So hyped for the movie!
P.s. is anyone else watching the SU marathon?
Eternal Radiance
Chapter II: Make Me Proud
"Come now, Naruto. Lift your head."
White, glowing fingers caressed his whiskered cheeks.
Tears ran down his face. He sniffled, despite her soothing tone.
"They hate me, White. All of them. For… for something I didn't even do."
The heavenly being looked upon him with interest. She softly stroked his blond hair, a single finger against his smaller frame. In the darkness, she shined like the sun.
"Then, forget them."
The boy looked up, enraptured by her beauty. "F-forget them?"
"Yes, forget. They don't know how special you are. But I do. I always have. And I always will."
.
Eternal Radiance
.
Once dark, the courtroom was illuminated by a single hole. It was a great cavity, created by Red Diamond when he'd broken through its walls—desperate to protect the three quartz gems that stood behind him, sheltered by his towering form. A single ray of light shinned through, falling upon him. His crimson mane was like a flame of fire, burning with the aid of Homeworld's evening sun.
"White Diamond authorized my creation."
Though his words were soft, they were spoken with unflinching assurance. The courtroom descended into silence. Blue Diamond's eyes slowly widened, his gentle voice reaching her. And Yellow Diamond, for the first time, found herself unable to speak, unable to formulate a coherent response to his claim. All rational thought seemed to escape her, replaced by countless questions and utter confusion.
However, before anyone could speak, that small diamond-shaped device began to glow. It floated above them, present since the interrogation began. The hovering technology shifted, changed, unravelling itself in a manner reminiscent of the diamond-lines.
Then, after a moment, a geometric screen was all that remained.
And a live recording of the courtroom began.
It was a sudden broadcast, one that displayed Red Diamond in full, standing before the two matriarchs.
Not only was he visible on this floating piece of technology, but the devices held by yellow Pearl and blue Pearl also showed his image. Even outside, dozens of billboards came to life, relaying the same broadcast.
This only meant one thing.
His very image was being projected across Homeworld, upon every screen in existence. It was swift, yet effective way to reveal his arrival to gemkind.
And suddenly, someone spoke. Her voice echoed throughout the planet, reverberating down the busy city streets.
"Welcome Home, Red Diamond."
A single sentence, spoken in a knowing manner. Reminiscent of a divine being addressing its subjects. But just as quickly as it began, the broadcast ended, and that floating screen retreated, reverting to its smaller, diamond-shaped form.
"White," Blue whispered. "She's… speaking to us."
"And she doesn't sound very surprised by all of this," Yellow said. Finally, she composed herself. She moved forward, reaching up, and plucking that floating device out of the air. One of her prototypes, not yet in service.
Blue glanced at the masculine diamond, before turning back to Yellow.
"Then… then he must be telling the truth," she spoke.
"Without a doubt," Yellow said softly. She frowned. A feeling of betrayal raced through her. "But she never told us."
Red Diamond remained silent, watching Yellow closely. He decided to stay put, giving them the time to process all that was occurring. The three soldiers beneath him kept as close as possible. Carnelian held unto his leg, wary of Yellow Diamond's abilities.
"Maybe White had a reason," Blue suggested. She placed a calming hand on Yellow's shoulder.
The golden diamond sighed, studying the small device in her grasp.
"Leave us," Yellow ordered. "Everyone." She turned to him. "Except for you."
Their pearls heeded the order, ready to leave as requested. But Red Diamond met her gaze, shaking his head.
"They stay with me," he replied, glancing down at the three quartz gems.
"You can't be serious," Yellow stated.
"After what you nearly did to them, I'm afraid so," he said. "I won't risk their safety again."
Blue stood between both diamonds, a gentle look in her eyes.
"Please," she mediated. "We only wish to speak privately. I promise you. No harm will come to them."
Yellow crossed her arms, reluctantly following Blue's softer approach.
"Our pearls will escort them to a waiting area," she added, snapping a finger. A moment later, another screen appeared, hovering above them. "You'll be able to monitor them from here."
Red Diamond still seemed uncertain, hesitating. But he felt a small tug at his leg. And glancing down, he was greeted by the bright smiles of three soldiers.
"Don't worry, sir," Amethyst 8XJ spoke up. "We'll be okay."
"You sure?" he asked.
"Positive," the curly-haired soldier replied, the other two nodding in agreement.
He smiled faintly, conceding.
"Go on, then."
And they did, escorted to another room by both pearls.
The double doors closed, leaving all three diamonds alone.
"I knew I sensed something earlier," Blue began, a warm smile on her lips. "And it was you. I'm glad."
Yellow clasped her hands behind her back. She moved closer, standing before him. They were virtually the same height, and he looked her in the eyes.
"You were made on earth, correct?" she questioned.
Red Diamond nodded, holding her gaze. "Yes."
She stroked her chin, observing him closely. She circled him, studied him. Her eyes scanned his masculine physique. Similar to a quartz, but different. More defined, she decided. And his voice, many pitches lower than theirs.
"When did you emerge?" she continued.
"At the end of the war," he replied. "You were gone long before I could make contact."
"That was two-thousand years ago," Yellow said, curious. "What were you doing all that time?"
"Yellow," Blue soothed, walking to her side. "There will be time to ask such questions. For now, let's make sure he's comfortable."
"Fine." Yellow paused, looking away. "Welcome to Homeworld, I suppose," she murmured, repeating White Diamond's words.
Red cracked a smile, nodding thankfully. He chose to remain subdued, letting them take the lead for now. After all, he was in their territory. He was new on Homeworld, and woefully outnumbered.
"Now, before we proceed, we must first go to White," Yellow said. She walked toward the massive hole he had made, placing a palm upon it. "Let's see what has to say about this."
"Agreed," said Blue, glancing at Red Diamond once more. "I'm sure she is expecting us."
In the distance, White's ship was visible, and the city square was illuminated with flashing lights. Above, a red diamond was being projected, coloring the evening sky.
"I'll head there first," Yellow decided, walking toward the door. "Blue, a word."
Blue glanced at Red Diamond. "I'll be back, okay?" she said, following Yellow.
He nodded, allowing them to leave the courtroom. He crossed his arms and peered out that hole in the wall. Before him was Homeworld in all its glory. Miles away was her abode, her massive glowing ship.
"I'm here, White," he whispered. "As you planned from the start."
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Blue Diamond inquired.
The door was open. She entered, moving to stand beside him. Her pearl followed closely behind, hands clasped, gaze lowered as she stood before two beings of immense power.
Red was still gazing out the hole he'd made, admiring the splendor that was Homeworld. He'd seen some of it already. But he had been flying too fast to truly marvel at this planet's beauty.
Red turned to her.
"Very beautiful," he answered.
Moving his attention back to the courtroom, he noticed blue Pearl at her owner's feet, standing as stiffly as possible. Out of respect, she did not raise her gaze to meet his. Instead, when she noticed he was looking at her, she immediately formed the diamond salute and bowed her head.
"Hello there," he spoke, smiling. He knew this gem-type. A pearl.
"G-greetings, Red Diamond," she said quietly, surprised that he was addressing her. "I… I sincerely hope you enjoy being on Homeworld."
"I will," he replied. "Thank you for the consideration, Pearl."
Under her bangs, Pearl's eyes widened. She wasn't used to being thanked. "Of course, Red Diamond."
Blue Diamond had been silent during their exchange. Not only that, but she kept looking at him, kept casting subtle glances his way. It was tentative, innocent, but her eyes were filled with such passion. Almost as though she wanted to be near him at all times. To make sure he wouldn't disappear. He didn't mind. In fact, he welcomed her desire to be close to him. Because he understood. She still grieved for the one that had been lost. But perhaps knowing that he was here, and here to stay, would begin to mend the hurt of the past.
Despite just meeting them for the first time, he already felt a closeness to his two fellow diamonds. And he knew they could feel it as well. A bond formed the moment he laid eyes on them.
"There's so much I want to show you. So much I want to teach you," Blue Diamond spoke, excitement in her voice. But being the Diamond that she was, she tried (and failed) to maintain an air of calm. It was adorable, in a way. "Though, admittedly, you already know of your duties. You know what is expected of you."
"I do," he replied, turning from the window. "But Blue Diamond…"
The matriarch inched closer. She placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Call me Blue."
Red nodded.
"Blue," he began slowly, testing the name. "I know my purpose. I know what is expected of me. It's been within me since the day I opened my eyes. But tell me. What must I do to be a great diamond to my future gems?"
Taken aback by his question, Blue pondered for a moment.
"Firstly, your gems must be the best they can possibly be for you. Not the other way around."
Red tilted his head, curious.
"If I do not lead by example, why will they follow me?"
"Because they must," Blue explained gently. "It is their purpose to follow you. Just as it is your purpose to lead. To be a great leader, your authority must be respected above all else. You need not worry about being great for the gems that will be beneath you. By virtue of being a Diamond, you are already great. Never forget that."
"I understand," he said.
Though, within, he did not agree with what she had said.
"Are you unhappy that I'm here?" he suddenly asked.
Blue shook her head, frowning. "Of course not. Just surprised, is all. This all happened so suddenly. I truly don't know what to make of it. But for a fact, I think I'm happy. Happier than I've been in a long time," she admitted, glancing at him. "Why do you ask?"
"Yellow Diamond," he explained. "She doesn't seem very thrilled about me being here. Though, I can understand why. It must be difficult to see someone else take the place of Pink Diamond."
Blue smiled softly. "Don't worry. Yellow can be a bit… firm, at times. I'm sure she's happy that you're here. She just expresses things in a different way. You'll see. She really cares. Beneath that armor, she's very kind."
They continued to stare out the hole he'd made, watching countless towering buildings. However, one stood above the rest. A ship that rose high into the sky, piercing the very heavens. It was Homeworld's most sacred habitation, the place where she resided, the place they would soon be heading to.
Red turned to her with a big smile.
"So," he began. "What do you like to do for fun?"
"Fun?"
His smile didn't falter.
"Yes, what do you enjoy doing?"
Blue tilted her head, then thought for a moment. "Well, if you must know, I enjoy overseeing the construction of new spires," she mused. "As well as monitoring the progress of my colonies."
"That's… it?" he asked playfully.
"Certainly not," Blue replied, almost pouting. Her gaze moved downward. "Pearl, list all the things I enjoy doing."
"Yes, my Diamond," she said softly, stepping forward.
"No, Pearl. Don't say anything," he said with a bigger smile, confusing the poor gem.
Pearl looked about, uncertain. Who should she listen to? After all, they both had the same authority. But Blue Diamond was her owner.
"I… I…" she stammered.
"I want to hear Blue list them," he explained. "Or at least one thing she really, really likes to do."
"Alright, then. Flying," Blue decided triumphantly, an adorable smile on her face. "I enjoy flying, visiting other worlds, and the beauty of the cosmos."
Red liked her answer.
"You know, before I arrived on Homeworld, I explored more worlds than I cared to count. And I loved every minute of it." He looked on wistfully. "But something was always there within me. Something always pulled me to Homeworld. A desire I could not contain. A desire to see this place. To see you, and Yellow Diamond, and White Diamond."
Hearing his words, Blue inched even closer than before, eyes glistening. Tears formed in her beautiful orbs. Suddenly, she wrapped her arms around him, holding on tightly. She felt that same pleasant warmth radiating from him, coursing through her gem, through her very being. She almost quivered at the feeling, a blissful sigh leaving her lips.
Red accepted her embrace without protest, and as a side-effect of her abilities, his eyes watered as well.
"These past years have been difficult," she admitted, whispering. "But with you here, the Authority is once again complete. You are the future, Red.. And you will be a beacon of change. All of Homeworld will rejoice once they finally see you."
She slowly pulled away, wiping her eyes.
"Sorry," she said, laughing while the tears flowed. "I'm making you cry."
Red joined her, a gentle laugh leaving his lips. He was crying as well, but he didn't mind.
Not one bit.
Only moments remained before they exited the courtroom. Blue had left seconds ago, calling upon her ship.
And now, Red was left alone, her words to him echoing in his mind. A beacon. The future. He clenched his fists, accepting the mantle. He knew who he was. He knew who he had once been. And he knew who he would need to be to achieve the dream Jiraiya had envisioned long ago. Only this time, on a much grander scale.
It occurred a two-thousand years ago, he but remembered his awakening as though it were yesterday. He had died, ending a war that nearly destroyed the earth. But then, almost instantly, he opened his eyes to a new existence. He had been changed, transformed. No longer human, but a being that blurred the line. Inorganic, but with an organic's perspective. He wasn't Naruto Uzumaki, nor was he Red Diamond.
He was both.
One and the same.
When he awoke on earth, the air had been rife with fear and negativity.
And then, that light.
He knew the diamonds were responsible. And soon enough, he would confront them about it. But for now, he would settle into this new role. The role he now desired above all. He would lead with a central goal in mind.
To bring peace. To improve the lives of as many innocent sentients as he could, whether gem or organic.
He couldn't achieve this goal as a man. But as gem, with nigh-limitless time on his hands, maybe it would finally be possible.
He was no fool. He knew it was a massive undertaking. Perhaps it was even a naïve dream—impossible to truly fulfill, even while immortal. But that didn't mean he wouldn't try.
The door opening interrupted his musings. He turned, greeted by the sight of his three favorite quartz gems. Skinny and Jay paused before entering. Carnelian, however, rushed to him with a playful grin. He lowered a giant palm, and she eagerly climbed upon it. He lifted her a moment later, placing the red gem on his shoulder. It was something she always loved doing. She sat down, swinging her legs joyfully.
"Wow, look at that thing," she commented, captivated by the image of a massive, white tower/ship. "Is that where you're headed?"
"Yeah," Red answered. "I have to meet with White Diamond soon."
"What about us?" Skinny asked, walking to stand beside his towering form. "Are we coming with you?"
"No," he answered. "You three will remain on Blue Diamond's ship. Though I know you can take care of yourselves, I promised I wouldn't let anyone harm you. Blue seems a bit lenient when it comes to having you around. But I can tell that Yellow Diamond isn't so gracious. And I won't take any chances by bringing you to meet her."
"That sounds like a good idea," Jay said, crossing her purple arms. "I've had enough Diamonds for one day. Well, excluding you, sir."
"I guess things are gonna be different now, huh," Skinny said, looking down sadly. "While we were in space, it was just us. Visiting different planets. Helping people. No Homeworld. None of that stuff. I'll… I'll miss it."
Hearing those words, Carnelian held on to him tighter. Jay kept quiet, but she still thought the same as the others.
Red observed them with a warm gaze. He gently placed Carnelian on the ground. Then, in the privacy of his temporary quarters, he brought himself to their level. A red glow surrounded him. His frame shifted, shrinking from the massive being he normally was, to the size of the average quartz soldier.
"Things will definitely be different," he spoke. "But I didn't save you three for nothing. As you know, Homeworld punishes gems that don't conform to their strict standards. I want to change that view. And you have an important role to play. Especially you two." He softly stroked Carnelian's hair, while placing a hand of Skinny's shoulder. "Don't worry. No matter how things change, you will always have access to me. I'll be there whenever you need me. I promise."
They'd been together for hundreds of years. And now, things were changing. But it was an inevitable change. Exploring the stars, finding allies and friends. Those had just been the first steps. Now, it was time to act.
He pulled all three of them into a tight hug, and they wrapped their arms around him.
Then, in a stunning display, the normally laidback and playful gems formed the diamond salute, lowering their heads before him.
"Thanks for saving us," Amethyst said. "I know you've heard it a thousand times, but we'll always be in your debt."
"Yeah, you're the best, boss," Carnelian expressed, Skinny nodding in agreement.
Red Diamond smiled, looking upon them with joy in his eyes.
They were his gems.
And he was so proud of them. Proud of how far they'd come.
He returned to his original size.
Blue had told him that, by virtue of being a Diamond, he must be obeyed and respected.
However, he would much rather show that he was worthy of being respected—by virtue of his actions.
After boarding Blue Diamond's ship, it took mere seconds for them to reach the city square (or diamond, based on its shape).
And as her ship moved closer, attempting to land, the roar of a crowd reached them.
Surprisingly, alarmingly, hundreds of thousands of gems were gathered at the square. Many more were still warping in, clustering below.
The capital was stunning—an architectural marvel that displayed, in full, the rapid advancement of gem society. Multi-colored, geometric buildings rose to the sky. Transportation vessels moved about rapidly, traveling through transparent tubes that covered Homeworld like arteries and veins.
The excitement and adulation were unreal. Gems of all kinds raised their hands to sky, chanting and cheering. Every type, from morganites to rhodonites, to tiny aquamarines and massive citrines, no gem was lacking. There was an energy unlike anything that had come before. An anticipation that dwarfed any celebrations of the past.
Despite the unforeseen and spontaneous announcement, Homeworld gems were gathering without question. Even gems from distant colonies, using galaxy warps, traversed great distances.
All for one thing.
To welcome a new Diamond.
Yellow's ship had already landed. The golden diamond was outside, standing atop her personal palace, eyes wide with surprise.
Blue Diamond's ship landed a moment later, positioning itself beside the yellow arm-ship.
Inside, both Red and Blue were stunned.
"She managed to gather everyone for your arrival… so quickly," she whispered.
"Amazing," Red said, awed by such an orchestration.
Below them, his three soldiers stood quietly, utterly enraptured by the sight of the capital. The number of gems outside was staggering. They expected Homeworld to be crazy, but not this crazy. They practically worshiped the diamonds.
Blue glanced downward.
"You're not bringing them… are you?"
"No," he answered, frowning when he heard her tone. "They'll remain here until we return. Isn't that right, you three?"
They nodded feverously, not wanting to set even one foot out there.
"Good luck!" Carnelian said.
"Show 'em who's boss," Skinny added, smiling.
"Let's be on our way," Blue suggested.
"Of course," Red replied, turning once more to the three below. He grinned. "Don't blow anything up while I'm gone, Jay."
"Will do, sir," Amethyst answered, mirroring his grin. An inside joke, harkening back to their time on Altea. One of the many worlds they'd visited.
Suddenly, a blue orb surrounded Red and Blue, with her pearl staying behind. This orb moved forward, phasing through the walls of Blue Diamond's ship. It rolled until they were outside, where it stopped, dissolving away.
Finally, when they were revealed to all gemkind, an audible gasp ran through the gathered crowd.
Suddenly, it was quiet.
Then Blue and Red took a step forward.
And the crowd exploded into excited cheers. A chorus of voices shook capital, vibrating through the building upon which they stood.
"Red!"
"Red!"
"Red!"
"Red!"
The chant filled the air, a sound unlike anything he had ever heard. They continued to call out his name, not ceasing, even as they moved to where Yellow Diamond was standing.
She had her arms crossed, surveying the multitude of gems beneath. Yellow turned to them, casting a curious glance his way.
"This is... certainly interesting," Yellow stated bluntly.
"You know White," Blue said, shaking her head mirthfully. "She always had a flair for the dramatic. We should have expected this."
"At this point, nothing would surprise me," murmured Yellow. She turned to Red, who was frozen, captivated by the gems that were chanting his name. "Well, is it everything you imagined?"
His smile was brilliant. "Everything and more. Look at all these gems!"
Once more, Yellow Diamond paused to look at him—truly look at him. She observed his strangely masculine visage. His whiskered cheeks. The rings around his eyelids. And his wonderful smile. In that moment, she was lost in his expression—an image of innocence and joy that pulled her in and tugged at her gem.
"L-let's get on with this," she said, composure faltering. "I'm sure we've kept her waiting long enough."
Soon after, another orb like the one from Blue Diamond's ship floated toward them. This one was white. It moved quickly, arriving at the feet of the three diamonds.
And when the orb opened, Red's smile fell.
It was a pearl.
She was devoid of emotion.
Devoid of… life.
He could feel it. Or rather, he could feel nothing.
Cracks were on her eye, a gem on her naval region. And though she smiled, it was a hollow one at best.
"Red Diamond," the Pearl said, almost robotically. "Welcome to Homeworld. White Diamond is expecting you. All three of you, actually. Shall we depart?"
"Yeah," Red whispered.
"Let's go, you two," Yellow said.
They nodded, and all three of them were covered in a white orb.
Even as they floated away, heading to White diamond's abode, the crowd did not cease their chant.
Their voice filled the sky, echoing across the planet.
Her ship was like a palace, a sacred habitation of heavenly beauty. Ancient architecture covered the walls, rising from bottom to top. A radiance surrounded her, unlike any other being. She was wrapped in pure light. Blinding and overwhelming. She held her arms apart, almost as if—by this gesture alone—she was holding the planet together, keeping it from falling to pieces.
A staircase led to her still form. She was massive, even when compared to the three diamonds that approached her lofty perch.
"Red," White Diamond spoke, almost excitedly.
With both diamonds by his side, Red lifted his gaze to meet hers. He did not flinch, nor did he squint, despite the blinding light. He smiled faintly, seeing her for the first time in millennia. It was nostalgic, in a sense. She still towered over him, still exuded that motherly air, regardless of his size and age.
"White," he greeted politely. Red stepped forward calmly, confidently. "It's good to see you. Words cannot describe how much I've longed to be here."
Blue and Yellow glanced at each other, stunned by his boldness.
"You flew above me earlier," White commented, a knowing smile on her face.
He looked on innocently.
"You noticed that?"
"Indeed. That was quite the game you were playing," the diamond said, amused. "You're very fast. I almost didn't see you."
"Almost," Red repeated, smirking. And she mirrored his expression, a mirthful glint in her eyes.
"Your emergence was earlier than expected," the being remarked.
"Yes, I awoke over two-thousand years ago. At the end of the war."
"And yet, you waited so long to come home. Why is that?"
"I apologize for the wait," he said, spreading his arms apart. "But I had to experience the universe firsthand. I had to see it. I had to feel it. All to prepare for what awaited me on Homeworld."
"Ah, yes. Your curiosity knows no bounds, after all."
"And this gathering," he said, referring to the multitude of gems outside. "Do I truly deserve this?"
White Diamond laughed gently.
"Of course you do, my maelstrom. You are a diamond. This is nothing compared to the glory that awaits."
"It has been quite the experience, I'll admit," Red spoke. "Meeting Yellow and Blue Diamond. Seeing Homeworld. And you. Standing before you once again. This is a great honor."
"Oh, stop," White hushed softly. "You are one of us. No need for such flattery."
Red chuckled sheepishly. "I suppose not."
While their exchange occurred, both Yellow and Blue burned with curiosity. The way these two talked to each other. The way they interacted. It almost seemed like they'd known each other for years. But that couldn't be possible.
Standing before you once again.
Yellow pondered his words. What did he mean by this? Surely, this was the first time they were meeting, right?
"White," Yellow finally spoke up. "If… if I may interrupt."
White's piercing eyes focused on her.
"Yes, Yellow?"
Yellow Diamond stepped forward, moving to stand beside the masculine diamond.
"Why were we not aware of your plans to create a new diamond?"
Behind, Blue Diamond nodded silently.
"Do you not trust us?" she inquired softly.
"I trust you two without question," White soothed. "But truly, I just wanted to surprise both of you."
Both diamonds stiffened, hearing those words.
Surprise them?
With something so important?
"Pink's… demise," White said. "It was a tragedy. An unforeseen occurrence. It has affected us greatly, changing the very way our empire functions. However, the time for tears is over, you two. The authority cannot dwell on the past. We must move forward. Our plans must not be stalled. Red is here to complete us. But do not think of him as a replacement. Rather, as an addition."
Red glanced at both Blue and Yellow. He could feel the turmoil within them. A mixture of happiness and uncertainty. Yellow especially. She had a tough exterior, a façade of strength. But he could tell that his "taking" of Pink's place affected her deeply.
Blue finally stepped forward. She leaned close, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Well, we're happy that he's here," Blue assured.
"Very good," White said. "And while I'm sure Red is aware of his purpose here, he must still grow accustomed to Homeworld. You two will oversee his orientation, of course."
Both Diamonds nodded.
White turned to Red. "Go on, then. Introduce yourself to gemkind. They're all so excited to see you."
"Certainly, White," he said.
All three of them turned to exit her domain, walking in synchronized steps as the white orb from earlier reappeared.
"And one more thing," White said, a knowing smirk on her lips. "Make me proud, Naruto."
He froze mid-step, then turned around, and smiled pleasantly.
But a rebellious flame burned within him.
"I will."
Naruto looked up once they were out of the ship.
The sun had finally set, and the Capital was bathed in light. His symbol still glowed in the night sky, a crimson diamond that blotted out the stars.
"What was that?" Yellow asked.
Naruto turned to her innocently. "What do you mean?"
Yellow Diamond stopped walking, crossing her arms upon her breastplate. "You and White. Your conversation with her. She's… she's barely spoken to us since we left earth for good. And now, as soon you arrive, she's talking like never before. And Naruto? What does that mean?"
Blue leaned close, gently wrapping her hands around his arm. "Yellow, we should be celebrating his arrival with everyone else."
Yellow sighed.
She glanced at him once more.
The way he looked at her. So kindly. Without any judgment.
Any iota of suspicion she had seemed to just fizzle away.
She relented, dropping the issue for now. "We should introduce you."
Suddenly, Red took Blue's hand in his. As he did this, tears began forming in her eyes, but she wiped them away with a smile. He then turned to Yellow, holding out his other hand expectantly.
"Let's show them that we're united. That the Diamond Authority is one," he said, hand outstretched.
Yellow stared for moment, then slowly nodded.
"All right."
She placed her hand in his. And he held on tightly, wrapping his fingers around hers.
Together, they walked forward.
Once more, the crowd saw them in full. And the cheers grew even louder, incomprehensibly so. To the gems of Homeworld, it was a sight to behold. Three diamonds, holding each other's hands. A symbol of unity and strength. And the newest diamond stood in the center, almost as if he was being ushered into society by his loving, fellow leaders.
This image was being broadcast across the galaxy, across every gem colony in existence.
"They already adore you," Blue whispered, softly rubbing her thumb against the back of his hand.
Naruto was stunned. It was such an honor. A moment he would never forget.
Yellow turned to him, somewhat amused by his innocent, child-like expressions. "Go on," she encouraged. "Just wave."
He nodded, letting go of their hands.
He took a step.
Then another.
Then another.
Until he his feet left the ground.
He began to float, flying upward.
Another gasp rippled through the crowd as he slowly moved through the air, gliding over the gathered gems.
"I thought I told him to wave," Yellow said.
Blue laughed softly, rubbing her fellow diamond's back.
"He's just a bit excited," she said.
Yellow rolled her eyes. But still, she was very intrigued by this ability of his. Flight. He didn't have any wings, and yet he moved through the air with such ease.
She also recalled the way he had stopped her attack earlier, effectively nullifying her lightening. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't interested in discovering what else he was capable of.
Unlike Pink, he was the same size as them. He also had a deep connection with White, something more complicated than what he'd been letting on. Yellow stroked her chin, her analytical mind running through countless possible explanations.
Floating above the crowd, Red began waving to gems beneath, smile bright and full of life.
Once more, the gems exploded into cheers.
And as they observed him from their place below, both Yellow and Blue could only wonder what his arrival would have in store for the gem empire.
Earth
It had been so long since she entered this ship.
Covered completely in sand, her vessel was barely visible.
An icy wind breeze blew across the desert, carrying grains of sand through the air. She paused for a moment, observing the world around.
It always fascinated her.
In the day, the desert was scorching, deadly to an unprotected person. But at night, it was cold as the most brutal of tundra.
This was just one of the reasons she loved earth. The constant change, the potential for growth. She never grew bored of these qualities—qualities that seemed to be ingrained in every living being on this planet.
She looked up at the night sky. The stars were bright, almost blinding. For a moment, a wave of nostalgia struck her, and she smiled—a sad little smile. She recalled her time amongst the stars, her long years in space.
Rose rarely missed her former life, but sometimes she was remined of her past. One full of pain and strife.
She didn't like thinking about the past. But just recently she had felt something, a familiar feeling, radiating across the cosmos. The feeling of four powerful beings in close proximity. It had sent shivers tingling down her body.
And now, here she was, standing before her leg-ship, eager to confirm her suspicions.
Rose placed a palm against her ship, and it yielded to her, creating an entrance within. Tentatively, she took a step, bare feet against cold metal. It had been ages since she set foot in here. She paused to inspect her space vessel, realizing that it still looked brand new, just like the day it had been made.
Rose continued onward, reaching the command center. She ascended a flight of stairs until she stood in the center of the room, where she would be in control of every aspect of her ship.
She sighed wistfully, recalling all the times she'd take either Blue or Yellow on trips through space.
But that was all behind her now.
She raised a hand, and a screen appeared in front of her. A keypad appeared a moment later, hovering beneath her. She typed a series of codes, scanned her palm, then waited.
Suddenly, an image was displayed. A direct broadcast from Homeworld. And her eyes widened at what she saw, then an excited smile curled across her lips.
"You finally arrived," she whispered. "Took you long enough, Red."
She could never hope to understand White's relationship with him. But it was a tragic story of a human and a Diamond.
A story he had told her long ago, when they'd first met.
"I'm not angry at her for what she did to me. Not as much as I should be. I'm just… saddened by it. Disappointed."
His words returned to her, silent, yet sharp and piercing.
Rose continued to stare at the broadcast, watching as he floated above a crowd of gathered gems, grinning and waving.
She smiled faintly, a bitter-sweet twitch of the lips. Because, finally, she was truly free from her position on Homeworld.
Back by popular demand!
Now, at this point, I'm going to consider this story a massive AU. We will be deviating from canon in more ways than one. And these deviations can be summarized in four points: Scale, Threats, Goals and Redemption
Scale: The Gempire is an intergalactic civilization, spanning a number of galaxies. In the show, since things were told from Steven's perspective, rarely were other planets visited. I'm a huge Sci-fi fan, and as a result, in this story, we will be visiting many worlds (some from other works of fiction, and some that are of my own creation).
Threats: There will be a couple of threats in this story, including Narutoverse threats, alien civilizations, and eventually, the Gem Empire itself.
Goals: Each Diamond will have a specific goal (or dream) they want to accomplish. There will be a specific reason that each member of Diamond Authority does what they do, despite the untold billions they will kill in the process. Naruto's goal is already stated: to improve the lives of innocent organic and inorganic beings. Simple, concise, and straight to the point. Given immortality and overwhelming power, would you do the same?
Redemption: Not everyone is going to be "redeemed" in this story (more on this later).
So, Naruto and White have history, huh?
And she's known him since he was child.
How interesting…