Carnelian

So we basically walked around for a bit. And by walk, I mean we went on a long journey to a place. Emerald thought would be a safe place to hide and plan stuff. He and Jasper were present during the war, so they probably knew at least some of the places Homeworld managed to build before they were driven out by those rebels.

The old Sky Spire was in ruins, but that's what happens when you abandon it, I guess. We journeyed to the top. What was weird was that Emerald saw that the Heaven Beetle was no longer around. In fact, it looked like some of the stuff was broken by someone. A few monsters were here and there, but we took them out with ease. More monsters to add to Jasper's collection.

Emerald put me in charge of watching Sapphire's gem. It wasn't a hard job at all. I wondered what we would do with her? If we're going to all out war with the last of the Crystal Gems, we might as well just shatter her. Or maybe Emerald will use her to lure the Crystal Gems here. I dunno. I don't plan these operations, usually. I help with the tiny details, but I don't ever lead it. I was to follow Emerald's every order. That was what My Diamond told me…

There was pretty much nothing here. Nature had pretty much grown all over the place. A real shame that this was what happened to this Spire. I looked around, saw a few things and then sat around and did nothing. It was weird doing that. Usually, I'd have something to do, but Emerald wasn't here. He'd usually be the one sending me on the mission, but for some reason, he wanted to oversee this mission himself and left me with guard duty. Geez, this was so boring. I'm a Quartz! I should be fighting! Emerald said I was special!

Then I heard some weird noise in the bushes. I wondered what it could be? A monster? One of the planet's natives? A creature did come out of the bushes, but it wasn't a monster… nor was it a human. It looked kinda furry and it had horns on its heads. It also walked on four legs and made a weird noises instead of speaking. This was probably one of these things Emerald called an animal. I almost went over to examine it, but it bit down on my hand.

"Oh, that does it!" I yelled, yanking my hand and summoning fire on my hand.

"No, don't!" yelled a voice.

I turned around and Sapphire came out from the bushes. I must've dropped her gem when I sat down.

"That's Steven's friend," said Sapphire. "I ask that you leave it alone."

"This thing is this 'Steven' person's friend?" I said.

"It's called a goat, Carnelian," said Sapphire.

"Whatever," I said, with a eye roll. "Anyway, don't even think about running away."

"I am with the ability to see into the future," said Sapphire. "And as it stands, abiding your word is the best choice of action."

"Good thinking," I said. "So, we have to get to the top to the Spire."

"Ah, yes," said Sapphire. "I know exactly where that is."

"Well, then," I said. "After you."

Sapphire silently went ahead and I followed. I didn't really want to make conversation on the way. We climbed up a ladder and had to cross some river. But then…

"This way," said Sapphire.

The way to the top was across a long bridge… but nothing was below it. And the bridge itself looked as if it were by primitive Earth materials.

"Oh my…" I said, as a bit of sweat came down the side of my face.

"Is something the matter?" said Sapphire.

"No, no!" I said. "Let's go."

Sapphire went ahead and started crossing the bridge.

Okay… I thought to myself. Just keep your eyes on the other side of the bridge and you'll be fine.

As my right foot first stepped onto the board, the immediate rumbling of the floorboards almost made me jump. I kept walking, but I was falling behind. Sapphire was starting to get ahead and I could lose sight of her. Then I started getting angry.

"Are you alright?" said Sapphire.

"Yes!" I said, as my hands grabbed the frail railing.

"You seem anxious," said Sapphire.

"Oh, you think this is so funny, do you?" I said. "You knew I'd be nervous here, so used that to make your escape!"

"What?" said Sapphire.

"You know, you're some piece of work!" I yelled.

"Carnelian, calm down!" said Sapphire.

I saw smoke and saw my hands burning through the railing. Then it ripped and we fell along with the bridge. I grabbed the one the floor boards with one hand and then Sapphire with the other and we were hanging off the cliff.

"Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!" I yelled.

"Carnelian!" said Sapphire. "Just stay calm!"

"But we're-" I tried to say.

"Just listen!" said Sapphire. "Just stop… and take a look at your surroundings! With it, you can devise a way out."

I looked up and saw the floor boards hanging down like a ladder.

"Sapphire, can you climb onto my back?" I said.

Sapphire reached her other hand onto my wrist. She used the rocks underneath her to climb up and she put her arms over my shoulders. Then I started climbing up to the top. Sapphire got off when we did and helped pull me up. I just face-planted on the ground and stayed that way for a few minutes.

"Are you alright?" said Sapphire.

"Of course!" I said, stumbling to my feet. "Let's keep going."

So we went up the hill ahead. I didn't say a word. We had to jump across some floating rocks to get to the entrance of the giant building ahead.

"Well, here we are," I said. "Base sweet base…"

Sapphire found a place to sit. I just wandered over to the other entrance. There was a giant hole in the roof. Wonder where that came from?

Outside was what appeared to be a tiny little temple. Inside the window were actual miniature rooms. Then I sat down… wishing I could go in there… Well, I could… but I shouldn't shapeshift. Emerald forbids it.

"You've been awfully quiet," said a voice.

Sapphire was standing by the entrance.

"You were scared, weren't you?" said Sapphire.

"No!" I said.

"It's alright to be afraid," said Sapphire.

"No, it isn't!" I said, sternly. "I am a Quartz soldier! Brave! Loyal! Fear isn't in my form!"

"Yet, you don't seem to be like a your common Quartz soldier," said Sapphire. "You are not as tall as Jasper and you're quite thin."

"Shut up!" I said. "I'm special! Emerald said so himself!"

I fell silent for a bit.

"...Fear is an embarrassment on Homeworld," I said. "It doesn't exist. The only that exists are results. We will serve our Diamonds… or die trying."

"But it is fear that makes us what we are," said Sapphire. "What we fight for… It's nothing to be ashamed of. The bridge was over a long endless chasm. Your fears were rational."

"Rational won't cut it in front of Yellow Diamond," I said.

"Forget Yellow Diamond for a second, Carnelian," said Sapphire. "I know you don't listen to her. You listen to Emerald, don't you?"

"Well… yeah," I said. "I was ordered by Yellow Diamond to listen to his every word… It was better that way. He was far more kind and reasonable… I serve him… Not Yellow Diamond… That was what I decided…" I let out a laugh. "Why am I telling this to a Crystal Gem?!"

"Why are you?" said Sapphire.

"I don't know!" I said, standing up. "I just… never thought I'd get stuck here!"

"You say you weren't present during the war, but you seem to know a lot about it," said Sapphire.

"Oh, um… Well, Emerald's a veteran of the war," I said. "He told me a lot."

"I see," said Sapphire.

"Carnelian!" said a voice. "Are you out there?"

"Quick!" I yelled. "Get behind me!"

Sapphire got behind me. I casted a circle of fire around her. Emerald and Jasper came through outside.

"Oh, you're back," I said. "So, how'd it go?"

"The Crystal Gems seems to be obsessed with fusion," said Jasper.

"Emerald?" I said.

"Well, I went to interrogate Lapis Lazuli, but I found Peridot and Onyx instead," said Emerald. "Though, it seems that they were smarter than I thought."

Jasper shot Emerald a suspicious look.

"So, what do we do now?" I said.

"Nothing," said Emerald.

"What?" I said.

"Well, Jasper managed to hurt Amethyst," said Emerald. "I hurt Peridot and Lapis. I can only imagine that Onyx is on his way right now. So… all we have to do is wait here, and he will come to us. Get everything ready. This time we will win."

"How do you know that?" I said.

"Sapphire told me," said Emerald.

"How do you know she's not lying?" I said.

"Her voice was fearful," said Emerald. "She was scared. Usually, she handles situation with her usual, calm, monotone voice. But this time, she was scared."

I looked over at Sapphire. She was looking to the floor, shivering.

"So, we're actually going to win this time?" I said.

"If things go well, yes," said Emerald.

Whenever, Sapphire would see the future, she'd be calm about it. But, no! This time she was scared. So, I guess it was true then.

Later, Emerald wanted to talk to Jasper alone. So, I went to check on Sapphire. She was sitting inside alone.

"Be safe…" Sapphire quietly whispered.

"Say something?" I said.

"As if it matters to you," said Sapphire.

"Ugh, whatever..." I said. "You're lucky that Emerald ordered us not to shatter you…"

Sapphire looked away. I really didn't feel like going back to where Jasper was, so I stuck around.

Speaking of Jasper, she's been acting really weird lately. Usually, when Emerald would give her something to do she'd say something mean or do her own thing. But right now, she complied, without a word. Usually, she and Emerald would at least bicker for a bit, but now, I don't know.

"So… what's it like being a traitor to Homeworld?" I said. "Like, why'd ya do it?"

"...As if you don't know…" said Sapphire.

"Actually, I don't!" I said. "I was kept on Homeworld the whole time!"

"Why is that?" said Sapphire.

"Er… It's not important…" I said, rubbing my arm.

"I see…" said Sapphire. "I suppose idle chatter wouldn't hurt anybody."

"Uh… okay," I said.

Cool, war stories...

"The lines between good and evil blurred…" said Sapphire. "I never thought I would end up joining the rebellion, but Ruby changed my fate. Everything that I saw that would happen before Ruby's interference was then wrong. Ruby saved me. Why should she deserve to be shattered for it?"

"Who cares?" I said. "There's tons of Rubies!"

Sapphire shot me an angry look.

"It wasn't fair," Sapphire said, sternly. "However, nothing is fair in war… as fairness doesn't exist as long as war goes on… Your Diamonds are cruel beings, Carnelian. When will they see that?"

"We have no choice…" I said. "Some do. And they choose to stay. Though, some stay because they have to. Emerald had that choice. I follow wherever he goes. Even… here."

"Loyalty at its finest…" Sapphire said with a smile. "I can at least admire that about you… And I can see why Emerald would hesitate in coming back here…"

"Uh… Why is that?" I said.

"I can see the future…" said Sapphire. "Or rather, I can perceive possible outcomes to most situations… For example, I can see there's something on your mind."

"Oh, it's about Jasper," I said. "I don't like her. I never have… but she's been acting weird lately."

"You worry for Emerald?" said Sapphire.

"No…" I said. "Not really…"

Sapphire looked over outside. Emerald and Jasper were chatting. We were too far away to hear. Then she looked at me again.

"It seems we have a lot of time on our hands," said Sapphire. "Would you like me to tell you Emerald's future?"

"How do I know you won't lie?" I said.

Sapphire gave me a serious look.

"Fine…" I said with an eye roll. "Future me."

Sapphire put hands together and though for a moment.

"...I see quite an adventure ahead for him…" said Sapphire.

"Cool," I said. "Which planet?"

"No…" said Sapphire. "This planet."

"Really?" I said.

Sapphire's face grew grim.

"Your lieutenant has unfinished business…" said Sapphire. "I see a path before him… with anger… pain… friendship… betrayal… love…"

"Love?" I said. "What's that?"

"It is something greater than friendship…" said Sapphire. "A bond of pure trust… no secrets… It's… somewhat hard to describe…"

"Yeah…" I said. "I think I get it… Not really…"

"I also see danger…" said Sapphire. "For the Gems… and myself…"

"Makes sense," I said. "You guys are our enemy."

"But it is not just us who are in danger, Carnelian," said Sapphire.

"What?" I said.

Sapphire looked away after that… to the entrance. Outside, I could see Emerald and Jasper talking. The look in Jasper's eyes as Emerald laughed heartily at whatever she said… it was… sinister… More than usual…

Then it hit me…

"...I'll be right back…" I said.

I got up and crept to the entrance outside. It sounded like they were still talking.

"And how many were there again?" said Emerald.

"Four battalions!" said Jasper.

"Ha! Yeah…" said Emerald.

There was a pause of silence.

"Emerald?" said Jasper.

"Yes?" said Emerald.

"What is your opinion of fusion?" said Jasper.

"I find it only necessary when used for a functional purpose," Emerald said, as he gazed at the horizon. "Shame Lapis used you like that. I'll be right back. I gotta go check for intruders."

Emerald walked away.

"Yeah…" said Jasper. "A real shame…"

I glared. Then I gathered my fists.

"What's your game, Jasper?" I said.

"What?" said Jasper.

"Don't play dumb!" I said, raising my voice. "What are you planning?!"

"I'm not 'planning' anything…" said Jasper. "I'm just gaining the respect of you weak-hearted lieutenant."

"...Take back what you said…" I said, while gritting my teeth. "He is not weak!"

"Please!" said Jasper. "He doesn't even have the gall to take out that Sapphire who's gonna be a threat to us. But it makes sense. After all… He even saw mercy in a defect like you!"

"Excuse me?!" I said.

"You're a Quartz soldier, just like me," said Jasper. "But you aren't! You're thin! You're barely as tall as that defective Pearl! So in a sense, you're no better than that runt! Face it, Carnelian! You suffered on Homeworld because it was what you deserved!"

My hands ignited with flames.

"You'll pay for your words, you swine!" I yelled, charging at her.

"Good!" Jasper said with a smile, as she summoned her headgear.

Before I could even deliver the first blow, my hand was blocked by Emerald's.

"What's going on here?!" Emerald said, pushing me back.

"She started it!" Jasper and I both said.

"I don't care who started it!" Emerald said, sternly. "Carnelian, go back and stay with Sapphire. I need to talk to Jasper."

"But-" I said.

"Now!" Emerald yelled.

"...Aye, sir," I said.

I wandered back to the room. It used to be just Emerald and I. I hated when Jasper was right. Now it's all about Jasper with Emerald. With a real Quartz soldier around, I was just a lowly defect stuck with guard duty.

"So, you spoke with Jasper…" said Sapphire.

"Is Jasper the one endangering Emerald?!" I said. "Tell me!"

"Jasper is no longer looking to get off planet…" said Sapphire. "Not doing anything will be a bad ending for both of us."

"You lied!" I said. "You have a plan up your sleeve, don't you?!"

Sapphire smiled.

"The future is an ocean," said Sapphire, "but I steer the ship. You can tell the Crystal Gems of our location, or watch your lieutenant fall."

I glared.

"Liar!" I said in denial.

"I can show it to you..." said Sapphire.

"Y... You can?" I said.

Sapphire stood up.

"Yes," said Sapphire. "Allow me to show you what will happen if you don't heed my warning."

"...Alright," I said, walking up to her. "But no funny business!"

Sapphie gestured for me to come closer. Then a little closer. I leaned in a little closer. Then she kissed me on the forehead.

"AH! WHAT THE HECK?!" I yelled, wincing back.

However, when I opened my eyes, I didn't see Sapphire in front of me. I saw dark clouds looming above me. Jasper and Emerald were standing alone.

"Emerald, fuse with me!" said Jasper.

"What?!" said Emerald.

"Together, we'll be unstoppable!" said Jasper.

There was a flash. The two stood in darkness and Jasper wouldn't let go of Emerald.

"We beat them!" Emerald yelled, trying to yank away. "We have no reason to stay this way anymore! Let's leave this fusion's mind and return to reality!"

Emerald pulled away and tried to run but Jasper grabbed him.

"You're not going anywhere!" Jasper said, harshly.

"Jasper, I don't want to fight you!" Emerald said, his eyes growing big. "Just let me go, and we can forget this ever happened!"

"Don't you see?!" said Jasper. "Lapis opened my eyes to the possibilities! I finally found someone to fuse with and I'm never letting you GO!"

Jasper grabbed Emerald and he screamed as light enveloped the two and a horrendous giant figure stood in front of me.

"Emerald!" I yelled. "I know you're in there! Please! Come back!"

"I am not either of your friends!" said the fusion. "Lieutenant Emerald is dead!"

I saw an arrow knocked onto a bow a powerful beam of light shot at me.

"EMERALD!" I screamed.

I opened my eyes. Sapphire was standing front of me and I was still at the Sky Spire. Emerald was still outside with Jasper chatting.

"S...Sapphire?" I said.

"It's alright," said Sapphire. "None of what you saw has come true... yet."

"What?" I said.

"I passed my ability to you for just a little bit," said Sapphire. "Did you see what I saw?"

"Y... Yes..." I said, my hands shaking.

"And so you understand?" said Sapphire.

Did I just see the future? Was that what could happen?!

"That is why I'm telling to find a way to tell the Crystal Gems where we are," I said.

"Why... Why are you telling me this?!" I said. I wasn't mad. Well, kinda... but I was also kinda scared and confused.

"Because you do not serve Yellow Diamond," said Sapphire. "You only live to serve Emerald. That is what you decided. If you can decide that, you can decide how this will end. You can either let Emerald's plan fail… or you can fail your sworn duty to protect your lieutenant. The choice is yours, Carnelian. I will not stand in your way."

I looked outside. Jasper and Emerald were chatting. I had to accept one thing. Emerald wasn't himself here. He was trapped in a war that was no longer happening. I have to guide him out. For him, I would give my life to preserve his.

"Follow his every order," Yellow Diamond had said. "Emerald is who matters. You don't matter."

I am not special... I never was... I will never be... but it was Emerald who made feel as if that were so.

Tough call, Sapphire. The choice was mine, she said. She was right. And I had really tough decision to make...