Lonliness

A single weary gem sat within a small, dark room, drowning in dejection and pain. Silence hung within her cramped quarters, as if paying respect to her long-dead aspirations. She slowly looked around the small compartment, taking in the pale grey walls and lack of decor. The hopeless alien shifted her position on the small stump she used as a chair and returned to skulking. She wallowed in the miniscule abode, soaking in the overwhelming sense of powerlessness which seeped from the blank walls of her prison. The pained gem's eyes fell on the door of the desolate compartment, and she frowned. The door opened and closed from both sides. She was free to leave at any time.

The room wasn't really a prison; her existence was.

The gem's moping was interrupted when a small panel beside her lit up, casting a cerulean glow across the shadowy walls of the room. She watched as a flat holographic projection formed and a blatantly uninterested gem appeared onscreen. The distracted gem fiddled with another screen for several moments before speaking up.

"Ulexite?" the disinterested gem asked, her attention fixed on her other terminal. At the sound of her name, the disheartened gem shrunk back. She stared at the imposing figure onscreen and shuddered slightly.

"Yes, my diamond?" she squeaked in response. The powerful gem continued to pay her subject no heed.

"You will report to my quarters immediately," the gem ruler ordered as she pulled up another holographic log.

"Of course, my…" Ulexite began to reply. She was cut off as the transmission ended, once again shrouding her squalid quarters in darkness. The dejected gem let out a sigh before mustering the will to get up. With a quick motion, she opened the door and exited the hollow room. Emerging out into a long hallway, Ulexite stumbled back as a group of rubies ran by, nearly trampling her in their haste. One of the soldiers glared at her disgustedly as it passed. Ulexite ignored the look, having seen the same expression countless times. The small gem looked down the hall and watched as countless gems walked by in an endless commotion. Not one gem spoke as the traveled to and from their duties, leaving only the sound of footsteps to echo within the pale blue walls. A familiar scent hung in the air, one which Ulexite still struggled to place after countless years.

The scent of perfection, conformity, and shattered dreams.

Realizing that she was dawdling, Ulexite turned and jogged down the hall, narrowly avoiding several unfriendly gems who scoffed as she passed. The scorned gem ignored the contempt of her compatriots, her mind singularly focused on reaching her objective. Her journey took her through winding corridors and up ramps as she slowly ascended the massive crystalline fortress. She kept close to the walls and took care to evade other gems as she proceeded upward. Finally, Ulexite came to a massive, gleaming doorway. Before she could react, the door opened and a pair of peridots emerged, deeply engaged in an incomprehensible discussion. One of the green technicians made eye contact with Ulexite.

"Ugh," it commented. "It's that thing again. Why does Yellow Diamond let it roam around like this?"

"Yeah," the other peridot replied with a laugh. "She should just bubble it and shatter its gem. Its components would be so much more useful as…well, anything."

The two technicians continued their cruel rant for a minute before continuing down the hall. Ulexite stood silently, numb to their harsh words. Once the duo left, she entered the looming chamber before her. The small gem looked around the massive room and once again found herself awed by the beauty of the chamber. She marveled at the gleaming facets of the clear dome, which sparkled with brilliant starlight. Asteroids floated about outside, periodically casting shadows onto the gleaming silver floor. The space was deserted, save a single towering figure sitting in the middle of the room. The door shut behind Ulexite with a loud whoosh, and the colossal gem looked up from her holographic terminal.

"My diamond," Ulexite greeted reverently, performing a small bow. The alien matriarch peered down at her meager subject with disinterest. Dispelling the holographic screen, the yellow tyrant sat up, crossed her legs, and cleared her throat.

"You're late…again," Yellow Diamond stated monotonously. Ulexite shrunk back at her superior's comment; it was obvious that the overlord was displeased with her.

"My most sincere apologies, my diamond," the miniscule servant replied vehemently. "I was delayed by several gems while I was tr…"

"As I said before, I have no interest in the depths of your ineptitude," the imposing ruler interrupted. The immense sovereign looked around the room quickly before returning her gaze to her servant. "My only interest is in whether or not you have the information I requested."

"Of course!" Ulexite said without hesitation. "I successfully…attended…White Diamond's summit. As you suspected, she does not believe that the rebel threat is legitimate, and has not taken any action regarding the gems that defected."

"Hmph," Yellow Diamond responded absent-mindedly as she leaned back in her chair.

"However," Ulexite continued, "she is beginning to suspect your surveillance. She speaks of your distrust of her. I advise that we perhaps…"

"I don't care," Yellow Diamond stated bluntly. "Your job is merely to follow orders. If I wanted advice, I would ask for it. And if I did, I certainly would not ask a lowly runt like you." Yellow Diamond turned her gaze to the countless stars above her, seemingly uninterested in her subordinate.

"Blue Diamond's court will be assembling in four rotations," she explained. I expect you to attend covertly and report back to me on any information you acquire. I want to make sure she is not planning anything on Earth that I have not been informed of."

"But what if…" Ulexite began.

"Just do as I say," Yellow Diamond interjected.

"Fine," the small alien submitted, her patience frayed. "I wonder, do you think that the rebels are a threat?"

"That is of no concern to you," the massive matriarch answered tersely. "As I just said, your job is to follow orders. Not to question or suggest or take initiative." Ulexite took a step back and frowned, upset by her master's obstinacy. Seeing this, the titanic tyrant stood up, casting a shadow which fell over her rebellious servant.

"You dare question me?" the powerful ruler asked. "Remember why you're here. If I had not intervened that day, you would have been shattered with the rest of your kind. I kept you so that you might serve me. Should you fail to do so, I will not hesitate to crush your gem myself and find a pearl who would do your job without questioning me. Is that clear?" Ulexite continued to pout for several seconds before taking a deep breath and bowing low.

"Yes, my diamond," she stated, her gentle tone belying her frustration.

"Good," the gem matriarch. "Now, I need you to deliver a message to Jasper Facet-5CPW Cut-1MJX four levels down. She will be expecting you." Ulexite nodded and listened as the looming ruler rattled off a list of tasks and information. Yellow Diamond nodded at the completion of her message, and Ulexite took a deep breath.

With a thought, the small alien morphed into a smaller but otherwise identical copy of her master and repeated the message, copying the diamond's voice precisely. Yellow Diamond gave a disinterested nod of approval and watched as her young subordinate shifted back to her original form and exited the chamber without another word. The door slid shut behind the defiant gem, and the tyrant called up her holographic terminal. She entered a few commands on the screen as the recent discussion played in her mind. Most gems would have obeyed her every command unquestioningly. The small messenger was one of the few underlings who challenged her.

In truth, Ulexite's defiance was the only reason Yellow Diamond had kept the measly gem alive.

Elsewhere…

Ulexite continued through twisting corridors and looming halls as she descended through the titanic gem structure towards her objective. She continued to pout as she walked, oblivious to the hateful stares many gems directed at her as she passed them. Their disdain mattered little to the fierce young gem, just like Yellow Diamond's lack of respect. She didn't need anyone else to make her feel important. She was strong, unique, and intelligent.

Or, at least, that's what she told herself.

Ulexite pressed onward, drowning out the hollow feeling welling in her chest with her own mental reassurance. The pain of rejection and hatred throbbed dully in her soul, causing the familiar feeling of hopelessness to once again rear its ugly head. She fought back the feeling and refocused on the task at hand. The small gem rounded a corner and descended down a long ramp which led to a lower level, noting the significant change in atmosphere. The walls of the lower level were a pale scarlet which seemed to pulsate in the dim light. The halls were much lower in comparison to those of the upper level, and only a few gems wandered about. Suddenly feeling claustrophobic, Ulexite continued her journey through the cramped hallways until she finally came to another door. Ulexite stepped inside the room, where the narrow hall gave way to a massive training room. Quartzes were scattered about the room, some engaged in heated sparring matches.

"I was wondering when you were going to show up!" came a voice from the other side of the room. Ulexite turned to find a single hulking gem staring at her, grinning deviously.

"I come bearing a message from Yellow Diamond," the small alien responded.

"Yeah, I know," the gem soldier replied with a cocky grin. "You know, they should install more holographic terminals on this level. That way, you wouldn't have to walk all the way down here to deliver a message."

"I believe Yellow Diamond favors the confidentiality this provides," Ulexite commented. Dispensing with the pleasantries, Ulexite shapeshifted into Yellow Diamond, repeated the message, and changed back.

"Wow, kid," the jasper commented. "That's a neat trick. Though you were a bit off color." Ulexite blushed slightly. She had been struggling with her abilities. Her mimicry of other gems often resulted in discolored complexions and distorted voices. The small gem had steadily improved over time, but still failed to create consistently perfect impersonations. Satisfied in the completion of her mission, she turned to exit the training room, only to be stopped by the jasper.

"Wait for a sec," the gem brawler stated, putting a hand on Ulexite's shoulder. "My team and I have been practicing with one another for a while now, and we all want to test our abilities against someone new. I think that you would be a perfect change of pace."

"I'm not much of a fighter," the small gem asserted quietly, discomforted by the sudden change in the warrior's demeanor. She watched as the other quartzes stopped fighting one another and began to gather around her.

"No, I insist," the tall gem continued. "You're already down here." Ulexite batted the jasper's hand away and summoned her dagger.

"I said no!" she yelled angrily. "I'm leaving!"

"I understand," the jasper said, bloodthirst permeating her tone, "but there's no way we'd let a pathetic runt like you walk away." The soldiers were upon the small gem before she could react.

Later…

Ulexite hobbled down the empty hall, wincing with every agonizing step. The injured gem let out a small sniffle as she trudged forlornly towards her cramped quarters. She never understood why gems treated her with unwarranted hatred, or why she was the subject of abuse and ridicule. A flash of pain flared in her shoulder, and she let out a pained cry.

"Well, maybe everyone will leave me alone for a bit," she hoped silently.

Suddenly, a voice came from behind her.

"Hey, stop right there!"