While the Crystal Gems prepare to enter the battlefield, the Diamonds debate on using a sworn off strategy.
...
Back at the warp pad near the palace, the Gems had begun preparations for their appearance onto the battlefield and what should follow shortly thereafter.
"I still think we should make our way to Black Diamond first thing. If he loses control over his army once he's poofed, then why wouldn't we just go for the boss fight immediately?" questioned Amethyst.
"It won't be that simple Amethyst. Even if we were to just make our way to him without any complications, poofing him will be a whole other subject in it's own. From what we know, he's of a similar power scale to that of White Diamond, and we haven't ever taken her down before, at least not without Steven. Besides, do you really think Red or any of his soldiers would just let us go and poof him without any kind of struggle?" explained Pearl.
"No, but I just think it's our best bet. Way I see it, it's either that or we fight off his whole stinking army...which includes Steven."
"Your both right in this case. Fighting off the entire army before handling Black Diamond isn't in our favor, but we won't be able to just move on the diamond when we arrive either. For now, we'll have to take on his soldiers and once we see an opening, we move on it. As for Steven, we try to avoid contact with him for as long as we can...and if we do have to engage him, we try to subdue him in the least painful way possible. Although it isn't desired for us to harm Steven, I believe he'd prefer some physical pain versus being forced to fight against everything he's built up over these last few years." Garnet said.
"Regardless of how we have to do it, we'll see that little meatball and that rest of those gems freed from Black Diamond, no matter what gets in our way." Bismuth said in an attempt to boost morale.
"Squaridot, how's the progress with the warp pad?" Garnet asked, now looking to the busy technician.
"Nearly done. Shouldn't be long now."
"Well, while we wait, you wouldn't happen to be able to tell us anything about the battlefield or what to expect, would you?" asked Lapis
"While I haven't been to the battlefield myself since it's beginning, I am familiar with the quadrant. It's an abandoned kindergarten placed on the planet sometime ago before you lot liberated all of gemkind. Unlike the ones deeper into the planet, this one is within more level and stable ground. It's wide enough to be used as a battlefield without any major conflicts and it also has several hills alongside it, which could be used as vantage points for either side. The site itself has a few warp pads placed about, all of which aren't too far from each other. The one that the diamonds used was the closest one to the pad that Black and his army arrived on. Aside from that though, I couldn't tell you much else. Like I said, I haven't been to the battlefield yet as I was tasked with retrieving all of you first."
"Well, at least we have an idea of what we're getting into." Amethyst said.
With this, the group continued making any sort of preparations they could as the green technician completed her work on the warp pad.
-Meanwhile, on the battlefield-
Gems from both sides had continued to fight and poof one another. As the diamonds from their own respective sides looked on, it was difficult to tell initially who would be victorious in the long run as each side faces their own small victories and defeats as the war waged on. The first real issue came about when the Homeworld diamonds noticed a tiny terror roaming about the battlefield. Noticing that Red had been sent into the battlefield, Yellow watched on as the ruby began going about poofing gems left and right, without much purpose to each skirmish the gem entered. It was almost as if she was merely going about attacking and poofing whichever gem was nearest. Noticing the progress the ruby was making on reducing their forces, Yellow decided on a plan she had hoped to avoid.
"Blue, I'm believe it's time for us to enter the battlefield."
"Are you sure Yellow? It seems early still don't you think?"
"With Black's ruby going about poofing our gems, it's causing some turmoil for other conflicts in the area. With us joining the fray, we should be able to tip the balance back in our favor."
"I see...well, if you think it's best then."
"I do...I also believe it would be best for us to not hold back. We need to use our powers as well."
"Yellow, I don't believe my happy clouds and your size changing abilities will be of great use here, mine especially. You could probably change a few gems to make them bigger, but that would make them a bigger target as well. That, and if they were to be poofed and converted on the spot, we'd have another issue on our hands." White noted.
"I'm not referring to our more recent powers. I'm talking about our old ones...the ones we used before Steven changed everything...my electricity, Blue's emotions...your control."
"Yellow, you know we swore off using those anymore to prevent any further harm." noted Blue.
"Yes, I'm aware. But these are desperate times. Any chance at victory here needs to be considered and used if we can afford it. I don't see the harm in using our abilities now. After all, if we lose, we won't maintain our allegiance long enough to regret our decision right."
"...Perhaps your right...though I'm not sure how well I can control my emotional state anymore. I haven't felt that emotional since Steven changed our minds."
"I understand Blue. We're all going to be somewhat out of tune with our abilities, you most of all. But if it increases our chances of winning, then it's worth it. Besides, imagine everything that's happened and everything that could potentially happen. We lost Steven to Black Diamond and are now being forced to face him and the many gems we swore to treat as our equals. And if we lose, think of the suffering that all the other gems, current and future, would face. It would be a sorry return to the Homeworld we once knew, though not even I would want to return to that, not with the endgame Black has in store."
As Blue heard the older diamond's pleas, she had to admit that she was right. Not just losing Steven, but all the progress they had done up until know, she couldn't bear the thought of it all. The more she honed her emotions on it, the more she felt the familiar wave of emotion that plagued so many gems in the past. As she felt the tidal wave of power and sorrow creep up on her, she focused her thoughts and energy on it, allowing herself to embrace the ability once more.
"Your right Yellow...I don't want to see Black win. I can't stand what's he's done, either to Steven, or to our gems. Although I don't like it still, I'm willing to rely on my old powers this one last time."
"Thank you Blue. Now then, White I believe it would be best i-" "NO". White said suddenly, cutting off the younger diamond.
"White...we need every advantage we can get here. With your abilities, we can regain control over some gems on the battlefield." explained Yellow.
"I don't care. I will not stoop to using that ability in a such a way ever again."
"White, please you must understand-" "No Blue, you must understand. Both of you must. While your abilities were used to plague and harm others in the past, both on purpose and not, my powers were used out of selfish desire. When I saw something I didn't like in a gem, I would force the change on them, to try and make them into an image I believed to be perfect. If I were to do that here, even with the kindest of intentions, I would be no better than my brother. It was one thing when I tried it on him earlier. We both believed it wouldn't work then, but on the chance it would, then the war was over before it started, but this...to force that kind of feeling onto another undeserving gem, even to free them from my sibling...I'm truly sorry to you both, but I just can't bring myself to do it."
As the two younger diamonds saw the turmoil within their elder, it was Yellow who stepped up to comfort her first. "White...while I may not understand the full depth of the pain you feel from how you used the power, I understand your need to avoid using it further. I won't ask you to use it and I'm sorry for brining it up at all."
"No Yellow. You were right to seek out the best possible options for victory here. I am grateful that you and Blue both are willing to go to such measures to preserve the peace and change we've all embraced. It's just something I am unable to bring myself to do."
"It's alright White. We should be able to handle Black's forces with our abilities just fine."
"Blue's right. I will need you to take my place in watching over our forces from here however. I'll be able to direct them out there somewhat, but without being able to focus on the whole battle, I need you to fill in the gaps I may miss."
"I can do that Yellow. Just please, stay safe out there...both of you."
"We will White." Blue said. "Are you ready then Yellow?"
"Yes. Let's move. We have a war to win."
With this, the two diamonds set out to join the fray while White stayed behind to help direct the gems. As the two placed themselves in the battlefield, they soon came under attack by several gems. Yellow responded with her electricity, poofing the gems on the spot while Blue began spreading her wave of emotions, reducing any nearby gems to a sobbing, unfocused mess. Although some friendly gems were caught in her power, she would attempt to make up for this by moving to poof any nearby enemy gems shortly after they were affected as to try to avoid any ally gems becoming caught off guard by an enemy while under the influence of her emotions.
On the other side of the battlefield, Black Diamond watched on as the two diamonds had entered the skirmish and began reducing the numbers of his army in a record time.
"Well well, seems my allowing Red on the battlefield has brought out the spirit in those two. I'll admit, they entered the fight sooner than I believed they would, but it makes sense. After all, if they waited too long, their numbers would have dwindled to the point of no recovery. Well, I suppose it's time for the other trump card then. Steven, your up. I need you to go distract and poof Yellow and Blue Diamond. I would advise you to start with Yellow if you could. With her out of the picture, they'll lose their best tactician and one of their more major combatants on the field."
"Got it Black. I'll see what I can do."
With this, the young hybrid set out to join the battle. As he approached, part of him hoped that this skirmish wouldn't take long, though he had a feeling that his wishes wouldn't be granted, and that this was merely one of many major points to the conflict.
...
The plot continues moving forward. With Steven moving to intercept the two diamonds, how will this affect the war effort on Homeworld's part? We'll see soon enough here.
Although it was never said whether or not they actually still do use their powers (or if it was, then I missed it somewhere), it is my personal belief that the trio would have sworn off using their abilities, especially Blue and White. While Yellow could still use her electricity for other reasons, Blue and White didn't really have that aspect in Future. It is also in my belief that White would absolutely avoid using her white light laser beams anymore if she could avoid it. I imagine turning the two diamonds, plus a multitude of gems with it in the past resulted in a harsh talking too about why it's bad and why she shouldn't do it again.
The war effort goes on though. For those curious, our main cast will be joining the battle soon enough...as soon as Squaridot finishes putting a warp pad back together...(which will be soon). From here though, we'll see how Steven's involvement in the battlefield stirs the pot for Homeworld.
Also, something I just realized...I didn't write in Spinel for a couple chapters now, this one included (I literally realized this as I'm sitting here writing out these end notes). For plot sake, let's just come to the conclusion that she's entered the battlefield already (I will probably go back at some point and add that in, but on the off chance I don't...here's the update). I would like to apologize in advance though for any Spinel fans out there. I don't dislike the character in any fashion, make no mistake, I more got caught up in the plot of everything and missed her inclusion, especially since she didn't really play a major role until later. I will say however, that she does play a part here soon enough, one that actually has a good thing of relevance to the story.
Thanks once more for stopping by and reading the fic everyone. I hope everything is well in your lives. Here's to the upcoming week! See you all in thirty four.
Last Resort by Papa Roach