The Firebender

Chapter 23: The Diamond Sisters

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 16, 1245

So, change in plans. We can't leave at sunset like we planned because we waited for Ruby and Steven to show up for hours but, they were sort of missing. We found them, at least one of them. Sapphire mentioned them being in the woods (because she always has all the answers) and we went to check up on what the hold-up was.

Good news is we found Steven, but he's stuck in a strange state that's a mix between the spirit world and the avatar state. Luckily no one was around to harm his body, but we can't find Ruby anywhere. I remember a time when I would have called Ruby a traitor for leaving, but right now all I can do is worry about if she's okay or not.

Sapphire is freaking out internally but she's still calm, I don't know how. I asked her and she said she can't explain it but, she has a feeling that Ruby is okay. She suggested we carry Steven back to the temple while she and Amethyst wait to see if Ruby will show up in the woods again or not. Pearl, Peridot and I will let them know if Steven wakes up or not; if he does, maybe he'll be able to shed some light on this whole fiasco.

Wherever Ruby is, I hope it's worth us worrying over her.

Connie closed her journal softly and moved closer to the younger boy who was laid out on the mattress. "Come on, wake up, Steven," She whispered softly, running her fingers through his thick locks. "…we need to do this now or we'll never have a chance like this again,"

Steven's face contorted into a grimace and his breathing quickened. It had been going on for the whole thirty minutes

"What are you dreaming about Steven?" Connie asked, eyebrows bunched together in curiosity. "Must be something intense," She noted, watching the beads of sweat trickle down his face.

Ruby shook her head, hands sweating at what Rose was implying. "No, I can't. I won't," She stuttered, backing away from the large woman who wore a sympathetic smile.

"You remind me a lot of your mother's sister, White Diamond," Rose said, changing the subject with practiced ease. "She was a hotheaded bender as well, but she always had the best intentions. Saving people whenever they were in trouble, not caring if she got hurt in the process," She smiled at the memory as she began walking further into the bright forest.

"You knew my aunts?" Ruby whispered in awe, following the large avatar through the spirit world willingly. "All of them? Blue, White and even Pink?" She couldn't help but ask, she hadn't seen her aunts in years; they were much friendlier than their older sister.

Pink and White were her absolute favorites, they were always giving her stories about their time spent traveling. Plus, they gave the best birthday presents.

Rose nodded, a smile on her face. "Yep, the Diamond sisters and I were very close once," She gestured to the light holding her memories. "Take a look,"

Ruby did, eyes bright and curious. "Whoa—" She stepped forward, feeling as if she were walking into a dream.

There were two women, probably eighteen, practicing their firebending in the simple fire nation royal palace. A younger looking Rose Quartz, with a youthful spark in her eyes, had barely dodged an attack from her friend. Rose wore her simple firenation garbs, her wild pink hair pulled back and out of her face.

She smirked, raising her hands in the air playfully. "You've gotten better since I last saw you Yellow," Rose let out a soft chuckle as her friend gave a stern nod. "Still as cocky as ever I see," She teased.

Yellow scoffed, crossing her arms as she leaned against a nearby tree. "You've been gone for two years, of course I've gotten better since then. I would be foolish not to, there is no way you're going to best me again,"

"Don't take it too serious, I've been training for firebending since I was in diapers; it's my main element," Rose said softly. "And I'm the avatar, I have a lot of things to worry about; keeping the world peaceful. Forgive me if I have to disappear for a while to ensure that,"

Yellow sighed, glaring at the ground below her royal silks. "…you didn't even send me a letter; some best friend you are." The tall princess huffed, an angry blush reaching her face.

Rose smirked. "You missed me—"

"Shut up! I did not," Yellow turned around to hide her expression. "Pink and White were just worried about you and I didn't know what to tell them, it was really a pain." She lied.

Rose giggled her signature laugh. "Sure Yellow. But if they were wondering, I went to the water tribe to teach some of the children. They don't have much and need to build up their empire,"

Yellow Diamond hummed. "I've always wanted to go there," She confessed. "But it doesn't seem like that will be happening anytime soon,"

"Why not? I can take you there, maybe a quick vacation—" Rose began.

Yellow cut her off. "No. I'm next in line to be queen, Rose. My mother is ill, so it may happen sooner than later," She bit her lower lip, looking away from her friend's worried gaze. "They already have a husband picked out for me," She scoffed. "Some prince from across the city, I'm supposed to meet him tonight for dinner,"

Rose smiled weakly, wondering how much had changed since she left. "It isn't fair they get to pick who you marry." She bit her lower lip, trying to find a way to fix the tension. "…when you're queen, try not to be an asshole and let it get to your head okay? I'm going to be visiting a lot for diplomatic issues."

"I won't, as long as you send me updates on your whereabouts so I don't have to answer to those idiots," Yellow said with a soft smile.

Rose grinned, moving to wrap her arms around her friend. "I promise," She was three seconds into the hug when a squeal sounded from across the yard.

"Rose is back!" They looked around to see Pink and White running over with grins on their faces; they appeared to be two or three years younger. "Why didn't you tell us you were back!"

Rose pulled away from the hug with a bright smile. "I was getting to it, but Yellow and I had to practice for a bit,"

"Stop hogging her, she's already your best friend!" Pink huffed, latching onto Rose's arm with a dopey smile as she tugged her along. "Come on, I want to show you how strong I've gotten too!"

White nodded, arms crossed with a playful smirk. "Me too,"

Rose chuckled nervously. "How about you two versus me?" When they cheered, she laughed, allowing them to pull her to the arena. "Oh…" She looked over her shoulder to see Yellow glaring at the ground as she walked back towards the castle. "I'll see you later tonight Yellow, maybe I can stay for dinner?" She directed the question at the oldest but the other sisters responded.

"Great," White grinned. "Sit between us, then you can tell us all about you trip!"

Rose nodded before she turned to Yellow. The oldest still had her back turned, walking inside, as she waved a lazy goodbye over her shoulder.

Anger, frustration, and confusion trailing behind her.

Ruby swallowed, stepping away from the memory to turn to Rose. "You were best friends? How did you two even meet?" She had never seen her mother so at ease, so happy. "And what happened, whenever people bring you up she gets super angry now. What'd you do?" She couldn't help but jump to protect her mother, maybe Rose ruined Yellow turning out into a decent person.

"We met when we were both children in school. We learned how to firebend together, but when I mastered it I had to move onto my next teacher." Rose shrugged. "I was about twelve when I left for the air nomads, but with my friends at the firenation I made a point to always visit. That's why she wasn't too shocked when I showed up two years later,"

Rose sighed. "We were both busy back then, it's a wonder we made our friendship work. The first time I came back was when I was sixteen, airbending was particularly difficult for me," She admitted sheepishly, causing Ruby to laugh. "I'll never forget,"

Ruby chanced a glance back into the memories, curious.

A sixteen-year-old Rose Quartz stepped into the royal palace of the firenation for a meeting she would be having with the firelord. She had grown taller beyond her years, hair curlier and longer than before. Dressed in air nomad yellow and brown cloths, she tucked a glider given to her by some of the children behind her back.

"You," She squeaked, turning around like a mouse caught by a cat. "What are you doing here?"

Yellow Diamond, the oldest sister of four, was glaring at her strangely from across the empty hallway. She had also grown, not as tall as the avatar but close, her face becoming more defined. Her royal fighting gear caught Rose's attention, the towel wrapped around her sweating nape caused her to grin.

"You were training?" Rose couldn't help but ask. "It's been a while—"

Yellow raised an eyebrow. "Avatar Rose, it has been four years," The small crack at her lips displayed a teasing smile, Rose blushed. "I presume you are here for the meeting with my mother then? I'll be attending as well, since I'm next in line,"

Rose hummed. "Well I'm in town for a few months before I head to the water tribe, how about we get some food and catch up later? I have some crazy stories I've been dying to share about the air nomads,"

"…sure," Yellow tried to appear less eager, but she couldn't help it; she thought she'd never see Rose again. "As long as my sisters stay away, I have enough of them during the week,"

Rose chuckled. "Of course,"

Ruby swallowed. "I don't understand, what happened to change everything? And why didn't Blue hang out with you?"

Rose made a face before shaking her head. "…she never really liked me. But as for what happened all those years ago, it's hard to explain how it all happened. I wanted to show you how she was before it all though, to prove it's not completely her fault for why she's like that," She bit her lip. "When her mother passed, she became the firelord, it was a rough time for her and I tried to help her through it but I still hadn't mastered earthbending and had to go away for it,"

"When I came back, I had to be twenty-one and she was a year older," Rose bit her lip. "She had changed after gaining the throne; a little cocky, darkened by what she had to manage, but not so far gone. Not yet,"

Ruby swallowed, considering the next memory anxiously.

The door to the main room in the palace opened to reveal Rose walking towards the throne, she offered a sheepish smile. "Long time no see, firelord Diamond," She went to take a knee but Yellow shook her head.

"Rose, you're making me feel like some old lady, get up and give me a hug," Yellow joked, getting down to meet her halfway. "How was the earthbending training?"

Rose pulled out of the hug with a groan. "Painful, but worth it I suppose. I am now a master of all elements," She grinned. "It took longer than other avatars but I wanted to understand the culture and see the people,"

Yellow nodded with a soft smile. "I understand. But it's great seeing you again, I haven't really heard back from you since the wedding," She said, walking to gaze out the window.

Rose swallowed thickly, picking at the fabric on her shirt nervously. "Yeah, weddings aren't really my thing. But you looked amazing as always," She gushed, blushing at the smile she received. "But, you love him, right? Last time you were upset about the arrangement,"

Yellow shrugged. "He's a great guy; sweet, funny, an amazing bender, and he calms me down. Keeps me from my dark thoughts with his light personality," She smiled. "I'm happy."

"Good," It's all Rose wanted. "…children?" She raised an eyebrow.

Yellow flushed, choking on her own breath. "W-we haven't decided when but eventually, yes. I'm hoping for a daughter, maybe two. He wants a big family," She frowned. "What about you? I've never seen you with anyone before,"

"I'm far too busy," Rose shrugged. "And the person I want isn't interested."

Yellow raised an eyebrow. "You're the avatar, anyone would be lining up to be with you,"

"Well, not this one," Rose smiled sadly. "…but I will be at the ball tonight, I'll talk to you then?"

Yellow smiled. "Of course,"

"…Rose," Ruby began, uneasy. "Did you—love her?" She couldn't place the strange feeling boiling in the pit of her stomach.

The past avatar swallowed, strong emotions from the past being brought up so suddenly. "I just wanted you to see how much I—cared for her, so when you see how things fall apart you'll know how much she meant to me. I never meant for it to happen, but I couldn't do anything about it."

Ruby shook her head. "I don't understand—how could you have been in love with my mother?"

Rose frowned. "It's no different than how you are in love with Sapphire,"

Ruby's face brightened, voice cracking. "I-it's not like that, we just started dating and we have a war going on. It's kind of the last of our worries, how do you even know about us? I know you can see through Steven in a way but, we haven't told anyone,"

"Steven is more observant than you think," Rose winked, laughing at Ruby's terrified expression. "He's just nice enough not to say anything,"

Ruby shook her head. "Okay, sorry but I'm still trying to get over that my mother had an affair with the avatar. Excuse me if it's taking a while for me to process this,"

Rose crossed her arms. "We never did anything, not even a kiss. She loved your father more than you think," She dropped her arms when Ruby's expression softened. "I'll show you what changed it all, look,"

Ruby stepped forward and did so.

"It was the night of the ball," Rose began, face pinching up at the memory. "I had said a few words to Yellow, had a drink or two with her and a friendly dance on the floor. But after two hours I began to get a little tired and went outside to the balcony to get some fresh air, Blue was out there crying,"

Ruby's eyebrows raised. She hadn't heard anything about her other aunt thus far, she was curious to what personality she would display.

Rose barely managed to get away from the dozens of people requesting her time or autograph as she made a dash for the balcony. With one more glance to an ecstatic Yellow, she was in the process of getting a portrait of her painted with her and her husband; Rose smiled softly and proceeded towards the fresh air and night breeze.

A startled sound, mixed between a sob and a squeak caused her to jump. "Go away!"

Rose held her hands up, looking over the distraught Diamond sister with caution. "Blue, what are you doing out here? Are you okay?" She dared to take a step further.

"…you wouldn't understand," Blue whispered with broken hate, she never took a liking to the avatar; jealous of her ability to go wherever she pleased. "Your life isn't already made up for you,"

Rose almost laughed but managed to hold it in, she responded softer instead. "Well, I didn't exactly choose to be the avatar; or to go around the world, almost by force, to master every element to keep the world balanced. So, I kind of get where you're coming from," She leaned on the rail next to Blue with a small smile. "You hate how you aren't allowed to dictate your own life and you just want to be free,"

Blue huffed, wiping her tears away on her sleeve. "We're all forced to play a role and whether we like it or not, we have no control over it," She gestured towards Rose. "…you're playing your role without even knowing it,"

"By trying to help a friend and talk about things that are bothering her?" Rose asked, jokingly.

Blue scoffed. "No, trying to talk me out of it by telling me my life isn't too made up for me; and in doing so, I will stay with my family which will maintain the balance in the universe,"

"I wouldn't say you running off to live life your way will ruin the universe," Rose said softly, ignoring the gut feeling in her stomach. "…you don't want a fixed marriage like your sister, if it isn't your thing then you should leave and find yourself in the world. Take a leap and explore all the things it has to offer, I've seen them and it's pretty great; the people you meet, the culture." Rose smiled. "I don't advise in leaving without at least telling your sisters but—I can't stop you either,"

Blue smiled sadly. "I can't tell them that I'm leaving the firenation to be with a waterbending peasant."

Rose couldn't stop the look of awe from rising on her face as she watches Blue turn around, face wiped clean of tears, and walk back into the daunting ball. A fake smile gracing her lips as she allowed herself to be pulled into an embrace with Yellow before the sisters began dancing the night away.

It wasn't until the next morning when Rose was awoken in the royal palaces guest room did Yellow barge into her room, ranting about her sister gone missing.

Ruby took a tiny step back from the heavy memory. "She left…to be with a waterbender?"

"I don't think he has any significance with any of Sapphire's relatives, so when Yellow sent her ship of firebenders she must have been doing it out of spite for her lost sister," Rose confirmed with a sigh. "I should have listened to Blue's warning, giving her that advice was the first step to unbalancing the world; I was too foolish back then, I thought I could make everyone happy."

Ruby shook her head. "Yellow would have understood, she was different then,"

"She never would have seen that man as worthy enough for her younger sister; either way it would have caused a rift between them," Rose crossed her arms. "Yellow knew I had knowledge of something, we'd been friends too long for her to notice I was hiding something. She lost it, kicked me out of the firenation and even went as far to say I did something to Blue,"

Ruby licked her lips, processing all the information. "What happened to Blue?"

"I never saw her since, I checked the water tribe but they all said they hadn't seen her," Rose shrugged. "They might have just been hiding her from me, but I'll never know," She straightened up when an invisible pulse struck them. "Time is running up, Steven can't hold this form forever, Ruby you and I have to make a choice."

The firebender frowned. "You and I? I thought you said this was my choice to make,"

"Depending on what you decide, you will still need my help to see the plan through," Rose said, daring her to go against her demands. "You've seen our memories, you know how I felt about her, I won't let you do anything rash."

Ruby scoffed, stepping back once more. "It was never going to be up to me, you're still the same wide eyed teenager who thinks she can make everyone happy; excuse me, make my mother happy." Ruby shook her head. "But you can't do anything without me. That's why you called me here; for some reason unknown to even you, you can't get in contact with Steven and I'm the only one who knows her well enough."

"I agree that she was nicer in the past, but she's done some really messed up things over time," Ruby clutched her fists together. "It's out of the question, she can't exist in this world—"

Rose all but growled. "Now wait a minute—"

"But she can exist somewhere else." Ruby finished sternly, gaining a surprised and impressed look from Rose. "…but I don't have the power to do that, you have to lend me some of your avatar powder or something."

Rose grinned, liking this firebender more by the second. "I can do you one better,"

Connie jumped up when Steven emerged from his strange state with a gasp, clutching onto the ground beneath him. "Steven you're awake! What happened—"

"No time, we have to get moving," Steven stood up from the ground, dusting himself off as he walked out of the room and made a beeline for the exit. "We have to leave now if we plan to saving her some time,"

Connie couldn't do anything but follow behind, confused. "What are you talking about? And we can't go anywhere without finding Ruby first,"

"She's fine, she'll meet us there,"

Connie groaned. "You're not making sense, what's going on?"

"Gather the others onto Lion," Steven stopped suddenly, looking her dead in the eyes. "I'll tell you guys everything on the ride there,"

Connie swallowed. "Where's Ruby?"

"I don't know, the connection is lost but I'm sure she's safe," Steven confirmed, not wasting anymore time as he began walking once more with Connie close behind.

Tonight, they go to war.

Thanks to those who are still baring with me on this story. Things are picking up so stay tuned, I'll try to update sooner than later but we'll see what happens.

Let me know what you think, and thanks again!