The Gems question Black Diamond in hopes to find answers to Steven's ailment...but does he possess such knowledge, or will he even be willing to give the group the answers they seek?
...
"Oh yeeeah, that's better" said Black Diamond as he finished reforming.
As the tall, elder diamond stretched out as if he just woke up from a nap, the group watched with a defensive nervousness. Now coming back into reality, Black began looking around. Once he saw the audience that was present, he addressed the group.
"Hello again everyone. Have the centuries flown by already?"
"No...it's been barely two Earth weeks." said Garnet.
"Huh...well I'll admit, that's a bit surprising. I figured you all would have kept me locked up for at least another century before even considering letting me out. What happened, you all get bored without me causing issues or something?" taunted Black.
Not wanting to get into an argument with the diamond, the group ignored his taunt and moved into the main subject concerning his newfound freedom.
"Brother, listen...this isn't a social call."
"No? Then what exactly could you all need of me? I doubt you've forgiven me enough or even at all to have decided to let me roam free once again, so what pray tell could you all want with me?"
"We need your help." said Pearl suddenly.
As he heard the info, the elder diamond let the room sit in silence as he processed the info for a few seconds. "Come again my dear. I'm rather high up here and I believe I may have misheard you. It sounded like you said you needed my help."
"That's right Black." confirmed Pearl.
Hearing this, the diamond scoffed. "And what could you require of me? I doubt that you've all decided to reform the empire and need advice on that, so what exactly points you all to me for assistance?"
"It's Steven." said Blue. "He isn't well."
"Oh...I see. Aside from that, how has the young diamond been doing? I wondered about his recovery while in my isolation."
"He was getting better, but he's run into a few hiccups these past couple weeks."
"And this concerns me how exactly. Although I have some knowledge on the subject of human biology, I doubt I'd be the leading expert on how to fix an organic form."
"After he was freed from your control, he began experiencing some side effects from the influence. However, we got passed that and have moved on to more pressing concerns. He's being plagued by memories of his past while he sleeps and we aren't sure why exactly. We had hoped that you would be able to help us solve this crisis as we believe your abilities to be a cause of his restless nights." explained Garnet.
As he heard this, Black let the info process. After a few moments, he began to chuckle. "I see. And tell me, why exactly do you all think I'll give you the answers to your questions or help aid my enemy? After all, you lot were one of the direct results of my defeat."
"Listen here, don't make us-" as Amethyst threatened the diamond, he interrupted. "Don't make you do what exactly? You all hold nothing over me. We all know you won't shatter, either out of your own beliefs or because you know Steven wouldn't be able to face any of you the same way if you did...and even if you did, then you'd lose the knowledge that I may or may not hold, so what exactly could you threaten me with?"
Seeing that the diamond had a point, Garnet took a gamble. "What do you want?"
"I'm sorry?" said a confused Black.
"What would we need to give you to have you tell us what you know?"
"Well, now we're getting somewhere. I don't suppose my freedom is on the table?"
"That's not an option Black and you know that as well as we do." said White.
"Hmm, I figured as much. Lucky for you all, I am a flexible gem as there are other desires that I have that would be more negotiable." Seeing that no one would interrupt, he continued. "I have two requests from you all, with the second hinging on how you respond to the first. For the use of my knowledge on this matter, I want you to let Red and Earl go free. I know that they were bubbled away just like me."
"What do you have to gain from their freedom Black Diamond? What are you trying to play at?" asked Blue.
"Listen, I'll be clear with you all. What you did to me and those two...I can't forgive so easily. While that may be the case however, your actions were understandable. I wanted to overthrow your very way of life, and had planned to do so for eons. During that time, Red and Earl were the only two gems that stuck with me. With everything I went through, they stayed true to me and the cause far longer than any other gem...and they didn't even need to be controlled. They both agreed with my visions of the future and wanted to help make that vision a reality. Because of their loyalty and because those two had become my only trusted family, I would trade my knowledge for their freedom, so that they can continue living their lives in person rather than in a bubble."
"And what about the second request? You mentioned that it depends on our answer to your first one." asked Pearl.
"My second request would be for me to have a word with them before you put me back into a bubble. As I said, those two are my only family. I would want to be able to give them my final blessings and farewells."
"And this is your only offer?" asked Garnet.
"Unless your all willing to grant me freedom in exchange for the info, then yes...that is my only offer I will agree upon."
"Your freedom is still off the table, but I believe that your requests can be accepted. I don't foresee us having any issues with allowing either of the two requests to be granted." said Garnet.
"Fusion, are you sure about this?" asked White. "My brother is a crafty one. This could be some ploy to allow them to free him later on down the road."
"Oh please sister, have you so little faith in me?" As he saw the serious look on her face, he brought down the humor. "You have my word, even if I wanted to continue my campaign against you all, I don't see how it'd even be possible, even if those two freed me."
Seeing that White, along with everyone else, didn't find that promise very reassuring, Garnet responded. "We'll keep an eye on Black's gem. If they were to try something, then they won't get far. Even so, I don't believe they'll be nearly as much of a threat as before since they won't be enhanced anymore."
"Very well", White said an nervous agreeance. "Blue, could you retrieve the bubbles of his comrades while we figure out what my brother knows."
With agreeance, Blue left the group while everyone else stayed behind.
"Now then, I don't see a reason to delay this. Please, ask your questions and I will tell you what I know."
"As we said, Steven is being shown memories from traumatic parts of his past while he sleeps. We believe this to be a cause of your influence of him for so long. Do you think this may be the case? asked Pearl.
"Truth be told...I'm not sure. While it is a possibility, I wouldn't be able to give you all a straight yes or no without further research. After all, Steven's biology and circumstances are quite unique in that he is the only known hybrid. When I made my attempts to control him in the past, I initially wasn't sure if my ability would even work on him at all, hence why I tried the...other methods that I had."
"Well, lets assume that it could be because of us taking away your powers." said Amethyst. "What would you say we could do to help get rid of his problem?"
"Again, I'm afraid I don't really know. I can't say I've even heard of anyone experiencing any side effects from my control. After all, before Steven, I had only brought in other gems. He was the first organic that I brought into my ranks, and that doesn't even really say much since he's part organic rather than full. Without further research on the topic, I wouldn't know what side effects would even be possible let alone how to fix them."
"So what your saying is that you know about as much as we do about this" said an annoyed Amethyst.
"I'm afraid so. My apologies that I could not aid you further, and I mean that sincerely. Even with everything that happened, I don't believe Steven deserves any further difficulties. He has been through quite a bit already, as I'm sure you all know."
"Yes...we're well aware of that." said Pearl.
"Now then, unless you have any other questions, then I believe that concludes my end of the deal. After you fulfill yours, I'll return to my solitude in my bubble. Is it weird I actually miss it? Having that much free time to your thoughts and the silence...it was much nicer than other gems made it seem to be, though it still hardly compares to actual freedom."
"No...I believe that was all we wanted to ask. Thank you for your...assistance, little as it was." said Pearl.
With this, the group found that Blue had arrived moments later, with two bubbles in hand. Seeing that the group had finished their questions, Blue popped the bubbles and set the stones on the ground.
"Keep it brief Black." said White.
"I planned to. I don't want to drag this out any longer than it needs to. I hate having those two see me in such a state after all."
After a few seconds, Earl's gem began to reform, with Red's following shortly afterwards. While the two reformed, Black shapeshifted himself down to about Garnet's height so that he could address the two in a better manner. Now back into reality, the two soon noticed their diamond.
"BLACK" cried the two as they hugged the elder gem while everyone else watched in silence.
"It's good to see you both again. But listen...I'm afraid I need to cut to the chase here as I don't have much time." Black said as he broke the embrace.
"What do you mean? We can make this work. If you enhance us again real quick, then we can escape and start again."
"Red's right my diamond. We can't give up yet."
"No you two...listen. It would never work, even if we tried. We'd all be poofed before I could even get to your gemstones. Besides...these lot have been true to their word so far...what kind of gem would I be if didn't do the same?"
"But Black..."
"No...it's over. Our cause is gone and I have accepted my defeat. Now, I need you both to understand something. Through a sudden change in circumstances, I have been able to get you both your freedom from your prisons. You can both live out your lives as you see fit now."
"But my diamond...we don't want to. All we want is to stay with you."
"I understand, but that just isn't an option anymore. I'm afraid I will not be allowed my freedom. I will return to my bubble after we are done here. I wanted to speak with you both before I go though. So please...hear this old gem out, won't you."
Seeing that the two wouldn't interrupt, Black continued. "You both have stuck with me through thick and thin. I've known you two the longest, aside from my sister, and you have both proven yourselves loyal companions on this journey we've experienced. Though my time will end here, you two have been given a second chance to live out your lives. Use your experiences and find what makes you happy. We might not be able to continue our campaign, but I'll be shattered before I allow you two to continue to rot away when neither of you deserve it. With that said, listen closely as this is my final order to you both as your diamond. I want you two to live out your lives. Explore the universe, find what you want, and believe that things will get better. While I am unable to join you, I will find my own enjoyment in knowing that you two are able to roam this universe once again. Can I entrust you both with this?"
"Of course Black..." said Red.
"If this is what you want of us...then we'll do it, my diamond. If your happy with this...then we will be too." said Earl.
"Thank you...both of you. You two have been the greatest family and support a gem could ask for and I won't forget everything you both have done for me." Moving his attention from his two comrades to the silent audience, Black continued. "Alright then. I'm ready if you all are."
"Well said brother." said White as she prepared to poof the gem. "Before I poof you though, I want you to know something from me. I'm restoring Homeworld's history as we speak. Everyone who reads our text will know of our conflict...both of them."
"Hmm, well that's a surprise. Thank you White. I wish you a happy life once again. Hope to see you all again someday...hopefully things can be different then." Black said.
With a swift strike, Black Diamond was poofed and bubbled away once again.
"So now what? We didn't exactly get anything helpful here." noted Amethyst.
"Let's move back to the temple. We'll try to figure something out there." said Garnet. "White, Blue, thank you both for the help."
"Anytime. Please, do keep us informed of Steven's status and if we can assist in any other way." said White.
"Before we go though" said Pearl as she shifted her attention to Red and Earl. "What will you two do now?
With Red not wanting to answer, Earl caved in and gave a response for the both of them. "After you lot depart, we'll move to the nearest warp pad. Our diamond's wish was to live our lives after all. We'll figure out where we begin with that after we leave Homeworld."
"Well, just know that Earth is still open to you both."
"Even after everything we've done?"
"Please, most of the gems Steven's befriended have tried to kill him at some point or another. Besides, he'd give you all the same offer, even if we didn't extend it first." said Amethyst.
"I see...thank you. We'll consider the offer, but don't be surprised if we don't take it."
With this, the trio left the palace with Red and Earl not too far behind. Now outside the palace, the group began their warp back to Earth. Without any real answers to what could be causing Steven's problem nor a remedy in sight, the gems were once again struck with worry as they weren't sure what to do from here, aside from hope that a solution would arise soon.
...
And he's gone as soon as he reappeared. This part of the story was something I had thought about for sometime (Steven hadn't transformed to monster because of Black yet, to put an idea of a timestamp on it) and I am glad I was able to piece it together so well. Regardless though, now Red and Earl are free to roam the universe and begin their own adventures, wherever they so choose to do so.
From here, we'll check out Steven's situation next time. He's been up to a couple things of his own while the gems had left.
Happy Sunday everyone. Thank you all for stopping by the fic once again. Glad to see the support still going strong as ever. Hope you all stay safe and healthy and hope to see everyone in CH 5.
Back in Black by ACDC