(A/N: I want to thank you to stick around for this tale of mine. Just another story in the web of the multiverse of possibility. Is this the end for Ryker Blackthorn and the Crystal Squadron? Not exactly. Is this the end of the Gem Race? Not exactly.)
Opening Theme - Nitsua - Still Remember
Steven Universe Blackthorned
Series Finale & Epilogue
Episode 46: Means to An End | One's End is Another's Beginning
Panic. Terror. Screaming. There were plenty of it on the crumbling planet of Homeworld. White Diamond's dead, and Blue and Yellow just abandoned them to die. Everyone was scattering about as Blue and Yellow Pearl watched them ran about.
"Enough!" Blue Pearl screamed getting everyone to stop.
Blue Pearl stepped up on a podium to tower over everyone.
"Right now, our planet is falling apart. We need to work together to evacuate and get to safety." Blue Pearl said serious. "I know our Diamonds have left us, but we cannot falter. If we work together, we can form a craft big enough for us to escape."
Blue Pearl had rallied them up hoping at the very least the Gem Race was not going to die like this. However while they listened, a recuse plan was already on the way.
It had been some time since Lars had left with the Off-Colors. I guess he wanted to get a move on seeing he was willing to woo Cherie into getting himself a portal gun. For me? I remained with the rest of the Squadron on Cherie's turf recuperating. Ruby and Sapphire were enjoying being able to live their lives, and, much to everyone's discomfort, were a bit frisker. Amethyst was out with Luffy at some all you eat restaurant, Pearl was with Tsubasa planning the wedding, Pink was outside getting some sun, Greg was working on his van, Lapis and Peridot were on their phones trying to get their business restarted elsewhere, Jasper was out back sparring with Franky, Aiko was attending an AA meeting, Ashi wound up joining Lars, Vidalia was out training with Sour Cream, Onion was sleeping somewhere, Steven and Connie were flying around the world, and Garnet, Priyanka, Barb and I were watching Interdimensional TV with Sadie moping at the end of the couch we sat on.
"But it seems somehow you got in. I don't know considering I'm a woman of technology. Magic's Ozpin and Salem's territory. But I suppose you can give answer when you wake up…Amber." Serena said leaving her to rest."
"Huh, so the reboot of RWBY doesn't suck total ass?" I said with a grin. "Mirai Studios knows its stuff."
"Told you." Garnet said snuggling me.
"So, you can literally watch anything in the multiverse? Man, there could be people watching us." Barb said spaced out. "How does that work exactly?"
"It is better you don't think about it." I said as the news came up. "Hey, check this out."
It was a news bulletin and Whis was on the television to report that someone apparently recused all the Gems left behind on Homeworld. And get this, Blue Pearl is now their new "leader".
"Pearl would get a thrill out of this." Garnet said leaning back on the couch.
"I'm tempted to bring the Diamonds out to do to see this…" I said with a devious grin on my face.
"Speaking of, what are we doing with them?" Priyanka said curiously.
"We could shatter them, but I have an idea. We'll let them live…as our "Pearls" as a taste of their own caste system." I said coolly.
"Slavery?!" Priyanka said shocked.
"What? It's sadly legal for reality warpers to do that to non-warpers or warpers captured by those of higher rank. Hell, Cherie has slaves. One of which I had to give to Cherie to get us information." I said thinking back.
"Well, I'm for getting them suffer. Especially that weeping wallflower, Blue." Garnet said with a dark grin of her own. "In fact, it'll be fitting. Not like they can put a fight after we disabled them."
"But before we deal with that, I need to call a team meeting." I said getting up. "After I get some snacks."
Pink Diamond laid on her beach chair enjoying the sun on her rosy skin. She was just glad to be back with the team once again. Dawned in just a purple and white striped bikini, she got up to stretch out and slip on her slippers to walk over to the front yard where Greg was working on his van under the hood on a car creeper.
"Oh Greg…" Pink said sweetly coming up to his feet.
Pink would hear an exasperated groan from Greg as Pink using her feet to roll the car creeper back out. Greg was not exactly happy to see Pink as she had no idea that Greg was actively avoiding her for all the time they were all stay on Cherie's territory.
"What is it, Pink?" Greg said blankly.
The stress of losing his home, his brother, his planet, and basically any trace of his home life were taking a toll on him. Universe had looked tired having losing a bit of weight.
"I was thinking that maybe we could spend some time touring this universe and maybe we could…" Pink said only for Greg to sigh loud enough to cut her off. "Something wrong?"
Greg got up from the creeper and wiped his hands with a rag.
"Pink, this can't work out." Greg remarked.
"What do you mean?" Pink asked worriedly.
"Us. I can't stay in this relationship…" Greg said as Pink got an alarmed look on her face.
Pink stammered, but Greg did not falter.
"Before you say anything, no this isn't because our universe literally fell apart. That I can't blame you for. Why I'm doing this is because what you build this relationship on a foundation of lies. You led me on that you were someone else just like you did with everyone else. Hell, look at what you did to our son. The stress YOU put him through! I've been watching canon, and you essentially put him in a position where he's a scapegoat. He has to fix mistakes that you made and that you should have taken responsibility for. I'm glad he doesn't have to now, but, the fact that when you returned, you did nothing." Greg said restraining his anger. "You could have come out that Pink, but you waited until Ryker forced you to shift back. Ever since then, all this has been welling up inside me. Maybe it is the fact that you have the nerve to think I'm in the mood after just losing everything, that's it coming out."
Pink had no words as Greg walked away to cool off only for his and Pink's Zen-Minis to beep. He took it up to see Ryker was calling for a team meeting.
"Just great." Greg said walking past her to head inside.
Pink quietly followed holding back the tears as she shapeshifted a robe over herself. Steven and Connie were walking back after their flight. Their time here had rather changed Steven, as he changed up his wardrobe. The stress had gotten his appearance to change appearing more of a teenager than before.
"Connie, what do you think the meeting's about?" Steven asked.
"Probably about what Ryker plans to do next since we can't really stay here forever or it's about the wedding." Connie said with a shrug.
"You think my dad and…Pink are going to…you know?" Steven asked.
"If you're referring to staying together, I fucking doubt it. Even if Pink's gone soul-searching, I don't think Greg is just doing to let all of the shit Pink's done slide." Connie said rolling her eyes. "I noticed he's been avoiding her."
The two sped up to a run as they were the last to arrive. Lars had called with his team via videochat, and Ryker got up ready to speak.
"Crystal Squadron, I've called this meeting on concerned on what our future looks like. I'm going to be blunt in that making this place our base of operations isn't really an option. Paying rent to Cherie is going to be expensive, and certain people didn't contribute to it." Ryker said with a sigh.
"You'd think you'd get a job to help pay, Barb?" Pink said as Ryker glared at her.
"I was talking about you! I haven't seen you pay anything to put towards rent!" Ryker said glaring at Pink. "I asked you about it the day after we got there. We've been here for close to a month."
"Oh…about that. I kind of blew most of my cut during my trip to find myself." Pink said sheepishly.
Ryker face palmed saying, "Regardless, Lars…report."
"Ashi aided me in acquiring a ship. However, bounty hunters were on our asses. We barely managed to escape. Seems we still have to wait for the heat to die down." Lars remarked. "And…there's something else…"
Ashi raised a hand to reveal a wedding ring, and Sadie was inwardly screaming.
"Lars is probably never going to try drinking again." Rhodonite said off-screen.
"I think they'll make a lovely couple." The Rutile Twins said also off-screen.
"Oh for fuck's sake, seriously. What's next, you'll tell me you drank Nigrum Ex?" Ryker said sarcastically only for Ashi to confirm that was the drink. "Well shit. Congratulations then."
"Either way, we can…..Damn it…Pink, get the door!" Ryker yelled annoyed at the knocking at the door.
"Why me?" Pink whined.
"Just get the door!" Ryker and Pearl yelled.
Pink sighed and answered to find it was Cherie who just finished recording another episode of her show.
"Cherie! Hey, I…" Pink said only to be shoved aside by Cherie.
"Ryker, I came to let you know something rather important. After talking it over with my husband and with some thought, I've decided to simply cut you a deal on the house. Charging you my original price for rent was a bit overdoing it. Besides, you did help me out." Cherie said cheekily. "So, I've got a new deal for you."
"Ok, what is it?" Ryker asked.
"900,000 flat for the house, and I want your team in for my employ for a few jobs. You are still going to pay for your water and power by the month." Cherie remarked.
"Done." Ryker said slapping Cherie's hand with the roll of cash. "But why the change of heart?"
"Apparently, Ryo's bounty was tampered. It was supposed to be higher, but a glitch in the system got his dropped to an older amount not long after the real amount was posted way back when. It's only now, they caught it. But that's not all. After you "subdued" the Diamonds and Lars' little escapade, your bounties exploded." Cherie remarked.
Ryker immediately pulled up the bounty list for the team and went wide eyed.
"Jaded Gemslayer" Ryker Olivia Blackthorn – 1,080,080,200 - 10th Rank - Active
"Tiger Millionaire / Blood Diamond" Steven Universe - 550,000,000 - 6th Rank - Active
"Stateside Swordswoman" Connie Maheswaran - 525,000,000 - 6th Rank - Active
"The Immortal Warrior of the Stars" / "Captain of the Off-Color Squadron" Lars Barriga - 885,000,000 - 6th Rank – Active
"Paranoid Planner" Rhodonite – 580,000 – 6th Rank – Active
"Piloting Pair" The Rutile Twins - 595,000 – 6th Rank – Active
"Retro Renegade" Padparadscha – 350,000 – 6th Rank – Active
"Multi-Worm" Flourite – 600,000 – 6th Rank - Active
"Sadie Killer" Sadie Miller - 221,000,000 - 6th Rank - Active
"Scalpel Sadist" Priyanka Maheswaran - 245,500,000 - 6th Rank - Active
"A Warrior of Ice and Fire" Garnet Stones - 850,000,000 - 6th Rank - Active
"Eternal Flame" Ruby Stones - 425,000,000 - 6th Rank - Active
"Salty Seer" Sapphire Stones - 425,000,000 - 6th Rank - Active
"Purple Puma" Amethyst Santiago - 475,000,000 - 6th Rank - Active
"Stone of the Rebellion" Pearl Quartz - 474,000,000 - 6th Rank - Active
"Rebellion Ravager/Crystal Hypocrite" Rose Quartz/Pink Diamond – 1,075,000,000 - 9th Rank - Active
"Crystal Cyborg" Peridot Periwinkle - 750,000,000 - 6th Rank - Active
"Crystal Tsunami" Lapis Lazuli - 760,000,000 - 6th Rank – Active
"Ultimate Vanguard" Jasper – 790,000,000 – 6th Rank - Active
"Rainbow Forge" Bismuth – 548,000,000 – 6th Rank - Active
"Innocent Shadow" Ashi – 200,500,000 - 6th Rank - Active
"Crystal Squire" Tsubasa Yumi – 1,085,000 - 6th Rank - Active
"Recovering Drunk" Akio Yumi - 100,000 - 6th Rank – Active
"Crash of the Comet" Greg Universe – 60,000 – 6th Rank – Active
"Hell yeah, my bounty rose up!" Bismuth whooped.
"I'm in the billions…." Ryker said in muted shocked. "I need to keep training."
"Mine didn't change." Pink said disappointed.
"Shit. Well, change of plans. We need to get a ship to get into space as soon as possible." Ryker thought.
"My own bounty also went up." Cherie said holding up her new wanted poster. "I've gotten a lot stronger than back then."
The image chosen was her in a similar pose to Nami's Post-Timeskip wanted poster.
"Pervert Pirate Empress" Cherie Rose Loveless – 4,200,000,269 - 10th Rank - Active
"At least the epithet changed." Akio said sourly.
"So, you'll accept my deal. Well, I'm glad for that. Because I have a wedding gift of my own! The wedding! All set up for you to marry tomorrow." Cherie said.
"Really?" Ruby said excitedly.
"Is there a catch?" Sapphire asked glaring at her.
"Just one tiny thing, I want to borrow Yellow Diamond after you all break her and Blue in to her life of servitude." Cherie said deviously. "I know you all were planning to do that."
"No, we weren't." Pink said defiantly only for the rest of the squad to tug at their collars awkwardly. "Oh…"
"Pink, what you expect? It was either that…or shattering them." Pearl remarked.
"I mean…well I thought you were going to shatter them…but is what we're doing hypocritical?" Pink asked.
"I'm going to pretend I heard you asked them." Pearl said rolling her eyes.
"You have a deal, Cher. I'll let you know when she'll be ready." Ryker remarked.
Pink was on the fence on what we planned to do with the Diamonds, but honestly I was all sticking it to Blue and Yellow. Cherie was a crafty one, but she had gotten us a wedding the next day as promised. I'll say this…it was breathtaking. Wano Country looked absolutely gorgeous and the falling cherry blossoming made it all look so picturesque. I opted for a Wano-styled wedding kimono with a few custom touches to fully represent my Black Asian heritage. I stood at the altar along Tsubasa and Sapphire. Tsubasa opted for a men's kimono, but Sapphire stuck to the suit.
"This is it…" Tsubasa said wiping a tear out of his house.
"And no Diamonds to ruin the day!" Sapphire said in a sing-song voice. "No offense, Pink."
Pink sat at the back near the bar that was set up already hammered. From what I heard, she and Greg are no longer a thing. Seeing that Vidalia and Barb are probably going to need some form of comfort, I'm hedging bets inwardly that one or both will go to him. I'm glad that Sour Cream is desiring to training under us alongside his mother though.
"And here they come!" Bell-mere said as Pearl, Ruby, and Garnet were walking down the aisle.
Glamorous. That's all I could say. Despite the multiverse throwing us all for a loop, I was glad that this became a reality. Through the vows, I could only go through the motions lovingly looking into the eyes of who I'd spend my life with. When it came my turn for vows, I cleared my throat.
"Garnet, words can't express how much I love you. When we started this relationship, I was willing to go through the wringer in the matters of Ruby and Sapphire. It was a bit of a complexity, but I was willing to go through it for you. Fighting by your side was always a joy as I promise to always have your back no matter what happens. I love the life we'd made together, and I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world." I said with a lone tear coming down my face.
"Well then, enough sappiness! By the power bested in the World Government that I own, I pronounce you three ships sailed!" Cherie said overdramatically. "Cue to the doves!"
What a moment…it wasn't the grandest, but hey…there's always our anniversary. Okaa and Otou-san can visit that one at least. But the moment was completely perfect.
BLEGRH! Too bad the moment was ruined by Pink coming up and puking on Ruby's dress before passing out. All this for setting up the wedding photos.
"Sad thing is…it was either going to her or Akio doing that." Sapphire said with a sigh.
"Rrargh! Fuck! Pink! What the hell did you have to ruin this dress?!" Ruby wailed as it seeped in. "It's ruining the surprise under it I had for Sapphy!"
"Warper Edit." Ryker said snapping his fingers as Ruby's dressed was completely fixed.
"Oh…I forgot we could do that." Ruby said sheepishly.
"Yeah, it tends to slip your mind." Ryker remarked before getting a text on his BlackTab. "Huh…a gift?"
He spawned out what was gift and out came a massive starship having a darker, sleeker, black color, while still retaining its frosty blue shade. Then came the message,
"Figured you'd need a ship to travel the stars! Consider it a wedding gift for you and my new sister-in law. Introducing the Blackfrost! Safe travels, brother. With love, Dimentio."
"Well damn, I guess Dimentio wins best wedding present!" Ryker said excitedly. "Crystal Squadron, pack up! We're moving out!"
"YEAH!" They all shouted pumping their fists into the air.
The end of their universe was merely the beginning of another adventure.
(A/N: And there's our end to this fanfiction, and I do wish I could make the wedding longer. However, I got a schedule. As for the Diamonds, they'll be punished. I've decided to make a bit of a bonus piece to SU, similarly to RWBYverse and the Loud House collections. It'll be a collection of old SU ideas I had, bonus canon and non-canon shorts for SU, and plans for future tales. It should come…next year. I just want to thank all of you for your support. See ya…next time.)
Ending Theme – Love Like You
(A/N: Sorry for the hasty edit, but I realized that I left out a part for this chapter. So it's not the end just yet, you'll be getting one more chapter to wrap up some loose ends.)
