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Eternal Radiance
Chapter V: The Hive
After his mission to the land of Waves, she took him on a trip. Something to clear his head after all he had experienced.
To his young mind, it was the most incredible thing he had ever seen. Inside her ship for the first time, a blue planet was before him. It glowed beautifully, glinting against the blackness of space. A supercontinent containing the great nations stood against oceans of blue, housing all of humanity.
"This is… incredible," Naruto breathed. He sat upon her shoulder, leaned against her neck.
She smiled, looking past transparent metal.
"It is," White said warmly. "I promised to show you the stars, didn't I?"
"You did," Naruto beamed. He gazed ahead, into the void of space. "On earth, everything's so big, so important. But looking at things from here, it all seems to disappear. All the fighting. All the conflict. All the death."
"You wish for a peaceful world?" White inquired.
"I think so. I mean—that's better than constant fighting, right?"
"Indeed," she affirmed. "In fact… I desire a similar thing, Naruto."
"You do?" he asked.
She nodded once. Her eyes began to glow, piercing into his very soul. He shivered beneath her gaze, for he was bare before her—exposed. With a wave of her hand, her ship turned away from earth, to where he could now see a beautiful universe filled with shimmering stars and spiraling galaxies.
"I will shine my light upon all things, extinguishing imperfection for eternity. And you will be a witness to it, my Maelstrom. To the Universe I create."
A rocky planet approached with every passing second.
The void of space was before her, and it was a familiar sight. So familiar, that it almost felt like home.
She found herself on a ship most of the time, traveling to and fro. Wherever Yellow Diamond deemed necessary, she would be there.
Endless missions. Countless assignments. This was her reality. But she didn't hate it, though. She enjoyed the fact that she was needed, that she was known by the upper echelons of Homeworld, despite being a quartz soldier.
Still, as she gazed upon this planet, unbidden thoughts filled her mind.
Thoughts of earth.
What was meant to be her colony—her home, somewhere she could be proud of—had devolved into a state of war and chaos, ending with the shattering of her diamond.
She still burned at the thought. And the very fact of being unable to protect her creator left her feeling… like a failure.
She was strong. She was the best. The ultimate quartz. She emerged remarkable, in spite of the garbage that surrounded her. She beat the odds, hit the mark. But deep down, far deeper than even she knew—
Jasper didn't quite like herself.
The roar of an engine reached her senses, snapping the quartz from her stupor. She frowned, seated at the captain's seat. Around her shoulders was a high-collared cape. Brown in hue, it barely concealed her powerful arms—arms that could crush any foe into dust. Beautiful hair spilled past her neck, beige locks glinting against the lights above. Her gem, squarely upon her face, stood hard and proud, unbroken for thousands of years.
"Careful," she growled.
The pilot, a lone Nephrite, stiffened.
"S-sorry, Jasper."
She ignored the reply, resting her cheek against her fist.
Bored.
She was very bored.
She retrieved a screen and tried to read its contents once more. Her brows twitched, not liking the length of this report. She was a soldier, not a damn Peridot. She didn't care about the intricacies of her next mission, not really. Give her an order, something fight, not a book to read.
Mining Colony, she read, skimming through the pages. Promising mineral deposits… plagued by increasing attacks? she rose a curious brow, continuing. Aggressive organic creatures…
Oh?
Her eyes narrowed with budding anticipation.
She had been on duty for several months now, stationed at the furthest reaches of the third galaxy. Things had been uneventful, and she missed the taste of battle. But looking at things now, it seemed like this mission would be a promising one.
Jasper clenched her fists as they penetrated the upper atmosphere. The Nephrite took them through dense clouds at hypersonic speeds, slowing the spacecraft as a tower came into view. Surrounded by walls, this mining station shined brightly, possessing a golden color that mirrored the diamond that owned it. The facility itself was massive, spanning hundreds of meters, and numerous gems went to work, drilling and excavating. With weapons drawn, thousands of quartz soldiers and numerous rubies squads stood guard, both on top and outside the walls.
She whistled at the sight. This must be important, then. All these soldiers stationed here, and on a mining colony, no less. She wondered what sort of minerals were being pulled from the ground. She shrugged. That was none of her concern. She was here to fight. She was here to prove her worth once again.
The ship landed at a hangar.
She stood, cape flowing to her waist. The Nephrite glanced away as she walked off the ship, flinching with every step the soldier took—steps that made the small craft tremble.
Outside, the activity was relentless. Dozens of green warships landed, offloading hundreds of soldiers before soaring away: presumably, to gather more soldiers. There was an air of urgency among the gathered gems, an urgency she had not seen in months.
A familiar yellow Agate was there to meet her, flanked by three citrines. Jasper towered over all of them, even the Agate.
"Jasper," greeted the gem. She too wore a cloak. Her golden hair was short, a faceted stone glinting upon her forehead.
"Agate." She formed the diamond salute. Though she was certain she could beat this gem into the dirt, Jasper still acknowledged her rank and showed the utmost respect. "I'm surprised you came in person to meet me."
The citrines, she noticed, were staring at her. Awed, yet nervous.
"We've been through many campaigns together, Jasper," Agate stated, arms clasped behind her back. "There's no need to act like strangers. Now, come. We have much to discuss."
She dismissed the citrines with a wave of her hand. Jasper fell into step with her, and they traversed the lengthy halls of this facility. Soldiers marched in single file lines, entering and leaving through various doors. They all had their weapons drawn. The majority of them were citrines, but she saw a number of Onyx and Amethyst gems, even a handful of Jaspers.
As they moved, many eyes were upon her. Jasper could feel them. They knew who she was. Most quartz gems did. Only a few warriors could hold their own against her. And she was an asset, a force that could turn the tides of any battle.
Around them, the station appeared damaged. Large portions of the walls were missing, and circuity and wires sparked incessantly. A number of technicians were hard at work, scrambling to fix the destruction that defined this mining colony.
They were silent for a time, before Agate finally spoke.
"You've read the reports?"
"For the most part." Jasper shrugged. "I received the notification to come here not too long ago."
"Then you're somewhat aware of the situation," her superior said, a grim expression crossing her features. They entered an elevator, which took them to the highest level of the facility—to the control room. Atop the tower, the entire station was visible. Agate moved to a window, placed a hand against the reinforced glass. "These organics have been relentless," she hissed. "We've lost many soldiers while trying to preserve this outpost. It's important to Yellow Diamond, you see. And my very reputation is at stake here…"
Jasper crossed her powerful arms. "I understand, Agate. We wouldn't want to tarnish your pristine record, now would we?" she taunted lightly. Politics of the higher-class gems. Jasper could never wrap her head around it. So, she didn't try to. Instead, she moved to stand beside the gem in charge. "Alright, then. Tell me exactly what we're facing."
Homeworld: Yellow's Palace
Naruto leaned back against his chair, crimson eyes focused on a screen. Or perhaps, a better description would be, multiple screens.
Surrounding him were dozens of clones. They read through the remaining files he'd been assigned. His replicas were smaller and seated in various parts of Yellow Diamond's personal study. It was a beautiful room, he noticed. Many shelves housed even more data stones, and powerful quantum computers were mounted upon the golden walls.
Thankfully, Yellow trusted him enough to leave one of her private rooms open. And just like he had done with Blue, he spent the night with her. They talked until morning came—about topics of every kind. Though she was more serious than their fellow azure diamond, Naruto found that he enjoyed his time with Yellow. She was incredibly smart, and her theories and concepts had rattled his mind as she spoke.
Her eyes had been bright while she explained her scientific discoveries, and he knew she was glad that someone was actually willing to listen to her ramble through the night. He found himself smiling as she spoke, even as the sun rose in the distance.
She left hours ago, beginning her day early.
And here, left to his own devices, he concluded everything that was left to know about gem types. The document had contained tens of thousands of lengthy, detailed pages, but he had finished it in a matter of days.
Now, he was creating plans for the future.
Naruto stroked his chin. Utilizing Yellow's computers, he rendered a detailed map of Homeworld's galaxies. His eyes roamed the direction of expansion, and a thoughtful hum escaped his lips.
As I thought, Naruto mused. Homeworld expanded exponentially. Like a stone formed ripples in a pond, so did the empire extend its reach across the universe. They did not veer off in random directions. Their conquest was orderly, uniform, and predictable. This meant he had some options concerning the fate of the empire.
His primary goal was to change Homeworld society from within, as much as he could. This was plan [A], and he hoped gemkind would be receptive.
Worst case scenario, if all else failed, he would need to turn against the empire, halting their ceaseless expansion and destruction of organic life. Now—this wasn't to say that he believed all organic life was innocent. Certainly not. He had killed and would not hesitate to kill anyone who anyone who threatened the lives of the innocent.
However, at the moment, he was too "weak" to alter the empire by force. As powerful as he was, he could never hope to defeat billions upon billions of gems on his own. Not yet, at least. So, plan [A] was in action: changing the empire from within.
If he failed, then…
Naruto grimaced. He didn't want to think about plan [B]. The very plan that involved him fighting Blue, Yellow, and White for the survival of life in the universe. Such a thought pained him, even though he hadn't been here for long. The innate bond between diamonds was a strong one. He was beginning to care so deeply for Yellow and Blue.
And White?
Well—he had always loved her.
She was the first person that ever believed in him. The first person to ever accept him without judgement. And despite what she did at the end of the shinobi war, he knew that he would never stop loving her.
Lost in thought, he didn't notice as Yellow Diamond walked in. Holding a file, she paused for a moment, brows rising with intrigue.
Her study, it seemed, had been overrun by multiple, smaller replicas of Red Diamond. They sat at every corner of the room, vigilantly reading the contents within their screens.
What an… interesting ability, Yellow thought, analytical mind contemplating the uses of such a power.
Her gaze soon found the original. Seated at one of her desks, he was engrossed in his work. His handsome features were intent, focused. He did not appear to notice her arrival. So she drew closer, looming over him with a hand on her hip.
"You're still here?" Yellow inquired. He looked up, smiling as he saw her. And she found herself growing fond of that bright, beautiful smile of his—though, she would never admit it. "I thought Blue wanted to see you."
He rubbed his crimson mane, chuckling. "That's right. Guess I got a little carried away." A moment later, his clones began to disappear, leaving plumes of red smoke behind. All the knowledge they had absorbed instantly filled his mind, a rush of useful information. "Well, at least I'm finished with all the files I'm supposed read."
"Already?" Yellow said, eyes widening.
Yes, he was certainly different from Pink.
Naruto nodded, then asked: "What about the briefing?"
"It will begin shortly. I only came back to check on something first." Yellow walked to the back of her study. She pressed a keypad, then retrieved a number of items from a concealed compartment.
"I still want you to sit in on this meeting, Red," she continued. "You'll be conducting briefing with your gems in the future, so it's best if you see what they entail."
"I'll be there," Naruto promised. He closed the maps he had been observing. Yellow returned to him and summoned an item from her gemstone.
"Here, I want you to have this." She handed something to him. "I'll see you soon."
Naruto inspected the device, studying its compact design.
A diamond communicator—a direct line to any member of the authority. It glinted in his palm as Yellow left her study, heeled shoes echoing through the beautiful room.
"Let's review this once more," Blue instructed, waving a single hand. An image of a terrestrial planet came to life, projected from a nearby device. "The canyons must be carved to a depth of thirty units. Remove as much of the crust as possible, but refrain from interfering with the upper mantle. Every wall should be uniform, symmetrical on all sides, and smoothed to the highest degree."
Two Lapis gems nodded. One had a screen, taking detailed notes as Blue Diamond provided orders for their next project. For them, it was always a delight to be called upon for such tasks. Just the thought of carving through layers of bedrock, slicing mountains, and shaping planets to the will of their leader made them giddy with excitement.
They were a team, an inseparable pair. Since their emergence, they had always been together. They awoke at the same time, and they'd never been apart. Considered some of the best terraformers in the empire, they strived to maintain this image, completing tasks in half the time.
Lapis glanced at her kindergarten mate, smiling softly. Her mate's delicate face scrunched with focus as she listened to Blue Diamond's words. She had always been the smarter, studious one. More abrasive, too.
They were in a large garden, surrounded by flowers of every kind. A great dome covered the diverse flora, providing heat and sunlight to each budding plant. It was Pink Diamond's garden, Lapis recalled. Even after all these years, her diamond saw to it that it was well-kept and tended to.
This place always fascinated her—because nowhere else on Homeworld looked like it. Outside the dome, no vegetation remained. Even before Lapis was created, plant life had been extinct for eons, covered by cities and megastructures across the planet.
A warp pad suddenly came to life, lighting up the garden.
Red diamond appeared in a flash, slowly stepping on the soft grass. Her eyes widened. Though he was a distance away, the plants seemed to lengthen and turn in his direction. As he drew closer, flowers began to bloom and sprout. Leaves swayed and plants shuddered, reacting to his very presence, growing and maturing in a matter of seconds.
Whoa, Lapis thought.
She hadn't seen him in person yet.
But looking at him now, she was amazed by how different he was from other gems. His physical form alone was unique, and she found herself unable to look away, even as he slowly approached them.
Blue Pearl greeted him with a bow and salute.
Lapis nudged her mate, gaining her attention. Then they both mirrored the pearl's actions.
"Good afternoon, Pearl. And hello, you two," Red Diamond greeted, regarding them as though they were the most important gems on the planet.
Her freckled cheeks flushed a darker shade of blue, and Lapis stammered out a greeting.
Blue Diamond paused her instructions and turned to face him. Her smile was bright, and her eyes were warm. "Stay here while I speak with Red," she spoke. And they nodded, with Lapis still entranced by the newest member of the Diamond Authority.
Blue took him through the garden. It was quite large, even to them, spanning many meters. Plant life of every variety could be seen, from sturdy trees, to gentle little flowers.
Naruto crossed his arms, glancing back.
"Lapis Lazuli?" he said. "You're planning something big, huh?"
"You could say that," she replied, clasping her hands in front of her dress. "I've neglected my duties for far too long." She paused at a massive, beautiful tree, blooming with purple leaves. "Yellow has been doing so much, while I stood idly by. Well—no more. I'm ready to begin playing my part once again."
Naruto moved closer. He plucked a leaf from the giant tree.
"And you've found a new planet?"
"Yes," she answered. "I've had my gaze on it for some time now."
"Any life?" he asked casually.
"Primitive life, yes," Blue replied, a curious glint in her eyes. "More primitive than those humans in the zoo, that is."
Naruto held her gaze, and he grasped the leaf in his hand.
"Isn't this place beautiful?" he queried.
"I must admit, it's very pleasing to the eye." She paused. "It belonged to Pink."
"Of course, it did." He smiled gently. "I see why Pink created this place. Organic life, though different from us, can be so breathtaking."
Blue didn't respond, wondering what he was getting at.
Be patient, Naruto thought. He wouldn't repeat the same mistakes Rose did. She'd been too emotional, too impulsive, and utterly foolish when opposing Homeworld's rigid ideals.
He had to be smart about this. He had to remember that he couldn't save everyone.
"The renovations are almost finished," he began, changing the subject. "Pink's palace will officially be mine soon."
"I'm happy for you," said Blue. She gazed upon the large tree with a soft smile. "So don't complain when I stop by unexpectedly. And you better have something planned for whenever I'm in your palace."
Your palace. Not Pink's.
Naruto chuckled. "Please, I would never turn you away, Blue. We can have a rematch when everything's ready. I'm confident I'll win this time."
"Is that so?" she teased, recalling the amount of times she had beaten him at Homeworld's most popular strategy game. "Well, I look forward to seeing you try."
They stood side-by-side, nearly shoulder to shoulder.
She liked standing next to him, Blue realized. There was just something special about having another member of the authority be as tall as her. They could look each other in the eyes, and she felt as though she could speak freely with him, just like with Yellow.
And just like with White… before the rebellion. Before she entered her head.
"Red…" Blue began quietly. "You and White…" She hesitated for a time. "Have you met each other before?"
Taken by surprise, he stiffened unconsciously.
"Why do you ask?"
Blue sighed, brushing a strand of silky hair from her face.
"Well, ever since you arrived, she's been… more active. She's made more appearances in just a few days than in the last two thousand years. And I have to wonder—" Blue paused, glancing away. "Sorry, what am I saying? I shouldn't be thinking such thoughts. There's no possible way that you knew her before coming to Homeworld. White's… obviously happy to have you here, just like we all are."
Naruto suddenly seemed wistful.
"Actually, Blue…" He turned to the sky. "You're right," Naruto admitted. "I've known White for a long time. Before I arrived on Homeworld, I knew her. Even before the Rebellion, I knew her."
Her beautiful eyes broadened, perplexed by his revelation.
"How is that possible?"
An image flashed before his eyes—of him, of Sasuke, arms destroyed by their final clash, a sword through his stomach, and of White Diamond's ship, looming over them, casting an eerie shadow.
"I…" Naruto started. "I won't tell you the whole story right now. It's very complicated, to say the least. But I promise, Blue. One day, I will explain everything—to you, and to Yellow."
He looked so serious, more so than usual, as though remembering something between him and White. She didn't know what to think, what to feel. But she decided to leave it at that. She decided to pry no further, and they continued through the garden, discussing whatever else came to mind.
Instead of using a warp pad, he flew across the planet once more—just like he'd done when he first arrived on Homeworld. He was a blur, an image of speed few beings could perceive. He crossed vast canyons and great cities in an instant. And like that day, he extended his senses far and wide, reaching every corner of this fractured globe. But he felt nothing, no traces of them, no clues of their whereabouts.
They're not here, then, he concluded, putting that issue to rest.
Naruto arrived at the capital in minutes, having traveled from Facet-XI (where the equator was located). He slowed his speed and descended from above.
To his right, White Diamond's ship shined like a star.
He could feel her eyes on him. Those all-seeing seeing eyes. She watched him from afar, planning, plotting, executing.
And he wondered, despite himself, what would happen if he painted her ship orange.
He chuckled at the thought.
Pranking White.
He would make it happen, someday.
Naruto landed softly, just in front of his palace. No longer pink, it was a vivid red. The sound of construction, though present, was not as apparent as earlier. He moved across a lengthy, crimson bridge until he reached the entrance. It was much wider than before, taking into account the size difference between him and Pink Diamond.
Entering, he was greeted by the sight of two dozen Bismuths, hard at work, putting the finishing touches on his new abode.
The moment he stepped through, they all ceased their activity and formed the diamond salute.
He waved them off, allowing them to return to their work. For a time, he inspected the interior and was impressed by the meticulousness of these gems. Few things could match the sheer symmetry and architectural prowess that went into this project.
He almost felt guilty, considering that this was Rose's palace. But he shook that thought away. She chose to leave. She abandoned everything, opting to live on earth forever. This place was no longer hers, because she had left it all behind.
He beckoned a Bismuth to him. She was the leader of the team, directing her fellow gems. She turned and instantly came to him, arm still transformed into a hammer. A blue screen with architectural plans was in her other hand.
"You wanted to see me, Red Diamond," she said, dipping her head.
Naruto glanced around, arms crossed. "I just want to say that you've done an amazing job here," he explained. "All of you have. And I appreciate the hard work you put in."
Eyes widening, she rubbed her multi-colored hair. "N-no, Red Diamond. It was an honor doing this for you. We're just happy we could be a part of this historic project."
"I still appreciate it." Naruto glanced about once more. For a moment, he saw tiny gray gems peeking out from behind a crimson pillar. Pebbles, similar to Blue's singing comb. They made eye contact, before the small gems shyly scurried away. He turned back to the Bismuth. "How much longer until everything is complete?"
"Not much longer, Red Diamond," the Bismuth replied. "We're practically finished, actually."
Naruto stroked his chin. "In that case, I have a request," he said, and she nodded, eager to hear him out. Though she had a blue diamond insignia on her chest, she was still willing, and ready, for any orders. "There is a small assignment I want completed, and I only need about half of you. Considering what you did with this palace, it shouldn't take you more than a few hours, a day at most."
"If it's what you desire, then yes, I'm willing to get this new project done," she said, itching to do some building. "When do we start?"
"As soon as possible." He summoned a screen. Having already written the instructions earlier, he transferred them to her device. He then typed out a request for a ship to transport them to the zoo. "A ship will be here to take you. All the information you need is in the file I sent. You'll do great, I know it." He turned to leave, adding, "And thank you."
"You're… you're welcome," she whispered, surprised by those simple words. She gazed at the instructions he'd sent her. Instructions for renovating Pink Diamond's human zoo.
Yellow Diamond's palace
Situation room
Late.
He was very late.
Her eyes scanned the gathered gems, taking them in with a sharp gaze. They were mostly Emeralds and Hessonites, a handful of Agates, and one Morganite. These were some of the highest-ranking gems in her court. They sat below her at a diamond-shaped table, each holding a screen and listening intently to the progress reports.
Yellow sat upon a golden chair, on a higher platform, her leg crossed. Next to her, a red seat of equal size was visible—but empty.
She wasn't angry, though. Not quite. While she was tasked with orienting him to Homeworld, Blue also shared the same responsibility. So, maybe he was late because Blue had a pressing issue to discuss. Maybe Blue was even teaching him about other aspects of their culture that she might have missed.
Or perhaps…
Perhaps he preferred spending time with Blue, rather than with her.
Yellow frowned, dismissing such a petty, ridiculous thought.
And as she did, he finally arrived.
The massive doors slid open. Red stepped in, crimson armor glinting radiantly. He immediately turned to her, an apologetic look in his eyes.
All the gems stood the moment he entered, forming the diamond salute.
"Nice of you to join us, Red," Yellow said, as she gestured to the seat next to her.
"It's good to be here." He moved closer and sat down. Below him, Yellow Pearl was busy typing notes.
Naruto observed the gathered gems, noticing they were of a more militaristic pedigree.
Strangely, though, Morganite was present. She caught his gaze, a pleasant smile on her lips.
"You may continue, Admiral," Yellow announced, and everyone took their seats.
"Certainly, my Diamond. And welcome, Red Diamond," an Emerald replied. She was tall, taller than most. Her gem took the place of her right eye, and she exuded great power and ability. While everyone remained seated, she alone stood, holding a green screen in her hand. "As I was saying, the empire is experiencing a period of unprecedented prosperity." She glanced at her device, reading, "There are more colonies being created at this point than at any other time in history, thanks to the efforts of our luminous Diamond. With a standing army of over a billion soldiers, we stand in a position of dominance none can match. Homeworld, despite its age, continues to produce gems, unlike many other terrestrial planets we've encountered. And lastly, of course, the 305th crystal system is faring well, despite an increase in energy demand and the relative newness of its colonies." She concluded and bowed her head, taking a seat.
This was Emerald, a gem in charge of hundreds of ships across the empire, and one of the most prominent members of gem society. Naruto watched her closely, appraising her from afar.
"Very good, Emerald," said Yellow, leaning back on her throne. "Are there any concerns regarding planetary security?" It was a chance for anyone to speak. Yellow was a hard gem, unyielding at times, but she still respected the input of her subordinates. At least, the highly ranked ones.
"Not at all, my Diamond." It was a Hessonite. She stood and saluted. She was just as imposing as Emerald, a rectangular gem upon her chest. Her amber skin seemed to glow in the golden light. Arrayed in a glittering, high-collared cape, she was the epitome of a Homeworld Elite. "Despite the spread of our forces across the empire, it is an undisputed fact that no enemy of external origin has come within one-hundred thousand light years of Homeworld."
Everyone seemed to nod in agreement.
Naruto crossed his arms, not quite agreeing with her appraisal.
"But that doesn't mean it can't happen," someone said.
They turned to Morganite, who had spoken up. She seemed so out of place, so different from these militaristic gems. But she had been chosen to attend for a reason, and Naruto wondered if it was because of the vast knowledge she possessed.
"Excuse me, Yellow Diamond. If I may speak…"
"Go on," said Yellow.
Morganite stood, coral locks flowing past her shoulders. "Thank you," she supplied. "Now—as you all are aware—I'm no general, or admiral, nor am I a frontline soldier. I lack the many experiences you share, and I accept that. However, I have studied the history of our empire. I have also studied the worlds we conquered—their mistakes, their follies." Her gentle voice rang out, echoing all around. "We are in an age of prosperity, of unparalleled technological advancement. But like the many worlds we've conquered, we must not be lax with our defenses, falsely believing we have reached the pinnacle of our potential. Perhaps there is nothing in this Universe that can stand against the empire, but… such a possibility still exists. And even the smallest possibility must be considered. Therefore, I suggest bolstering Homeworld's defenses, especially in this time of expansion, if only as a precaution."
"Ridiculous!" Hessonite roared. "Are you suggesting that the empire is susceptible to an attack? And from whom?!"
Chatter soon arose, filling the situation room with a chorus of voices.
But Yellow calmly rose a palm, and the noise instantly ceased.
"Let me say something, Yellow," Naruto finally spoke.
She arched a brow, then nodded. All eyes suddenly fell on him. Naruto did not stand, but the simple act of leaning forward caused him to garner the attention of every single gem.
"I'll be brief," he spoke. "The empire is immensely powerful. There is no questioning this fact. But let me offer this perspective. Before I came to Homeworld, I journeyed to many places, further than most Red Eye probes have been programmed traveled. I've seen many things in this vast, living universe. And given the very vastness of the universe, I believe it is logical to conclude that there is a chance that something might pose a threat to Homeworld. So, in this particular case, I agree with Morganite's assessment."
Morganite's eyes widened a fraction, her calm, controlled demeanor suddenly cracking beneath his defense of her. But just as quickly as it left, her persona returned, a sweet smile on her lips.
Yellow Diamond nodded, glancing at her Pearl, prompting her to swiftly type notes.
"Very well, Red. I'll take this into account." Yellow turned her gaze to Hessonite, who had been sending a heated glare at Morganite. "Hessonite, your report."
She complied, standing from her chair, holding an orange screen.
"Weeks ago, a mining colony was formed. And compared to the many terrestrial planets our scouts have recently encountered, this one is unique, as it contains massive mineral deposits essential for the outer plating of our ships." Hessonite turned to another page, continuing, "Excavation promptly began, and the material extracted was far more abundant than our estimates. By our latest projections, my Diamond, at least a thousand warships can be created over the next five months." She paused and frowned. "However, in recent days a series of attacks have occurred. Of the fifteen-thousand quartz soldiers stationed there, five thousand have gone missing, presumably… shattered by native, organic creatures."
The gathered gems seemed surprised by the news, glancing about and whispering amongst themselves.
Was this the situation Yellow Diamond had talked about a few days ago? Naruto leaned closer, interested.
"These creatures are resilient," Hessonite admitted. "They possess a hard, armor-like exoskeleton and many, many limbs. They attack in waves, devouring anything in sight."
She projected images of these so-called creatures, and Naruto's eyes widened.
He had seen these things before! Insect-like in appearance, they did nothing but destroy, wreaking untamed, unspeakable havoc.
He and the trio had once saved a planet crawling with them. However, this event had occurred far, far away from gemkind's territories.
But then, how had these creatures appeared in this part of the universe?
Naruto quickly saved the images unto his personal device, intent on showing them to his team when he returned to the zoo.
"Reinforcements have been deployed, and two new divisions should have arrived hours ago," Hessonite assured, providing an update. "The situation will be under control after one planetary rotation, my Diamond."
Yellow inclined her head, taking in every bit of information. "Make sure the Peridots expedite the Galaxy Warp's construction, Hessonite. And Emerald, I would like a word with you outside," she instructed, concluding. "This meeting is adjourned."
At those words, every gem stood in unison, formed the diamond salute, then began filing out in an orderly fashion.
Finally, only him and Yellow remained.
"This was a very educational experience," he remarked. "Sorry I was a bit late."
"A bit?" Yellow jested, arms crossed.
"Well, I blame Blue for my delay," Naruto said, chuckling. He stood once a notification reached his screen. The Bismuths had already departed, and another ship was waiting for him as well. "I'll be leaving now, Yellow."
She watched him with gentle eyes. In just a few days, he had become more comfortable with the happenings of their society.
She was proud, in a way.
"Before you go," Yellow said, stopping him, "tell me something."
"Hm?"
"Do you believe Homeworld will ever be attacked?" She uncrossed her shapely leg. "I want your honest answer. As commander-in-chief, I must know these things."
It was her role on Homeworld. Commander of the planet's standing army. An incredibly important purpose.
"I don't know," Naruto answered simply, moving toward the double doors. "But there are powerful beings in this Universe, Yellow—beings just as ambitious as you are."
With that, he departed, even as he recalled his battle with that sinister, horned man.
.
Eternal Radiance
.
.
They came when night fell.
Screeching filled the evening sky, and a wave of insect-like killing machines descended on them. The ground vibrated, the air buzzed, and the world shook, reverberating through Yellow Diamond's mining colony.
Jasper's helmet materialized upon her head, ready to smash these things into oblivion. She was at the vanguard, for she feared nothing. Her place was on the battlefield. Her purpose was to fight and conquer for the sake of the authority.
Darkness suddenly appeared, stray clouds filling the sky.
Upsilon-XCI was a harsh planet, decorated by protruding rocks that rose high above them. Ravines dotted the desolate landscape, some extending into the upper mantle. Evidence of an ancient, extinct civilization could be seen—destroyed by time and the pride of its leaders.
A stray thought entered her mind.
One day, would the gem empire be reduced to ash—just as this once living world had been?
Jasper cleared those musings with a grunt. Foolish, ridiculous thoughts had no place in the psyche of a loyal, dedicated soldier. All that mattered was fighting. All that mattered was serving.
The rumbling grew stronger, and she could feel a million limbs scurrying across the dirt. Some around her had already fused, anticipating a battle like no other. Pathetic, she thought condescendingly. Fusion was for the weak, for the incapable.
Her battalion was led by a spotted Agate. She stood behind nine hundred gems, her blade glinting in the moonlight.
Two divisions. Thirty thousand soldiers. They surrounded the golden tower, ready to protect it with their very gems.
Warships began firing, circling the skies above. Bombs rained down, green in color. Explosions shook the ground beneath her feet, and Jasper grinned with anticipation.
"READY!" the spotted Agate roared.
The emerald smoke cleared.
And they were met by a sea of monsters.
Nephrite was stiff with nervousness.
Her hands trembled at the controls. She did her best to provide the smoothest ride possible, even as they flew through fields of space debris.
Not only had she piloted the famed quartz Jasper, she had also been chosen to take Red Diamond to the human zoo. She shivered with apprehension, a bead of sweat pouring down her face, next to her single, green eye. She brushed a strand of brunette hair from her sight. She just knew he was watching her, scrutinizing her every move.
Was she doing fine?
Were her piloting skills not to his liking?
Would… would he report back to her manager, complaining about her?
Stars above! She'd never been so nervous in her life.
The ship rumbled as they entered a particularly turbulent area of space. She did her best and maneuvered the ship through the strong gravitational pull of a nearby black hole.
Nephrite sighed with relief, leaning back. She set the coordinates, and the stars blurred out of focus.
She glanced behind, catching a glimpse of him.
To her surprise, Red Diamond was at the edge of his seat, a wide grin on his face. He was smaller now, but this did nothing to contain the overwhelming aura he exuded.
"I don't know how you do it," he remarked, still smiling. "I think I'm a pretty good pilot, but it must take a lot of skill to do this kind of thing every day. You're amazing."
"N-no, not really, Red Diamond," she deflected. "I-I was made to do this. I have to be competent."
He settled back in his chair. "Well, I still think it's impressive, Nephrite."
She didn't know what it was, but in that moment, she felt all the tension in her shoulders melt away, and the rest of the journey was a peaceful one.
A while passed, and the sounds of construction could be heard. Naruto turned to Nephrite as the ship finally landed in the zoo. She was very shy—something he noticed from the start. But she had also been an excellent pilot.
"I'll be here for some time." He rose from his chair and moved toward the exit. "Will you wait for me, or are there other assignments you need to complete?"
She sat up. "I'll wait, Red Diamond. No assignment is more important than this one."
"Alright, feel free to leave the ship any time you want."
Outside, Holly was waiting. She stood stiffly, apprehensively watching the ship as he descended the stairs. He did not return to his original size, for he felt no need to.
"Your radiance." Holly saluted with a bow. "Welcome back to the zoo."
"Thank you, Holly." They moved to the nearest entrance. "Tell me, how have things been?"
"All has been well, Red Diamond. Nothing notable occurred since your departure. The humans are doing well, same as you last saw them. A-and if I may speak freely…" she implored. Naruto nodded. "I expected things to be a bit more—"
"—chaotic?"
She quickly nodded. "Yes, chaotic. But I was wrong. Since your gems arrived, I've never seen this place so… orderly." She bowed her head, ashamed. "I apologize for having such low expectations of your court, Red Diamond."
"I'm glad you told me that. We all make undue assumptions. But admitting and learning from them takes true character." They stopped at the door, and he grinned. "I just might like you after all, Holly."
Her eyes widened; she bowed once more, glad that he was seeing her in a more favorable light.
Perhaps this was a chance to boost her standing in gem society, to curry more favor among the diamonds.
Two amethysts saluted and opened the doors. Within, the sounds of construction grew louder, and the inside of the facility looked a bit different.
Quartz gems moved about, assisting the Bismuths in any way they could. They carried debris away and hoisted entire sections of wall. Each of them stopped when he approached, saluting. Naruto gave a nod when he spotted the captain of the construction team, hard at work.
"Could I ask what this is all about?" Holly inquired respectfully. "The Bismuth showed me the instructions, but I'm still a bit confused…"
Naruto crossed his arms as they walked past the zoo's entrance and toward the control center of the facility.
"I hinted at this earlier, but I won't allow the soldiers to live in such cramped spaces. You have your private quarters, while they don't. I'm creating larger rooms, ones that are big enough to comfortably house four quartz gems."
"I see…"
Naruto arched a curious brow. "Do you disagree with this decision?"
"N-no! Not at all, Red Diamond."
"Alright," he said, entering the control room. "Send Carnelian, Skinny, and Jay in, please."
"Y-yes, right away."
Twins moons burned from above, piercing through dark clouds. Flames surrounded her as the battle raged. They were bigger than she expected, nearly four times her size. And very resilient.
Around her, smoke descended anew, fueled by the poofing of a thousand soldiers.
Weak, she thought. Many of them were younger, less experienced. But that was no excuse. On her first day alive, she had poofed and shattered over eighty traitorous Crystal Gems. And since her creation, her physical form had yet to be destroyed.
A massive black creature rushed her, eyes blank and devoid of emotion, driven by instinct alone.
Jasper reared her fist and shattered its exoskeleton with a single blow, plunging her arm into warm flesh. Purple blood coated her, burning her skin, and melting the rocky terrain beneath her feet. She hissed and head-butted the insect-like creature into the dirt. Its large body formed a crater upon impact.
She whirled around.
Something struck her without mercy, launching her through mounds of rock.
Jasper growled and shook the dirt from her hair. A horn was digging into her, penetrating her side. She pulled it out and launched the stake at the nearest creature, skewering its head. It spasmed wildly, before dying in a pool of violet blood.
An amber glow surrounded her body, fueled by her gemstone. She blurred forward, crashed into another insect, and saved a fusion of three citrines from an overwhelming onslaught. Above her, thousands of these organics circled the skies, wings buzzing loudly. They swarmed a warship and chewed through its circuitry. The ship soon fell from the clouds, slamming into the facility's golden walls.
Jasper grit her teeth. They were losing, badly.
Her commanding Agate was nowhere to be found. Gemstones littered the battlefield. Many of them were picked up by these creatures and devoured, shattered between powerful jaws.
A swarm surrounded her once again, but she did not hesitate, rushing forward with a roar.
"Okay, team," Naruto said. "Tell me what you've been up to. Skinny gave me a brief summary when we spoke, but I'd like more details."
They were at a roundtable. Carnelian, seated across from him, quickly stood up.
"Besides catching up with our old pals, I've been giving them some lessons." She crossed her arms triumphantly. "Even though they're all bigger than me, none of them have come close to beating me in a spar. I always send 'em flying with a punch."
"Well, you are the strongest between the three of you," he stated. Physically strongest, that is. Despite her small stature, Carnelian had the brawn of multiple quartz gems. Skinny was by far the fastest, almost able to keep up with him in combat. And Jay was an all-round better fighter—in skill, technique, and strategy. "And you, Skinny?"
The petite Jasper was seated next to him. "I've been studying the various capabilities of the zoo. At first, I thought it was just a stationary outpost. But actually, it's a bit like a ship—a flying fortress. Of course, it's much, much slower than most modern gem crafts, but it can still get around pretty well."
Naruto turned to Jay. She stood up, curly hair resting upon her shoulder.
"While these two were goofing off," the beautiful Amethyst said playfully, earning two glares, "I was busy working with each gem individually. We talked in depth about the war, and how they felt about being on the zoo for so many years. Then I had them mediate, as you'd taught us to do. Not only to ease their stress, but as a way to put them on the path of learning to be better, more efficient soldiers."
Naruto smiled. It was almost as though they had read his mind. He didn't take over the zoo only out of the kindness of his heart, but to create and train a special group of gems, to mold them for the betterment of the universe—especially when he began stretching his influence beyond the empire.
"We've been together for so long that you three can even anticipate my plans," Naruto remarked with a chuckle. "You've already started the process, but I intend to make this small group of soldiers the most elite force in all of Homeworld. No one will even come close." He looked at each of them. "So, prepare yourselves. You're all going to be leaders here."
They nodded, accepting his vision for them.
"Oh," Jay began suddenly. "How was your time on Homeworld?"
"Yeah, how was it, boss?" echoed Carnelian, ever curious.
"Busy," Naruto said. "Very, very busy. There's so much to do in a given day. Technically, I'm still on Orientation, and I still have much to learn before I take on my role on Homeworld. But I enjoyed it. If one thing's for sure, though, it's that I'll be using clones to get things done faster."
"What about that… what was it again? That Cosmic Jubilee thing?" asked Skinny, head tilted.
"It's happening in a few days, and all of you will attend. But we'll talk about it later." Naruto scanned his palm against his armrest. A projection appeared in the center of the table. "Right now, I have two things to tell you." The trio looked on curiously. "First, a new gem will be joining us soon. A pearl. My pearl, to be exact."
Their eyes went wide.
"You're getting a Pearl?!" Carnelian exclaimed excitedly. "When?"
"Soon, Car." Naruto crossed his arms. "I'm not a fan of owning another person, but I have to follow the rules for now. Please, treat her well when you meet her. She'll be part of the team, not just some accessory."
Skinny smirked. "Hopefully, she's more pleasant to be around than these two over here." Jay rolled her eyes and Carnelian glared.
Naruto chuckled, always a fan of their quips. "And lastly, I want to show you this."
He projected something—something all too familiar. It took them back, back over three hundred years ago. When they happened upon a planet called Altea, a world of beautiful plant life and vast oceans, they had repelled an invasion of insect-like creatures, programmed for destruction.
"You're kidding," said Jay, grimacing. "These things again?"
Skinny frowned deeply. "We spent months fighting them, and we lost so many friends in the process. But… but I thought we destroyed the last egg."
"Apparently not," Carnelian hissed, orange eyes burning with rage.
The Hive, a nickname given by Carnelian to describe them. It stuck, because they bore a striking resemblance to insects on earth, only larger and more… alien.
"Thankfully, they were only spotted on a planet that no longer has life," Naruto stated. "Yellow's army is handling it at the moment, but I'd still like to investigate this issue."
"What's the plan, then?" Jay asked.
Naruto crossed his arms once more, considering his next course of action. He hummed, then said, "Nothing, for now. This is Yellow's colony, and if her general believes the situation will be under control, then I'll trust her judgment until proven otherwise. So, we'll be on standby."
Carnelian groaned. "Aww, man. I was looking forward to smashing those bugs one more time." She summoned a mighty axe for emphasis, twirling it with a finger.
"Put that thing away," Skinny said, rolling her eyes.
The red quartz smirked, orange aura flaring. "You gonna make me?"
"Careful what you wish for," Skinny replied. Of course, they weren't really serious.
"As much as I would like to see another match between you two," Naruto said, standing up, "I'll be in the zoo. Find me if anything happens."
The trio stood as well, dipping their head respectfully. They considered him their friend, sure. But they still held him in high regard as their leader.
The residents were happy to see him again. Especially the children. They were the first to notice. Even before he stepped through the double doors, they were already there, clustering together as they awaited his arrival. Their senses were sharp, and they must have felt his unique energy from afar.
After many generations, remnants of humanity's power still remained in them. For a moment, he considered the possibility that this was by design. Before the rebellion, Rose had handpicked who would come here, out of fear that earth would be destroyed in the colonization process.
Perhaps she deliberately placed specific humans here for a reason, bearing knowledge of the power they had once possessed.
Whenever he returned to earth, he would ask her.
For a time, he played with the children, until the artificial sun dimmed and things began to settle down. Then he sat with them, all three hundred residents, and beguiled them with tales of his travels, as well as stories of earth—their true home. He told them about the vast amounts of people that still remained, presently living out their days on a beautiful, blue planet.
They were seated with legs crossed, hanging on to his every word. Naruto took them in with a glance. He noticed the lavender eyes of the Hyuga, the gorgeous caramel skin of the cloud, and much, much more.
Naruto mused to himself, wondering if he should teach them about chakra. It was their legacy, after all. It was in their blood. But then, he considered their life right now. It was peaceful, free of senseless death and conflict.
By re-introducing chakra, would they eventually return to killing each other—just as the great villages had done so long ago?
It was possible, but he would not remove that choice from them. In time, he would have them decide whether they wanted to learn of their innate abilities. For now, though, he would slowly introduce them to earth culture.
To start, he would give each of them a name, not just an identification number.
"A name?" asked a beautiful, brown-skinned woman. "But we already have those. I'm F-201."
Naruto regarded her with a gentle smile. "This is different, though. It goes beyond just a label. A name has meaning. It describes who you are as a person."
Their eyes glinted with curiosity, and he told them his human name: Naruto Uzumaki. Hearing his example, they liked it, expressing that it sounded much better than a "boring, old number."
So they formed a line, from the old to the young, eager to receive one from him. Since his first visit, Naruto had observed everyone in the zoo, taking note of their mannerisms, all for this moment, all so that he could give them a name befitting their personality.
It took some time, but it was worth it.
He named them all, leaving no exceptions.
"Looks like you're the last one," he said, grinning at the lavender-eyed girl. Her brunette hair glistened in the dim light, and she looked on, curious.
"What's my name?" she asked expectantly.
He tousled her hair.
"Hinata—that will be your name. It means 'sunny place'," Naruto explained. "You're a ray of light among your people, little one."
She beamed, wrapping her arms around his armored torso.
"I love it," she whispered.
"I'm happy to hear that," he replied softly, accepting her hug. Though his first love was gone, her name would live on in this child.
By now, it was time for bed. The zoomans settled into the soft grass, intent on sleeping under the projected stars. Naruto left them to enjoy their night; and as he did, he was met by the trio outside the entrance. Holly was present as well, fidgeting, blue features pale.
"What's happening?" he asked, noticing their urgency.
"This," Jay said. She provided him a screen. "They need help, sir."
A video was playing: a distress call from Yellow's mining colony. A golden agate was surrounded by flames, fending off an onslaught with her lengthy whip. Around her, soldiers were being poofed. She looked desperate, fumbling with her personal device while trying to fight.
"Please, you're one of the closest outposts to us. We've sustained too much damage. I can't reach Homeworld," she urged. "We need more support. Contact Hessonite: facet 3L5F, Cut-9LG. Hurry… b-before we—"
She was cut off, skewered through the head, and through her gem by a horned creature.
After the video ended, there was silence.
Holly trembled, eyes on the ground.
Naruto asked, "You knew her?"
"Y-yes," the blue agate whispered.
"I'm sorry, Holly," Naruto replied, placing both hands on her shoulders. "Right now, I need you to contact Homeworld. Reach out to the Hessonite in charge. Have her send reinforcements. Can you do that for me?"
Holly nodded. "I'll… I'll do that, Red Diamond."
"Thank you," Naruto said gently, then turned to the trio. He summoned a cloak. It was black, decorated with red diamonds—reminiscent of his sage cloak. In one fluid motion, he threw it on. "Come on, you three.
"We're going?" asked Carnelian, fired up. Skinny and Jay looked just as eager.
Naruto nodded once, headed toward Nephrite's ship.
"Yeah. We're going."
…
..
.
A single ship emerged from hyperspace.
It penetrated the upper atmosphere, glinting in the blackened sky.
Suddenly, the clouds were parted by a gust of wind. The heavens were split asunder, and the most glorious sound echoed from above, ringing in the senses of all that lived.
Despite the altitude, a figure had exited the compact ship. He floated in the night sky, suspended by nothing. He held two spinning orbs—orbs that cut through the darkness and shined like the sun.
Jasper, despite the carnage around her, paused and stared. What is that? she wondered, momentarily distracted. An aura unlike anything she had experienced washed over her, flowing like an endless river.
She withdrew from her stupor, swiftly pulled a quartz out of harm's way, taking a hit from a foe that sent her flying through a golden wall.
Yet that light did not stop. It shinned ever brighter, expanding with every passing moment. Spiraling blades of pure energy were held by this being in the sky, rotating faster and faster.
Then he threw them.
Two Rasenshuriken raced to the surface of the planet, aimed at a swarm of insects. It left a brilliant trail in its wake, a path of destruction that cut through any adversaries flying above.
Jasper blinked.
And two grand explosions covered the battlefield. The blasts expanded for miles around, white in color, rotating endlessly as it turned their very enemies into dust. Shockwaves buffeted the colony, destroying its golden walls and knocking many quartz gems off their feet.
Jasper held her ground. She stood to witness this incredible display of power. Her hair was ruffled by the unrelenting wind. Not one, not two, but three shockwaves struck—the last one threatening to throw her to the ground, but she did not falter, watching with wide eyes.
Finally, the blasts dissipated.
Dust lingered in the air, lowering visibility to near zero. Around her, the fighting quickly resumed. But the enemy's numbers had dwindled significantly. This attack—presumably from an ally—had been aimed further away from the facility, taking out vast amounts of creatures still threatening to attack.
So, they still had a chance.
Covered in deep cuts, she continued onward, willing to keep battling.
But amid the smog, Red Diamond descended from above, shattering the ground beneath his feet. Jasper froze. He landed in front of her, a diamond-studded cloak fluttering in the breeze. His subordinates, three of them, were wrapped in bubbles of swirling wind: as a means to cushion the impact from such an altitude.
They disembarked, drawing their weapons. An amethyst, wielding a Javelin, stood to his left. A puny carnelian, holding an Axe, moved to his right. And the most disgraceful of all, a scrawny Jasper, grasping twin Sai, stood behind Red Diamond.
Jasper knew these two gems.
Her defective mates from the beta kindergarten.
Red Diamond conjured a sword from his gem: a great, blood-red Katana that glowed, despite the darkened world. The foe before him was no challenge—for when he swung his blade, the victor of this battle was decided.
END!
If I had to pick a favorite part of this chapter, it would be Jasper. Next to Peridot, she's one of my favorite characters in the series.
Also, I'm very aware that Morganite (in canon) is a designer, not the overseer of the Library. I'm not changing her role in this story because of this recent revelation. She'll remain who I originally envisioned her to be.
The Hive is a creation of mine, inspired by "Mimics" from "All you need is Kill," just without time-travel powers. They won't be an overarching villain in this story, but more of an introductory problem for Naruto to deal with in the next chapter.
Now, White. It seems her and Naruto's goals are similar. They both want a peaceful universe—but what sort of peace does White Diamond want?
Naruto has all his human abilities, as well as a Diamond ability, something similar yet different from the other three Diamonds. Yes, his weapon is a Katana… for a reason.
Finally, Naruto's Pearl has just been revealed! Head over to my DeviantArt account: BlackStar-Eternal to see her.
Thank you so much for reading!
Stay safe, everyone.