…
Eternal Radiance
Chapter IV: The End of the Universe
"White! White!" Naruto exclaimed. He could barely keep still, bursting with excitement. "Guess what?"
He held a device in his hands. A screen shaped like a diamond. It glowed brightly in his dark room, showering him with rays of light. He could see her through this communication device, something that, at first, had shocked him to the core. But he'd since grown accustomed to such technologies, wielding it now without a second thought.
"What is it?" she inquired softly. Behind her, a barren landscape could be seen. The moon, he realized.
Naruto grinned, holding up a piece of fabric with metal attached.
"I got my headband!" he revealed. "I used the shadow clone jutsu, and Iruka-sensei was so shocked!"
She smiled in return.
"Wonderful," the being said. She leaned back, typing something. "Though this custom eludes me, I can see that it makes you very happy."
"You bet it does," he replied. "I'm going to be Hokage! And then, everyone'll have to acknowledge me!"
White paused at his words.
"But I have already acknowledged you," she stated.
"Y-yeah, I know, but… but this is different."
"Different, you say," she continued.
He swallowed, taking in the confused expression on her face.
White tilted her head.
"Am I not enough?"
It was like waking from a dream she never had, like opening her eyes to a world she always knew.
The molten rock around her burned hot, shimmering brilliantly. She was surround by light, wrapped in light — held by light. A vision befell her, and she could see the image of a Yellow Diamond, but just briefly. And suddenly, her body began to take form. First her head, then her torso. Lastly, her limbs. She soon felt the urge to move, to break from free from this stone prison. The process took only moments, but if felt like an eternity. A bit of effort, and finally, a luminous explosion propelled her forward.
She found her footing easily enough, stumbling slightly, but maintaining her balance. Around her was a canyon, surrounded by endless holes. She wasn't the first to emerge, nor was she the last. Many others, similar in appearance to her, converged below, clustering into groups.
Instead of moving to her group, Peridot paused to inspect herself. From her little green hands and feet, to her slender physique. She slid tentative fingers down her body, down her slim waist and small thighs, tracing a subtle hourglass shape.
"Wow," she whispered.
Moments ago, she did not exist. But now, she did. Even so, it felt as though she had always been alive. She knew who she was, what she was, down to her identification numbers—Facet-2F5L, Cut-5XG. She knew what her purpose for living was. And she felt such an urge to fulfill her duties that the very thought of learning about technology all but consumed her young, innocent mind.
"Get down from there!"
An order, barked from below. Peridot went rigid, quickly making her way down a designated path. Ahead, three more peridots moved in the same direction. Already, they were acquainted, talking to each other about stars knows what. Still, she wanted to reach out to them, wanted to talk to them. But that hope was halted mid-step.
She tripped.
And a stupid pebble — a stupid clod! — was the culprit.
She tumbled face first into the dirt, then proceeded to roll down the path, picking up speed during her journey. She bounced and slid, crashed and tumbled, until she slid to a painful stop.
Everyone was staring at her.
Everyone.
She could feel them. A thousand eyes, and a thousand snickers. Shame washed over her, a burning in her cheeks she could not contain. Her visors were stained with dust and grime. Slowly, she looked up from her place in the dirt. And as she did, she was greeted by a horrific sight.
Two diamonds were observing from an elevated platform. One Yellow—her diamond! And the other, Red.
Yellow Diamond was not amused, frowning with a raised brow.
Red Diamond, however, was smiling, crimson eyes glinting with amusement. It wasn't a condescending smile, but a genuine one, filled with sympathy and understanding.
A red aura surrounded his arm. He stretched forth a palm, and an ethereal, ghostlike hand descended upon her. It grasped with crimson fingers, lifting her from the ground and helping her to stand.
A moment later, the hand retreated, and she found herself missing the warmth and safety that came with it.
A few hours earlier – Blue's Palace
Pearl stood a distance away, eyes wide beneath her bangs.
She had her personal screen in front her. She traced her fingers across its sleek surface, sketching, crafting—creating art. In front of her, both her diamond and Red Diamond were locked in a fierce battle.
She continued to draw, generating an image that captured the essence of what she saw. She focused on Red Diamond's features; his masculine face marred by a frown. Then she moved on to her diamond's visage, beautiful features marked by a delighted expression.
Their riveting battle raged on, with Blue presently winning and Red struggling to gain the upper hand.
"You're not giving up, are you, Red?" asked Blue, a glint in her azure eyes.
"No, not at all," he countered, stroking his chin in thought, planning his next move.
Pearl finished her drawing, capturing a scene she hadn't seen in ages. She inspected her work and smiled at the finished product.
Seated across from each other, Blue and Red remained focused.
They'd been at this all night, battling it out in a strategy game popular to Homeworld elites. So far, Red had lost more than a dozen times. But that was understandable, considering the fact that this was his first time playing. A holographic board, complete with hundreds of game pieces, lay between them. Each piece obeyed their diamond's commands, distinguished by either a red or blue color.
Pondering for a moment, Red waved his palm. Subsequently, two of his pieces moved, earning him a slight advantage. But Blue was quick to counter, strategically moving her pieces until, finally, the game was over.
"Another loss," he said, crossing his arms. "You're really good at this, Blue."
"Of course I am," she said playfully. "But you've certainly improved. Maybe after a hundred more matches you might stand a chance of winning." She smirked, and Naruto's brow twitched at her joke. She then sighed wistfully. "Stars, I haven't played this with someone in ages."
"Yeah?" Naruto inquired. He took a moment to look out of one of the palace windows. Yellow's palace was across from them, illuminated by golden lights. The sun was already rising. He couldn't believe they had been at this all night, having fun, talking.
Blue nodded. "Yellow and I used to have matches all the time. She's far better than me, though. Even so, I enjoyed the time we spent together, doing this for hours on end."
Naruto leaned back in his faceted chair.
"And what about White?"
She almost burst out laughing, giggling into her palm. "Believe it or not, White is terrible at this game!"
Her laugh was so infectious, he couldn't help but join in. Below, Pearl was in awe. She hadn't heard that laugh in thousands of years.
"Now I don't feel so bad about losing," he said, laughing softly. "Maybe I should go play against White."
"Maybe," Blue said. She paused, a pained expression on her face. "I'm sure she'd let you in her head." But her saddened look left as quickly as it came, with her suddenly changing the subject. Naruto frowned. She summoned a diamond-shaped screen, sifting through a long list of items. "Things will be very busy. I might not see you until later today."
Naruto kept his eyes on her, still pondering that look she had given him.
"What'll you be doing?" he asked.
She continued to scroll, reading. "I have some court proceedings to attend to. These normally take time, so I'll be at the Courthouse for most of the morning. After that, I'll be overseeing the construction of a new geo-tower in facet ten, just outside of the capital. Then, I'll visit one of my colonies: Upsilon V, most likely. There's also the Jubilee, which still needs much preparation," she concluded, typing something into her screen.
Indeed, she was very busy. And soon, it would be the same for him.
"I'm curious though," Naruto said, clasping his hands behind a spiky mane. "What are Yellow and I doing today?"
"Well," said Blue, standing from her chair. "I have some ideas, but I'd rather not say much." A knowing smile found its way to her lips. "We do have another extraction scheduled later on."
"Another one?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied, tilting her head with concern. "Was the first one unpleasant?"
"No, no," Naruto assured. "It was just… different from anything I've ever experienced. It was still relaxing though."
"I'm glad," she said, relieved.
For a moment, her eyes lingered on him, trailing his armored torso. Broad shoulders, powerful arms, and a narrow, muscled waist. Unlike many gems, there was a certain strength and structure to his physique; and she couldn't help but eye his unique form.
"Pearl," she began, tearing her gaze away from him. She pulled a hood over her beautiful locks, a look that gave her an air of mystery.
"My Diamond?" asked the petite gem.
"Compile a list of the most efficient Lapis Lazulis, ranked by speed and terraforming ability," Blue instructed. "Give them to me once you're finished."
"Yes, my Diamond," she replied softly.
"Oh, Pearl," Naruto added suddenly. "Send me the picture you just drew, as well as the ones from yesterday."
Pearl dipped her head, a tiny smile on her lips.
"O-of course, Red Diamond."
Blue turned to him. "I'm sure Yellow will be arriving shortly. Please, do try to learn as much as you can," she said, then began walking toward the exit. "I'll see you soon."
His gaze was drawn to her retreating form, eyes straying a bit lower than they should have. Her flowing dress did little to hide such a perfect figure.
The door closed behind her, and he was left alone. Naruto leaned forward, then stood from his chair. He moved to the nearest window. Behind tempered glass, the rising sun showered Homeworld with rays of light. Even this early, the capital was brimming with activity. Soldiers patrolled the streets. Various gems went about their business, keen on completing their daily assignments. Above, green warships landed and took off, circling the skies above.
After a moment, he moved away from the window and returned to his seat. He placed a palm on the arm of his chair. It glowed, producing a diamond-shaped screen for him to use. He traced his fingers across its clear, crimson surface, sliding to the files he had been reading yesterday.
Naruto resumed his studies for a time. He concluded the current section with the Carnelian quartz-type. Already, he knew that these would be his primary soldiers, partly due on their color scheme. According to gem culture, they were slated to receive more favorable treatment from him, simply because their hue matched his. But as far as he was concerned, that would not happen. Any gem made for him would be treated fairly, regardless of their rank or color.
Closing the file down, he moved on to exploring their star maps. He began with Homeworld's galaxy, classified as a spiral. It was massive, spanning over one-hundred thousand light years across. This was where gems originated, and it was completely colonized. He scrolled through, starting at the core. Most of these colonies belonged to White, hundreds of them. Then, moving outward, he began noticing more of Yellow and Blue's colonies.
Besides Homeworld's primary galaxy, two other galaxies were also under gemkind's control. In other words, most organic life had been extinguished from these three galaxies.
Naruto continued to explore their maps until he arrived at hishome galaxy. He quickly located earth, which was now classified as a failed Colony. He exhaled, relieved to see that not much gem activity was taking place around his solar system. Finally satisfied, he exited the star maps.
A moment later, a notification appeared on his screen. Naruto rose a brow, then selected the message.
His eyes softened once he noticed the images that began to populate his screen. They were the drawings Pearl had made yesterday of Skinny, Jay, and Carnelian. Also included was the one she had just drawn, depicting him and Blue facing each other, playing their strategy game. He made a mental note to thank Pearl later.
"I wonder how the trio are doing," he thought aloud. "Hopefully, Holly hasn't lost her mind trying to control them."
Naruto shrugged. He would give them a call later.
Thousands of light years away, Holly felt a chill run through her.
Surprisingly, she hadn't lost her mind. And things in the zoo were actually… peaceful.
A chime sounded, signaling her arrival.
Yellow Diamond walked in with her pearl in tow, double doors opening with her arms crossed. Serious as usual, he noted. Her steps were firm and deliberate, radiating confidence in herself and her abilities. Just beneath the surface, her power surged like lightning, barely contained by a body of pure light.
Naruto cracked a smile.
He wondered, glancing at his palm, if they fought, who would come out on top? After all, her ability directly affected a gem's physical form. Even with all the weapons in his arsenal, he was still a gem, and therefore susceptible to her lightning.
"What's with that smile?" she inquired, stopping short of where he sat. Her pearl bowed to him, showing the utmost respect.
He kept his eyes on his screen.
"Just wondering about something."
Arms crossed, she circled to the front of his chair. She leaned close, striking eyes piercing his crimson orbs.
"No, do tell," Yellow continued. "I'm curious."
Naruto grinned, then shrugged with defeat. "Well, if you must know, I was just wondering what a battle between us would be like."
Yellow's eyes widened a fraction, and she leaned away. She stroked her chin, actually pondering the prospect.
A battle? What a peculiar idea. Yet a fascinating one, nonetheless.
"Don't think too much about it," he said. "It was just a thought. Nothing you should seriously consider."
"I'm not considering it too deeply," she replied. "Because the outcome of such a battle is already clear."
Naruto chuckled. "Is that so? Do I take that as a challenge?"
Yellow actually smirked, arms clasped behind her back.
"Maybe," she said. "But we don't have the time for such challenges. There's much we must do today, and I'd like to begin as soon as possible." Yellow turned. She took note of the board to her right, complete with game pieces and holographic terrain. "Hmm. This game. I haven't played in… such a long time."
"Blue told me you were really good," he offered. "I'm still learning. She beat me more times than I cared to count. But it was still enjoyable."
Yellow's eyes lingered on the game. Memories of the times she played with Blue, White, and Pink bubbled to the surface. Times she, admittedly, missed. Though the life of a diamond was a busy one, full of responsibility, the fact that she could, at the end of the day, spend time with those three always managed to ease the burden on her shoulders.
"Maybe we could play sometime?" Naruto asked. He stood from his chair.
"Perhaps," Yellow whispered, then turned away from the game. "Let's get going." She began heading toward the entrance. Naruto followed as well, moving beside her.
Instead of taking a warp pad, he and Yellow walked through the streets of Homeworld's capital.
It was a cityscape unmatched by any other. It was the most maintained, the most symmetrical, the most geometric portion of Homeworld. Around them, gems stopped what they were doing to salute; only when he and Yellow passed did they finally resume their activities. Younger gems, it seemed, tended to linger a bit longer, staring at both of them in awe.
"How're your studies going?" Yellow asked.
Naruto clasped his hands behind his crimson mane. "Really well, actually. I've finished the quartz section of the files. It was extensive, but nothing I couldn't handle."
She was slightly surprised. Red was starkly different from Pink. He had a playful side to him, of course. But it seemed as though he was genuinely willing to learn and take his duties seriously. She liked that.
"Good," she said. "However, make sure you understand the distinction between Era-One and Era-Two gems. In fact, you will soon need to consider Era-Three gems being added."
"Era-Three?"
Yellow crossed her arms. "Indeed. We are in a new era—I'm sure Blue has mentioned it. I suspect the official announcement to be made during the cosmic jubilee. And frankly, I'm curious to see the affects you will have on gem production."
"In what ways do think things will change?" Naruto asked.
A thoughtful look crossed her features. "For one, you are much more powerful than Pink. I suspect this will have a profound impact on the capabilities of even the lowest class of gems. But for now, only time can tell what will occur."
He considered her words, then glanced around, once more stricken by the sheer magnitude of the buildings around them. Both he and Yellow were tall, taller than all gems, but even they were dwarfed by the towers that defined the cityscape.
"This place never gets old," Naruto remarked. "Of all the planets I've been to, nothing compares to Homeworld."
Yellow smiled a bit, crossing her arms. "Blue designed most of these buildings, you know. She's the mind behind every piece of architecture in the empire. With technology, she's not as adept. But give her a city to design, and she'll create a masterpiece."
Naruto took note of her smile when talking about Blue.
"Anyway, we've arrived," she said.
Before them, a flight of stairs led to another massive building. Shaped like a pyramid, it was a library. Gems of a more "dignified" class entered and exited, some walking with Pearls behind them. Each wave of gems stopped to acknowledge the two diamonds as they both moved to enter the hub of information.
Inside, thousands of shelves housing millions of data-stones could be seen.
"If you ever need information not found in the general database, you can come here," Yellow explained. "As a diamond, you have access to every data-stone in existence, even the classified ones. If it's history, science, or even music, you'll find it here."
"That's incredible," Naruto said, eager to see what he could learn.
However, before they moved further into the library, they were approached by a distinct gem.
She was objectively beautiful, possessing an air of regality about her. Coral hair cascaded down her back, framing her delicate features. She had pink, unblemished skin. Her salmon eyes were deep and full of wisdom. Behind her, a pink pearl and a ruby stood silently, forming the diamond salute.
"Yellow Diamond, Red Diamond," said the gem, lowering her head. "It's always an honor to be in the presence of our great leaders."
Yellow crossed her arms. "Morganite," she acknowledged, then frowned, "You weren't present during yesterday's briefing."
The beautiful gem looked remorseful. "And I have no adequate excuse, Yellow Diamond. Please, accept my deepest, humblest apology. I sent you a report concerning my absence. And hopefully, you will consider my reasoning."
"Very well," Yellow remarked. "I'll have a word with you later."
"Thank you, and of course," said Morganite. She turned her gaze to Red, eyes glinting with intrigue. "I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you in person, Red Diamond. Forgive my negligence, your opulence. And… and if it's within your interest, I will like to offer you a gift on the Cosmic Jubilee—a welcome present of sorts."
"That's fine, Morganite. I'll accept your gift," Naruto replied. His eyes narrowed slightly. Though she seemed caring on the outside, there was something more to this gem. A wild persona, hidden just beneath the surface, hungry for power.
Morganite beamed, smiling brightly. "I won't disappoint you, sir." She turned to Yellow. "If there is anything you need, please ask. I am here to serve, after all."
Yellow barely acknowledged her words. The Ruby and Pearl stepped aside as she moved past Morganite, Naruto following. This whole time, Yellow's Pearl had been silent, trailing behind both diamonds.
As the two leaders retreated, Morganite's eyes burned with desire. Her gaze followed after Red Diamond, lingering, tracing his distinct form from head to toe.
She had never seen a gem quite like him before, and her curiosity was aroused.
"You have some time to look around," Yellow said. "I'll be on the 20th level. Meet me there when you're finished. Pearl will accompany you and answer any questions you may have."
Pearl saluted. With that, Yellow Diamond entered a platform that took her to a higher level of the library.
Pearl looked up, awaiting his orders.
"You're familiar with this place?" Naruto inquired.
"Yes, Red Diamond," she replied. "Anything in particular you wish to locate?"
Naruto stroked his chin in thought. There was something he wanted to find: more information on the human zoo. But first, "Show me what this place has to offer before I start searching for anything."
"As you wish," Pearl said respectfully.
She took him on a minor tour. They walked through many sections of the library, and she pointed out everything she could—from literature sections, to war documentaries. They also moved to various other rooms containing historical information.
Finding something that piqued his interest, he paused at the data-stone before picking it up and reading the contents contained within.
It was a small, abbreviated history of Era-One.
Browsing through, he learned that Yellow had been made before Blue, and White originated here on Homeworld many, many millennia ago. He even found images of ancient Homeworld, taken from space. Back then, the planet was still whole—not broken into three sections.
They then moved on to another portion of the library.
Beside him, Pearl walked silently.
"Hey," he suddenly said, pausing. The petite gem froze and looked up. "Is there something you want to get? I noticed you looking around, even more than I am."
"N-no," she quickly answered. "My task is to aid you, and that's all that matters. Not me."
Naruto chuckled. "Of course what you want matters, Pearl." He stooped down and carefully picked her up, surprising the smaller gem. He placed her on his shoulder. "Come on, let's both look for something we want."
Pearl's features grew uncertain. She gently sat on his shoulder and looked to him.
"B-but, I can't. My Diamond didn't instruct me to find something for myself."
"That doesn't mean you can't though," he replied. "She didn't say you shouldn't get something, did she?"
"I… suppose she didn't," Pearl admitted. "Still, what I want… it's a bit ridiculous."
"Enlighten me," Naruto said.
"W-well, I… I want to learn how to take better pictures," Yellow Pearl answered nervously. It was stupid, she knew. But it was still a desire of hers. Something she really wanted to study.
"That's not ridiculous at all," Naruto reassured. Pearl's eyes grew wide. "Let's find data-stones about taking pictures."
"O-okay," Pearl said, trying (and failing) to hide her excitement.
Eventually, Naruto found more data-stones to study and so did pearl; instantly, she began devouring the information stored within these pieces of technology. They moved to a private section of the library, accessible only by the most elite of gems. Inside, a luxurious lounge could be found, complete with seats large enough for even White Diamond.
Pearl and Naruto stayed there for a time. While he sat down on a faceted chair, Pearl relaxed on its armrest. Then, syncing his personal screen to the data-stones, Naruto searched for information concerning the humans of the zoo. Their reasons for being selected. As well as any peculiarities they displayed since their isolation from earth. After finding what he wanted, he copied the files before moving on to the next data-stone.
'Nine large energy sources, encased in bedrock, were excavated from earth before initial colonization process began.'
Naruto's eyes narrowed as he read that sentence. Like before, he copied the files, deeming them worthy of further study.
"Red Diamond?" said a familiar voice. Her words were smooth and flowed with ease of a river. "Pardon my intrusion."
Both Naruto and Pearl turned. They were greeted by the sight of Morganite, standing at the entrance of the lounge. She approached his seat with a warm smile. Like before, a Ruby and Pearl followed closely behind. The ruby in question carried dozens of data-stones, struggling to keep them from falling from her grasp.
"Hello, Morganite," Naruto greeted. "We meet again."
"So it would seem." She formed the diamond salute, her regal dress fluttering with the sudden stance. "But seeing as I do run this facility, our meeting again isn't very farfetched. I wanted to offer a tour. However, it seems the pearl has shown you much of what we have to offer."
"She's done a fine job, yes," Naruto commended, to which Pearl smirked proudly.
"If you don't mind me asking," Morganite began politely, "are things in the Library to your liking? Did you have trouble locating anything? Are there ways we can improve? I would really appreciate your opinion."
Naruto looked around, then turned to her. Morganite seemed to melt under his gaze, a shiver running through her. "Everything's fine as far as I can tell. No issues finding what I wanted. Though, I still need information on various subjects. But we'll save that for my next visit."
"Thank you for the feedback," she answered, glad to hear his input. "I look forward to your next visit then, Red Diamond." She bowed and turned to the exit. "Pearl, Ruby. Let's not disturb him any longer."
Both gems hastily turned away, following after their superior. Naruto arched a curious brow when he noticed the proximity of the Pearl and Ruby. Though subtle, it seemed like they were very fond of each other and trying to hide it.
Yellow Pearl scoffed when Morganite was gone.
"She thinks she's so special because she runs this place, but she's not! She's still nothing compared to my Diamond, a-and to you, of course," she proclaimed, crossing her arms.
Naruto chuckled. "I'll keep that in mind," he said before standing up from his seat. "Let's get going. Yellow's probably waiting for us. Save whatever you haven't read."
Pearl hesitated for a moment, glancing at the three data-stones in her possession.
"I… need clearance before I can store the information in my screen," she said sadly.
"Well, you could just ask me, you know?"
Her gaze found her feet. "But you've allowed me to do so much already. I… I didn't want to demand anything else of you."
"Nonsense," Naruto said, scanning his hand over the data-stones she'd been studying. "See, barely took a second."
Even though it was a small gesture, his actions so far had left an impression on her.
It made her feel… noticed.
He actually seemed to care about what she wanted, no matter how ridiculous, and she didn't know whether to be alarmed or grateful. Her diamond was still the best, mind you. But she supposed Red Diamond was pretty great as well.
"Coming, Pearl?" he called, already at the door.
She gathered up the data-stones and rushed to meet him.
Pearl stored the information she needed before returning the data-stones to their rightful place. Afterwards, she led him to where Yellow was staying. At the peak of the pyramid-shaped library, a single room, reserved for only the diamonds, was revealed to him.
He found Yellow Diamond sitting at a circular table—head lowered with frustration. Above her, a three-dimensional projection of the known universe could be seen. Upon the walls of the room, hundreds of scientific formulas and mathematical equations were written, as complex as they were numerous.
"Yellow?"
She straightened in her seat, turning to face him. Her golden eyes seemed defeated, a far cry from the overwhelming confidence they normally held.
"Red," she stated, before returning to her work. "Come in. Sit."
He did as she requested, entering the expansive room. The lights were dimmed, and numerous galaxies floated above and around him, like grains of sand spiraling through the emptiness of space. Despite the sheer number of stellar objects around him, his sharp eyes could pinpoint the exact location of Homeworld's galaxy and even his home galaxy.
He sat down next to her and watched her work. She ran her fingers across a floating screen, inputting specific commands. She applied several complex equations to her work, before running a simulation. Soon after, the holographic universe around them started to move. Billions of celestial bodies began racing away from each other, expanding into the void of space. On Yellow's screen, he could see a timer ticking upward, indicating the number of years that had elapsed.
Eventually, this number reached its peak, then slowed to a halt. Subsequently, the galaxies and stars also stopped moving, eventually burning out and losing all light and luminance.
The end of the universe, billions of years from now, was simulated in a matter of seconds.
Seeing the results of her experiment, Yellow frowned. He watched her silently. He'd never seen her like this, overwhelmed with frustration. She was usually self-assured, calm. But in this moment, he saw a side of her he never thought he would.
"No matter what I do, it never changes," she said quietly, more to herself.
"What never changes?"
"The end of everything, of the universe, of our perfect empire," Yellow explained.
Naruto's eyes broadened a fraction. Finally, he understood.
"Oh. I see. You want to stop it, don't you? You want the universe to persist indefinitely."
Yellow Diamond nodded slowly. For the first time she turned to him.
"Though we live longer than all other creatures, we will also, one day, cease to exist," she explained. "Our gems, our civilization, is powered by the very energy of the universe. And as you know, energy runs out, used up, converted into something… ineffectual. I don't want to lose this great empire we've toiled so hard to created. White told us it was an eternal kingdom, and it is my duty, my desire, to solve the problem of the universe's finite existence. This is my one reason for pressing on, for striving for improvements every day. I have to believe that I can find the right equation, the right solution, to end the aging of the universe."
That… was actually a very commendable dream of hers. Something pure, in a sense, despite the untold millions that lost their lives to the empire. To preserve the universe, what a notion.
"Yellow…" Naruto said softly. "You're being too hard on yourself."
"Am I?" she asked skeptically.
"Yes, you are," he said, chuckling. "I'm not as scientifically inclined as you are, but I know a thing or two about these things. Tell me, how long does the universe have left?"
Yellow rose a brow. That was an easy question. "Billions of years, of course."
"And how long has this empire been in existence?" he continued.
"On a cosmic timeline? Barely a minute," she remarked.
Naruto placed a hand on her shoulder, his fiery gaze meeting her amber orbs.
"Exactly! And look at the advancements that have come out of the empire in such a short time. Isn't it likely, given the amount of time the universe has left, that one day, this problem will be solved?"
She nodded slowly, eyes brightening.
"I suppose you're right."
"Yellow," he said. "You seem to focus too much on the little things, the minute, intricate details. And there's nothing wrong with that. But sometimes we need to step back and look at the bigger picture."
Yellow Diamond turned from him to her screens, pondering his words. Maybe he was right. Maybe she was being too hard on herself.
"And you think I'll find the answer?" she inquired. A moment of vulnerability. She could never hope to hide it.
Naruto grinned. "Of course! You have an amazing mind, Yellow. If anyone can do it, it's you."
The tiniest of smiles found its way to her lips.
"I needed to hear that." Yellow cleared her throat, glancing away. "Thank you… Red."
After the library, they used a warp pad to reach their next destination: Facet Two.
Different from the cityscape of the capital, it was akin to a barren world. Deep canyons defined this part of Homeworld. Numerous worker-class gems went about their business, drilling and excavating portions of rock. Gem injectors moved around like viruses, pumping their substance into Homeworld's mantle. Around him, numerous holes dotted the surrounding area, each marking the birth of a unique gemstone.
A kindergarten, Naruto realized.
Yellow led the way as they stepped off the warp pad and moved on to a designated path. Many gems stared after them as they walked; some of them had never even seen a diamond in person. Ahead, a control station was visible.
A group of peridots came to greet them, forming the diamond salute above their chests. They were Era-One, judging by their height and lack of limb enhancers.
"Oh, stars!" the leader of the group exclaimed. Even surrounded by other Era-One peridots, she still towered over them. She had pointed blond hair and transparent visors. "Yellow Diamond and Red Diamond! What a pleasant surprise. It's an honor to have you here. We were just preparing for the emergence of the last group. Please, if you-"
Yellow raised a palm and the talking ceased. "You're the chief technician of this unit?"
The chief peridot dipped her head. "Yes, my Diamond."
Yellow stroked her chin in thought, glancing at Naruto. "Show us the Peridot and Rutile production reports."
"Right this way," said the Peridot, leading them to the control center of their operation. It was a bit small, but both diamonds didn't have trouble standing in the open area overlooking the Kindergarten below. Dozens of screens surrounded them, displaying charts and graphs.
"Hmm." Yellow Diamond read the files. "And this is the last group of Peridots, correct?"
"Correct," replied the Peridot. "A few are even emerging as we speak."
"Good." She turned to Red, gesturing to the canyon below. "Normally, we don't have to be here in person. However, I want you to see the final process of gem creation."
From their elevated platform, Naruto watched as something amazing began to occur. All over the canyon, flashes of light reached his eyes. Hundreds of them, like twinkling stars, blinking in and out of focus. Each flash was accompanied by a small explosion. With every burst of stone, a new peridot was born, stumbling on their own two feet, experiencing life itself.
He smiled a bit.
Birth, even this type, was beautiful.
Most of the peridots lingered only for a few moments before moving along and clustering together in single file lines. Already, they knew what to do—who they were.
As the flashes died down, Naruto noticed a particular peridot.
She was different, in a sense. As small as most Era-Two's, but unique in the way she carried herself. She did not immediately leave her exit hole. Instead, she took a moment to inspect herself, to inspect her surroundings, and to observe the world she had just been born into.
She quickly snapped out of her stupor at the order of a superior, rushing to catch the rest of her unit. But her efforts were for naught as she tumbled and fell in a comical fashion. So captivating was her fall that nearly all eyes were on her, including Yellow's.
The peridot looked up, catching the gaze of both he and Yellow. She looked so embarrassed.
Naruto offered her a small smile, before focusing energy from his gem into his arm; he instantly generated ethereal limbs, similar to his chakra arms, that extended to the depths to help her out of that small crater.
Soon after, she quickly joined the ranks, disappearing into a wall of identical peridots. A few more flashes occurred, before all was silent.
"Is that the last one?" Yellow questioned the chief technician.
"Yes," replied the Peridot; she looked through her screens for further confirmation.
"Then you will cease all gem production in this facility until further notice," Yellow instructed, surprising the smaller gem. "Dismantle the injectors as well. A battalion of quartzes will be here to remove them by tomorrow. Understood?"
"Y-yes, my Diamond." It seemed the chief technician wanted an explanation, but she was too afraid to ask.
"I expect a detailed report concerning this new batch of gems," the diamond added.
With that, they moved on from the kindergarten, toward the warp pad they had used earlier. Yellow Pearl was just behind them, walking at a brisk pace, hoping to keep up.
"If you were wondering, that was the last production of Era-Two peridots," Yellow explained. "I'm presently working on integrating your gem's information into our injector formulas. Once complete, we'll begin creating new gems—Era-Three gems."
Naruto considered her words as they reached the warp pad. It was only big enough for one diamond at a time.
But before they left, he paused to gaze at the scenery once more, taking note of the millions of holes that permeated the rock formations of Homeworld.
"What was it like?" he suddenly asked. "When you first emerged?"
Yellow looked to him, taken aback by his question. Then she moved to join him. Side by side, they stood beneath the midday sun.
"It was… strange, yet exhilarating, a feeling I can't quite explain," she revealed. "It was just me and White back then. She was the first gem I ever saw. Things were simpler, in a sense. No Blue to make my eyes water. No Pink to constantly watch and discipline." She paused, considering her next words. "But, I wouldn't trade those two for anything in the universe."
"I think I felt the same way when I first opened eyes," he replied, smiling softly.
"But you were alone," Yellow stated. "We should've been there for you."
"I awoke earlier than expected," he said, waving her off. "There's no way you could have known."
"That's true, I suppose." Yellow crossed her arms upon her chest, glancing at him. "Still, to find your way to Homeworld, to us, that's very admirable."
"Thanks, Yellow. It wasn't easy, but I learned so much during my journey."
"I can tell," she admitted. "You're different than Pink, but you still remind me so much of her." She finally moved to the warp-pad, adding, "And I'm... I'm glad that you're here."
They visited a few more places before going off world. They stopped by the Arena in the Capital, then Pink's former palace. It was still being modified to fit his needs, outfitted with modern technology. No longer pink, his new abode burned red, glinting in the afternoon sun. He didn't enter it, not yet. Not until it was finished.
Now, like the day before, he found himself on an arm-ship. This time, with Yellow. He was seated next to her. Pearl was present as well, standing at her diamond's feet. Unbeknownst to Yellow, the petite gem was busy taking pictures of both herself and the larger being above her. Too engrossed in reading reports, she was either unaware or unbothered.
A comfortable silence was upon them, and the melodic hum of the engine, propelling the ship at faster-than-light speeds, was all that could be heard.
Continuing his studies, Naruto finished reading on the gem-type: Lapis Lazuli. Upper-middle class gems. One of the first things he noticed was their beauty. Azure skin like the ocean, long flowing dresses, and wings of water. They were terraformers, used to alter the landscape of any planet with substantial amounts of liquid. What would naturally take millions of years could be done in a matter of months.
Most of them resided in Blue's court, but were he to need them, he had free reign to choose which ones he could utilize.
While reading, he received a message on his screen. A request to speak to him from the zoo. Distance-wise, they were close to Pink's last outpost, making the transmission possible. He accepted the request without a second thought, and he was greeted by the sight of his favorite Jasper.
Skinny's eyes brightened once she saw him. "Sir!" she exclaimed, before lowering her voice. "S-sorry, I've been trying to reach you for a while. Is this a bad time?"
"No, not at all," he said, happy to see her. "I was just thinking of contacting you. How're doing over there? You guys miss me?"
"Of course I do… I-I mean, of course we do," she said quickly, cheeks burning faintly. "But… honestly, it's been wonderful getting to see our old mates. For some reason, I always thought we would never meet again. Still, even now, thousands of years later, it's like we never left them. We're still as close."
"I'm glad to hear that," Naruto said, smiling softly. "I hope you aren't giving Holly a hard time, but knowing you three, especially Carnelian, I'm sure she's suffering."
Skinny laughed a bit. "Actually, things are pretty calm. Surprising, I know. And Carnelian's been busy teaching some combat moves to a few of our mates."
His eyes widened. "Really? I expected Jay to be the one to do that sort of thing."
"I know, right?" Skinny said. "But no, Jay's helping some of them practice meditation. And I'm here trying to learn as much about the zoo as possible. So, our hands are kind of full."
"That's good. Keep yourselves occupied." She took heed of what he said, listening attentively. A moment later, a symbol appeared on the control panel of the ship. He felt a shift in velocity as the craft began to slow.
"We've arrived," said Yellow as she took full control of her ship.
He acknowledged her words and turned to Skinny. "Hey, it looks like I have to go," he said. "Don't stop what you're doing, okay? I'll visit you guys soon."
"Okay, sir," Skinny said, forming the diamond salute. Naruto rolled his eyes with a smile, and she broke out into a laugh.
Once the transmission ended, Yellow turned to him.
"Perhaps it would be best to leave the carnelian and jasper in the zoo, from this point on."
Naruto held her gaze. "Why would I do that?"
"They're defective, off-color," she stated factually. "They could never hope to compete with normal quartzes."
"You'd be surprised," Naruto added in their defense. "They destroyed your Robonoids, didn't they?"
Yellow frowned.
"Nevertheless, they represent the opposite of what our empire stands for."
"I told you and Blue already," he said, calm yet firm. "I'm not ashamed of them. They've proven themselves to me, and in my eyes, they are no different from any other gem of their type."
Yellow glanced away, moving her hands across her screen. "I'm only saying this now before White gets involved. She's not always merciful, not even to us."
"I appreciate that, Yellow," he said. "But if White has an issue with them, that'll be my problem to handle."
"Very well," she said, dropping the issue. For now.
Ahead of them, as the ship slowed, the image of a planet came into view. Naruto leaned forward, eyes glinting with awe. Completely covered in water, this celestial body glowed with aid of its local star. Besides small patches of land, it was utterly submerged, baring an atmosphere thick enough to support life.
"What is this place?" he asked.
Yellow took them in slowly, her ship burning as it penetrated the cloudless sky.
"This is the Reef," she answered. "Here, you will receive your pearl."
Outside, a clam-shaped facility defined their destination. Yellow landed her ship a distance away. Around them, other gem space craft could be seen, docked in the same area. Waves lashed at the shore, splashing up the landmass that housed the Reef. The spray of the blue sea, the feel of a cool breeze—Naruto couldn't help but enjoy it, crimson mane ruffled by the wind.
He and Yellow departed the ship and headed along a straight path. Ahead, the Reef stood apart, housing an underground structure paramount to the creation of pearls.
Dozens of citrines stood guard as they approached. Quickly noticing them, they saluted and stepped aside, allowing them entry. The double doors opened with hiss, revealing the interior of one of Homeworld's most prized facilities.
Inside, thirty or so gems went about their business. They were of the upper-class, followed closely by docile pearls. From sapphires, to Hessonites, a variety of high-ranking gems could be found. Despite their standing in Homeworld's hierarchy, they were still nothing before the diamonds. The moment he and Yellow stepped through the front doors, all activity halted. The gems stood at attention, forming the diamond salute and displaying immense respect. The sea of gems parted, allowing the larger beings to move through.
Naruto could feel their eyes on him. Aristocratic gems, despite having more access to the diamonds, still found themselves fortunate to even be in the presence of one.
"I wonder if I'll ever get used to this," he whispered to Yellow.
Her lips twitched upward. "You will, eventually," she reassured. "They can't help themselves. We do look quite regal, after all."
Naruto chuckled at her words as they finally reached the middle of the lobby.
"Alright, place your hand on the scanner," Yellow instructed.
In the center, Naruto put his palm on an elevated device. Reading his gem's information, the lobby was suddenly bathed in crimson light. Not a harsh crimson, but a warm, inviting hue of red.
"Welcome, Red Diamond. I am Shell," said a voice from above. "I will be your guide to the reef."
"Hello, shell," Naruto greeted. "It seems I'm here for a Pearl."
"Yes, I was informed of this earlier. Please, right this way."
On the floor, light illuminated a path forward. Ahead, a set of doors opened for him, and a great room of scientific wonder lay before them. Naruto moved forward, entering. Within, dozens of transparent cylindrical containers housed spherical gems. They were pearls, and they hadn't yet taken form. Their unblemished gems floated in these containers, recently created, and stored for future selection.
"They're already made?" Naruto asked, looking around.
Arms crossed, Yellow followed him inside. "Yes. Pearls are created in a different manner than other gems. Instead of taking form when they first emerge, they remain dormant, inactive, ready to be given the proper appearance and behavior, one resembling their future owner."
Dormant?
Naruto pondered her words, not completely convinced this was the case. Though they radiated less energy than an active gem, Naruto could still glean a distinct feel from each Pearl. Around him, despite being in stasis, despite not ever having taken form, these gems were still unique. It was subtle, but their individuality was still there.
Behind them, Yellow Pearl gazed everywhere she could, a sense of nostalgia rushing through her. At one point, she had been one of these Pearls; how fortunate it was to have been given to a Diamond. She counted herself blessed, just as Red Diamond's future pearl would as well.
"Welcome to the selection chamber, Red Diamond," Shell said, smooth, robotic voice echoing around them. "Stand on the scanner to begin the process."
He did as directed, moving to an area in the middle of the room. He stood on a flat, circular device that began to read the information on his gem.
"Scanning in progress." A few moments passed. "Scanning complete."
He stepped away from the circular device and back to where Yellow was waiting for him.
"I will now select the most pristine pearl from our display," Shell said.
"Wait," Naruto interrupted.
"Is there a problem, Red Diamond? Are my actions not to your liking?"
"No, Shell. You're doing fine," he said, stroking his chin. "I appreciate the help, but I'll be the one to choose my Pearl."
"Though this is not advisable, proceed as you wish, Red Diamond."
Yellow tilted her head, arms still crossed. "What are you doing?"
"Sleuthing," Naruto said lightheartedly, before turning and pacing. He passed by each pearl's container, sensing, feeling for something… different. Yellow watched him curiously, as did her Pearl.
It didn't take long for him to pause at a particular Pearl. His choice seemed random to anybody else, but to him, he could tell that this was the one he wanted. Though dormant, she still affected the environment around her in a way only he, and perhaps Blue, could sense. She wasn't the most perfect pearl on display, but there was a certain spark to her.
"This is it," he announced. "She's the one."
"Are you certain about this decision, Red Diamond?" Shell inquired, ready to continue the process.
"Absolutely."
"Very well. Now selecting pearl, serial number: 0203991."
The container of the gem he'd picked slowly sank into the ground, taken by Shell to an underground portion of the facility.
"Now integrating Red Diamond gemetic information with Pearl 0203991, and finalizing behavioral protocols," Shell continued. "This process normally takes some time. Do you wish to wait?"
"No," said Yellow. "We'll be leaving. Send us an alert when the pearl is ready."
"Are you in agreement, Red Diamond?"
"Sure," he said, hands clasped behind his head.
"Very well. An alert will be sent once Pearl 0203991 is ready for use. Thank you for your time, Red Diamond, Yellow Diamond. Please, come again."
Since the Galaxy Warp was being updated by a unit of Peridots, they had needed to use her ship to get to the reef. A minor inconvenience, sure, but she still enjoyed traveling with him—though, she wouldn't admit it. Not to Blue, at least. Because if she did, Blue would never let her hear the end of it.
Now, back on Homeworld, they headed to Blue's palace, walking side-by-side. She felt her arm brush against his own, and a wave of warmth rushed through her. It felt nice.
While Blue's aura was a crashing wave of emotion, his was like a calm, yet powerful river, coursing through his being, gently touching all that surrounded him. Conversely, White's energy was an unrelenting light, piercing everything without discrimination.
"So, the key to beating Blue is to anticipate her next three moves, to stay a number of steps ahead," Yellow explained, referring to the strategy game. "She's very good in the initial phases of the match, but with time, I always gain the upper hand."
"I see," Naruto said. "But what about you?"
"Me?" she asked.
"What's the best way to beat you?"
She laughed, shaking her head. "I'm not going to tell you that. You have to figure it out for yourself."
"So that means you'll play against me?" he asked, throwing an arm around her shoulder.
Yellow stiffened at first, then relaxed into his touch. "I didn't say that," she replied.
Ahead, Blue's extraction chamber was before them. Like yesterday, all three of them would be in her pool.
"Hey, Yellow?"
She arched a brow. "Yes?"
"Thanks for showing me all that you did today," he said, grinning. "I had fun."
Stopping at the base of the stairs, his arm still around her, Yellow agreed. "I… enjoyed it as well. Perhaps I did need a day to take mind off of some of my work."
They were early, apparently, because Blue was just arriving, her pearl following closely behind. Noticing them, Blue broke out into a smile. And seeing their proximity as well, her smile shifted into a sly, knowing one. Yellow quickly crossed her arms, staring down the azure diamond.
"What is it, Blue?"
"Oh, nothing," she said innocently, arms behind her back. "You two certainly seem like you had a good time."
"We did," Naruto announced, pulling Yellow closer, before finally letting her go.
"You went to the Reef, correct?" Blue asked. Naruto nodded. "Lovely. Your pearl will be very honored when she finally meets you."
"Come on, Blue," said Yellow, cutting her short. "Let's start."
She smirked, grabbing Yellow by the arm. "Of course, Yellow."
As the two of them moved toward the entrance, Naruto noticed Blue Pearl, standing just behind him. He reached down to tousle her light-blue locks.
"I got the drawings," he said. "Thank you, Pearl."
She looked at her feet, a small smile on her face, even as he turned and ascended the stairs to the extraction chamber.
Beside her, Yellow Pearl watched him closely.
"He's… very interesting," she said quietly, so only her fellow pearl could hear.
Behind her bangs, Blue pearl's eyes were bright. Her cheeks, even brighter.
"Yes, he is."
Blue and Yellow were already in the pool by the time he arrived, chatting idly about work and the state of the empire. Blue gently brushed through her hair with a comb that had a face and mouth and a voice. Considering all that he had seen so far, Naruto found this to be one of the most intriguing.
Nodding to the Topaz guards at the entrance, he made his way in. Tubes covered the surrounding area, siphoning the aura of both Blue and Yellow, feeding it to another section of the palace. The experience yesterday hadn't been bad—not exactly. Just different. Something he needed to grow accustomed to. After his first extraction, he realized that if he just relaxed, the feeling of having a portion of his power drained wasn't unpleasant and could almost be therapeutic.
Walking up another flight of stairs, he arrived at the edge of the pool. Yellow was on her screen. Though, she was still attentive to what Blue had been discussing. Blue beamed once she saw him, beckoning him with a hand.
"Come on, get in," she called.
Feeling more emboldened than yesterday, Naruto removed his armor and breastplate with a thought. Beneath his appearance modifiers lay a sculpted body—similar to the one he'd had as a human.
Blue's eyes widened a fraction at the change, diamond-shaped pupils dilating. Against her better judgement, she could not stop looking at him. Even Yellow had turned from her screen, somewhat surprised by his new, armor-less appearance.
He was unique in a sense, because no one, not even the largest quartzes, or the bulkiest Topazes possessed such a distinct, defined physique. It was new to them, and quite magnetic, drawing their eyes from his face to… other aspects of his body.
Before anyone could say a thing, he was already in the pool, diving in and splashing both Blue and Yellow.
Broken from the spell, Yellow attempted to keep her screen from getting wet while Blue laughed at her expense. Growling, Yellow sent a wave her way, soaking the azure diamond more than ever.
This didn't annoy Blue, however. Quite the opposite. She giggled all the more, throwing wave after wave toward her fellow diamond. Yellow reciprocated, splashing Blue as well.
This continued for a time, until both diamonds finally stopped.
"Wait," remarked Yellow.
"Where's Red?" asked blue.
As though on cue, his hands burst from the depths of the pool, latching onto both of their arms. With a mighty tug, he pulled them under with a grin.
Taken by surprise, they were completely submerged and soaked.
It was a rare moment, a brief respite from all the work the diamonds had to face on a daily basis. Only here, in the privacy of Blue's pool could they let loose and release any pent-up frustrations they had. However, even so, when Pink was still on Homeworld, she had never mustered the courage to submerge both Blue and Yellow. That was a feat only Red Diamond had accomplished.
And surprisingly, they didn't seem to mind his actions—because it reminded them of Era-One, when things had simpler.
Eventually, the splashing ceased, and all three of them settled in. It was silent, yet comfortable. Yellow went back to looking through her screen. Blue continued to comb her beautiful locks. Naruto was between them, wading at the edge, feeling a portion of his power leave his body with every passing second, where it would be used for the creation of the next generation of gems.
The pearls were close by, arms clasped behind their backs.
All in all, things were pleasant.
Peaceful.
At least—until she came in.
Naruto looked up as White's pearl approached them. Her expression was blank, devoid of emotion. She moved efficiently, and each step she took had a purpose behind them, predetermined by White Diamond's will.
"Red Diamond," spoke the pearl.
Everyone turned, her arrival shattering the calmness of moments ago.
"White Diamond has a message for you."
Naruto arched a brow.
"A message?"
"Yes, indeed. To solidify your standing in the authority, your very own ship will be presented to you during the cosmic jubilee."
The pearl's gem began to glow, shooting a projection from her chest.
And it showed the image of a massive ship, being constructed on one of White Diamond's colonies.
End.
A picture of Naruto's ship can be found on my deviantart account: Blackstar-eternal! Check it out!
Wow, it's been quite the year for all of us, hasn't it? Oh, how quickly the world can change. I truly hope everyone is doing well in these peculiar, uncertain times.
And thanks for all the PMs, you guys! You really gave me the motivation to continue this story. I'll be honest, I wasn't satisfied with the way Steven Universe ended, at all. I still love this show. But since "Change your mind", I felt that the show really lost its way in a sense. White Diamond, in my opinion, was handled poorly, and to a certain extent, Yellow Diamond was as well. Blue Diamond, I felt, had a somewhat believable redemption, but things still felt a bit rushed. And the ending of Future was… very unsatisfying, to say the least. I mean, a giant pink, monster Steven being saved because everyone was crying and hugging him? Surely, there was a better way to end the show!
All right, rant over. I truly still hold this show in high regard, and in my opinion, it's one of the best cartoons of the decade. Thus, I will be continuing this story for all those still interested.
A/N II
Anyways, as promised, Yellow Diamond spends some time with Naruto! She is my favorite Diamond, after all, and it was so fun writing her.
While it's stated in the show that gems don't die of aging, it's implied by Sapphire and also one of the show creators (Ian Jq) that gems don't necessarily persist for an eternity. In the episode "Reunited", Sapphire states: "my future used to look like one single, obvious stream, unbending 'til the end of time." This can mean many things, but what it most likely points to is her future vision being unable to see past the end of time, or in other words, the end of the universe, when stars no longer burn and all the usable energy of the universe is gone. All living things, even gems, need energy to survive. And being a sci-fi nerd, this idea was so interesting, it just had to be explored, leading to Yellow Diamond's "dream" of an eternal gem empire—more on that later.
We're not shown the explicit process of pearl creation, but we gotta use a little imagination!
Well, this was certainly a long author's note. Thanks for reading. The next chapter will be a bit more action-packed.
I appreciate you guys.
Please, stay safe.