Onyx charged down the Beach City boardwalk. Luckily no one was around that night. She gripped three planks and pried them off, revealing a clandestine sanctum directly underneath the boardwalk. Onyx plunged in and closed the planks securely behind her. The dark buff gem hastily ran down the corridor only to encounter a dispute.
A tall pale gem with long, silky white hair was arguing with a green gem of equal height and many limb enhancers.
"We mustn't attack yet! Those Crystal Gems are too near! They'll interfere!" the white gem proclaimed.
"This is a perfect time! I saw them fly off in a Roaming Eye earlier! They're in space! This is our moment! When Onyx gets back, I swear-" the green gem paused and turned, her eyes wide. "Onyx!"
"Peridot," Onyx replied. "Alabaster, what's going on here?"
The tall white gem pulled out a crystalline staff and pointed to the Peridot. "This one thinks we should take advantage of the Crystal Gems' absence and proceed with the plan. Please explain to her that-"
"Not yet," Onyx declared, summoning her sledgehammer. "Green Tourmaline escaped, along with some rogue vigilante. Find them, Alabaster. Then we can proceed. Do whatever you can to bring them back."
Alabaster simpered mischievously. She shifted into a silver battle skirt and her hair plaited itself, ornamented with a silver circlet. Her intimidating snow white eyes dilated as her staff gleamed.
"With pleasure."
Angelite staggered through a field of strawberries and fallen armaments. She released Tourmaline's gem and lamented.
"Please get better . . ."
This all brought Angelite back to a time long ago. The day she was created. The day she fled Homeworld with the help of the very gem she'd shattered - Snowflake Obsidian.
Snowflake Obsidian was an exceptional gem - protective, balanced, serene, and pure. She was always by Angelite's side. They'd even spent time together on Earth . . . until everything changed.
"Do you see that?" Angelite asked, sitting at the top of a mountain.
"Yes," Snowflake replied, her black-and-white hair flowing in the wind. A bright, multi-colored light had taken over the sky. "This is not good," Snowflake said, summoning her katana. "We must leave promptly."
Angelite nodded, following Snowflake as she jumped off of the mountain and dived into the ocean. The light got brighter, and a loud melodic sound resonated in the atmosphere. Snowflake reacted violently, clenching her fists and shaking her head avidly. "W-What is . . ."
Angelite grimaced, grabbing Snowflake's shoulder. "What's wrong? What can I do?"
Snowflake's form shifted, and she became less and less humanoid. She looked up at Angelite and tried to articulate, but all that escaped her snout was a feeble howl.
Angelite stepped away, her hands over her mouth. "S-Snowflake!"
Snowflake Obsidian had become a wolf right before her eyes. Angelite was, perversely, unaffected. She had to live with the fact that the only gem she'd built a relationship with was gone. Her comrade was corrupted.
Angelite still wondered why she was one of the only gems on Earth who had prevailed uncorrupted. Perhaps she was so powerful that she was immune. Maybe it was just chance.
Before she could think, a laser cut through a strawberry at her foot. Angelite inherently summoned her scimitar and whirled around.
"Who's there?" she shouted, standing in front of Tourmaline's gem defensively.
Alabaster stepped into sight boldly and without hesitation. "I am Alabaster," the gem proclaimed, bowing. She wielded a five-foot long crystalline staff. The source of the laser.
"An Era Two Alabaster, I see," Angelite noted bitterly. "But your elaborate gem tech is no match for antiquated Homeworld weaponry."
Alabaster scoffed. "You dare proclaim superiority to me? I'll have you know, I'm one of Onyx's greatest fighters and a former member of White Diamond's court."
"Was," Angelite stated. "So you were discarded?"
"For disloyalty," Alabaster admitted. "But I have a new purpose now. A purpose that Onyx needs you for. So you can come with me harmoniously," she said, hoisting her staff. "Or we can duel."