Homeworld Secret Fusion Club – Fanfic
Homeworld gems must accidentally fuse sometimes, right? Can't be just Garnet and Rhodonite. What happens when some pretend to be normal but create an underground club where they can eat, drink and be themselves? I wanted to read a story about that, so I made it. And early drafts turned out well enough I wanted to keep going.
Sard is a loyal police-quartz who has zero social skills and her journey to one of the fusion clubs took longer than I thought it would. But sometimes stories go where they go, I hope you enjoy it!
Homeworld Secret Fusion Club
Issue 1
Page
Panel
Just black
Panel
Black with a circle of white in the centre.
Panel
Black except for a person-shaped hole. Through the hole we see: Sky. A canyon with kindergarten injectors but no holes. In the distance is a black tower.
Panel
A Peridot peers through the hole, surprised and derisive.
Peridot: A SARD?
Page
Note: Every panel on this page is still seen through that person-shaped hole
Panel
The Peridot looks through holographic files.
Peridot: THAT'S not right, we should just be seeing Jaspers…
Panel
The Peridot covers her head. High contrast of light.
SFX: EXPLOSION
Panel
Peridot points and yells.
Peridot: Forget it, get IN there!
Panel
(Still seen through the person-hole.) A brown arm reaches out from our POV and grasps the side of the hole.
Page
Panel
Sard is pulls her upper body out of a hole shaped like her, in the rock face. She rubs her head and frowns. She looks like she has no idea what's going or that anyone is in danger. Sard is a classic quartz soldier, except brown. Gem over her heart.
Sard: Huh?
(left eyebrow higher)
Page
Panel
Sard looks down at a big rock that juts up to her thigh, covering the hole. Peridot looks around, nervously.
Sard: Um…
Peridot: Come on, come on, come ON!
Panel
Sard is trying to step over the rock. Peridot watches her.
Panel
Sard hesitates. Peridot yells at her.
Peridot: What are you DOING? Just BREAK it!
Panel
Sard kicks the rock, which shatters, sprinkling Peridot.
Sard: Oh, I didn't know if it was important.
Panel
Pebbles cover Peridot.
Panel
Peridot glares.
Page
Panel
Sard looks around a corner of the canyon. Her mouth hangs open.
Panel
A dozen normal Jaspers fight big, corrupted Jaspers. There are poofed Jasper gems around. The wall has a mix of human-shaped holes and monster holes.
Panel
One Jasper (gem on forehead) punches a monster away from another Jasper.
Forehead Jasper: I got you covered!
Chest Jasper: Thanks, I didn't even see it!
Page
Panel
Peridot reads data projected from an injector. A monster sneaks up on Peridot.
Peridot: Don't be infected, don't be infected, don't be infected…!
Panel
Sard sees the monster.
Panel
Sard tackles the monster, grinning.
Sard: I got your back!
Panel
Peridot keeps looking at the injector.
Panel
Sard holds the monster in a full nelson. Arms curled around the monster's shoulders. Peridot, not facing her, just waves a hand.
Sard: I said, I got your back!
Peridot: Greeeeeat. You do that, Sard.
Page
Panel
Sard stands there with the creature in a full nelson.
Sard: Uh… What do I do now?
Panel
Peridot waves a hand again.
Sard: Ah! Peridot, what do I-
Peridot: Summon your weapon or something! I'm busy!
Panel
Sard's eyebrows raise, excited.
Sard: Oh, of course!
Panel
Sard is still excited.
Sard: How?
Page
Panel
The Peridot looks up and flushes in the cheeks.
Peridot: I… Peridots don't…
Panel
Peridot throws her hands in the air.
Peridot: Bah! You're the quartz soldier, YOU should know!
Panel
Peridot scrolls through the data for the injector, annoyed.
Panel
Peridot's data turns red. A big X appears over it.
Peridot: Ah, for the love of the Diamonds!
Panel
Peridot walks away, pressing a button. The injector pulls itself out of the ground.
Peridot: Rrrgh…razza frazza…surrounded by useless clods…
Panel
Peridot steps around the corner.
Peridot (OP, distant): ...a Sard of all things…
Page
Panel
Sard holds the creature, sweating.
Sard: Um…
Panel
Sard sees a rock.
Panel
Sard reaches for the rock.
Panel
The creature trashes.
Panel
Sard clutches it again, with both hands.
Sard: Ah!
Panel
Another creature sneaks up behind Sard as she tries to think.
Sard: Uh…
Page
Panel
Sard starts squeezing the monster.
Panel
The creature roars.
Panel
Sard really squeezes, sweating harder.
Page
Panel
Sard yells along with the flailing creature while she squeezes with all her might!
Panel
The creature poofs. Sard's eyes go wide in surprise.
Panel
Sard looks down at the gem that's fallen to the ground.
Panel
Sard grins down at the gem, proud. Right behind her, a monster raises a claw.
Page
Panel
Just black.
Panel
Just white.
Panel
We see sky seen through the shape of an eye opening.
Panel
Sard lies on her back, peering at the sky.
Sard: What happened?
Panel
Wide shot. Sard looks around. She's alone in the canyon. There are craters right by her, and destroyed injectors
Sard: Woah.
Page
Panel
Wide shot of the centre of the ruined kindergarten. Peridot sits on a boulder, surrounded by Jaspers. In the distance we can see the black tower, still standing.
Panel
Sard walks to the Peridot.
Peridot: -and thanks to my brilliant leadership, we were able to protect the tower with few casualties!
Panel
Sard sees Peridot talking to Yellow Diamond through a diamond communicator. Peridot has dozens of yellow gems in a big, green bubble. No one pays Sard attention.
Peridot: Certainly, none that we'll MISS! *Snort*
Yellow Diamond: Well OBVIOUSLY you were successful.
Panel
The Jaspers whisper to each other.
Jasper 1 (whispered): That's Yellow Diamond!
Jasper 2 (whispered): She's huge! I bet she could take that big monster on her own!
Jasper 3 (whispered): We're just one day old, and we get to see Yellow Diamond!
Page
Panel
Peridot smiles wide.
Yellow Diamond (Off Panel): Hmm, in light of your impressive victory with inexperienced troops…
Panel
Peridot's face goes white. A drop of sweat appears.
Yellow Diamond (OP): …I'm assigning you to retake Quadrant A9-B, where the fighting is fiercest.
Panel
Peridot salutes. The communicator to Yellow Diamond shows that Yellow is typing with one hand and gesturing to a Topaz with her other hand.
Yellow Diamond (OP): Make sure you have adequate troops on the front, Peridot, while also leaving enough to protect the tower.
Peridot: Y-Yes, my Diamond!
Panel
Peridot's eyes widen.
Yellow Diamond (OP): Who is protecting the tower now?
Panel
Peridot looks around, biting the ends of her fingers.
Peridot: Uh… Uh…!
Panel
Peridot sees Sard.
Page
Panel
Sard looks confused as Peridot points accusingly.
Peridot: GET BACK TO YOUR POST, SOLDIER! THAT TOWER WON'T DEFEND ITSELF!
Panel
The Jaspers snicker.
Panel
Sard frowns.
Sard: You never told me t-
Panel
Peridot and Yellow Diamond stare down at Sard disdainfully.
Peridot: EXCUSES? In front of your DIAMOND?
Panel
Sard frowns, unsure.
Sard: But-
Peridot (OP): A GOOD SOLDIER FOLLOWS ORDERS!
Page
Panel
Establishing shot of the black tower. A computer screen is set into the base of the tower, with a floating chair.
Peridot: Guard.
Panel
Sard squints up at the tower. Peridot and the Jaspers stand in a formation.
Peridot: This.
Panel
Extreme close-up of Peridot.
Peridot: With your life!
Panel
Sard looks up. Peridot walks away and signals to the troops, who all march away.
Peridot: Move out, Jaspers!
Page
Panel
Wide shot. Everyone but Sard is marching.
Sard: Um… How long should I stay?
Peridot: A good soldier never questions orders!
Panel
Sard's hand raises.
Panel
Sard's hand lowers.
Panel
Sard's hand rises higher.
Panel
Sard's hand hesitates.
Panel
Sard's hand balls into a fist by her side.
Page
Panel
Shot of the wide, empty desert, except for the tower. Wind blows sand.
SFX: …woooaaaoooo…
Issue END
Issue 2 – Shadow Agate
Page
Splash Panel
A dozen Jaspers fight a corrupted Lapis, with Water copies and everything. Forehead Jasper is realising how to summon a weapon. Another Jasper is being poofed. Epic. The Peridot leader is cowering. Should be fun, lots of little stories.
Page
Panel
We see the Lapis/Jaspers fight from a distance, framed by the shape of binoculars.
Panel
Sard lowers her binoculars. She's on the roof of the tower and looks bored/jealous.
Sard: Maaaan, that looks awesome!
Panel
Wide shot of the tower, surrounded by empty desert.
Panel
Wind blows through.
SFX: …wooooooo….oo….
Panel
Sard hugs her knees and looks through the binoculars.
Page
Panel
Sard draws in the sand
Panel
The drawing is of her bashing a big monster.
Panel
Sard scratches a short line into the side of the tower.
Panel
Sard playing with a gem destabilizer like a sword.
Sard: Ha! HYA!
Panel
Sard spinning in the floating office char, laughing.
Panel
Night. Sard sleeping.
Panel
Morning. Sard looks around, rubbing her eyes.
Sard: Woah, what was that? That passed LOADS of time!
Panel
Day. Sard scratches a second line into the side of the tower, excited.
Page
Panel
Sard considers the computer screen at the base of the tower.
Panel
Sard pressing random buttons on a keyboard.
Panel
A big red X shows on the computer screen.
Panel
Sard pouts.
Panel
Sard types again.
Panel
Big red X.
Panel
Sard stares at the screen, bored.
Page
Panel
Sard drawing in sand, bored.
Panel
The drawing is just squiggles.
Panel
Sard scratches the newest of 20 lines into the side of the tower.
Panel
Sard sitting in the office chair, spinning it slowly, with no real enjoyment.
Panel
Through binocular outline, we see that the city where the Jaspers fought is empty.
Sard (OP): Siiigh…
Panel
Night. Sard sleeping.
Panel
Day. Sard sleeping.
Panel
Night. Sard sleeping.
Page
Panel
The computer screen, black.
Panel
Sard's fingers, typing.
Panel
Tower screen shows red X.
Panel
Sard presses buttons, hard.
Panel
Screen shows red X.
Panel
Sard types with her fists.
Panel
The Tower screen glows white.
SFX: FSSSSH! Boop
Panel
Sard's eyes go wide.
Shadow Agate (OP): -how can we consider them people, if they will fuse with things that are not people?!
Sard: Huh?
Page
Panel
Sard sees a Shadow Agate on the TV who rants, spittle flying.
Shadow Agate: These glommers! It does not stop at other kinds of gems! They will fuse with a rock! With a lump of coal! With a WALL! They have no morals!
Panel
Sard watches, frowning.
Shadow Agate: The Diamonds created each of us with a specific purpose and it is for the comfort and good all of us that we FULFIL THAT PURPOSE. These fusions, we don't know what they are capable of!
Panel
Sard watches, her face relaxing.
Shadow Agate: We must come together as a society and tell these gems that we WILL NOT STAND FOR IT! We are one and we must make our voices heard! Join me! I need your help, I cannot do this alone!
Panel
Sard stares, enraptured.
Shadow Agate (OP): Imagine a Pearl that could blow up a city block! THAT IS WHAT A GLOMMER IS, at its core! Its gem! A perversion!
Sard: …huh…
Page
Panel
Establishing shot of the desert and the tower. Night, cloudy.
Panel
Shot of the first twenty lines Sard made.
Panel
Shot of the rest of the wall, with hundreds and hundreds more lines.
Panel
Sard sits and watches Shadow Agate on the TV, stupefied.
Shadow Agate: There is SOMETHING about the mixing of gems that creates IMPURITIES. Of course, for this reason, gems of the SAME TYPE can fuse, as it creates no impurities!
Panel
The gem destabilizer sits in Sard's lap. Her binoculars hang from a strap around her neck.
Shadow Agate: I have been asked why I call these perverted gems as GLOMMERS. It is simple, when a gem fuses with another type, it stops being a gem, it becomes a CONGLOMERATE, an unsightly boulder of different clasts! That is where the TERM comes from: glommer!
Page
Panel
Sard slouching in the chair, eyes half-lidded, but eyebrows up. Having to do just a bit of effort to pay attention.
Shadow Agate: Furthermore, GLOMMING is what they do, it is not a stately joining or a courtship or something to respect, it is ugly, GLOMMING gives that correct feeling of description!
Panel
White light blares from behind her. Sard sits up, eyes wide.
Page
Panel
Sard stumbles out of the chair, clutching the destabilizer and binoculars.
Panel
A slash of white cuts across Sard's hand.
Panel
Sard stares at the cut-in-half destabilizer and binoculars.
Panel
Sard is suddenly tied up by a whip (that comes from somewhere by the blinding light.)
SFX: HWA-psh!
Sard: Ah!
Page
Panel
Someone tall and orange walks past Sard.
Sard: Hey! Stop!
Panel
An orange hand places a black orb on the computer console. The computer screen above it shows Shadow Agate. Sard's chair floats nearby.
Shadow Agate: …I do not care if you are a quartz soldier! I do not care if you are a Prism! I do not care if you are a Sapphire!
Panel
A turquoise circle glows on the black orb.
Shadow Agate: If you fuse, then you are no longer even a gem! You are an enemy of Homeworld and the laws are not even strict ENOUGH!
SFX: VmmmMMM…!
Panel
A turquoise energy ring spreads from the orb. The screen and buttons go dark. Sard's chair drops to the ground.
Shadow Agate: We should take justice into our own-
SKX: BYOO
Panel
Sard kneels, tied up, in the doorway, staring in horror.
Page
Panel
Sard falls forward, struggling.
Sard: LET ME GO, YOU DIRTY GLOMMERS! FIGHT ME ONE ON ONE!
Panel
An orange foot steps over her, back towards the light.
Mysterious Gem (OP): Sorry, Sard, they said leave nothing.
Panel
The cloaked gem walks into the light.
Panel
A big cannon pipe extends from the light.
Panel
The cannon points right at Sard.
Panel
The cannon end glows and Sard squeezes her eyes shut.
Page
Panel
The cannon swings up and shoots over Sard's head.
Mysterious Gem (OP): Hehehehe! Your face!
Panel
The tower explodes, falling away.
Panel
Sard stares at the ruined, smoking tower, mouth hanging open. White light basks on her from the other side.
Panel
The white light turns off. Sard looks at her assailants.
SFX: Click
Mysterious gem: Calm down, Sard, this is GOOD news!
Panel
Sard gasps.
Sard: *gasp*
Mysterious gems (OP): Hehehehe…
Page
Panel
Standing on the gangplank of a cool ship are the Jaspers who were born with Sard. They're grinning and chuckling and sitting nonchalantly. One holds the other end of the whip tying up Sard. A Jasper fusion with a sword and a cloak holds her hands wide with a smile.
Jasper Fusion: Our facet got new orders!
Panel
Sard bewildered and uncertain, blushing.
Issue 2 END
Issue 3 – Unfuse. Now.
Page
Panel
Close-up of a cannon.
Panel
Tower ruins. A piece of wall has hundreds of scratches denoting days passed.
Panel
Tower ruins. The computer screen melts.
Panel
Tower ruins. The chair, worn into the shape of Sard's butt over many years.
Panel
The end of the cannon glows.
Page
Panel
Shot of the gangplank up in the air. Sard clutches the edge of the plank, staring in horror. The Jaspers watch her and chuckle. Light from an explosion illuminates them from below.
Panel
Close-up of Sard, mortified.
Panel
The ship shoots the tower ruins several times.
Page
Panel
The ship travels through space.
Panel
Shot of a corridor, where a Rutile cleans.
Panel
Sard looks out a window, watching the planet recede.
Panel
Sard winces as the Jasper Fusion punches her in the arm.
Jasper Fusion: Hey, sorry we had to blow up the only home you've ever known.
Panel
Sard rubs her arm and looks at the group of Jaspers. Jasper Fusion shrugs.
Jasper Fusion: Orders.
Panel
Sard looks hurt and tears up a bit.
Sard: What? Why would…
Jasper Fusion (OP): I dunno, secrets or something.
Sard: …but why…
Page
Panel
Sard hugs her arms close. Jasper Fusion grins.
Sard: The diamonds wanted you to scare me…?
Jasper Fusion: Oh! Heh. That was just us.
Panel
Jasper Fusion hooks a thumb at a Jasper with her gem on her knee, who grins. The Jaspers chuckle with Knee Jasper and pat her on the back.
Jasper Fusion: You should've seen what we did when The Knee finally popped out!
Knee Jasper: They pretended to be corrupted! Legends.
Panel
Sard frowns.
Sard: That sounds so scary…
Panel
The Jaspers all look at her, grins fading.
Panel
Sard fake smiles.
Sard: Oh! Haha, I just imagined it!
Panel
The Jaspers grin.
Panel
Sard looks away, biting her lip.
Page
Panel
The ship travels through space.
Panel
Wide shot of the main room. The Jaspers are in a group, talking and wrestling. Sard stands alone. A Rutile cleans
Panel
Medium shot of the Rutile cleaning, head down.
Panel
Sard watches the Jaspers wrestle, hugging herself.
Panel
Sard jumps.
Rutile (OP): You okay?
Page
Panel
Sard looks at the Rutile, who is still cleaning, eyes down.
Panel
The Rutile keeps cleaning but glances up at Sard. Sard looks surprised.
Rutile: Do you miss your home?
Panel
Sard blushes and looks away. Rutile's mouth quirks.
Sard: I…no… That's dumb. I hated that place.
Panel
Rutile cleans a lot of closer to Sard. Almost touching.
Panel
Rutile leans in.
Rutile: Do-
Panel
The Jaspers yell from a wrestling match, and Rutile jumps.
Jasper Fusion: Hey Rutile, we broke one of the tiles!
Rutile: Ah! Yes, I'll get right on that!
Page
Panel
Sard watches Rutile scurry away.
Panel
Sard glances out the window.
Panel
Establishing shot of a partially colonized planet. Half of the planet is halved out, with colourful trails of goods running from the mining side of the planet to the other side, and then off world.
Panel
Sard's eyes go wide.
Page
Panel
The Jasper city comes down, towards a city with colourful paths in the sky.
Panel
Close-up of Sard, face pressed against the window, looking at the city, enraptured.
Panel
Shot of a coliseum
Panel
Shot of arcane library spires.
Panel
Shot of a police station extending a tunnel towards the Jasper ship.
Page
Panel
A tunnel connects the ship to the police station. A tunnel connects sideways to a tower.
Panel
The Jaspers march down the tunnel, while the Jasper fusion walks more like a leader and Sard walks gormlessly, staring out the window.
Panel
A Topaz stands at the end of the tunnel. She has medals, a badge, a grizzled face and two scars over her heart, (one scar a few inches after the other.)
Panel
The Jaspers and Sard stand in front of Topaz, unsure.
Page
Panel
Topaz yells at them, their hair is blown back, they lean away.
Topaz: NEVER IN ALL MY CENTURIES HAVE I SEEN SUCH A SORRY, DISGUSTING PILE OF NOXIOUS BIOLOGICAL PUKE WHO DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO GREET A SUPERIOR KIND ENOUGH TO MEET THEM AT THE DOOR!
Panel
Topaz yells and points at the Jasper fusion, who jumps
Topaz: UNFUSE. NOW.
Panel
Topaz points at Sard, who trembles.
Topaz: NO SLOUCHING.
Topaz points at Jasper, who sweats.
Jasper: Uh…
Topaz: ALWAYS SAY SIR BEFORE AND AFTER ANY SENTENCE.
Panel
Topaz points to the wall.
Topaz: LINE UP AGAINST THE WALL. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?
Page
Panel
Everyone stares at Topaz, surprised, hair ruffled.
Panel
Topaz narrows her eyes.
Panel
Topaz breathes in, getting bigger.
Panel
Everyone is up and moving. The fusion infuses. (Sard gets jostled)
Jasper: Ahhhh!
Jasper: Hut, hut, hut, hut!
Jasper: Sir yes sir!
Page
Panel
All the Jaspers stand against a wall in military posture, with Sard at the end. Topaz walks past Sard.
Topaz: We haven't picked you because you are the best! We haven't picked you because we will treat you well!
Panel
Topaz walks along the line of gems, giving out badges. The Jaspers put them perfectly on their chests. Sard is still struggling, as her gem is where the badge is supposed to sit.
Topaz: You are here for one reason and one reason only! Does anyone know that reason?
Panel
Head Jasper holds a hand up, as Sard grins around. Sard's badge is lopsidedly sitting over her gem.
Head Jasper (OP): Sir, we're here to serve the Diamonds!
Panel
Sard notices something ahead of her. Head Jasper holds her hand up and grins confidently with Chest Jasper.
Panel
Through the door, from her angle, Sard can just see a dark room lit up by screens of security cameras. A Ruby watches them. Above the door is some gem writing.
Panel
Sadr jumps.
Topaz (OP): Do you SEE a diamond here?
Page
Panel
Topaz leans right into Head Jasper's face, who Diamond-salutes desperately.
Topaz: IS there a Diamond here or not? SHOULD I BE CURTSEYING?
Head Jasper: N-no, sir!
Panel
Topaz yells in Head Jaspers face blowing her hair back.
Topaz: "SIR, NO, SIR!"
Head Jasper: Ah! Sir, no, sir!
Panel
Topaz walks away suddenly.
Topaz: 200 push-ups.
Head Jasper: Uhh…
Panel
Topaz whips around to look at Head Jasper, who drops to the ground
Head Jasper: Sir, yes, sir!
Page
Panel
Knee Jasper is getting down to do push-up's as Topaz walks down the line.
Panel
Sard stands fully at attention.
Panel
Sard notices something.
Panel
Through the door, from Sard's angle, we can just see Rubies in a security camera room, but one screen shows Shadow Agate talking.
Shadow Agate (distant): …when you touch a glommer, you must immediately wash!
Panel
Sard glances at Topaz.
Panel
Sard keeps watching.
Page
Panel
Everyone hesitates.
Topaz (OP): Anyone ELSE know why you're here?
Panel
Close-up of gem writing above the door.
Panel
Knee Jasper looks at writing above the door, curious.
Knee Jasper: Sir, are we here to, "Serve and protect?"
Panel
Topaz stares down Knee Jasper.
Panel
Topaz walks away. Jasper gestures like, "UGH, come on!"
Topaz: Well observed but you forgot the second sir. 400 push-ups.
Panel
Knee Jasper looks frightened and gets down on the ground.
Topaz: That's another 100.
Knee Jasper: Ah! Sir, yes, sir!
Page
Panel
Topaz walks down the line.
Topaz (OP): To PROTECT and to SERVE! That is exactly right. Of course, we are ALL here to serve the diamonds, and when you are here that will take the form of…
Panel
Topaz notices Sard.
Panel
Close-up of slouching back.
Panel
Close-up of badge askew.
Panel
Close-up of Sard not paying attention.
Panel
Topaz' eye twitches and she grits her teeth.
Topaz: What…are you looking at…cadet?
Page
Panel
Chest Jasper nudges Sard.
Panel
Sard looks around. Topaz points at Chest Jasper.
Sard: Huh?
Topaz: 600 push-ups!
Chest Jasper: "Sir, yes, sir!
Panel
Topaz' shadow falls over Sard. Sard looks up, not as worried as she should be.
Topaz (OP, dripping with danger): What. Are you watching.
Panel
Topaz glares.
Panel
Topaz's eyebrow rises.
Sard (OP): Shadow Agate, sir, she tells it like it is.
Panel
Sard just looks back at Topaz, no guile.
Panel
Topaz looks out the door, at the TV screen.
Shadow Agate: …The other unnatural thing about these fusions is that we don't know what they are capable of! Pearls should not be able to fly! A Bismuth does not need to know the future!
Page
Panel
Topaz looks at the twin scars on her chest.
Panel
Topaz glares at Sard.
Topaz: What's your name, cadet?
Panel
Sard stands more at attention, still saluting.
Sard: Sard, sir! … Sir!
Panel
Topaz walks away.
Topaz: I like your attitude, Sard. Step forward. What's your weapon?
Panel
The other Jasper's glare at Sard as she steps forward and they do push-ups.
Page
Panel
Sard scratches her head, slouching. Topaz faces away.
Sard: Sir, I, uh, prefer to use a destabiliser. Sir.
Panel
Topaz turns around. Sard stands suddenly to attention.
Sard: Oop!
Topaz: And if the enemy breaks your destabiliser?
Panel
Sard slouches a little.
Sard: Sir, I would—
Panel
Sard stands up straight,
Topaz: Louder!
Sard: SIR, I WOULD USE MY HANDS, SIR!
Panel
Topaz inspects the Jaspers and their push-ups, who sweat.
Topaz: Gauntlets, then?
Panel
Sard yells, eyes closed, sweating.
Sard (sweating): SIR, NO SIR! SIR, MY BARE HANDS, SIR!
Page
Panel
Topaz looks at Sard oddly.
Panel
Head Jasper is doing push-ups. Topaz points at her.
Topaz: You. Draw your weapon.
Panel
Head Jasper stands and puts a hand to her glowing gem. Sard sweats. Topaz steps back.
Panel
Head Jasper looks determined, pulling a knife from her gem.
Panel
Sard sweats.
Issue 4 – Prismatic
Page
Panel
Sard and Head Jasper face each other. The other Jaspers and Topaz watch.
Topaz: Well? Take her out with your bare hands, then, cadet.
Panel
Sard sweats.
Panel
Head Jasper grins and holds a knife.
Page
Panel
Head Jasper throws the knife.
Panel
Sard flinches but catches the knife between two awkward palms.
Panel
Sard is like "YUS"
Sard: Haha!
Panel
Sard throws the knife back.
Page
Panel
The knife disappears in to sparkles. HJasper closes her eyes and smirks as she pulls a second knife out.
HJasper: You're never gonna hit someone with their own-
Panel
Suddenly, Sard is running at HJasper.
Sard: Raaaah!
Panel
Sard closes arms around HJasper.
HJasper: Ah!
Sard: AAAH!
Page
Panel
Sard squeezes HJasper in a bear hug. HJasper's eyes bulge.
Panel
HJasper's arm glows and stretch, holding the knife up to stab.
Panel
Gritted teeth
Panel
Gritted teeth
Page
Panel
The watching Jaspers gasp.
SFX (OP): POOF
Panel
Topaz narrows her eyes.
Panel
The knife clatters to the ground.
Panel
The knife disappears.
Page
Panel
Sard stands there, breathing hard, holding HJasper's gem. All the other Jasper's look surprised.
Panel
Topaz grins.
Panel
Topaz points back to the line. Sard jogs over, arms in that silly right angle down thing.
Topaz: Nice job, Sard. Back in line.
Sard: Sir, yes, sir!
Panel
The other Jaspers mutter. Sard beams.
Topaz: Now, glommers aren't the only thing you might meet out on the street…
Caption: Doesn't hear another word of the lecture
Page
Panel
Establishing shot of the police station.
Topaz (OP): Class dismissed, go find the barracks! You can explore the city but be back by nightfall!
Panel
Sard walks down a corridor. Still smiling to herself.
Panel
Chest Jasper walks past, bumping Sard with her shoulder.
Chest Jasper: Watch yourself, suck-up.
Panel
Sard frowns from the ground.
Sard: Hey!
Panel
Two more Jaspers walk past, jostling Sard. Head Jasper smiles and scratches her head.
Left Palm Jasper: Ooh, I'm scared.
Knee Jasper: Do you even KNOW how to summon a weapon?
Panel
Sard looks confused as the Jaspers walk away, laughing and high-fiving.
Page
Panel
Wide shot of Sard standing in the main hall of the police station. Lots of shiny marble and glass and columns and the police symbol everywhere
Panel
The front-desk Ruby spins on her office chair, enjoying herself. She has only one arm, the other stops at her shoulder, where her gem covers the whole arm stub. The Jaspers walk away.
Chest Jasper: Thanks, stumpy!
Head Jasper: Ha!
Knee Jasper: Hahaha!
One-Armed Ruby: No problem!
Panel
One-Armed Ruby spins in her chair again, smiling.
Panel
One-Armed Ruby spins, laughing.
One-Armed Ruby: Ahahaha! I didn't know it could do this!
Panel
Sard suddenly stands by the desk, saluting badly. One-Armed Ruby jumps in her chair and covers her ears.
Sard: SIR, WHERE IS MY BARRACKS, SIR!
One-Armed Ruby: Ah!
Page
Panel
One-Armed Ruby is thinking.
One-Armed Ruby: Oh shoot. UM. I just told some nice gems where your barracks is, too…
Panel
Sard jumps.
Chest Jasper (OP): Hey Sard, come on up!
Panel
Sard and One-Armed Ruby look up. Above them, Chest Jasper has opened a window and leans out. Chest Jasper: We got the PERFECT spot for you!
Jasper (OP, from inside): Hahahaha!
Panel
One-Armed Ruby looks at Sard sympathetically.
Panel
One-Armed points happily.
Ruby: THERE it is!
Panel
One-Armed Ruby goes back to spinning.
Page
Panel
Sard frowns while looking up.
Panel
Through the open window we see a Jasper doing a mocking dance move.
Knee Jasper: Hey, hey, this is the Sard, everyone do the Sard!
Jasper (OP): Hehehehe!
Jasper (OP): This is good but where can we get more trash?
Panel
Sard looks sideways.
One-Armed Ruby (OP): Oh my Diamonds, it's such a nice day out there!
Sard: Huh?
Panel
Sard and One-Armed Ruby look out the front entrance, where we can see a hint of the colour out there.
Panel
Sard walks through the front door. She's still in the shadow of the building.
Panel
Sard is outside, in the light. She looks up, amazed.
Page
Panel
Sard walks out of the police station, looking amazed at a series of fountains.
Sard: What is this?
Panel
Sard looks at a shop displaying plants made of crystal.
Sard: What is that?
Panel
Sard looks at the public transport system.
Sard: Is that even a THING?
Panel
Sard points super loudly at some random citizen. The citizen looks affronted.
Sard: Woah, I've never seen a gem like you!
Panel
Sard holds up a lady gems dress. She looks angry and tries to hold her dress down.
Sard: You can DO this?
Page
Panel
Sard stares, starry eyed at a gem walking into the panel.
Panel
Sard stares as the gem passes (uncomfortable.)
Panel
Sard still stares at the gem as they hurry away.
Panel
A gem hands her a pamphlet.
Gem: Can I interest you in the word of the Diamonds?
Sard: Okay!
Panel
Sard looks at the pamphlet excitedly.
Sard: I don't know how to read!
Page
Panel
Big landscape of the city, beautiful and colourful. In front of it, Sard throws her hands to the sky. She has a happy face and starry eyes.
Sard: I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S GOING ON!
Page
Panel
Sard sits on top of a building, watching the sunset, smiling.
Sard: Sigh… Shame they said to be back by nightfall.
Panel
Sard jumps off the roof.
Panel
Sard looks down a hill.
Sard: Woah…
Panel
Sard slides down the hill towards a ruined, black building. The building looks like it's been hit with a bomb.
Sard: What WAS this place?
Page
Panel
The bombed building's doorway has collapsed in. Sard stands in front, hands on hips.
Panel
Sard makes an entrance by lifting a big board over her head.
Sard: HA!
Panel
Inside, the ruin has little debris but a big hole in the centre of the floor. Across the room from Sard stands a pretty gem woman. One side of the room has a big, barely cracked mirror.
Page
Panel
Sard stares.
Panel
The other gem poses like a dancer. Eyes closed. Cute dress. Her hair is a black but with light shines that turn rainbow colours. She holds a short stick with thin red cloth wrapped around the tip.
Panel
The gem touches her gem between her cleavage.
Panel
Sard blushes.
Panel
The gem pulls out a rainbow whip and strikes a new pose, eyes closed.
Page
Panel
Panel
The gem spins, eyes closed, the rainbow ribbon makes a ring around her.
Panel
Sard's eyes go wide.
Panel
The gem walks, moving the rainbow ribbon back and forth to create a snake trail.
Panel
The gem shakes out her second stick. The red cloth winds out, showing other rainbow colours.
Panel
The gem jumps, trailing two streamer/whips.
Panel
Sard's eyes go starry. She blushes again.
Page
Panel
Birds eye view of the room. A twisting trail of rainbow colours denote the gem making its way around the big hole in the floor. The gem and the rainbow trail reflect in parallel in the long mirror.
Panel
The other gem twirls, rings of her streamer around her. Eyes still closed.
Panel
She spins tighter, faster.
Panel
A leap!
Panel
The gem strikes a pose, right by the hole and ten steps from Sard.
Page
Panel
The gem stands straight, eyes closed, calm.
Panel
Her eyes flash open.
Sard (OP): What WAS that?
Panel
The gem sees Sard holding debris up with one arm, staring.
Gem: Gasp!
Panel
Close-up of Sard's bulging arm muscle.
Panel
The other gem blushes.
Panel
Close-up of Sard's police badge.
Panel
The gem covers her mouth and steps back. Towards the hole.
Gem: GASP!
Page
Panel
Wide shot of the gem stepping back into the hole. Sard holds her free hand out.
Sard: Wait!
Panel
The gem falls back, eyes widening.
Panel
Sard flails at the gem.
Panel
Sard pulls the gem back.
Panel
Sard keeps pulling her, up into a raise like from the end of Dirty Dancing.
Page
Panel
Sard looks up, starry eyed.
Panel
The gem looks down, mortified.
Panel
Sard smiles.
Sard: Careful.
Panel
The gem blushes and covers her mouth. She starts to glow.
Page
Panel
Both Sard and the gem glow.
Panel
Sard looks shocked.
Panel
The other gem winces and keeps covering her mouth. Shoulders hunched.
Gem: No, no, no, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!
Panel
Completely white glow.
Panel
The two form together, changing shape. Sard's badge falls off.
Panel
Close-up of the badge rolling away, reflecting white light.
Issue 4 END
Issue 5 – Suddenly, Fusion Was Everywhere
Page
Panel
Establishing shot of the burnt-out building.
Fusion (OP): What… happened?
Panel
Tease shot of the fusion's torso and hands.
Page
Panel
POV shot, looking at the ground. We see feet and arms, cream-coloured. We see the edge of the mirror.
Panel
POV. One of the arms rises, trailing a streamer wand.
Fusion (OP): Huh?
Panel
POV. The arm waggles the streamer.
Fusion (OP): That's weird…
Fusion (OP): No…
Panel
She looks at the other arm with the other streamer.
Fusion (OP): Why is that weird...? No…
Panel
The POV raises a third arm.
Panel
Same shot of the third arm.
Fusion (OP): UM.
Page
Panel
Full shot of the fusion, surprised and blushing. Beautiful and perfect looking. Really athletic.
Page
Panel
The fusion blushes right down to her neck and covers her mouth.
Panel
The fusion glows all over.
SFX: BMMM…..!
Panel
Sard and the other gem come apart.
SFX: POOF
Page
Panel
Sard sits up straight.
Sard: I've never done that before, I SWEAR!
Panel
A rainbow streamer whips upwards.
Panel
The other gem faces away, pinching the bridge of her nose. She's attached her streamer to a beam of the ruined, open roof.
Panel
The gem leaps away. Sard looks super confused.
Gem: Don't get started.
Page
Panel
Establishing shot of the police station at night.
Panel
Elevator going up.
Panel
Inside the elevator, Sard clutches her arm and bites her lip, thinking.
SFX: Ding.
Panel
Sard walks into the cadet barracks, which is similar to the Amethyst barracks in the Zoo episode. Knee Jasper is playing on an arcade-game-like flight simulator. Two Jaspers arm-wrestle. Forehead Jasper is fused with Chest Jasper again and practices with her sword.
Sard: Which one is MY…
Panel
The closest pod is covered in gem trash.
Panel
Sard looks tired.
Sard: Right.
Page
Panel
Police station. Morning.
Panel
Topaz walks down the line of Jaspers and Sard.
Topaz: Yesterday, Sard defeated one of you Jaspers. But can anyone tell me what mistake Sard made?
Panel
A Jasper speaks up.
Jasper: Sir, turning up, sir?
Panel
The Jaspers all chuckle. Sard looks down.
Panel
Topaz points at the Jasper. The Jasper winces.
Topaz: 700 push-ups.
Panel
Topaz holds up a fist-sized, plain rock.
Topaz: Any other clever answers? No?
Page
Panel
A yellow bubble appears around the rock and it floats above her hand.
Topaz: She didn't bubble her arrest.
SFX: Bwoop.
Panel
The Jaspers all look like, "Right!"
Panel
Sard looks at the others, still confused.
Knee Jasper (quietly): Oh, of course!
Panel
Topaz pops the bubble.
SFX: Pop
Panel
Topaz throws the rock to Sard, who clumsily catches it.
Sard: Woah!
Page
Panel
Sard looks at the Jaspers smirking at her along the line.
Sard: Sir?
Panel
Topaz grins at her.
Topaz: Demonstrate bubbling for us, Sard.
Sard: Oh.
Panel
Sard looks unsure and uncomfortable, trying to think.
Sard: Uhhhh….
Panel
Sard holds the rock up and concentrates.
Sard: Grrrrr…!
Panel
Sard squeezes the rock between two hands.
Sard: Like… Um… Hmm…
Panel
Sard holds the rock in one hand.
Page
Panel
Sard throws the rock a little bit up. She makes the noise with her mouth.
Sard: "Bwoop!"
Panel
The rock drops to the ground.
SFX: THUD!
Panel
Long shot of the big room.
SFX: THUD…thud…thud…
Panel
Long shot of the big room.
SFX: thud… thu… th….
Panel
Long shot of the big room, silent.
Panel
Long shot of the big room.
Topaz: Do you know how to bubble, Sard?
Sard: Sir, I do not, sir.
Page
Panel
Topaz watches Sard's face.
Panel
Sard sweats.
Panel
Topaz smiles.
Topaz: Don't take prisoners, eh?
Panel
Sard sweats and fake laughs. The Jaspers glare. One whispers to another.
Sard: HAHAHA! Sir, uh, no sir!
Panel
Topaz faces away, with the cadets in a line along the background.
Topaz: Bubbling a defeated gem will stop them from creating a new body until we allow it. It is an important skill. Without it, we would have to shatter gems or risk them—
Panel
Head Jasper salutes/ Topaz turns back, eyebrow raised.
Head Jasper: Sir, permission to demonstrate, sir.
Page
Panel
Topaz throws the rock to Head Jasper. It sails past her hand.
Topaz: Well. That's 300 push-ups for wasting my-
Panel
The rock drifts past Head Jasper and up, in an orange bubble. Jasper smirks.
SFX: Bwoop!
Panel
Topaz does a "not bad" expression.
Topaz: Hmph. Where were you stationed, cadet?
Panel
Topaz thinks in front of Head Jasper, who diamond salutes.
Jasper: Sir, we served on Blue Colony 3J, sir!
Topaz: 3J… Is that where they accidentally…?
Panel
Shot of a planet and a blue/yellow/white flash.
Head Jasper (OP): Sir, yes, sir.
Topaz (OP): First tour? Whole facet?
Head Jasper (OP): Sir, yes, sir
Topaz (OP): *Short whistle* No wonder you know how to bubble.
Page
Panel
Topaz salutes the Jaspers, proud. The Jaspers salute back.
Topaz: Colony 3J would have been hard for even veterans. Well done, Jaspers.
Panel
Topaz points to Sard. The Jaspers all grin, one snickers. Sard grimaces.
Topaz: Where did you serve?
Panel
Sard looks down.
Sard: Uh… Sir, 3J, too, sir.
Panel
Topaz frowns at Sard.
Page
Panel
Topaz points to Head Jasper, who salutes.
Topaz: Looks like you volunteered. Get Sard bubbling by end of the day.
Head Jasper: …sir, yes, sir!
Panel
Topaz walks away. Sard clutches her arm. Chest Jasper claps Head Jasper on the back, consolingly.
Topaz (OP): Rest of you, over here for lesson 3-
Panel
Close-up on Sard, who looks up and her eyes go wide.
Topaz (OP): -fusion!
Issue END
Issue 6 – Tea – 37 pages currently
Page
Panel
Close-up of Sard's eyes, looking to the side.
Panel
Sard looks at four jaspers, who bow to each other from across the training room. Topaz stands to the side.
Topaz: Again!
Page
Panel
The Jaspers dance towards each other, doing aggressive moves, different ones. Topaz claps out a beat.
Topaz: 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. 2. 3. 4.
Panel
The Jaspers dance towards each other, closer now. Uncertain faces.
Topaz: 1. 2. 3…
Panel
The Jaspers put their hands into the middle, fist to fist.
Topaz: And hands and…!
Panel
The Jaspers glow.
Panel
Sard's eyes go sparkly as light reflects on her face.
Page
Panel
A giant Jasper white glow stands up.
Topaz: That's it… Trust each other….
Panel
The glowing mass turns squiggly and formless.
Topaz: Keep it together! Keep it-!
Panel
The jaspers fall away from each other, no fusion.
Panel
The Jaspers rub their head or butts as they sit on the floor.
Panel
Topaz rubs the bridge of her nose.
Page
Panel
Close-up of Sard watching, mouth open, totally fascinated, pupils wide.
Head Jasper (OP quiet): Hey!
Panel
Topaz walks forward.
Topaz: Again! I WANT A GIANT JASPER AT MY DISPOSAL, CADETS!
Head Jasper (OP quiet): Sard!
Panel
Sard watches the Jaspers bow again.
Topaz: And…! 1. 2—
Panel
Close-up of Head Jasper, angry.
Head Jasper: HEY!
Panel
Sard sits up super straight.
Sard: I'm sorry!
Page
Panel
Sard and Jasper sit cross-legged on a mat. Sard leans forward, staring at a rock intently and holding hands around it.
Sard: I'll try harder, I swear!
Head Jasper: It's a FEELING thing, Sard. You can't FORCE it.
Panel
Head Jasper leans her cheek on her hand as Sard sweats in the foreground.
Head Jasper: You gotta want to PROTECT the gem, even if it just had you in a chokehold.
Sard: PROTECT it, got it.
Panel
Head Jasper rolls her eyes.
Head Jasper: Sigh… No, you don't, Sard.
Panel
Head Jasper looks out a window up at the sky.
Head Jasper: On 3J, beating a monster meant you made it defenceless. So, you're responsible for protecting it. That's how I got it.
Panel
Head Jasper keeps staring out the window.
Head Jasper: Peridot said the monsters used to be like you and me. That helped The Chest, but I could never imagine it. Never imagine being like…
Panel
Head Jasper looks down.
Head Jasper: Hmph. Maybe I didn't want to.
Page
Panel
Panel
Head Jasper closes her eyes and chuckles.
Head Jasper: I don't why I'm sharing this with YOU, Sard.
Panel
Head Jasper looks up, scratching her head.
Head Jasper: What's something you're afraid o—
Panel
Sard is watching the four other Jaspers lying on the ground.
Topaz: Again!
Panel
Jasper looks hurt.
Panel
Jasper storms off, angry. Sard looks surprised and offended, "What did I do?"
Jasper: Someone else's turn with the CLOD!
Page
Panel
Knee Jasper walks over, unhappy with it. Head Jasper joins the others.
Head Jasper: ALRIGHT, just follow The Chest and me! We do this all the time!
Panel
Sard and Knee Jasper sit with the rock. Sard focuses intently on the Jasper.
Knee Jasper: Ugh. Okay. So, when you bubble a gem, you have to really FEEL like you're bubbling the thing with your WHOLE body…
Panel
Sard glances over to the side as Jasper keeps talking.
Knee Jasper: When I first…
Panel
The Jaspers are going through some dance moves.
Head Jasper: What are you DOING?
Panel
Sard snaps back to looking at Knee Jasper.
Knee Jasper: …and THAT'S when I was like, okay, I guess I want to be able to do this, for the facet….
Panel
Sard looks back at the Jasper's.
Knee Jasper: …
Page
Panel
Establishing shot of the police station main room. There's a lot of police gems around, putting on riot gear.
Sard (OP): UUUuuugggghhh….
Panel
Sard slumps across One-Armed Ruby's desk, who spins on her seat.
Sard (OP): ….uuuUUUGGGHHH.
Panel
Sard slumps across One-Armed Ruby's desk, who spins on her seat.
Panel
One-Armed Ruby stops and leans on the desk.
One-Armed Ruby: So. How was today?
Sard: FINE.
Page
Panel
Sard stares at nothing, head smushed against the desk.
Panel
Sard's eyes light up and she focuses on someone walking past.
Panel
Sard watches a three-ruby fusion walk with some single rubies. The fusion flexes her arms, eager for something.
Panel
Medium shot of Sard looking at the ruby fusion. In the extreme foreground we see the edge of the arm, where two ruby gems are close together.
Sard: Hey Ruby… Have you ever fused?
Panel
One-Armed Ruby keeps spinning, happy. Sard looks down.
One-Armed Ruby: No, I'm always behind this desk!
Sard: Oh.
Page
Panel
More police gems are around. Some put on riot gear. Some are laughing, some stretching.
Panel
Sard frowns.
Sard: We're allowed to fuse with gems just like us, right?
One-Armed Ruby: Yep!
Panel
Sard peers sideways.
Sard: …do other Sards work here?
One-Armed Ruby: Nope!
Panel
Sard looks down.
Sard: Oh.
Panel
Sard looks to the side, kinda guilty.
Sard: What about in the city?
One-Armed Ruby (OP): Why would there be? You're SOLDIERS.
Panel
Sard frowns.
Sard (quietly): …probably for the best, so I don't get started…
Page
Panel
Sard sees Topaz walking in the distance, with Head Jasper. Head Jasper is angry, Topaz just looks ahead. Topaz wears riot gear.
HJasper: … … …
Topaz: …
Panel
Sard sits up, looking at them, interested.
HJasper (OP): …
Panel
Topaz stops walking. Head Jasper keeps talking, annoyed.
HJasper (barely audible from here): …fuse all the time, if you just let us show the o… … …I don't know why you aren't… …
Panel
Topaz turns to HJasper, who blanches.
Topaz: You're saying y… … …than an elite Topaz Fu…?
Panel
HJasper hurries away. Topaz watches her go.
HJasper: ….
Page
Panel
Topaz stands by the desk, adjusting her riot gear. One-Armed Ruby starts typing.
Topaz: Send me the headcount, Ruby, that last file was a list of clouds you've seen.
One-Armed Ruby: Sir, yes, sir!
Panel
Sard sweats and glances at Topaz. Topaz looks at a screen on her arm-bracer.
Panel
Topaz doesn't look up. Sard jumps.
Topaz: What is it, cadet?
Page
Panel
Sard looks down, nervous.
Panel
Sard looks down and to the other side.
Sard: Sir, have you ever… you know. Have you ever fused? Sir?
Panel
Sard blushes.
Sard: With another Topaz, I mean!
Panel
Topaz stiffens.
Panel
Topaz glares at Sard.
Topaz: … I have.
Panel
Sard looks down.
Sard: What's… What's it like?
Page
Panel
Topaz glares.
Panel
Topaz smiles.
Panel
Topaz looks into the distance.
Topaz: Fusion makes you stronger, obviously. Bigger, faster. Better weapons. But… it's more like… Fusion makes you sure of yourself.
Panel
Topaz smiles, thinking.
Panel
The smile drops.
Topaz: In other ways, it makes you weaker.
Panel
Topaz touches the scar on her breast. It's a slash that starts bottom right, stops flatly for about the width of a Topaz gem and then continues to another taper on the top left. A cut that went through a gem.
Topaz: You're better off without it.
Page
Panel
Sard hesitates, sweating.
Panel
Sard leans on the front desk nonchalantly but sweats.
Sard: Should— How do you fuse, anyway? Just in case… You know, for the diamonds.
Panel
Topaz narrows her eyes at Sard.
Panel
Topaz turns away, back to her screen.
Topaz: As you were. Cadet.
Panel
Sard looks deeply embarrassed.
Panel
Sard leaves, blushing.
Sard: Uh, sir, excuse me, sir!
Page
Panel
Sard walks towards the main entrance, blushing deeply, clutching a fist to her chest.
Panel
Sard marches through the city street, head down, blushing.
Panel
Sard bumps into someone.
Sard: …'sorry, 'scuse me…
Panel
Sard walks away. In the foreground, we see the other gem turn to watch Sard go.
Panel
It's the Rutile from earlier, concerned.
Page
Panel
Establishing shot of an alley, off the main road. Sard sits on the ground.
Panel
Close-up of Sard all tearing up.
Sard: …stupid. STUPID. Don't get started!
Panel
A maroon hand rests on Sard's shoulder. Sard looks up, angry.
Panel
Rutile smiles at Sard.
Rutile: Hi again. What's wrong?
Panel
Sard turns away.
Sard: Nothing. I'm not a complainer.
Panel
Rutile sits next to Sard.
Panel
Sard glances back.
Page
Panel
Sard tears up.
Sard: It's all… so MUCH!
Panel
Sard looks at Rutile, a tear falling, worried. Rutile just smiles.
Panel
Sard starts crying.
Sard: I thought the yellow one LIKED me, and she's the ONLY ONE who did and she's SO COOL, but I don't know ANYTHING, and she FOUND OUT and she was talking about fusion and it was…
Panel
Sard glances at Rutile.
Panel
Sard rubs her face.
Panel
Sard rubs her face harder. Rutile puts a hand out.
Sard: Stupid… STUPID…
Rutile: Hey.
Panel
Rutile smiles.
Rutile: Come on. Let's cheer you up.
Page
Panel
Establishing shot of a café. Hidden, out of the way. All kinds of gems sit and drink from teacups. There's a warp pad in the middle.
Rutile (OP): There's a few places like this, but this one is my favourite!
Panel
Shot of the tables, white and elegant, made of curlicue patterns. We see the elbows and knees of various gems at the tables. The gems chatter away.
Gem: …
Gem: …
Gem: …?
Gem: …!
Panel
Rutile chats to a Pearl, who places steaming teacups on their table. Across from Rutile, Sard looks around.
Rutile: …three weeks, this time! I'm seeing if I can get transferred off-ship, street cleaning or something.
Pearl: Ohhh, you should!
Panel
Sard looks at the steaming cup, not sure what to make of it.
Rutile (OP): Maybe I could get assigned to this street and get to see YOU every day…
Server Pearl (OP): OH, stop! Hahaha!
Page
Panel
Sard lifts the teacup up.
Panel
Sard places a finger in the cup, frowning.
Rutile (OP): You put it in your mouth.
Panel
Sard looks up. Rutile smiles.
Rutile: The tea, not the whole cup.
Panel
Rutile holds eye contact while she brings the cup to her mouth.
Rutile: Like this. You put a little of the tea in your mouth, so you can taste it and feel the warmth.
Panel
Sard looks at the cup.
Panel
Sard puts the tea to her mouth.
Rutile: Okay, now tilt it back…
Page
Panel
Sard tilts the cup up and tea spills over her face.
Panel
Sard wipes her mouth, embarrassed.
Panel
Sard coughs. Rutile laughs, good-naturedly.
Sard: *Cough* I don't think I get it.
Rutile: Haha, that's ok!
Panel
Rutile sips hers and leans forward a bit. Sard smiles, still a bit embarrassed, still wiping her chin.
Rutile: You'll get it. New things take time to enjoy, don't expect too much from yourself.
Panel
Sard is fully grinning, with tea on her chin. She hunches a bit.
Page
Panel
Shot of Sard's bicep in the extreme foreground and Rutile looking at it.
Panel
Rutile gestures to the café. Sard drinks the tea, which spills just a little.
Rutile: It's a new thing, drinking. It's catching on, though you'd never see it on the main strip. My friend set this up.
Panel
Rutile leans in and whispers. Sard leans in, too.
Rutile (whispering): I hear that even some of the upper crust have drinking parties!
Panel
Sard nods seriously.
Rutile (OP): They'd never admit it, of course.
Sard: O-oh, of course!
Panel
Sard looks around, grinning. Rutile watches Sard.
Rutile: …
Page
Panel
Sard looks around more, hunched shoulders, but grins.
Sard: I feel like Shadow Agate wouldn't approve of this place.
Rutile: Hahaha!
Panel
Sard sips her tea. Rutile watches her, smiling.
Panel
Rutile touches Sard's hand.
Rutile: You know, they're friendly to OUR type, too, here.
Page
Panel
Sard looks at Rutile's hand touching her own. Sard frowns.
Panel
Sard looks at Rutile, open face. Rutile is a bit worried.
Panel
Sard leans back.
Panel
Sard looks around.
Panel
The people seated at the tables are all mismatching gems. Always two. And they're a lot closer to each other than you'd think.
Panel
Close-up of one pair that look especially mismatched, who stare into each other's eyes dreamily as they slow dance.
Panel
Sard's eyes go super wide.
Page
Panel
Sard stands up. Rutile stands up, too.
Sard: UM.
Rutile: Woah, woah, hey it's ok, we don't have to do anything!
Panel
Sard considers it.
Rutile: Let's just talk… Talking doesn't mean anything…
Sard: Uh…
Panel
Rutile smiles.
Rutile: There are other kinds of tea, you'd love chamomile.
Panel
Sard starts to sit down, still unsure.
Rutile: There we go. Pearl, can we get-
Panel
White light from off-panel illuminates Sard.
Page
Panel
Two gems glow white, one dipping the other.
Panel
Sard's eyebrows go even higher, if that's possible.
Panel
The dancing gems glow and start to change.
Panel
Sard stands up.
Sard: AHHH, SIR NO SIR, THANKS YOU, EXCUSE ME
Panel
Rutile watches Sard go.
Sard: CITY BLOCKS!
Page
Panel
Sard walks out of the cafe, looking down, shoulders up, fists clenched, gritted teeth.
Panel
Sard looks up.
Panel
There's a whole police force of Rubies and Topaz. All surrounding the alley entrance and Sard.
Page
Panel
Topaz has a loudspeaker.
Topaz (loudspeaker): Put your hands up, we have the place surrounded!
Panel
Sard's face, omg, haha
Topaz (OP): I repeat—
Sard: UHHHHHHHHHH….!
Panel
Topaz lowers the loudspeaker and peers at Sard, like Wait a minute.
Panel
Sard holds her hands up, in the beam of multiple spotlights.
Sard: Ahhhh, I'm police, I'm police, I didn't know it was glommers in there! I just got here, I SWEAR!
Panel
Topaz walks out, handing her megaphone to a Ruby.
Page
Panel
Topaz leans in.
Topaz (quiet): Cadet! If you didn't mean to be here, why aren't you wearing your badge?
Panel
Sard looks at her chest.
Panel
Sard grabbing her hair, in panic.
Sard: Sir, I'm sorry, sir, I lost my badge on my first day!
Topaz: Then why are you here?
Sard: A Rutile coerced me, didn't tell me what it was, sir!
Panel
Topaz glares.
Panel
Topaz narrows her eyes.
Topaz: And why did you ask about fusion earlier?
Panel
Sard stares ahead.
Sard: Uh…!
Page
Panel
Sard does the military stance, sweating.
Sard: I…didn't know I was the only Sard in the city! I was just thinking about how I could best serve the Diamonds! Sir!
Panel
Shot of Topaz, grimly watching.
Panel
Topaz considers Sard.
Panel
Topaz unconsciously runs a finger along the scar on her chest.
Page
Panel
Topaz closes her eyes and hooks a thumb over her shoulder.
Topaz: Get a riot shield from my assistant and observe. JUST OBSERVE.
Panel
Sard's face shows relief.
Panel
Sard's eyes go wide.
Rutile (OP): Sard!
Panel
Topaz and Sard turn.
Rutile (OP): I'm sorry, I misread the situation, I-!
Panel
Rutile stands in the café doorway, shocked.
Page
Panel
Rutile looks at Sard. Sard reaches a hand for Rutile, worried.
Sard: No, no! I didn't, I…
Panel
Rutile faces the police and mutters out the side of her mouth.
Rutile (quietly): There is a warp pad in there.
Panel
Sard glances to the side.
Rutile (quietly): On the count of three, follow me and we can warp out of here.
Panel
Topaz has arms folded. Intimidating, back-lit by spotlights.
Rutile (OP, quietly): Let me do the yelling, sometimes two people makes it hard to hear what's going on.
Panel
Sard bites her lip.
Rutile (OP, quietly): Ok?
Panel
Sard grabs Rutile by the wrist.
Sard: Y-YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE, GLOMMER!
Page
Panel
Rutile struggles in Sard's grip.
Rutile: What? You…
Panel
Rutile starts to say something as a yellow blur heads for her head.
Rutile: I don-
Panel
A yellow police baton mashes in where Rutile's head was. Now there's just a puff of cloud.
Panel
Reaction shot of Sard, pupils tiny, hair trailing like it's slow-motion.
Page
Panel
Topaz has her club over her shoulder and gestures to the police forces. Her face is mostly in shadow, she looks menacing.
Topaz: MOVE IN!
Panel
Sard still stares ahead. A little poof smoke lingers. Rutile's gem lies on the ground.
Panel
Topaz places a hand on Sard's shoulder.
Sard: Ah!
Panel
Topaz pulls Sard in. Officers run past, some small, some big.
Topaz (hissed): Stay away from these places and we'll speak no more about this.
Page
Panel
Rubies and a Ruby fusion bust through the café door. Café gems scatter.
Server Pearl: RAID!
Panel
Several café gems stand on a warp pad in the middle of the café as rubies run for them.
Panel
The warp pad glows with a pillar of light. Other café gems cluster around it.
Panel
Café gems jump on the now-empty warp pad as a Ruby fusion draws back a fist.
Panel
The Ruby fusion smashes the warp pad, sending café gems flying.
Page
Panel
Close-up of Sard watching.
Panel
Shot of the fusion that Sard ran away from. The fusion is scared.
Panel
It unfuses and the gems hold up hands as menacing silhouettes approach.
Panel
The big ruby bashes down a cafe sign.
Panel
Cafe gems lined up against the wall.
Panel
A Pearl on the ground, getting kicked.
Panel
Sard looks down.
Panel
Shot of the poofed Rutile gem.
Page
Panel
Sard reaches for the Rutile gem.
Panel
Sard's fingers touch it.
Panel
A light-brown bubble surrounds the gem.
SFX: Bwoop
Panel
Sard looks surprised.
Page
Panel
Sard turns to Topaz, drawing in breath.
Panel
Sard hesitates.
Panel
Sard holds the bubble, with the ruined café as a background.
Volume End
Praise or suggestions welcome :)
Future hints: There's a main fusion club which Sard would find, where she'd learn HEAPS. Trying new relationships, drama. Dealing with being desirable or wanting someone out of your league. Meeting the perma-fusion who runs the club, (who has a very different attitude to Garnet fyi.)
I don't plan to draw this personally. Not good enough and too slow. Maybe find an artist if this blew up? But I'm not expecting it to. Besides, I should focus on other projects.
But this was fun, I really enjoyed writing it!