"You... don't like it?" the rainbow-haired gem echoed in confusion, staring at her leader in shock. Breaking Point-her weapon that could win the war-was gripped tightly in her huge, red tinted hands. The sizzling lava bubbled around them as she stared at the quartz, horror in her eyes.
Rose shook her head quickly, looking apologetically at the blacksmith, muttering, "No. Bismuth... It's just... I don't want to shatter a gem... again." Bismuth blinked, puzzled.
"Again?" Rose flinched, memories resurfacing from the depths of her mind.
"Are you sure?" a timid voice asked, and she nodded. She had to do this. The pearl's gem glowed softly, illuminating the hallways with a metallic silver light, and she reached up to grab her weapon, a sword, and clenched it tightly. Rose gave Pearl a small smile, and she seemed to calm down a bit.
"Rose?" a worried voice asked, and she felt someone tap her shoulder. "They're the enemy, and if we keep fighting, we'll lose more gems." Bismuth's eyes were filled with tears, and she choked out, "We nearly lose Garnet..." The blacksmith clenched her hands into fist, hissing, "Ruby's so worried about Sapphire-she hasn't regenerated yet."
Bismuth looked angry, her body trembling violently and her eyes narrowed. "If we don't lower their numbers-permanently-then they'll just keep reforming over and over!" she shouted. Why couldn't Rose understand?
"Please, Bismuth, I don't want you or anyone to shatter anyone," Rose said, reaching forward to take Breaking Point from the rainbow-haired gem-or metal, technically.
Their feet made clanking sounds on the palace's crystalline floor, and Pearl gripped her weapon even more tightly, her chest rapidly rising and falling."Pearl, put away your weapon," she asked her gently, and the gem released her weapon, causing it to dissipate.
"What are you doing here?" a gruff voice asked, and the speaker, a mere Ruby, stepped in front of them. Her gem, which replaced her left eye, glowed scarlet.
"We wish to speak to Pink Diamond. My name is Rose Quartz," Rose informed the red gem, glancing at Pearl, who scowled at the Ruby.
"Rose!" Bismuth shouted, setting down Breaking Point. "Please!" The gem's hands glowed white as they morphed into two hammers, and Rose recoiled . Her gem glowed, and her shield appeared on her arm. "If you won't accept it..."
The blacksmith raised her hands, preparing to smash Rose with the hammers.
Rose lunged forward, throwing her shied at her Diamond.
Rose raised her arm, blocking her attack, yet she stumbled. The blacksmith jumped away as she threw her shield in her direction.
Pink shards clattered on the floor. The one-eyed Ruby's dagger slipped from her grasp as she stared in horror.
Bismuth's gem clattered on the floor.
"Rose?"
She placed the pink bubble above tree branch in her lion's mane, and turned to the chest, holding the key, then unlocked it.
Rose stared in shock, her tears falling on the shards.
Her tears fell on the pink iamond shards-now unbubbled-but...
Nothing happened.