NOTES: This chapter will contain strong language and slight graphic violence.
Chapter 38
HAWKEYE: I know that the diamonds won't stop until you are dead or this planet is destroyed. (Chuckles) This is only just THE BEGINGING!
At this point, Garnet punches Hawkeye across the face, enough to make the gem knocked out. Garnet then puts her visor back on, clicks her knuckles and stands up.
PEARL: (A bit worried) What are we going to do?
GARNET: (Sighs) Well, she's right about one thing…the diamonds will do what they can to destroy this planet…(Looks up at the sky) What are we going to do? We're going to have to go to homeworld…we're gonna have to destroy the remaining diamonds.
There was a worried silence as the wind then bellowed gently. Everybody looked up at the clear sky but as if on cue, grey clouds started to appear.
PEARL: Well, then…(Claps her hands together) We better get going.
GARNET: No, not yet, Pearl. Something like this should take time. Let's come up with a plan and wait for a few days.
BISMUTH: Wait for a couple of days? Are you crazy. The diamonds could attack any minute.
GARNET: Hawkeye's mission was to kill us first. I doubt Blue Diamond would want to destroy this planet while she's still here. She wouldn't kill her best assassin
DAVID: How many types of gems are there?
GARNET: You don't want to know.
DAVID: (Nods) Yeah…maybe your right.
BISMUTH: Well, I say we attack and we attack now!
GARNET: We will. All in good time. Let's just chill for now. We must plan this carefully.
PEARL: I guess you're right.
GARNET: I'm always right. Sometimes…
STEVEN: So…we're going into space again?
GARNET: Yes.
STEVEN: It's not going to be easy this time, is it?
GARNET: Things never are.
BISMUTH: (Indicating to Hawkeye) And what about this little bitch?
GARNET: She'll come around.
BISMUTH: And when she does…?
GARNET: She'll help us get there.
The others looked at each other and little more worried and somewhat puzzled…but Garnet just smiled coolly.
THE NEXT DAY.
Garnet and Pearl decided to help the residents of Beach City carry on rebuilding their homes and business, it was slowly coming together. The town was still mourning the loss of their loved ones…but people still had to carry on as normal. Garnet and Pearl did inform the mayor that there could be more danger but decided not to mention this to anyone else as it would cause a panic.
Greg agreed with the Crystal Gems to help repair cars...he wasn't bad at it but it was getting on top of him and it was all to much, so Bismuth stepped in as she was experienced and quickly repaired cars like she'd been doing it forever. The whole job was fairly easy for her and Greg appreciated her help.
Meanwhile, Steven and David were back at Steven's house…not doing much. David was playing on Steven's console, trying to beat his score. Steven was going through his things, wondering what he should take on his trip. David rolled his eyes at this and just carried on playing on the console, mashing the buttons as hard as he could. Hawkeye, meanwhile was tied up with chains…it was a dangerous thought to leave her with Steven and David, as she could attack at any moment when she awoke…or even use her mind control powers…but Bismuth took care of that by squeezing her gem and making a small crack in it. She was out cold.
David cursed and chucked the controller as he couldn't beat Steven's high score. He folded his arms and looked over to Steven, who was going through some draws and chucking clothes out. Sitting next to Steven was his burger bag, barely half full. David sighed. David then went into his deep pocket and pulled out a green and blue gem, Peridot and Lapis. He looked at them closely and felt how smooth they were. He then looked back at Steven before putting the gems back in his pocket.
DAVID: What are you doing?
STEVEN: Getting ready!
DAVID: For what?
STEVEN: Space!
DAVID: Space…?
STEVEN: Yes, space!
DAVID: (Sighs) Do you really think the gems will take you with them…?
STEVEN: Of course, they will, I'm a Crystal Gem as well.
DAVID: You're just a kid!
STEVEN: I'm not just "a kid" okay? I'm one of them.
DAVID: Listen, Steven. This isn't going to be an adventure, you know!
STEVEN: I know, I'm aware of that.
DAVID: Are you? Are you, Steven?
STEVEN: Yes.
DAVID: I don't think you are…
STEVEN: David, the Crystal gems need me!
DAVID: Why?
STEVEN: (Getting annoyed) Because…because I can heal them. I can help them. I…I have my shield. I can protect them…
DAVID: Fine. So, who the hell is gonna protect you then?
STEVEN: I can protect myself.
DAVID: Like I said…this isn't an adventure. You could die…the gems could die!
STEVEN: NO, THEY WON'T! WHY DON'T YOU JUST…BELIEVE IN THEM?
DAVID: BECAUSE I'VE FUCKING BEEN THERE! (Steven steps back and Steven sighs) I've been there…and you know I have for fucks
FLASHBACK
David and Luke are the only ones in the same room. David still had the sickly feeling he had earlier but it was slowly easing. A tear rolled down his cheek…this was all too much for him. He turned his head to an empty metal table bed…where the girl was, all that was left was a pool of blood and little bits of flesh. Something happened…but he couldn't remember…maybe it happened while he was slightly passed out. Just then, he heard a moan…he quickly turned his head to the other side and could see his friend, Luke, slowly waking up…
LUKE: Oh…oh, shit…
Before David could talk to him, Luke puked up some black fluid, almost making him choke as he couldn't move while being strapped down. The horrible substance was drenched on his front and as he threw up the last of what was in him, he started to cough, only managing to breath. David could only look on helplessly…
Eventually when Luke had passed his throwing up, David explained to him what had happened or at least all he knew so far. Luke didn't get far from having his questions answered as David didn't know them either…
After many minutes asking questions…a green figure had walked in. A Peridot, as David could recall. Luke was first on the verbal attack. Luke tried to move but it was no use as him and David was on a metallic table, strapped in. He was struggling. A Peridot was standing over him David, holding a syringe.
PERIDOT: This is Peridot, now recording.
LUKE: WHAT DO YOU WANT?
PERIDOT: Starting, second injection.
The needle pierced through David's skin. A green, thick-looking liquid was injected…his veins turned green, almost glowing. David screamed.
CUT TO:-
The same being done to his friend, Luke.
LUKE:AHH! THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?!
CUT TO:-
David and Luke were out of the straps but were in a prison cell each…a yellow electric current beam was in between them, as was the door. It was impossible to get out. David was sitting in the corner, looking at his hand. While Luke was holding his stomach, and looking a little pale.
LUKE: What was that stuff they injected us…?
DAVID: I don't know…
LUKE: It's making me sick. How come you're not reacting to it?
DAVID: (Shrugs) Dunno…
LUKE: For God sake, talk to me!
DAVID: (Sighs) What do you want me to say? I don't know anything, I don't know where we are, I don't know if this is a crappy dream…I don't know who these strange people are? It's all…it's fucked up! I…just…don't…know! Okay, Luke…?
LUKE: (Laughs oddly) Ha…I mean, how did we get here…? Why are we here?
David didn't bother answering as his answer would just be the same over and over again. Instead he kept looking at his hand…he seemed to have been cut on his palm but instead of bleeding, it seemed to have a little bit of…glass sticking out of it…some sort of weird shard. It didn't hurt as such but it was really irritating, like an itch. David could only conclude that it had something to do with what they injected him with…if anything this frightened David even more. Just then, he heard a sickly belching sound and looked up to see Luke throwing up more black fluid followed by blood…Luke moaned in agony. David quickly got up, wanting to aid his friend but the force-field around them stopped him from doing so. Just then, another one of those annoying Peridot came over to their cells, David acknowledged this and pleaded with the green person.
DAVID: You gotta help him! (The Peridot looked at David and rolled her eyes before looking back at Luke) Your…y-your just gonna stand there? WE'RE NOT FUCKING TEST SUBJECTS! HELP HIM!
PERIDOT: (Sighs) No, you're not! We've already done this over four thousand times. So, your hardly test subjects. You are just the ones who have passed the first and second stage.
DAVID: Wha...? Stages? God DAMN IT! WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM US?
PERIDOT: What I say will not matter. You'll forget soon, anyway.
DAVID: What…?
Just then a huge figure, that was way taller than this Peridot and David put together, stood in front of the cell. David took a few steps back before tripping over his own feet. He'd never seen anything this big…David knew this for a while but, these weren't humans and…maybe not quite aliens but something almost in between. This figure was bright yellow, smooth looking…very feminine looking and is of a massive size, her height making a common pearl's pale in comparison. She has a pointed, upturned nose, plump lips and an unusually, yet suitable, long neck. Her hair is a short bob with two spiked tips. She has black eyebrows, and black markings around both her eyes, which are bright yellow with diamond shaped pupils. She wears a black and olive bodysuit, along with yellow gloves and slightly high-heeled olive boots. Her appearance blatantly made her look authoritve looking. She scorned at David and took a quick glance at Luke, who was still in agony. She then looked back at David with a disgusted look.
PERIDOT: My diamond. (Makes a diamond shape with her hands)
YELLOW DIAMOND: Report. Update me on the subjects!
PERIDOT: My Diamond. (Makes a diamond shape with her hands)
YELLOW DIAMOND: Report. Update me on the subjects!
PERIDOT: Everything is going to plan. We have enough subjects for the invasion.
YELLOW DIAMOND: (Looking at David and Luke) How are the…subjects? These ones.
PERIDOT: Subject 1983 and 1984 are doing fine…but…(Starts to look worried)
YELLOW DIAMOND: But what? Speak!
PERIDOT: Subject 1983 seems to have reacted…a little badly…but it's too early with these kind of results…
YELLOW DIAMOND: Hmph. How badly?
PERIDOT: Like the others, my Diamond. He will die…
Luke didn't respond as his sick feeling was getting worse but David took quick steps to his prison force shield door, frightened at what he was hearing.
DAVID: What?
YELLOW DIAMOND: How many subjects have succeed?
PERIDOT: Over two thousands, my diamond. The humans primitive weapons will be no match against us.
YELLOW DIAMOND: Good. That is what I want to hear. We will start the attack soon. Send the loyal subjects out first…and make sure they don't give us away.
PERIDOT: Yes, my diamond.
YELLOW DIAMOND: As for this subject…(Looks at Luke) Kill him, he'll be no use to us now…
PERIDOT: As you wish, my diamond.
DAVID: NO! WAIT!
The yellow diamond ignores David's pleas and just simply walks away, with a little yellow Pearl following her, that David didn't really notice…the yellow Pearl turns her had back at David and smiles a wicked evil grin before disappearing through some automatic doors. The Peridot was just finishing writing something on a floating screen, before putting on some green hand enhancers and charging it up. David screamed at the lime gem but she didn't respond before shouting at Luke.
DAVID: LUKE, GET UP FOR FUCKS SAKE!
The lime gem then pressed a few buttons on a touch screen before Luke's prison shield was turned off…David put his hand on the force shield, the one between him and Luke but he was given a massive shock and pushed him off his feet, slamming against the metal wall. The Peridot just rolled her eyes at David before walking in Luke's cell…he was still holding onto his stomach as the pain was getting worse.
LUKE: (In a fetal position) Make it…m-make it stop…!
PERIDOT: I will.
DAVID: (Getting up) No! NOT LIKE THIS!
Peridot had her limb enhancer charged up, as a green, static like ball was forming…small at first but slowly growing. Peridot then pointed her enhancer at Luke, ready to kill him.
DAVID: NOOOOOO!
David didn't care what would happen to him at this point, as again he ran to the force shield blocking him to Luke's cell…suddenly, the hand with a shard in it, started to glow, green at first and then white, David felt pain and yet adrenaline as he pulled back his hand, squeezed his shard, sticking out from his skin, making him bleed a little but also, clamping his hand to punch the force shield, as he did this, the hand pushed the yellow shield, like it was jelly and then the shield cracked before shattering…as if it really was made of glass, the cracked pieces disappeared into damaged static, this put off the Peridot, as she panicked seeing David come through the shield. She yelped and turned the limb enhancer onto David but she wasn't quick enough as David shouldered barged her, knocking the wind out of her and slamming against the metal wall…she yelped again and slumped down the wall onto the floor…but David didn't stop there, his rage was burning…the Peridot didn't get a chance to make another sound as David kicked her head, like a football, shattering her jaw and green blood-like substance was pouring out of her mouth, then she started to whimper…this accidently made her shoot her enhancer as a huge green fiery ball impacted on the metal wall, making a small explosion, this make David loose his footing. The Peridot started to cry but couldn't speak, making pitiful sounds of helplessness. David had his eyes closed and hands sticking out as if to protect him from the explosion…he opened them, only to find he was in a green bubble…he looked on with awe but then the bubble disappeared…he looked at his glowing hand.
The jawless Peridot crawled to a pad, slamming her hand on it and setting an alarm off, before passing out and a green trail of her blood-like substance followed her and surrounding her in a pool.
DAVID: Shit!
David got up, before running to Luke, who was lying on his back…he was obviously pushed by the blast himself and his leg was twisted, the bone slight sticking out…he opened his eyes and was a little delirious. David helped him up but as soon as Luke put weight of his twisted leg, the pain sent messages to his brain and he cried out in pain.
LUKE: AHH, FUCK! FUCK!
DAVID: We've got to get out of here!
LUKE: MY FUCKING LEG-
DAVID: I KNOW!
David noticed the hole in the wall…this was probably a safer way out that the corridor. David wrapped his arms around Luke, who did the same and tried his best carrying Luke out of the room, gently ducking his head to get out of the cell. The automatic doors were starting to open, this made David frantic and pull Luke along quickly, before getting out of sight. The only light to illuminate where they were, was the flashing red and yellow lights for the alarm…though this room seemed to have been empty…that was fine by them.
Some Jaspers came running through the corridor…a yellow one and a red one. They quickly spotted the damage to one of the cells up ahead, not to mentioned a badly damaged Peridot, lying on the floor, slightly shaking. They ignored the Peridot and surveyed the area, moving some of the rubble…the red Jasper popped her head through the hole and looked around…somehow missing the trail of blood coming from Luke's leg but then again, it was pretty dark.
RED JASPER: They are not here!
She returns to the yellow jasper, who was looking down at the helpless Peridot, who was crawling to somewhere, still in a lot of pain. The two Jaspers just sniggered, they didn't care for someone underneath their rank, they started toying with her at first before, the automatic doors opened…and a huge figure came looking in calmly. Yellow Diamond. She quickly saw the situation, it was obvious to her what happened…and yet still, she wanted answers.
YELLOW DIAMOND: Report, now!
RED JASPER: Uh…w-we surveyed the area and it seems they have escaped.
YELLOW DIAMOND: (Sarcastic smile) Escaped?
RED JASPER: Yes, my diamond.
YELLOW JASPER: And this Peridot let them escape!
YELLOW DIAMOND: Really…?
PERIDOT: (Barely talk) NUUU! DEY…D-DEY ATASHED ME!
YELLOW DIAMOND: And, you couldn't stop them? You couldn't stop these weak species?
PERIDOT: I…I…(Starts to go teary-eyed) …I'm hurt…
Without hesitation, yellow diamond lifted up her leg and stomped on the helpless Peridot's head, cracking and squashing it with ease…the Peridot had a little body spasm before shattering into millions of little pieces…and becoming no more…only dust that slowly disappeared. The Jaspers backed up a little but smiled at the demise of the Peridot. The Yellow Diamond angrily turns to the Jaspers, who then stare back in fright.
YELLOW DIAMOND: Well? GO AFTER THEM! DON'T LET THEM ESCAPE!
Meanwhile.
Eventually, David and Luke by now were in some sort of vents, what kind of vents, they didn't know nor really care. David crawled as quick as he could and Luke was slowly catching up, if anything, this was a lot easier to move than walking…but he was getting weaker as pain kept forcing him to stop sometimes and blood was still coming out from his leg. David then came to a vent end, it was locked by a metal door…he looked through the gaps and saw what looked, another empty room…to be frank, he couldn't believe their luck.
The memory was CUT TO:
David gently put Luke down. He was getting paler and paler…and then winching in pain. David looked around the room, that there was, was a computer panel with no keyboard but must've been a touch pad of some kind, only a few lights were glowing and then flickering. What was unusual was the round concrete display in the middle, it was flat, nothing strange about it…other than it looked out of place in the room, which was…strange. David slowly walked up to it…he took a deep breath and stepped on it…it started to glow but only he was standing…he took a step forward and the light followed him. It reminded him of those giant stepping pianos you get at shopping malls. Just then…a screen appears in mid-air, illuminating the room, it was bright at first but died down. David and Luke just stared at it in awe…it was just a floating visual…and it showed what looked like a planet. Strange writing was surrounding it, flashing, disappearing, flashing and the planet became 3D…and spinning slowly. David frowned at the planet…it was Earth, this planet looked dry…and had gaping holes in it…then, coincidently, English writing appeared across the screen and then shrinking towards the bottom…Homeworld.
DAVID: Homeworld…?
The screen then produced multiple pictures of the planet, rocks and then rock shape buildings, with hint of metal finishes and people, but in different colours…all looking happy, all adult looking…all female. This was a home…but what worried David, was him and Luke were not on Earth.
DAVID: We're…not on…Earth…?
Just then, the 3d planet disappeared…and a picture of a big yet beautiful woman appeared, with pink hair and a lovely white dress, and a star shape cut in the dress, revealing a gem for a bellybutton. She was human looking…
DAVID: Who the hell is that?
Just then, the whole screen went red. Then yellow words appeared: TERMINATION.
David didn't get a chance to question these strange slideshow but another figure, this time much slimmer…all pink, with spiky hair. And these words appearing:
Death for Rose Quartz: Murderer of Pink Diamond.
David was just getting interested but then Luke started to moan really loudly, David turned and Luke's face was turning red. David ran and kneeled to him. Cold sweat was pouring out of him.
LUKE: Oh God…it…it…hurts…
DAVID: Hold on, Luke, just hold on!
Just then, David spotted, Luke's cheek ripping. He slowly backed off.
LUKE: SHIT! AHH! AHHHHH IT HURTS! IT FUCKING HURTS!
DAVID: Luke, stay calm! It'll be alright!
Luke falls to his knees, holding his stomach, eventually the pain rushes through his body but mostly aims in his head.
LUKE: IT'S…IT'S TEARING ME APART!
DAVID: LUKE? HANG IN THERE!
Just then. Luke's eyes started to pop out, blood rushes through the eye sockets, and then pouring out of his nose…his face soon covered in blood, as he starts to gurgle, no longer recognizable sounds to David…as something was pushing Luke eyes, a shard, a gem shard ripping the eye into mush…and then his cheeks started to rip. His flesh was being ripped all over his body, until he was unrecognizable. Luke became a blood-soaked gem of green, roaring what once was his vocal cords, he was a monster…and spikes started to stick out of him. David backed away, crawling backwards on the floor as quick as he could, finding himself on the concrete like pad. Luke used his crystal-like fist to smash the walls and soon enough, some Peridots came rushing to the scene…scared at first. The monster Luke spotted them and was about to charge at them…but one of the Peridots charged up her hand enhancers and shot a bolt of light towards Luke, impacting into him and quickly shattering him. David yelped, a tear pushing through his eye to watch his friend die horribly…the Peridots didn't hesitate to lock onto David and again one of them charged up their enhancers. David screamed.
DAVID: I WANNA BE BACK ON EARTH.
The screen went green with a mix of blue, the screen then showed a picture of Earth and the pad glowed, a light blue light surrounded David but at the same time, a Peridot shot at him, the bolt of light smacked at him but then a beam surrounded him, and turned him into pixels and within seconds…he was gone.
The bolt of light from Peridot didn't kill him….but instead make him temporally lose his memory…
END OF FLASHBACK
By the end of the story, David was sitting on the couch and Steven was sitting next to him. Though Steven heard this story before, it felt more dramatic this time and all to real that this was happening, aside from the destruction of Beach City almost a week ago. David was close to tears but wiped his eyes…though this only made his eyes sting.
DAVID: So, you see Steven, it's not all fun and games. Destroying the diamonds may sound like an easy task…but it won't be.
STEVEN: (Sighs) We have to destroy them so nothing like that ever happens again. You see what they did to Beach City…they'll just keep doing again and again. It won't just be Beach City, it'll be the whole planet. (Goes back to his bag and continues to pack) But I'm going…
DAVID: (Chuckles and sniffs) Yeah, there's no stopping you, is there?
STEVEN: I am scared though…
DAVID: I'd be worried if you weren't…
STEVEN: (Turns around) It's like I've been there before…I had a dream that my dad was kidnapped by Blue Diamond and we had to get him back…
DAVID: And did you…?
STEVEN: Yes, I did. With the help of the crystal gems.
DAVID: Some dreams do have happy endings…
STEVEN: But…b-but that moment when I thought yellow diamond killed my…(Starts to cry)…killed my dad, I…I just…(Breaks down)
DAVID: You thought you lost everything?
Steven nods…while David pulls out a bent cigarette from his pocket, he then puts it in his mouth and lights up with his lighter. Then inhales…and then exhaling.
DAVID: You have a motive. Do what you have to.
STEVEN: And are you sure you don't want to come?
DAVID: I've had my shit to deal with. Besides, I'll stay here and wait for Peridot and Lapis to reform.
STEVEN: (Puts his bag over his shoulder) Look after them. They've been through so much.
DAVID: We all have. (Smiles) But you know I will.
STEVEN: (Smiles as well) Yeah.
DAVID: (Frowns a little) Wait a minute, aren't the Crystal gems setting to Homeworld tomorrow? Why are you getting ready now?
STEVEN: I wanna see my dad before I go. You know, just in case…I…(Trails off)
DAVID: Fair enough, Steven, fair enough…I understand.
NOTES: That's it for this chapter. Sorry it was a rehash from other chapters but there's nowt wrong with reminding. New chapter will be up soon.