Chapter 70: Next Target, the Traitors
Pearl: Remember, stay focused! Keep your guard up at all times.
Pearl was at the sky arena giving sword lessons to Volleyball and Acha. They've been training for three weeks now and they used fake swords since they were still new at this and of course for saftey reasons that she recently came up with.
Volleyball mainly enjoyed gardening, but after being hunted down by Bomber and the Steelshell bros, she thought she needed to learn self defense. She was blocking the attacks from a Holo Pearl. She was shown to be more flexible since she also liked to dance with her ribbon wand. At the right moment, the Holo Pearl left an opening and she strucked it making it disappear.
Pearl: Excellent job Volleyball. You're progressing so fast.
Volleyball: Oh, thanks but I don't think this was my best performance.
Pearl: I'm serious. Your form was great and you didn't rush on attacking.
Volleyball: Aw thanks, I mean I have a great teacher.
The same could not be said for Acha. They turned to him and he was a few levels behind Volleyball. He kept stepping backwords trying to block, but every other block, he got hit.
Acha: Wait, hold on. Ow. Hey I wasn't ready! How did it go again, something, something, thrust? Ow!
Holo Pearl sweeped kicked his leg, making him fall back. Pearl noticed this and stopped the Holo Pearl. Pearl went over to help him up.
Pearl: Are you okay Acha?
Acha: Oh I'm fine Pearl, I guess. I mean these swords are fake, yet they jab you so hard with it.
Pearl: Your form is not right. You're legs are too close. I told you, keep your stance wide. Plus you're not focused enough, you keep panicing.
Acha: I'm, I'm sorry.
Pearl: Don't give up now, you just need practice.
Acha: It's not practice. I wasn't built to do this kind of thing.g
Pearl: Neither was I.
Acha: We're different, I'm a machine with built in programming.
Pearl: And you went beyond that programming before. You stood up against your master.
Acha: Well...yeah I didn't want to shatter you that day. But Volleyball is doing way better than I and we've started this together.
Pearl: There are some people who progress differently than others. Don't be discouraged, we'll try again next class. That'll be it for today.
Pearl led them back to the warp pad. Volleyball walked next to him placing her hand on his shoulder.
Volleyball: Don't be upset Acha, you'll improve soon. You just need practice and confidence. We can practice together if you want.
Acha: That sounds nice. Thanks Volleyball.
Volleyball responds with a nod and a smile as they head back.
Acha: But I really gotta get back. Kocha's gonna be on my neck if I'm late.
Meanwhile
The scene shifts to the remains of Gien's destroyed ship. While most of it was in pieces, a large chunk which was half of the ship was still there. Bomber has been hiding from his own troops for the past few days.
He looked beat up and for his missing hand he now had a metal claw. He could hear a group of aerodroids flying from above passing by. He was inside the place, scrapping what little there was. He was sitting down manually powering his own electric generator that was connected to a Gartronium converter. There was a chunk of a ruby crystal on top of the machine as it dispensed drops of super gartronium in a glass container.
Bomber: Ugh, come on. Come on! How is it that power enhancing gartronium takes longer to process than regular gartronium?
Finally he heard a beeping sound from it indicating it was done. But once he got a look of it, he wasn't very pleased with how little he got.
Bomber: Thats it? That's all I get with a whole chunk? This is like two doses, maybe three. ( groans) Then again I can only have one dose if I want to live. Oh what am I doing? How did I go from general, to leader and now a wanted criminal?! Even if I overthrow both Huntress and Viggo it won't do any good for the soldiers.
Bomber fell back on the ground covering his face trying to think.
Bomber: How am I supposed to get out of this situation? Give them a gift basket with an apology card? URGH!
Suddenly he stopped moping and had an idea.
Bomber: Of course, that's exactly what I'll do!
At the Big Donut.
Kocha was at the register alone. The place was empty, but she was tapping her fingers on the stand bored.
Kocha: He's late, again. I told him, be back by 4:00 to cover me. It's 4:15, what is he doing? Probably lost arm during training and Pearl is fixing him.
She heard the door open stood up.
Kocha: Hi there, welcome to the Big...AHH!
Kocha freaked out when she saw who entered was Viggo ( now fixed up and looking clean and neat).
Viggo: So this is what you do now Kocha? You went from being a spy for the Gara Droids to a pesant working in a tacky shop.
Kocha: Viggo? You're...
Viggo: Alive? Yes I am, but I'm bit I am bit of a hurry so I'll just take some tea with sugar and honey, uh a couple sweet breads and oh yes... you as well!
Viggo takes out what appears to be a stun gun and fires at Kocha.
Meanwhile at the barn.
Pumpkin was trying to get Charlie to play, who was just lying down resting under the shade.
Charlie: ( groans) Not now.
Pumpkin trying nudging him to move.
Charlie: I said no.
Lapis: Pumpkin.
Lapis approached them and picked up Pumpkin.
Lapis: Let Charlie sleep, let's go inside.
Lapis brought Pumpkin inside as they saw Peridot who was on a work station full of test tubes. Ever since Peridot got a hold of Steven's blood sample, she's been working for a month to create a formula to heal corruption. But still hasn't found any results yet. She's been so fixated on this that she hasn't stopped and rested. Lapis put Pumpkin down and went to go talk to her.
Lapis: How's it going Peridot?
Peridot: Still working on the cure.
Lapis: Why not take a break?
Peridot: No thanks. I'm fine.
Lapis: You look exhausted. You haven't slept in days.
Peridot: We're gems, we don't need sleep.
Lapis: But I know you like it.
Peridot: Still, I can't.
Lapis: Of course you can.
Peridot: Not when the others are counting on me to get this done!
Lapis: They understand what your going through and appreciate how hard your working. You don't have to kill yourself to complete it. We haven't watched Camp Pining Hearts or made any meep morps in a while.
Peridot: You can still do them without me.
Lapis: But I like doing them with you.
Peridot looked over at her work and then looked back at Lapis in her eyes. She sighed and took off her visors to rub her eyes.
Peridot: I'm sorry Lapis, I didn't mean to make you wait this long.
Lapis pulled her into a hug.
Lapis: It's okay. You want to watch an episode of Camp Pining Hearts?
Peridot: Well...why not? Hey Charlie! You want to come watch Camp Pining Hearts!
Outside the barn.
Charlie was lying down when heard Peridot.
Peridot: Charlie!
Charlie yawned as he replied.
Charlie: What?
Charlie got up and stretched as he walked up to the entrance, until he picked up a scent that he hasn't smelled in a while, a bad one. He followed the scent as it lead him near the entrance of the barn and saw who it was, it was Huntress.
Huntress: So this is where Peridot is now? What a dump.
Huntress made her way towards it until she is blocked off by Charlie, growling at her.
Charlie: Stop!
Huntress: What's this? I thought this planet's creatures weren't capable of speech.
Charlie: I'm not letting you hurt them again.
Huntress: Again?
Suddenly it hit her.
Huntress: I remember now. You're that same mutt that bit off my face and I see you can talk now.
Charlie: And you destroyed my old home.
Huntress: And I'll do the same here, but this time I'll make sure to mount your head on a wall for my collection.
Huntress fires her arm cannon at Charlie, who dodges the attack.
Inside the barn.
Peridot and Lapis heard gun shots outside.
Lapis: What was that?
Peridot: No, it can't be.
The two of them followed by Pumpkin hurried outside.
Back outside.
Charlie was running towards Huntress, who kept dodging her laser projectile. When he got close he jumped up, teeth ready about to bite her face again, but Huntress grabbed by his neck holding him up in the air. He snarled and growled, struggling to break free.
Huntress: Nice try, but I'm not letting my guard down again and I'm still mad for what you did, so...
Huntress takes out her machete.
Huntress: This is for biting off my face!
Huntress stabs Charlie, making him let out a whimper. Just moments after, Peridot and Lapis exited out.
Peridot: Charlie, what's going on...( gasps)
Both Peridot and Lapis gasped of what they saw. Huntress slowly motioned to them.
Huntress: Peridot, Lapis Lazuli. How wonderful to see you.
Huntress took her machete out of Charlie and dropped him to the ground. Blood was dripping form her blade and from Charlie's wound as he was bleeding out.
Peridot and Lapis: CHARLIE!
They rushed towards him and kneeled down.
Lapis: Charlie?
Charlie barely turned his head to them. He tried to say something to them, he only made small noises at first until he could say something.
Charlie: P...Peridot...La..Lapis...thank you...for caring for me...
With his final words, Charlie body went limp and dies from his wounds.
Peridot: Charlie. Charlie!
Lapis: No, no, please no...
Tears were shed from both Peridot and Lapis, they began crying a bit. Charlie, the one dog who protected them the moment they met and gave him a new home in return.
Huntress: I was only here for you Peridot, but after seeing that mutt again after what he did to me I had to settle the score. It hurts doesn't it. Just like it hurt me seeing the love of my life being crushed to death.
Peridot started to get mad as she clenched on the grass. Lapis too as they both got up.
Lapis: How dare you?
Peridot: I will never forgive you for this!
The two of them held hands and instantly fused into Amazonite with hot tears in her eyes.
Amazonite: Huntress!
Amazonite charged at her with full speed. She formed her arm into an ice blade, ready to stab her, but Huntress blocks the attack with her metallic arm. Amazonite formed her other three arms into ice blades as well and tried to hit Huntress, but the latter kept blocking her attacks with such great speed.
Huntress: Really? You have four arms and yet you can't even lay a single hit on me.
Huntress laid a punch on Amazonite's face, knocking her back a little. Amazonite tried flying up, Huntress just looked up and smirked and suddenly vanished.
Amazonite: What? Where did she...
Huntress suddenly appeared in front of her in the air and slams her head down, causing her to fall. Once Amazonite was down, Huntress attempted on stomping her down, but Amazonite barely dodged the attack.
Amazonite: How? You were not this fast last time we fought.
Huntress: One thing you should know about us Gara Droids, we don't make the same mistake twice. This new body was made to withstand fusion gems. I owe it all to Gien and I'm going to make use out of it.
Amazonite: Maybe, but you still can't avoid my metallic powers.
Huntress: Not if you can't see me.
Huntress pressed a button on her arm causing her to camaflouge in the environment. Amazonite tried to keep her guard up.
Amazonite: You can't hide from me forever!
She decided to form a bunch of water bubbles around her and then formed them into ice stalactites. She fired them all over the place in hopes of hitting Huntress. She heard gun fire from behind as she saw a camaflouged Huntress shooting the ice with her arm cannon. Amazonite formed two water hands and tried to grab Huntress. She cut through them with her machete kicked Amazonite into the barn wall, breaking it. Amazonite tried to get back up until she saw Huntress in front of her, stabbing her in the chest. Amazonite let out a grunt as she looked down at he blade in her chest. She couldn't handle it anymore and was forced to unfuse. Lapis and Peridot were on the ground tired, Huntress grabbed Peridot by her head and lifted her up.
Huntress: Hmph. Who's the weak one now?
Huntress then noticed the lab equipment and took a look.
Huntress: What's this here?
Peridot: Don't touch that!
Huntress: I get it, you're trying to emulate the healing formula that brought me back. Well, I can't let you accomplish that.
Huntress fired at the equipment, destroying all the test tubes and notes.
Peridot: NOOOO!
Huntress: Shut it! I got what I need now. I'll come back for you Lazuli.
Huntress teleported out of the place.
Lapis: Peridot!
Lapis fell to her knees in tears. She lost Peridot and Charlie. But she couldn't waste time right now, she needed help.
She ran outside with a blanket and went to Charlie's body. He covered his body up, trying to cover his wound.
Lapis: I hope Steven can heal you.
Lapis carried Charlie to the warp pad as Pumpkin followed her.
Meanwhile.
Pearl: You sure you don't want to stay for snacks? Steven and Connie should be back soon from the library.
Acha: Thank you Pearl, but I have to get back to work.
But the moment Acha exited out of the house, he was shot with a projectile, electricuting him and shutting his body down to stasis and falling down the stairs
Pearl: Acha!
Everyone stepped out to check on him, but once they made it down they encountered Viggo holding both the Acha and Kocha.
Garnet: Viggo?
Viggo: ( silent chuckles) It's been a while Crystal Gems. You thought you've seen the last of me, well too bad! I'm alive.
They formed their weapons ready to fight.
Viggo: I'd stay and catch up, but I'm only here for these two and...
Viggo looked around the area and noticed someone was missing.
Viggo: I'm sorry something is not right here. Where is Steven?
Amethyst: He's not here!
Viggo: I can see that, I mean where is he?
Bismuth: That's none of your concern.
Viggo: ( sighs) Fine, I can't fight now anyway. But when he does return, tell him to come to the old Beta Kindergarden. And make sure he does come if you want to see these two along with Peridot alive again.
Pearl: Peridot too?
Viggo laughs as he teleports away from the scene. Everyone stood there not knowing what to do.
Bismuth: Well...that's just prime. Viggo is alive and is really mad.
Pearl: Wait he said that he has Peridot too. What is he planning?
That's when they heard the warp pad from the house go on. Out of the house was Lapis and Pumpkin still holding Charlie.
Garnet: Lapis?
Lapis: Where's Steven?!
They saw how scared Lapis looked and saw Charlie.
Garnet: What happened to Charlie?
Lapis: That's why I'm here! Is Steven here?
Suddenly they saw a portal open and Steven and Connie riding Lion emerged.
Steven: Hey guys, I'm back from the library and...
Steven stopped talking when he saw the looks on everyone's face.
Steven: Did something happen?
Five minutes later.
After giving Steven a brief summary of what had happened he set his attention on Charlie as Pearl just got off the phone.
Pearl: I just contacted Revenger, he should be here any minute.
Lapis: You can heal him, can you Steven?
Steven: Let me see.
Steven licked his hand and placed it on Charlie, but nothing happens. He tried licking his other hand but still nothing.
Lapis: Why isn't it working?
Steven: I've never healed anyone dead before Lapis. I'm sorry, but he's gone.
Lapis began crying as she covered her face. Steven couldn't bear the sad look on her and kept trying.
Steven: Charlie please! Don't die! You have to come back, Lapis needs you and we still have to get Peridot. Please...
Steven began tearing up, but one of his tears fell onto Charlie. Suddenly Charlie began to glow as his entire body started to turn pink. Finally it dimmed down as the now pink Charlie began to wake up.
Charlie: Uh... how did I get her? How am I back here?
Charlie looked around as everyone stared at him.
Charlie: What's everyone staring at me for?
Lapis and Steven: Charlie!
The two of them both hugged him relieved to see him alive.
Charlie: Hey, hey easy. I may be alive again but I'm still old.
Lapis: I was so worried. I'm glad your okay. You're okay right?
Charlie: I'm fine, but I do feel a bit different.
Steven: Charlie, look at you, your all pink.
Charlie: What's pink?
Steven: What's pink? Well, you know its...I mean it's sort of like a palish white red or...
Connie: Uh Steven. Dogs are color blind, he can't see colors.
Steven: Oh okay, that kinda stinks.
Lapis immediatly hugged Steven.
Lapis: Thank you again Steven.
Steven: ( chuckles) Anytime Lapis. Wait so then...
Steven looked at Lion and back at Charlie.
Steven: Wait so does this mean Lion died once and then mom brought him back to life?
Amethyst: Of course! That's why he's pink.
Garnet : We already get that Amethyst.
Amethyst: I wasn't telling you. I was telling our viewers.
Garnet: Wait what?
Amethyst: Uh nothing.
Finally Revenger arrived.
Revenger: I came as soon as I heard. What going on here and why is your dog pink?
Charlie: Seriously what is pink?
Steven: Well Charlie died, but now he's back.
Charlie: Hey there.
Revenger: Uh hey, that's good. But we should focus back on the topic. Viggo is alive and now he and Huntress have our friends from what I've been told.
Lapis: Huntress took Peridot
Garnet: And Viggo took Acha and Kocha.
Pearl: So they're picking us up one by one.
Revenger: No... I get it now. Thye're targeting the traitors.
Steven: That's right, they were all former members of the Gara Droids. But you guys said he still wants me. Why?
Revenger: I'm not entirely sure, but my guess is that they still view you as the cause of all this.
Pearl: So then how are we going to get them back?
Bomber: No the question is how are you going to help me get back?
They turned and saw Bomber behind them.
Amethyst: What's Bomber the Lame doing here?
Bismuth: Yeah, what are you and Viggo up to?
Bomber: You got me. Ever since he returned I got kicked off the team and lost leadership. Now I'm being hunted down by my own bretheren.
Steven: Why is that?
Bomber: Let's just say, I've been accused as a traitor now.
Ametyst: Well that's no surprise.
Garnet: So what, you want to join our side?
Bomber: Of course not. But I need a gift, and you boy are the perfect one.
Steven got his shield up as everyone guarded him.
Pearl: Not a chance.
Connie: Yeah, you have to go through us.
Revenger: Let's just kill him already. Just seeing his face makes me sick.
Bomber: Well then, I'll just have to take you all down for it.
Amethyst: Uh hey Bomber the Lame in case you didn't notice, there's like 8 of us and one of you.
Bomber: That won't be a problem as long as I have this.
Bomber takes out a vile of super gartronium.
Revenger: Super gartronium?
Bomber: Let's see what this can do.
Bomber drinks one of the viles. He falls to his knees as he began to shake and electricity surged around him.
Bomber: Yes! Now you will see the power of Bomber the Great!
The gems looked as they stepped back a bit watching him transform as his shadow was towering them now as he laughed.
Meanwhile.
At the site where the Cluster previously emerged, Ronaldo on the site with Peedee again as cameraman filming him.
Ronaldo: So here we are at the site of the latest Robotmen attack. This is the site where the Hand of Doom emerged from the center of the earth. If that is so, it was sent by an advanced civilization who were disturbed by the commotion from the surface.
Peedee: But didn't Steven say this was called I think a Cluster and it was caused by those Robotmen?
Ronaldo: Hey! Who's the one making the stories? Me! I'm not paying you to come up with thoughts and theories.
Peedee: You don't pay me, you literally dragged me into this so you would have someone film you.
Ronaldo: But isn't this an adventure of a lifetime?
Peedee: Uh no, your literally scamming people on the internet and taking their money by making up things about what Steven and those go through.
Ronaldo: Hey, hey, hey! Don't say that! We're still filming.
Then they felt a slight breeze as the pebbles on the ground began to shake.
Ronaldo: Uh is there a stampede coming?
Peedee: No.
Brief strikes of electricity were forming in mid air. Suddenly a large letter Z was formed in front of them.
Ronaldo:Please tell me your still filming?
Peedee: I am, and I'm out of here!
Peedee drops the camera and runs.
Ronaldo: Hey don't leave. Urgh if you want things done right, you just gotta do it yourself.
Ronaldo picks up the camera and films on his own. The cracks were forming around the Z as it finally opened up into a portal.
Ronaldo: Whoa, it must be a transdimenional portal from Dimension X! I wonder if the spieces known as the Kraang is in there.
He kept filming until he saw a silouhette figure coming from. Finally the portal stopped and let out a flash light. Ronaldo couldn't see what happened finally when he opened up the area was all dusty. He saw the dark figure in front of him. He couldn't see his face. Just glowing yellow eyes and familiar looking V shape crest on his head. He turned and saw Ronaldo. He thought he was looking at an alien he hoped to see.
Ronaldo: It's a real Kraang.
?: What are you looking at?!
Ronaldo: Uh, are you a Kraang?
?: Get lost or I'll vaporize you.
The mysterious figure's eyes began to glow brighter, ready to fire.
Ronaldo: AAAH! I'll leave.
Ronaldo runs away leaving the figure alone, his eyes dimmed down as it looked around his surroundings.
?: ( silent chuckles) At last. I...am...back.
To be continued...
Author's Note: That's it for this chapter. Ever since I made Charlie a supporting character I really did want to give him magical pink powers like Lion and Lars, I thought this would have been the best chance. What will happen next, find out next time. If you liked this chapter, be sure to follow, favorite and review. Thank you and until next time.