Emerald

I breathe in, I breathe out. The sand shifts silently below me, but the stillness of it's sound speaks louder than anything I have ever heard, and that includes the volume at which my mother would scold me with. But, not even those horrifying, er… enlightening moments can cloud my mind as I meditate, hungrily devouring the dust filled air.

"Dad, how much longer do we have to stay like this?" my daughter, on the other hand, can cloud my mind. At least she lasted an hour, the longest yet, "I'm getting really tired."

I open my eyes and release my hands from their poses, "Until you are able to summon your weapon. I mean, that was the whole reason I dragged you out here."

Ocasio sighed in an annoyed manner, I guess she was reaching that stage of adolescence, "Then why did you bring Aunt Lapis and Jasper?"

"Because, Topy, they are warriors too and I thought they would like to come on this excursion." I reply, equally annoyed.

She then motioned to the other seven Gems with us, "Well how do you explain them?"

I look at my war buddies and the other three, "Well, they asked if they could. Would you prefer they not be here?"

Ocasio shook her head, confused by my question, "No… that's not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean?" I ask.

Before she can answer me, a rather gruff, annoyed voice emanates from everyone's favorite big buff cheezo puff, "If you don't mind Sageson, could you take your family quarrel someplace else?"

"Sure, sorry Jasper." I laugh sheepishly at Jasper's sideways glare, though we had joined forces, I still found her a bit intimidating, "C'mon Topy, let's go to that abandoned sandcastle we saw not too long ago."

She blew the loose strands of hair out of her eyes, "Whatever."

Before I could scold her about that unwanted sass, Obsidian stood up too, her cheeks flushed a light shade of lavender, "D-Do you mind if I come?"

I looked to her two guardians, Citrine and Aquamarine, "Do you mind?"

They looked between each other and I could actually see the years of history they had as they spoke quietly to each other. A few days after the incident that I now refer to as the Malicious Malachite Fiasco, they had decided it a good idea to tell their story to us. They had been Obsidian's personal escorts who, when being caught in a wrong place, wrong time event, had been labeled as conspirators. Though as they continued their story, certain details became obvious to both Pearl and Quartz that had made it seem like foul play; but, enough about that.

Citrine, with a bright orange smile, nodded her head, "Sure, just keep her safe. Deldied Wyrms… oh wait, this isn't Homeworld."

Obsidian took her place by Ocasio and I nodded and gave a slight chuckle, "Don't worry, I'm in the same boat. Every now and then I find myself having a near panic attack because I thought I heard a Deldied Wyrm." After that we began trudging to the south, about five miles from our warp pad.

Ocasio

I squint my eyes as the afternoon sun decides to be it's jerkish self; as I do, I can just make-out the silhouette of a mighty castle. Finally, I was getting tired of nearly tripping in sand dunes. Thank Moonstone for Obsidian too, if not for her I would have fallen on my face a dozen times. Though, every time I looked at her she looked away quickly and blushed brightly. I found it odd, though I didn't question it. I mean, if she was cool enough to keep me from embarrassing myself, then why would I do something to embarrass her.

"Ocasio, are you ready?" I heard Dad ask me.

I crossed my arms, making my irritation known, "Sure, I'll try for the seventy-fifth time this week to unsuccessfully summon my weapon."

Dad gives me that half-smile that tells me he is beginning to grow irritated, "Topy, c'mon. You just aren't trying hard enough."

"Yeah," I yell, "Maybe that's because I don't even know where to start!"

I heard Obsidian take a step back and saw Dad open his eyes wide, "Oh, well that makes sense. But did your mother not tell you how?" I shake my head, I never thought to ask her and to be frank, I never thought I could summon a weapon until Dad showed up that night in the barn. "Well, I'll guess I'll stick to my usual lesson plan." He scratches his chin, "Ok, Topy, how do you think one summons a weapon?"

"I don't have any idea!" I throw my arms up in frustration, didn't I say this mere moments ago?

Obsidian, however, had a reply, "Uhm, Emerald sir. Isn't… isn't the process unique for everyone?"

Dad snapped his fingers at her, "Yes, very good Obsidian." then he turns to me, "So, your Mom will probably tell you it requires focus and/or flexibility, Garnet will probably tell you it has to do with some cosmic nonsense, even Amethyst will tell you that it is just sporadic and reflexive. They all have their own ways of doing it."

I cross my arms and tap my feet in the sand in a fruitless attempt to show more annoyance, "So, what does that have to do with how I will summon my weapon?"

He wagged a finger at me like I was some annoying dog, sometimes I wonder why I had idolized him so much, "I'm getting to that Topy, give me a second. Now, for me, I usually am able to summon my weapon through my sense of duty, through my want to protect others, if I fail them then I fail everything; in short, it is a sense of urgency that allows me to do this." He took a breath, "Now, what do all of the examples I have given you have in common?"

Well, that was quite confusing as none of them appeared to have any sort of connection. Wait… Dad said a state of mind, well Mom is usually very fluid in her thoughts, Aunt Garnet tends to be very stoic and mystical, Aunt Amethyst is very sporadic, and Dad, well from the stories I've been told, Emeralds were natural protectors. I gave my answer, "A state of mind, or a purpose? One of the two…"

He gave me a proud smile, "Good Ocasio, a purpose is part of the answer but it is the state of mind that ultimately gives birth to that purpose, which in turn allows for the summoning of our weapons." he summons his weapon, which has changed from two swords to a staff of sorts with a spike on each end, "Once you figure out your state of mind, then whatever event that comes will fuel it as a purpose, a reason, to summon your weapon. And, if you train long enough," the staff reverted back to the two short swords, "You will be able to change your weapon to suit the current situation."

I asked him how I would figure the state of mind out but he shook his head and told me that even that process is different for everyone. Luckily Obsidian had an idea, "You can try meditating. That is how I was able to summon my weapon."

Sitting with my eyes closed and losing myself to my thoughts, that was something I could do. I nod my head and take a seat on the shifting sand, trying to block out all distractions. I find it harder to do so than it normally was, I grit my teeth and continue.

Hours pass and I still cannot block out whatever is keeping me distracted, so instead of continuing I try to find out what is keeping my attention. Out of the corner of my eye I see Dad looking at me oddly, he appeared to be reliving some sort of past event, but I ignore him and I was thankfully able find the source of distraction. The wind was continuously shifting the sand under my bottom. I immediately looked around the area for some sort of platform I could instead use as a seat. But I found that the castle of sand that had stood here mere hours ago had vanished, I guess that story Mom told me about a roaming castle of sand was true.

I decide to, once again, grit my teeth and try to continue. However, just as I am about to sit down I feel a tugging sensation in my gut and I stare blankly as a tiny, rotating, spike of sand rise and pokes my hand. I stare at Dad who has a look of disbelief that I was sure mimicked the same one I surely had on my own. But when he met my eyes he shook his head, a sign that we would discuss that at a later time.

Well, if we were going to talk about that at a later time I might as well experiment with it, maybe I could shift the sand to make a platform. Sure enough, after about thirty or fifty unsuccessful tries, I manage to wipe clear a smooth square of sand and harden it into sandstone. I take my seat once again and try once more to meditate. This time, I'm successful.

All sound, all feeling, all thoughts become numb as I enter my head. I wonder how I am supposed to figure out my state of mind, how would I figure out the purpose that drives it?

"It is more obvious than you think, little one."

My eyes shoot open, both Dad and Obsidian sat quietly as they meditated. So, if they were not speaking, who spoke to me? 'Man, this heat must be getting to me.'

"We aren't affected by such things little one."

"Alright, who is that?" this was getting creepy.

Dad opened one eye half-way, "Ocasio, are you ok?"

I pointed a finger at him, "If you were playing a joke on me, you'd tell me right?"

He sighed, "Topy, if this is your attempt at a joke, then please stop."

"But I'm-"

"Topy, please, go back to meditating." with that he closed his eyes and I could visibly see him shut down and shut out everything else. Alright, I guess I might as well continue my training.

I, for the second time in a span of fourteen minutes, manage to seclude myself in thought. I try desperately to figure out what drove me, what made me do what I do, my state of mind, my driving purpose. It was harder than you would think, I mean, I've only existed for about four or five months now. Sure, I'm not like humans with the way I grow, but I'm the same when it comes to trying to figuring out what makes me, well, me.

"Little one, you are still trying too hard." Ok, that is enough, who was that? "Someone interested with your growth."

'Ok, that isn't weird or anything.' there was no reply after that, all was quiet except for the sound of soft laughter. Then, a light appeared… in… my head... Ok, things are certainly weird now!

"Little one, just watch." the only thing that wasn't odd, surprisingly enough, was that I complied with the voice in my head. I watch as light began filling the entirety of the void that had only just made itself known to be such. My form began filling the void, my younger form to be exact; when Mom appeared I realized I was looking at a memory.

I watched myself pick up a pen, was I really that small? I mean, I only grew a couple feet since that day when Malachite appeared, but as I stared at my past self I noticed I only reached about the height of Aunt Amethyst. I looked toward Mom and, thanks to the amazing ability of hindsight, I noticed her deep frown. Back then I knew she seemed sad, but now that I get this chance to look back I fully understand the depth at which Dad disappearing the way he did affected her.

"Hey, mommy." both Mom and I turn to the younger me, she runs up to Mom's side and holds up a piece of paper, "Did I do it right?"

I felt my heart brighten when Mom's frown melted away and was replaced with a smile, "Wow Ocasio, if you keep solving these at this rate you'll end up needing extremely advanced problems."

I let out a chuckle as my younger self stuck out a tongue, "I wanna play with Steven!"

Mom chuckled too and tapped the younger me on her nose, "You'll have to wait until he gets back from visiting his... father." my heart tightened when I saw my mom falter on the last word, I closed my eyes when the water started dripping from her eyes. I didn't like seeing Mom cry then and it wasn't any different now.

"Well, do you know your purpose now?"

The voice was at it again, 'Of course not, all I did was watch my mother cry!'

"Oh, well maybe this scene will help a bit more."

A slight bout of nausea and one splitting, but short-lived, headache later and the scene has shifted to Mom's room. I remember this, it was three days after Dad had returned… well, a couple days after that day with Malachite. I watched my younger self feign sleep on a bed located on the side opposite of Mom and Dad's side of the room. I let a slight smile shine when I noticed the small shifting form of past me, I thought I was so clever and sneaky. It didn't help that my parents didn't notice me constantly giggling.

Dad and Mom stood by their bed, talking to each other, Dad making up for his behavior and actions, Mom forgiving him for a few of his actions and scolding him for the others. But, even then, with the very limited knowledge I had, I understood this was no fight. It was their way of mending, their way of showing each other they truly loved the other. They wanted the other to know that they were loved, that they only wanted the best for their family.

"Yes, do you understand now little one."

'Not really,' I shake my head, 'I mean, it is on the tip of my tongue… but I just can't figure it out.'

Disappointment pulsed in the back of mind, what made it weirder was that it wasn't mine, "Well, maybe you should ask your teacher."

'My Dad?' no response. I asked again, once again no response. Did I really imagine the voice? I shrug my shoulders and open my eyes, the previous memory persisting in my vision for a few moments longer, "Hey Dad-"

"Ocasio, thank heavens!" a green face fills the space that formerly belonged to the afterimage of my memory. I do what any normal Gem would have done in that situation, I screamed and punched my dad in the face. He falls back and covers his nose with both hands, a small trickle of crimson liquid drips from his fingers. "Dear Moonstone Ocasio, what in the world was that for?" he says through his hands.

I cover my mouth, "Oh my gosh, Dad, I'm so sorry."

"It's fine, I should have suspected you had your mother's reflexes." He pulled a hand away and used the other to pop his nose back into place with a sickening squelch, I, on the other hand, resisted the urge to vomit.

I apologized again and looked around, which helped me understand his worry. The sun was now replaced by a dark, moonless sky, which meant I had been meditating for nearly seven to eight hours. After he said it was ok for fifth time I remembered a question I was supposed to ask, "Oh hey, Dad what was your state of mind again?"

"To summon my weapon?" I nodded and he continued, "Well, to simplify it, I have an instinct that forces me to protect my family and friends, my fear of what will happen. A feeling of urgency fuels that mindstate. Thus," a green light produces his staff, "Weapon."

I turned to Obsidian and asked her the same, but she, for some odd reason, fainted. I looked to Dad but he shrugged his shoulders. Well it wasn't like anything bad could happen to her so long as Dad was around. I asked another question, "So… would that work for me?"

"Topy, remember what I said about this?" I nodded my head.

"You said it is different for everybody."

He nodded his head now, "Correct, and that means the way I do it won't necessarily work for you. You must find your own way." I must have looked really discouraged because my dad ruffled my hair, "Hey, don't worry about it Ocasio, you'll figure it out whenever the opportunity presents itself."

Wait… opportunity? My eyes meets my Dad's, "Hey, what does my name mean again?"

"Opportunity." He replied.

"Why did you name me that?" I ask inquisitively.

He scratches his chin, "Well, the earth gave so many of our kind an opportunity they had not previously had. I just thought I should give you a name befitting of what you would have."

As I mulled over his words I wondered why they stuck so hard. Then, I began thinking of those who came before me. I imagined, using information from my history lessons with Mom, what it must have felt like for a gem to come to Earth, to see the Crystal Gems, to see them, Gems like they, fighting against Homeworld. How much of a shock it would have been to see how they fought, free and unbound by the norms that held the Gem. I saw them join the Crystal Gems, I saw them smile because for the first time in their existence, they had a chance for a free future, to choose their actions, to figure out who they were. Then I had a thought, that Gem could have a family now that he were free. He had the opportunity to find a lover, to find those whom he could consider family, he could have a child.

I realized I was thinking about my Dad, the Earth had given him that opportunity, each and everything he had done was for freedom. It had allowed for my Mom to meet my Dad, it had allowed for Aunt Garnet to be herself, and allowed Aunt Amethyst to not worry about being overcooked. It had allowed my Dad to expand his family, it had given him people with whom he shared common interests, and had allowed for Steven's existence. Eventually, I came into fruition because of the almost infinite opportunities that Earth had given those who lived on it.

And, with all of these nearly infinite opportunities came just as nearly infinite memories. Each and every creature who lived upon this earth had made their own, and each of their memories were the reason that kept most of them going each and every day. But how did that all help me? Well, for some reason I felt responsible for these memories, for the opportunities that the Earth gave. I felt, for some odd reason, that each and every memory needed to be protected and that I should be the one to do so. My head began going numb as I thought harder about it, the memory of family, the memory of love, the memory of freedom, the want to protect them made the numbness worse.

Luckily the numbness went away, but my arms and hands became burdened by two weighty objects. It took some effort but I managed to lift the items and I found that it was a hooked sword and an adequately sized shield, both shining a pale white.

"T-Topy?" I looked at Dad, his mouth was drawn wide open, "D-Do you know what you've done?"

Instincts that I didn't even know I had kick in and I shift both feet until my weapons were positioned in a stance I remember my mother teaching Steven's friend, Connie, once. "Uh, yeah. I summoned my weapons" I reply before giving the sword a good swing, then I hold the arm that my shield was hooked to up, "And apparently I've got two weapons."

Dad shook his head, "Ocasio, you remember how each type of Gem, like a Ruby or Jasper, have weapons that suit them? For example, Jasper and Aunt Ruby both have close quarters weapons because they are soldiers."

"Yeah." I answer

"Well," he paused, "You have a weapon, well set of weapons, that are unique to only one other Gem." I asked him who and he took his time answering, "You... you have the sword and shield of the Celestial Sentinel, Star Quartz: Mother of the first four second born Gem clans."

"Oh."

He nodded, "Yeah."

I stared at the sword and shield that I currently wielded, my previous joy was replaced by indecisiveness, "So… what does this mean for me?"

Dad shook his head, "I do not know."

Well that doesn't help. I looked to Obsidian, who had by now shook off her fainting spell, and asked if she knew anything. She surprisingly had an answer, "Well… it would explain how the others and I were... unshattered and reformed."

"Of course." Dad said with a nod. "Topy," he turned to me, "I have something I need you to do, try to toss me without touching me."

What? I shake my head gently and give him a look that asked if he were crazy, "How would I even do that?"

"Just focus your thoughts onto any part of my body and, well, that's all I can really help you with." Well, that at least gave me something to work with. I close my eyes and focus on a random part of my father's form, it takes quite a bit before I hear the strange mix of childish elation and pain.

I open my eyes and see I've dragged Dad into the air by his shoulder, however, since I broke my concentration, he fell back to the ground. He peeled his face off the sandy dune and spat out the gritty minerals, "Well, that answers my theory."

I give him confused stare, "Which was?"

"You have the powers of Star Quartz, crystallokinesis, manipulation over crystals and gems." He stood up with help from me and Obsidian, "If you add her weapons… well I don't even know what any of this means. Crystallokinesis and the Sword and Shield of Star Quartz…"

"Uhh Dad." I tap him on the shoulder.

He didn't look at me, "C'mon, we've got to go home."

I crossed my arms, "Why? Shouldn't we try to figure this thing out?"

Thankfully Obsidian felt the same way as I did, "Yeah Emerald sir, this is quite the confusing scenario. Shouldn't we try to investigate further?"

"No," he said bluntly. Before I could argue he continued, "We can either try to figure something out that does not make any bit of sense, or we can just sit it out and wait until the mystery decides to show itself." he pauses and looks over his shoulder, "It's midnight and she is probably waiting."

I tense and look at the moon, Dad was right, it was midnight. We were supposed to be back today at exactly eight o'clock, Mom was going to kill us. Not even Obsidian was going to be safe, and she probably knew this because she asked the most obvious question, "Should we run?"

Both Dad and I began booking it, "OF COURSE!"