The Crystal Gems attempt to break free of their captivity while the Diamonds came face to face with their enemy.

...

-At Beta-

The group had been trapped for what felt like hours. Since their captivity began, they had tried strong-arming their way out of containment, only to find that the metal acting as a barrier between them and freedom was stronger than the average piece of steel. After sometime, the group began brainstorming ideas, to which one came up.

"Why don't you guys try fusion? The room seems big enough to allow it" Connie noted.

Seeing that the room was indeed big enough as, much like Alpha, it was big enough for White Diamond to stand in with ease (even though some shapeshifting would be required to enter and exit outside and into other parts of the facility.).

"Alright, so who do we try first then" asked Amethyst.

"Go with Opal. We'll work our way up with power scaling as we go." said Garnet.

With this, Pearl and Amethyst came together to form the reserved fusion. Pulling out her bow, Opal fired off an arrow at the wall, only to find that it had little to no effect as the projectile simply bounced off the metal. Seeing that the attack was ineffective, the two unfused.

"Well she didn't do much..." noted Pearl.

"Next, we'll try Sugilite."

Now coming together, the two gems (three technically) formed the confident individual. Already aware that time was of the essence, Sugilite didn't waste any time showboating as she pulled out her flail and began using it on the metal...only to find that it left minor dents.

"What the heck kind of metal is this stuff anyway?!" With a quick huff, the fusion was no more, leaving everyone present once more.

"Guess that leaves Sardonyx then." said Pearl.

Giving a confirmation nod, Garnet moved to join Pearl. With a flash of light, the two came together as fusion was now front and center on the stage.

"Worry not everyone. I'll have this wall down soon enough." As the fusion said this, she summoned her war hammer, twisted her body around a few times to give the incoming strike more momentum, and swung at the barrier. Much like with Sugilite, the wall was given a decent dent, but no real progress was made still.

"Oh dear...my apologies to the crowd...seems I cannot crack this egg I'm afraid. I do wish you all the best however. Ta-ta". With this, the fusion was no more, leaving behind a bewildered group of gems.

"We could try Alexandrite." said Amethyst.

"I'm not sure we'd have anymore luck with her than the others. We already tried all the weapons she has available, and I doubt we'll be able to melt through these walls with her fire...at least not in a timely manner." noted Pearl.

Before the group could discuss any further attempts at fusion or any other ideas, a sudden ringing began going off. As the group reached a state of defensiveness and confusion, Pearl broke up the tension.

"Sorry, that's me." she said as she summoned a communicator from her gem, which was glowing and sounding off an alarm.

"That's the communicator Squaridot gave us. I forget we had that thing." said Amethyst.

Now activating the device, soon a screen was in front of everyone with the technician present.

"Oh thank the diamonds. Crystal Gems, you need to get back here now."

"Easy Squaridot...what's wrong?" asked Garnet.

"Black Diamond is on Homeworld...and judging by the number of gems still coming in, I'd say he's readying himself to end this"

"We're currently occupied. The facility was a trap for us. Is there any way you could meet us here?"

"I can try, though I can't promise how quick I'll be. It takes me sometime still to see the warp pad's history, especially on one that's used as often as the one outside the palace."

"See what you can do. Once you arrive here, contact us. If we find an escape here by some chance, we'll do the same."

With this, the call was ended, leaving the group to wonder if there were any other ideas that would yield better results to get out.

-On Homeworld-

The trio of diamonds, who were accompanied by Spinel, soon found themselves in the same kindergarten as their foe. As the group warped in, soon enough, the able gems of Homeworld began showing up as well. As they all looked on to their enemy and the gems that surrounded him, they saw that Black still had his gems arriving in bulk as well. Seeing that her enemy was still preparing, White looked to her companions.

"Blue, Yellow, Spinel...please wait here for a moment. I wish to have an audience with my brother."

"Are you sure that's a wise idea White?" pondered Yellow.

"Worry not Yellow. My brother is incapable of taking me out himself, which is also true in reverse for me. Our powers don't effect each other and neither of us are very well versed in combat."

With this said, the towering gem began to move towards her sibling. Seeing her begin an approach, Black Diamond soon followed. As he approached, Black began to grow in size. Unlike previously when he had chosen to stay the size of the average gem, either for convenience or necessity, this time, he allowed his true form to show. Once the two of them were face to face, he was as tall as White, much to many gems surprise.

"Hello my dear brother. I see you've been doing well for yourself."

"Good to see you again my sister. I could say the same for you."

"You know we don't need to do this Black. You can still come around and be with us. Although we've had our history, both myself and Homeworld have changed as I'm sure you've heard. I'd be willing to try to be the shining examples Homeworld needs us to be, if you'd be willing to do the same."

"Yes, I have heard as much. As much as I'd like to see us together again, I'm afraid that isn't a viable option for me. We both saw firsthand how well we rule together. Besides, I doubt my acts against all those gems would go unnoticed or even unpunished."

"So you'd rather we continue this pointless squabble? That we should risk all these gems just to prove who's the better gem?"

"No gem here is truly at risk. I am not here to shatter anyone, not even you. I will add those unwilling to join me to my ranks and I will see you in a bubble. And yes, I would continue this 'squabble' as you call it. I will reclaim my rightful place within Homeworld and I will also see it restored to the shape it needs to be. Once that's done, universal peace can begin becoming realistic."

"I'm afraid it's not that simple brother. I would try to explain the folly in your ideas, but I doubt you'd pay them much heed."

"You would be correct White. I am here for one thing and that is to see you dethroned. I will ask you though, before we begin this conflict, shall we see if there isn't an easier way out of this mess?"

Catching on to what Black was implying to, White responded. "Oh very well. If there's even a remote chance that this could work on either end, at least it'll provide us any further conflict or harm to one another. Shall I go first then?"

"By all means." With this, White's eyes began to glow a familiar white light. After a few moments, she fired her powers at the black diamond gem. After the light had cleared, the two soon found that the attack was ineffective.

"Seems your powers still aren't effective. Let's see if mine do anything." Black said as he brought out his index finger. Allowing it to begin glowing a darker shade of the represented color of the diamond, Black tapped his finger on White's gem, only to receive similar results.

"I guess we should have known that it could never be that easy." White said.

"Yes, well I suppose that leaves us at a prime position to kickstart this battle. I do hope your prepared for what's to come my dear sibling."

With this, Black began to return to his forces while White did the same.

"I don't suppose you both were able to talk each other out of it." Yellow doubtfully asked as the elder diamond returned.

"No, I'm afraid he's determined to end this his way."

"White...while your were away, Squaridot contacted us. The Crystal Gems will be unavailable for sometime. Seems that Beta facility was another scheme from Black." said Blue.

"I see...we'll have to maintain our own until they are able to join in the fight."

"By my estimation, seems we still have the greater numbers, though by exactly how much I can't tell. How well our advantage in numbers will fair against the possibly enhanced gems though, who can say." Yellow said.

"I have faith our gems will be able to handle themselves long enough. Yellow, do you have a communicator with you?"

"I do, who do you need to contact White?"

"I need you to contact the agates and any other gem able to lead. Let them know of our enemy's abilities. With everyone informed, we should be able to put up a decent fight after all."

With this said, the yellow diamond began contacting all the agates who had communication devices with them. Although not all the leaders were able to be contacted, word soon spread around the Homeworld defense. With all the gems on their side ready for action, the trio of diamonds saw that it appeared that Black gave out his own directions in that time and was also prepared. Seeing that all the gems were warped in and present on the open battlefield, neither side made a move for a moment. With the tension hanging in the air, it was broken as both sides ordered their troops to advance. The battle for Homeworld and all of gemkind had begun.

...

The war has finally begun. Which side will emerge victorious from this skirmish though? Guess we'll have to wait and see how it all plays out.

Not too much to say this time around. Thanks again for all the support with the repeated visits and everything else along with it. I do greatly appreciate it. Hope Thursday is going good on everyone's end. See everyone in chapter 32 where we continue to see the progress our trapped gems might make and how the war will progress.

Another Way Out by Hollywood Undead