This might be the last chapter I'll be updating for a long time. I'm going to be moving into my college dorm and I will be focusing on my school and sports so I probably won't post anything new unless it's during the holidays or maybe on the weekends unless I have practice or a game. I will post a new chapter for every one of my in progress stories (A Glimpse, A Wrinkle in Time and Going the Distance) as sort of a goodbye present and I made sure to make the chapters longer than usual.

Don't know when I'll have the time to post again (aside from the other stories that will be up next week) but I know that I have to put all my focus into school so I'll see you in a while.

The Firebender

Chapter 18: Preparations

Water, Earth, Fire, Air

Long ago the four nations lived together in harmony. Then everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Only the avatar master of all four elements could stop them but when the world needed him most, he vanished. A hundred years passed and my cousin and I discovered the new avatar. An airbender named, Steven. And although his airbending skills are great, he has a lot to learn before he's ready to save anyone. But I believe Steven can save the world.

September 10, 1245

We've been working on the weapons and battling arena designs that Peridot and I sketched up for days now. Everyone is pulling their own weight, not slaking off and working hard, it's amazing how well we're working together. The battle arena was set up inside the temple where Pearl claims to have once been a dance hall; it's a nice size and doesn't get too much sun light but its fine.

Amethyst and Steven dug a deep hole where they placed water inside for Sapphire, there are various boulders varying in size that are set up on the side, these wooden panels that are supposed to help Steven with his fluent airbending movement and Ruby is at the end; waiting for Steven to finish the rest of the maze before he takes her head one.

It's not just good for him but it's also great for the rest of us. They get to showcase their bending, Steven gets to work on his stamina and I get to battle him with my sword before he can get to Ruby, it's awesome.

Positive reinforcement is working wonders on all of us. The minute we wake up, we eat and then head to the battle arena. Peridot isn't much of a fighter so she just sort of watches from time to time or is busy getting started on our weapons.

But anyway, with how well things are going I'm positive that we're going to win this war and restore peace to all nations.

Connie quickly closed her journal and tossed it clumsily on her bed before she hurriedly ran out of her room. Her shoes echoed as she sped down the narrow halls that seemed to go on forever, making a break to the left once she reached the end.

"…there she is, hurry up Connie! We can't get started without you," Amethyst's rough voice said with slight annoyance as she sat atop a moss covered rock.

The fourteen year old quickly plucked her space sword from the ground and got in positioned in front of the firebender. "Sorry," She simply said, holding her weapon up to show that she was ready.

Steven banged on the dong, announcing everyone to get ready before he jumped into the panels. Pearl tossed a gust of wind over the wooden tiles and they immediately began spinning and twisting out of control. Connie smiled in awe as she watched Steven gracefully twirl along with the infamous wood; coming out on the other side without a scratch.

"One out of five," Pearl wrung the dong, smiling. "Complete!"

Amethyst slammed her right foot down on the ground, summoning her large boulders to rise around her. "…now it's time for some real fun!" She pushed her hands forward, hurdling six heavy rocks towards the approaching Avatar.

Steven quickly dodged the first three by bouncing around them in a zigzag motion. He took the fourth one head on and set his foot on its surface before blasting off into the air.

"No you don't," The earthbender growled, redirecting her last two boulders to stand on his right and left side. "Take this!" She shouted, throwing her arms across each to form a sort of 'X' and smirked as the heavy rocks collided together.

The dust around the collision slowly passed away, revealing a levitating Steven with the fused boulders held over his head. "Thanks, I will!" The muscles in his arms flexed as he hurled the rocks back at his mentor, he landed on his feet as his breath tried to come back into his body.

Amethyst held her hands out and blocked the boulders, but not without getting pushed a few feet back due to the blunt force. "…two out of five," She began, grinning over the edge of the boulder to let them know that she was alright. "Perfectly executed,"

The dong was activated by a small pebble Amethyst flicked towards its center.

"A-ah," Steven nearly fell back as a sharp shard of ice grazed his cheek. "…this is bringing back crazy flashbacks from when you were my teacher," He muttered, not having time to poke at the scratch as a dozen more shards came his way.

It was Ruby's turn to gap in awe as the waterbender gracefully bended the water towards the Avatar. She was in her own element, never slowing down as the shards came stronger and faster each time; all the while, face void with emotion.

"This all you got?" Steven puffed out, dodging the shards and slapping them to the floor where they began melting. "…if so, I can do this all day!" He finished with a shout, slapping the last one away with a smile.

The slight smirk on Sapphire's face made his stomach drop. That, along with the slight pain on his left arm, he swallowed. The shards hadn't melted, they had simply been scattered around in. Before he could move a tornado of sharp ice shards began surrounding him, Steven knew that Sapphire was still going easy on him because they didn't hurt enough to draw blood.

He spun with the tornado and when he picked up enough speed, he shot a bundle of air out of his hands and mouth; the shards were sent flying away.

He barely had time to turn around when he was consumed with a large hand, made of water, being controlled by the waterbender. Steven blew out hot air through his nose and felt his body heat up.

"That's what I'm talking about," Ruby grinned, watching the water around the Avatar begin to evaporate into steam; the leaky water collapsed, sending the child falling.

Just before he reached the floor he twirled around with a shout and tossed a strong fire blast from his fist.

Sapphire quickly summoned a shield of water which was melt on the spot with seconds, she held up a thumb. "Three out of five, satisfactory,"

"Aw, just satisfactory," Steven whined through his heavy breathing, jumping up when another shard rose but relaxed when it flew past him and knocked into the dong alerting completion.

Connie twirled her sword in her hand before pointing it at the Avatar as he approached. "…" She didn't say anything as Steven picked up a nearby silver sword of his own, she made the first move.

Their weapons clashed together as they both fought for the upper hand, their attacks growing stronger. Steven jutted his foot forward and stood his ground, putting all his weight into the heavy push of his own sword colliding with Connie's.

The fourteen year old was shoved back momentarily, she tried to lift her sword to strike back but Steven had flicked his wrist and sent it flying. His pointy end stopped right before it could graze her nose.

"Four out of five, clear!" Connie squeaked, moving out of the way from the burn zone.

Steven immediately dropped his weapon and lunged forward, not waiting for the bell as he sent three fist filled fire punches at the older girl. Ruby dodged them easily and kicked a powerful blast his way before running forward.

The chubby boy blocked the strong flames and when they cleared she was nowhere to be found, he huffed. "Where did she—"

"Right here," Ruby replied calmly, her hands were balled up into fists as fire threatened to leak through them.

Steven swallowed before he turned around, coming face to face with the heat radiating from his teachers fists. "…using the flame and smoke as a distraction to sneak up on me, you've never taught me that one before." He tried to act casual as he slowly moved his left foot forward, still looking into red eyes.

"I have to keep some of my secrets," Ruby shrugged, eyes sparkling mischievously when Steven jammed his leg into hers in an attempt to make her lose her balance. "…was that supposed to hurt?" She raised an un-amused eyebrow.

The Avatar gulped as the firebender followed his earlier actions, though her movement was much more fluid and successful. Steven let out a very un-manly squeal as he lost his balance and fell onto his back, his airbending doing little to soften the fall.

Ruby gave him a small grin as she looked down at the sulking Avatar. "Oh come on, it was way better than yesterdays training and you didn't have a lot of energy because you took on all these other benders! If I was in your position then I'd probably be tuckered out too," She tried to cheer him up.

"Yeah, don't worry about it," Amethyst said, as she and the others surrounded Steven, holding a hand out. "Come on, we can all eat some of the lunch that Sapphire prepared, take a break and then give it another shot."

Steven accepted the hand that was being offered, he smiled weakly. "Yeah, I guess I could use some food and a short break." He dusted himself off and followed behind Pearl and Amethyst as they led him to the fruit and drinks that were awaiting them.

Connie watched the trio walk off before she turned around to face the firebender, she needed to ask her a question. "…hey Ruby—oh," She stopped mid sentence when she noticed her cousin attempting to place a hand on Ruby's shoulder as they spoke softly to each other. "Sorry, were you two in the middle of something? I just needed to ask Ruby something but I can come back later—"

"N-no, it's fine," Sapphire snatched her hand away and took a few steps away from them, face set aflame. "I'll just see you later, tonight—at dinner." She added quickly, words rushed as she stumbled to correct herself.

Connie raised an eyebrow; she looked over to see Ruby blushing just as hard.

"D-dinner, right," Ruby nodded out awkwardly, crossing her arms behind her back in a nervous habit. "I will be there and I will see you…there," She ended lamely.

Sapphire pointed behind her. "Okay, I should go—before Amethyst eats everything, but I'll save you something. Both of you," She added, looking to Connie with a weak smile before dashing off in the direction of the eating hall.

Connie didn't bother addressing the strange conversation; she knew from past experiences how oblivious Ruby was and decided that there was no way that anything was going on between them.

The young teen cut to the chase. "I need a new sword,"

"Really, but I thought you liked your space sword?" Ruby asked; her blush fading away as she examined the almost perfect pitch black weapon. "Why would you want a new one and why are you asking me?"

The fourteen year old shrugged. "Well, you have all these firenation connections and I thought that you would be able to help me. And my sword just doesn't feel right anymore, Steven defeated me within seconds. I'm usually able to last longer than that, so maybe I need another sword to go along with my skill,"

Ruby nodded, arms crossing. "I understand, but the only friend I know who works with weapons is—"

"Don't say her name, don't you dare!" Peridot's high pitched voice startled Connie, but Ruby was accustomed to her friends snooping and raised an eyebrow, as the teen walked out from the shadows with a book in hand.

Connie frowned. "Have you been watching as train all day from that spot?"

"I've been working on some new designs and looking up from time to time but not really," Peridot shrugged before pointing at Ruby. "And you, I can't believe you're going to tell Connie about her! What's wrong with you?"

"Relax, you act like I was going to actually go out and find Bismuth or something," Ruby huffed. "Trust me. I've learned my lesson with that woman,"

Connie smiled, hoping this was the start of a new story. "Is she another one of your childhood friends who turns out to be good like Peridot, are we going to sneak her out too?" She was already formulating an escape plan.

"No freaking way, Bismuth is completely loyal to the firenation and Yellow Diamond," Ruby shook her head. "And we're not friends, she's like twenty nine years old and she's in charge of our weapons for the troops. She has just as much bloodlust for violence as my mother does, which is why she is in charge of making the most deadly weapons possible,"

Connie deflated. "…okay then, do you know anyone else who can get me a better sword then?"

"…no," Ruby shook her head. "But Bismuth did have this cool pink sword she was working on to show to Yellow Diamond but she wasn't interested. So she gave it to me, when I was like five, what was I even going to do with that at that age?"

Peridot recalled the moment when her friend told her the story all those years ago; remembering the vivid way Ruby described Bismuth's blood thirsty eyes. "…I think she was the one who suggested we put sharks in the lake where the ducks belong." She whispered to herself, thinking back to where she read something like that in the suggestion box for the security crew.

"Where did you put it?" Connie asked eagerly.

The firebender scratched her head in thought. "Uhm, didn't have much use for it so I gave it to—oh yeah, I gave it to Lapis." She smiled softly at the memory. "I think I still had a crush on her and hoped this would sway her or something, so she accepted it and now she keeps it in her room I think. I've seen it in there a few times,"

Peridot frowned as she saw it coming. "…no—"

"Ruby, you have to sneak in there and get it for me!" Connie shouted.

Ruby's eyes went wide in horror. "What—are you crazy? We literally just snuck in there to rescue Peridot like five days ago! We risked our lives and you want us to do it again for a sword that might not even be there?"

"Yes!" Connie understood but tried again. "I know we risked a lot last time but I just have to good feeling about this one! A-and, you'll get to see Lapis again after all these years."

Peridot scoffed. "Trust me, you haven't missed much."

"Even if I could sneak in, I'm not even sure Lapis still looks at me as a friend or a traitor. I just left without telling them and I'm not sure she'd forgive that so easily," Ruby mumbled.

Connie gestured to Peridot. "But you left without telling her and she decided to join us,"

"It's different," Peridot said. "Ruby came to visit the slums all the time when she was on the run. She might not have seen me directly but my parents told me how she would check in to make sure they were doing well, so when I got the letter I was fine because I knew she hadn't changed at all. But Lapis, she wouldn't know what to expect."

Connie sighed. "She was your bestfriend, I'm sure she would forgive you. She's the one living in the Firelord's palace as a waterbender, so she should understand why you left when you did."

"Even if she does forgive me, understands, and gives me the sword without a problem." Ruby began. "How would I look, sneaking into her bedroom at night? If Jasper wasn't angry before she'd be completely livid and would blast fire at me at first sight." She shivered at the unpleasant thought.

Peridot nodded. "It would look strange, forget being locked in the freezer, Ruby would be labeled as the traitorous pervert."

Ruby shook her head, finished with the conversation as she walked past them. "I'm not sneaking in there, no way. So you better use what you have now or get Peridot to whip something up because I am not going down like that."

"You can do that?" Connie forgot about the other teen and turned to the shorter one.

Peridot shrugged. "I can try, just find me some material and I'll give it a shot. I've never made swords but, how hard could it be?"

"Let's get started then!" Connie grinned.

Lapis didn't turn around as her bedroom door was pulled open and then closed softly. Her blue eyes wandered across the craftsmanship of the bright pink sword that sat on her bed, wrapped in brown protective cloth.

"What's that?" Jasper's voice reached her ears; the firebender placed her hands on her girlfriend's hips as she rested her chin on her bare shoulder. "Is that a sword from Bismuth's garage? Is it a new design?" She asked, never noticing it until now.

Lapis smiled, shaking her head before dropping the pink weapon on her bed. "No, it's very vintage; Bismuth gave it to Ruby when she was five and she didn't want it so she gave it to me," She turned to look over at the larger girl, raising an eyebrow. "I always keep it on that shelf over there,"

When Lapis pointed to the right, her sleeves fell down to her elbow to reveal smooth skin. "As much as you're in here I would have thought you would recognize it," Her breath hitched when Jasper placed light kisses along her exposed arm.

"Forgive me, I'm usually focused on other things half the time we're in here," She teased, slipping her hands a little lower on the side of her hips.

Lapis allowed the hands to move as she turned her attention back to the weapon, fingers grazing its smooth edges. "…I wish I could give it back to her," She whispered, immediately changing the atmosphere.

"…it's too dangerous, and you don't even know where she is or in this case where the Avatar is," Jasper began, pulling her lover away from the distracting weapon. "So please, don't even think about it. I don't want my mother getting suspicious of where your loyalties lie."

The waterbender nodded. "I'm sorry,"

"Don't be, you're not the only one who misses her," Jasper smiled weakly, placing a delicate kiss atop her forehead. "I really came in here to let you know that I'm going to be away for three days; I'm going to the Earth Kingdom to talk business, I leave in two hours,"

Lapis hummed in thought. "…okay, three days isn't too bad."

"Really, you usually get upset when I bring this up when we have made plans," Jasper observed her silently but found nothing. "…are you sure you'll be alright?"

Lapis smiled. "I'm sure I'll find something to do,"

Amethyst tossed her empty bowl on the ground and stood up with a groan. "Well, I'm finished and since there is no more food here I'm off to bed."

"Really, you could at least offer to help clean up," Pearl scoffed, grabbing the carelessly thrown bowl and placing it under hers. "Sapphire, do you need any help cleaning up?"

Ruby slowly swallowed her apple bite. "…you guys can go; I'll help her clean this mess,"

"But you two have been cleaning every night together," Steven frowned, speaking up before the duo could object. "We'll all clean up while you two get some rest," He turned to Amethyst who was almost out of sight, he yelled. "That means you too Amethyst!"

The earthbender let out a loud groan before slowly walking towards the camp fire.

Connie grabbed her cousins' empty bowl and then pushed her into the firebender. "You two get out of here before we change our mind. And Ruby," She called out to the firebender with a grin. "Peridot and I will need your help tomorrow with the sword; your firebending is going to come in handy."

"Alright, I'll be there," Ruby waved, also wearing a small grin before she turned around and sighed. "…anything is better than the alternative."

Sapphire nudged her shoulder to shoulder, long hair following her fluid motion. "And what may that be? Don't let me find out that you've been telling stories about your past behind my back," She teased.

Ruby shook her head, smiling softly as she hesitantly grabbed Sapphire's hand; they had been out of eyesight once they turned the corner. "Of course not, but I did tell her about this woman named Bismuth who makes weapons for our army. Connie wanted me to sneak into the firenation to retrieve a sword she gave me when I was five, can you believe that?"

"And the sword is probably in Lapis's room, so I would look like a pervert sneaking in there at night."

The waterbender snickered at the thought of Ruby staring like a deer caught in headlights before struggling to climb out the window. "It would be an interesting sight, but I agree with it being a terrible idea and I'm glad you talked her out of it. The fact that she used to resent you and now she sort of looks up to you, it's sort of baffling."

Ruby came to a stop when they reached the room. "Yeah, I'm glad everything worked out. But to be honest," She leaned against the door frame, soft red eyes peering at long bangs where she knew bright blue eyes ones looked back. "I was a little worried about your opinion most of the time,"

"I was friendly towards you, though," Sapphire frowned. "Why would you care about what I thought?"

Ruby shrugged. "I don't know you were the only person who seemed to like me. Amethyst didn't have a problem with me but she's always off doing her own thing and I tried to stay away from Steven as much as possible because I didn't feel like I could teach him correctly. So I kept your reaction to everything I planned in thought because I didn't want to lose you as a friend, if that happened I'd be stuck with Amethyst and we barely have anything in common,"

"I worried about your opinion of me too," Sapphire admitted. "My crush on you affected everything to the way I spoke to you, how long I could hug you and if I was getting too close. I didn't know if I was being too much sometimes so I tried to keep my distance and tried to move on. But it was kind of hard to do that when you kept sharing these new and amazing things about yourself."

"Even though it looks like I'm good at hiding my emotions…it's not easy and I don't like doing it. I want you to be able to see sides of me that I hide from everyone else," Sapphire squeezed her hand. "And I don't want to hide how I feel about you anymore,"

Ruby raised the hand and placed an intimate kiss on Sapphire's knuckles. "Neither do I."

Sapphire felt her heart sped up at the endearing action. "…I don't want to hide our; relationship?" She asked.

"I'd like to think so, yes," The firebender nodded, thick curls bouncing along with the action. "For instance, when this war thing is over, if I introduce you in front of my friends I'd refer to you as my girlfriend?" She tested, smiling when Sapphire nodded in approval. "So it's official,"

The waterbender bit her lower lip. "Yes, but I think it would be a good idea if we didn't tell the others right now. There's just so much going on—"

"I know," Ruby replied easily, giving her hand another gentle squeeze before letting go slowly, making sure their fingertips grazed upon separating. "I'll see you tomorrow at breakfast?"

"Of course," Sapphire leaned in to place a slow kiss on her girlfriend's ready lips, after a few moments she pulled away with a soft smack. "…goodnight,"

Ruby sneaked another kiss, a little sloppier and rushed than the last one but still managing to pull a sigh from the waterbender. "Night," Her breath grazed the other girls lips as she turned around and walked into her room across the hall.

Sapphire waited until she was inside before she closed her door, she didn't slide down the wood like she heard Ruby do a few nights ago but she couldn't resist feeling her pulsing lips with her fingers.

A giddy smiled arose. "Girlfriend,"

"Going somewhere?" A rich, hard, voice called out from behind her.

Yellow Diamond, dressed in her silk night attire was standing in the door frame with her arms crossed. There was no anger on her face; she seemed impassive and almost tired, drained even.

The waterbender assumed all the meetings and responsibility had finally got to her.

Lapis turned around slowly, she bowed. "Your highness,"

"No need to bow in front of me, we're like family Princess Lazuli," Yellow Diamond explained with a small grin that resembled a sneer before she let it form into a straight line. "…are you coming back?"

The waterbender gripped the bag around her shoulder and looked the woman in her eyes, she nodded. "Of course, I love Jasper and if I were leaving for good I would have told her. I'm just going to visit my family while Jasper is off on a business trip,"

"Well, it is the best time to visit family I suppose," Yellow Diamond leaned on the door that led into the dining hall; they were currently in the kitchen. "Jasper is going to be gone for three days and your mother is also off on a trip and won't be back for a week, perfect opportunity."

Lapis nodded. "I'll be back in time,"

"I'm sure you will," The Queen turned around so she wasn't facing the teenager and crossed her arms; Yellow Diamond didn't say anything for a long moment. "…tell her—" But just as she began to whisper the words, Lapis had taken the cue to exit through the back door.

The door slamming was the only thing that answered her.

Yellow Diamond shook her head and sighed. "…she wouldn't listen to anything I had to say anyway,"