Original Idea by: Scraps and Cleverun
Collaboration work with: Shortsista
Characters Created by: Rebecca Sugar
Chapter 1: Interview with a Gem-Girl
[*]
Beach City: Dr. Friedlander's Office
Present Day
[*]
"…and how has this incident changed your life Mrs.…Marsh…Taiwan?" Dr. Friedlander said as he looked up from his clipboard to the girl sitting across from him.
"Fine." Connie said bluntly as she cupped her hands together, "It still feels like it's been hours when I know that it's been months since…."
Connie's words trailed off as she turned her head to look out the window, looking towards the outside world that was Beach City, and outside towards the Temple.
"That day?" Dr. Fraud interjected, quickly looking to his watch and then to the clock that hung above the door to his office. "The day that Stefan died, right?"
"Yeah…" Connie muttered, still glaring out the window with a blank stare. "That damn day…
Meet Connie Maheswaran, a girl who was known to enjoy reading books, playing tennis, and trying to fit in with everyone else. Years ago, she encountered a young boy named Steven who was raised by a group of women known as "The Crystal Gems". As the two had countless adventures, saved the planet a handful of times, and begin to grow into adulthood, their relation had also begun to blossom into a relationship. This relationship eventually resulted in a special night that would change everything for the two them forever. One little mistake would lead to Connie becoming pregnant to Steven's child. But despite what had happened, neither of them would realize that there was a far more sinister plan was in motion, a plan that would lead to the death of Steven, the loss of their child, and the transferring of Steven's powers into Connie.
"I wouldn't worry too much about this Carrie, seeing how you have been managing this; I think you will be just fine." Dr. Friedlander said as he stood up and quickly escorted the young Gem out of the office" Just remind your parents about my fee and I'll see you next week."
As Connie heard the clinic door slam shut behind her, she made an irritated grunt as she began her walk to the large temple in the distance.
It has been five months since that fateful day. With Harold's death, the management of Funland was given to Lars's dad to manage. Connie walked past the "It's a Wash" car wash, stopping to examine the abandoned structure. As she placed her hand on one of the cracked walls, she heard the sound of laughter and turned to the source of that sound. As she did, she saw a young boy with curly brown hair, spraying his Master, a larger man who was balding and had a bit of a tan, with a hose. As the two of them laughed in joy, they looked to Connie and waved at her. Connie glared at the two and waved back coldly.
"Perhaps this is all a dream and all I need to do is wake up. Then everything will be back to normal" Connie thought to herself as she closed her eyes and sighed. But as she opened them, the boy and his Master where gone.
Connie looked to the ground as she continued to walk to the temple, not noticing the large growling creature that was following her.
[*]
Crystal Temple: Beachside
Ten-Minutes Later
[*]
As she reached the beachside, Connie stopped and began to look around. As she slowly turned her head, Connie heard a large roar from behind and quickly turned to defend herself, only to find a pink blur tackle her onto the sandy ground and a large pink animal licking her face. It was Lion, this strange animal that was known for doing weird things and was well known by Connie for saving her life. As Lion continued to lick her face like a dog, Connie couldn't help but laugh.
"Okay! Okay! Down boy!" Connie chuckled lightly as she pushed Lion off "I'm happy to see you too."
Lion then sat up and groaned before noticing Connie crouched before him. As Lion tilted his head in confusion, Connie then pounced at the Gem beast, trying to knock the creature down in a pointless effort. As she locked her hands around his mane, Lion stood up and began to walk up the steps to the Temple. When they were at the doorstep to the house, Lion shook Connie loose from his mane, dropping Connie onto the deck with a thud.
"Thanks a lot Lion." Connie said sarcastically, rubbing her aching head as Lion replied with a growl.
As Connie walked to the door, she looked up to the temple. It has been months and yet, she still is not used to the idea of living with the Crystal Gems, let alone living in the same place that...no, she knew the responsibilities outweighed the fears. Not to mention with the possibility of Diamond making a move, this was the only option to ensure proper protection.
"Enough sightseeing Lion…" Connie said to the creature beside her. "…we've got training to do."
Lion looked at Connie with a bland expression a he turned and jumped up the temple. As Connie watched him climb to the top, Connie looked at her hand on the knob, took a deep breath, and opened the door.
It's going to be a long night…
[*]
Gem Colony Venatio
Present day
[*]
"Get moving! Now!" A Short green Gem with a Nephrite stone as an eye yelled to other Gems as she looked up to the sky. "Set up those defenses! We don't have much time!
Since the reformation of the Diamond Authority, colonies that once made tools of the Diamonds were now used to house and protect Crystal Gems and restore planets lost to war or other disasters. Venatio, a Gem Colony in the Thesya System, was known for not only being one of the largest of the Colonies in the system, but also for housing billions of Gems. However, today, the Colony's purpose as a sanctuary was to be tested.
The leader of this Colony, a Gem known as Nephrite, with the help of an colonies' worth of warrior Gems such as Jaspers, Quartzes, Topazes and, Rubies, were already making preparation to evacuate as many civilian Gems as possible while at the same time using the colony's defenses to repel the incoming invasion.
"Biggs, are you there?" Nephrite said to her communicator as she armed a row of light-cannons, "How are the defenses on the east side?"
"This is Morganite, Biggs has the west side covered, we have the Topaz's to the north, and I have the east side." Morganite responded in her sister stead. "Everyone else is getting ready to help Spinel's team evacuate."
"Good, get all weapon systems operational and hold the line Gems." Nephrite said to the Gems in the communicator. "We're not losing this colony, not today."
As Nephrite disabled her communications, she took a warp pad that took her into the master control center of the colony, where she was greeted by her crew of loyal Nephrites.
"Do you think this'll work?" One of the Nephrites asked her captain. "They're able to take took down Homeworld and the Diamonds, and we don't even know who they are or why there doing this."
"As long as we can evacuate, it will work..." The one-eyed Gem said as she heard a bellowing horn and saw the sky above turn blood red. "…it has to work."
Within moments, the sky filled up with large black clouds, as the clouds floated down towards the colony, Nephrite saw that they were not ordinary clouds, but groupings of Pyrite drones, it was at that moment Nephrite realized who was behind this invasion.
Nephrite then turned to a large crystal panel and slammed her hand on it causing a large alarm to engage followed by the light cannons beside her to begin to fire at the clouds. As the cannon's blast hit one of the clouds, it dispersed into flocks of Pyrites which began to swarm the Colony. Nephrite watched in horror as she saw the Pyrites destroy the cannons, allowing more of the Gemdroids to tear apart Gem after Gem without mercy or remorse.
Nephrite was so stunned by the shear brutality of the attack, that she did not notice the white-haired Gem that had walked through the door of the command center. As the other nephrites took notice and summoned their weapons. The Gem smiled wickedly and summoned a pair of Katars. As the nephrites fought the intruder and fell one by one, Nephrite was watching the carnage before her with a flow of tears coming from her eye. Nephrite then heard the cries of her comrade, quickly turning to see a lone Gem surrounded by poofed nephrite Gems.
"You!" Nephrite shouted as she summoned her curved swords. "You're the one responsible for Homeworld's fall! You traitor!"
"Traitor…" Zirconia sniggered as she placed her katar over her mouth to cover a laugh. "…now that's funny. Also, as much as I would like to be, I'm not the one responsible for all of this. But don't worry, you'll meet him soon enough."
Nephrite then lunged at Zirconia and slashed at her with her swords, only for the white Gem to quickly evade the attacks and parry one of the green-eyed Gem's blades away with her own. Zirconia then quickly stabbed Nephrite through the stomach with her Katar. Nephrite let out a shout of agony as she tried to raise her curved blade, only to drop the sword as a result of the stab to her gut. As she looked up at her assailant, the Gem attacker smiled and gave a light kiss on Nephrite's cheek.
Nephrite tried to move away from the Gem before her, but her blade in her stomach severed her spine and her legs were paralyzed, preventing her from escaping. As she tried to strike Zirconia, two Pyrites quickly appeared and grasped her arms, electrocuting her and forcing her to subdue. As the Pyrites lifted her in front of the white-haired Gem, she traced her hand over Nephrite's Gem and made a smile.
"This one will do, she's the one from Earth." Zirconia said as she looked to the doorway behind her. "Her Vitae is significant; it would be stupid to exalt such a specimen."
Nephrite watched in horror as a tall Gem entered the room and approach her. His hair was silver, his red eyes piercing and cold, and his very presence created a feeling of fear and inferiority. It was Master Diamond, once the leader of the Gemians and now the "new" Leader of the Diamond Authority." As he looked at the Gems before him, he turned to Zirconia and struck her across the face. As she turned back to him, she made a small smile.
"Forgive me, Master." Zirconia replied as she wiped blood from her mouth. "I meant to say that it would be a waste not to convert her."
Diamond then turned back to Nephrite and clasped his hand on her face, moving her head around to examine her features.
"I am impressed with how you have handled things so far Nephrite, you're still as calculated and intelligent as the day you joined the Authority and your dedication to the defense of the colonies and their inhabitants is admirable. However, now you've run out of colonies and now, you've run out of time."
"You didn't give us a choice!" Nephrite shouted as she broke from Diamond's grip as she glared at the Gem Master before her. "You attacked Homeworld and shattered the Diamonds. Why? Why are you destroying your fellow Gems?"
Diamond scowled as he struck Nephrite in the face. Zirconia laughed before Diamond glared at his servant. He then placed his arms behind his back as he walked over to the window. As he looked at the Gems fighting against his army of Pyrites, he replied to his captive.
"Do not speak to me as an equal, I'm something more." Diamond replied as he looked to Nephrite. "And I did not shatter your Diamonds, I took back what I gave them. I did create them after all."
Nephrite looked at the Master in confusion, as she did, Diamond walked back to Nephrite and once again stood before her, his hands still behind his back.
"In the eons we spent protecting the Universe, my siblings and I formed the Crystal Tribunal, the forerunners to the Authority. However, as time went on, we began to schism and develop our own ideals of how we should protect the Universe. My sister Rose Quartz, as you known her, wanted to help everyone and everything in the Universe…" Diamond spoke to Nephrite, watching the Gem's face fall agape to what he was telling her. "…while my other sibling Imperial Topaz wanted to only focus on our own efforts and isolate ourselves from the "lesser beings" of space. While both their intentions were pure, but they didn't see the truths that I did. For you see, the true threat is not what could threaten the Universe but rather the Universe itself."
"So that's your plan? That's your reason for all of this?" Nephrite asked Diamond in confusion. "You're going to destroy the Universe?"
"No Nephrite…" Diamond replied, "…I am going to save it."
Diamond then waved his hand and the Pyrites released Nephrite, dropping her to the floor. As the Gem tried to crawl to her weapon, a katar pinned her hand to the floor. As Nephrite yelped in pain, she used her free hands to remove the katar. However, as soon as she tried to throw it at Diamond, another Gem quickly grabbed her again and held her to the wall. This Gem had orange hair and was wearing a dork orange coat. This Gem was known as Sandstone.
"Nice try pebble-brain!" Sandstone said mockingly to Nephrite, twisting her wrist and forcing her to drop the katar. "But remember that when you're fighting, make sure to count."
Diamond then turned and stood before her, shaking his head slightly as he focused his attention on Zirconia, who was accessing the main controls of the colony.
"Why're you doing this to us?" Nephrite asked weakly to Diamond, "We were loyal to the Authority Why destroy us?"
"Because you've lost your purpose." Diamond replied, "To ensure that order is restored in the Universe, it must be maintained by those who'll never question, who'll never go rogue, and those who'll never say no. Therefore, you need to be replaced; you have the same cancer that the rest of this universe carries: You have free will."
Diamond turned to Nephrite and then waved his hand. As he did, a Pyrite drone flew into the room with a Gem in its grasp, one of Nephrite's Gem crew to be exact. As the Pyrite released her, the nephrite turned to see her captain pinned to the wall with a look of horror and then she turned around to see Diamond and Zirconia. As she tried to stand up, the Pyrite forced her onto her knees and held her by the shoulders. The Pyrite then scanned the Gem and spoke to its Master.
"[GEM IDENTIFIED…IDENTIFICATION: NEPHRITE…CLASSIFICATION: WARRIOR...WEAPON TYPE: CHAINBLADE…THREAT LEVEL: MODERATE]"
As he stared into the eyes of the nephrite solder, he summoned his black khopesh from his chest and raised it above the terrified Gem.
"Diamond wait!" Nephrite shouted at the Master, halting his actions to focus his attention of the Gem captain, "Don't hurt her, it's the info I have that you want, right? You're here because of the Gems that escaped Homeworld, aren't you?"
Diamond turned to face Nephrite and lowered his blade; the nephrite shook her head in objection as she watched her captain speak to the Gemian before her.
"No! Captain!" The nephrite interjected, resulting for her to be punched in the face by Zirconia.
"Yes, that is correct." Diamond replied as he turned his attention to the Nephrite captain. "The Gems that escaped had taken with them something that my sibling Topaz…had…valued. Are they on this colony? Tell me and I may spare you're crew."
Nephrite hesitated before lowering her head in defeat; she then took a deep breath and then raised her head to lock eyes with Diamond.
"They're evacuating Gems via emergency warp pad to the Mendax Colony, and they're using a Gem ship as a distraction." She replied softly, "Now release my crew. Please! Take me but spare them at least."
"Of course, I'll spare them…" Diamond replied as he turned to the nephrite and raised his khopesh above her again. "…from seeing you shatter of course."
Diamond then brought the khopesh down, slicing through the nephrite like a knife through water. As Nephrite screamed in protest, Diamond then raised his other hand before the sliced nephrite and clenched it, watching as the black cut in the nephrite began to crawl across the body of the Gem, who's screams degraded into a muffled gurgle, until she was transformed into a solid statue of black glass. Diamond then took his Khopesh and stabbed it into the head of the statue, which then began to compress and suck into the blade until it was gone. Diamond then raised the blade and smiled, turning to Nephrite and nodding to Sandstone to drop her onto the floor.
"Pyrite, give a message to Onyx to focus our attack on the hangar at the other end of the colony." Diamond ordered the Pyrite and the Gem that stood behind him. "Zirconia, you'll provide support for the Pyrites and your comrades. Make sure that ship doesn't leave this planet., by any means necessary."
The Gemdroid saluted as it hovered next to Zirconia, who laughed maniacally as she jumped out the window with the Pyrite behind her.
"You think you can outsmart me?" Diamond said as he walked over to his captive once more. "Onyx had destroyed Mendax months ago, that was where Lapis Lazuli was, but she also escaped from me, with your help of course. Do you believe that defying me will save you're people? Isn't exaltation preferable to being shattered?"
Nephrite replied to Diamond by spitting in the Gemian's face who responded by striking her in the face. As he looked to the defiant Nephrite, he scanned her with his eyes and then looked to Sandstone before giving him a new command.
"Bring me another one..."
[*]
Crystal Temple: Training Room
Present day
[*]
Connie fell on her back again; this was the ninth time now. As it has been for weeks now, and Connie was trying to unlock her full Gem potential. Although she could summon her shield and fight well with a blade, she still needed to learn how to use the rest of her powers. Therefore, Garnet prepared a specialized training room for her to practice.
As the Gem rose from the floor, she looked towards her opponent, a hologem of a Pyrite drone, which quickly charged at her. Connie used her levitation powers to dodge the attack and slash off one of its arms, causing the hologem to dissipate. As Connie sat down onto the floor, exhausted by the training, she noticed Garnet walking up next to her, with Amethyst behind her and eating a package of fries.
"Your getting the hang of this Connie." Garnet said in her stoic tone to the new Gem "but it seems like you are still holding back."
"I just feel like battling Pyrites isn't enough of a challenge…" Connie sighed as she looked at the sword in her hand. I mean, given that I already sent one to the scrap pile, I already know how to deal with them."
"That doesn't matter." Amethyst said sternly to Connie, pointing her finger to her student. "You've only fought one of them, and it seemed to be an old model. The Pyrites we're going to fight will be much more advanced and smarter."
"I know, but what about going to combat with a Gem?" Connie asked I mean; can't I fight one of you guys?"
"Yeah Garnet, let's become Sugulite again!" Amethyst chimed in with a smile as she dropped her snack. "She could give Connie a nice workout. Remember how she trashed all those hologems at…the…"
Amethyst stopped mid-sentence, remembering about the whole fiasco five months ago, Amethyst looked at a ringing expression at Connie, who was still looking at the floor before she stood up to face her Gem comrades.
"Set up a new hologem…" Connie said in a determined but serious tone as she glared at Garnet "…this time though, use Pearl's."
As Garnet and Amethyst looked to each other, they then looked back to Connie and Garnet waved her hand. As she did, a hologram of Pearl appeared before the three Gems. These hologems was once used by Pearl as a training dummy for Connie, and at one point, an unsuccessful substitute for Pearl.
"[Do you wish to engage in combat?]" The hologem exclaimed in a dramatic fashion.
"You have no idea!" Connie yelled as she brought up her sword and shield and charged at the holo-Pearl. "Get ready to shatter you bitch!"
As she charged, the hologem summoned a spear and leaped towards its opponent. Connie quickly dodged the attack as she brought the sword down onto the hologem, only for it to roll out of the way and throw its spear at Connie. As Connie blocked the attack, the hologem kicked the shield, hitting Connie in the face and dropping her to the floor. Connie rose up; her nose trickling blood a she brought up her blade one more.
Garnet and Amethyst watched the spectacle before them.
"Connie! You need to focus on anticipating the attack." Garnet lectured the Gem-girl. "Don't let your emotions get the better of you."
"Yeah Connie!" Amethyst shouted, speaking in the tone of a New Jersey heckler. "Fuck 'er up!"
"Is that all you got Pearl?" Connie said to the hologem with an aggressive smile. "I've had more of a challenge with the Pyrite hologems."
"She's still angry." Garnet said disapprovingly to Amethyst. "If she continues to act like this, then she'll never grow."
"Hey! You can't blame her for letting it out of her system." Amethyst replied as she finished eating her fries…and the container inside. "Besides, she has every right after…you know…"
Garnet shook her head lightly as she looked to the battle before her.
"[Initiating advanced attack mode! Prepare your sword challenger!]" the hologem replied as it engaged its foe.
As it jumped into the air, the hologem summoned two spears and lunged towards Connie. This time, Connie blocked the attack and pushed forward, knocking the hologem back. The hologem then flipped upward as it shot one of its spears at Connie. As she blocked this, Connie felt a sharp slash in her back as the holo-Pearl rolled around her and slashed her. When she turned to attack the hologem behind her, she was attacked the same way again, and then again. The pain of the attacks eventually caused Connie to drop her weapons and fall to the floor.
As Connie looked up, her back red from the cuts, she saw the hologem walking towards her, brandishing a bloody spear and a cold stare. Seeing this caused her to then witness a flashback of the real Pearl, standing before her the same way.
"I'm…can't…let…you…win!" Connie grunted as she tried to get up, unable to find the strength to do so. "You…have…die…not…me...Not…again…!'
As the hologem stood above her and was about to stab her with its spear, a large gauntlet blew the head off the hologem, causing it to stagger and then dissipate. Connie sighed as she looked to Garnet, who had just saved her life and was now standing over the new Gem. Her arms crossed over her chest and her face a stoic but disappointed expression.
"Perhaps we should stick to the Pyrites for a while." Garnet said stoically.
"Yeah…I…can agree…with that…" Connie muttered weakly, her vision starting to get blurry. "By the way…can a Gem die…from blood loss? Because…I think I'm losing a lot of…blood right now..."
Garnet sighed as she lifted the Gem into her arms. As she carried the Gem-Girl out of the room, Amethyst trailed next to the two them. Telling Connie about how badass she was facing the Holo-Pearl. As Connie listened to the purple Gem phrase her, she knew that in the back of her mind that the reason she lost the fight was not the hologem's power.
[*]
Gem Colony Venatio: Emergency Tunnel and Hangar Bay
Present day
[*]
Time was not in the favor of the Colony Gems. As the groups rushed to the hangars in hope that a ship was still operational, there was the issue with dealing with the aftermath. Luckily, there was the colony on Earth called "New Homeworld" that housed several Gems and was erased from the star maps prior to the attack on Homeworld. As of now, it was up to Spinel, who once attacked said colony out of violent spite, to lead the surviving Gems off the colony. As they ran through the tunnels towards the hangar, they could hear the fighting above them, the sound of Gems clashing with their mechanical replacements, and the sounds of Gems screaming as they were being ripped apart. It was clear that the only thing those Gems above could do was by Spinel's team time, just like the other colonies did.
Spinel suddenly watched one of the Gems beside her stop running and place her hands over her head, slumping down into a ball, the horror of what was happening was too much for the Gem. Malachite tilted her head to the other Gems to have them move on, as she would stay behind to help her fellow Gem sister.
"It's too much! It's all too much!" Rhodonite muttered as she clenched her head and shut her eyes, which were pouring tears. "We're gonna get shattered!"
"Hey now! It's gonna to be A-okay!" Spinel reassured Rhodonite as she grabbed the fusion's face and looked her in the eyes. "You know why? Cause we've done it before and we're gonna do it again! However, this time, we now have someone who'll help us. He'll give those metal morons a good whipping. You'll see!"
Rhodonite took a deep breath as she stood up, continuing to run with Spinel into the hanger.
[*]
Inside the hangar was a large ship. Unlike other Gem ships, this ship was bigger, longer, and much more streamlined. It also had an insignia in the side that looked like the Diamond Authority insignia, but with a pink diamond as well. Under the crest, were the words "Yellow's Pride". As Spinel and Rhodonite approached the ship, they heard a large groaning from outside the hangar, followed by an even bigger explosion. It was clear that if they if they didn't launch now. There would be no escape.
Spinel then pulled a Gem communicator from her Gem and activated it.
"Nephrite, this is Spinel; the Yellow's Pride is ready to launch, and the package is on board." Spinel said to the communicator. "Where can we find you?"
There was nothing but static on the other end. As Spinel looked to a worried Rhodonite, she tried again.
"Nephrite crew…are you there?! We gotta bug out now! You there?!"
Nothing, it was perfectly clear that they were gone. Spinel clenched her hands and looked to Rhodonite, giving a slight worried smile and a light nod before the two Gems approaching the ship. As they approached the door to the ship, there were Gems supplying the ship and preparing to leave.
"Is the ship ready to launch?" Spinel asked one of the Amethysts. "What about that special Gem to grabbed from homeworld?
"She is all set to go, and everything's good with the status pod holding Eme…" Spinel explained to Spinel, pausing as she noticed one of the windows had a Pyrite looking inward. "Oh shit!"
As Spinel looked to window, several Pyrite Drones crashed through the window and into the Hanger. As the Amethyst and Gems began to fight off the incoming swarm, Spinel grabbed Rhodonite's hand and pulled her into the ship.
As Spinel stormed up to the bridge and accessed the main controls, the lights within the ship came to life, and a hologem of a Pearl appeared before the Heart-Gem.
"[Greetings [Spinel], how may I help you today?]"
"Engage hostile defense systems! Now!" Malachite replied as she looked out the windows of the ship. "My crew is under attack!"
"[Command accepted, beginning hostile defense system.]"
Suddenly, the ship began to vibrate as turrets emerged from the top and sides of the ship, firing at the Pyrites who were flying around the ship. As Spinel sighed in relief, she then noticed a white-haired Gem from three Pyrites who were chasing her. Before she could do anything, she saw Rhodonite running out of the ship, with the obviously intent to save the Gem.
"Rhodonite wait!" Malachite shouted as she bounced out the window to chase after the fusion. However, she then saw the white-haired Gem kneeling on the ground with Rhodonite approached her.
"Are…are you okay…? Rhodonite asked the white Gem before extending her hand to the fallen Gem. "It's okay…we're getting outta here."
As Spinel saw the three Pyrites charge at her, she blew into her thumb to make her hand expand, using her large hand to swat the Pyrite away and shield her and the other Gems from harm. As Pyrite looked to the two Gems, she then noticed that the kneeling Gem's crystal was cracked and trickling a black fluid. As Spinel realized who she was, she tried to rush towards Rhodonite.
"Rhodonite! Get away from here! She's one of Diamond's-!"
*shunk*
Spinel watched in horror as the white-haired Gem stabbed a katar right into Rhodonite's stomach, right above her Gem. Causing Rhodonite to clutch her wound and fall onto her back.
"Didn't anyone ever teach you not to trust strangers?" Zirconia said while bending down to the fusion, who gasped as she began to destabilize. "But I guess a freak like you never got a proper education."
As Rhodonite fell over, she dissipated into a pair of Gems, both a Ruby and Pearl. One of the Pyrites flying around then stopped nearby and scanned them.
"[INCAPACITATED GEMS DETECTED…GEM COUNT: ONE RUBY AND ONE PEARL…COMMENCING GEM EXALTATION.]"
The Pyrite then opened its hand, causing the Gems to lift into the air and float towards the Gemdroid.
"Oh no you don't!" Spinel shouted as she stretched her arms and grabbed Rhodonite's Gems from the Pyrite's grip.
The Pyrite then began to fly away with the Gems, pulling Spinel with it and causing the rubber Gem to wrap her legs around the door of the ship. As the two engaged in tug of war with the Gems, Spinel heard the ship's thrusters warming up and then firing. Knowing that the ship needed to launch and knowing of the crew and cargo on board, she then realized what had to be done.
"Sorry Rhodonite..." Spinel said softly as she pulled the Gem close to her head. "…I couldn't keep promise."
As she let go of Rhodonite's Gems, Spinel watched the Pyrite fly through the ceiling. Spinel then felt a bolt of energy shoot her in the back, causing her to lose her grip on the ship and fall hard onto the hangar floor, where she saw a swarm of Pyrites and Zirconia diving down towards her and that the ship was still locked down and waiting for its captain.
"Come on…launch…!" Spinel shouted weakly at the ship as she tried to stand up, seeing a fraction of the Pyrite swarm target the ship. "…it can't end like this…no…"
"[NEW GEM IDENTIFIED…IDENTIFICATION: EMERALD...CLASSIFICATION: PUEREM...WEAPON TYPE: CLAYMORE…THREAT LEVEL: CRITICAL...ACTIVATING EMERGENCY PROCEDURES*
"No! It can't be!" Zirconia shouted as she joined the group of Pyrites attacking the ship. "Stop him! Shoot him!
Before the Pyrites could respond, there were cut into ribbons by a blurred flash. This was followed by a large blade carving into the side of Zirconia's torso. As the white Gem stumbled in shock, she looked to where Spinel was, only to find in her place was a large Gem. She could see that it looked like an Emerald, but he was taller and had more masculine structure as well as a completely different wardrobe. She also saw that the Gem's crystal was on his shoulder and he was carrying the weak Spinel in his arms.
"You!" Zirconia hissed in anger. "You're the special weapon from Homeworld?!"
"Yeah, you could say that!" Emerald replied as he stretched his neck and looked to the speechless Spinel. He then jumped up to the ship and placed her before the door.
"Hey there!" Emerald greeted the small heart Gem with a grin. "Name's Emerald, Puerem of Imperial Topaz and captain of the Crystal Valor. Thanks for waking me up."
"Y-yeah…thanks…" Spinel muttered as fellow Gems picked her up and brought her inside the ship, awestruck by what just happened.
Zirconia screamed as she called for more Pyrites, but as they attacked Emerald, the Puerem simply cut them down with his claymore like grass to a blade.
"So, this is the supposed might of old man Diamond?" Emerald said with a laugh as he cut down Gemdroid after Gemdroid, "Can't say that I'm disappointed that he'd-"
"That I'd what?!" a voice shot out, drawing the attention of the two Gems. "I would choose your next words carefully, coward!
Emerald turned towards the source of the voice and saw, to his shock and fear, there stood Diamond, standing before the green Gem with two items in hand. In one hand was his khopesh, drenched with blood. While in the other was a cracked dim Gem. As he threw the Gem towards Emerald, he saw the gem shatter on the floor. Emerald then recognized what Gem that was.
"What's that a Nephrite?" Emerald replied bitterly as he saw the green tints in the shards. "Good to see that nothing's changed old man."
"Why do you care?" Diamond corrected as he approached his foe. "Does this bother you? Does it remind you of your time in the Valor? Of the times you fought with Gems…and deserted them?"
Emerald then gritted his teeth as tears rolled down her face. He then screamed a bloody roar in anger as he leaped at Diamond, who simply dodged his attack and slashed him in the back with his blade, causing the Gem to yell in pain and fall to the floor of the hangar. As Emerald recovered and felt the blade of Diamond's khopesh aim at his neck, both Gems heard a ship's thrusters firing as they turned to see the Yellow's Pride begin to take off.
Emerald then leapt up and punched Diamond in the face before running towards the ship and jumping into the air, leaping over Pyrites and then grabbing hold of hull of the ship. Diamond watched as Emerald crawled to the door of the ship and, with a smile and mocking salute, enter it. The Gemian then watched as the ship launched out of the Colony and into space, followed by a handful of Pyrite Drones which were shot down by the ship's turrets before it shot away via hyperspace.
Diamond stroked his beard in thought as he then noticed the wounded Zirconia limping towards him.
"No one told us that the Topaz's Emerald was their cargo." Zirconia said as she clutched her wounds. "It doesn't matter though Master, we'll gather a bigger army and go after them."
"No, you will not." Diamond said as he looked at the open space before him. "There is no need to chase them because I know where they're going. In the meantime, you'll return on Earth and acquire the Gem of Rose from that thief of a human."
"Of course, Master!" Zirconia exclaimed as her eyes widened with anticipation "But she has friends, does this mean I can shatter them Master? I'm still capable even after this…mistake."
"As long as you do not kill the Puerem, I care not what happens to the rest." Diamond replied as placed his hands behind his back "Collect enough to resupply our forces and then deal with the rest as you see fit."
Zirconia gave a large grin as she saluted her master. As she did, the destroyed Pyrites around her reassembled themselves and flew out of the hangar doors. As Zirconia began walk out of the hanger doors, she was stopped by Diamond's voice, issuing her an additional command to his servant.
"Make sure to bring Pearl with you."
[*]