As the days went on, Toaster noted several...extra frustrating side effects to her treatment.
As the Gem attempted to eat some pancakes the next morning, the pre-chewed slush seemed to be drooling down her chin.
Acapella was appalled! "Toaster! Don't be gross!"
"A-Acapella! I-I can't swallow!" Toaster seemed quite upset! Both Acapella and Gamma closed their eyes unpleasantly, as the little Ruby spat globs of pre-chewed pancakes all over everyone.
Acapella swiped the gunk from her face with a massive amount of disgust. "THAT'S IT! NO MORE FOODS FOR YOU!" The Yellow Pearl removed the pale Ruby from the table, and threw some paper towels at her. "Clean yourself up!" Acapella barked, before attempting to fix the remainder of the massive mess.
Completely confused at this odd occurance, Toaster attempted to shape-shift a stomach...
...
...Nothing.
Frustrated, the Ruby spotted Yellow Diamond walking about. She commanded herself to transform into a kitten. Toaster slammed her eyes shut, and concentrated REEEAL hard!
...
...Nothing.
"EGHHHhhhhh..." Toaster expressed a disappointing wail! Yellow Diamond aproched The little Gem inquisitively. "What are you doing Ruby?"
"Yellow Diamond! I...I can't transform!"
"Well I'M not surprised. You shouldn't have messed with your gemstone! Us Diamonds create Gems to be as perfect as possible- you tampered with things you shouldn't have. Not my fault." The snooty kitten walked away smugly.
The Ruby decided to attempt approaching the large teddy bear Mary had brought over a week prior. Now that she didn't have to worry about fire anymore, she was happy to have a stuffed animal to cuddle!
Toaster grabbed the bear by the hand, and attempted to walk toward the couch. The toy did not move, but Toaster was pulled backwards- yelping in suprise! The Ruby fell on her back. Her form fluctuated slightly as the alien blinked in surprise! Toaster got back up, and surveyed the plush bear. She proceeded to walk behind the toy and push the thing along the floor. The poor creature heaved and huffed with all her strength, before giving up- panting with exhaustion.
The toy hadn't moved an inch.
Frustrated, Toaster decided to get Gamma to help. The teddy felt like it was filled with lead! The Gem began to climb the stairs to gain assistance from her froggy pal!...
...
Toaster woke up on the couch surrounded by blankets and heating packs again.
"? Huh? Eh? How did Toaster get back here?" The little Gem spoke to herself as her hand started feeling...odd. She glanced at it curiosity, and could see that the limb was fluctuating with static. The kitten had been sleeping at the foot of the couch again, and announced the news loudly that Toaster was awake once more!
Gamma and Accapella came rushing to their friend's side!
"Toaster! Are you alright?!" Gamma was in hysterics!
"We found you passed out on the stairs!" Acapella added with concern.
Toaster smiled. "It's ok guys! Toaster's just...tired-ti-ded-rrrrrrrrd." As the Ruby attempted to say "tired", her form fluctuated so badly, that her speech sounded like a broken sound clip.
All her friends gasped in surprise!
"THAT'S IT! I'm calling the MIB, and giving them a piece of my mind!" Gamma stormed toward the telephone!
"Hold up there Keronian!" Acapella grabbed the frog's arm and thought about the best course of action to take in this situation. "She doesn't need a scientist. She needs a kindergartener."
Peridot was busy playing fetch with Pumpkin, when the warp pad near her barn activated! The green Gem was pleasantly surprised! She didn't get visitors very often. Perhaps Steven needed assistance with an important mission?!
Peridot ran toward the bright light with excitement!...
...
...and was met with a scene of absolute terror!
It was the Keronian and the Yellow Pearl! They were both carrying the most sickly-looking Ruby the kindergartener had ever seen! "OH MY STARS!" Peridot ran to help the duo with their friend. "Wha-what happened to her? She looks...so pale! Quickly! Get her into the barn quick!"
Toaster was fading fast. Her form was fluctuateing like crazy! She was trying-desperately to stay conscious.
"How the Stars did this happen?!" Peridot looked panicked. "She looked so healthy a few weeks ago!"
The Keronian answered, quite bluntly: "The MIB tried a new machine on her...told her they could get rid of her heat..."
"A Ruby without heat?! Why the Stars?!"
"Here." Gamma placed the jar full of red heat liquid into the Peridot's hand. "This is her heat here..."
Peridot took the jar quickly, and examined the thing in every direction. "THIS ISN'T HEAT YOU CLODS!"
The Keronian jumped in suprise! "-than what?-"
"THIS IS INJECTOR FLUID!"
Acapella gasped! The frog looked...confused.
The Kindergartener attempted to explain-"It's what keeps Gems alive! We have to inject this stuff into a flourishing soil for a Gem to form!" The Peridot was pumped with absolute rage! "Do you see how your friend's gemstone looks like calcium carbonate right now?! That's because she's NOT a GEM! She's a rock! A rock with juuuust enough injector fluid to keep her form flickering!"
Gamma's eyes became wide with fear! "Well than, FIX her dammit!"
"I-I'm not sure if I can..." The Peridot drooped her head in shame.
There was a moment of grim silence. "I-I could try...I could TRY something!" The Peridot looked up while attempting to put on airs. She approached the flickering Toaster, and poked the Gem's sholder. At this point, the Ruby was so weak, that her form poofed almost instantly from this mild gesture. The Peridot grabbed one of the cleaner buckets in the barn and filled the metallic cylinder with the jar of injector fluid. Peridot than quickly put the faded gemstone in the bucket as well, and bubbled the entire thing in a panic.
She sighed. "There! If we're lucky, the rock will absorb some of the injection fluid, and even if it doesn't, she can't get any worse or reform in this bubble!" Peridot seemed proud of herself. "It's admittedly- a temporary fix until I can find a more permanent solution. Whatever you do- do NOT pop this bubble!" Peridot handed the sphere to Acapella, and nodded in urgency. "I-I am going to try my best to save your friend. Be patient and have hope!"