Crystal Introduction
This story is also cross-posted on Archive of our Own, under the author BurningBehindMyEyes.
Co-written by my best friend, Milo!
"Why does this always happen to us?!"
Cobalt was not in a good mood today. Who would, after following a directionally challenged idiot down into the tunnels without a map, or plan, and end up getting chased by a Gem monster? The short Gem summoned her hammer, smashing it into the rock walls, hoping to distract the creature as they made their getaway. Cobalt growled threateningly when Selenite threw a sheepish smile her way.
"You little shit-" Cobalt broke off when Selenite tripped over an indent in the ground and fell flat on her face. Silence reigned as Cobalt raised a dark blue eyebrow, glaring at Selenite from her one eye.
"You deserved that."
"Ugh… I know. But at least we aren't dead?"
"Yet." Onyx butted in, glaring and stomping his way over to Selenite. "We are never following you ever again. This is almost as bad as the time you led us in into the collapsing ruins and I got crushed by a rock, and poofed. Whoo hoo, fun times."
"Ehehehe." a roar growled through the cave. "Okay, time to go!" Selenite jumped to her feet and booked it. The chainmail along her stomach, arm bracers, and collar was jingling as she ran, springing ahead. She came into the large cavern, where there were several pathways. Selenite narrowed her eyes, considering her options before closing her eyes and picking a random direction. Before she could get far, however, a large hand closed upon the scruff of her neck and lifted her up. She tilted her head backwards, braid falling slightly down her shoulder as she grinned up at Clear Quartz.
"Are we really going to go with your directional sense again, Sel?"Clear Quartz was shaking her head, mirth dancing in her eyes as she considered the consequences.
"Hey, I had a good feeling about that this time. I'm sure it was the right way!"
"Unless that path leads to a shopping mall, I'm not going." Citrine had caught up, finally. His side-swept, slightly curled orange hair was in disarray, and he could not have looked more pissed off if he tried. His high collar was tilted slightly to the left, his silky yellow long sleeve tucked in on the right side but untucked on the right, with mud and dirt marring his black leggings. His brown loafers were so covered in mud they looked black.
He was entirely unimpressed with just about everything today.
"How close are we to the warp pad?" Onyx questioned, running up after the tallest Gem in their little group, who was also their leader. Clear Quartz was enormous, towering over everyone by at least four feet. Selenite was the second tallest, at 6'5". Next was Citrine, at 5'8". The two smallest were Onyx and Cobalt, both at exactly 5'6". Clear Quartz was easily the tallest, at 10'. Her golden breastplate gleamed in the little light there was in the tunnels, while her bracers remained the same dark bronze. Her gem was shining on her left shoulder, her 7' long broad sword held in her right hand, being used as a crutch as she lifted Selenite up.
The two had always been close. After all, Selenite had been Clear Quartz's lieutenant and strategist during the war.
"I dunno. Ugh, roughly another few turns?" Selenite shrugged meekly.
"Oh God. We're following your directions. That's how you know we're screwed." Onyx rolled his eyes, glaring at Selenite and headbutting her slightly. His poofy, spiky grey hair fell over the left side of his neck, covering his Gem. His fully-body black bodysuit was shining in the light, appearing to have several different layers of green and blue and purple, yet those colours did not exist upon his suit. His thick boots were laced up and had steel toes, leather gloves covering his hands. His double short swords were currently stored safely inside his Gem, golden arm bracelet clinging to his upper left arm. He turned and swept his eyes around the tunnels.
"I've been down here before. Follow me." he finally spoke, choosing a direction and disappearing into a tunnel. Citrine merely sighed loudly, expressing his displeasure at being forced to be out here, and followed Onyx. Cobalt growled at Selenite as she passed, following Citrine. Clear Quartz merely chuckled before following the rest of the Gems, still carrying Selenite.
"You can put me down now."
"No."
"I can walk!"
"No."
From up ahead, Onyx sighed heavily and gave his signature evil eye to the very general direction of behind him, already disappointed in Selenite.
"These are the days when I miss my Diamond."
"Agreed." Citrine and Cobalt spoke, then sighed in unison.
They had finally gotten out of the caves, only to find that they were all on the other side of the Rocky Mountains. When everyone had raged at Selenite, with Clear Quartz patiently keeping them from actually attacking the Gem. A few hours later, the Gems had reached their little town, on one of the flatter slopes of the mountain. It was, quite originally, called Rocky Town, and had many little shops and stores. The mountain ponies had just been turned out when they arrived, and the stable hands waved enthusiastically at Selenite, who grinned and yelled at them from where she was dangling from Clear Quartz's hand. Citrine gulped and hid behind Onyx as his manager walked outside of the town's only cafe. When Onyx gave him a weird look, Citrine only shrugged.
"I am still determined to prove that I am the best human worker here. Now be quiet and act like a proper bodyguard, stupid." Citrine boasted. When they had passed the town, he relaxed and continued normally, between Onyx and Cobalt, with Clear Quartz and Selenite leading. They landed near their little home, which looked like an old rustic church at first. Clear Quartz, with Selenite having accepted her fate of being carried like a disobedient kitten, opened the old wooden doors into the old church. The pews were intact and silent, the statue of Jesus a powerful figure at the top of the church. Stained glass windows depicting angels and demons lined the sides of the church, large candles lining the walls. There was a spiral staircase next to the stage, which Onyx disappeared up to as soon as they opened the doors.
Upstairs doubled as both a communal meeting longue and a library. The sunlight streaming through the stained glass windows cast multicoloured light across the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. Each gem had chosen a specific type of chair they had claimed as their own, with Clear Quartz having an entire couch due to her size. Onyx had a fluffy black chair that spun, which Selenite loved to kick from her position on her poofy blue beanbag on the floor beside Onyx. Citrine had insisted on nothing less than a throne for his royal pain-in-the-ass, while Cobalt always, without fail, stood in the corner where they could barely see her.
"Let's go. We need to go check on the other bubbles." Clear Quartz said, grinning down at Selenite, who merely shrugged. "After all, knowing you, you'd probably try to go down those tunnels again. So! If you try it, and I know you won't, I'll find something super heavy for you to push for a long time. Get it?" Clear Quartz asked, grinning madly.
"Yup." Selenite nodded. "So, can you put me down now?"
"Sure. ONYX!" she yelled.
"WHAT."
"Go deal with the cave monster. I'll deal with Selenite. Take Cobalt and Citrine with you."
"So after all the way we walked here," Onyx's face appeared from the railing that separated the second floor from the staircase. "I have go back, deal with the cave monster, and bring Whiner and Depressing. Great."
"Yup. Get to it! Report to me after you're done."
"Yes, ma'am." all three chorused.
"Have fun!" Selenite chirped.
"CAN IT." Citrine, Onyx, and Cobalt all turned and glared.
"So mean!" Selenite grinned before following Clear Quartz down to where they stored the bubbled Gems.