An Odyssey to Remember

by Bazinga007

Do you ever look up into the starry night sky and wonder what's out there? If you do, then put an end to it. Gregory Universe has been staring up into the stars since he was little. Now he's a traveling musician. And after a failed concert, he gets sent all the way up, and he gets to see firsthand what's up there... Death. This... is a love story.

8. Chapter 8

Hello! Welcome back to 'An Odyssey to Remember!' This is my least popular fanfic of my current three, but I still have a lot of fun writing it.

To recap this story, Amethyst abducted Greg, Greg met Pink Diamond and joined her court, Yellow Diamond tried to kill Greg using Peridot, it didn't work, so Greg duct-taped Peridot to his chest (I'm being serious) and is now traveling the Homeworld Underground in an attempt to reach salvation.

Oh yeah, and the Gem equivalent of the Ghost Rider has a vendetta against Greg and wants him dead. Almost forgot about that.

Enjoy!

I do not own 'Steven Universe'.

---

Chapter 7

Friends In Low Places

---

"All right everyone, listen up." Pink Diamond commanded, standing at her full height. "As most of you are aware, our human, Greg, has gone missing. He fell into the Underground beneath Blue Diamond's Polonium Mines. His exact location in the Underground remains uncertain, as does his condition. Meaning…I'm not sure if he is even still alive."

Spinel, Amethyst, and Amber all hung their heads. Among the three of them, Amethyst looked the most worried.

"But, there is still hope." Pink gestured to Padparadscha, who stood by her side next to Pearl. "Padparadscha has at least forseen that our human may still live."

"Well, sort of, my Diamond." said the short Gem. "As you might recall, humans have always been notoriously unpredictable. It's in their very nature. It makes it nearly impossible for us Sapphires to predict one's next move."

"Made them a surprisingly capable asset for the Crystal Gems during the Rebellion," Jasper commented. "That, and they had the advantage of operating on their home turf."

"All I can tell you, my Diamond, is that I cannot see the inevitable outcome." Padparadscha elaborated. "The good news is that among the many possible outcomes, there is one that results in Greg's return. So, it stands to reason that he is not dead…yet."

Pink sighed. "That's good enough for me." she then focused her attention on the second biggest Gem in the Garden. "Jasper. I imagine you're getting pretty bored, so I'm sending you to find Greg. I believe that Yellow Diamond is going to send her Gems to find and kill my human. Namely, her Fire Agate."

Jasper narrowed her eyes and nodded. "I'll find the human. Never you fear, my Diamond." the Quartz soldier crossed her arms in salute. "And I will crush whoever attempts to stop me from bringing the human back to you alive. Even if it is Fire Agate."

"Yellow Diamond will never convince me to give you up, Jasper." Pink Diamond said kindly. "I appreciate your service to this Court far too much, my beloved Quartz warrior."

Believe it or not, the big Gem actually blushed a little.

"Now, since humans are quite fragile compared to Gems, Greg may very well require medical attention by the time you get to him," said Pink. "Which is why I am sending Amber to accompany you on your search. She'll be able to heal any of Greg's wounds and may even be able to help you track him down."

The millisecond Pink finished talking, Amber appeared by Jasper's side, bouncing on her heels and grinning like a maniac.

Jasper looked up at her Diamond in silent pleading.

"She begged me for this, alright? She seriously got on her knees and begged." Pink said. "And besides, Greg's gonna need the both of you. So be nice."

"Yee-hee-hee!" Amber grabbed Jasper's arm and began pulling her towards the warp pad. "Let's go, let's go, let's go! Dang, your arm is like a cannon!"

Jasper visibly shuddered before she lumbered toward the warp pad, led by the eager Amber. The two of them stepped onto the warp pad and disappeared in a column of light.

"I love Amber, but…I just don't see it happening." said Amethyst.

"Who else shall we dispatch to find Greg, my Diamond?" Pearl asked.

"I'm afraid I won't be sending anyone else," Pink said regrettably. "I don't trust Yellow to play fair on this. She might try to send her Gems into the Palace or the Factory with Jasper gone on her mission. I want both of those locations to have as many Gems as they need and more to keep security tight and strong."

Pearl bowed her head. "Very well, my Diamond."

"However," Pink turned and looked down at Pearl. "I believe it is time to call in our…shadow operative, for this task."

Pearl's eyes widened slightly. "...Yes, my Diamond. Shall we be departing immediately?"

"Yes." Pink turned to Spinel and Amethyst. "The two of you will stay here with Padparadscha. The Topaz guards will keep you safe in case Yellow tries to send her Gems to the Garden."

The two Pink Topaz guards turned around to wave and smile pleasantly, then returned their stone gazes on the warp pad.

"What?" Spinel complained. "We wanna help!"

"Yeah, why can't we go look for Greg?" Amethyst argued.

"I know you're both worried about Greg." Pink Diamond said. "I know you want to help him. But if you both leave this Garden, you're only putting yourselves in the same danger as Greg. Especially you, Amethyst."

Amethyst gritted her teeth and looked away.

"I'm not asking you, I'm ordering you." said Pink Diamond. "Stay in the Garden." She placed a hand on her chest. "Assuming the worst happens...I don't want to lose the two of you as well."

With that said, Pink Diamond turned around and walked to the warp pad, Pearl following behind her. Pink turned back around once she was on the pad.

"Padparadscha, you're in charge until I get back." she said. "Keep everyone safe, including yourself."

Padparadscha saluted.

In a column of light, Pink and Pearl vanished.

Spinel blinked her eyes, then looked at Amethyst. "So…what do we do now?"

"You do what you want." Amethyst marched towards the warp pad. "I'm going to look for Greg."

"No you are not." Padparadscha quickly moved in front of the small, purple Gem and spread her arms out. "You heard our Diamond, we are not to leave."

"So we're just supposed to sit here and do nothing?" Amethyst demanded. "That's your plan? Some help you are to Greg."

"Do not make the mistake of thinking you're the only one here who cares about him." Padparadscha snapped.

"So why are we just standing here?!" Amethyst asked.

"Because the three of us are not capable of helping or even finding Greg!" Padparadscha answered. "You and I are off-colors, Amethyst. You more noticeably than I."

"I can fend for myself!" Amethyst argued.

"Against a real Quartz?"

Amethyst clenched her fists angrily.

Upon realizing she had hit a sore spot, Padparadscha relaxed her stance and lowered her arms. "Look, Amethyst," she started softly. "I get that you're worried about him-"

"Do you?" Amethyst snapped. "It's my fault he's here in the first place! And if he gets brutally murdered, then…" the little Gem choked back a sob. "Then…that's on me."

Spinel's bottom lip quivered as she stared at Amethyst. The pink Gem wrapped her elastic arms around the Quartz and pulled her in for a hug.

Amethyst just sighed and gave in to the hug. Padparadscha came up and joined in the embrace.

"You don't have to feel responsible for what happens to him." said Padparadscha.

"Yeah, I do." said Amethyst. "If I had just left him alone on that beach…" the purple Gem closed her eyes and shook her head. "And now…I just really hope he's not in any pain."

---

"Come on, one more time."

"No!"

"Just one more."

"No!"

"One more and I promise, it'll be the last time I ask you to do it."

"That's what you said last time!"

"Please? Just one more?"

The small, green Gem trapped in a duct tape harness groaned miserably as she hung from Greg's chest. "I will do it one more time. And if you ask me to do it any additional times, I will scream."

"Deal." said Greg.

Peridot took a deep breath before she provided Greg with the beat. Then Greg came in with the lyrics.

(Bum-budutta-bum-bututta-bum-buttutta-bum-buttatta)

Heart and soul, I fell in love with you,

(Bum-budutta-bum-bututta-bum-buttutta-bum-buttatta)

lost control, the way a fool would do,

(Bum-budutta-bum-bututta-bum-buttutta-bum-buttatta)

Gladly…

(Bum-budutta-bum-bututta-bum-buttutta-bum-buttatta)

Because you held me tight,

And stole a kiss in the night.

Heart and soul, I begged to be adored,

(Bum-budutta-bum-bututta-bum-buttutta-bum-buttatta)

Lost control, and tumbled overboard,

(Bum-budutta-bum-bututta-bum-buttutta-bum-buttatta)

Gladly…

(Bum-budutta-bum-bututta-bum-buttutta-bum-buttatta)

That magic night we kissed,

There in the moon mist.

Oh! but your lips were thrilling, much too thrilling,

Never before were mine so strangely willing.

(Bum-budutta-bum-bututta-bum-buttutta-bum-buttatta)

But now I see, what one embrace can do,

(Bum-budutta-bum-bututta-bum-buttutta-bum-buttatta)

Look at me, it's got me loving you,

Madly…

(Bum-budutta-bum-bututta-bum-buttutta-bum-buttatta)

That little kiss you stole,

Held all my heart and soul.

(Bum-budutta-bum-bututta-bum-buttutta-bum-buttatta-bum)

Greg let out a content sigh. "Beautiful."

"Are all humans this insufferable?" Peridot asked. "It's nothing short of a miracle that your species has not collapsed into self-initiated extinction!"

"Hey, come on. It's a long trip." Greg complained as he walked. "I'm just bored is all."

"Oh, I do apologize that you are not adequately entertained during our trek for survival." Peridot sarcastically remarked. "However–and please hear me out, because this is going to sound quite ludicrous to you–what if we focused all of our effort and attention on NOT GETTING KILLED OR LOST IN THE UNDERGROUND! YOU HALF-WIT CLOD!"

"You really don't get sick of using the word 'clod' do you?" Greg asked.

Peridot let out a miserable groan that outdid the last one and went limp in her harness. "I am going to die strapped to the chest of this moronic primate."

Greg rolled his eyes. "Okay, fine. I promise to take this more seriously. There, you happy?"

"No. No I am not."

Greg continued on in silence, Amber's backpack on his back and Peridot hanging on his front in the harness he had made. When he couldn't take the silence anymore, he tried for a conversation with the green Gem.

"So, Peridot…Why don't you tell me a little more about yourself?"

As usual, that seemed to do the trick of making Peridot less angry. Turns out, she enjoyed talking about herself. The little Gem straightened herself in her harness and closed her eyes, the way smug people do when they talk.

"Well, I am a top-level Kindergartener as well as a proficient engineer and technician. I am valued by my Manager for my superior intellect among the other Peridots. In addition, I am-"

"Alright, I get it. You're good at being a Peridot." Greg interupted. "It's the same stuff I hear every time I ask you to tell me about yourself. I already know what makes you a good Peridot. Why not tell me what makes you a good…you?"

Peridot blinked. "I don't understand the question."

"What do you like to do?" Greg asked. "What are you passionate about? What do you enjoy doing when you're not working?"

"Oh. Well, I-"

"And don't give me an answer that involves pleasing the Diamonds or serving your Homeworld." Greg added. "Give me something that's unique to you."

"Um…" Peridot did a slow blink. "I…enjoy…" Peridot furrowed her brow in concentration like she was trying to solve a math problem. "I…take a vast amount of pleasure in…"

Peridot shook her head. "Enough! My purpose is to serve the Diamonds and be useful to my Homeworld. That is enough to take pleasure in!"

"To serve the Diamonds." Greg echoed. "You mean like the one that tried to kill you just to make my assasssination look like an accident?"

Peridot narrowed her eyes but didn't reply.

Greg winced. "Ooo. Sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

"A little late for that." Peridot replied, her voice unusually soft.

"There's more to you than the Diamonds and Homeworld. That's all I'm trying to say." Greg explained.

"The only reason a Gem exists is to serve a purpose." Peridot argued. "The Diamonds themselves are bound to their duties. As am I."

"You aren't bound to anything. No one is." said Greg. "Your life is your life. No one else's."

"You are incorrect." Peridot said. "My life belongs to my Diamond. She was…" Peridot paused. "She was correct to sacrifice my life to end yours. It was the most logical decision to make."

"Yellow Diamond had no right to do what she did to you." said Greg. "You might not be the nicest Gem, but you're still a living, sentient being. All life has meaning and value."

"All life?" Peridot asked skeptically. "Tell me, human. You and your kind only live for a limited amount of time, correct? Your exisitance is considerably brief compared to the lifespan of a Gem. What meaning and value could a creature destined to expire possibly serve?"

"Whatever purpose we choose to serve." said Greg. "Some people choose to become doctors and dedicate their lives to healing the sick. Others become construction workers and spend their days building that which the architects and the engineers designed, both of whom are men and women who chose to be what they are. Some people become soldiers, and dedicate their lives to the military." Greg smiled wistfully. "Someone very important to me did that. He became a soldier, and a damned good one."

"What did you choose to become?" Peridot asked.

"A musician." Greg asnwered. "Just like someone else very important to me."

Peridot actually seemed to consider his words for a minute. "...So…all your kind find and choose a purpose…despite you're meaningless existance?"

"Not all of us, no." Greg admitted. "There are those who live without purpose, floating through life, not caring about anything or anyone. It's sad, really. But to be fair, some people just never get the oppurtunites that other people get."

"Ha!" Peridot shouted. "So you're telling me they chose to serve no purpose? To live with as little meaning as possible?"

"It's called having free will." said Greg. "All humans have it. We're proud to have it. Life isn't perfect, and neither is our world or the way of things in it, but at least we can admit it. You Gems, though, you pretend to not have free will and use it as an excuse to be awful. You Gems live without living, convinced that there's nothing wrong with refusing free will. You're all slaves, and you either can't see that or refuse to."

Peridot opened her mouth to argue, but couldn't think of anything to say. So she remained quiet, letting Greg carry her through the Undeground.

"Can I ask you a hypothetical question?" Greg asked.

Peridot turned her head and arched an eyebrow at the human.

"What if, for whatever reason, under whatever circumstances, you found yourself on Earth, and there was absolutely no way for you to leave the planet. Leaving the planet was impossible. What would you do then?"

"Sob loudly and give up on my existance."

"I'm being serious."

"As am I."

"What would you do if you were cut off from the rest of Homeworld? No more Diamonds, no more Empire, just you and a planet of opportunity." Greg looked down at Peridot. "How would you live your life?"

For a while, Peridot was silent. She just hung in her duct tape harness as Greg walked.

"...This is my home, human. This is my Homeworld." she finally said. "Nothing can change that."

"Home is where you make it," said Greg.

"Is that so?" Peridot asked. "Do you ever feel like you could make a home here on the Gem Homeworld? Away from everything that you used to be? Away from everything you come from?"

Greg paused before answering. "You want the honest truth?"

"I would prefer a truthful respond, yes."

"...Sometimes…I wonder if I'm better off here on Homeworld." Greg admitted. "Back on Earth…I was alone. I was…not very happy."

"And you're telling me you're happier now?" Peridot asked.

"I really am." said Greg. "Here, I have friends. I have a people. And for the first time in a while…I feel like I belong."

Peridot remained quiet, a puzzled look on her face. She returned her gaze to the path ahead.

"...I do not…have friends." she said after a while. "...Do you claim that I should? Are friends a neccessity?"

"Do you really enjoy being all alone?" Greg asked. "Are you really happy with your life?"

Peridot refused to answer.

The two of them remained silent as Greg walked through the eerie Underground. Greg took the silent moment to consider whether or not he should keep trying to convince Peridot to see things his way. He tried that with BP, and that nearly broke the poor, timid Pearl. The reaction was completely different with Peridot. Where BP reacted like she was an android who was being told a paradox phrase, Peridot reacted like an angry, smart-aleck kid who was constantly on the verge of a tantrum.

But Greg had to remind himself that the small being hanging from his chest wasn't a child. She wasn't even human. In fact, she was argueably a living thing. But Greg kept thinking of Spinel. The sweet, adorable, little Gem was, in the eyes of a human, just an innocent little girl. And when Greg looked down at the Gem hanging in his harness, all he could see was a misguided kid, who needed someone to help her off a lonely and unfulfilling road.

Eventually, the two of them reached a fork in the road. One path lead down a trench that looked harmless enough, besides the natural creepy aura of the Underground. The other path led down into a dark cavern. Greg could feel cold and chilling air emitting from the cavern.

"Go down into that cavern." Peridot instructed.

"For real?" Greg asked.

"That cavern leads to the abandoned Ice Quarry." Peridot explained.

"Ice Quarry?" Greg asked. "Why did you guys need an Ice Quarry?"

"Mostly the ice was used for decoration." said Peridot. "Statues, staircases, chandeliers, all of which were crafted from the ice by either a Snowflake Obsidian or, more commonly, a Larimar."

"Didn't the ice melt?" Greg asked.

"The ice was kept far below melting point. It proved to be an easy and abundant source of construction material, but eventually became inferior to new and more reliable materials. So the quarry was shut down. The Snowflake Obsidians all found reasignments easily enough, but the Larimars were put out of work. They're an incredibly rare Gem now. Most were shattered when all of the quarries were put out of commission. Some found work I believe, I am not certain. But I know they are no longer incubated in modern Kindergartens."

"They were killed?" Greg asked in disbelief. "That's just wrong."

"The Quarry will probably still be active, though." said Peridot. "The temperature in the Quarry will be below zero. I hope that won't be an issue for you?"

"I'm not dressed for that kind of weather." said Greg. "Why do we have to go through the Quarry? I could die if it gets cold enough."

"Do you remember informing me about Yellow Diamond's Fire Agate? The most vicious and dangerous Gem in the universe who happens to have a personal vendetta towards you?"

"Oh, yeah. You screamed at the top of your lungs and tried like hell to break free from the harness." Greg recalled.

"Affirmitive, as I do not wish to die a horrible, painful death." said Peridot. "And as I feel the exact same way about the matter now as I did when you first informed me of the murderous phsycotic Gem that's after you, I propose that we go through the adandoned Ice Quarry."

"So the cold kills me instead of Fire Agate?"

"It would be a kinder termination." said Peridot. "But in a tactical sense, the Quarry is a faster route to Pink Diamond's off-color Factory. In addition, Fire Agate's combustive abilities will only serve to slow her down in the icy terrain of the Quarry, should she show up and pursue us."

"Well, I guess that makes sense." Greg admitted. "But I need to rest before I go in there."

"Rest?" Peridot asked. "We just discussed the mad Gem that wants to violently murder you, and probably me as well! And you want to waste time by remaining immobile?!"

"Listen, kid. I'm not a Gem, and I'm not a machine." Greg said. "I just finished walking for miles through these caves and trenches and am already surprisinglynot out of breath, but still very much exhausted." Greg slipped Amber's backpack and Peridot in her harness off of him, setting both up against the closest trench wall. The backpack sat between Greg and Peridot as Greg reached in and took something out of the pack.

"You organic life-forms are ridiculous. Your necessities for survival are just pathetic." Peridot commented.

"I guess it's the price we pay for having a soul and a heart that beats." Greg took one of the sustenance salts out of the bag and tossed it into his mouth. He swallowed it and suddenly felt much less hungry and thirsty.

"I don't know what a soul or a heart is." said Peridot.

"Yeah, I know you don't." Greg put the bag of sustenance salts back into the pack and pulled out an odd-looking cylinder device. "Not your fault, though. Why should your society believe in a soul?"

"What's that device you have?"

"It cleans me." Greg pressed a button and the top of the device split open, revealing a metal rod that glowed green. A green force field erupted out of the device and covered Greg before retreating back into the device, like the wand was blowing a green bubble and sucking it back in. "Not as effective as my cleaning cubicle back in the Garden, but it still keeps me from stinking and my gums from bleeding."

Greg put the device back in the backpack and pulled out a cheap, little, battery-operated alarm clock. "This thing will set off an alarm in three hours, but wake me up if trouble comes before that."

"Affirmative." said Peridot. "But I still believe you should consider postponing your period of rest."

"I'm not going in there without getting some sleep." Greg took off his jacket and folded it, setting it down to use as a pillow. "I just…really need to sleep."

Peridot narrowed her eyes as Greg laid his head down on the jacket. "For the record, if I could, I would kill you while you hibernated and then make a run for it."

"I don't want to be your enemy, Peridot. We can be friends if you give it a chance." Greg closed his eyes. "...No one deserves to be alone at your age."

Peridot blinked. "What are you talking about?"

Greg was already asleep. Peridot watched in both confusion and fascination though, as a tear rolled down Greg's cheek.

---

The two Topaz Gems walked in silence side by side, following behind their superior. The gloom and silence of the Underground were of no visible bother to the two large Gems. They both held a large mace in one hand and marched in sync through the deep and winding trench.

Fire Agate took a deep inhale through her nose and let out a satisfied breath. "Oh, he's close." the red Gem said. "I can smell him."

The two Topazes just glanced at each other.

"Okay, fine, I can't actually smell him." Fire Agate admitted. "But he's close, I can feel it." she let out a chuckle. "Those humans, I tell ya. I can't say I ever respected them, but I can admit to holding a certain amount of admiration for them. So much can happen to them, much of which is self-afflicted, and yet, they just keep on going."

Fire Agate chewed on her bottom lip. "This one, though. This Gregory Universe, as he calls himself…he actually managed to poof me." a fire danced in her eyes for a moment. "He took me by surprise…no one takes me by surprise. He did, though…He did."

Fire Agate let out a laugh. "I'm gonna get that human."

The Topazes, as usual, didn't reply.

Fire Agate halted and spun around on one heel to stare at the two Topazes. The yellow Gems simply stood at attention.

"The silence you Topazes are famed for is both appreciated and unsettling." said Fire Agate. "It's always impossible to tell what the two of you are thinking."

The Topazes had no reaction.

Fire Agate took a step forward. "I don't know why you did not tell Yellow Diamond about my failure to subdue a human, but rest assured, it solidified my trust in you." the Agate tilted her head and smiled. "It's why I only asked for the two of you to accompany me on this mission."

Fire Agate turned back around and continued to walk, and the Topazes followed. "We will find that human." Fire Agate stated. "We will find him. And when we do, when I get my hands on that soft, Quartz-looking organic, I will make him scream. And then I'm gonna kill him…obviously."

The Topazes said nothing.

"...But I wonder, dear human," Fire Agate muttered softly to herself. "Was Yellow Diamond right to attempt to kill you? Is she correct to fear your presence here?"

Fire Agate licked her lips.

"...Is it possible…my desired prey…that you can help me get back what was taken from me?"

---

The squadron of Rubies marched along the cavern floor in perfect sync, the sound of their feet meeting the ground was a chorus in harmony. With each step they took, the five Rubies would all say 'hup', so, yeah it was a constant song.

"Oh, will you Rubies give it a rest?" the tiny Gem flying ahead of the group complained. Her voice was high-pitched, irritated, and heavily British. "I am trying to locate our target!"

"Hey, you're not in command here, Aquamarine!" the lead Ruby said. She wore a baby-blue, translucent visor, marking her as the leader. Her uniform was a pair of black overall shorts, buttoned at the waist with two Blue Diamond sigils. Her gem was set between the overall straps in her dark-red chest. "I am the captain of this squadron!"

Aquamarine flapped her butterfly-like wings of water and floated above the Ruby squadron. She was even shorter than the Rubies, only reaching their chests if she were to stand by their side. Her hemispherical, baby-blue hair went well with her cyan-blue skin. Her outfit was like an English schoolgirl's, sort of. An ocean-blue, sleeveless V-neck skirt with what may have been a dark-blue tie over a white undershirt. The skirt part of the outfit was navy blue, which matched her 'tie' and her slippers in color. Her leggings were snow-white, as were her gloves. And a small dark-blue ribbon decorated the top of her head. Her teardrop-shaped, light-blue gem was on her cheek, below her eye, making it look like she had shed a tear.

"You five blockheads are just common Ruby soldiers. You need someone with at least a scrap of intelligence to aid you in the simplest of tasks." Aquamarine said to the Ruby captain.

One of the other Rubies walked up next to her captain. Her gem uniform was standard issue, with the Blue Diamond sigil on her chest. This Ruby seemed a little sturdier than the others. She growled up at the Aquamarine and fletched her strong left arm, showing off the gem in her bicep.

"We don't take orders from some weak little messenger Gem." the Ruby said. "What good are you Aquamarine Gems again? You fly around and tell people stuff?"

"Do not disrespect me, you pebble!" Aquamarine snapped. "I am superior among my brand of Gem!"

"For what, having the most annoying voice?" Another Ruby came up to join her captain. This one's gem was where her left eye should have been. She also wore a standard Gem uniform with the Blue Diamond sigil on the chest. Her skin was a lighter hue than her companions', an indication of age. "Face it, you Aquamarines are just cheap Lapis Lazuli knock-offs."

Aquamarine shook with anger and growled. "And Quartz soldiers are the real fighters! You idiotic stones are just cannon fodder! Expendable is what you all are!"

"Oh? And what are you?" the fourth Ruby came to stand by her captain. She wore black shorts like the others, but her uniform split into an open in an upside-down 'V' past the blue collar area. Her gem was right in her naval. The fourth Ruby waved her hand playfully and giggled. "No one takes Aquamarines seriously. You guys are just too darn cute."

"Don't call me cute!" Aquamarine pulled out the ribbon in her and it straightened out into a wand.

The four Rubies immediately got into fighting stances. "You think that little toy of yours scares us?!" the Ruby captain asked.

"You think five hot-headed morons scare me?" Aquamarine shot back.

"Hey, guys?"

Everyone turned their attention to the fifth Ruby, hanging back behind the rest of the Gems. She was a brand-new Ruby, with dark-red skin just like the captain's. Standard uniform bearing the Blue Diamond sigil on her chest, with her gem located on her thigh.

"Uh…I think I might've found something?" the way she said it made it sound like a question.

"Is that so?" Aquamarine flew over to the fifth Ruby. "Show me."

The Ruby held up a strand of material. It looked like a small lock of something's hair. "I just found it lying on the ground nearby." she said. "Don't organic things have hair and…stuff?"

"Hmmm." With two fingers, Aquamarine pinched the lock of hair out of Ruby's hand. She made a disgusted sound as she examined the strand of hair. "Gross creatures. Never thought an organic lifeform would find its way here, of all places."

"What is it we're looking for again?" the new Ruby with her gem on her leg asked. "Something that…looks like a Quartz?"

"They're called humans." the one-eyed Ruby explained. "Native creatures of Earth. Rose Quartz used them in her rebellion on Earth. But those things were crazy, and attacked any Gem they could get their hands on."

"That's not what I heard." the Ruby captain said. "Those things worshipped Pink Diamond. But they switched to Rose Quartz's side when they realized Pink Diamond was going to drain the planet of its resources."

"Those things were savages." said one-eye. "Believe me, I know. I was there. It was a couple hundred years into the Rebellion when I was sent to Earth. The humans were stepping up their game with tools and weapons they stole from the Gems they managed to shatter. Fighting them was always a gross experience." The Ruby shuddered. "Humans are a lot grosser on the inside than they are on the outside."

The fifth Ruby gulped. "Is…the human we're looking for a savage?"

"Nah." said the Ruby with her gem in her naval. "I heard this one is really gentle. A bard back on Earth, I think. It can talk, it can sing, it can even play music. It's sort of a favorite in Pink Diamond's Court. I heard it's really friendly too. I can't wait to meet it."

"Good, because it's close by." Aquamarine left the strand of hair fall to the ground and wiped her fingers off on her skirt. "Let's get moving. Blue Diamond informed me that there may be other Gems looking for the human."

"Well then, we'll just have to find it first." The Ruby captain turned and, with a determined look on her face, pointed down the path. "Let's go!"

---

The cemetery was empty of any visitors. The birds cawed and the wind blew, the only sounds that could actually be heard. A lone figure walked through the cemetery, heading towards a pair of gravestones that sat side by side. The figure reached the gravestones and read the inscriptions on both of them.

The first stone read 'Here lies Adam James Demayo. Honorable soldier and patriot. Beloved husband and father'.

The second stone read 'Here lies Nora Elizabeth Demayo. Free-spirited musician and songwriter. Beloved wife and mother'.

They sat right next to each other. Separated in life, but reunited in death.

"...Hey, Mom…Hey, Dad." Greg said, looking down sadly at the graves of his parents. "I know it's been a while since I visited. Sorry about that. College is rough and the family isn't making it any easier for me." Greg rubbed the back of his head nervously. "I'm…actually gonna drop out of college."

Birds cawed. Wind blew.

"Yeah, I know. It sounds like an idiotic idea." Greg admitted. "But…I gotta do this. I finally found a manager. A guy named Marty. He doesn't seem like the nicest guy, but he said he can get me places, so I signed up with him."

Greg sighed and shook his head. "I have to do this. Ever since you passed away, Mom, I haven't been happy. I gotta get myself out there. See the world, meets its people, make something of myself my way."

Greg tried for a smile. "I bet you'd tell me to join the army, huh, Dad? I mean, I considered it, but, who I am kidding? I'm not army material. I gotta take this chance with Marty, or else I don't think I'll ever be happy."

Greg shrugged. "If there's one thing I've managed to learn, if nothing else, is that anything can happen…be it good or bad."

Greg knelt down and placed a flower on top of both of the graves. "I love you both. And…and I hope I manage to make you proud, wherever in life I find myself."

Greg stood back up and chuckled. "Who knows?" he spread his hands humorously. "Maybe I'll even end up in space someday."

---

The sound of an alarm clock woke Greg from his sleep. He snorted as his eyes shot open. Greg reached over and turned the alarm off.

"Oh, good, you have awakened." said Peridot. "Now, let's be on our way, shall we?"

Greg let out a yawn and sat up off the floor. "Yeah, yeah. Let me grab the stuff and we'll get going."

"Fluid is leaking from your vision spheres." Peridot said. "Are you experiencing some kind of malfunction?"

Greg blinked and wiped his cheeks, which were wet with tears. "Oh…that…" Greg stood up and put his jacket back on. "It's nothing, don't worry about it, kid."

"Peridot." said Peridot. "My name is Peridot."

"And my name is Greg." Greg zipped up the backpack and put it on. "That doesn't stop you from calling me 'human' or 'clod'."

"You are both, though."

Greg chuckled. "Heh. Okay, then." Greg picked the ensnared Peridot up and put on the harness that held her in front of his chest. "How about this, then? Call me 'Greg', and I'll call you 'Peridot'. Deal?"

"...Very well." repled the green Gem. "Now, let's be on our way, hu-" Peridot cleared her throat. "Greg."

"You got it, P-dot."

"Peridot. You agreed."

"Don't like the nickname?"

"What's a nickname?"

"Ah, never mind."

Greg carried Peridot into the cavern leading into the old Ice Quarry. The walk didn't take very long before the cold became enough to make Greg shiver in his shoes.

"Could you possibly cease your bodily spasms?" Peridot asked. "I find it annoying."

"Give me a break, it's cold in here." Greg complained.

"It's only going to get colder." Peridot pointed out. "If you want to live, you must survive the trek through the Quarry."

Greg groaned and continued through the cavern. As Peridot promised, it just got colder. Soon the cavern walls become coated with ice and frost as did the floor, making walking a little more difficult. Greg shivered and shook, his breath a thick, visible cloud in front of his face.

The cavern led into an even larger cavern, as big as a football stadium. Maybe bigger, it was actually hard to tell. Snow blanketed the floor and frost coated the walls and ceiling. Columns of ice as big as general sherman trees dominated the cold cavern like some kind of ice forest. Greg thought the place was beautiful, like standing in the interior of an ancient glacier. Some of the columns of ice had been cut down and shortened. Humongous wheels of pure, clean, blue ice sat next to some of the shortened pillars.

Peridot looked around and blinked. "Huh. I estimated that the Quarry would still be active, but not this active." the Gem looked up at Greg. "What is the minimum temperature that a human can survive exposure to?"

"I-I-I d-don't k-k-know at the t-t-t-top of my h-h-head." Greg said through his shivers.

"You are already experiencing malfunction from the low temperatures. The situation has become critical." Peridot stated. "We must reach the end of this Quarry. I need you to brace yourself. Go. Hurry to the end of the Quarry before the negative temperatures cease the functioning of your body. You must if we are to reach the Factory before Yellow Diamond's Gems find and terminate the both of us."

Greg nodded and continued forward.

Hours passed. Or maybe only minutes. Or maybe no time had passed at all. Greg had no idea. He couldn't think straight. He couldn't feel the rest of his body. His shoes sank into the snow as he took step after step through the Quarry. He didn't have the energy anymore to shiver, but Peridot could still feel a soft quake emit from the human's body.

"I'm impressed," said Peridot. "Although your performance is not to my preference, it is adequate and acceptable. Onward, human. We'll be at the Factory before you can say-"

Greg collapsed.

Peridot let out a wail of surprise as Greg fell onto his side. His eyes were open, and he was still breathing, as indicated by the cloud that emitted from his mouth. But he didn't move.

"Human?" Peridot asked. "Human!"

No response.

"...Greg?"

No response.

"No, no, no." Peridot began to panic. "We need to get out of here!" the Gem blinked. "I mean, I. I need to get out of here!"

Peridot struggled to get out of the harness but to no avail. She began to shout as she failed to free herself from the duct tape restraints.

"Human! Greg! Whatever you choose to call yourself!" Peridot cried. "Awaken! Get back up! LIVE!"

No response.

Peridot continued to struggle like mad for a little while longer, then she ceased her struggling. The green Gem just laid on the snowy ground, strapped to Greg's chest.

And she began to cry.

It was a new experience for Peridot, and she didn't find it particularly enjoyable. Especially since the tears began to freeze once they were shed.

"...Please." Peridot begged, her voice broken and defeated. "I…I have nothing left. I can't go back to my Diamond, or my Manager, or any of that." Peridot sniffed. "I have nothing…except my life…and…and I don't want to lose that…even though…my life is now…without meaning or purpose."

Peridot fell silent as she cried into the snow. Her tears formed into ice by the time they reached the ground.

"I know how you feel."

Peridot let out a startled gasp and looked up at who had spoken. The Gem looking down at Peridot smiled kindly with her zig-zagged lips and narrow eyes. She was only about as tall as Peridot would have been on her feet. Her skin was the dark, cyan color you might see in a glacier during twilight. Her entire, hairless head was like a three-tipped crown, with an edge at either cheek area. She wore a white, blue-tinted scarf and an ice-blue shirt with lavender shorts. Her spotted, blue boots stood on top of the snow, not even sinking by the smallest unit. Despite her odd appearance, this Gem seemed harmless enough. Except for her bulky hands. Her claws looked sharp and precise, designed for carving. Her six-sided gem was like the blue rupee from The Legend of Zelda, and was set into the forehead of her large head.

"Hello!" the Gem replied cheerfully. If Greg could have spoken, he would have commented on her Swedish accent. "I am Larimar!"

"A Larimar?" Peridot asked, perplexed. "I've never seen one of your kind before."

"Yes. There are few of us left." Larimar looked at Greg. "You have rarity with you as well. A human, yes?"

"You know about humans?" Peridot asked.

"I know they should not be traveling in these kinds of conditions." Larimar regarded Greg with worry. "Poor thing. It is a miracle that he has not expired yet."

"Please! Help us!" Peridot begged. "Me specifically!"

"Oh, never you fear. I know how to help." Larimar walked up and flipped Greg onto his back, so Peridot was left staring up into the ceiling as well. The jagged Gem then went over and grabbed both of Greg's legs and began pulling him through the snow like he was some kind of sled.

"Hey! Release me from these restraints!" Peridot struggled against the duct tape. "They are surprisingly resistant and durable!"

"No." Larimar said simply. "I will consult with the human before I decide whether or not to set you free."

Peridot growled angrily, but held her tongue.

Larimar dragged Greg and Peridot through the Quarry until they came to a small mine entrance, covered with ice and snow, a barely noticeable lump the size of a small trailer. Larimar placed her hand on the door and it lit up with blue light before sliding open. Larimar grabbed Greg's legs and pulled him into the mine. The door closed once the three of them were in.

The downward tunnel wasn't very big, but the temperature was significantly warmer in the small mine than it was outside. The lighting and the warmth seemed to come from the substance in the mine. A red mineral was apparently what was being mined. It shone in the tunnel with a pinkish-red light, lining the walls and in certain spots of the floor and ceiling.

"I recognize these minerals." Peridot said as she was carried to the bottom of the small mine, which leveled out from the downward descent. "Fire salt, correct?"

"Melting the ice proved to be a far greater method for extraction and shaping than using any solid force." Larimar explained. She dragged Greg over to the largest salt deposit in the mine. Larimar set Greg's legs down and used her claws to carve out a small alcove into the large chunk of deposit in the wall. Larimar then took the backpack and the harness that held Peridot off of Greg and stuck Greg into the alcove.

"Cleverly done." Peridot commented.

"I've seen this happen to humans before. I did not think I would ever actually see a human again though, let alone have to save one from the cold once more." Larimar scraped some fire salt off the wall onto her palm. "It is best if he slumbers, or the pain will be unbearable for him." Larimar opened Greg's mouth and dropped a pinch of fire salt down his throat. "His body has shut down, and restarting it will be torturous for him if he wakes up."

Once Greg was where he needed to be, Larimar set Peridot and the backpack up against the wall and walked over to the other side of the small tunnel to sit across from her, reclined against the other tunnel wall.

Peridot looked over at Greg, who was beginning to moan and twist and turn in his alcove.

"Do not worry." said Larimar. "He will slumber in pain and agony for a while during his dethaw. But he does not just look like a Quartz. This one is surprisingly strong for one so soft and so far from home."

"Have you handled humans in this manner before?" Peridot asked.

"Indeed, although it has been thousands of years since I have." Larimar replied. "You see, I am a former Crystal Gem."

Peridot's eyes widened with surprise. It was rare enough to meet a Crystal Gem but even rarer to meet one who would openly admit it.

Larimar nodded. "I was sent to the Arctic regions of Earth during the Rebellion. This was, oh, later in the war, when the continents finally settled after Pink Diamond's emergence broke the land apart. Us Larimars and Snowflake Obsidians were sent to create fortresses out of the ice."

"Were you successful?" Peridot asked.

"Very." answered Larimar. "It began to unsettle some of the humans who lived in the northern regions. They even gave the Snowflake Obsidians a new name. I cannot for the life of me remember how to pronounce it correctly, but I believe it translated to 'Frost Giants'. I guess fusion really spooked them."

"What did they call you Larimars?" Peridot asked.

Larimar tapped her chin. "...Dark elves, I think. Hard to remember. Their language was difficult to understand or translate."

"How'd you become a Crystal Gem then?" Peridot asked.

"Well, the fortresses were successfully built. They kept the rebel Gems out. But…they did not keep the humans out." Larimar shook her head in disbelief. "I do not know how they did it, but those humans got their hands on a bunch of advanced Gem weaponry. Their leader, a tall warrior who got one of his eyes stabbed out by an Obsidian, wielded a spear that could melt right through the ice and shatter a Gem with a single strike. His second in command, a massive human the size of an Agate, wielded a hammer that held the power of a harnessed storm. Without warning, they attacked. Hundreds, maybe thousands of them. They took us all by surprise. I remember being so scared, I remember running for my life as I watched Gem after Gem shatter. The humans died as the Gems did…but…"

Larimar shuddered. "Have you ever seen a human die…? So much…so much…red."

Peridot gulped.

Larimar recomposed herself. "I fled from the fortress I was stationed in before the humans could get to me. I ran across the ice as fast as my feet could carry me. I ran and I ran, until the ice met land. Shortly after, I encountered more humans. At first, I feared for my life once they saw me. But these ones were not like the humans who attacked the fortresses. It was a small village of humans. They spoke the same language, yes, but these ones were calmer and kinder. They allowed me into their community. And in return, I helped them travel through the icy terrain that surrounded their community. I could never figure out their language, but I did not have to."

Larimar smiled. "I was…I was happy. Happier, I realized, than I had ever been before. Before I met those humans, the only thing that mattered to me was my work. But being sent to that planet, being welcomed into that village of humans…I was finally able to simply be myself. Earth…set me free."

Peridot frowned. She looked over at Greg, asleep, but moaning and writhing in pain as his nerves were warmed back up. "How long did you stay with those humans?"

"Until a unit of Quartz soldiers, mistaking them for the ones who attacked the Arctic fortresses, killed them all."

"Wha-" Peridot was momentarily stunned by the shock.

Larimar nodded. Pain and sorrow showed on her face without any attempt to hide it. "Again, I ran. I ran, and I ran, and I ran. I was alone, I was scared…I was in pain." Larimar looked over at Greg, her expression didn't change. "I was eventually captured by Gems. But as luck would have it, they turned out to be Crystal Gems. I met with their leader, the infamous Rose Quartz, and told her my story. She asked me to join the Crystal Gems and, to help protect humans like the ones who took me in, I accepted."

Peridot didn't reply. She didn't know how to reply to any of that.

"Tell me, what is this one like?" Larimar asked, nodding her head at the recovering Greg. "I am curious as to why he thought it neccessary to restrain you the way he did. I am also curious as to what a human is doing here in the first place."

"It's a…long and complicated story." said Peridot. "To sum it all up, I used to belong to Yellow Diamond, the human belongs to Pink Diamond with an occasional loan agreement with Blue Diamond, and now, Yellow Diamond wants the both of us dead, and will likely send her terrifying and infamous Fire Agate to do the deed, as the Agate already has a grudge against the human."

"...Wow." said Larimar. "That is unfortunate. Why come through the Ice Quarry, though? The human must have known it would kill him."

"The Greg knew it was a risk, but I suggested we go through the Quarry as to give us an advantage of terrain if the Fire Agate were to find us." said Peridot. "In addition, this route is the fastest path to the Factory."

"What factory?" Larimar asked.

"Pink Diamond's off-color Factory." said Peridot. "Pink Diamond takes the off-colors she manages to save from the other Diamonds and puts them to work in the safety of her Factory, where they craft and build a number of items that get put to use by the rest of Homeworld."

Larimar leaned forward, obviously intrigued. "Is that so? Is it exclusive to off-color Gems only?"

"My assumption is that they accept any and all failed rejects." Peridot looked down at the ground. "Which is why that is my destination. The Greg is with me because showing up with Pink Diamond's pet human will greatly increase my odds of being accepted into her Factory."

"That, and, you do not really have a choice but to go where he goes." said Larimar, gesturing to the duct tape that kept Peridot from going anywhere. "So is that his name? Greg?"

"Affirmative. Its…his name is…Greg." Peridot confirmed awkwardly.

"It is difficult at first, yes?" Larimar asked. "The way humans have names proves that all Gems have are labels. Getting used to that is a strange and rather unpleasant realization, I know."

"It's all we have and need, as far as identification is concerned." said Peridot.

"Fair enough. Say…would the two of you object if I were to accompany you to this Factory you speak of?" Larimar clasped her hands together eagerly. "After the Rebellion, I managed to sneak under the radar and return back to Homeworld unscathed. I took refuge in this abandoned Quarry, thinking it was the only place I would be safe. But this Factory, it sounds much nicer."

"Um…we shall ask the Greg once he awakens. Unless you decide to free me yourself, he is my only means of transportation." Peridot looked over at Greg. "...Do you know what happens when humans perform their periods of hibernation?"

"From what I know, a number of things." said Larimar. "They see things while they slumber. Visions and strange things that do not always make sense. Other times, they see memories of their past."

"Memories?" Peridot asked.

"Why do you ask?" Larimar asked.

"I watched as the human awoke from his hibernation. Fluid was running down from his vision spheres."

"You mean his eyes?"

"Why would that happen to the human?" asked Peridot.

"...For the same reason I break into tears." Larimar looked at Greg, a look of empathy on her face. "Some memories are just too painful to be buried, no matter how badly we want to bury them."

---

Rose Quartz examined the fallen Polonium Processor with a look of concern on her face. She flexed her hands anxiously as she stared at the large device that had fallen all the way down from the Polonium Mines. "Only a miracle could have saved him from this." she muttered.

Her Pearl companion appeared from behind the crashed processor. "No sign of the human. Not a drop of blood or a scrap of his clothing." she stated.

"So it stands to reason that the fall didn't kill or injure him." Rose Quartz said, appearing hopeful. "Good. that's good."

"Not the fall, no. But I do not think he was alone." said the Pearl. "There are a Gem's limb enhancers pinned under this thing. An Era Two Peridot's, I believe."

"A Peridot?" Rose Quartz asked. "They're Kindergarteners and technicians, why would one be down here? Was she working on the processor?"

"Could be that the Peridot was with the human when the processor fell." the Pearl suggested. "And might I point out that the conditions behind the polonium processor's malfunction and colapse are considerably questionable, all things considered."

Anger flashed in Rose Quartz's eyes. "...You're saying that the collapse of the processor was intentional?" her voice was dangerously soft.

"The evidence points to that conclusion, yes." said the Pearl.

Rose Quartz nodded. "...I see…was the Peridot shattered?"

"I did not find any Gem shards. Could be she was poofed and continued to pursue her target after she reformed." The Pearl titled her head. "What do we do now?"

"We track one of them down." said Rose Quartz. "If we find Greg, then mission accomplished. If we find the Peridot," she clenched her fists. "we press her for information until she cracks."

"Shall I contact Jasper and Amber?" the Pearl asked. "You know we cannot stay down here for long. It would best to inform them of what we have found."

"We'll do our own breif search, then I'll have you report to Jasper and Amber with anything we find." Rose Quartz turned around and started through the Underground. Her Pearl followed after her. Even though Rose wore a large dress and while she wore a much lighter outfit, it was difficult for her to keep up.

"If he is still alive, then I shall admit to greatly underestimating his capabilities." The Pearl shrugged. "Or at the very least, his fortune."

Rose Quartz smiled. "I've lost count on how many times he's surprised me. I have faith he'll manage to do it again."

---

White Diamond stared down at her Homeworld with a face that couldn't be read. Inside of her quarters, from way up high, the magnificent Gem regarded her world with a sense of pride and accomplishment. All was as it should be in this world she had created.

'But that's not true, is it?'

With her hands folded behind her back, White Diamond rubbed her palm with her thumb. Pink Diamond was that one wrinkle she could not smooth out. And the worst part was, attempting to smooth out that wrinkle was the most difficult task White had ever engaged in. White Diamond continued to stare down at her Homeworld. In this world, all was as she intended it to be. All was made by her design. All was as it should be.

All except for Pink Diamond.

Despite herself, White Diamond smiled and shook her head, recalling the day she and others first found Pink Diamond, sitting on a wooden throne and wearing a crown of flowers. She, Yellow, and Blue couldn't help but fall in love with that adorable, lovable little Diamond.

Everything went wrong from that moment.

---

(Many, many years ago)

Yellow and Blue glanced at each other before focusing their attention back on the small Diamond seated on her wooden throne, a crown of flowers decorating her pink hair. She stared at the three of them with intense interest and wonder as they approached. The three Diamonds had arrived at some kind native settlement. Small structures made of wood, rock, and other such material surrounded the new Diamond, who had been given a throne in the center of the colony.

"This is a problem." Yellow muttered.

"White?" Blue looked up at her fellow Diamond. "What do we do?"

"Quiet, the both of you." White commanded. "Let us meet the new Diamond."

White strutted forward and Yellow and Blue followed. The new Diamond stood up to meet them as they approached. The natives surrounding the four Diamonds either ran, hid and observed, or stood by the new Diamond's side with wooden, stone-tipped spears in their hands.

One of the spear-wielding natives by the small Diamond's side turned its head and spoke in a language that White could not understand, apparently asking the small Diamond something. The Diamond in return replied in the same language, her tone hinting that she was reassuring them of something. The remaining natives bowed their heads and retreated from the wooden throne, leaving the new Diamond alone to meet the other three Diamonds.

White smiled. "Why, hello there." she greeted. "I am White Diamond. It is nice to meet-"

White Diamond was taken by surprise as the short Diamond rushed at her. She wrapped her arms around White's waist as she barreled toward her and nearly knocked the Great Diamond off her feet.

"It's so nice to meet you!" the new Diamond shouted as she tightened her hug. "My name is Pink! Pink Diamond!"

White just blinked her wide-open eyes. Behind her, Yellow raised an eyebrow at the display and Blue chuckled into her hand.

"Ecstatic, isn't she?" Blue asked. "She looks like she's about to poof you, White."

"It feels that way as well." White patted Pink Diamond's flower-covered head. "Pink Diamond, you said? Would you kindly release me? You have quite the grip there."

"Oh! Sorry!" Pink released White and smiled apologetically. "I just…I'm really happy to meet you."

"As am I, Pink Diamond. As am I." White Diamond moved out of the way and rose a hand towards the other two Diamonds. "Pink Diamond. I would like you to meet Blue Diamond and Yellow Diamond."

"Should I ask which one is which?" Pink giggled. "I'm just joking, I can tell which of you is which."

"Greetings," Yellow said as she and Blue stepped forward. "It is a joyous occasion to finally meet-"

Pink Diamond ran up and wrapped the both of them in a tight embrace. "Hi, Yellow! Hi, Blue!"

"...Yes, hello to you as well." Yellow said as she was crushed by Pink's hug.

"Well, so much for your orientation speech, eh, Yellow?" Blue laughed as she patted the hugging Diamond's back. "It is nice to meet you, Pink."

Blue glanced at Yellow.

"Yes, I am happy to meet you as well…Pink Diamond." Yellow smiled and patted Pink's back. "Nevertheless, please release us. You are quite strong despite your size."

"Sorry." Pink released them both and blushed. "I'm just excited."

"Were you…talking to those creatures?" Blue asked curiously. "The ones that look like Gems almost?"

"Oh, them?" Pink looked around at the natives that were watching from a distance. "Neat, aren't they? I met them when I first emerged."

"...Did you now?" Yellow asked.

"Yup." Pink replied. "They all stared at me for a while, then they got down on their knees and bowed before me. It was really flattering." Pink tapped her chin. "I think…there was a bunch of broken stones and sleeping natives surrounding us. I'm not sure."

Yellow and Blue glanced at each other again.

"I left with the natives, immediately curious. They brought me to this place. Next thing you know, I'm making plants grow, healing cuts and broken limbs, curing sickness, and being treated like I'm the master of this entire world."

"You are," said White Diamond.

"You made plants grow?" Blue asked.

"Yeah, wanna see?" Pink brought a hand up to her mouth and called out in that strange language. Immediately, a native came up and offered her a seed the size of a child's fist.

"You speak to them in a strange way." Yellow commented.

"Yeah, I picked up on their language pretty quickly. I'm still teaching them how to speak in our tongue." Pink took the seed from the native and it ran back to join the others. "You may want to stand back a bit."

Curious, the three other Diamonds did as Pink asked. Pink then turned around and thrust the seed down into the ground. She pulled her arm out of the ground and placed her hand upon the hole she had made. Pink light shone on the Diamond's body and went down into the hole.

Pink Diamond suddenly shot her hand straight up. As she did, a tree burst out of the ground, growing by the second. The tree didn't stop growing until it stood as tall as White Diamond, bearing large, yellow fruit.

"Amazing." Blue breathed as she stared at the tree in shock. "Your chlorokinetic abilities are quite impressive."

"What else can you do?" Yellow asked.

"I'm still figureing that part out." Pink reached up towards the fruit and a single branch lowered itself down towards her. Pink plucked a big, ripe one off of the branch and it retreated back to where it had initially been. "I can control plant life and heal injuries with my tears. As for the rest of what I can do, I'm not sure. It's been fun learning what I'm capable of though. I wonder what I'll learn next?"

Pink tossed the fruit into her mouth, chewed, and swallowed.

"You consume those things?" Yellow asked. "That is disgusting!"

"Acually, they taste incredible." Pink jumped up and picked another one. She landed on the ground and offered it to Yellow. "Here, try one."

"No, thank you." Yellow replied. "Might I ask what happens to those things after you eat them?"

"I guess they come out somehow. I don't know, I've just been filling myself with different types of these fruits." Pink tossed the fruit into her mouth and chewed. "The natives don't really seem eager to tell me what happens to food after it's been consumed. I asked once and they just told me I wouldn't like the answer."

"I doubt I would like the answer either." White Diamond walked up and placed a hand on Pink Diamond's shoulder. "Come with me, my dear. There is something I wish to show you, and much we must discuss. Also, stop eating those things."

"Oh, okay." Pink looked back at the natives. "What about them? They get worried whenever I leave, and I like to bring one of them with me whenever I go somewhere."

"I'm afraid they can't come," said White. "We should really see about setting you up with a Kindergarten."

"Do we really have to leave?" Pink asked. "I really like it here."

"We will return, worry not," said White. "I'm glad to hear that you like this place. After all, this entire world belongs to you."

Pink blinked her eyes. "Really?" she asked.

"Eager to learn more?" White smiled. "Let's go then."

"Hold on. Give me one moment." Pink turned around and called out in the strange language again. Another native came up. This one was taller and stronger-looking than the other one that had approached. The furs it wore on its person may have marked it as the leader or at least one of the more respected natives.

"I am leaving. But I will return." Pink said slowly. "Stay out of trouble while I am gone."

The native's face reddened. It bowed respectively before leaving to join the other natives.

Pink chuckled. "That was Korik. I saved that one's life about ten times now. Always getting into trouble, that one. Quick learner, though. Picked up on our language better than the rest of them."

"...Grand." said White. "Now, come along. There is much to talk about."

Pink allowed White to guide her away. White stopped in front of Yellow and Blue before she left.

"The Gem we made for her…you can have it, Yellow." White whispered. "Blue, go prepare the Moon Base for Pink here. We may be gone for a while."

Without waiting for a reply, White led the excited young Diamond away.

---

New Gems introduced. Other stuff. Some more stuff.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please remember to favorite and folllow, and know that reviews are always appreciated.

Until next time!

'Heart and Soul', by Hoagy Carmichael.