Time for the next chapter of Ambers progressions. I hope you guys are enjoying the story so far, cause it's only gonna get better. Enjoy! Be sure to review!
Steven Universe: Rising Flames
Chapter Two: A Simple Report
Five years have passed so far, since Ambers training had begun. For four days straight, Amber had been training almost nonstop under Ruby's teachings, learning about fighting and many other things. And as a result of the training, Amber had undergone some drastic changes. She had not only appeared to have grown in height, but in age as well, appearing to be in her mid-twenties. She had learned how to retreat into her gem and regenerate/return, her appearance changed, her hair grown longer, no longer being put up in pigtails, not even a ponytail, her curves becoming more curvaceous, but not only had her appearance changed, but so did her personality as well. She became cold and distant to everyone around her, even to Ruby, and very temperamental, making the rest of the crew fear that they may say or do something wrong, that may bring fourth her burning wrath.
On the fifth day, Amber was in the training room, keeping her skills sharp, as she dodged firing shots from the training robots, dodging the blasts with such grace, then as soon as she got close to one of them, she summoned her weapon of choice; two small, razor sharp scythes, one in each hand, and cut down the robot with a simple slash, then jumped and cut the head off the second robot, the combined the scythes ends, forming a much larger and sinister orange scythe, one end becoming a small blade, and the other becoming the larger blade, in a whisk of flames, then slashed the final robot in half, completing the training.
The simulator shuts down, as Amber made her weapon disappear, and she turned to see Ruby enter the room, smiling.
"Well done, milady." Ruby congratulated, as she approached her "For most of the new warriors, it would've taken them weeks to have completed such rigorous training, but you have proven to be a much more capable of handling yourself. Very well done."
"Those were just practice dummies." Amber pointed out, her voice sounding much more mature now "When do I get to have some real action?"
"When Red Diamond says so." Ruby said, much to Amber's annoyance "Just relax until then. I'm sure she's gonna consider taking you seriously sooner or later."
Just as soon as she said that, a grunt entered the room "Lady Amber? You are needed in the front."
Meanwhile, in the cockpit part of the ship, the ship pilot, Ortega, was making a last minute check of the systems, from his piloting seat, as he is the best pilot the Homeworld had to offer, even for a human. As he checked the systems, Amber entered, seeing a stranger, standing behind Ortega, watching. The stranger was none other than Feldspar, one of Yellow Diamonds many officers, her skin and uniform were a light beige color, her eyes golden and her long hair blonde, and a small feldspar gemstone on her cheek, as she stood there, arms crossed.
"Cloaking systems are online. Shielding systems are operational." Ortega noted, as Feldspar watched, nodding her head with each note "Heating systems are just under fifteen hundred K."
"Fifteen hundred is good." Feldspar remarked, as she noticed Amber enter "Your captain will be pleased."
As Feldspar left the room, Ortega shooked his head, as he silently whispered "I hate that lady."
"Feldspar just gave you a compliment," The young, blue-green woman, small turquoise gemstone on her chin, Turquoise admonished, grinning "So you hate her?"
"You remember to zip up your jumpsuit on your way out of the bathroom? That's good." Ortega countered, as Amber approached from behind "Me? I just jumped us half way across the galaxy, landing on the point, the size of a needle, now that's impressive!" Amber chuckled at such boasting. During her training, she had recently become acquainted with Ortega and over some period of time, began to develop feelings for him. But she kept those feelings deep under wraps, for she wasn't entirely sure if she really felt that way for him, considering the she was full aware of the problems in Ortega's legs, a disease that weakens the bones in his legs, preventing him from walking, to an extent, but that didn't stop him from becoming one of the best pilots in the world.
"And besides, Homeworld Gem Officers are trouble, and I don't like having them onboard." Ortega continued, causing Amber to frown "Call me paranoid."
"You're definitely paranoid, Ortega." Turquoise rolled her eyes, as she took her seat in the systems checking operating computer "And besides, it was Red Diamond who allowed Yellow Diamond to assign Feldspar to the ship, to observe our operations."
"Yeah, that's what the high ups want you to believe." Ortega said, as he noticed Amber standing behind him the whole time "What's your input, Amber?"
"Personally, I think you're overreacting a bit," Amber said, looking at the monitor "But you're also right about the Homeworld Officers. I don't like the idea of them having immunity from the rules."
"You see, Amber knows what I'm talking about!" Ortega boasted, causing Amber to chuckle a bit, before the com-unit turned up.
"Ortega," It was Red Diamonds voice, from the speaker "Status report?"
"Systems are in check, boss." Ortega grinned "All systems are green."
"Good." Red Diamond called "We'll be landing on Earth in a few hours to be making a simple shakedown run."
"Roger that," Ortega said, before frowning "And boss? You may want to heads up. I think Feldspar is on her way."
"She's already here," Red said, causing Ortega to shake his head solemnly "Tell Amber to meet us in the com-room."
"You hear that, Amber?" Ortega said, as the speakers shut down.
"Hard not to," Amber said, as she turned to leave "I'm on my way now."
As she left, Ortega turned to Turquoise "Is it just me, or does the captain always sound angry?"
Turquoise chuckled, then said "Only when she's talking to you, Ortega."
Meanwhile, Amber went down to the communications room, meeting Feldspar, but Red Diamond was absent.
"Amber. An honor to finally meet you, after hearing so much." Feldspar said, smiling "We have enough time to talk, before Red Diamond arrives."
"Talk about what?" Amber asked, curious "And where is Red Diamond?"
"She'll be here shortly." Feldspar said "Now, I would like to know more about this planet we're going to. This Planet Earth. What's it like?"
"From what I heard, it's a paradise." Amber said.
"So I've heard." Feldspar snorted "I heard that the human race is quite reckless, impatient when it comes to evolution. I would like to know if humanity is ready for such advances."
As she finished that sentence, Red Diamond entered the room "I think it's time we told Amber what's really going on."
"Very well." Feldspar nodded, before turning to Amber "This is more than just a little shakedown run."
"I had a feeling it was." Amber said, before turning to Red Diamond "Care to fill me in, chief?"
"We received a message from one of our hidden facilities on Earth." Red Diamond explained "They've found some new technology that may give us an edge against the Crystal Gems. The fool rebels have been a thorn in our side for far too long. Our researchers may have found a breakthrough on dealing with them. Permanently."
"As long as I get Diamond to myself." Amber declared "I still have a score to settle with that half-breed."
"I know, but there's more." Red stated "Yellow Diamond has decided to see if you're ready to become one of the Diamond Authority Officers and has sent Feldspar to evaluate your performance on the mission."
"So that's why I keep bumping into her, everywhere I go?" Amber asked, looking at Feldspar.
"Yellow Diamond is looking for potential Officers and I've put your name forward." Feldspar said "You've proven yourself to be a capable fighter and a powerful Gem."
"And you're okay with this, Red?" Amber asked Red Diamond.
"We've been pushing for this for a long time." Red Diamond revealed "We need an Officer to represent the Red Faction of the Diamond Authority. Which is why I've chosen you."
"I see." Amber nodded "Being an Officer does have its advantages."
"Exactly," Red Diamond said "Which is why-"
"Hey, boss!" Ortega spoke up on the loudspeaker "Something's wrong!"
"What is it?" Red asked.
"A transmission from the hidden base, ma'am, you may want to see this!" Ortega said.
"Bring it up onscreen." Red said, as the screen turned on.
What they saw was instant gunfire being shot, as the soldiers defending the researchers were constantly firing, shooting at an unknown enemy, which seems to be firing just as much firepower. "We are under fire and taking heavy casualties! The enemies are too strong, came out of nowhere! We need an immediate evac!" As the soldier finished, the camera suddenly turned to the enemy, on a mysterious figure, then suddenly, there was a loud noise, then the screen turned to static.
"Everything cuts out after that, no signal." Ortega said "Just goes dark."
"Hold on." Red said "Rewind and pause at 2:15."
The video rewinded and paused at a picture that brought curiosity. It was showing a mysterious figure, leading the unknown enemies, cloaked in black, and strangely, the figure had blank, glowing eyes that appeared spectral.
"Bring us in, Ortega, fast and quiet. This mission just got complicated." Red said, before turning to Amber "Looks like we may have some trouble after all."
Amber looked at the screen, curious about the cloaked figure with the spectral eyes. Whoever it may be, it would serve as a sign that not even the Gems are safe.
Hope you guys are still enjoying the story, even if it's just two chapters. And don't worry; I will be making other stories for the other characters that will link to others that I will write later on, so until then, enjoy! Be sure to review!