from his nose. Lightly increasing his grip on his phone he stood up and put his phone back into his pocket. Grabbing his backpack he was just about to put it on until his vision got obscured.

"Guess who?~"

That voice...

Several giggles exited Kameron at the tone of the voice. It could only belong to a particular person.

"A fashion model?" Kameron asked.

Multiple giggles entered the atmosphere at his response. After answering, Kameron's vision had soon returned. Spinning around he grinned at the the source of the giggles.

Right in front of him was a girl with long waist-length red hair. She was fair-skinned with turquoise eyes and bright red lips. The girl wore a light blue shirt with a dark-red hoodie jacket, light blue jeans with several tears around the knees and thighs, and dark-red sneakers. Most notably, the girl wore a silver-chained necklace with a single green crystal at the center.

Behind the redhead there were three more girls.

The first was a girl with short-brunette hair, fair-skin, and cerulean eyes. She wore a white-collared shirt with a blue buttoned blazer, a black and blue plaid skirt, long knee-length socks, and black dress-shoes.

The second girl had short black hair with a long cheek-length bang covering the left side of her face. Her skin was slightly pale and her exposed eye was dark-blue. She wore a black collar around her neck with spikes pierced around it, a black shirt with a skull at it's center accompanied with a black leather jacket, black pants with rips in them, a white belt, black sneakers. Lastly, the girl had on black eye-shadow and black lipstick.

The last girl was blonde with shoulder-length hair, Caucasian, and had hazel eyes. She wore a pure-white shirt with a flock of birds at it's center, light blue jeans, and white sneakers. She also wore silver eye-shadow, lipstick, and nail-polish.

"Do what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you, gals?" Kameron asked.

The black-haired girl walked up to Kameron before coming up to his side and wrapped an arm around him. Her lips curved upwards as she placed a finger under his chin, making him turn his head to her.

"A little birdie told us that you finally did the deed. So... Care to tell us the details?"

Gulping, Kameron adverted his eyes. It was only a matter of time before the others found out. To relive that moment, even in memory...was enough to make his cheeks burn.

"Aw, he's blushing." The blonde girl said. Approaching him the blonde girl tapped his nose. "C'mon, Kameron. Share the deets."

Closing his eyes, Kameron's cheeks started burning the more he was asked to spill. Little by little, he was slowly turning into a pepper.

"Chelsea. Brittney. You're making Kameron uncomfortable. Stop." The brunette said.

The two girls turned to the brunette. Looking back to Kameron and seeing his now completely red face, the girls took a step back.

"Alright, alright. I'll back off." Chelsea replied.

"Me too. But aren't you just as curious, Angela?" Brittney added.

Angela huffed as she crossed her arms. "I am, but let Kameron tell us without making him embarrassed." She then turned her eyes to the redhead, "Scarlet?"

Scarlet planted a finger on her chin as she lifted her head to the ceiling. Tapping it she soon lowered her head, locking her eyes onto Kameron. Sure, Chelsea's and Brittney's teasing was a bit much, yet she would be lying if his face wasn't adorable right now. But...there had to be limits.

"I'm with Angela. But...it wouldn't hurt to know a little info." Scarlet replied.

Exhaling some air out of his nose, Kameron's cheeks started cooling down. Man, making a guy burn up like that... Chelsea and Brittney were getting good at this.

"Girls. As much as I would like to tell you what happened, I really gotta go." Kameron said, grabbing his backpack and placing it on.

"Aw..." Brittney moaned.

"But I'll text you what happened." Kameron replied as he walked away. "Gotta blitz."

Watching him leave Brittney puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms. It's not fair. She would've loved to her the deets, but...looks like that's gonna have to happen later.

Turning her head Scarlet watched Kameron go out the door. But...right as he left her lips curved down. Bringing up her hand she placed it onto her necklace.

Outside the skies were turning red with some added orange in them. Over the horizon the sun had begun to descend further and further over it, making the skies get darker by the second. The more it got darker the more the moon started revealing itself.

Step by step Kameron made his way through the sidewalk. Gripping onto one of his backpack straps he locked his eyes straightforward. With each breath passing his lips he quickly moved himself pass several people ahead of him and took a quick turn. Lifting his head his lips curved upwards right when his speed began to decrease. Coming to a complete stop he turned his body and slowly climbed the steps.

Passing the driver Kameron walked by a few occupied seats until he spotted one available. Coming up to it his eyes expanded at the person next to the empty seat. He grinned and took off his backpack before taking his seat. The person next to him turned her head, see him right next to her. At first she blinked at him, but then her lips stretched into a warm smile.

"Are you okay?" Kameron asked.

She nodded her head.

"I am. Thank you for helping me when you did." She replied.

Kameron smiled at her.

"I wasn't gonna just leave you there."

She let out a few giggles. Raising her free hand she padded his shoulder.

Shortly after they soon began to move.

Though Kameron was on the opposite end, turning his head he placed his gaze onto the window. One by one several cars passed right by at normal speeds or high speeds. Lifting his head Kameron turned his sight onto the nearby buildings. As the skies grew darker the lights from the buildings started turning on. Down below he spotted several vehicles leaving the parking lots of the buildings, head into different directions.

Leaning back Kameron sighed, closing his eyes and letting out a small moan.

"Long day?"

Kameron opened one of his eyes.

"Yeah. If I'm lucky, I'm gonna crash the moment I get to my room."

"Well, make sure you get plenty of rest. You're a growing boy, after all." The elderly woman replied.

Kameron gave her a nod and re-shut his eye.

Soon...the ride had come to a complete stop.

Opening his eyes Kameron stood up from his seat and grabbed his backpack. Turning his head he looked at the elderly woman.

"Be safe getting home."

The elderly woman nodded, putting both hands onto the top of her cane.

"Don't you worry about me, dear. I've got someone waiting for me at the next stop. You be getting home safe too."

Kameron nodded and turned his body, making his way to the front. Thanking the driver he got down the steps and turned to the left, making his way up a short hill. Getting to the top he reached Unity Avenue and quickly crossed the street. Under a row of streetlights Kameron passed by a collection of houses. Some had their lights on while others were completely off. A small gust of wind started passing onto him, which made Kameron let out a sigh of relief while he picked up the pace.

Coming to a stop he turned his body to the right. In front of him there was a large two-story house with five sets of windows at the top and two at the bottom. Near the front door there were a collection of plastic arches on the lawn with small statues of animals around them.

Seeing the lights on Kameron made his way to the front door and reaching into his pocket he pulled out a collection of keys before putting one into the bottom lock. Twisting it, he opened the door and went inside.

"I'm home!" Kameron announced.

Lifting his head his eye immediately shot open at the sight of a fist heading straight for him. With no time to react the fist went right into Kameron's cheek. His head turned quickly as did his body until he collapsed onto the ground.

"Ding! Ding! Ding! You're late, again."

Groaning while cupping his now bruised cheek, Kameron lifted his head and soon glared at the person in front of him.

Standing at the entrance of the door was a light-red skinned man with crimson eyes. There was not a single ounce of hair on his head, though he did have a goatee. The man was shirtless with black pants equipped with a belt and red and black shoes. The man had a large red Gemstone on his right pectoral muscle and a silver chain around his neck with an emblem of a bird at the bottom.

"What the hell is your problem!? What kind of guy sucker-punches someone when they just got home?" Kameron asked angerly.

"That's what you get for coming home late. Besides, I didn't hit you that hard." The guy replied, offer his hand to Kameron.

Kameron groaned, but he accepted the hand and was pulled back onto his feet. Seriously... That is just the worst way to come home.

"You're so lucky you're my brother, Pyrope." Kameron said as he walked into the house.

"Love you too, little bro." Pyrope replied as he shut the front door.

Walking into the house Kameron continued rubbing his cheek. Up ahead there a massively large gray-colored couch with two black pillows on the left and two white pillows on the right. In front of the couch laid a wide glass table with three golden statues at it's center and a small red cloth underneath it. To the left of the couch was a large gray-colored chair with a huge bookshelf right next to it. To the right of the couch was another gray-colored couch, only this one was a bit smaller with two black pillows on each side.

Several inches away from the glass table laid a large and wide flat-screen TV placed right onto the wall. Underneath the TV was a long wooden table showcasing three remotes at the top and behind it's glass doors were a DVD player, surround-sound, and a small stack of DVD's right next to it.

Turning his head Kameron spotted a person on the large couch and on the single-chair near the bookshelf.

On the big couch was a massively large orange-skinned man with an orange mohawk and orange eyes. The man wore a light brown shirt with chain-suspenders linked to his dark-brown pants equipped with a silver-belt buckle adorned with an emblem of a bird on the front. He wore dark-brown boots with laces tied in small bows. On his hands were dark-brown padded gloves. Right above his belt there laid a large bright orange Gemstone.

Sitting in the single gray chair was a gray-skinned skinny man with short black hair accompanied with short bangs and gray eyes. The man wore a black choker with an emblem of a bird at it's center. He also wore a long-sleeved black shirt with a black vest coupled with belt-straps on the chest and arms. Below him were black leather pants with belt straps tied onto his thighs and ankles. Lastly the man wore black boots with white laces.

"Hey, Citrine. Hey, Onyx." Kameron greeted.

Munching on some food Citrine turned his head as he swallowed. His lips soon curved upwards.

"Hey, brother." Citrine replied.

Lifting his head from the book he was reading, Onyx locked his eyes onto Kameron and gave him a nod before returning to his book.

Walking up to Citrine Kameron took a seat next to him and planted his backpack on the floor. Leaning back on the couch Kameron directed his eyes onto the ceiling.

"How was today?" Kameron asked out-loud.

Pyrope came walking in and took a seat on the smaller couch. "Nothing too bad. Same old, same old."

"I felt like the day was never gonna end. But I'm glad it finally did." Citrine added, taking another bite out of his food.

"My day was rather well, brother." Onyx said, nonchalantly.

Kameron moaned a bit as he closed his eyes. Glad to hear each of his brothers had a pretty good day. Another small sigh left Kameron's mouth. Finally...he was home. A chance to rest, relax, and have time to process the myriad of thoughts circling and swirling around his mind. But most of all, the chance to be with his brothers.

PING!

"Oh, come on!" Kameron whined.

Raising his head Kameron reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. Right at the center showed a Gem Icon.

"Great..." Citrine said as he chomped into a large quantity of food in one bite. "Just when I was gonna get some dessert."

Closing his book Onyx stood up from his seat and placed the book back onto the shelf. Turning around a black aura soon surrounded his body. Underneath his hair lied a small black Gemstone that slowly began to glow and from it a small black crystal whistle came out and dropped into his hand.

Pyrope jumped up after and from his Gemstone a small red crystal whistle came out before he grabbed it.

Standing up Citrine directed his hand to his Gemstone as it started to glow and a large orange crystal whistle floated right into the palm of his hand.

Letting out a groan Kameron got on his feet and pulling back the sleeve of his hoodie he turned his gaze onto his right wrist, revealing a white diamond-shaped Gemstone on it. The Gemstone soon began to glow and popping right out of it was a small green crystal whistle.

Walking over to the front door Pyrope quickly locked it top and bottom before walking back to his brothers.

"Let's make this quick." Pyrope said, putting his whistle onto his lips.

The others nodded and placed their whistles onto their lips before all four of them blew into them. One after the other the four brothers were engulfed in their respected colors until they ultimately disappeared.

In a blinding flash of light, the four brothers soon arrived at their destination.

The skies were completely dark with a large groups of stars nearly covering it. Accompanying the stars was the moon and tonight the moon had become a crescent once again. Though the night skies looked a lot more beautiful with a full moon, a crescent moon made it look very mystical.

All around there was an open field with large rocks piled around and huge cracks scattered around the ground.

Straight ahead the four brothers saw a large structure in the distance. Without any verbal wordings they each started walking toward it. Side by side the brothers turned their heads to their surroundings. For the moment, not a single sound entered their ears. The vibe though...didn't really feel quite right. Neither of them wasn't so sure what it was, but the sudden change in the atmosphere had the brothers turn their gazes in every direction just in case.

Coming up to the large structure the brothers took quick notice of another structure in front of it. The lower half was in steep and great condition with no signs of any changes to it. The upper-half...was entirely missing from it. There was absolutely nothing there anymore. As to where the other half was...it laid right at the ground near the lower half.

"How much you guys wanna bet something big caused that?" Kameron said, looking at the damaged structure.

Moving pass the damaged structure the brothers turned their sight onto the much larger structure. There were six pillars standing tall and holding up the roof. At the center was a large stone door left wide open, giving the brothers easy access inside.

Within the structure the brothers' Gemstones began to glow as they made their way in. Going up a small flight of stairs the brothers made a quick turn to the left. Traversing further they soon stopped in their tracks. Taking a good sniff of the air the brothers immediately stormed their way forward. Passing corner after corner the brothers rushed up to an open area and once they got there they froze in place.

Up on the ceiling there were large cracks and holes, bringing in the light from the moon. Down below were a small group of statues cracked, shattered, or completely destroyed. Although...the one thing that caught the attention of the brothers the most were the people lying on the ground.

Slowly approaching them Kameron walked up to one and got down onto one knee. Reaching out he placed his hand on the back of the person in front of him while putting his other hand onto the person's stomach. Raising the person up Kameron slightly shook'em, but no response was given. Removing his hand from the stomach Kameron turned his eyes to it, seeing a small amount of red liquid falling from his palm.

Closing his eyes Kameron laid the person down and turned to his brothers. Pyrope narrowed his eyes at the bodies with his hands slowly balling themselves tightly. Pyrope's teeth clenched the more his continued looking at the bodies, making his eyes tighten by the second. Citrine merely walked up to two bodies without a word and picked them up before walking back and laying them next the body Kameron was near. Onyx raised out his hand and one after the other he softly closed the eyes of the bodies and placed each of their hands onto their stomachs.

Turning around the brothers spotted another passageway and went straight to it. Step by step they walked and not a word exited their mouths. With what they saw...no-one in their right mind would want to talk, even if it did make the atmosphere more creepy.

Making their way deeper into the structure a rhythm of rattling entered the ears of the brothers. The more they walked the louder the rattling was getting until they came up to another area and located the source of the rattling.

At the center of the area lied a dark-brown creature with long lanky arms. It's head was elongated with two sharp teeth at the top and bottom. It's eyes were dark-green with slit pupils as it blinked. It's lower half showed no legs at all, but instead it showed a long tail with a sharp-pointed rattle at the tip. Right at the center of it's chest laid a large brown Gemstone, but within it's hand was a woman dripping with blood.

The creature hissed at the brothers and reeled it's arm back before throwing the woman right at them. Watching the woman fly through the air Citrine stepped forward and quickly caught her into his arms.

With that taken care of Pyrope rushed straight toward the creature. Hissing at him the creature reeled it's head back and launched it forward, firing a small green substance out of it's mouth. Pyrope quickly moved to the side, avoiding the substance and continuing to run at his target. Coming in close he jumped at the creature and reeled his fist back and threw it right at it's face. On impact the creature was pushed right when Pyrope landed back on the ground and leaped into the air again and crashing his fist into it's face once more.

Turning it's head the creature hissed at Pyrope while it's tail started rattling even louder than before. Pushing it's forward the creature raised out it's claw and threw right at Pyrope. However, right when it was coming to him a burst of wind came passed him and in seconds Kameron launched his leg straight at it's face, causing the creature to get pushed back. Landing back on the ground Kameron looked at Pyrope and the two nodded before making their way up to the creature.

Leaping into the air Kameron twisted his body and threw his leg out, aiming it right at the monster's face and pushing himself back. The monster's head circled itself around several times until it's vision started clearing up, but once it did a fist came right at it. On impact Pyrope pushed his fist deeper and deeper into the creature's face until he pushed it back, knocking it right into a wall.

Pushing itself up the creature looked up at Kameron and Pyrope, seeing the harsh glare they were giving it. Turning it's head the creature saw an opening in the wall and pushed itself toward it, but right as it was about to reach it a large black portal erupted in front of it without warning. Unable to stop the creature went right into the black portal before it closed itself up. In mere seconds another black portal erupted, only this one came into the air and brought the creature out.

Crashing into the ground the creature planted it's hands on the stone landscape and raised it's head, unfortunately doing that was a big mistake. Citrine stood in front of the creature and grabbed it's head before raising it up into the air. Increasing the grip he had on it's throat the creature grasped onto his thick arms while it's tail thrashed wildly.

POOF!

Adding in more pressure the creature soon poofed into a puff of brown smoke. It's Gemstone soon fell right onto the ground before Citrine picked it and bubbled it into an orange bubble. Tapping the top with one finger the bubbled Gemstone was sent away.

Making their way back to the group of people they found earlier, Citrine put down the woman they found and placed her next to the others. Looking at them Kameron, Pyrope, and Citrine turned their heads to Onyx. Turning his head to his brothers, Onyx approached one of the people and got down before putting his arms underneath them and raising them up.

"Let us do this outside." Onyx said nonchalantly.

The brothers nodded and walked up to the people before picking them up.

Going outside under the stars and moon the brothers placed the people down just as Kameron brought out four crystals out of his palm. The crystals then increased their length and at their tops they stretched themselves out unto they were flat. The floating crystals then made their way to each of the brothers. As they gripped onto them they soon dug them straight into the ground.

End Of Episode 2.

This was the re-introduction of Kameron's brothers. Pyrope. Citrine. And Onyx.

See you all next time.