She was furious.
Was she the only one who took fusion seriously? It was the ultimate connection between gems. How dare Pearl trick her into something so intimate? And Amethyst even tried to defend her! Pearl treated fusion like it was some simple, quick way to be happy.
There were times when Ruby and Sapphire worked hard to maintain her. There were also times when keeping her together was the easiest thing they'd ever done. Fusion was not something to be toyed with, and Pearl had done exactly that. Pearl coerced her into the fusion and had somehow hidden her true motives while they were Sardonyx. The pale gem had done so not just once, but twice.
One of them was going to have to make the first move. She could see all the different possibilities. The majority of them involved her approaching Pearl first. But she refused to as Pearl clearly didn't take her or their mission seriously.
She stayed in her room for a while once she'd gotten back, but simply staying away wasn't enough. She needed to do something. She'd look for Malachite and make up for time that Pearl cost.
The warp pad flashed and she was at her destination in a matter of seconds.
Pearl had apologized.
That apology was out of fear.
Pearl was very unlikely to approach her by herself.
It was entirely Pearl's fault.
True, but Pearl had to be terrified after how she was treated.
Pearl deserved it.
She felt a ripple pass through her form, but she soon regained control. She would not let herself come undone over this. She was above this. This was just a rough patch.
Had Pearl ever respected fusion?
Pearl respected her.
Clearly she didn't respect her for who she was and what she stood for.
Another ripple went through her body. This time it was accompanied by a bright flash, but Ruby and Sapphire quickly had it under control.
She couldn't keep thinking about this. She'd only tear herself apart. Now was the time to focus on finding Malachite. Pearl had delayed them enough already.
Where should she even search? She had been at this for so long and had absolutely no results to back her efforts. She'd probably have had more luck if Pearl hadn't pulled this ridiculous stunt.
That wasn't fair.
Was what Pearl did fair?
No, but –
What about the Cluster? Was that fair for those gems?
No.
She sat on the sand and rested her head in her hands. Her thoughts were muted for a little while.
Pearl and Amethyst hadn't seen the Cluster. They had been lucky enough to avoid the terror that plagued her mind when she let her thoughts idle.
Both Pearl and Amethyst saw fusion as a way to get stronger.
Homeworld saw fusion as a punishment for rebel gems.
She wasn't a mockery and she wasn't a shameless display. She was a product of fusion, a product of Ruby and Sapphire's love.
She was betrayed.