A/N:

Oh look at this! Another update! Someone call Chicken Little! Hey, I wanna expand on this fic. Besides, you know I don't really write long chapters. I'm not one of those writers. Heh...

Anyways, I said I'd be talking about my anthracite in the last chapter. Yeah, our first year geology class had a trip to an open pit mine out in the state. They just let us take our own pieces which is really coal. Eyy! But yeah, anthracite is actually the closest coal can get to pure carbon, which is really cool since we have Graphite as one of the main gemsonas here XD

Also, to the anon who left a review recently: Thank you for the nitpicking, it's not like I was a science major or anything!

Ahem. Anyways, please enjoy. Sit back, relax, all that other wonderful stuff.


Graphite followed Zircon back below the depths of the arena after all the other gems headed on their journey back. The little carbon gem watched every step, making sure not to trip along the way this time. "So when am I going to get that log Zaratite talked about?" She asked, briefly looking up to the veteran beside her.

For a moment the question didn't seem to register with Zircon at all as she just stared off before them. She shook that lapse away after Graphite asked a second time. "It shouldn't be long." She said, taking the hand of the little one once she missed a step. "A few rotations at most."

Graphite nodded, keeping hold of Zircon's hand along the way. "Did you always belong to Zaratite?"

"No, actually." The blue gem answered. "For a while I served my purpose in the observatories, discovering new systems out there, with the other zircons. That's when they..."

"Why are you a defect?" Graphite hated the way that word rolled off her tongue.

Zircon laughed, grasping Graphite's hand even tighter, but letting go immediately after. "Well, first of all, I shouldn't be this tall. And I believe you've also seen the worst of my dysfunctions…" She sighed. "I… tend to focus too much. I get tunnel vision, in a sense, phase out everything around me to focus one just one thing or even nothing. Not that great when your supervisor is shouting orders to change assignment. It eventually became so much of a problem that they just… kicked me out. Every gem has a purpose, and if they can't fulfill that purpose, we're shattered.

"Eventually, I just kind of… wandered my way into an arena. Everyone asked 'What are you doing here, who do you belong to?' And they just stuck me out there to fight." She paused, both in speech and movement. "A painite discovered I had no owner and took me in. I changed hands quite a few times in the centuries I spent fighting. After my match with a vermarine sponsored by Zaratite, my greatest match," She added, seeming quite proud. "She took me in and retired me. I've been training her fighters ever since."

Zircon looked down to Graphite, who had gone starry-eyed at the tale. Zircon just laughed and ruffled her head of licorice.

The other fighters were already gathered and Obsidian was going off on everyone. "-I know none of you have combat experience, but that was a disgrace! I hope Zircon can grind you all into shape or else we're all going to be sorry. And you!" She shouted, pointing at Lonsdaleite. "Don't be proud of what happened today. I'm not the worst of what the arena has to offer and-"

Zircon coughed, gaining the attention of everyone in the chamber. They all parted as she made her way to the front of the group, Graphite following close behind. "I hope everyone realizes what they're up against now." She started, noting many of the gems trying to look off in different directions. "And to think, Obsidian was holding back." She added. "You," She pointed towards Lonsdaleite, "And you," now to Graphite. "With us."

Zircon led the carbon gems along with her, even Lazulite and Obsidian following, the latter looking rather irritated.


The chamber wasn't too far from where they left the other fighters, but still far enough away as to not allow eavesdroppers. Zaratite went up to a pedestal in the room, placing her hand upon the insignia on the middle, which pulled up a screen before them. The feed showed the session between Obsidian and Lonsdaleite, and Zircon froze it upon the moment Lon intercepted Obsidian's fist.

"So what did Zara say?" Lazulite asked. When she received no answer in return, the deep blue gem showed quite some concern. "Zirc?"

Zircon looked back, placing a hand over the leaf-shaped gem on her right shoulder. "Well, the graphite is going to be keeping records instead of her pearl as soon as a new logbook comes in."

"Good," Obsidian remarked, crossing her arms in content. "That pearl was a nuisance."

"Not like that's the last we'll see of her." Lazulite added. "And her?" she said, gesturing over to Lonsdaleite.

Zircon brushed a hand through her messy, light hair, a grimace marring her features. "Just to keep an eye on the lonsdaleite."

"That's it?" Obsidian raged. "That can't be it, I mean, she knows better than any of us what the big carats think of things like… this!"

Lonsdaleite raised an eye, Graphite merely looking up at her, worried. The little gem stomped a foot down, balling her hands into fists. "And what's so wrong with Lonsdaleite?!"

Every gem in the room was taken off-guard by Graphite's outburst, even Lon. Obsidian was the first to shake away the shock, advancing on the little gem. "That's easy. Gems like her shouldn't exist." She said. "The only diamonds in our society are already a part of the Authority. She has no purpose! Zirc!" She shouted, practically falling upon the veteran. "You can't be serious that Zaratite wants to keep her?"

Zircon's lips were pressed in a thin line. She looked between her friend and the newcomer. "For once I agree with your concerns, Obsidian." The zircon begrudgingly admitted. "I actually have no idea what she has planned for this… gem."

"The next Diamond tournament I know of is in twenty orbits." Lazulite said. "If there's anything before that though, we could all be…"

"Why worry?" Lonsdaleite spoke up, wearing a smirk which brightened even Graphite's mood. "So that zaratite gave orders to keep me around. Then I'll fight. I'll win. That is what she wants, right?"

The retired gem looked back to the still on the display before them. "I mean, I suppose…"

"No!" Obsidian exclaimed. "You all are cracked!"

"Then you can sit back and see what Zaratite decides to do with you." Lazulite jabbed. "I'm thinking… quartz, perhaps?"

"I'll take any quartz over the judgement of a diamond!" And with that, Obsidian left the group.

Zircon pinched her nose, shaking her head at this outburst. "She has no idea what quartz warriors are like… At least a diamond's judgement is quick." The gem sighed, turning her attention back to the deeper blue gem left in the room. "I can at least trust you with their training, yes?"

"As long as you're there, cap'n."

A sigh escaped the retired gem. That lazulite and her levity… She glanced at Lonsdaleite from the periphery of her vision. The graphite clung to her side, smiling up at her, the tall gem smiling down in exchange. How long until it ended…


A/N:

Yeah, Lon actually doesn't have a purpose because she's not intended to be grown!, which I think is kinda interesting (yes, I'm leaving the comma there). Really explains her actions both past and future. Also, I was gonna have a lot more shippy Graphite/Lonsdaleite moments in this chapter, but when I write, things kinda tend to go off in directions I didn't plan. So we got bull-headed Obsidian instead.

Overall, I don't really have much of an opinion on this chapter other than "It's another thing I wrote while sleep deprived like everything else". So you tell me what you think.

I HOPE I actually come through and showcase their weapons next chapter. Zircon's a better teacher than Obsidian ever would be, and with Lazulite there for some great guidance as well. Might get through to one or both of them. I must REMIND myself!

As always, leave a review, follow, favorite! Help a writer out. My days could be better :/

But this is your Squish here to wish you all a wonderful day! :D