Chapter 16: It's The Climb
It was 11:30 at night. The windchill was below 0, and a 28,200 incline, but Garnet didn't care, all she cared about was rescuing her friends. Garnet squatted then leaped high into th air, landing on a icy cliff. As Garnet climbed the summit, she felt herself getting colder and colder. When she was more than half way up Garnet fingers were almost blue. The red gem crawled into a cave to take a break from climbing. She drew her knees into her chest to keep warm.
"Hope the boys are okay," She wondered.
Garnet continued up the mountain to see two silhouettes in the moonlight.
"Almost there," she said smiling.
"I guess she doesn't care about you two, let's get this over with," the voice said.
"No please, she'll be here just-" Green Alex begged.
A scream could be heard, then a sound like breaking glass. Green Alexandrite gem shards rolled down the mountains, into Garnet's hand. For the moment, it felt like the world was frozen in time, as she held the gem shard in her grasp.
"Brother?... No... GARNET WHERE ARE YOU!?" Red Alex sobbed.
Garnet was too shocked over the loss of the first Alex, to realize red shards were falling after her. Garnet slipped down the mountain and grabbed one red shard before it hit a cliff and plummeted.
"Let's get out of here," the voice said as he jumped down the summit.
"Oh there you are Garnet, you're a little late," Bloodstone said.
"You killed them," Garnet said with a shakey voice.
"Honestly I liked them too, but Obsidian put it in his will. He knew he was going die you know, "
"He did?"
"Yeah his will said something like if he dies, its either you or the brothers,"
Garnet's stomach dropped, when she realized Rose was right. It was a set up.
"But luckily for him, I get to fulfill both of his wishes," Bloodstone said as he summoned his axe.
Garnet took a step back and realized she was on the edge of a cliff. She quickly pulled out her hidden locket, and placed their gems in them.
"I will not let my friends die in vain," she Vowed.
"Well then, come and get me then," Bloodstone challenged.
Garnet stood at the cliff motionless. Every fiber in Garnet's being told her to stand and fight, but she also knew her mind was too clouded to actually stand chance. What good would it be for her if she allowed Bloodstone to complete Obsidian's will? She took a step backwards and fell down the summit. Her body was knocked against rocks, as she slid down Mount Everest. Once she stopped rolling, she heard a angry voice in the distance.
"You can't escape me Garnet! I'll find you if its the last thing I do!" Bloodstone threatened.
"I don't have time for this, " mumbled.
Garnet jumped down the rest of the summit and warped home.
"Garnet what happened?" Rose asked as soon as she warped back.
Garnet didn't answer her. She walked over to Blue's statue and grabbed a nightshade. Garnet walked right up to th magic barrier keeping out the water. Garnet walked through and ran deep into the ocean with an air bubble around
"Should someone get her?" Pearl asked.
"Not know she's mourning," Citrine explained.
Deep into the ocean, the gems could hear vibrations from Garnet punching rocks and smashing sunken ships. To everyone in the spire the Alex brothers were just two gems caught on the wrong side of the war. But to Garnet, these gems were her best friends, brothers even. When Garnet attended the first Sea Spire Celebration, the Alexandrite brothers were the first two gems from the Solar Spire she met. To most gems Garnet seemed secluded, mysterious, and different. The Alex brothers were the only gems who understood her. Not having them around anymore tears her heart out. The more Garnet thought about it, sadder she became until she burst into tears. Suddenly, Garnet felt a small hand on her shoulder. It was Citrine.
"Garnet..."
The red gem remained unresponsive.
The yellow gen wrapped her arms around her older cousin.
"I'm so sorry Garnet," Citrine whispered. Garnet let her tears roll onto Citrine.
"Citrine?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you,"
"I love you too Garnet,"