Chapter Four: Congregation

The Council's ship arrived within a matter of hours. Its arrival was heralded by a rumbling felt all throughout the city, followed by a large shape descending over the ocean. A very large shape. "Did they really think it was a good idea to come here in an imperial cruiser?" observed Emerald.

"If this was any other circumstance, I'd say this was an act of intimidation," Goshenite said. "Old habits die hard, it seems."

Said imperial cruiser was triangular in shape, with three pillars extending from a base. It slowly rotated onto its back as it lowered over the bay, one of its sections touching down on the sand. The Diamonds, Goshenite, and Emerald stood nearby, waiting for the porthole to open. First to exit was Morganite, flanked by a pair of Citrine guards.

"My Diamonds," she said, saluting. The moment she stepped off the ship, she glared down at the sand beneath her feet. "I don't suppose it would have been possible to hold this meeting on a more…civilized planet?" she added under her breath. "We came as soon as we were called!"

"Welcome, Morganite," White said. "Though I trust you have all received our announcement by now? You no longer need to be so formal when addressing us."

The tiniest hint of a grimace flashed across Morganite's face. "Yes, of course! As you wish, My–no, er…you understand, this may take some getting used to?"

Blue smiled. "Of course, Morganite. Though, just because we aren't requiring such devotion anymore doesn't mean we can't receive it, right?" Yellow didn't answer.

"I suppose it's just as well." Maxixe departed the ship as well, followed by Heliodor and Emerald–the other one. "I can't imagine many Gems will be all too willing to give up their adoration for Your Brilliances."

Goshenite shook hands with the blue Gem, as the Supreme Admiral looked around disdainfully. "Where are they?"

"...Where's who?" asked Heliodor.

"Those off-colored rejects who stole my ship!" she exclaimed. "This place is where Rose Quartz has been hiding, and she is a known associate of theirs. They can't be that far off!"

The Diamonds looked at one another, silently debating if they should confront her on the matter. Luckily, the other Emerald spoke first. "There isn't any time to worry about stolen ships right now," Mera said. "This is the biggest change in Homeworld's history since Pink Diamond's supposed shattering, and if we don't act now, it could pose just as much of a threat. We have to come up with something quickly, or we're risking another rebellion."

Emerald stood up as tall as she could manage, trying her best to loom over Mera despite them both being the same height. "We have met before, haven't we, B64? I would have thought I'd have left more of an impression. Either way, I don't need to be lectured by the ex-Supreme Admiral!"

"Only on a technicality," growled Mera. "I was corrupted–not shattered, not demoted. The fact that I'm standing right here should speak volumes for my competence, especially when compared to yours. The only reason I haven't pushed for my position back was because I've been busy doing the work you should have been doing!" Both of them were in each others' faces now.

"Calm yourselves, there's no need for such hostility." Morganite shoved the two Emeralds apart. "Emerald, Emerald does have a point. We came here to discuss the empire's future, not settle past grudges. There will be time for you to search for your ship later."

Yellow leaned down to her former subordinate. "Emerald, if all this really bothers you so much, I'll get you another ship."

Emerald turned away, pouting. "It's not the ship, it's the principle!" she muttered.

"Now then, on to more important matters," said Goshenite. "Where exactly is Bixbite? We can't start this meeting without her."

She turned to Heliodor when the latter raised her hand. "She, ah, wanted to scout around a bit before we began. She'll meet us when we're all ready to begin."

"And on that note, is there somewhere better we can hold this meeting? It hardly seems professional to do it here on the beach…"

It wasn't exactly professional, but Goshenite did know a place. "There's somewhere in town that will fit our needs just fine."

"Tell me…what about this is 'just fine?'" asked Heliodor. She was pushed into the edge of the booth next to Goshenite, who in turn was crowded next to Emerald. Maxixe and Morganite sat across the table from them, much less squished.

"We wanted somewhere private, didn't we?" said Goshenite. "With everything going on, this is as private as we can get." The cafe was full of Gems and humans alike, necessitating that the five shared a table. "Unless you'd rather have this meeting in the middle of the woods?"

Morganite groaned. "I'd rather have this meeting at the capitol hall, but we can't do that, now can we? Why you all voted to come here is beyond me." It was the planet itself she was dismissing, but the restaurant–the 'Big Donut,' whatever that meant–wasn't much of an improvement.

"Now that, we can agree on," said Emerald.

The sound of the bell signaling the door opening could barely be heard over the crowd, but the figure who entered was much louder. Just from her footsteps, Bixbite's fellow Beryls could tell she had entered. "This area is secure." She sat down in the empty spot, shoving Morganite against Maxixe, and Maxixe against the wall. "Any potential threats have been secured."

Goshenite wasn't sure she wanted to know what that meant. "Right. In any case, now that we're all here, we can begin. So, first order of business: what does this mean for Gemkind's future?"

All eyes turned to Heliodor. "Ah, of course." She opened her hand, and a holographic screen appeared above her palm. "In addition to all three Diamonds stepping down as leaders of Homeworld, the have commanded an indefinite halt on all ongoing colonization efforts, an immediate dissolution of the ownership of lower-class Gems (especially Pearls), ending the occupation of non-Gem planets, and a gradual scaling back of Homeworld's military."

"That's insane!" shouted Emerald. "They're asking us to give up our entire way of life! No more colonization–that alone could completely cripple our empire! Our species literally can't survive without that!"

"It is quite the heavy ask," Maxixe said. "You certainly weren't exaggerating when you called this the biggest change since Era-2."

"But, it is what the Diamonds ask of us," said Goshenite. "Agree with it or not, it's our duty. I'm sure we can find workarounds to some of these–but right now, our biggest priority is finding a new leader, someone to take the Diamonds' place."

"As much as I would like the six of us to handle this task, I fear it is too large of an issue to handle," said Bixbite. "But if another sovereign is not found, I hesitate to imagine the power vacuum that could result–not to mention who or what may fill it."

"On the contrary, our biggest priority should be this demand to dismantle our armies," said Morganite. "Say what you will about the occupations, but this would leave us defenseless against attacks!"

"Who exactly would attack us?" asked Goshenite.

"Are you joking? Homeworld must have made dozens of enemies through the years. Not to mention the possibility that–"

A human with sad eyes and a purple shirt approached their table. "You, uh, you all ready to order?"

Incensed at being interrupted, Morganite glared at him, her eyes glowing pink. "I apologize for this interruption. I will leave now."

Nothing happened. The human looked around awkwardly.

"I don't think that works on organics…" said Maxixe.

Goshenite answered in her stead. "Nothing for us, thanks." The human shrugged and left.

Morganite scowled at him as he walked away before continuing. "As I was saying, we must still be aware that the Interlopers may still be preparing a counterattack. Much like we were at the beginning of Era-2, all of these changes will leave us exceedingly vulnerable."

"The Interlopers were destroyed," Goshenite said. "If we spend the entirety of Era-3 looking over our shoulders for an attack that will never come, we'll never get anywhere."

"And yet, we can't be so certain," replied Maxixe. "Just because the Oculus was apparently destroyed, there may still be some cells out there, ready to make their move. It never hurts to be careful."

Heliodor reluctantly nodded. "I hate to say it, but Giganova may not have finished the job. Considering how widespread their reach was, I wouldn't put it past them to have a few survivors somewhere out there. And as long as a few remain, there's no telling how long it would take for them to rebuild their ranks…"

This discussion continued, with Emerald and Bixbite being skeptical to this possibility–though the latter hoped there were still some left, just so she had something to fight. As Goshenite had nothing more to add, she stayed silent, and in the process spotted something outside the building's front. A group of Gems were carrying lumber past the cafe to somewhere beyond.

She found that she recognized them: they were the same Gems who were with Steven and that other human, the pink one. Realizing they were behind the theft of the Sun Incinerator, her eyes nervously darted back and forth from them to Emerald, who for the time being was oblivious. On one of the passes, the smaller of the two fusions happened to glance in the window, recognizing the green Beryl. In a panic, she dropped the planks she was carrying, causing a loud clatter. Emerald just happened to glance up, her eyes narrowing.

"You…" she snarled. She got to her feet, making her way over to the door. The fusion yelped, scampering out of sight once again.

As the Supreme Admiral walked away, the Information Keeper was not too pleased with being ignored. "Emerald! I was speaking, you can't simply walk away!" She shoved Bixbite out of the way and followed her outside.

Maxixe threw her arms up, defeated. "I guess the meeting is on hold." The remaining four Beryls stood up, walking out as well to see what commotion was about to unfold.

Emerald stomped after the off-colors as she bristled with anger. "Don't take one more step!" The five of them, Lars included, stopped in their tracks, turning around slowly. "This time, there's no escape for you! I've said that plenty of times in the past, but this time, it's true!"

"Emerald! Hey, it's good to see you!" said Lars, putting on the charm as he got closer. "Alright, yeah, you got us! Now that Homeworld's not the bad guy anymore, looks like this little cat and mouse game of ours won't be going on much longer. But hey, it was fun while it lasted, right?"

He put his arm over her shoulder, only for her to immediately remove it. "Where. Is. My. Ship. Lars. Of. The. Stars?"

The human looked around nervously. "Y-your ship? I-I mean, if you brought the Destiny Destroyer with you, it's probably where you left it. You could try asking one of your friends, maybe they remember where–"

"Insolent organic!" By now, a small crowd had begun to gather. Return to me what is rightfully mine! The Sun Incinerator! I want my ship back, and I'll tear this entire city apart to get it if I have to!"

Lars had his hands up defensively. "Look lady, we don't have your ship anymore! The Diamonds confiscated it as soon as we got back! If you still don't have it, I dunno what to tell you."

"Do you expect me to believe that?" she growled. "Guards! Arrest them for crimes against the empire!"

The two nearby Citrines she was yelling at looked uncertainly at each other. "Um, I'm not sure we have that authority anymore…"

"You dare disobey the Supreme Admiral!?" She stormed over to them, getting right up in their faces. "Have them arrested now! These treasonous, off-colored menaces should be shattered twice over for their conduct!" Grand theft starship, thievery, humiliating a Homeworld officer, need I go on!?"

As Goshenite watched this all go down, wondering if and when she should intervene, another conversation was happening between a different Beryl and member of Lars' crew: Emerald hadn't been the only one to recognize Rhodonite.

Morganite observed the fusion with judgemental eyes as she approached, the fusion in question staring at the floor. "So," she said. "I surely didn't expect to find you down here, of all places."

"Mmm…I d-didn't…either." Rhodonite was barely audible.

"I see the two of you are still…together," Morganite said, eyeing her up.

Rhodonite only nodded.

She began walking around her former Pearl and Ruby. "This is quite the life you've made for yourself. From living underneath the surface of Homeworld with these other…rejects, to running for your life as a space pirate. A far cry from your glamorous time with me." Rhodonite opened her mouth, but no noise came out. "What? Speak up."

"We…they were in love," she said softly. "Ruby, Pearl, t-they loved each other. A-and I wouldn't exist without that. That's what Garnet said."

"Garnet?" said Morganite with a raised eyebrow. "No wonder you ran off, if you're so susceptible to suggestion that a Crystal Gem can put these ideas in your head!" She looked with disdain at Fluorite, then Rutile, then Padparadscha. "You had your fun, but now it's time to come home. Now unfuse." She didn't move. "Unfuse!"

"I won't!" Rhodonite shouted, looking Morganite in the eye for the first time. "I'm happy here, which is more than I can say about my time with you! Sure, I spent my time running from Homeworld, but at least I could exist! And I had people who actually cared about me for who I was. It may have been scary, but…it was home. These people are my home." She held Padparadscha in her arms. "You aren't My Morganite anymore. I'm staying here."

The two glared at each other for some time, before Morganite finally relented. "Very well. I suppose I can't stop you." And with that, she walked away.

Once she was gone, Morganite breathed a sigh of relief, wiping her brow. "Stars, that was terrifying!"

The hubbub with Emerald was still ongoing, having escalated to the point that Steven had arrived to keep the peace. Not only that, but Mera had arrived, now engaged in a screaming match with her fellow Emerald. "Change of plans," said Morganite, approaching the Beryls. "We're finishing this meeting on Homeworld."

"May we not at least wait until this quarrel has finished?" asked Bixbite. "This is just getting good!"

"Now!" Morganite grabbed her by the arm, pulling her back to the ship. Goshenite shrugged, deciding that the Diamonds would handle things once they inevitably got involved. However, as she left, someone tugged on her coat from behind.

"Miss Goshenite?" asked Pearl. "You're heading back to Homeworld, right?"

She nodded. "Why? Did you want to come with me?"

"Yes, actually." Goshenite hadn't expected that to be the case. "I was talking with Emerald, and…I think there's something I need to do. Would that be alright?"

Goshenite thought for a moment. "Yes, that should be fine." The two began walking to the beach where the cruiser had landed. "Might I ask, what is it that you have to do?"

A small smile crossed Pearl's face. "Well, this is a time where everyone can live together in peace, right? Even off-colors? I think everyone deserves a chance to live in a world like that, especially if they never got the chance to do so before."

"So who do you…" Realization hit Goshenite. "Ah. I see. You really think they can change?"

Pearl shrugged. "The Diamonds changed. So why not them?"