Shooting through the galaxy on a long course to his home planet, the selfless, courageous captain Lars of the stars along with his off color crew, making up the ranks of Padparadscha, Rhodonite, Fluorite, and The Rutile twins. Together they traverse the galaxy on a one way path to earth, determined to make a new life for themselves off homeworld. Thought even with one goal in mind, it takes one miss course to send them astray.
A yellow dot in the vastness of space, they slowly glide through the galaxy, ship on autopilot as the crew take time to relax on deck. The Rutile twins sit on the ground with Padparadscha, chess board between them.
"I predict you moved horse, f3." The smaller gem said before making her move.
While they enjoyed their game Fluorite watched, all the while letting them rest upon her curled form.
Rhodonite was more focused on more pressing matters, a dome ahead, gem made.
"Lars, might wanna see this."
Sitting in the captan's chair he yawns, stretching as he gives Rhodonite a deadpan look.
"Please let it not be another rock, they're is no concern of a rock puncturing the hull, relax Rhodonite."
"No! This time I'm serious." She said nervously as she pulls up the monitor, showing the dome in question, the inside looking grey and dead.
"Looks abandoned."
"It's gem made."
Lars put a finger to his chin. "So possible supplies?"
Rhodonite shrugs
"Rutile twins, take us off auto-pilot, we're landing in that dome!"
Looking down real quick to see all but the queen being all the pieces they had, Padparadscha just staring at them.
"I predict that you have lost."
Taking control of the ship they flew their way to the dome, landing was hard to do with all the overgrowth and rubble but once they did all they where met with outside was ruin.
"Not so sure about those supplies captan." Rhodonite said.
"This... place... must... be... so... old..." Fluorite said.
"Hey look, a statue!" One of the Rutile twins said, pointing to a distant pink shape.
Everyone looked towards the distant shape with a tilt of their head.
"Are you sure that's a statue?" Rhodonite asked.
"I predict we will see a new gem." Padparadscha said.
"New?!" Everyone collectively asked before staring at the distant figure.
From their position they could barely see the vines and thorns as they coil around the figure, overgrowth that's happened over years."
"If that's a gem, they've been standing like that for some time now." Rhodonite nervously points out.
Giving it no thought Lars just started walking ahead, surprising the whole of his crew.
"Lars, what are you doing?!" Rhodonite Asked, panicked.
"Just going to say hi." He said with a shrug
And with that he left the rest of his crew behind as he walked behind the figure. Halfway between him and his crew and he could start making out the whole shape of who it was, noodle arms being held to her front as it looks like she patiently waits for someone all while looking up at the altar. As Lars was heading up behind them it kinda worried he hadn't alerted them yet, only ten steps from them yet no reaction. His next few steps where hesitant, and his last three where concerning.
"H-hello?" Was all he said.
He got no reaction
"Hello?"
Nothing
He took three more steps, reaching a hand out. The minute his hand touched her shoulder he felt them jump, quickly turning their head to meet their gaze, big happy smile on their face.
"Pink, you return!"
As quickly as the smile was there it was gone, eyes going small as she looked past him to look at her surrounding before looking down, tears in her eyes
"I don't wanna play this game anymore." Spinel said, body deflating as she rag dolls onto herself.
Lars looks down at the pile, tilting his head at what she said "What game?"
"The waiting game, I'm supposed to wait here for pink to come back, those are the rules."
Gasping she inflated back up, staring into Lars eyes with a hopeful glint. "Are you here to play with me? It would be more fun to wait together!"
"Uh no, I..."
Her smile quickly fell, before sitting down facing down from Lars, head resting between her crossed arms "Just leave then."
Lars didn't really know what to do so he walked over to her and sit next to her, causing spinel to turn a little away, ripping at some of the vine still collected at their feet.
"Look, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt your feeling. If you wanna play a game I'm all for it."
Spinel peeked through her arm, grinning before she straightened herself to face him.
"Rock, paper, scissors!" She announced before placing her massive hand upon the other.
Grinning at such a trivial game to be picked he put his hands together. Must be a game she's good at however as she won most of the rounds. Cheering at another victory spinel smiles towards Lars
"That was fun, let's play something else."
"Would love to but I would like you to meet my crew first."
Spinel gasped. "You have a crew?!"
Lars raised a eyebrow. "Yeah, they're behinds us, you didn't see them already?" He said pointing to the ship, crew still waiting for their captains return.
"Oh, guess I was distracted." She said with a nervous laugh.
"Cmon, I'll introduce you to them." He said extending out a hand.
Spinel looked at it hesitantly before looking at the altar and down at her feet with concern.
She shook her head. "Can't leave from this spot, those are the rules."
Lars looked surprised "Ok, I'll bring them here."
"K."
As Lars went to leave, spinel watched him go, turning around tearing the rest of the vines and plant matter from below her feet, small smile on her face as she waits, just like she did facing the other way.
Lars was confused on what his crew was doing outside, until he was close enough to see the riding Fluorite throughout the dome, exploring the ruins on her back.
"What are you guys doing?"
"We're riding the Fluotrain." Rhodonite said.
"All... aboard." Fluorite said, grabbing Lars as she placed him on her head, having him sink in her hair.
"Is this really necessary?" Lars asked
"The... captain... needs... the... comfiest... seat." Fluorite said.
"Ugh, that's not what I... yknow what fine. But we got that "statue" I have to introduce you to."
Fluorite slowly made her way over to the pink dot standing at the distance.
"Who where they anyways?" Rhodonite asked.
"Still not one hundred percent sure myself."
Fluorite eventually made it over to the still patiently standing spinel, her now looking up exited, grinning ear to ear.
Lars gracefully jumped off from Fluorite's head, landing with a flourish. "I would like your to meet my crew, the off color crew."
All of them waved at spinel, her returning the gesture "Hello new friends, my name is spinel, nice to meet you all!"
"I never got your name did I." He said, a slight crack in his voice. "My name is Lars."
"We're the Rutile twins, and this is Rhodonite." They said, pulling the Rhodonite into view.
"Her name is spinel. Nice to meet you spinel, my name is Padparadscha." She said, walking up to shake spinels hand.
"And... my... name... is... Fluorite. Nice... to... meet... you." Fluorite said.
Everyone couldn't help but notice all the shrubbery and vines that have grown around spinel and her stationary spot
"How long have you been standing there for?" Rhodonite Asked
"Kinda lost full count, last I remember about six thousand."
"Days?"
"Years."
Everyone looked shocked
"Years!? Who could you have waited that long for?"
"My diamond, pink diamond."
Further did their disbelief of the situation deepen, each of the gems giving different levels of concern, the looks they gave worrying spinel. With her hand on her mouth she stared at Lars before ushering him behind the rest of his crew. Following they whispered upon themselves.
"Pink diamond? Isn't she the one who was..."
"Shattered, yes." Rhodonite Interrupted.
"Then what should we say? We can't exactly tell her that."
"How am I supposed to know, I'm as lost as you are on what to say."
After a long pause they got out from behind the crew
"Uhhh, hey spinel, would you like to play a game with us?" Lars asked.
About as elastic as a spring toy she sprung up, seemingly forgetting about the looks everyone gave.
"Oh boy, do I. It's been forever since I've played with more than one gem."
"Cool, cool. What game would you like to play?"
"Uhhh... idk, never played a game with more than one gem."
He let out a sigh. "Of course you don't, hmmm."
"I... brought... a... game... I... think... we... could... all... play." Fluorite said, pulling a box out from her hair before bringing it into view.
On the box was written in multicolored text "Planets and Gems."
"It... says... it's... a... board... game... with... up... to... 8... players."
"Perfect, let's set it up." Lars said
Opening the box it was placed on hard floor for everyone to see. To the surprise of some the game was gem themed, the four monarchs of gem kind taking up the four corners. Spinel dazed look upon pink diamonds symbol, putting a hand over it. A hand gripping her shoulder was what brought her out of her daze, turning to see a concern Lars.
"Here's your piece." He says, holding a chess like piece in his hands. Spinel took it, placing it upon the pink diamond insignia, Lars following suit. The Rutile twins places theirs on yellow, Fluorite and Rhodonite on blue, and Padparadscha white. How the board game was played was simple, cover the most spaces on the board to win. The board was made up of hexagons, connecting together into one giant hexagon. What was left in the box where colored chips, matching each of the diamonds. Having the game set up, Lars started them off, making a move before placing a chip on his placement. Everyone else followed up in turns until it was spinels turn.
Spinel took the pawn in her hand in a attempt to move it, but couldn't help but stop herself. Shakiness in her palms as her noodle appendages struggle to stay still. Lars even struggled to steady her arm as he tries to console her.
"What are ya so worried about, you just gotta move the piece." Lars said, ushering her hand to a spot on the board.
Spinels arm went as spiff as a board, hairs length away from the board. "I'm not supposed to move... those are the rules." spinel said.
"But would it really hurt to break those rules if your not having fun?" Lars asked.
Spinel pondered on the question for a minute, looking at Lars with glossed over eyes.
"But pink..."
"Is not here to say anything, whose to really stop you from a little rule-breaking?"
After a long pause, arms outstretched holding the pawn, she relaxed her arm, piece hitting the board with a soft thunk. Everyone could feel the preverbal weight lift from the game as spinel relaxed some, smile more genuine as spinel enjoyed the first of many games in along time.
Everyone talked, getting to know each other a little better as they enjoy their game, colored chips flooding the board as it progressed. At the end Padparadscha took the win, saying so herself at the end.
While everyone else had an after game talk, spinel was lost in thought, looking down at the vines gripping at her legs. How long has it really been? Standing up, spinel gripped at the vines before tearing them off her legs, ignoring as scratched at her. Everyone watched her, anticipating what she would do until they saw her take her first step. Such a simple move meaning much more to spinel than to those who watch her. Expecting a swift punishment for her dis obedience she was surprised to not have anything happening. Somewhat hesitant that the punishment was only delayed she stilled her relief until she could no longer hold it back, smile widening until it was bought back down to the though of who made the rule.
"Pink..."
"Have you ever tried looking for them?" Rhodonite asked, knowing the truth about pink.
"I can't, I know she went to earth but not where."
"Well, we're on our way to earth, probably you can join us?" Lars said.
Spinel looked up with eyes like saucers. "Really?!" Spinel took a mental step back. "But..."
"The choice is up to you, you can come with us to earth or you can wait here for pink. If we can't find them on earth we'll bring you back."
Looking back at the warp pad she just stared at it, "any second now" she hoped, but deep down she knew. "I think I've waited long enough." She says, whole visage gloomy with a glimmer of hope.
"Are we gonna tell her?" Rhodonite asked Lars, lars just shook his head.
"She already lost so much in time, let's probably not add onto that just yet."
Near the ship everyone was preparing to board, until everyone turned towards spinels call.
"Woah, what's that." She said with slight wonder, pointing with an outstretched arm.
Everyone's face dropped when they turned to see the Destiny destroyer just outside the dome.
"Everyone on the ship, now!"
Doing as they where told they boarded the ship, all but spinel who watched in awe at the massive space ship, only for her smile to drop as she notices the missiles hurtling towards the dome, eyes widening as they crash threw the dome. She had to watch as the place she called her home for six thousand years was being destroyed before her very eyes.
"Spinel, cmon, we got to get to safety!" Lars said from the entrance of said ship.
"No no no no!" She screamed out, ignoring lars, hands outstretched in a folly attempt to stop the assault.
One of the missile was directed at her, back turned to it. The projectile exploded in a puff of fire and smoke, and out of the smoke rolled spinel and Lars, lars hugging onto spinel. Getting up Spinel just looked at Lars, as if in a daze.
"Are you all right?" Lars asked.
Spinel just turned to look at him, giving a nod seconds afterwards.
Explosions near the altar made spinel turn to see her worse nightmare happen. Directly was the warp pad hit, shards flying everywhere.
"NO!" Spinel cried out. As the remnants of the warp pad skitter around her she pick some of it up, looking at the last hope that pink would return to her, all that waiting was for nothing anyways...
"Spinel we have to go!" Lars said pulling at her, he eventually just picked her up, her seeming light all of a sudden, but still stuck in a knelt staring-down-at-hands position. Running into the ship he turned spinel around to see her pinpricks pupils stare at the little semblance of hope she will come back. She was as stiff as a board and not moving or responding to anyone.
"What happened out there, we thought you said to get on the ship?!" Rhodonite asked shakily as she noticed some bruising and burn marks.
Lars took his seat, groaning as he rest his head on his hand. "Well not everyone was worried about their own safety, but she seems her diamond won't be returning after all."
Rhodonite put a hand to her mouth, staring down at the downtrodden mess, worried she might know...
"Warp pads destroyed."
"Oh." Rhodonite said under her breath.
"Rutile twins, fly us out of here, and get In close. Block its line of fire, She won't hit her own ship."
Doing what they where told they flew the ship close up enough, once they where close enough the firing stopped.
"Incoming message." One of the Rutile twins said.
"On screen."
"How dare you do the same trick twice!" Emerald yelled.
"For destroying what's not yours, I say that's a fair trade."
"What do you mean that big rock in the middle of space? They're plenty more like that in the sea."
Eyes widening spinel shot up, hands quickly clenching the rock to dust before slamming her fist on the ground and stretching her head towards the screen. "It wasn't just some rock! It was ours, it was pinks!"
"Pink? Do you mean pink diamond? She's been shattered for years, I'm sure the diamonds would be ok with me destroying something she abandoned."
So many things where running through spinels head, all she could willed out was a "What." As her body physically retracted.
"She's gone, long gone, get over it or you'll be like blue, crying forever." Emerald laughed. The laughter triggering a stronger anger than before. She turned to Lars, anger flaring in every fiber of her being
"Let me off the ship."
"But the last pilot ship was..."
"Just do it!" She yelled.
Quickly clicking the button she was ejected to the ships docks. There she climbed on top of the ship. Grabbing the top of the ship she stretched out herself as much as she could before letting go. Like a bullet she flew, making a big fist before hitting the hull of the deck, caving in some of the missiles hatches.
With the other fist she went for an uppercut, offsetting the ship. The rest of the crew could watch as Emerald tumbled and fell in their ship.
"Twins, fly by and pick her up." Lars said.
"Roger."
Spinel turned to the ships approach, stretching out a arm as it passed her by, grabbing onto the wing she reeled herself in.
"Fly me in again!" Spinel yelled.
Flanking the destiny destroyer spinel jumped off the ship and kicked at their thrusters, taking out as much of their movement as she could, while in turn tilting the ship a little forward.
"Emerald, we lost seventy percent, engine power, two of the motors are out. We can't take another hit like that."
"Curse you off colors! You not only humiliated us yet again, but then destroy our precious destiny destroyed. This will not go unpunished!"
"You did it to yourself Emerald."
"You will not see the last of me yet, next time I'll come with a hole armada, just you wait!"
"Count on it."
With a growl she went off screen, the last remnants of their ship going into warp travel, quickly flickering out of view.
Spinel was a little angry that they got away, but still couldn't get her mind off of what that Emerald said.
"Shattered?" She whispered under her breath.
She must've been lying, right? Pink is too strong to be shattered. Questions running through her mind while she makes her way back into the ship. In the ship she was greeted by everyone thanking her for putting up a fight like that.
"Take me down to the garden... please." Spinel said, interrupting their praise.
Flying down they landed in the now more destroyed runes, craters and chunks everywhere. Spinel alone walked through the wreckage, trying her best to ignore it as she passes what's left of her home, walking up the stairs she made it to the top to what she hoped wasn't real. Fragmented and useless lay the warp pad, now nothing more than rock. But then a white glint caught her eye, looking down at the diamond communicator. Quickly did she scale down the stairs, looking at it close to see it in pristine condition. Taking it between her hands she put it in her gem before returning to the ship.
Once she was on board she went past everyone. "I need some time alone." She said before going downstairs.
Picking a space that was secluded enough she pulled the diamond communicator out. She tried calling pink but didn't get a answer every time, desperately did she keep trying but would not go anywhere. Desperate she attempted to call one of the other diamonds, not caring on whom, the artifact opened to a blue light, eventually the face of blue diamond flickering on screen.
"What is it I'm being called upon directly, anything important could be brought upon my pearl." Blue said sounding particularly annoyed.
"My diamond, my name is spinel. Sorry to bother you. I'm pink diamonds friend, might you know where she has gone, I've been waiting a long while for her."
"Pinks... friend." Blue whispered, tears welling up as she holds a hand to her mouth.
The tears blue where giving off making spinel tear up out of fear. "No don't tell me..."
"I'm sorry to tell you this, but your friend is no more, shattered on earth, her one and only colony."
Everything around her cake crumbling down, there was no hope anymore, it left with her answer. Barely holding herself together, tears swelling in her eyes as her limbs wiggle, eventually tumbling down in a heap of sorrow. Blue watched as spinel experience the same as she has felt for a long time.
"To see someone who still cares for pink just as I have touches my heart, I never even knew pink had a friend. How long have you been waiting for, friend of pink diamond."
"About six thousand years." Spinel said.
"Oh my, that was near the start of her new colony. You must've been reassigned, she must've been trying to keep you safe, seeing as what transpired."
"Who shattered her?" Spinel asked, looking up from her rag doll form.
"A group of rouge gems, going by the name of the crystal gems, there are still a few of them on earth, but we wiped out most of them."
Wiping her tears she stood upon the diamond, giving the diamond salute. "My diamond, on my way to earth as we speak, can you grant me promotion to finish what you started?"
Blue looked at her with a smile. "Wanting to avenge your friend is very noble of you, permission is granted. Do what you will to get the job done."
"Yes my diamond."
"Call me blue. It brings me comfort to see someone willing to bring justice to pink. You may call this line anytime you need, and this will be between the two of us."
"Yes Blue, signing out."
"Good luck." Blue said before the screen flickered, screen retracting to its usual diamond shape.
Droplets began pelting the diamond communicator, the well in spinel heart shattering. "She... was... never..."
Spinel couldn't control it, the tears wouldn't end, the only thing breaking her out of her sorrow being the steps being heard behind her, taking the diamond communicator she shoved it in her gem, turning to see Lars walking down the stairs.
"Go away." She said, curling up to avoiding eye contact.
"Well, it's my ship so no dice." Walking over he sat right next to Spinel, both of them pretty much just staring at a wall.
"Do you want to talk?" He asked.
"No" She said between her crossed arms.
"Ok." He said, leaning back some.
Silence fell upon both of them, Lars just staring at the wall as spinel cried in her arms. Crying alone was all she wanted to do right now, but Lars presence was making it uncomfortable for spinel.
"Your welcome btw."
Spinel looked up from her sobbing, staring at him with confused, tear filled eyes.
"For saving you back there?"
She looked at him shocked before retreating back to her crossed arm, burying her face further.
"...thank you..."
"No problem, that's what friends are for."
She couldn't hold herself together anymore, shaking as she uncontrollably starts crying.
"Hey, don't cry. I promise you we will help you find your diamond, earth isn't that big anyways."
Remembering what blue said and not wanting to compromise anything she steeled herself, pushing away her emotions and wiping her tears. "I'm fine, see." She's said, giving the fakest smile she could give.
"Uhhhh." Was all he could say as he noticed the tears still flowing.
Making their ways back to the deck of the ship they where greeted by the rest of the crew.
"Sup new crew member, welcome aboard." The Rutile twins said.
"Are... you... alright... if... I... may... ask...?" Fluorite asked, getting up close as she examines spinel saddened state.
Wiping her tears she stared up at Fluorite, pulling a fake smile again. "Yes, I'm fine."
Fluorite was aware thought, so just left her with an offer. "If... you... need... someone... to... talk... to... my... ears... are... always... open."
Still opposed to saying anything she just nodded in approval.
"Well, bout time we take off. Twins, start the engine."
"Roger."
"Forgetting anything." Lars asked spinel.
Quickly flashing back to the wreckage spinel gave a slow shake of her head.
"Then we're off."
With that they shot into warp speed, with a new crew member and motive, the off color crew make their way through the dangers of space. But together they will succeed, that is if they share the same goal.
