Episode 21: Rainbow Lars
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
Groans exited out of Lars' mouth as his eyes started twitching before they slowly opened themselves up. His vision was blurry but started clearing up with the sight of his alarm clock in front of him. Blinking his eyes he raised out his hand from underneath his sheets and reached out toward his clock, slamming his hand on it and shutting it off.
Raising himself up he let out a long yawn before smacking his lips and getting out of bed. Looking down on the floor he picked up a shirt and brought it up to his face, allowing his nose to give it a good sniff. Pulling it back he shrugged and placed it on alongside some ripped jeans with a belt. Going over to his drawer he pulled out some socks and put them on before grabbing his shoes.
Now all dressed Lars turned his head to his mirror and locked his eyes onto the calendar in the upper-right corner. On today's date a large circle was placed around it. He smirked and approached his mirror, now putting his attention onto his reflection.
Sucking in some air into nose he slowly exhaled it out of his mouth. "Okay... Okay... Today is the day. You can do this. It's time to take your shot. You can do this. Bingo Bongo." He added, shooting at his reflection with his index fingers.
Lars' eyes soon widened at the words he just said. His cheeks started to get warmer while he grabbed his head and groaned to the ceiling.
"Bingo Bongo? Where the hell did I learn that?" Lars removed his hands at narrowed his eyes at his reflection. "Ugh! Forget it! Just...don't say it in from of them and you'll be okay. This has to be perfect or you'll never live it down."
Giving out a sigh, Lars turned his body and walked over to the small drawer next to his bed. Grabbing his phone he unplugged it from the charger and placed it into his pocket before grabbing his backpack. Throwing it on he walked over to the small door on the floor and stomped on it, making the door open up and making the ladder attached to it lower down. Climbing down Lars put the ladder back in place and raised the door back up, closing up the entrance.
Turning around he went down a large set of stairs and made it to the first floor of his house. Turning his body he made is way to the kitchen and took notice of two people there. The first was a middle-aged tanned-skinned man with brown eyes, glasses, and a bald head with some remaining brown hair on both sides of his head. The man wore a white-collared shirt with a dark-blue jacket, khaki pants, and brown dress-shoes. The other was a middle-aged tanned-skinned woman with big orange hair, a blue dress with yellow fishes on it, purple socks, and blue sandals.
Walking up to the table Lars put in backpack down and pulled out his chair before taking his seat.
Hearing the chair the two people turned their heads at him.
"Good morning. How's our boy today?" The man asked.
Lars shrugged, "I dunno. Guess I'm a little taller."
The woman then walked over to Lars and placed a plate of toast with bacon and eggs on it in front of him along with a glass of orange juice.
"Oh, it's really good to see you this morning, Laramie." The woman said, putting her hand on his cheek and caressing it.
Lars groaned a little and adverted his eyes from her. "Mom... That's not my name anymore."
Mrs. Barriga blinked but still caressed her son's cheek, "Right. I mean "Lars"."
Removing her hand Mrs. Barriga walked over to the other side of the table and sat right next to her husband.
"So... Got any plans for the summer?" Mrs. Barriga asked.
Lars looked up at the ceiling while the gears in his head were turning. Taking a bite out of his breakfast, Lars swallowed and looked at his mom, "Actually, yeah. I was gonna hang with my friends."
Mr. Barriga grinned and nodded his head. "That sounds like fun. And if you want them to come over you have to let us know, okay?"
Lars rolled his eyes, "Yeah, dad. I got it."
Lars' parents then looked at each other and then back to their son.
"There's...something else we need to talk about, Lars." Mr. Barriga said gently.
Taking a sip from his cup, Lars narrowed his eyes at his parents. Great... Whenever they get like this it meant something serious or something totally boring. With a sigh Lars rested his chin on his hand while taking another bite out of his toast. "Fine... What did I do?"
Mrs. Barriga shook her head, "Oh, no. You didn't do anything honey. It's just that..." She stopped to look at her husband.
"Since you're getting older, perhaps...once you turn sixteen, you'd might consider...getting a job?" Mr. Barriga said slowly.
Swallowing his toast Lars' eyes widened. Are...are they serious? Are they dead ass!? They want him to get a job when he turns sixteen!?
Mr. Barriga quickly raised out his hand. "Listen. I know we're asking a lot and you're gonna be a junior soon, but...you'll need to learn how to be a responsible adult. The real world isn't all fun and games, Lars. We just think it'll be good for you."
"We let you move into the attic, your grades are okay, and you do help around the house when we ask. I know we should discuss this when you turn eighteen, but...your father and I thought getting a head-start will help you." Mrs. Barriga added.
Narrowing his eyes Lars ate his last piece of toast and drank the rest of his juice. With his breakfast done he picked up his plate and cup and walked over to the sink. Dropping his plate and cup into the sink, Lars walked back to the table and grabbed his backpack before putting it on.
"Lars-" Mrs. Barriga said before getting interrupted.
"Wow, you both want to make my life more of a living hell than it already is." Lars replied without looking at them.
"Lars, that's not what we're asking." Mr. Barriga said.
Lars then looked at his father with narrowed eyes. "I'm already having a lot on my mind right now and at school. When I'm done at school I'll get out of the house and get a job. Then you both won't have me around anymore. Happy?"
Mrs. Barriga raised up her hand and placed it near her lips. Mr. Barriga closed his eyes and lowered his head.
Lars let out a long heavy sigh and turned his attention onto the front door. "I gotta go." He added as he walked out.
Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring!
With the bell going off the whole class started getting up and putting their backpacks on.
"Alright, class. That's our lesson for today." Mrs. Cherry announced. "Remember, everyone. Final exams are coming up, so please study and prepare yourselves."
Most of her students gave her responses while the rest were more focused on leaving. She couldn't blame them, though a small wave of sadness entered her thoughts. The year was going by so fast and her students were growing so fast. A part of her wanted to be with them until graduation, but...she did have that kind of position to make that happen. Still...she'll see them again after summer break and the year after that. Though... how many familiar faces would she lose and how many new faces will she gain?
In the hallway Kameron, Lars, Sadie, and Ronaldo walked side by side.
"So...you gonna do it today?" Kameron asked Lars.
Lars hummed and increased his grip on his straps. Turning his head to one of his best friends he slowly nodded. "Yeah. For the most part."
Sadie sighed. "Lars, you're gonna be fine. It's not the end of the world."
Lars shook his head, "This has to be perfect. They've never noticed me or think I exist. That all changes today."
Ronaldo then turned his head and his lightly widened. "Looks your chance is gonna happen right now."
The others turned to his direction and saw three people coming down the hall. At the center was a tanned-skinned teenager with brown hair and blue shades obscuring his eyes. He wore a white shirt with a symbol of a lightning bolt at the center, a red open jacket, light-blue jeans, and light-blue sneakers. On the left was a tall light-skinned teenager with baby-blue eyes and silver-blonde hair. He wore a gray shirt with a dark-blue hoodie, orange pants, and cyan sneakers. Lastly on the right was a dark-skinned teenage girl with black hair styled in a bob and black eyes. She wore a short orange and white crop-top, golden earrings, cyan pants, and orange flats.
The Cool Kids. Buck Dewey. Sour Cream. Jenny Pizza. Nearly everyone at school knows them or at least heard things about them. Seeing them together is like seeing nobles taking a stroll on the sidewalk. Just a glance makes you wanna talk to them. Though for some reason they kinda look similar to another trio, yet who remains unknown.
Lars' eyes greatly widened as his eyes started to shrink. Oh boy... Right there. Right there in front of him were the very people he wants to be with and talk to. His chest started releasing a collection of beats with sweat beginning to form at the top of his head. This was it. This was his ultimate opportunity, but...he couldn't move. His legs were as still as a pole. But his body suddenly shoved itself forward. Turning around he saw Kameron with his arm raised out alongside Sadie and Ronaldo smiling at him.
Lars' lips slowly curved upwards at the sight of his best friends. Even at the verge of having a panic attack they were with him. Sucking in some air and slowly exhaling it out, Lars turned his head and narrowed his eyes. Lifting his leg he began to walk up to the Cool Kids. With every step the rhythm in his chest increased, but that wasn't gonna stop him. Unfortunately...the universe had other plans.
Taking another step Lars' balance got cut off. His eyes widened again while the rhythm in his chest stopped completely. More and more his body shifted forward. And as if the universe wasn't cruel enough the Cool Kids all turned their heads and saw Lars right as hit the floor.
Gasps exited throughout the halls with eyes all pointed at Lars, whom laid on the floor with his legs straight up. Soon after a collection of laughs entered everyone's ears, making them turn their heads to see a large group of boys laughing with Zac having his leg stretched out.
"Had a nice trip, Barriga?" Zac asked, retracting his leg.
Lars lifted himself from the floor and looked up to see the Cool Kids standing in front of him.
"Are you okay?' Jenny asked.
No... No, no, no, no, no! His eyes shrunk at what just happened while the roars of laughter continued. Quickly getting up, Lars never took his off of the trio.
"You don't look so good, dude." Sour Cream said with concern.
The rhythm in Lars' chest grew faster and faster with sweat dripping off of his forehead. They saw... He knows they did... Everyone did... Without a word Lars turned around and ran away with tears in his eyes.
"Lars!" Sadie called out.
Kameron narrowed his eyes at Zac and his group. His hands slowly curled up into fists. Lars, one of his best friends, had been preparing himself for this day and now all of it was taken away from him thanks to that jackass.
"Kameron, don't." Ronaldo whispered.
"You guys go help Lars. I'll handle this." Kameron replied calmly.
Sadie and Ronaldo looked at each other and then back to Kameron. As much as they wanted to talk him out of what he was going to do, Lars needed them more. Giving him a nod they ran towards Lars' direction and went after him.
Kameron walked over to Zac and his group, making them halt their laughter to look at him.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't the freak that made us miss practice to watch his stupid play." Zac said.
"I don't appreciate what you did to my friend." Kameron retorted.
Zac narrowed his eyes and walked up to Kameron. "So what, freak. What makes you think I should give a shit about what happens to your boyfriend."
Kameron slowly uncurled his hands and turned around before walking away.
"Hey, freak!" Zac called, making Kameron stop and turn to him. "We're not done."
Soon Zac and his boys gathered around Kameron, cracking their necks.
"You know happens next, right?" Zac asked.
Kameron narrowed his eyes. "Just because you missed a day of practice doesn't mean you're gonna lose the upcoming game. And what would Chelsea say seeing you ganging up on me?"
In a flash Zac launched a punch at Kameron, aiming right at his face and making almost everyone around them gasp.
"I don't want to hear her name from mouth, freak!" Zac yelled, throwing another punch at him.
Kameron remained where he stood and took the punch. Soon after Zac threw another punch at him, then another and another and another.
"Zachery Armstrong!"
Hearing that familiar voice Zac halted his punches and turned around. As he did his eyes shot open at Chelsea, Scarlett, Angela, Brittney, and Elizabeth looking at him with narrowed eyes.
"What the hell are you doing?" Chelsea asked angerly.
Zac lowered his arm and pointed at Kameron, "I wasn't doing anything. Freak show here was running his mouth off."
"Cut the crap, Armstrong." Jenny said, crossing her arms. "You tripped a person and Kameron told you off, so you punched him."
"Yeah, we saw the whole thing." Sour Cream added.
"Buck is not pleased." Buck said with neutral voice.
Chelsea walked up to Zac and reeled her arm back before striking him right in the face, catching Zac off guard.
"Ugh! Are you serious!?" Chelsea yelled. "I'm starting to wonder why I even went out with you at all!"
Scarlett's eyes widened as she walked up to Chelsea and looked at her, "What are you talking about?"
Chelsea turned her head to Scarlett. "I made the mistake of going out with this, jerk."
Scarlett turned to Zac whom was holding his face and glared at him. "I thought you were going out with me?"
Chelsea turned to Scarlett with her visible eye widened and glared at Zac.
"What is going on here!?"
Just when the atmosphere was getting tensed, Zac's boys moved out of the way and right behind them was Mrs. Cherry with narrowed eyes and both hands on her hips.
"Zac hit Kameron." Jenny called out.
A small gasp exited Mrs. Cherry's mouth before she looked over to Zac.
"Wait! Mrs. Cherry, I -"
Zac's words fell on deaf ears as Mrs. Cherry marched up to him and grabbed his ear.
"Everyone!" Mrs. Cherry announced, quieting the hallway. "Get to class, now." She then turned to Zac, "You're coming with me to see Principal Owens."
Getting a good grip on his ear, Mrs. Cherry dragged Zac across the hallway while he whimpered in pain.
With that taken care of, Kameron looked at both Chelsea and Scarlett with saddened eyes. His attention then went onto the Cool Kids. A long sigh exited his mouth.
"Dammit." Kameron muttered.
Up top on the school roof the gang gathered together for lunch. Under normal circumstances the area is off-limits to students unless they were given permission to access it, but...due to recent events that had happened, there was an exception. Plus Kameron uses it all the time and Angela agreed to keep it secret from the teachers.
Within the circle they made nobody spoke a word, though they put their attention on Lars. He lifted up his sandwich and took a bite out of it. His eyes were bleak with a frown spread across his face. No-one could blame him for what was going on in his head. His chance to finally talk to the Cool Kids was ruined. All that build-up and preparation...thrown out the window.
Sadie frowned at how miserable her friend was and chose to break the silence.
"Lars. It's gonna be okay." Sadie said softly.
Lars shook his head. "No, it won't."
"You'll get another chance. I know you will." Brittney encouraged.
Lars shook his head again and turned his head to her, "No, I won't. My one and only chance to finally talk to them is gone. Everyone saw what happened and I can't ever see them again."
Angela took a sip from her milk and looked at Lars. "Just because someone ruined your chance doesn't mean you won't ever get other one."
"Plus, why are you so hooked on them so much?" Chelsea asked before biting her apple slice.
Lars then looked at Chelsea with widened eyes. "Are you kidding me!? They're the pure definition of cool! Buck is the son and nephew of the mayors of Beach City and Destiny City. Plus his fashion screams cool from just a glance. Sour Cream is a raving prodigy. He's got the sickest beats ever! Then there's Jenny." Lars soon stopped and frowned while his cheeks started getting warmer. "She's...cute and...has a "don't give a damn" attitude that I really like. Who wouldn't want to be around them?"
Lars then looked down at his lunch, "Now that they saw what happened, they'll probably see me as an after thought."
Kameron let out a sigh and put his milk down, "Lars. Listen to us." He said, making Lars look at him. "You'll get another chance. We'll help make that happen."
Lars cocked an eyebrow at Kameron. "How? Maybe if I was..." Lars then trailed off when he looked at Kameron's eyes and then at his Gemstone. "That's it!"
"What?" Scarlett asked.
"I'll become a Rainbow Gem." Lars answered.
Everyone around him gazed at him with widened eyes.
"No!" Kameron yelled.
"Please?" Lars asked. "That'll be how I make my comeback."
"Lars, do you even know what you're asking?" Elizabeth said calmly.
Lars nodded, "I want to be a monster slayer."
Kameron gripped the bridge between his nose and let out a heavy sigh. Seriously? This was the solution to get acknowledged by the Cool Kids?
"Lars. Being a Rainbow Gem isn't just about fighting monsters. We protect humanity from monsters." Kameron addressed. "And no offense, but your reasons to be one is just for recognition. My family and I don't do what we do just for attention. You've seen how destructive the monsters can be on the news, right?"
Lars took a moment and absorbed what Kameron just told him. On one hand, yeah, those monsters are dangerous and even the D.H.P. has trouble taking them down. But...on the other hand this is his second chance to get recognized by the Cool Kids. Telling them he was a Rainbow Gem wasn't enough. He'll need to prove it and this is how he'll do it.
"Yeah, I have. But...I don't know what else to do." Lars then locked eyes with Kameron. "I'm not that smart. I don't have any cool qualities. Plus I don't have powers like you do. Please? Just this one time."
Kameron wasn't so sure about this. For one, he's already having trust issues with his family because of their lies. Plus he doesn't want his friends anywhere near the monsters. On the other hand, even though Lars wasn't very genuine about why they fight to begin with, Kameron wasn't gonna turn down a chance to help one of his best friends.
"Fine..." Kameron answered.
Lars' eyes widened as his lips lightly stretched upwards.
"Kameron, are you sure?" Elizabeth asked.
Kameron shook his head and turned it to Elizabeth, "No. I don't like this, but Lars is gonna have to see first hand what I do." He then put his attention onto Lars. "Under one condition."
Lars blinked at Kameron.
"Sacred Judgement is coming out soon. So, in exchange, you, me, and Ronney get the game and play it together." Kameron addressed.
Both Lars and Ronaldo gazed at him with their pupils turning into diamonds.
"Hell yeah, I'm in." Lars agreed.
"I'm in! After five months we'll finally have the chance to play the greatest RPG in existence!" Ronaldo added blissfully.
The girls around them either rolled their eyes or shook their heads. Sometimes...boys will be boys.
"Absolutely not!"
Once school was over Kameron brought Lars over to his house on their agreement. Luckily for Kameron, the whole family was there, so it'd be good to get this out to everyone instead of explaining it to them when they were available.
As for Lars, he was a bit nervous at seeing the family. Seeing Citrine was like seeing a giant in real life and made Lars wonder if that's how big Gems would be. Glancing at Kameron's sisters made Lars' heart-rate increase. To say that they were attractive was an understatement and it was pretty difficult to not look at them. Pyrope and Onyx were just screaming cool. Then there was Mr. and Mrs. Evans. Lars was even more nervous around them since they probably call the shots, so he'll need to be careful.
Once everyone gathered into the living room upon Kameron's request and seeing Lars, the youngest of the family explained to them about Lars getting recruited. The response...was about as predictable as Kameron knew it would be.
"Please?" Lars asked.
"Lars, do ya even know why we're doin' what where doin' ta begin wit?" Amber asked.
Lars nodded. "You're protecting humanity from monsters."
"No offense, Lars, but what's you real reason you wanna join us?" Pyrope asked, crossing his arms. "Do you really believe in what we do for the planet or you want something out of it?"
Lars slowly turned his head to Kameron. His best friend gave him a nod. Sucking in some air through his nose and exhaling it out of his mouth, Lars looked down at the carpet before looking at the family.
"I... I want to be a Rainbow Gem because...I want to impress the Cool Kids at school." Lars then increased his grip on his pants. "It's...selfish. But...this really matters to me. Sure, I have Kameron, Sadie, Ronaldo, Angela, Chelsea, Scarlett, and Brittney. But...I want to hang out with Buck, Sour Cream, and Jenny too."
The family turned their gazes onto one another. Lars' reasons were typical for a teenager, yet he doesn't truly understand the weight of being a guardian of an entire planet. Putting any one of Kameron's friends in that kind of position was an immediate red flag. The most practical answer would be to tell him no due to how his parents would react. But before anyone could speak up Lars stood up.
"I don't have powers and I'm just a pathetic kid, but...let me understand this. Please?"
Green stood up from his chair and walked up to Lars. Looking at him he took notice of Lars' hands and eyes shaking. Raising up his hand, he placed it onto Lars' head, calming the teenager.
"Very well." Green said calmly.
"Honey!" Christie yelled, standing up.
Green turned his head to his wife and children. "Words alone won't get through to him. I do not like at all. Lars' reasons are indeed selfish, but he isn't the first one to join us with selfish desires." Green then looked back to Lars, "Wait here."
Green removed his hand on Lars and walked over to the garage door.
Watching him leave, Lars got curious and looked at Kameron. Kameron shrugged, not sure on what his father was gonna do.
"What are you gonna tell your parents about this?" Christie asked Lars.
Lars blinked at her and rubbed the back of his head, "Actually...I wasn't...really planning to."
"Lars..." Lepidolite said, making him look at her. "It's not okay to lie to your parents."
Lars then turned his gaze onto the carpet. "They'll freak out if I tell them about this."
"So, it's okay to keep secrets from them?" Charoite asked.
"Like how you guys are doing with me?" Kameron retorted.
The family soon placed their attention onto Kameron.
"This isn't the same, Kameron." Charoite replied. "If Mr. and Mrs. Barriga find out about this and they didn't know, it'll be messy."
Just when someone attempted to speak again Green came back, carrying a large metal sphere in his hands. Walking over to the living room he approached Lars who gazed at the sphere.
"Although we are not comfortable with this decision, you will need some protection." Green informed.
The sphere then opened itself up and within it laid a small device that resembled a watch. The dial was white with the numbers one to thirteen circled around it. Each number was in a different color: One was green. Two is yellow. Three is blue. Four is red. Five is orange. Six is indigo. Seven is violet. Eight is black. Nine is white. Ten is pink. Eleven is gray. Twelve is cyan. Thirteen is brown. The watch's band was large and gray with small black lines. Lastly, at the center of the watch was a silhouette of a dove spreading it's wings.
"Is that a watch?" Lars asked.
Green nodded. "This...is known as the O.E.C. or the Omega Energy Converter. Within it lies the thirteen most powerful energy sources beyond imagination. This will keep you safe."
Lars blinked at him before putting his attention back onto the watch. Raising his left arm out Lars attempted to reach out to it, but the device suddenly opened itself up and jumped at Lars, clamping itself onto his wrist. Lars quickly retracted his arm, but soon stared at the device in awe.
PING!
As if on cue, the family reached out for their phones and saw a Gem icon glowing.
"You ready for this? Now or never." Kameron asked, walking up to Lars.
Lars gulped and looked at the watch. On one side he was on the verge of pissing himself, but on the other, now that he had something to help him, it was time to see this for himself. He gave Kameron a nod.
"Normally I want you to do some training, but we don't have time for that now." Kameron said. He then turned to his family, "Me and Lars got this."
"Be careful. And Kameron," Lepidolite said, "We love you."
"You too." Kameron replied as he got out his Warp Whistle before blowing into it while grabbing Lars' arm, making them disappear in a flash of light.
Lars' POV
Oh crap! Oh crap! Oh crap! Oh crap! Oh crap!
Out of everything that's happened in my life so far, this totally beats all of them. I had no idea how to describe what was going on. Only that me and Kameron were surrounded by light and moving so fast it felt like being on the Vomit-Coaster at Fun-Land. Speaking of vomit, my stomach was already acting up. Looking at Kameron, he was perfectly fine, which made sense because he's done this a dozen times.
Up ahead a bright light shined onto us, making me shut my eyes as tight as I could. Did we reach our destination? I wasn't so sure since this was my first time and my heart was beat faster and faster with every second.
Oh boy... This is it. I can do this. I can do this.
Soon enough the light surrounding us just...vanished. Slowly opening my eyes I raised myself up and found myself and Kameron standing on some rocky terrain. Up above I covered my face from the beaming sun shining on us and took a look at our surroundings. From left to right there were huge walls made of rock and huge boulders sitting right next to them. On the ground I spotted some lizards crawling around and scurrying from one direction to the next.
"You okay?" Kameron asked, letting go of my arm.
I turned to look at him, but before I could say anything I immediately covered my mouth and ran over to the nearest boulder before dumping my stomach out.
Letting out another round of puke I let out some heavy breaths while lowering my upper-body. Soon after I felt a collection of taps and turned to see Kameron offering me a pink bottle.
"Here. This'll help with your stomach. I puked when I warped for the first time." Kameron said.
Taking the bottle I slowly brought it up to my lips and poured it in my mouth. The moment the stuff touched my lips my eyes opened and I swallowed as much as I could before taking the bottle out and cringing.
"Ugh. This tastes like crap." I replied.
"It's suppose to." Kameron said. "When medicine tastes terrible that means it's working."
I shuttered and gave him the bottle back. After that we started walking.
As we walked I felt my stomach calming down, but still...that medicine was terrible. Other than that I raised up my left arm and looked at my watch.
Honestly, this is the coolest thing I've ever gotten in my life. But...the more I looked at it the more I realized something.
"Uh...Kameron?" I said.
He turned to me, "What's wrong?" He asked.
"How does this thing work?" I asked sheepishly.
Kameron looked at the watch and shrugged. "Not sure. Never used it before."
If there was an option to make my eyes explode, THIS IS THE PERFECT TIME FOR THEM TO DO THAT! Are you dead-ass right now!?
"I'm not gonna give you all the answers, Lars. I'll help you, but you need to figure it out yourself." Kameron said while turning his head back on the path.
Aww... That stinks.
Putting my eyes back on the watch I noticed a small button near the dial. Pressing it the dial popped up and each number glowed it's own color. Huh... With my other hand and turned the dial, making the glow on the numbers stop except for the number two that continued glowing yellow.
"Hey, I think I figured it out." I said, making Kameron stop and turn to me.
Okay... I took a breath and put my finger onto the center of the dial and slowly pressed it down. The moment I did the whole watch turned yellow and...my veins started glowing yellow and started creeping up my arm. Before I could even react my body just...stood still. Then I blinked and heavy breaths exited my mouth. I then looked at Kameron and he just stared at me.
"What?" I asked.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. Showing it to me I only saw a blank black screen, but...the kicker was my own reflection. My...my face, no my skin was entirely yellow. My yellow were yellow, and even my hair was now blonde. My clothes on the other hand remained the same, but...I totally looked like a completely different person.
"Wow..." I said in awe, touching my face. "This is too freakin weird."
"Maybe you got access to your powers now." Kameron replied while putting away his phone. "You went through a transformation, so..."
My eyes widened to what he was telling me. Yeah... Yeah. Whenever you go through a transformation you get powers in the process. Oh man... I was just Kameron now. Then a thought just came to me. Exactly...what can I do?
RRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOAAAAAAARRRRRRRRR!
Right when I was about to ask Kameron what I could do I shuttered and the sudden roar in the air.
"W-What was that?" I stuttered.
Kameron turned his head around raised it up to the birds flying in the opposite direction.
"Looks like this is your chance." Kameron told me.
Wait... Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! Now? Right now? As in, right now right now!?
My heart was starting to beat like a drum. I could even feel my eyes shrink. I didn't think this was gonna happen this soon. But...for some reason I also felt excited. Lifting up my arms I saw sparks of electricity coiling around them. Honestly, I...never felt this way before and I just wanna get it all out. Without even thinking I pushed myself forward, but when I did my body just started moving on it's own.
Every step I took made my heart beat really, really fast. I wasn't so sure what the hell was going with me, but it was pretty obvious that the watch was doing this. Still...looks like I'm going to where that loud roar was coming from. Please don't be big. Please don't be big.
BOOM!
Suddenly my speed increased even more. Okay... Okay, I think I'm getting the hang of-
I wasn't able to finish thinking when I crashed right onto something and it just knocked me back.
Ugh... I groaned and squinted my eyes before lifting myself up and looking at what I just bumped into. That...was a big mistake when I slowly looked up. Right in front of me stood a huge brown creature with massive legs and a long tail. Weirdly enough, it had really, really tiny arms and a huge head.
The creature turned it's body and looked right at me with it's brown eyes and slit pupils. But as I was looking at it I saw a large brown Gemstone on top it's head.
Snarls exited the creature's mouth before it opened up and stretched at me. Without a second to waste I quickly moved out of the way, making it crash into a rocky wall.
What the hell was I thinking!? Serious, WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING!? ME? A RAINBOW GEM? No freakin' way! This so was a mistake! I can't do this! I-
"Help!"
I then gasped and turned my head. Several feet away from me was a woman wearing a crop top and stretch-pants. She was sitting on the ground holding her leg with both hands with a scared expression on her face. That...was the same look I had...
RRRRROOOOAAAAR!
Quickly turning around I saw the monster coming at me with it's open jaw. Just when I was about to get out of the way a long crystal shot right out of the ground and clamped right onto the monster's mouth, shut it. Down below more crystals came out of the ground, clamping right onto the monster's feet and keeping it in place.
Moving my head I saw Kameron coming in at top speed and stopped right in front of me.
"You okay?" He asked.
I...I shook my head and pointed at the woman nearby. Kameron and I jogged up to her right as Kameron asked her remove her hands to help her.
"What are you doing out here?" Kameron asked the woman.
"I was just doing some jogging and then when I was about to go back home I heard footsteps before...that thing showed up out of nowhere." The woman replied.
"Where do you live?" Kameron asked.
The woman pointed to her right, "Just down this trail. It's not that far."
Kameron then turned to me, "Lars. Can you take her home? I'll soften up Dino until you get back."
I looked at the woman and then back to Kameron. I opened my mouth to talk, but no words came out. So...I just shook my head.
"I..can't." I admitted.
"Lars-" Kameron tried to reply before I cut him off.
"This was a mistake. I never should've done this. I...I can't do this."
In an instant, Kameron grabbed my shirt and pulled me close to his face.
"Listen, Barriga. We don't have time to bitch and whine just because you're scared. I'm scared every time I do this, but I don't let that fear blind me from doing what's important right now. You're so afraid of having a life you would rather give up because it's the only thing you're good at." He then glared at me, making me flinch. "This is all for you. I never wanted you here for this. My dad doesn't need you for this, but you chose this and it's because you wanna fit in with the Cool Kids. Then once you're cool you'll leave us behind."
I gasped just as he released my shirt.
"Get this woman to safety. If you do that and don't come back, I'll take you home once we're done. Understand?" Kameron said as he helped the woman up.
What...? No, no...I wouldn't leave him. Never.
Shaking my head I got up and brought the woman over to me, pushing her weight onto me before we took off.
Reaching the end of the trail the woman pointed to the right and just down that direction we spotted a small house with a man and a little girl playing ball. Once we got close to them they turned to us and stopped playing.
"Mommy!" The little girl screamed, running up to her mother.
"What happened!?" The husband asked, hurrying to his wife.
"It's okay, it's okay." The woman said to her daughter and husband. "I just had a little accident."
The husband took his wife and put all of her weight onto him. He then turned to look at me, "Thank you for helping my wife."
I...blinked at him, but I gave him a nod.
"Are you a Gem?" The little girl asked.
I was about to answer her until her mom cut in.
"You need to go back to your friend. He needs you." She told me.
I swallowed, but gave her a nod.
"Yeah! Go save your friend!" The little girl cheered.
Even a little girl had faith in me... I...I chose this and here I was...letting Kameron fight a monster alone when I could him. He had more experience than I did, but that doesn't matter. Closing my eyes I took a breath and turned around.
"Thank you." I whispered to the family and ran back to Kameron.
Retracting my steps I came back to the rocky terrain and found Kameron fighting the now freed monster.
Raising up my left arm I looked at my watch. Okay, so if yellow gives me super speed, then let's try a different color. Turning the dial I decided to go to number thirteen. It's an unlucky number, but maybe it might be lucky for me. Pressing onto the dove my skin instantly turned back to normal before another surge of energy flowed into me. I winced and looked at my arms to see them getting bigger and my skin turning light-brown. Oh yeah, this'll definitely work.
"YO!"
Hearing my voice Kameron and the monster stopped fighting to look at me. Slamming my fists together I pushed ahead and charged at the big Dino. With every step I took my body felt heavy, almost like there was a rock on my back, but my momentum kept going. Then right when I got close to the monster I leaped into the air and pulled my arm back before throwing it at the monster's face. To my surprise when I hit it the monster was blown off it's feet and got sent several feet away from us.
"Whoa..." I said in awe, landing back on the ground.
"Not bad." Kameron said. "Looks like yellow give you speed and brown give you super strength."
Lifting up my arms I now saw how big my biceps got. Oh yeah... Maybe I'll get some beach babes to talk to me during the summer.
I then heard someone clearing their throat and turned to Kameron.
"Daydream later. I'll keep Dino subdued. You get to the Gemstone and twist it as hard as you can. That'll destroy it's body." Kameron told me.
I nodded as we put our attention onto the monster and ran straight toward it. I saw Kameron jump like ten feet into the air before coming down and stomping on the ground. Over to the Dino huge crystals erupted from the ground and wrapped themselves around it and it's mouth. Taking the opportunity I jumped onto the Dino's head and grabbed onto the Gemstone. As I did the Dino started thrashing and moving it's head around, but I kept my new iron grip on the Gemstone and twisted it as hard as I could. The more I twisted it the more it screamed, but I kept going.
POOF!
With just a bit more pressure the Dino's entire body just exploded into a puff of smoke, making me land on my butt with the Gemstone in my hands. Looking up I saw Kameron raising his hand to me. I took it and he helped me up before taking the Gemstone.
"Good job, Lars." Kameron said while putting the Gemstone into a bubble and tapping it, making it disappear.
I smiled at him, "Thanks, man."
Kameron then raised his fist at me. Lifting up my hand I connected my fist with his.
"I'll never you all behind. I swear." I told him.
"You promise?" Kameron asked.
I nodded. "Promise. And you were right, I do quit when things get tough, but...maybe this is what I need."
Kameron tilted his head, "What do you mean?"
"I've only ever lived in Beach City and go to Destiny City for school and you, not realizing that there's a whole world around me. I know you still think this is dangerous for me, and it totally is, but...maybe I need some danger in my life. So...can I still be a Rainbow Gem?"
Kameron looked at me with a blank face. He then adverted his eyes and gave out a sigh and nodded.
"I still don't want you to do this, but I'm not stop you from living the life that you want. Still...I've got your back no matter what, okay?"
I smirked, "Awesome."
End Of Episode 21.
I am so, so sorry for the long wait. Life and procrastination took hold of me again, but I managed to fight back and push forward.
For starters, I originally wanted Elizabeth to be a Rainbow Gem, but due to her personality I decided to change it. But she'll still have a role to play and not just be Kameron's girlfriend.
Secondly, I made Lars a Rainbow Gem because I thought it would be a better path then what happened in Canon. *Spoilers* He gets resurrected by Steven and it does give the audience an answer as to happened to Lion, but after that he becomes a space captain, comes back to Earth for a while, then returns to the cosmos. Interesting ideas, but poor execution.
Lastly, I'm gonna be focusing on Kameron's friends for a while. The Rainbow Gems and Crystal Gems are the main characters, but I don't want Kameron's friends to just be background characters. I know it's a lot, but please bear with me.
Other than that, I am spent.
See you all soon.