I am terribly sorry about how long it's taken to update. Thank you all for your patience.
Over the next week Pearl and Celestite left on a mission to track down several corrupted gems in the area leaving the pier to the rest of the Crystal Gems and the humans. Will didn't mind, and told the Gems he'd work on it while they were gone, much to Rose's surprise. She joined him while he worked fascinated by his determination to see it through to the end. His infatuation with Garnet had faded slightly and he was secretly glad for that. The sun warmed his back as he worked, almost uncomfortably so, and he stopped for a moment to check his progress. According to the star's position to the sky he figured it was well after noon. When he looked around, he noticed the two absent Gems hadn't yet returned.
"How long do these missions usually take?" He asked wiping sweat from his brow. Amethyst shrugged, looking to Rose for an answer.
"It depends. Usually they're back by now." She stole a worried glance at the forest. "Garnet, do you see them?" She asked moving closer to the seer. Unreadable as ever, Garnet adjusted her glasses as she searched through the possible futures. In some Pearl and Celestite returned without a problem, in others they endured a few light scratches. No matter which vision, they were fighting a powerful corruption and wouldn't return soon.
She refocused on the present. "There're more than they thought, but they'll be fine."
Relief washed through her leader, a smile brightening her darkened expression.
Celestite growled. The lunar quartz lifted her knife to block a swipe from another attack. When she'd sensed the corrupted gems' presence before she hadn't thought there'd be a swarm of them. She could tell Pearl was having difficulty as well by the irritated huffs coming from the alabaster gem; her fight wasn't going much better than her companion's and her physical form looked battered. As much as it hurt her pride to do, Celestite ran towards Pearl. Picking up the slender swords master, the quart retreated. They would go back to the temple where she could find Rose and take care of the corruptions with their leader without putting Pearl at risk. While fusing with Pearl could easily handle end their mission, neither Gem would. Aragonite was a terrible fusion whose bloodlust always led to both of them dissipating their forms just to separate. They'd only formed her twice under extreme desperate circumstances. This was not dangerous enough for her.
The woods around them blurred, warped by the speed Celestite used to escape. Pearl understood, and let her carry her away. Instead she focused on drawing a mental map of the area to show to Rose, carefully plotting each stream, creek, cave, and other distinguishable landmark they'd found. It took her all of the return trip to finish, and she was marking where the swarm was when they arrived. The first person she heard was Amethyst. "Why're you carrying Pearl over your shoulder?"
"We had to get out of there fast. If she had any problems with it she'd have told me by now," Celestite said. "Wouldn't you, Pearl?" She asked setting the lieutenant on her feet. Pearl nodded ruffling the purple gem's hair playfully. "Where's Rose and Garnet? We need to talk to them."
"In the temple looking at the bubbled Gems. You'll play with me after you're done?" She asked her mentor, who smiled brightly in response. She tapped the younger one's nose before walking with Celestite to discuss their failed mission. The door opened to let them into the Burning Room, sealing shut behind them as they approached the pair talking by the lava pit. Both looked up when they heard the door surprise written on Rose's face at their appearance.
She jumped over to them landing softly in front of Pearl. The shortest Gem in the room had taken more damage than the lunar quartz had and it showed, but she waved off her friend's concerns by insisting her gem wasn't damaged so it looked much worse than it really was. It didn't deter Rose from hugging her tightly. "My Pearl, I'm so glad you're safe. Thank you, Celestite." Pearl stayed tucked against her friend's chest, although she did reach out for Garnet and grinned when dark gloved fingers intertwined with her own pale ones. "What happened?"
"There were more than we thought, and they were much stronger too. I made the decision to come back here and ask for your help rather than stay and fight. And I'm certain Pearl already has a map to show you where it is." The knight twisted in her arms until she faced away, her gem projecting the map she'd made. The details of it impressed Rose who studied it until she had it memorized. She kissed her hair when she did, and Pearl's projection flickered. "Whenever you're ready, call me. I need to rest a bit before going back out. You'd surprised how tiring carrying Pearl can be."
The mute stuck her tongue out at her, her eyes a perfect mirror to her mischief. Try saying that after I've beat you in a fight again.
"Is that a challenge? 'Cause that sounded an awful lot like one," teased the knife-wielder.
Only if you aren't scared to take on one little pearl. How embarrassing would that be for you?
"Oh, those're fighting words," grinned Celestite. "When we get back, you better be ready to fight!" Both warriors glared playfully at each other and wore confidant smirks. The spontaneous staring contest was broken by Rose who gasped, glancing worriedly between the two with a concerned little frown. She seemed to miss the light teasing behind their words if the way she hugged Pearl closer to her was any indication. Pearl winked at her and told her rival, You have a duel. I hope you won't disappoint me. Surely you won't hold back.
The door opened and Celestite slyly declared, "I won't, and you better not." It shut behind her. Her last comment hovered in the room as Rose tried to understand what just happened. She felt Pearl pull away and loosened her hold, smiling at her dearest friend. The only one who hadn't given any sign of how she felt about the sudden turn in conversation. The wives were busy talking, so Rose relaxed. Garnet would say if it led to trouble and Pearl had proven countless times she could take care of herself if needed. Understanding set in: Pearl and Celestite would be sparring, not fighting like they used to do.
"I'm going to check on William and Buddy," she said. Her teammates nodded and waved, wrapped up in their own little world. Thought Garnet didn't tell Rose, she leaned in to whisper into Pearl's ear.
"There's a strong possibility for three fights today. We'll need Sardonyx for the second one."
How much time do we have? Pearl asked raising an eyebrow. Her hands played with the lapels of her jacket, traced along the wrappings at her waist, and snaked around to trace patterns on her back. She leaned up on her toes meeting Garnet halfway. Their lips met for a slow, passionate kiss.
When they parted, Garnet looked at her flushed expression with pride. "Plenty. Where do you have in mind?" Another, more urgent kiss answered her. Here.
The swarm proved to be just as difficult as reported. It was a wonder Aragonite hadn't made an appearance, but when a large pale hand offered a dance, she knew why she hadn't. Her warrior had chosen a safer alternative: to fuse with her instead. Pink and white streaked with pale blue twirled around until they merged with a ferocious laugh that could be heard all the way back at the Temple.