To Choose A Side
By: Brittglamora
Chapter 1: Returning
The heat of the ship entering the atmosphere barely registered in my mind. I stared at the huge blue and green shape beneath the ship. I barely registered, Melon Pearl yelling out updates on our entry into the atmosphere. I barely registered Pink Cats Eye, hovering off to the side, silent, observing the planet she'd never seen before.
My heart raced a million miles a minute. I was back in the place that I loved more than any other. Even more than Homeworld in its early days...how long had it been? I didn't know.
The sound of my ship entering the atmosphere was deafening. It startled me from my thoughts and I staggered sideways as the floor rocked beneath my feet. The sturdy bulk of Pink Cats Eye was suddenly behind me and her arms steadied me. I wordlessly placed one of my hands over hers in thanks before staring out the window at the approaching earth. I wondered if the Crystal Gems were still here. I wondered what'd become of Rose Quartz. I wondered what they'd think of me if they were there. I knew for sure though, that they'd have heard us break the atmosphere.
I stared at the beautiful green foliage as it grew larger beneath us. As we got closer to the landing space I begun to make out the shapes of giant red strawberries glistening with dew like their own gems. Among them, covered in leaves and vines were countless weapons. I stared in awe at what the battlefield of the Great Gem War had become.
Melon Pearl's voice broke into my thoughts.
"Brace yourselves. No matter which trajectory I choose there is debris. It's going to be a rough landing." she stated in her high pitched calculating voice. I smirked a little. Oh how I adored that dork.
I gripped onto the pole before me and Cats Eye wordlessly did as well. I gasped a little as the ship jerked and thudded down onto the field beneath us. My eyes widened in glee as the ship door opened and I walked to the entrance feeling the warm, sweet smelling breeze on my skin. As I stepped down the run I could feel the warmth of the sun on my face, and screwed up my eyes against it's vibrant rays. Slowly I left the ship and stepped one bare foot onto the gloriously soft and cool grass. With a small intake of breath, feeling happiness course throughout my veins I leaped into the field skipping merrily and taking in all the sights and smells and feelings. My joy was interrupted as my foot jerked sharply, bringing me to an abrupt halt. I looked back and saw the silver shackle around my ankle. It was caught on a piece of metal protruding from the earth and I jerked it free with a sigh, knowing I'd never truly be free. I winced at a sudden sharp pain in my gem, and gently traced my fingers along the cracks.
"Hmm. The irreparable break." I murmured with a small smile. All the wear of thousands of years in the cosmos. My heightened emotions often made it twinge with sharp pain. But I was ok with that.
I turned my thoughts once again to my surroundings. I smiled and picked a smaller strawberry. I placed it in my mouth and smiled as flavors sang and danced on my tongue. Oh how I'd missed eating! It was something few gems enjoyed, but I did, for nothing more than experiencing the different foreign tastes. And these sweet strawberries truly were a treat. Finally I just flopped on my back in the grass, staring up at the clouds and eating the strawberry slowly. It felt good to be back. And I mused over the fact that Earth could turn a battlefield that had once been so devastated into such a beautiful place filled with new life.
I closed my eyes and listened to the soft breeze rustling through the plants. The calls of birds and insects. And somewhere the distant gurgle of water. I felt utterly at peace. All of that was broken very suddenly when I heard my Pearl let out a furious below.
"Unhand me and get away from my ship!"
I leapt quickly to my feet and bound silently back the way I'd come. I rounded the ship only to come face to face with an Amethyst grappling with my Pearl and a small green Peridot poking her head into the ship. A little ways away I saw a Garnet and a Pearl facing off with Cats Eye and a human boy standing a few feet away with a Lapis, staring in confusion and apprehension. I rushed forwards plucking my Pearl from the Amethysts grasp and setting her on her feet before bounding past and tackle hugging Garnet. The fusion fell over with a gasp of surprise, her glasses falling into the grass, but when she looked up into my beaming face she started laughing, tears springing into her eyes.
"Emerald!" She cried. Immediately Pearl stopped advancing towards Cats Eye and rushed to us. She smiled and picked me up (much to my surprise) and hugged me. Garnet got up and unfused. Pearl and others gasped and I only laughed as I was tackled by Ruby and Sapphire. Pearl plopped down behind me and hugged me around the neck. I lay in the grass laughing as we all embraced and laughed and numerous questions tumbled from all of our mouths.
By this time Cats Eye and Melon Pearl were hovering nearby, staring with wide eyes. Amethyst, Peridot, Lapis and the boy were hovering together on the other side of us, staring in confusion.
"Uhh...somebody want to explain?" The short Amethyst asked. I kept laughing but Melon Pearl looked down at me.
"I agree with the Amethyst. What's going on?" she asked quizzically.
I sat up, grinning from ear to ear.
"These are the Crystal Gems!"
Yee! New chapter! I've uploaded this before other places, but since I've gravitated my writing to this Fanfiction account, I decided to edit the chapter, make it a tad longer and fix any grammar. So there you have it! This is the first chapter in the little side story of my own oc, Galaxy Emerald. This happens long before Steven goes to Homeworld or anything like that, but after the defeat of Jasper. It's sort of Slice of Life-ish for the most part. I have 21 chapters planned out overall so keep watch for them! I hope you guy's enjoy! Please review if you want. :3