The next morning, the Rubies piled out of the cave in friendly droves.

Not knowing what else to do, Holly Blue followed.

The soldier that had (apparently) won the previous day's brawl, climbed on top of a large bolder in order to speak. She had won- fair and square. It was her turn to choose the day's activity!

"Ok! We have a few options because the weather today is good!" The leader nodded to herself. "We can either scout the area, or play a game!"

"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard! Of course you should practice scouting the area! You're supposed to be training as foot soldiers!" Holly Blue hollered through the crowd, catching the attention of every other Gem in the area.

"If the dumb blue wants to scout, I wanna play a game!"

"Yeah!"

"Me too!"

"I don't wanna be mean like HER."

The Ruby leader piped up: "Let's put it to a vote! Who wants to play a game?"

All the Rubies raised their hands.

"...and who wants to scout?"

Holly made a feeble attempt. The crowd glared at her smugly.

"Yay! The mean one lost!"

"Serves you right for making CSX2 cry!"

"All righty! Looks like the game won! I want you all to find the most interesting rock you can! Whoever finds the most impressive rock will become leader tomorrow!"

"Awesome!"

"I hope my rock gets added to the leader pile!"

This...was...so...STUPID. The Agate couldn't imagine having a different leader every day- much less a leader getting chosen by something as idiotic as retrieving a stupid rock. Still, if she could find a nice enough stone, perhaps the group would finally listen to her!

"Alright! Everyone ready?! On your mark...get set...GO!" The leader cheered as the small soldiers scattered like ants!

A spree of hunting followed for many hours among the large group.

Holly Blue had no clue what type of stupid rock the smaller Gem would like the most- she managed to find a large-ish rock, a polished river stone, and something small and transparent, but beautiful and marble-like. She figured a verity would be better.

The game did not end until all 327 red Rubies (and the new mean blue one) were accounted for.

Each Gem displayed their wares in front of themselves- puffing out their chests in pride!

The leader walked through the many lines of soldiers inspecting each and every stone.

She collected ones that caught her interest. If nothing else, they could be utilized for the special throne in the cave. As the leader passed Holly Blue, she gave her a very sour look, but also grabbed the river stone, and marble-rock.

Holly Blue felt slightly proud that her trinkets were worthy of the pile- even though she was obviously disliked. At least she had good taste!

"I have made my decision! The Ruby stated as she stood next to the now massive pile of beautiful stones. "Whoever chose THIS one has won my respect, and will become tomorrow's leader!"

The Ruby held up a small twig with a leaf on it.

"That's mine!" The small red Gem approached the leader in gratitude.

"WHAT?! THAT'S NOT A ROCK AT ALL! THAT'S AN ORGANIC PLANT PIECE!" Holly Blue was enraged at this idiotic injustice!

"Well, I DON'T CARE!" The leader stuck out her tongue. "I like the way it looks! It's pretty!"

"It shouldn't matter if it's pretty or NOT! Your bending the rules!"

"Well, I'm the leader TODAY, and I'm saying the rules can be bent! Congratulations Ruby!"

The owner of the twig beamed! "Thanks Ruby!"

The crowd cheered!

Holly Blue was left with her mouth agape.

The Ruby leader concluded: "Do not be sad Rubies! All the rocks I compiled here will be added to the cave's collection as well!"

The crowd cheered again!

"-now time to sleep! New leader- you lead the way!"

The twig Ruby paraded the massive crowd back to the cave, and took pride lying down on the prominent special rock as the others added new shiny things to the throne's collection.

Baffled, the Agate decided to ask a nearby soldier: "How long has this been going on for?"

"Hmm? You mean choosing a new leader every day? I don't know...years maybe? Almost everyone becomes the leader eventually...maybe if you get nicer, you can be leader too!"

The soldier joined her kin, and for the first time EVER, the Agate felt...incredibly isolated and alone.