Chapter 9: The Gara Elites Arrive

Gien goes to the control room and contacts Yellow Diamond.

Gien: My Diamond, this is Gara Droid leader Gien, reporting.

Yellow Diamond: Ah yes Gien. What has happened to the Peridot and how goes the Cluster?

Gien: Well I regret to inform you that the Cluster has been stopped.

Yellow Daimond: ( with a stern look) What?

Gien: And my Peridot has truly betrayed us and joined the Crystal Gems.

Yellow Diamond: Did you shatter her?

Gien: I tried, but she got away.

Yellow Diamond: You incopentant fool! You allowed a puny Peridot get the best of you? Is that why you called, to tell us that you failed the mission.

Gien: But I haven't yet my Diamond, that is why I am calling you. I request for my Gara Elites to come to Earth. Send them all down.

Yellow Diamond: You need a whole army of elites just to take down a handful of rebels?

Gien: Well I mean my regular soldiers are not enough and I want to destroy these Crystal Gems with the stongest ones.

Yellow Diamond: Didn't you design these elites to single handley conquer planets?

Gien: Yes I did.

Yellow Diamond: Than you only need one elite at a time.

Gien: But my Diamond I...

Yellow Diamond: I' am not sending a whole army just because you can't handle a few rebels. You said that the Gara Droids are the most powerful in my army so now prove it. Do I make myself clear?

Gien: Yes my Diamond. Then send down Nabal.

Yellow Diamond: I will notify him right now.

Transmission ends.

Gien: Urgh! That stupid rock telling me how to run the army that I created. No matter, even if Nabal fails, I can always call forth another one. Yes, now lets show those Crystal Gems what the Gara Droids are really like.

One week later.

On the sky arena, Steven was in the middle of training with Pearl. He was taking on a Holo Pearl. Holo Pearl tried jabbing, but he blocked with his shield.

Pearl: That's it Steven, keep your defense up. Put your whole body into it.

Steven kept blocking most of Holo Pearls moves until it left itself open and Steven stabs it. Holo Pearl vanishes and Steven walks up to Pearl bows to her.

Pearl: That will be all for today.

Steven: Phew, wow Pearl. That was probably the toughest training yet.

Pearl: Really, I mean I didn't even set it to it's highest difficulty.

Steven: I guess I still have a long way to go than.

Pearl: You do, but that's why we're training. Come on lets head back to the house.

They made there way to the warp pad. Steven noticed Pearl seemed to be in a trance for a moment.

Steven: Are you okay, Pearl.

Pearl shook her head snapping out of it.

Pearl: I'm fine Steven. It's just, you're mother would have been so proud of you seeing this.( placing her hand to his cheek) You training to become one of us you don't know how much that's to us, to me.

Steven: Well, I have a great teacher.

Steven then hugged her. Pearl blushed a bit and hugged him back. At the house Garnet was sitting on the couch waiting for them to return, Lion was taking a nap, Amethyst was making a tall sandwhich with food that you probably would never put in it and Bismuth was working what appeared to be some kind of armor. Pearl and Steven appear on the warp pad.

Garnet: Pearl, Steven you're just in time.

Steven: What is it Garnet?

Garnet: We have mission, to retrieve an artifact from an abandoned temple.

Amethyst: Ah what? But I just finished making this sandwhich.

Steven: Alright I'm ready to go.

But Steven was too tired from training and Garnet and Pearl knew that.

Garnet: Steven you stay here.

Steven: What? No I'm good really.

Garnet: You just finished training and are still tired.

Steven: Are you sure you won't need me for this?

Pearl: Don't worry Steven, we've been doing this longer before you joined us. This mission won't involve much fighting. Go shower and eat some grapes, they're good for you.

Steven: If you say so.

Bismuth: Alright than, lets get down to Bismuth.

Amethyst shrugs and just swallows the whole sandwhich in one bite. Garnet, Pearl, Amethyst and Bismuth enter the warp pad and head off towards the mission while Steven stays.

They warp to the strawberry battlefield and head off to the abandoned temple.

Amethyst: So where is it G?

Garnet: It should be three miles heading North.

But as they were getting close to their destination, they were almost hit by lasers. Next thing Gien appears in front of them.

Gien: Hahahahahahaha! I almost got you there.

The gems were surprised to see him.

Garnet: Gien!

Gien: Did you miss me?

Amethyst: Not really.

Pearl: That's impossible, we saw you fall into the acid pit.

Gien: You really think a little bit of acid is enought to kill me?

Bismuth: Well whatever. We beat you before and we can do it again.

Gien: You really think you can beat me this time.

Amethyst: Uh yeah, there's four of us and one of you.

Gien: Who said I was fighting? Nabal.

Suddenly from up in the sky, a missle hit them and new figure landed. He was a large looking Gara Droid about as bulky as Bismuth. His body was silver and had red eyes. From his shoulders were two huge missles and on his hands he had missile launchers on them.

Nabal: I Nabal, will send you all to your dooms.

Bismuth: What is that?

Gien: Now you will have to deal with the power of the Gara Elites. Destroy them Nabal.

Nabal: As you command my lord.

Nabal charged towards the crystal gems. His defense was pretty high. Pearl tried to slash him with her spear, but he knocked it out of her hand and hits her across the head. Amethyst tried using her whip, but he caught it and he lifted it up with Amethyst still holding onto it. Amethyst lets go and lands on the ground, then Nabal kneed her in the stomach and pucnhed her to the ground. Bismuth tried using her hammer hands on him, but he blocked it with his hands. She tried doing it again but he grabs both of her arms and head butts her forehead and kicks her and then fires his arm missiles at her. Garnet the lunged at him continusly trying to punch him, but again he blocked it and then when she left her self open for a moment, he first punched her in the face, then the stomach and finally elbowing her head. The Crystal gems were on the ground and finally he lauched his two large missiles at them. They're hit and are send flying back. They all on the ground and could barely stand.

Pearl: He's too strong.

Amethyst: I don't know how much more we can take.

Bismuth: We can't be beat, we just can't.

Garnet: But we're running out of options. Everyone retreat!

Nabal: Oh no you don't!

Gien: After them!

The Crystal Gems retreat. But Nabal and Gien chased after them and continuously fired at them. They made it to the warp pad and teleported back. Gien and Nabal were too late and they can't use the warp pad because they are droids.

Nabal: ( bowing to Gien) Forgive me one true master. I have failed you.

Gien: Not to worry Nabal, they can't hide forever. But you see how powerful you are? They don't know what they're dealling with.

Nabal: The next time they come, they will be shattered.

At the beach house

Steven just got out of the shower and had his clean clothes on, but then he saw the warp pad activated. He saw the gems and they looked hurt.

Steven:( worry in his face) Guys, what happened?

Pearl: G-Gien is alive.

Steven: What?

Garnet: And he wasn't alone. There was another Gara Droid that we haven't seen yet. He call him an elite.

Amethyst: We got away, but barely.

Steven: This all my fault. I should have come.

Pearl: ( placing her hands on his shoulders) Don't say that Steven. This is not you're fault, we told you to stay.

Steven: But I knew I couldn't stay. You guys needed me out there and now look at you.

Garnet: It's okay Steven, don't be so hard on yourself. Even if you did come, sure you would defend us, but we couldn't even hit him.

Steven: I guess, but what was this other Gara Droid?

Bismuth: I think this is something Peridot knows.

Garnet: She has to know something. Lets go see her and Lapis.

Steven: Come on Lion, we might need you.

Steven and the others along with Lion go to the Barn.

At the Barn.

Peridot: Well Lapis, I think our new barn looks pretty good don't you think?

Lapis: Yeah, I think it looks more interesting than it did before.

Peridot and Lapis redecorated the barn to suit their interests. Then they notice the warp pad activate and see Steven and the others.

Steven: Peridot, Lapis!

Peridot and Lapis: Steven!

They run towards them and then they notice how bruised they are.

Peridot: Oh my, what happened to you guys?

Steven: That's why we're here. Gien is still alive.

Lapis and Peridot gave horrid expressions.

Steven: Not only that, but there's another droid with him.

Peridot: What?

Garnet: He wasn't the main ones that we know. This one was different and it attacked us and we barely got away from him.

Peridot: He didn't. Gien called for one of the Gara Elites.

Pearl: Gara Elites?

Peridot: I mentioned before that Elites are stonger than regular soldiers. They are programmed to conquere planets. Who was this one? What did he look like?

Amethyst: Uh, he was kinda big and had missiles on his shoulders and his hands.

Peridot: Missiles, was it Nabal?

Bismuth: I think that's what he said his name was.

Peridot: He's a Gara Elite who's main weapons consist of missiles. He can fly and is good at airial attacks. He is incredibly strong and has high defense. From the latest records I've read he's conquered eight planets.

Lapis: You really know a lot about this do you?

Peridot: I was involved with making a majority of these droids.

Garnet: But how do we stop him?

Peridot: I, uh, I don't know unfortunatly. Sorry.

Garnet: It's alright Peridot. But we have to try again. We can't hide from them forever.

Pearl: But maybe we should go to Rose's fountain to heal first.

Garnet: Agreed, lets go.

Steven: I'm coming this time.

Peridot: Count me in.

Lapis: Me too.

Garnet: Then let's move out.

Everyone get back on the warp pad. After healing themselves they went back to the strawberry battlefield. They get over there and once again get to the same area they first saw Nabal.

Pearl: This is it right here. They should've been at this spot here.

Steven then hears something coming and looks above.

Steven: Watch out!

Steven quickly used his shield and protected everyone as a missile was about to hit them. Nabal lands in front of them and Gien enters also.

Nabal: Back for more are you?

Gien: And this time you brought the whole package with you.

Garnet: We're not letting you beat us this time.

Gien: You're wrong at that. Nabal take care of them.

Nabal: Yes my lord. I'm going to reduce you gems to dust!

Nabal fires his arm missile launchers at them they all managed to dodge. Then they all tried to attack him, but again he uses his arms to block there attacks. He then uses his missile shoulders and fires at them. This time Steven managed to shield them all from it. But after the attack Peridot noticed something about Nabal.

Peridot: Wait look.

They look at Nabal and see that after using the missiles he appeared to be stunned for a moment.

Peridot: I think using the missiles taks a lot of power out of him and needs a moment to recharge.

Steven: Then this gives us the advantage to attack.

Garnet: Now's our chance.

They then attack Nabal and this time while he was momentarily paralyzed the gems this time inflict damage onto him. But moments later, Nabal regained his strength and moved.

Nabal: Don't think you can win that easily. We're just getting things started. Gara Soldiers!

Twenty Gara Soldiers teleport in front on Nabal ready to fight.

Bismuth: Lapis, Peridot and I will take on these guys. You guys go ahead take on the big one. Ready guys.

Lapis: ( forming her wings into fists) You know I am.

Peridot:( riding on top of Lion) Let's take those clods down.

Steven: Good luck guys.

Lapis: Same for you.

While Bismuth, Lion, Peridot and Lapis took on the Gara Soldiers while Garnet, Pearl, Amethyst and Steven took on Nabal. Garnet tried punching him again, he grabbed onto her fists and threw her. Pearl and Amethyst rushed him, but he fired his arm missiles at them and were hit. Steven tried to fight, but his he kept blocking his sword. Steven drew his shield, but Nabal punched it so hard it sent Steven flying.

Garnet: We have to make him launch his large missiles again.

Amethyst: Yeah, but how?

Steven: I think I know a way.

Steven then runs towards Nabal.

Pearl: Steven!

Steven tosses his shield at Nabal angering him.

Nabal: You dare toss that shield at me boy?

Steven: If you'r so powerful I bet you can't even break this bubble.

Steven forms his bubble.

Nabal: Really, watch this.

Gien: Nabal don't!

Nabal fires his missiles at Steven bubble. The bubble breaks and it sends Steven flying and lands on the ground. Peridot and lion rushes over to see if he's okay. Luckily he's still alive.

Garnet, Amethyst and Pearl: Steven!

Nabal laughs in victory only to realize what he just did.

Nabal: Hahahaha! Wait, what have I done?

Nabal's begins to weaken after using so much energy, giving the gems a chance to attack.

Pearl: He was trying to make him use up his energy.

Amethyst: Alright Steven.

Garnet: Lets finish this.

The gems charge at Nabal. Amethyst using her whip to constrict him and lifts him up and smashing him to the ground. Pearl slashed him diagnoly making the scratches on him look like an X and stabbing him with her spear. Garnet punches him repeatedly and giving the final blow by puching him straight into his abdomen and her fist sticking out from the back. They back away from him.

Nabal: I can't be defeated. Not by you. UUURRGGHH!

Nabal falls to the ground and explodes into pieces.

Gien: Argh! That fool you let yourself get beat.

The Crystal Gems then surround Gien.

Gien: We'll meet again Crystal Gems!

Gien teleports back to his ship and the others quickly rush to Steven. Peridot was helping him get back onto his feet.

Steven: It's okay guys, I'm fine.

Pearl ran to him and hugged him.

Pearl: Don't ever do that again!

Lapis: You had me worried Steven.

Steven: Sorry, probably not the best idea I had.

Garnet: But it worked and you helped us beat that Gara Droid.

Pearl: I mean, that was really brave of you.

Lapis: I'm just glad you're okay.

Amethyst: Yeah, mission accomplished.

Peridot: That was great guys, but remember that was just only one of the elites. There's more of them on Homeworld and each one will be stronger than the last.

Bismuth: Hey we'll be ready for them.

Steven: That's right. We won't be taking them on alone. As long as we're together, we can overcome any obsticle.

They all nodded to what Steven just said.

Garnet: Now that's over with, we still have our mission to do.

Steven: Can I come this time?

Garnet: We're already almost here so might as well.

The Crystal gems now goes to finish their mission, but Gien is not done with them yet and will send another Elite down soon. But with there team work, they can do anything.

To be continued...

Author's note: That's it for this chapter. I will be honest when I say that this is not my best chapter. I was trying to introduce Gara Elites and I had trouble how to start it which is why the writing might be a bit weak. But now that I got that over with, I can continue on a more comftorable note. The next few chapters will be better than this and some Gara Elites will have more personality than this. Please read and review. Thank you.