Chapter 25, goin' live.
I don't own Steven Universe.
Chapter 25: Apart
Three hundred fifty years later…
Peridot was finishing up the day.
No, that wasn't quite right.
"Day" would imply that a sun was setting on the planet. But that wasn't right.
She wasn't on a planet, she was on a space station, one of her own design.
The door behind her opened and the form of Amethyst appeared before her. "Peridot, how goes it?"
The green gem shrugged. "Fine, honestly I was just trying to keep myself busy, but…" she looked to the console almost wistfully "…they don't really need me anymore."
Amethyst glowed for a moment before Onyx retained her true form and then walked closer. "Who, the humans?"
"Yeeeeep." Peridot said letting the word stretch out as she slouched in her seat. "What they're gonna do tomorrow is the same thing they've done today. It's the same thing they've always done and always will do, forever."
"So, what's the problem? It seems like things are pretty great if they don't need you to help them along." Onyx replied.
Peridot turned her head towards her, frowning. "That's the problem, they don't need me to help them anymore. Everything that they need is already taken care of before they can even think about it."
Onyx turned the chair fully around so the slouching gem was facing her. "Alright Peri, what's really bothering you?"
The green gem sighed. "When Pink Diamond asked me to work with you to research the humans, I was fine with it. I held no particular interest for them myself, but I was open enough to the idea. Then she asked me to design a space station that could simulate the environment of Earth, and here we are now standing in it." She said motioning to all around her. "But after these humans have been here so long, I think they lost something. They lost 'change'."
"Ah, you mean how when they were on Earth they had to adapt and grow in order to survive." Onyx said.
"Exactly. Here though? There's virtually no danger and I think we accidently changed them to the point where they no longer can change." Peridot said.
"By removing all adversity from their life, we've made them stagnant." Onyx finished.
"And it's not like we can just release them back into the wilds of Earth either." Peridot continued. "First, off, there's the rebellion. Second, even if there wasn't, the environment they've grown up in is nothing like on Earth. I mean, it is, that's how we designed it, but-"
"-but the inherent dangers, the ones we've removed so that they can prosper here, they would kill them in a matter of days." Onyx said.
Peridot pulled up a chart, a list of numbers upon it. "Actually, by my calculations, they would all most likely be dead within hours."
Onyx crossed her arms, leaning against the wall now. She looked to the ceiling. "So, what do you think of them? The humans?"
Peridot dismissed the chart and cupped her chin in thought. "Honestly? There are times when I think all of this was a waste of time and resources. These organics are smarter than the average ones, it's true, but nowhere near our level of intellect. Still…" the green gem uncapped her chin and got distant look in her eyes. "there's something about them, they have such potential to be more, and when presented with a challenge they try over and over again until they overcome it, and become stronger for it."
"It almost makes you wonder, doesn't it?" Onyx asked aloud, but more to herself than Peridot. "If Pink Diamond had some ulterior motive for wanting the humans alive."
Peridot thought on this. "It's true, she was always kind to all forms of life, gem and otherwise, but you have a point. With all this effort, with the way she always spoke about them, it was like she wanted to use them somehow, but for what?"
Onyx shrugged. "She always talked about us learning from them, to adapt to situations like they do and change. But, doesn't it seem a bit odd? I mean we've gotten more than enough evidence that it can work, so why does it feel like-"
"-like we're not being told something?" Peridot asked.
A silence fell between them, lasting a few moments before the green gem spoke up. "Did… did Spinel ever do anything like this?"
The name of her long-gone friend sparked several emotions at once inside the shapeshifting gem. There was a flash of happiness, followed by pangs of sorrow and regret. But if there was one thing Onyx was capable at, it was hiding her true colors, and thus her face was cool and passive, answering the question as easy as any others. "Spinel? Nah. She was upfront with us about, most everything really." Onyx gave a thoughtful look. "Do you really think Pink's holding out on us about something?"
"I think she may." Peridot said, I mean she's sworn me to secrecy about… things.
Onyx raised a brow at this. "Really, now? Me too."
Peridot mirrored her look. "Huh?! Really?!" The green gem asked, now getting excited.
"Yep." Peridot still looked interested and Onyx went on. "Want to know what it was?"
"Yeah I do!" Peridot's excited look suddenly dropped, looking as though she just remembered something. "But, not without Pink giving you permission first."
Onyx raised a single brow. "Really? I could just-"
Onyx was stopped as Peridot raised her hand and shook her head. "No. Don't. If she trusted you with something and told you not to tell anyone, I respect her too much to have you break that trust in front of me." She said solemnly, closing her eyes and crossing her arms.
Onyx grew a wide grin, moving from the wall and reaching over, mussing up Peridot's hair. "Hey!" she said in protest.
"You're such a cute little thing sometimes. Well, that settles it. We gotta go see Pink." Onyx reached over and grabbed Peridot's arm. "C'mon, let's go to the warp pad."
"Hey! But I can't just-!"
"You already said it's automated, so let's get going!"
Later, Back at the moon base…
Pink had just gotten though her daily files when from behind her she heard footsteps. She turned around partially and to her surprise she saw Peridot and Onyx, in Amethyst form, approaching her. "Peridot? Onyx? What are you two doing here?"
They both looked at each other and nodded once before turning back, Onyx speaking up first. "Pink, we've decided that we're done keeping secrets."
Pink's face got serious as she turned around to fully face them. "What do you mean by that?"
"Peridot and I, we don't want to keep secrets for you from each other anymore." Onyx went on, taking a step closer. "We're all in this together right? So why are you making us keep secrets from each other?"
Pink turned her gaze to Peridot. "Do you also feel this way?"
Peridot said nothing, only nodding in agreement.
Pink then turned down to Pearl who had been respectfully silent the whole time, now staring intently at her Diamond. "They're right, you know. It is long past time you tell them everything."
Pink sighed. "Very well, I suppose we should have the whole group then." She turned back to her console and entered a few commands. Within seconds Flint's voice came over the communications line.
"Boss, what is it?" She asked.
"Flint, postpone your return to Earth and meet me in my chambers, I need to discuss something with you." Pink said.
"On my way." Flint replied, hanging up.
Pink Diamond then turned back to them and got from her seat. "Let's go."
Flint knocked on Pink's door, wondering what she wanted with her. It opened and she stepped inside, seeing not only Pink but the rest of her friends too, and Onyx. "Oh! Uh… what's everyone doing here? Did something happen?"
Pink smiled warmly. "No Flint, but something is about to." Pink Diamond then turned to Pearl. "Pearl, take us there."
Pearl gave a surprised look, but quickly recovered with an "As you wish." The other gems watched as Pearl summoned her weapon and take a strange stance. She then faced the far wall and her gem glowed as she made circles in the air with her sword beginning to spin it faster and faster. A hole then ripped itself through the wall, to the great surprise of Flint, Onyx, and Peridot. It swirled with energy and led into darkness.
Flint looked to the Diamond. "How did-"
"Look it's not important, just get in here." Pink ordered, crouching down and being sucked through the hole. The three exchanged looks before one by one they all piled in, Pearl brining up the rear and the hole closed behind them.
Through time and space, they fell, it was like being on a warp pad, but different. Instead of quickly flowing to their destination like they were in a river across space and time it was more like they were being scooched along a bit at a time, suddenly jerking forward and speeding up as they almost came to a stop.
The other end spat out the three and they slid on their faces to a stop. The three looked up to see Pearl and Pink's shared bemused expressions. "Yeah, sorry about that. You got to watch yourself on the landing." Pearl said offering her hands to Onyx and Peridot, who took it graciously. Flint just picked herself off and dusted herself off before taking a good look around her.
"Where are we?" Peridot asked, looking around the pink landscape.
"A haven of sorts." Pearl answered. "You'll understand better soon."
"Come." Pink said, leading them through the strange new land they found themselves in.
After a time of walking, pink clouds began to clear and before them a long table was set. It was finely decorated, it seemed to have been summoned from the very ground they were now walking upon. Chairs of all sizes lined the table. Pearl sat down first and after a moment's hesitation the others did the same with their seats All except for Pink Diamond who sat down cross-legged at one of the far ends.
Flint spoke up. "Okay, you've brought us all here. Now what is it that we have to talk about?"
Pearl spoke up. "Patience, Flint. We're still waiting on our last member."
Peridot looked up and down the table. "What are you talking about? We're all-"
In the distance, though it was impossible to tell how far, the sound of a metallic door opening and closing sounded. The three newcomers turned towards its sound, now noticing a silhouette through the low-lying clouds. As the figure got closer her features could be seen more clearly and shared looks of shock and anger were on all three of the gems faces as the beheld Rose Quartz.
Rose sat at the far end of the table as Flint stood up and summoned her weapon. "Well now, how long has it been? Five hundred years? Longer?" she asked calmly, ignoring the looks directed at her.
"ROSE! YOU'RE MINE!" Flint shouted before jumping into the air and bringing down her blade upon where Rose just was, missing by a hair's breadth as Rose effortlessly dodged with a jump back. Flint's blade embedded itself in the table, but before Flint could move to free it a giant pink hand engulfed her and Flint turned to see her Diamond stopping her from destroying the enemy. "BOSS! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! ROSE IS-!"
"Flint, stop it." Pink ordered. The volume was relatively soft but the tone was the unmistakable sound of an order and Flint relaxed as Pink released her. Flint's sword faded into light as she landed upon the table and gave one last glare to Rose, who had returned to her seat as the grey quartz moved to her own.
"So, this may seem a little strange, to some of you." Pink started off.
Peridot spoke up, her face beginning to relax but still showing a look of worry. "Strange is one thing my Diamond. But we're now stilling here in some sort of pocket dimension with your worst enemy, possibly the worst enemy in all the empire's history, and you just want us to, what, act calmly about all this? What is space is going on?!"
"Well, to put it simply, Peridot, I'm not her enemy or any of yours for that matter." Rose said eyeing Flint, who still glared at her. "The whole rebellion happening right now? It was her idea, her plan. I'm just carrying it out." She said, pointing down the table to Pink.
If Peridot, Flint, and Onyx had looked confused before, that was nothing compared to the look on their faces now. The three of them turned to face her, expecting some sort of response. Pink looked them each in the eye briefly before a single phrase escaped her lips. "Yes, that is correct."
Peridot and Flint were speechless but Onyx pinched them bridge of her nose. "This… I don't even know where to begin."
Rose chuckled, looking to her. "As if you're one to start lecturing people on falsehoods, 'Amethyst', or is it 'Onyx'?"
Onyx looked to her, genuinely shocked. "Oh yes, I know who you are." She said. "I must thank you too, if it wasn't for you I wouldn't get nearly have as many new members as I've had."
Onyx returned to her true form and looked to Pink incredulously. "So that's why you-"
"Hold up. HOLD UP!" Flint shouted. "I have NO idea what's going on. So, could someone please explain everything before I start to think I've gone insane?!" she shouted.
Pearl addressed the table. "To put it simply, Pink Diamond started the rebellion. She's been orchestrating it for hundreds of years in an attempt to save the life on it. She's also made each of you keep secrets from one another so that if this was ever found out, the implications of each of your involvements would be much lessened."
"And all this is just coming out now? Full disclosure?" Peridot asked.
"As it stands, Yellow Diamond is putting an increasingly amount of scrutiny upon me and the planet. It may be soon that she finds out about all of this, if she hasn't already." Pink explained. "I've gone back and forth on whether or not tell you all this for decades now. But I never did before, because I didn't want to put you in more danger than I already have. But it's selfish of me to keep information like this from you on the principle that it might spare you. You've all been with me for so long, and you have all long since eared the right to truth, something I've been too scared and too stupid to grant you."
Pink looked down the table towards Rose. "Rose has been my agent ever since her creation, and in a way, even before then. Everything she has done and is doing are on my orders and for the sake of the planet."
Pink then turned her gaze towards Onyx. "I've had Onyx here gather psych data on members of our own forces so that I may better pair off gems who sympathize with the rebellion together and allow a steady stream of new rebels to be possible. As Rose said, without her the rebellion would be a fraction of what it is."
The Diamond turned her gaze upon Pearl. "Pearl here has made much of this rebellion possible, by providing this room you see around us and allowing communication with Rose. She is also one of the only gems I've told nearly everything to."
Her gaze shifted over to Peridot. "Peridot here has done so much for me as you all are already aware of. She created the research stations for the humans, the zoo we made far out in space, even the designs of the rose quartzes, it was all her. But there's something she did for me, that I can never fully thank her for." Pink said standing up and reaching behind her back.
Peridot's eyes widened with realization and she suddenly stood up. "Pink! Wait, you mustn't!"
Pink shook her head still reaching behind her back. "No, they need to see this." With that there was an audible click behind her back and everyone but Peridot, including Rose and Pearl, gave even more confused looks. Pink began to return her arms to the front, but in her hands she gripped something nearly invisible. It was translucent and thin, but in the right light it could be seen, a belt of some sort, and it peeled off of Pink's waist slowly before the two translucent ends met in the middle, on Pink's gem and with a single tug a suctioned cup pop was heard and the gem fell off.
Well, no, the gem didn't fall off, because it wasn't a gem. It was a thin covering of some sort that was identical to size shape and color of Pink's own gem, but when it popped off it revealed something no one had expected to see. Pink's gem, a Diamond's gem, had a sizeable hole in its center and cracks from the middle were spread out upon it.
Pink suddenly fell to one knee and began a coughing fit as her physical form began to shutter and phase violently. Everyone got from the seats as they saw this but Peridot quickly rushed forward and held Pink replace the covering over the gem. As it slipped back into place, her physical form stabilized and Pink stood to her feet, tying back the straps once more.
"Was that a hole in your gem?" Pearl asked, covering her mouth aghast in shock.
Pink smiled weakly to her. "I told you I didn't quite tell you everything, didn't I?"
"When I made the first kindergarten here on Earth, I used bits of Amethyst's original gem shards and mixed them into the gel, so that when they were made they would have more of her characteristics. And when I made the Rose Quartzes, I couldn't make it so they would be up to specifications, so I needed a catalyst to facilitate the change." Peridot explained.
"So, I gave her what she needed, a shard of myself. And thus, the rose quartzes were made." Pink said motioning to Rose.
Onyx looked to Rose. "So she's literally a part of you?"
Pink nodded once. "Yes, they all are to some extent. But the Rose Quartz standing before you was the only true success out of the hundreds that were made from that single shard of my gem." She then pated her "gem". "This belt keeps it from shattering apart any further and allows my physical form to stabilize, which is why I owe such a great debt to you." She said looking to Peridot.
Peridot sheepishly rubbed the back of her head. "Oh, it was nothing really."
The gems all sat down, processing what had just been said, about everything. There is one last thing I want to share with you all, the hidden reason I want the humans spared.
"'Hidden reason'?" Rose asked. "I thought you wanted to make sure life on Earth could survive."
Pink smiled bitterly to her. "I'd like to say my intentions were only so noble, but I do need them for a reason. You all are aware of corruption, and its effects, are you not?" a silence fell over the room and Pink went on. "The reasons I need the humans, are the fact that I believe them to be the key to curing corruption."
Another silence.
"Is… is that possible?" Peridot asked. "How? Have you been trying to solve this all on your own?"
Pink chuckled. "You didn't think I was just dealing with red tape all day on that console, did you?" Her face grew grave. "No, with the data you've given me I've come close to figuring out a way to combine the primordial gel, my own healing powers, and the natural healing properties of organic matter, in this case humans."
"Wait, are you saying that the cure will come from some sort of fusion between organics and gems?" Rose asked.
Pink nodded. "Yes, a permanent fusion though. Otherwise the stability of the cure will be unraveled and rendered useless."
"How close to a cure are we talking?" Onyx asked.
"About as close as I can get. But the difference between gem and organic matter is nearly impossible to overcome." Pink admitted.
"How are you going to do it?" Flint asked.
The Diamond frowned. "That is the stumbling block, unfortunately. I have no idea, I need some sort of catalyst for it, but to work for both organics and gems... I don't think it even exists."
"Can we help?" Peridot piped up.
"You've been a great asset to me when it came to these type of thing Peridot, but I'm afraid even you can't help me here." Pink replied. "No, I shall continue to work on it alone. But rest assured if I need your help, I won't hesitate to call."
Peridot seemed satisfied by that, but Flint stood from her chair again. "So, is that it? Is that everything?"
Pink nodded once. "Good." Flint turned to look at Pearl. "Take me home then." She said walking around the table towards her.
"Already? You don't have any other questions?" Onyx asked.
"No, I've heard more than enough for one day." She replied.
"Well, at least everyone's knows everything now." Peridot said getting from her seat to leave as Onyx did the same.
Rose waved a hand. "It was nice seeing you all again."
Pink turned to leave with the others. "I'll have some more data for you on my next visit."
Rose nodded as Pink tore open another hole and they all tumbled in.
The five of them found themselves back in Pink's private chamber, everyone remembering to land on their feet this time. "I hope you all feel better, you know everything now."
"About that…" Flint said turning to her friends. "Do you guys mind if I have a word with Pink Diamond alone?"
Pearl, Peridot and Onyx looked to each other and then to Pink who nodded. Onyx transformed back into her disguise and left with the other two through the door, leaving Pink and Flint alone.
Flint was silent for a moment, looking at the floor before she brought her gaze up to meet Pink's. "Did you really not trust any of us, after all this time?" she asked simply.
Pink frowned. "Flint it wasn't that simple. I didn't want-"
"Yeah, yeah I heard. Trying to keep us safe and all that." Flint said, cutting her off dismissively. "Not that it would do us much good, not knowing anything, right?"
Pink could hear tell by her tone, Flint was angry. Which was rare, she usually kept her cool, especially when talking to Pink. Which meant that Pink had really messed up, something becoming more and more apparent to her. "I mean, did you think we couldn't handle another secret? I mean we're already keeping what really happened twenty-thousand years ago a secret. What would one more be?"
"Why are you making this personal? I kept secrets from all of you, so why are you making it sound like I betrayed you specifically?" Pink argued.
"You should have never kept secrets from any of us! Yet here we are! Having to drag out things, again!"
"I came clean! I told you everything!"
"After how long of hiding it from us?! And making us lie to each other as well?! Are you serious?!"
"I was trying to protect you!"
"Well it didn't work!"
The doors suddenly flew open and the three stood there, all giving uneasy looks. Pearl stepped forward. "Flint, please, try to be reasonable." She pleaded.
Flint pointed a single finger at her. "I don't want to hear it from you, Pearl! She told you almost everything!" she switched her finger over to Peridot and Onyx. "And you two she told at least some of her secrets to, but what about me? Was I entrusted with anything of value? No!"
Peridot stepped up. "Is that what's got you so upset? That she didn't give you a specific secret to keep?"
"STARS NO! THAT'S NOT THE POINT!" The quartz said practically exploding, falling to her knees and hanging her head. There was a silence and her voice suddenly became calm. "We're her friends, and even after all this time she refuses to trust us. And if that's how it's gonna be, then fine." She slowly got to her feet and looked Pink square in the eye. "I'm done."
Pink gave a confused look. "'Done'? What do you mean you're 'done'?"
"I'm not doing this anymore, Pink. I'd trust you with anything, and I've trusted you with everything, but you've proved unwilling to do the same. And as much as I like you, I can't let that go." She then turned to leave. "Send me off to Homeworld or some backwater colony, I don't care. But I'm done." With that she walked off as the three made a hole for her to move past.
The three turned to look at the Diamond, who just stood, mouth open, and speechless.
Hours later…
Flint was getting ready to load the last of her gear onto her ship. She managed to find an outpost that had a position open for a new commanding gem and Pink had approved the transfer as soon as Flint had asked, saying barely more than a handful of words to each other.
As she picked up the gear, she saw Onyx standing near the ramp and approach. "You're really leaving just like that?"
"You know it's not that simple." Flint said.
"Sure sure, go off into space, cool your head, take some time for yourself." Onyx nodded.
"She hurt me Onyx, she hurt all of us. And this isn't the first time either." Flint replied dryly.
"You know she means well." Onyx countered causing Flint to pause.
"Doesn't it bother you that she lies to us so often?" Flint asked.
Onyx shrugged. "What can I say? Deception comes a bit easy for me, as does accepting the reason of deception for other gems. Peridot feels the same way, but you know, with her logic."
Flint shook her head. "Well, it's not that easy for me, and I'm tired of dealing with it." With that she walked onto her small ship and Onyx followed along, walking aboard as Flint set down the gear.
"Well for what it's worth, we're all going to miss you." Onyx said.
Flint chuckled. "What? Even you?"
Onyx gave a small smirk. "Yeah, even me you big lunk."
Flint turned to look at her, she considered her next action for a moment. Shrugged. Then leaned down and gave Onyx a firm kiss on the lips.
Onyx was caught so off guard that she returned to her true form as Flint boke the embrace. "Something to remember me by."
Onyx's eye fluttered and she regained her composure. "You're such a-"
But her next word was cut off as the engines blasted and Flint yelled over them/ "What was that?! Couldn't catch that!"
Onyx jumped off the boarding ramp and rolled on the ground as the craft left, blasting into space. Onyx shook her head as she donned her disguise once more, chuckling. "I'm really gonna miss that idiot."
Pink sat silent in her room, only Pearl remained now, doing her best to console. "Pink, it's not your fault, you just wanted to protect them."
"By giving them less information? What logical sense does that make Pearl? I thought I was being clever and now I've driven away one of my oldest friends." Pink said weakly shaking her head.
"Just give Flint some time, Pink. She'll be back, you'll see." Pearl assured.
"I wouldn't blame her if she never came back. And I'll be lucky if she doesn't say anything to Yellow or Blue." Pink went on.
"She would never betray your trust like that!" Pearl said, the thought of such an action being nearly inconceivable to her.
"And why not? I've betrayed hers." Pink reminded then shook her head again. "I know you're trying your best Pearl, but please, I need some time to think."
Pearl simply bowed. "Of course, I'll be outside if you need me."
Pink sat in the chair, head lowered and hunched over. She claimed she fought for freedom of gems, yet still ordered around so many. She claimed she fought for life, but her actions had cost the empire more gems than any other period in their entire history. She claimed she trusted her friends, but still kept things from them. She had wanted her sisters to stop doing things behind her back but was now a part of perhaps one of the grandest deceptions in the cosmos.
Was that all she was? A hypocrite? One claiming to know the will of the gem masses but never really being a part of them? Pink closed her eyes. Even during the twenty thousand years she'd spent touring every last colony, she still didn't know what the common gem was like, not really. And she would probably never know, she was a Diamond, one who could tell what they were feeling but not really feel what they were feeling.
And how she wanted to know, yes. Maybe then she would have done better and Flit wouldn't have left her.
"Why can't I just know, what it's really like? Why can't I understand?!" she thought to herself, tightening her eyes.
Suddenly she fluttered her eyes open and looked around.
Something seemed… different.
For one thing, she was suddenly standing outside her room, not sitting within it. Secondly all the proportions of the room seemed off to her. The ceiling was now way taller than it used to be. The edges of the wall were father out too.
"What the-" Pink suddenly slapped a hand over her mouth. She knew whose voice that was and it was not hers. She then gasped as she looked to the hand that was not hers as well as the chest and legs. She then ran up the stairs, also not right with proportion and looked upon the chair. It was now massive compared to her.
Pink then ran over to a window and could see a reflection looking back at her through it. She was looking at the body of Pearl.
"What in the cosmos happened to me?!"
DONE. No questions, I guess you're not that interested.
By the way could you imagine Pink Diamond and Yellow Diamond singing that song form Prince of Egypt, the one with the Ten Plagues?
