Chapter 1
Pearl stared down at the valley for nearly an hour as they . . . no, as she danced in the midday sun, the cool breeze of Earth's autumn shaking loose the leaves from the nearby trees, as the Crystal Gems' new addition celebrated her new found independence. Pearl couldn't help but stand there in awe. The rebellious former servant had seen many unique things since she first came to Earth, but this defied everything her kind had ever known.
On Homeworld, a fusion between two different gems would be seen as an abomination. It would be heretical, a danger to the status quo that would be shattered and disposed of without a second thought, but here on Earth, she was free. She was her own gem, answering to no one but herself.
She was . . . alive.
That's was the power this planet held, the power to defy expectations, to explore possibility, to define one's self as one sees fit, not to be ruled by some uncaring, emotionless authority. This is the world Pearl fought for, the ideals she strives to protect. The very ideals instilled in her by the one being in this universe she chose to fight for, and if need be, die for.
"She's beautiful, isn't she?" a voice from behind called out.
Pearl turned towards the sound of the pink goddess, yet another example of this planet's power.
"Yes," Pearl whispered, looking back down towards the valley. "She is."
The two stood there, admiring the beauty of nature, and the wonders this world held.
"Has she chosen a name?" Rose looked down at Pearl.
" . . . Garnet." Pearl responded, her eyes fixed upon the fusion.
"Garnet," Rose smiled. "What a wonderful name."
Pearl didn't move. She just kept staring at the fusion in the valley below. All that joy, all of her excitement, it was all so clearly visible upon her face as she continued to dance. In that moment, all of her worries and fears were gone. She was a perfect being without a care in the world.
"It must be nice." Pearl said.
"What do you mean?" Rose asked.
"To be so close to someone. To make that kind of a connection with another gem. To meld with someone on such a level that you can no longer tell difference between yourself and the other person.
It must be nice to feel so . . . complete."
Rose stared at Pearl for a long time. She knew about Pearl's interest in the fusion, but only now did she understand how deeply her fascination went.
"Pearl."
"Yes, Rose."
"Would you like to fuse with me?"
Pearl's whole body tensed. Her eyes bulged. She couldn't believe what she heard. All at once the eager Pearl stood up and looked deeply into Rose's eyes.
"You . . . You mean it!?" Pearl could barely contain her excitement.
"Yes." Rose giggled. "I mean, unless you don't think you're ready."
"No- I mean yes- I mean . . . I'm ready when you are!" Pearl stuttered.
"Good," Rose smiled. "When should we-"
Suddenly, Rose felt herself being pulled as Pearl grabbed her by the hand and dragged her down the hill.
"-Oh! . . . Okay." Rose responded.
. . .
"Are you ready?" Rose whispered into Pearl's ear.
"Yes." Pearl inhaled deeply as she took Rose's hand in her's.
The two readied themselves for what would come next. In the distance, Garnet looked on in wonder. Everything was so new, so scary, so exciting.
Pearl inched closer to Rose's body. They were so close. She could feel Rose's breath on her body. All at once, Rose wrapped her arms around Pearl's slender frame, sending tingles down the pale gem's back. Pearl was frozen. She couldn't think. She could barely move, but somehow managed to pull her arms around Rose's tall, buxom curves.
"This is it." Pearl thought to herself as she pulled her body in close, burying her head in Rose's bosom, as the entire world disappeared in a blinding white light.
. . .
Where am I?
. . .
How did I . . . Rose! Rose? Where are you?
. . .
I can't see you, Rose. I can't see . . . anything.
. . .
Rose? . . . I don't understand. I thought . . . I thought if we fused, I could finally get close to you. I could finally connect with you in a way no one else can, but I can't even see you. How can I . . . How do I . . .
. . . Rose?
. . .
In an instant, the blinding light was gone. Pearl and Rose laid dazed on the ground as Garnet looked on in surprise.
"Well, that didn't go quite as planned." Rose said with a lighthearted sigh as she rose to her feet.
A little further away, Pearl sat in silence, her head down, her eyes gazing towards the ground.
"I . . . I'm sorry." Pearl started. "I must have done something wrong. Maybe if we-"
"No, no!" Rose interrupted. "It's not your fault."
Rose walked towards the frightened Pearl. "We both knew that fusion between two different types of gems would be difficult. We just need more practice."
Rose bent down and offered a hand to her Pearl, which the warrior accepted.
"Ri-Right, more practice," Pearl sighed as she rose up, clasping her hands tight. "Okay, I'm ready! This time, let's try to-"
"Wait!" Rose stopped. "Not yet. Let's take a break for now. Get some rest, and we'll try again in the morning."
"But . . . but I'm ready. Really, I am!"
Rose shook her head. "No, you're not. I could tell just by looking at you."
"Rose, I-"
"You trust me, don't you?"
Pearl's body stiffened. "Of course!"
"Then trust me now. We will learn how to fuse. We will make that connection together, I promise."
For a moment, Pearl's thoughts wavered. She stood there, staring longingly into Rose's eyes, fighting with all her might to hold back the tears.
"I . . . I believe you."
Rose smiled. "Good! Now, go get cleaned up, and I'll see you in a little bit, okay?"
With that, Rose turned and headed off towards camp, leaving Pearl to tend to her own affairs. However, almost immediately after Rose's departure, the proud swordsman began to sulk.
"I'm not ready." Pearl whispered to herself. "I don't know what happened, but clearly I'm not ready to fuse with her."
Pearl knelt down on the ground and tried to collect herself.
"I need to understand. I need to know what I did wrong if I'm ever going to connect with Rose. I need . . . "
Pearl turned to face the fused gem who had been watching her since this little experiment began.
"I need help."