Characters created by: Rebecca Sugar
Part 2: American Civil War-Chapter 1: A Rock And A Hard Place
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Crystal Gem Temple-Present Day
"Now for the Civil War." said Pearl.
Crystal Gem Temple-April 11, 1861
As Pearl read a newspaper, she looked with worry at one article.
"The current issues in Charleston are growing more and more urgent as the days go by. More Confederate batteries are being positioned on the Charleston harbor, ready to fire at any moment on the Union-held Fort Sumter."
Pearl's hair was pulled back, ending in a point at the back end. She was wearing a thin blue dress.
Just then behind Pearl, the Gem activated door opened, and out came Garnet, Amethyst, and Rose. Garnet was wearing a trenchcoat. Amethyst was wearing a purple dress. Rose was now wearing a large white dress, with her stomach gem shown.
"Pearl, we have a mission." said Garnet.
Pearl turned around to the others behind her.
"What's the problem?" said Pearl.
"There is a Gem Worm monster sighted in the waters off Charleston Harbor in South Carolina." said Garnet.
Pearl's eyes widened, and started showing signs of fear.
"We should not go there yet." said Pearl.
"But we must." said Garnet.
"No, the Confederates are just about ready to go mad and start a war there." said Pearl, "We should not go there until the issues there are worked out."
"This mission is not a choice, it's mandatory." said Garnet, "Hurry, we must get there now."
"No! It's too dangerous," said Pearl, "that place is a powder keg ready to blow!"
"But we must get there immediately Pearl." said Amethyst.
"No! The Confederates are about ready to shoot at that Union fort and start a war! And what with us being known by them as "Yankees", we might get captured and imprisoned, it is like being stuck between a rock and a hard place!"
Amethyst then exploded in rage.
"But this is an issue that we must deal with right away, that's final!"
"That place is a death trap!" said Pearl.
"Enough!" yelled out Garnet.
Rose, Amethyst and Pearl looked to Garnet in surprise. A person as quiet and calm as Garnet is, it wouldn't be common for her to suddenly yell out.
"Now," said Garnet, "we are going there and disposing of that Gem Worm monster no matter what!"
Garnet then stepped onto the warp pad, waiting for the others as well. The others stepped onto the warp pad as well. The warp pad glowed, and the Gems were transported.
Charleston, South Carolina, Confederate States Of America-Present Time
A warp pad in an alleyway in the city of Charleston glowed, and from it emerged the Crystal Gems. The Gems then walked from the warp pad into the city.
"Remember, just act like normal people." said Garnet.
The Gems walked through the city, passing people on their way to the Harbor. A few people looked to Garnet in confusion.
Along the way, the Gems noticed a few Confederate soldiers marching through the streets. One of the Confederate soldiers looked to Garnet. The soldier then quickly ran over to the Gems, musket in hand.
"Excuse me ladies, but is that a registered negro slave?" said the soldier, pointing to Garnet.
"I do not understand your point sir." said Pearl.
"Is she registered?" said the soldier.
"You mean Garnet?" said Pearl.
"I didn't ask for her name, I asked is she registered?" said the soldier.
"Well-" Pearl was then interrupted by Garnet.
"Pearl, let me handle this." Garnet then punched the soldier in the face, causing the soldier to fall back.
"Garnet!" said Pearl, "Why did you do that?!"
Garnet then grabbed Pearl's hand and ran, to which Amethyst and Rose followed behind them.
The soldier then got back up. The soldier turned around to see the Gems running down the street.
"Hey! Get back here!" yelled the soldier.
The Gems proceeded to run through the streets of the city.
After a few minutes of continuously running through the city, the soldier lost sight of the Gems.
"I'm reporting this!" yelled out the soldier, hoping the Gems could hear him.
Charleston Harbor-A Few Minutes Later
The Gems kept running until they reached Charleston Harbor. Garnet noticed a rowboat on one of the docks.
"Into the boat." said Garnet. The Gems all got into the rowboat.
Garnet grabbed the two oars and started rowing rapidly, causing the boat to travel faster and faster.
Behind them, the same Confederate soldier that they ran from before came with a few other Confederate soldiers. They then noticed the rowboat.
"Fire!" said the soldier. The soldiers then started firing at the rowboat. The boat was traveling too fast, and the boat eventually went too far to get a clear shot at.
"That was a close one." said Rose, "Now, lets look for any sign of the Gem Worm monster."
The Gems all looked into the water for the Gem Worm monster, all except for Pearl, who looked to the nearby Fort Sumter in worry.
"We are not safe here." said Pearl, "Look how close we are to the fort! If the Rebels start firing, we'll be in the line of fire!"
"Pearl, just concentrate on finding the Gem Worm!" said Amethyst.
"Fine." sighed Pearl. Pearl then begun looking for the Gem Worm monster too.
Charleston Harbor-Next Day-4:30 A.M.
It was the morning of April 12, and the Gems were still looking for the Gem Worm monster.
"This is hopeless." said Pearl, "We've been looking for hours and still no sign of the Gem Worm monster. It could've escaped the Harbor and maybe is loose somewhere out in the Atlantic Ocean."
Amethyst then noticed something in the water below them. The thing was glowing red, and seemed long.
"I think I see it!" said Amethyst, "Hold on to me and lower me down."
Pearl and Garnet then grabbed Amethyst's feet and slowly lowered her down into the water. Amethyst looked at the long glowing figure. Amethyst then gestured for the others to pull her back up.
"It is, it's the worm!" said Amethyst.
"Good!" said Garnet, "Gems, weapons!"
The Gems summoned their weapons. The Gems were just about to dive down into the water and take out the Gem Worm, but they suddenly heard a nearby bang. The Gems heard a faint whistling noise. The noise grew louder and louder until…
*boom*
The Gems looked over at Fort Sumter, and saw an explosion.
*bang*
*bang*
*bang*
*bang*
More bangs could be heard nearby, and more explosions could be seen at the nearby Fort Sumter. Pearl looked over to the shore ahead of them, and could barely make out what looked like giant cannon batteries, continuously firing at the fort.
Pearl's eyes widened in fear at the realization of what is happening.
"Oh no." said Pearl.