(AN: Trying my hand at Steven Universe now. This is not beta-d at all, just scanned over about four times by me. Constructive criticism is always and forever appreciated! I might do this same fic from Ruby's POV if that seems to be the consensus. Also, I ship Pink and Blue Diamond purely because it's been over 5,750 years and BLUE IS STILL NOT OVER IT. The first bit of this sad lil' fic reflects this.)
Sapphire zoned in and out of the meeting, letting her future vision take her in and out of conversations and situations that hadn't happened yet. She would have to remember to tell her pearl to write up a list of duties for the new peridot that would replace the one standing on the wall to her right. That wouldn't happen for a few months though, so she put it in the back of her mind. The vision flashed again. The same vision that had been bothering her the past two days.
She wasn't sure what it was, but it was reaching for her, trying to get her attention. It had started when she had heard of the rebellion on the new colony. Her pearl had read it off of the list of meetings for that week when it had hit her. Blinding flashes of red, pink, and blue. She could hear the war cries of gems, and the clashing of swords. And then it ended. Nothing more, nothing less. It was something, but she wasn't sure what.
Her thoughts of the mysterious vision were interrupted by a slight kick from the fire agate next to her. The agate glanced at Blue Diamond, and back to Sapphire, indicating she had asked a question. Sapphire quickly scanned for the response that would not land her in hot water with her diamond.
"Yes, my diamond. I will go to the colony and assess what can be done."
Blue Diamond nodded. "Excellent. I will have Pearl send an itinerary, and include your departure time. Would you like a team of rubies?"
Sapphire, who was still trying to figure out where exactly she had just agreed to go, started to decline. Rubies rarely were any help if danger arose, and mostly just elongated the time before Sapphire herself had to deal with the problem, or was simply poofed. Which was why she surprised herself with the "If it would not impose on my diamond too much."
Where in the galaxies had that come from?
Blue Diamond waved her hand, and was about to say something else, when her pearl burst through the large door. Blue Diamond stood up.
"What is the meaning of this?!"
Sapphire flinched. Pearls were strictly forbidden from meetings such as this, and even a diamond's pearl would not be excluded from the punishments that came with entering one unannounced and uninvited.
Blue Pearl seemed out of breath, but the one thing Sapphire noticed was the terror coming from her. It was strong, pure, absolute terror, the kind of which Sapphire has never felt before. Blue Pearl tried to bow to her diamond, but was simply too agitated, and stumbled.
"I'm sorry, my diamond, but… it's…"
"Well?!" Blue diamond demanded.
Blue Pearl's panting slowed a little, only to give way to sobs. "It's Pink Diamond."
Blue Diamond immediately swayed a little, and her hand rested on her chair to right herself.
"What-," She swallowed thickly and started again. "What about Pink Diamond?"
Sapphire saw what news Blue Pearl was about to deliver, and a gasp escaped her. She felt sick to her stomach, and grabbed the table as all the air she didn't need rushed from her mouth.
Blue Diamond, who was becoming increasingly worried and agitated, slammed her fist on the table. "Some gem had better tell me what is happening or you will all be shattered!"
Blue Pearl flinched. "My diamond… Rose Quartz has shattered Pink Diamond."
That was the first time Sapphire had ever seen a diamond fall.
The next few days were a frenzy. Blue Diamond rushed out of the meeting and left for earth the same day she heard the news. Her official reason was to protect Pink Diamond's court, as well as be the governing body for the gems still loyal to Homeworld on the colony. Sapphire knew better. She would never tell anyone, but she still knew.
Her itinerary came a week later. She would leave in two days. Her ruby team would arrive in one. She would arrive on earth approximately two weeks after departure from Homeworld. She debating on bringing Pearl, but ultimately decided that between dealing with rubies she had so stupidly agreed to as well as the danger that came with entering the war zone that was planet earth outweighed her need to be waited on hand and foot. She left her with Yellow Diamond's sapphire, with instructions to keep her until she arrived back on Homeworld.
Her ruby squad was waiting within her compartment when she returned from Yellow Diamond's complex.
They closed their eyes and bowed. "Your Clarity."
Sapphire nodded slightly in acknowledgement, and surveyed her ruby team. The one furthest from her had her gem on her right shoulder. She seemed braver than the other three, and Sapphire could already see her running her mouth the entire time they would be together. She smirked a little at the vision of her gem after being poofed. The ruby in the middle's gem placement was on the back of her right hand. She was a tad less of a loudmouth than Shoulder, by not by much. She was more reasonable, so that gave her a plus in Sapphire's book. She too, would be poofed.
Her eyes landed on the ruby closest to her, only to find her already looking back at her. The ruby's cheeks blushed a deeper red than the rest of her, and she ducked her head. This one was as quiet as a ruby could be, and the most level-headed. Her gem placement was the exact opposite of Sapphires own, the palm of her left hand. She wouldn't be poofed. There was something different about this one. She would do something, something that Sapphire wasn't quite able to see.
She was still trying to see what that something was when her com buzzed.
"If you'll excuse me."
They took this as their relief order, and straightened. Sapphire reached the com.
"Sapphire- Facet 1G2X Cut 1LA- Blue Diamond."
"Holly Blue Agate- Facet 5A7O Cut 9TD- Blue Diamond. Your Clarity, I am calling to inform you that your ship has been prepared, and will begin departure at star set tomorrow. It is recommended that you arrive earlier than that. Will you be traveling with lessers?"
"A team of three Rubies."
"Yes, Your Clarity. Accommodations will be made. I look forward to seeing you again upon arrival."
Sapphire nodded in acceptance.
The holly blue awkwardly stood in front of the camera for a moment. Sapphire raised her eyebrow, unbeknownst to the agate because of her hair.
Holly Blue cleared her throat. "Right. Holly Blue Agate- Facet 5A7O Cut 9TD- Blue Diamond, out."
The com ended.
Sapphire sighed. The only problem she could find with ranking directly below the diamonds was the awkward tension that arose between her and literally every other gem. She supposed that she instigated some of it, being as closed off as she chose to be. But it was hard to find the want or need for conversations when she already knew what would be said and how it would end. She shook off the com call and turned back to her rubies.
Shoulder and Right Hand were looking at the ground complacently. Left Hand was looking at her again, but immediately dropped when she noticed Sapphire had turned. Sapphire felt her cheeks warm and a smile play at her lips. Odd. She couldn't remember the last time she had smiled.
"Have any of you ever been off Homeworld?"
"No, Your Clarity." The three said in unison.
Sapphire nodded. "It's an experience. Tomorrow, we will board the ship. The trip will take one week and 6 days. Upon arrival, I will assess the situation, and determine what must be done. Depending on the course of fate that is taken, we may have to stay and direct the gems in charge of ending the rebellion. This may be our diplomatic team, or this may be warriors. You three are to protect me. Unless they are a threat in the moment, you are not to go fighting the rebels unless I or Blue Diamond give you direct orders. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Your Clarity."
"Good. Take this day to familiarize yourself with the Crystal Gems and the earth. You may use my screen." Sapphire motioned to the screen on the wall behind the rubies. "I must attend to a few duties that need to be taken care of before my departure."
"Yes, Your Clarity."
Sapphire stifled a sigh at the repetitiveness. "I shall return." She let herself float towards her door, and took one last glance at her ruby team. Shoulder and Right Hand were already gravitating towards the screen, excited to be able to use one. Left Hand was turning that way when she felt Sapphire's eye on her, and turned back. This time, it was Sapphire who blushed and ducked her head as she exited the compartment.
One week. Seven, agonizing, infuriating days. Sapphire had frozen Shoulder four times, and had used her knuckle dusters to poof her once. Right Hand had only been frozen twice. Sapphire hadn't poofed her… yet. And Left Hand.
Left Hand hadn't been poofed… or frozen… or even snapped at. She had been, nice? Sapphire wasn't sure. She was almost like a pearl, except she wasn't just doing things for Sapphire, she was helping her with things. She helped Sapphire carry boxes of archive information on colonization to the screen room. She helped her go through all that information, and even helped her make sense of some of it. It got to the point where she wasn't even 'Left Hand' anymore. She was just 'Ruby'. Sapphire would even dare say she enjoyed her company.
But then there were the looks. The random times Sapphire would glance at Ruby to find her already looking at her. Or when they would be conversing, and Ruby would just start to grin as Sapphire was talking. It was immediately wiped away when Sapphire questioned her about it, and she always brushed it off.
Sapphire found herself blushing whenever it happened around day three.
Earth was a war zone. That was the only way Sapphire could even think of describing it. Broken gems were brought to Blue Diamond every day. Sapphire could see them from her temporary compartment. It struck her right to her core every time she saw. She didn't know what happened to those shards, just that they were then warped away somewhere. Ruby eventually brought in a shade for the window.
After two days of meetings with the war generals, Blue Diamond, her fellow diplomats, and the members of Pink Diamond's court that had taken refuge in Blue's, Sapphire finally felt the paths of fate become clear to her. She shut herself alone in her compartment to examine each one, and determine the course of action that should be taken, as well as the outcomes for each one.
She saw so many things. So many horrible, horrible things. No matter what happened, someone would get shattered. In most of the visions, it was Rose Quartz and her army. In some, it was Sapphire herself. In one, it was Blue Diamond. The kinds that she steered absolutely clear of were those where it was Ruby. Finally, she saw one with the least amount of destruction. Rose Quartz would be caught and shattered, as well as the renegade pearl. Most of her army would escape, and lead the lives their type of gem let them lead. But to make this a reality, she would be poofed. She was okay with that. She could see her reformation on Homeworld, and all would be well.
Sapphire exited her compartment. The ruby team was waiting for her outside the door. Her Ruby-
Sapphire caught herself. 'Her Ruby'?! Where in the galaxies did that come from?! She swallowed and shook it off. She didn't have time to deal with that.
The ruby team looked at her expectantly.
"I know what must be done, but we must hurry."
The team nodded, and fell into formation, guarding her on the way to Blue Diamond's palanquin. Ruby walked closely in front of her, while Shoulder and Right Hand conversed further ahead. Sapphire was so distracted by the route of fate they were choosing; she almost didn't see Ruby bumping into her. Almost as soon as she saw it, it happened. Ruby immediately went to blubbering and apologizing.
"Oh, I, um, I'm so sorry, I, let me, uh…"
Sapphire brushed her off. "I'm fine."
"What?" Ruby swallowed.
"It's okay, it was bound to happen."
"I, uh… okay."
"Now please wait here. I must attend to my duties." Sapphire felt Ruby look at her, but she was too tense to turn and answer.
Sapphire arrived at the palanquin. "My Diamond, I've arrived."
Blue Diamond's voice was cold and numb. "Sapphire, tell me what will happen here."
Sapphire took a breath she didn't need, and began the words she had been practicing. "I foresee the rebels attacking the Cloud Arena. Before they are cornered, they will destroy the physical forms of seven gems, including two of my ruby guards, and myself. Immediately after my form is destroyed, the rebels will be captured. The rebellion ends here."
"Thank you, Sapphire. That's all I needed to know." Sapphire didn't comment on the relief that was evident in her voice.
Sapphire walked back to her ruby team, and stood next to Ruby. She felt a twinge of remorse over their earlier encounter, and tried to make up for it.
"What a beautiful place to build a colony. I wish I could have seen more of this planet."
Ruby looked surprised she was talking to her, which just drove Sapphire's guilt home. "Uh… there's still time."
Sapphire let out a breath at that. "That is a nice thought, but… no."
The rebels arrived.
Sapphire felt Ruby leave her side to fuse with the other rubies. She flinched when she saw the pearl let her sword fly, and heard the first four gems hit the ground. Rose Quartz unfused the rubies with a quick slash of her swords. The pearl jumped in to poof them away. It was Sapphire's turn.
She knew she would never see Ruby again. But she would be okay, so Sapphire could live with it.
She let her eye rest on Ruby. "Thank you, Ruby. You did your best."
Sapphire took a deep breath, and prepared herself for the pain of the sword.
"NOOOOO!"
Sapphire felt herself being pushed, and then she was flying through the air, wrapped in someone's arms. And then she wasn't. She was aware, but it wasn't her. It was half of her and more than her at the same time. She glanced around, she could see, yet she could feel power that she had never known coursing through the unfamiliar body. She felt fury and patience, peace and war, love and loss all at once. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever experienced.
"Wha…" A voice that wasn't hers spoke. She saw a body that wasn't hers, and instinctively lifted her hands to check her gem. The gem on her left hand wasn't hers. "What…!?"
Sapphire was scared. She was never scared. She felt her fear, she felt someone else's fear, and she felt their combined fear. It was almost too much.
She felt herself look around. "What…" That voice again… "What is this?"
"SAPPHIRE!" Sapphire saw Ruby, but didn't see Ruby, she felt her close, very, extremely, incredibly close.
"RUBY!" Sapphire shouted back. Sapphire saw Ruby in her mind's eye reach for her, and on some level that wasn't physical, she could feel Ruby's arms wrap around her.
Sapphire can hear Ruby's thoughts. She can feel her feelings, as well as their combined feelings.
The voice speaks again. "Is this…?"
Sapphire had just begun to think that this wasn't so bad. It was peaceful. It was warm and comforting and… loving. But then a force burst in, and she and Ruby were flung apart. Sapphire could hear the crowd, but couldn't process any of it. She couldn't process anything until…
"The rebels have fled. Sapphire, this was not the scenario you described!"
Sapphire was breathing deeply, and could feel beads of sweat forming on her skin. "This is… not what I saw! I don't know what happened, I- "
"NO!" Ruby cut in. "It was me!"
"Clearly." Blue Diamond's voice was cold. Sapphire felt pure terror shoot through her.
"How dare you fuse with a member of my court?!"
Ruby became flustered. "Forgive me, I…!"
Blue Diamond interrupted her. "You will be broken for this!"
Sapphire didn't think, didn't try to see, didn't even look at Blue Diamond. She just reacted. She grabbed Ruby's hand, ran, and jumped.
Ruby was screaming externally. Sapphire was screaming internally. She didn't know what just happened. She didn't know what was about to happen. She didn't know anything anymore. The only thing she knew, and perhaps the only thing she would ever know again, was that nobody was going to hurt Her Ruby.