A hundred years ago, the Crystal Gems all gathered in the Lunar Sea Spiral to discuss the wellbeing of the universe. As Ruby took the seat next to her boyfriend, Obsidian, she couldn't help but notice all the other Gems around her. Garnet was sitting next to Amethyst, who was sitting next to Rose Quartz, who was sitting next to Pearl, who was sitting next to Peridot, who was sitting next to Topaz, who was sitting next to Diamond, who was sitting next to Obsidian. The large table between them all had a large star on it, the symbol of the Crystal Gems.
"We all know why we're gathered here today," started Garnet, "to discuss the wellbeing of the universe." "I don't see why we have to do this every month. It's soooo boring," whined Amethyst. "Amethyst, we are the Crystal Gems! It's our job to protect every species in existence!" shouted Pearl. "Blah, blah, blah, I was in the middle of a nap," snapped Amethyst. "Will you two please stop arguing?" asked Rose Quartz politely. Amethyst and Pearl turned away from each other. "Thank you, Rose," said Topaz. "Anyway, we have received a distress signal from the citizens of Planet Zorak. We need three Gems to go check it out," continued Garnet. "I'll go," said Obsidian confidently. "If Obsidian's going, so am I," added Ruby. "No, Ruby, you are much too young to go on such a mission," replied Garnet. It was true, Ruby was the youngest Gem at the time. She was only 500. Even Topaz had her beat and he was only a century-and-a-half older than she. "The team shall consist of Obsidian, Peridot, and Rose Quartz," finished Garnet. "How about Pearl instead?" asked Peridot. "Why are you always so obsessed with Pearl? She's so uptight," asked Amethyst. "At least that's better than being a lazy slob!" snapped Pearl back. "Stop fighting!" shouted Garnet. "Fine," replied both Pearl and Amethyst in perfect unison. "Back to Amethyst's question, why do you always want to go on missions with just Pearl?" asked Diamond. "I'd rather not talk about it," replied Peridot blushing.
And so, Obsidian, Peridot, and Rose Quartz teleported to Planet Zorak, the planet of the grasshopper people. The second they got there, they realized what was wrong. Black sludge with green sparkles was covering one-third of the planet. "Holy-!" shouted Obsidian as soon as he saw it. Peridot nearly threw up at the sight of the sludge. "It doesn't look that bad," said Rose Quartz. Rose reached out her hand to touch it and the sludge started to rise up towards her. Luckily, Obsidian pulled her away before it touched her. "That was too close. Why don't you go check on the citizens of Zorak?" asked Obsidian, trying to keep Rose from trying to "save the sludge." "Very well," replied Rose as she walked away.
Obsidian and Peridot spend an entire hour blasting away at the sludge with their weapons; Obsidian with his dual pistols and Peridot with her bow and arrows. Their weapons have ZERO effect on the sludge. "I don't get it! The sludge should be disappearing!" shouted Obsidian in frustration. "Maybe we should try to get to the center of the sludge?" asked Peridot. "Why not? Can't do any worse than we're doing now."
Peridot used her gem powers to create a bridge over the sludge, and they blast away with no effect. "This is useless! We should just evacuate the planet," shouted Obsidian in anger. "Do you know how long that would take?!"Peridot responded. "We aren't even making a dent in it!" shouted Obsidian back. Peridot's eyes widened as she saw tentacles of ooze coming up behind Obsidian. "What are you staring at?" Obsidian asked. Peridot tried to speak, but her voice wouldn't work. The tentacles grabbed Obsidian by the arms, legs, and neck and lifted him into the air. Obsidian kicked and screamed, but to no avail. Peridot watched in horror as Obsidian was dragged down into the sludge.
Peridot sobbed the whole way back to the land. Rose Quartz met her at the landing. "Peridot, why are you crying?" she asked. "Obsidian" was the only word that came from Peridot's mouth. They promised the Zorakians that they would figure out how to destroy the sludge, and when they figured it out, they would return.
Rose and Peridot returned to the Lunar Sea Spiral to find the other gems waiting for them. "We failed to stop the sludge," said Rose. "Wh-where's Obsidian?" asked Ruby. Peridot tried to speak, but instead of words, all that came were tears. The second they realized, all the other Gems joined in the sadness. Ruby cried hardest of all.
Back on Zorak, the sludge began to move. The Zorakians looked horrified to see a figure emerge from the sludge. "Everyone in this pitiful universe shall perish by my hand! So says Obsidian!"
To be continued…