CHAPTER 4
It was well established to Shigeo that he was not a good person. There wasn't a day that went by that the intrusive thoughts of just what sort of monster he was didn't take over and cause a panic attack that left him gasping for breath and wiping away hot tears. He was so sure of his lack of goodness that he purposely buried his feelings as deep as possible so as to take away the possibility of him hurting someone due to a passing emotion. He was very aware of the damage he could cause and yet…
Shigeo blinked against the hot feeling behind his eyes. What Mrs. Sapphire Fyre had said hurt. It hurt a lot. He never thought anyone could see the darkness inside him. He never thought anyone could see beyond the shell that housed great evil. To be exposed by his friend's mom just like that… to know that she saw his monster and just knew that it would hurt her daughter, hurt Garnet made the tears burn against the back of his eyes once more. This time he allowed a few to fall and wallowed in the tiny puddle of sadness he couldn't help but feel. The toothbrushes drooped like wilting flowers.
What was he going to do? Should he listen to Mrs. Sapphire Fyre? If so that meant he would just stop talking to Garnet. He wouldn't even be able to explain why and even if he could Shigeo was certain that he shouldn't. Mrs. Sapphire Fyre was just doing what any parent would do and that's protect their kid. Garnet was her kid. Maybe he could talk to both Mrs. Fyres and explain something that Mrs. Sapphire Fyre couldn't possibly know: he was working on himself. Every day when those intrusive thoughts came, there were other thoughts that reminded him of the steps he took forward and the improvements he made everyday. As time passed, he gained more control over his powers and soon he wouldn't need to be scared of himself constantly. He just needed a little more time...
Something green jetted pass in the mirror. Of course it was Dimple because there was no one else who was a floating green orb. It was just odd to see him in the bathroom mirror seeing as he very, very rarely came inside without his okay. Maybe it was because he knew Shigeo had no qualms of exorcising him if he crossed the line or maybe because he was a polite ghost.
"Heyyyy kiddo. Sorry I've been MIA for so long but there's been traffic in the spirit world I had to stick my nose in. A lot of fuss going around but it's worth it for the sweet deals," Dimple smiled but it was a bit weary around the edges and he seemed to melt into the toilet seat
"Fuss?" Shigeo was only too happy to let something distract him from his thoughts. Dimple hummed under his breath and tiredly floated to the window sill for his resting place.
"Yeah. Those damn Diamonds are on the hunt again. You would think they would just give up but they're persistent. Two centuries persistent. I guess it's an alien thing," Dimple complained then he did that hum again, "But the rebels are my favorite target. Having them in your debt is a big deal. A huge deal. They always come through unlike the those damn Diamonds."
"Alien thing?" Shigeo found himself only able to concentrate on one detail. The other parts of his statement sounded very context heavy and detail oriented. For some reason, he just highly doubted that he would be interested in the history behind any of that or that it would affect him as it seemed to be an otherworldly thing.
"Yeah. From some secret planet that got destroyed a real long time ago or so the rumors go," Dimple waved a bored hand. Huh. Shigeo blinked as he processed that information. Aliens were real. It was amazing enough that there were spirits and such all around them and in a hidden plane but to think that other living beings not only existed but turned into ghosts as well… Shigeo was highly impressed. He would have to tell Tome-san.
"Shi…ge...o."
The teenager froze as a weak voice brushed across his mind. It was mind talk like Garnet did. Was… was it Garnet? Shigeo felt his stomach tighten at the thought that Garnet sounded so weak and far away. Was she hurt? Was she stuck somewhere? Oh no. Shigeo hoped her parents hadn't locked her away to make sure they never spoke again.
"Shige… o… nii-san." the tightness in his stomach abruptly disappeared and the breath he hadn't realized he was holding was released. It was Ritsu. Just like that understanding came to Shigeo. Ritsu was trying to connect with him but as it was something neither of them was familiar with, it made him sound as though he were extremely far away. He latched onto his younger brother's presence and poured as much warmth in his voice as he could manage before he answered him.
"Good morning Ritsu. How are you feeling?"
"I found you with my mind! Amethyst-kun was right!" He could imagine Ritsu punching the air at his success. Or perhaps it was something much more calm like giving a small smile that oozed with pride. Ritsu had become a bit more calming person since their incident with those crazy scarred people or maybe he had always been that way.
"So you two have become friends?" Shigeo inquired. He wondered if he should tell his brother about what had happened between Garnet's mother and himself. He hadn't mentioned it the other night because it was still swirling around his mind and it had taken everything he had to not lift all the furniture although he had twisted up all the utensils much to their mother's dismay. Of course Ritsu had fixed them even after he did it another three times. Something went through his link, something warm that heated his cheeks and caused him to squirm. Oh, Ritsu was feeling embarrassed. But why?
"Uh… yes. She's actually pretty cool," Ritsu admitted after a few moments of silence, "And she um. Yes. She's cool."
Shigeo was sure he wouldn't be able to figure out what was causing such a feeling in his brother or the odd way he had answered but he didn't have time anyway. Stewing on his huge predicament had put him back time wise and now he was going to have to put energy into getting ready if he didn't want to drag Ritsu down with him. They made it a point to walk to school together no matter what. They had slipped back on this tradition but their fight and the fights that had followed directly after reminded them to restart.
"Sorry to rush you but I invited Amethyst and her sisters to join our walk. Amethyst says that they are close," Ritsu suddenly stated. Shigeo paused with his shirt of his head, supplies floating into his bag and shoes sliding across the floor. Was it possible that Garnet would be there? Had she somehow convinced her mom to let them continue their new friendship? A small smile began on Shigeo's lips as he yanked down his clothes and stepped into his shoes. He snatched up his bag, supplies chasing him as he rushed downstairs. He stopped just short of running into his younger brother and smiled at him.
"That was fast," Ritsu noted. Shigeo nodded and zipped up his bag as his pencils finally caught up. Ritsu suddenly cocked his head to the side as though he were listening to something before he smiled and strode to the door, opening it just as a chubby hand raised to knock.
"Hey hombre! You should have let me be polite and knock!" Amethyst frowned in a way that Shigeo was very, very sure meant to be a joke. After all, she had puffed her cheeks out ridiculously. Ritsu dug into his bag and carefully pulled out the stick of dango their mom had made last night for dessert. The girl squealed happily and snatched it. She wasted no time devouring the little balls. The two began to chat in a way that was disjointed like half of their sentences were missing but they seemed to understand and enjoy whatever they were talking about. Shigeo paid them no mind and, instead, searched for Garnet. It took but a second for his hopes to be dashed. It was just Amethyst and Pearl. Oh yes, he was being rude to the silent girl.
"Hello Pearl-san," he greeted politely. The girl gave him a stiff smile and something in her blue eyes caught his attention. "Where is Garnet-kun?"
"Oh," Pearl seemed to deflate just a bit before straightening just as quickly, "It seems that she doesn't feel well enough to come to school today."
Not for the first time did Shigeo regret not being able to read people and faces. Was Pearl lying to him because Mrs. Sapphire Fyre told her to or was that weird twist of her face because she was concerned for the other girl because she truly had fallen ill? Shigeo really really wanted to ask, to confirm which of his theories were the right one but Amethyst and Ritsu were ready to go, pushing and pulling at the two older teens. Shigeo sighed and just really, really hoped everything was fine with Garnet.
Everything was fine with Garnet. Or at least as fine as she had predicted. The teenager sat atop a grassy hill, legs pulled tight to her chest and chin resting on her knees. Shouts and screams from scientists and guards filled the air but it was nothing compared to the roaring fire that was rapidly consuming the rather large building. Garnet idly brushed a hand through the grass blades, feeling her gems quiver. It wasn't often that she used her abilities beyond clairvoyance and some telekinesis but she obviously hadn't lost her touch.
Speaking of which those bombs Bismuth had given her should be… BOOM! The building erupted, coming down like a pyramid of cards. At least one hundred gems would be turned into useless shards, subjects who had yet to be turned were carefully set free and released to Snowflake and with that explosion the building and all its technology had been destroyed. Garnet had purposely set fires and released a mental scream that there were bombs to lower the casualties to zero because, while their enemy were murderers, they were not. It was a theory that Garnet sometimes had problems fully supporting. She had seen so many with their physical bodies destroyed and their lives taken, so many who just wanted their freedom only to receive a merciless death and their gem torn from their bodies and placed in another because flesh was just a replaceable shell to the Diamonds. Garnet shook the dark thoughts before they could anger her and climbed to her feet. She needed to get back to Japan before—
"You did well kid," a chillingly familiar voice chuckled. Garnet whirled around and there she was, leaning against a tree with her short, thin body wrapped in a simple pink dress. Garnet felt cold, so cold. The dark, dark eyes of this monster in the guise of a fragile body bore into her own. She was reaching, reaching into her mind in search of answers or to plant—(no! This was a vision). One of many paths that lead to many endings. This monster could not see her, could not touch her and definitely could not break her.
"You really are a true work of art, are you not?" The monster continued, "A Ruby soldier and a royal Sapphire. Fire and ice coexisting so well. So much potential."
"Potential to defeat you," Garnet glared, gesturing to the wreckage behind her. Dark eyes finally left her to gaze at the mess she had caused. This was a major kindergarten base in Canada, a place to make more gems like her moms and sisters.
"Yes my One of a Kind. You did a splendid job but is it enough? How many kindergartens do we have, where are they scattered throughout the world? How fast can we rebuild? How many gems do we have left?" With each question the pale monster grew closer and closer even as Garnet moved back. Before Garnet could react a hand gripped her face and squeezed until sharp fingernails caused a small but audible crack in her shields.
"How long can you hide until I find you again little one? How many of your friends will I have to slaughter to drag you back?" Looking into the dark eyes, falling into them and seeing. Seeing the people who had tried to save her, friends she had made step between her and the monster before them. Seeing their body parts come undone like it was nothing. Seeing—it wasn't real! Garnet bit down harshly on her tongue. None of that was real. She never had friends outside of Amethyst and Pearl and Shigeo.
"You cannot trick me like that anymore. I see you," Garnet smirked. She wrapped her ruby hand around the other's wrist and hot lava erupted from her hand. It was so very, very hot. Hot enough for it to eat through the top layer of this powerful beings shield. Hot enough to have the other release her and stumble back just a foot but it was enough. It was more than enough. Garnet ran as fast as she could, back to the portal and through another and another and another until she was in Australia then another ten until she was very far from home but definitely in Japan.
Pink Diamond felt her. She felt the one who had gotten away, her useful little girl. The one who hadn't died when taking two gems into her frail human body, who had thrived even after she had been broken. Oh, such a powerful little mistake. She stepped beyond the trees where the spirit world portal had released her. And then she saw her. Even though it had been four years and her back was towards her, her little one still looked the same. Even though she had grown taller and more confident she was still the scared fireball she had loved so much. So beautiful. Pink Diamond very much liked what she had done with her hair. Well she liked that she had hair. Unfortunately her subjects weren't well versed on her texture and, truth be told, they didn't very much care to be versed so the little girl was often bald but now look at it.
"You did well kiddo," she murmured and she meant it. Her unique one had managed to destroy many of their gems while not killing anyone and saving some hosts. It was impressive. The girl whirled around with the grace of a panther. Look at her. Even behind those glasses Pink Diamond could see the bicolor eyes so sensitive to light. They were hard with anger and hatred and fear but there was a glint. A glint of confidence, of hope. Well, once she took her back to be reconditioned that would be gone and replaced by something more tasteful. She would personally work on her to make it so.
"Goodbye," Her unique one hissed then she was gone. Pink Diamond whistled. That speed was impressive and new. She wondered if it was a match for her sister's. The woman laughed and shook her head. It would be best to not let the others know she had let the rebel go. They wouldn't understand that some things take time.
Shhhhiiggggeeeooooooo!
School had been more than a little uneventful. He had done well on his last math quiz, well enough to show his mother that he was improving, and the Telepathy club had been reestablished and he had lost consciousness only two meters from his goal. But there were no lessons with Reigen-sensei and the walk home was a bit lonely because his little brother had made plans with Amethyst. Well that was a positive. It really seemed that those two were getting along. Shigeo sighed as he unlocked his front door and kicked off his shoes. There was no one to greet as his mom had a meeting and his dad was off food shopping as they had both explained earlier. There was nothing for him to do except his homework and maybe…
"Hello Shigeo-kun." There, sitting on his window sill with a smile on her face and five long braids pulling her hair back, was Garnet. She held out her hand, her gem shining so unnatural and bright. He had no choice but to take it.
"Where are we going?" He asked, his voice barely above a whisper. She laced her fingers in his, sending a chill down his spine. But it was a good spine chill, a strangely good spine chill that distracted him from the fact that they were falling, falling, falling. He could only stare into her glasses and he thought, just maybe he could make out her eyes. They were beautiful.
Progression towards Mob's explosion: 39%
"I want to tell you a story," Garnet had taken them somewhere… odd. The space seemed to be never ending and a soft blue. Everything was this soft blue color except for them and the white butterflies. He supposed that what was giving him the odd feeling. They seemed almost hostile as they fluttered erratically, sometimes forming hordes and then scattering or covering a part of Garnet's body like an eagle descending onto food. The girl would flinch and swat at them until they left her alone and formed more clouds and repeated the cycle. Shigeo reached out and attempted a small shield to help her but nothing happened. In fact… he didn't even feel himself here.
"Where are we?" It felt odd to exist but somehow not. Not in a bad way but not in a good way. He looked down at the hand still intertwined with his own and realized that this was the realest thing in this strange place.
"Our bodies are in my room," Garnet hummed, "this is the inside of my mind. Do you like it?"
"It's so empty," Shigeo noted. Then blushed as he heard what he had said. A peek at Garnet revealed that she wasn't upset. In fact she was smiling at him.
"Purposely. I clear my mind of distractions… for the most part," she shook off more butterflies. Shigeo held out his free hand and brushed his fingers against one, just one and tears sprang to his eyes and utter despair descended upon him. He wanted his moms so badly! Mommy! Please, please save me! Save me mama! I want to go home! Garnet swatted his hand away and it was over.
"W-what was that?" Shigeo wiped hard at the tears that were his but weren't.
"I want to tell you a story," the brown girl repeated.
Long ago, there were four powerful psychics who called themselves the Diamond Authority. They spent centuries conquering planet after planet, absorbing latent power from the land and taking the bodies of the organic beings as a way to grow their court. Soon, they arrived to a very odd planet. It was mostly covered in water yet the bipedal, intelligent beings didn't have gills. They willingly lived in extreme conditions that were unsuited for their frail bodies, they had a pack mentality even with creatures that were not the same as them but, most importantly, there were those who would not submit to being taken. Instead, they gained the same powers as themselves and the knowledge of those within the gems. One such person rose up against these conquers and began to fight them. She quickly gained allies, not just with her fellow awakened gems but with organic life and spirits as well. Due to their arrogance, the war turned in favor of the rebellion with thousands shattered. Fearing that they would be destroyed, the four powerful psychics sunk into the shadows.
"They are still out there… we run, fight and run some more," Garnet finished quietly. Shigeo blinked slowly, digesting the short story. It was… odd but most things were odd to him.
"So… there is an… alien esper in your hands?" Shigeo asked carefully. He reached out to touch the gem closest to him then flinched back as he realized he had attempted to do so without permission.
"There are two, actually. I was an experiment that wasn't meant to be. So many other humans had died or gone insane," Garnet presented him with her hand, obviously encouraging him to explore her gem. Shigeo found that he was fascinated as he traced around the edge of the gem. Her skin was soft and smooth, no jagged skin or scars as he had suspected with a close examination. It was as though the gem had been grown there from the very beginning. It was also very warm and, not that Shigeo was concentrating, he could feel a roaring fire and an almost… pounding inside the gem as though something very angry was inside and trying to break out.
"I can see the future, Shigeo and I felt something amazing with you so I had to tell you this truth. Being near me is dangerous and I may disappear one day but…" Garnet trailed off awkwardly. She chewed on her bottom lip and wiggled in her spot. He squeezed the hand in his hand until she turned her covered eyes to him.
"You are my friend, Garnet even though we have not known each other very long. I am honored you told me this story," Shigeo gave her a small, grin. The room was already bright but it was somehow even brighter with the smile she leveled at him. It was beautiful and breathtaking and he wanted to… do something. His face felt hot and he just knew that he was red so he shot his eyes to the butterflies that would occasionally land on Garnet then fly away then attack again.
"What are those…?" He blurted. Her smile melted away almost immediately but she didn't seem angry, he thought. Instead she looked pensive as another butterfly flew towards her. This time she snatched it from the air. Almost immediately, and to Shigeo's horror, wet tears poured from under her glasses.
Progression towards Mob's explosion: 40%
"Baggage from trauma I experienced or will experience," she answered bluntly. She released the undamaged creature and pulled away from him to wipe her face clean, "the one that you touched was of when I was captured. A lot of them are from that time."
"I-I didn't mean to—." He should have figured that out just by his own strong feelings from touching one himself. Her mother was right, he was no good despite what Garnet thought of their future. Before he could actually apologize Garnet placed a finger against his lips.
"Let's go back to the real world."
TBC
LISTEN HERE! The new episodes in SU blew my mind that I considered changing my plans for this then I was like… dude this whole thing is so far off from canon why bother?
