Crystal Gems Online
Chapter 2: Family
Sapphire released Lars and he once again fell to the floor, she looked over at the red gem. "W-what?"
"It's gone Sapphire," Ruby whispered harshly. "Lover boy is right, we can't log off,"
The red haired gem took a deep breath before turning to walk away but Sapphire grabbed her hand quickly. "Where are you going?"
"To talk to Rose, she was a beta tester before the game was released." She gently removed her hand from the blue beauty. "She should know what's going on, you should stay here and make sure he doesn't hurt himself."
"We'll go with you-"
Ruby held her hand up. "No!" She snapped before taking a deep breath when she noticed Sapphire jump back at her outburst. "Just stay away from me alright,"
Sapphire took a step back next to Lars and watched as Ruby called to her menu bar as she prepared to teleport to this 'Rose' person. She was still shaken up about how upset the red girl seemed to be at her presence. She didn't understand. They were just getting along so well and now the girl was avoiding her like she had the black plaque. What had changed?
"Sapphire," Lars nudged her in the arm lightly, whispering softly. "Not that I'm scared or anything but what are we going to do now?"
The blue haired girl smiled softly. "We're going to see Rose of course,"
"But how?" Lars questioned. "I have no idea where she is and since she's number one we can't just look her up on the universe map."
Sapphire didn't speak as she grabbed his hand tightly, a smile reaching her face when a yellow light surrounded the red gem. "Ruby is going to take us there,"
In the blink of an eye, thanks to her speed, she had grabbed a hold of Rubies lean waist just as she had began to teleport. A bright light surrounded them and in only a few seconds they were zapped into what appeared to be a normal house; they had landed on a blue warp pad that sat in the living room.
Ruby gasped when she noticed that they had followed her, pushing them away as she turned to scowl at them. "Seriously? You had to resort to teleport hopping?"
"Well you didn't really give us much of a choice!" Lars shouted, standing protectively in front of Sapphire.
Ruby felt her stomach drop at the way he fought to protect the blue girl. It should be her and not him. Red eyes grew hot in anger at the thought of how he was trying to take what should belong to her.
Sapphire was her's to protect.
"Ruby it's about time you got here!" Ruby was broken from her anger when she noticed Pearl emerge from her room. "Rose was looking for…" She stopped when she spotted the two intruders. "Who are they! You know better than to allow strangers into our inner sanctum,"
The red gem growled angrily and faced the skinny girl with her fist bawled tightly. "I didn't Pearl, they totally teleport hopped me!"
"Whatever it doesn't matter now," She motioned for them to follow. "Rose wanted to talk to the top ten as well as all the known gems in this game," Her eyes glanced over at Sapphire at the mention of gems before she turned and opened the room door once more, they followed her inside.
The room was filled with puffy pink clouds and there were only seven people inside, all of whom happened to be part of the top ten list. The strongest players in the game were all gathered together in a circle as Rose spoke to them, although they all stopped what they were doing when the four of them walked in.
"Nice of you to finally grace us with your presence Ruby," Jasper rasped out, arms crossed with a scowl.
She rolled her eyes, deciding to stand next to Amethyst. "Bite me he-she,"
"Psst," Amethyst let out while holding her hands over her mouth as she tried not to laugh; patting Ruby on her fro a few seconds later. "Nice one Rub's,"
Sapphire took an unsure step forward to the large pink woman who stood in the middle or the circle which parted for her as she drew closer, she bowed her head lightly. "I'm sorry. I tricked Ruby and jumped onto her as she was teleporting, I just needed to get some answers…"
"Sapphire it's fine," Blue eyes widened behind blue bangs as her head shot up. "You're name can still be shown to anyone, I can show you how to hide it once you tap into your true power-"
"True power? Fuck true power!" Another blue gem stepped beside Rose, glaring up at her. "We're all trapped in this hell hole, I don't know about you but I want to get home to my family."
Rose nodded her head. "I understand how afraid you are Lapis but-"
"No I don't think you do! I need to get home now," She shouted.
A deep chuckle sounded in the room as Jasper stepped forward. Sapphire watched as the scene unfolded before her while Lars stood by her side and watched silently. The large gem by the name of Jasper caused chills to go down Sapphire's spine, and not the good ones. Something about this character gave her a nasty feeling.
Sapphire unconsciously moved closer to the red gem to her left.
Jasper stood next to Lapis. "Well since it seems like Rose Quarts doesn't know what she's doing-"
"-of course she knows what she's doing!" Pearl argued ready to fight for the pink woman's honor.
"I don't hear her saying much," Jasper laughed as Rose remained silent with her eyes narrowed at the heinous gem. "I for one have a plan for how to get out of here." Jasper called to his menu bar and revealed to them a large map.
"There are a total of fifty boss levels on this game, whenever you win against a boss your party is moved forward to the next level and you get stronger along the way." The map was moved to Beach City. "In Beach City the first boss level happens in a cave under the sea, I say the quicker we beat all these bosses the quicker we win the game and get out."
The map disappeared and they all stood in the cloudy room thinking over all of what Jasper had suggested. "Now I don't know what Rosie over here has planned but, follow me if you want to beat this game and get the hell out of here."
Without another word Jasper left the room with a few others following him on his way out. Amethyst mumbled an 'of course' as she watched Lapis, Peridot, and Centipedal follow Jasper; the door was slammed shut behind them.
Sapphire looked at the remanding players in the room; Rose, Lars, Pearl, the purple gem, a blonde haired girl, and Ruby. She smiled softly as she looked at the red girl who despite her anger bought a comforting feeling to her; she had made the right choice.
"Well Jasper was right about his plan and I was going to suggest that we also do the same thing," Rose looked at her remaining soldiers. "What he didn't inform them on is that there is a possibility that your body can die in the real world before we even make it to the final boss level,"
Ruby looked at Rose with dedication. "What do you suggest we do?"
A smile graced the pink gems face and she turned to Ruby. "We stick together. All of us,"
"Like a group or something?" Amethyst grumbled with her arms crossed.
"Not a group," Rose corrected. "A family. We all protect each other and trust one another; it is the only way that we will all make it out in time…"
The remaining players stood and thought about what Rose had just told them. The only way to get out way by working together and trusting each other. Sapphire didn't think she could do it. She had only met these people a few hours prior and now she was expected to just trust them?
Sapphire looked at the way Ruby stared at the pink gem with faith and trust. The blue gem had never been a big fan faith even when she was little. At a very young age when her sight had began to slip away her parents had told her to have faith that it would be returned.
Look how well that worked out.
"Yeah family hug!" Amethyst shouted as she yanked Ruby and Pearl into a tight hug.
Sapphire watched the blue gem blush a deep shade of blue as she struggled in the hug. Was the purple gem making her embarrassed like Lars had explained to her hours ago? She really needed to learn how to read people better.
"Let go of me this instant!" Pearl argued not putting up much of a fight.
Sapphire could have sworn she saw a small crack on Pearl's lips. Maybe a smile?
Ruby smiled uncharacteristically and pulled Pearl even closer to the middle just as Amethyst was doing. "You know you love us sis!"
"Not you too Ruby," Pearl shouted as she struggled. "Of all the times for you to be in your rare good moods,"
Sapphire felt something tug at her heart as she watched the three interact like family. She had never had anything like that at her home in the real world. Being blind meant that she had to miss out on a lot of things and it made her relationship with her brother weak.
They never had those early Saturday morning spent watching television on the couch or even playing together at the park. Her mother had always been so cautious with her; it was as if she were made of glass.
In a way she felt that her brother blamed her for them not being close and he proved that by hiding away in his room for years. She only talked with him at dinner; barely.
She had always wanted a family to be close with.
"Hey losers," Ruby shouted as she mainly looked at Sapphire. "You're part of our family too so get in here."
Rose smiled from the side and watched as the normally angry gem invited the others into the hug. She knew how rare it was when Ruby was in a good mood and when she was you had to make every second count.
They finally loosened their grip on Pearl and created a hole in their love fest; inviting the other three to join.
"No way-"Lars began but was forcibly pushed in by the blonde haired girl; he groaned. "Sadie!"
Sadie shrugged and stood beside Lars in the small circle. Sapphire cautiously walked in and took her spot between Ruby and Sadie.
She felt strong hands rest on her side as Ruby pulled her in close, the gem smiled at her. "We're all a family…" The gem broke eye contact and looked at her crowd; Sapphire's eyes remained glued to the red gem. "And family means nobody gets left behind."
Ruby glanced at Sapphire once more before removing herself from the hug. "Okay that's enough! What's our first move Rose?"
"Wow fifteen seconds," Pearl mumbled sarcastically. "That's a new record Ruby."
Ruby shrugged as they all moved a respectable distance from one another and turned to their leader in charge. Rose nodded at the red gem before she called for the universe map. Beach City appeared.
"Jasper was right about where the first boss level will be; the bottom of the ocean." She spoke soft and stern. "For now I suggest that we move our party there and fight our way to the boss; we should move out now."
Pearl listened intently and nodded every once and a while. "I agree,"
"Now I know that our group isn't very large yet but that will change when we recruit others," She closed her universe map. "So in the meantime you will be split into pairs based on your skill and ability; how well you go together."
"Pearl you are of very high skill," Pearl smiled proudly. "You're with Amethyst." She deadpanned.
Amethyst rolled her eyes when Pearl groaned loudly. "It's not that awful," She muttered with her arms crossed.
"Lars and Sadie," She continued.
The brown haired boy held back a groan; he wanted to be Sapphire's partner. Sadie didn't look too thrilled about them being paired up either; her face was a bright red.
'She must really not like him…' Sapphire thought.
"And finally," She smiled knowingly. "Sapphire and Ruby."
Ruby held her head up proudly and couldn't help but jump for joy inside her head. Finally she would get a chance to explore this, relationship that was forming. Not to mention that she would actually be the one protecting Sapphire and not that idiot with the saggy ears.
Red eyes looked over to blue bangs. The girl stood looking as calm and collected as usual.
Ruby wished she knew what was going on in her mind.
Once everyone understood the plan they had all teleported to the underwater dome of Beach City. The clear bubble gave them a perfect view of the wildlife that lived under the beautiful water; Sapphire had never seen anything like it.
"It's amazing," She whispered as she tried to memorize the scenery with a deep understanding that she may never see it again when they got out of the game.
Ruby nodded. "One of the best places to be in this game," She smiled softly. "It's funny really; I've never liked water but here it's different…It's beautiful."
Sapphire looked at the red gem who seemed to understand her so well. "That's exactly what I was thinking,"
"Yea-Ouch!" Ruby snatched her finger away from the inside of her pockets. "Wha-"
Sapphire was quick to aid her as they stopped walking; the group continuing on without them. "What's wrong?"
"That's weird," Ruby whispered as she looked at her bleeding finger.
"What's weird?" Sapphire spoke calmly.
Ruby hesitated before she shook her head. "N-never mind it's nothing; we better hurry and catch up with the group."
Sapphire made an attempt to disagree but the red gem grabbed her hand and pulled her along. Ruby tried to calm her breathing but she couldn't help but wonder about her suddenly bleeding finger. A quick flash back rolled into the red girls mind.
"Finally a new game that is worth playing," A black girl with short puffy hair muttered as she examined the game box.
The sound of shouting filled her ears; she hated it. Her parents always argued day in and day out, which are normal for most parents' right? Well at least it is when they aren't arguing about how they never even wanted children, let alone a gay girl who lived in a Christian household. If they wanted her they sure as hell didn't show it.
Jasmine just wanted to get away from it all; thus the idea of a role playing game.
With another deep sigh she grabbed a knife from her dresser and began to cut the tape that held the box together. She flinched when she accidentally cut the tip of her finger with the sharp blade.
"Shit," She muttered as she felt her anger grow; she threw the knife across the room in her rage. "Stupid fucking knife…"
Jasmine watched as her finger began to bleed. "Whatever," She placed the game into the system and put her head gear on.
She just needed to escape for a few hours…
Ruby was freaking out inside. She had cut herself hours ago but that was outside of the game so why was she bleeding inside the game? The red gem wished she could vent to Sapphire but she didn't want to startle the girl.
She was the one who was supposed to protect her and not show how fearful she was. It just wasn't part of her character. Everyone knew her as strong and short tempered not weak and fearful.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
Ruby lashed out at the girl as she finally replaced her fear with anger. "I said I'm fine."
Sapphire sighed as the girl released their hands once they were with the group. They had reached the end of the dome and a large door lie at the end of it.
"Prepare yourselves and make sure you have each others back," Rose pulled out her shield and pushed the door open.
It creaked softly and a dark room was revealed to them; they all carefully made their way inside.
Lars held his sword close to him as he stood protectively beside Sadie; she also had her stick weapon in hand. Pearl and Amethyst remained apart but not too far and kept looking around for any sudden movement.
Ruby was standing still with her iron fist extracted; Sapphire was the same with her iron fist as well.
The door shut behind them all and the floor suddenly glowed a bright red color. The sudden lighting revealed a large red monster in the shape of a sea worm; sharp teeth eating at bright red grass.
It paid them all no mind as smaller creatures just like it attacked at them; shooting bursts of sound in their direction.
"You all take care of the smaller gems and make a path for me," Rose retracted a pink sword from her forehead to match her shield. "I'll take care of the boss."
Amethyst was the first to move as she retracted her magic whip from her bosom. "Ha you don't have to tell me twice!"
"Amethyst we need to form a plan!" Pearl shouted as she tried to catch up with the purple gem who was destroying creatures left and right.
Lars and Sadie were the second ones to move into action. The brown haired boy used his blue sword to crack the tiny gems on the worm like creatures and Sadie stabbed them in the back with her spear like stick.
Sapphire and Ruby stood still for a few minutes before the blue gem spoke up. "So I guess we should-"
The red gem jumped into action and punched a worm that tried to attack her; its gem shattered and it disappeared into thin air. "Just stay out of the way," Ruby muttered as she went on to the next creature.
The blue gem simply raised an eyebrow.
The blue girl sped through the battle field and aimed for every gem in sight; cracking their stones. Sapphire knew that with her speed she could weaken twice the amount of gems as the others but with her strength low it would take more time to destroy them. She admired how Ruby knew what her own limit was and how well she used it during battle. No matter how rude the gem was to her she had to admit that Ruby had skill.
With her speed and Ruby's strength the girl couldn't help but think that they'd be better if they actually worked together.
A bright light suddenly hit her vision and the creature she was fighting was suddenly released, Sapphire held her head as she fell to her knees.
She felt weird…Like she was in perfect peace but also in a foreign place of which she held no understanding. And she was taller, like way taller.
Her arms were long and skinny but Sapphire knew they were surely strong. The girl struggled to stand on new legs and began to explore her body.
"What's going on?" Sapphire froze.
That defiantly wasn't her voice…If she had time to freak out she would but right now her friends were in danger and they need her help.
Ruby had just finished clearing a path for Rose; most of the creatures were destroyed and now all they had to do was sit back and let the pink women work her magic.
The red gem felt a little pain in her heart for the way she snapped at Sapphire; again. She just didn't understand. Sure she has an anger problem but she never yells at Pearl and Amethyst as much as she does the blue girl. She never really gets angry at others just the situations going on around her and she had no right to yell at the blue girl.
"Where is she anyway?" Ruby whispered as she fully prepared herself to give the girl formal apology. "Oh no,"
Her eyes grew wide as she watched the blue girl hold her head in what appeared to be agony. One of the worms had slipped away from her sight and was now advancing to Sapphire. Its tail stood erect in the air as it readied it's strike.
A sharp cry woke Sapphire from her trance, she looked up. It looked as if they had won because the large worm was no longer in the room. She frowned.
Then why did it seem like they had lost?
The entire group was staring at her, or near her, with pale white faces. She even expected Lars to crack some dirty joke but his face was stone cold. Rose was shouting something and Amethyst was freaking out and waving her hands in the air. Pearl looked as if all hope was lost, she tried to stop her tears; but Sapphire saw them anyway.
Something wet and damp dripped onto her face.
"Wha-" She started as she wiped it off with her fingers.
It was blood.
Not just any blood, her eyes widened so large that she was sure that her bangs couldn't hide them.
It was Ruby's blood.
The red girl in question stood tall with her arms stretched far, protecting Sapphire. The sharp tail from the worm had pierced her side; which should be fine it is just a game right? The least that could happen is that her energy level would go down to eighty. Her energy bar did in fact fall but so did the fresh and very real looking blood from her now gushing side.
"No no no…" The calm gem was now erratic as she whispered that word over and over.
Rose destroyed the worm and the sharp tail was removed from Ruby's side; she fell forward. The pink gem held the smaller girl in her arms.
"Sapphire…" The red gem struggled to speak with the shooting pain. "I'm s-sorry,"
The red gem then closed her eyes and took refuge in the arms of her leader.
"Pearl snap out of it and get Sapphire somewhere safe," Rose called to her menu bar and looked at Amethyst. "Come with me back to the temple so we can help her,"
For once the purple gem spoke no words and did exactly what she was told. In the blink of an eye they were both teleported out.
Pearl quickly wiped the tears from her face and removed her eyes from the spots of blood on the floor. "Sadie and Lars go back to the temple and don't do anything until Rose gives us orders."
Both teenagers followed her instructions and got ready to teleport. Lars looked at the blue girl who was still in a much deserved shock before leaving with the blonde girl.
Sapphire couldn't think straight. All she could see in her mind was deep crimson red drops falling on her face and a high pitched scream filling her ears. She sat in fetal position as she looked at her shaky hands; she was a mess.
She heard a soft voice in the distance that was probably Pearl's but the only voice she wanted to hear was probably gone right now.
Ruby was still hurt. She needed to make sure that she was okay.
"Sapphire are you okay?"
The blue girl shook her head and rose to her feat. "Pearl I need to make sure that she's okay-"
"No. Rose told me to keep you away for a while," The taller girl got ready to teleport. "I know the perfect place we can go to."
Pretty much against her will; Sapphire was dragged with Pearl to another area in the game. She didn't know where she was but she knew that they were in a large van.
Inside the van were large posters of random unknown bands and pictures; one picture was of Rose and an overweight man with long brown hair. There were also many types of swords displayed in cases around the room. They all had price tags on them.
"Is this the place that Lars told me about?" Sapphire glared at Pearl in frustration. "I don't need a new weapon; I need to see if Ruby is okay!" She had lost every shred of patience in her body.
Pearl rolled her eyes and sighed. "I liked you so much better when you were quiet and calm," She looked around the large room and shouted. "Greg!"
"Yo," A deep voice replied as the man from the pictures entered the van; a work apron tied around his waist. "Pearl how's it going?" He looked over at Sapphire in curiosity.
"Never seen you around these parts," He whipped his hands off on his fabric and held his hand out. "The name is Greg and you are?"
Taking a much needed deep breath to calm down she quickly shook his hand. "Sapphire,"
"Uh," Greg mumbled.
Pearl shook her head. "We were fighting a boss and things got a little problematic."
"I see." He turned serious and motioned to his work table where two chairs resided. "You ladies take a quick seat while I fix us up some port chops,"
Sapphire felt her eyebrow twitch in frustration. Why are they eating at a time like this?
She felt a soft hand on her shoulder; Pearl was smiling down at her. "Trust me; you're going to thank me later when you taste his cooking…" The gem took a seat and crossed her legs. "Besides I think you need a break,"
"I…" She finally nodded in defeat. "Okay."
She had to trust her family and have faith in them to take care of Ruby and herself as well. Sapphire finally calmed down and smiled softly at Pearl.
"I'll trust you,"
That's the end of Chapter two and I hope you liked it because there is much more to come. Please continue to read my stories and review whenever you get the chance; I want to know what you think. And tell me if you think I'm portraying the characters correctly. Until next week; let your imagination go wild.